Wednesday, August 11, 2010

BOOK GIVEAWAY - The Cutting Edge by Darcia Helle


I am very pleased to announce my first Book Giveaway and extend my thanks to mystery/suspense author Darcia Helle for offering her book, “The Cutting Edge.”  She is offering a trade paperback copy as the prize.  If you are interested in throwing your name into the hat for a chance to win the book, please leave a comment by Saturday, August 14, 2010 at midnight.  [This contest is open to US and Canadian entries only.]  The winner will be announced on the blog next week so check back to see if that's you!

Darcia has graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions.  Welcome Darcia!

1. Where did the idea for The Cutting Edge come from?
I was a hairstylist in a small town salon for about 15 years. A lot of crazy things happened there. The women I worked with and I were often equal parts psychologist and stylist. The things clients would tell us still amaze me! Working so closely with people - and their egos - could be difficult. And the small town atmosphere gave our clients the impression that they were allowed to pick apart our personal lives. I used to say that the craziness of our salon would make a great background for a novel. One day, Skye's character popped into my head and that salon was the perfect place for her.

2. Are the characters in The Cutting Edge modeled after real people?
The answer to that is both yes and no. Skye, the main character, and her family are, for the most part, products of my imagination.  Skye's clients, however, are based on real clients of the salon I worked in. The conversations and incidents that take place there are almost all true. I don't think I could make that stuff up! I did change the names and minor details, both to protect the innocent and hide the guilty.

3. Is there any truth to the plot?
Absolutely not. As far as I know, none of the stylists I worked with fantasized about murder. And we had no serial killer running loose in our small town. However, a few of us might have contemplated smacking someone with our blow dryers now and then!

4. Which comes first for you - characters or plot?
Definitely characters. I’m very character-driven in my writing. I like to explore the why of human behavior. If the characters in a story feel wooden, the plot, to me, is meaningless.

5. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I honestly don't know. I've always loved to write. For me, writing isn't actually a choice. I have all these characters floating around my head that demand their story be written. If I didn't write, I'll probably be locked up in a padded cell!

6. How can readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
I love to connect with readers and can be found in the following places:

My website: http://www.DarciaHelle.com or http://www.QuietFuryBooks.com (Both links go to the same site.)

20 comments:

  1. I'd like a chance at "The cutting Edge". Love mysteries!

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  2. This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  3. Sounds like a really fun read! Enter me in the contest! martysunshine at yahoo dot com

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  4. great sounding story!

    frogz60@hotmail.com

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  5. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    OOh, this sounds like a book I'd really enjoy reading :D
    Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy!!!

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  6. I'm terribly embarrassed to admit I haven't picked up a copy of this yet, so please enter me! Darcia dropped me an e-mail and asked that I post about this interview and give at Win a Book, so I did. Hope it brings you both some new fans!

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  7. Thanks for the giveaway! This seems like a great book.
    twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  8. Wow..this book seems really interesting!! I would love to read it.

    alittlepieceofheaven777(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. would love to read this, thanks

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  10. Thanks for the chance at this awesome sounding book!

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  11. This sounds really good! Please enter me. Thank you!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

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  12. sounds like a great beach read; would love to win

    ewhatley at embarqmail dot com

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  13. I would love a chance to win this book :)
    Great giveaway and great interview!

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

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  14. Would love to read this!

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

    bloggyig at gmail dot com

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  15. Would like to read this one! Thanks!

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

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  16. The cover of this book looks intriguing!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  17. Thanks for your interest, everyone! I'm excited to see who the winner will be.

    Debra, thanks for hosting me and for running this contest!

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  18. Darcia Helle is a wonderful writer and a better person. I have read all her books, except this one, but will. Her characters come to life and her books are easy reads with many twists and turns. Do yourself a favor, get to know this author!

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  19. I enjoyed the interview. It sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com

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