A Word Please

I’m excited to have two special guests today! Authors and brothers Blake and Jordan Crouch have collaborated on their first book and they’re here to chat about it. Eerie is Blake’s trademark suspense, mixed with the kind of creepy horror that makes you want to leave all the lights on.

Before we go any further, meet the men behind the words:

Blake was born near the piedmont town of Statesville, North Carolina in 1978. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 2000 with degrees in English and Creative Writing. Learn more on his website: www.BlakeCrouch.com

Jordan Crouch is Blake’s younger brother. He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Creative Writing. Jordan lives in Seattle, Washington. Eerie is his first novel. His website is: www.AuthorJordanCrouch.com

Now for a look at the book:

TRAPPED INSIDE A HOUSE

On a crisp autumn evening in 1980, seven-year-old Grant Moreton and his five-year-old sister Paige were nearly killed in a mysterious accident in the Cascade Mountains that left them orphans.

WITH A FRIGHTENING POWER

It’s been thirty years since that night. Grant is now a detective with the Seattle Police Department and long estranged from his sister. But his investigation into the bloody past of a high-class prostitute has led right to Paige’s door, and what awaits inside is beyond his wildest imagining.

OVER ANYONE WHO ENTERS

His only hope of survival and saving his sister will be to confront the terror that inhabits its walls, but he is completely unprepared to face the truth of what haunts his sister’s brownstone.

Hooked, yet?

A conversation/interview with the two of you is included at the end of Eerie. I was fascinated to learn that you wrote much of the book in real time using Google Docs, and that neither of you had specific parts or character viewpoints to write. Your writing styles blends seamlessly. Was this a difficult achievement? Did one of you have to bend your style or compromise more than the other did?

*Blake*: Our styles are pretty similar to begin with so there wasn’t much adjusting.*

Jordan*: Yeah, we’ve both been inspired by a lot of the same writers, and conveniently enough, one of those writers for me is Blake. I’ve read his stuff for years so I’m sure he’s rubbed off on me in ways I don’t even realize. There was a brief settling period in the beginning while we were learning how to write with each other on the same page, but we fell into a rhythm after the first few scenes.*

Blake*: I inspire myself too.

*Jordan*: I find your humility inspiring.*

Blake*: Thank you. We also edited each other which evened things out a bit. And this kind of story is helped best by terse writing which doesn’t really allow for excessive prose. That was a natural boundary that kept things within a certain range. I never felt like I compromised my style to achieve that consistency. We both brought different things to table, and they ended up augmenting each other.*

Jordan*: No compromises here either. I will say that the element of Blake’s style I adjusted for the most came out of the way he writes character action. When the suspense ramps up he uses quick, punchy sentences separated by line breaks to create a sense of urgency. It works great because your reading momentum speeds up with the action. It’s a signature Blake thing that I definitely didn’t want to lose.

The story revolves around two siblings and, while their situation is unique, it bears all the hallmark battle scars of sibling relationships. Did you learn anything about your own relationship while writing Eerie?

*Jordan*: I recovered some memories about some of the ways he used to torment me when we were kids, but I’m working on repressing them again. In all seriousness, the best thing is that we learned that we can write together. That’s pretty huge. I mentioned it in the interview at the end of EEIRE, but collaborating was like sharing a bedroom again. There’s not always enough space, but finding creative ways around obstacles that naturally arise from having two minds aimed at the same problem is incredibly rewarding.*

Blake*: What he said. Writing is a personal exercise, and you never know if including someone else is going to be worth the cost of entry. It’s great to be able to share that experience someone else. It’s awesome to be able to share it with your brother.

You both have your own novels coming out later this year. For Jordan, it will be his first solo novel (Congratulations!) and for Blake it will be number 1,037 (Okay, I’m exaggerating just a little!). Can you give us a teaser about those novels? And is there any chance you’ll collaborate on another book in the future?

*Jordan*: I’m not ready to talk about it in detail, but it’s a thriller, set at sea, and will completely different than EERIE.*

Blake*: My next one will be out in August. It’s called PINES, and here’s a quick run down:

Secret service agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, with a clear mission: locate and recover two federal agents who went missing in the bucolic town one month earlier. But within minutes of his arrival, Ethan is involved in a violent accident. He comes to in a hospital, with no ID, no cell phone, and no briefcase. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but something feels…off. As the days pass, Ethan’s investigation into the disappearance of his colleagues turns up more questions than answers. Why can’t he get any phone calls through to his wife and son in the outside world? Why doesn’t anyone believe he is who he says he is? And what is the purpose of the electrified fences surrounding the town? Are they meant to keep the residents in? Or something else out? Each step closer to the truth takes Ethan further from the world he thought he knew, from the man he thought he was, until he must face a horrifying fact–he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive. Intense and gripping, Pines is another masterful thriller from the mind of bestselling novelist Blake Crouch.

*Jordan*: I’ve read it. Get excited. It’s awesome. And we’d love to collaborate again.

*Blake*: Yep. There’s nothing on the horizon, but I don’t think this is the last time two Crouch names appear on the cover of a novel.

I can’t wait to read both books! (Even though you, Jordan, were stingy with details! ) Thank you both for being here.

Eerie is available only at Barnes and Noble for Nook, until June 14. Then it will be released everywhere!

Thanks for reading.

There’s a crazy big giveaway going on that you all need to know about! Bestselling thriller writers J.A. Konrath, Blake Crouch, J. Carson Black, Lee Goldberg, and Scott Nicholson team up to give away 10 Kindle Fires, 75 ebooks, $300 in gift cards, and a $500 library donation. Here’s the info:

The contest is international, no purchase necessary. You can also join the
Facebook party at www.facebook.com/BigKindleBoogie.

Entries for 10 free Kindle Fires are already underway at http://bigkindleboogie.blogspot.com and gift cards are being randomly awarded on Twitter for those who tweet about the Big Kindle Boogie.

Three easy ways to enter:

* Use the entry counters at http://bigkindleboogie.blogspot.com
* You can also enter manually by tweeting to be eligible for Kindle Fires and Amazon gift cards: 10 free Kindle Fires. 75 free ebooks. http://bit.ly/xWOoKN #bigkindleboogie RT to enter for a Fire!
* You can email bigkindleboogie@yahoo.com ONCE PER DAY with “Boogie entry” as subject line

But don’t wait to see if you’ve won the Fire before you grab all the free ebook! They will only be free through the end of tomorrow, February 2. So enter the contest, then spend some time on Amazon, grabbing all the freebies! You’ll find them all listed here: http://bigkindleboogie.blogspot.com/p/free-kindle-thrillers-feb-1-2.html

Happy reading.

Did you get a new Kindle for Christmas? I got the Kindle Fire and love it! (Yes, I’m spoiled. ) If you’ve got a new reader – or an old one – and you’re looking to fill it up, here are some of my favorite ebooks from this year:

This is geared toward the YA market but can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Our heroine is a teenager, struggling through all the things we all deal with in high school, while also trying to understand her powerful psychic powers. There is much to love about this book and Stacy’s writing.

At some point in our life, we all wonder what it would happen if we could go back in time and change one detail, one decision, one thing about our past. Maria Savva explores this and more in this fun and insightful story.

A perfect mix of historical fiction with a paranormal twist, this is a beautiful story of love and hope.

This is a thriller with substance. Not only did this book keep me on edge (I couldn’t turn pages fast enough!), but it also has an incredibly thought-provoking issues throughout.

This novella is part horror, part paranormal. James knows how to weave a tale and he sucked me right into this one.

Do you like short stories? How about edgy, dark fiction that holds nothing back when showing the not-so-pretty side of life? If you said yes to these questions, you’ll love Joe Schwartz.

This is the third and most gripping book in RJ’s Rock & Roll Mystery Series. You don’t have to read the first two in order to enjoy this one, though you might want to read them just because they’re good.

A powerful story told from the viewpoint of a young woman who’d been sold into the sex slave. This is fiction that reads like nonfiction – and, sadly, stories just like this one are truly taking place all over the world, right this minute. Sibel tells this important tale with talent and grace.

An Urban Fantasy, this vampire tale has a different spin than the typical story. Vampires and werewolves are at war. Can love cross boundaries, conquer prejudices? Gareth explores this and more, while keeping readers on edge.

Charlie Courtland’s mind is twisted and it shows in this book! This one has some graphic scenes, though they belong in the story and aren’t there for shock value. Mixed in with the creepiness is a great amount of humor. If you want to laugh and gasp, this one’s for you.

I am a sucker for characters that make me forget they aren’t real and Marty Beaudet creates them with flare. This is a psychological thriller, a mystery, and a suspense story, with a multi-layered plot and aspects that will leave you thinking about things long after you’ve read the last page.

One old man, a park bench, and revenge. The end made me cringe – but I live for that twisted stuff.

Reading anything by Joel is an unforgettable experience. In this book, we’re taken back to 18th century Italy, where we meet a young woman who teaches us what it means to truly follow your passion.

Meet Trevor Wolff, rock star with a bad boy image and a spirit struggling to soar. Susan knows about the rock world and that knowledge shows in her writing.

I could not stop reading. This is a thriller with nonstop action and characters that make you want to jump into the book to save them. Blake Crouch is phenomenal talent.

And if you still have room, you can always check out my books. You’ll find them all in the carousel to the left.

To discover more indie authors and their books, check out the ‘BsB Kindle Store‘ The link is always to the right, under the ‘Blogroll’ heading. And we add to it continually, so check back often!

Whatever your reading preferences, I hope lots of books fill your new year.

Thanks for reading.

I have exciting news! My guests today are two of my favorite thriller/suspense authors – Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath! I was fortunate to have received an advanced copy of their new novel Stirred (Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels Mysteries), which I highly recommend. This dynamic duo writing team agreed to answer a few of my questions. First, here’s a look at the book:

Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels has seen humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. She’s lost loved ones. Come close to death countless times. But she always manages to triumph over evil. Luther Kite is humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. He’s committed unthinkable acts. Taken human life for the sheer pleasure of it. He is a monster among monsters, and no one has ever caught him. Each is the best at what they do. Peerless. Unmatched.

Until now…

In Luther’s experience, people are weak. Even the strong and fearless break too easily. He wants a challenge, and sets his depraved sights on Jack. But with a baby on the way, Jack is at her most vulnerable. She’s always been a fighter, but she’s never had so much to fight for. So he’s built something especially for Jack. His own, private ninth circle of hell – a nightmare world in a forgotten place, from which no one has ever escaped.

It’s J.A. Konrath’s greatest heroine versus Blake Crouch’s greatest villain in Stirred, the stunning conclusion to both Konrath’s Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels thriller series and Crouch’s Andrew Z. Thomas series.

Only one can survive. And it won’t be whom you think.

Now for our chat:

What made the two of you decide to take the characters from your individual series and combine them into one wild finale?

We had already been combining our characters in the Lucy/Donaldson series (SERIAL), so it only made sense to pit my villain against Joe’s detective for one last crazy romp.

I don’t want to give away details, but you did leave an opening for a follow-up to this book. Is there a chance that could happen?

If there’s enough of a reader demand, it’s possible we’ll do something again. But that would be a while down the road. We’ve written almost 2 million words on these characters. I think we all need a break from each other!

You two are by far my favorite writing team. What is your writing process like? Is it structured, with outlines and specific parts for each of you to write? Do you try to add twists to surprise one another?

Thank you! It isn’t really structured at all. We work in bursts of intensity. At least for Stirred, Blake wrote the early murder scenes separately and then Joe wrote the investigation of those scenes. Once the groundwork was laid, we met up several times last summer and wrote the rest of the book in a Google doc. And we don’t usually try to surprise each other, at least with big plot points. It’s better and much more efficient if we have a solid idea of where we’re going throughout the book. Blake did consider not telling Joe about the giant twist at the end (you know which one I mean, I’m guessing) but that would have made planning out the book much more difficult.

I do know that twist at the end and it caught me completely off guard. Loved it!

Stirred has some intense, graphic scenes. Was there ever a point where one of you thought the other had gone too far? Or not far enough?

We dialed some of the intensity back for Stirred. Our goal was to make this book as commercial as a book about serial killers and cops can be. It’s actually far more tame than our Serial Killers Uncut double novel.

Which of you has the more devious mind?

Ha! That can change day to day!

Thank you, Blake and J.A., for taking the time to answer my questions and for the awesome read!

For most readers, these two authors require little to no introduction. For those of you unfamiliar with Crouch and Konrath, where have you been? You can find out more about them and their writing on their websites:

Blake Crouch: www.BlakeCrouch.com
J.A. Konrath: www.JAKonrath.com

Here’s a look at some of their other work on Amazon:

These books are just a sampling. Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath will keep you reading – and gasping!

Have you read their work? Lost sleep trying to finish a book, then lost more sleep trying to forget it? Share your thoughts with us here.

Thanks for reading.