Monday, March 18, 2013

SUBMERGED and drowning...


 The fear of being
SUBMERGED
and drowning

Today's special guest is international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of the must-read thriller of 2013, SUBMERGED. Today Cheryl is going to share some information on her writing career.

When did you become a published author?

I’ve been a published writer since I was 14. I was a journalist for a small BC newspaper back then, but my passion was always writing fiction―in particular, suspense and horror.

Tell us a bit about your life before your first novel was released.

When I graduated high school, I went into cosmetology, since it was easier to accomplish than becoming a published author. I went on to become one of BC’s youngest salon owners. I married a military man and we moved around Canada, and I decided to give up my career as it was too difficult to maintain when we were moving every 3 years or so. That’s when I went back to writing fiction on the side. And since that doesn’t pay until you get published, I threw myself into a number of careers—telemarketing, sales, promotion, advertising and motivational speaking―each of them benefiting me later on in my current career as a published novelist.

What are some of the unique successes you've achieved in your writing career?

In 2004, I was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award. In 2006, I was a contestant in ‘A Total Write-Off!’, a reality TV game show for writers. I’ve been a guest on numerous TV and radio shows, and I’ve been featured in newspapers and magazines across Canada and the US. I also present at writers’ conferences on the topics of publishing options and all aspects of book marketing (physical book signings, virtual book tours, internet and more).

In your new release, SUBMERGED, you explore the terrifying theme of being trapped in a submerged vehicle. Do you personally have this fear? How difficult was it writing those scenes?

I have traveled a lot by car, even coast to coast across Canada, more than once. I've also lived near water, whether the ocean or a river or lake. Ever since I was young, I would grow tense if our vehicle drifted to close to an embankment that separated us from a body of water. Drowning has been a deep fear of mine and I have often wondered how I'd get out if I found myself in that situation.

Writing Rebecca's scenes in SUBMERGED was very intense. I often found I had to remind myself to breathe. Even now, writing this and thinking about this poor mother trapped in a car with her kids in the back seat, and water slowly rising around them, makes me hold my breath.

Please share with us the description of SUBMERGED.

From Cheryl Kaye Tardif, the international bestselling author that brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG, comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…

SUBMERGED

"Submerged reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl."
—Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds

Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…

After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

*SUBMERGED has a unique tie-in to Tardif`s international bestseller, CHILDREN OF THE FOG.


Learn more about Cheryl Kaye Tardif at http://www.cherylktardif.com and follow her on Twitter.

Enter Cheryl’s March Giveaway – 59 Prizes! http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com



*************
Thank you, Cheryl, for visiting us today. I know your fans around the world are excited about your new release, I know I am!

In celebration of the arrival of spring in The Great White North,  I invite everybody's fans to check out my latest contest. 
 
You have until winter ends to enter my "Snow Melting Contest". This is your chance to win one of my books in eBook or print format. Just guess the date when this pile of snow in my front yard completely melts.

To help you out, here is the link to my blog about snow-melting trivia.

Leave your guess as a comment under this blog or below the photos & complete contest rules on my facebook author page

Entries end 11:05 pm March 20, 2013

To avoid confusion, please use a word or abbreviation for the month in your guess, not a numeral (i.e. 'April" not '04' or '4')


Eileen Schuh, Author
FATAL ERROR

Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ


4 comments:

Jean said...

I read Submerged over the weekend...well, Friday evening actually, and loved it.

Cheryl Tardif said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed SUBMERGED, Jean. Thanks for letting me know. If you haven't left a review on Amazon, please consider doing so as it's very helpful.

Eileen, many thanks for featuring me on your blog! I appreciate it.

Cheers!

Eileen Schuh: said...

Thank you, Jean, for visiting Magic of the Muses and leaving a comment for us. Also, special thanks to Cheryl for the entertaining interview. I've got SUBMERGED on my Kindle and will be reading it over the Spring break (whether or not we actually get spring here!).

Cheryl Tardif said...

Happy reading, Eileen. I hop you enjoy SUBMERGED. :-)