Monday 26 November 2018

Author Interview: Chloe Sunstone.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After over twenty years in Human Resources, Chloe decided to make a change. She returned to her first love of writing. She combined her corporate experience with her love for the written word to create engaging cyber-crime thrillers.

Chloe lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her loving husband, Mike. They spend their free time boating, scuba diving, and of course, reading. Her latest book, Ginger Snapped, is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732013608

CONNECT WITH CHLOE:

Social media Presence:


In the age-old first date manner, tell me a bit about yourself.
Absolutely! I’m married, MBA educated and a self-proclaimed foodie. In addition to boating, scuba-diving and eating at fine restaurants, I love watching football, spoiling my nieces and nephews, and hanging out with my husband.

From a professional perspective, I spent over twenty five years in Human Resources. During that time, I saw a great deal of odd and intriguing employee and management conduct. I leveraged my HR experience, my love for murder mysteries and a fascination with technology, to create a fictional world personifying the edgy side of corporate America. My books peek behind the corporate veil to find a dark world of rampant corruption and cybercrime.

Who influenced you most as a writer?
Great question! The biggest influence on my writing was my high school English teacher, Mr. Prince. He encouraged me and more importantly taught me to believe in my story telling. Thank you Mr. Prince!

What are your favorite books and why?
Patricia Cornwell, hands down. I find the forensic aspect of her books fascinating. I have tried to emulate her style with the cybercrime piece of my books, offering authenticity, intrigue and expertise.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I love sharing my unique writing journey, because it proves anyone can fulfill their dreams. Growing up, I was an avid reader and exceptional writer who won some local writing contests, worked as the 'Editor-in-Chief' of my high school newspaper and pursued Journalism in college. But things changed. While in college, I became disillusioned with the media field and the constant demands to provide spin and slant to every story versus communicating actual events. So I switched to business, a more finite profession, but I missed writing. Due to my long corporate hours, carving out time for writing was virtually impossible.

So after over 25 years in Human Resources, I took the leap and returned to my first love, writing. Within the last year, I have released two cybercrime thrillers.
Do you have any interesting writing quirks?
Hmm, intriguing question. I’m not sure if it is considered a quirk per se, but I write at odd times. Sometimes plot ideas, phrasing, actions etc. pop into my head in the middle of the night. When this occurs, I get up, go into my office and start writing. 

The other night, at about 4:00 AM, I heard my husband calling my name because he woke up and I wasn’t in bed. I had gotten up to put some ideas on paper, kept writing and lost track of time. My motto: Follow the inspiration!!

How did you become interested in the genre you write?
I credit my mom for my interest in murder mysteries/thrillers. She always read mysteries so when I started reading; I was drawn into the genre. I’m dating myself but I read my first Encyclopedia Brown book at the age of six and became addicted to the mystery genre. Thrillers kept me hooked because I love trying to figure out who did it and why. I still find the challenge of solving mysteries intoxicating.

After so many years in Human Resources, I leveraged my professional experiences to write mysteries set in a corporate America. Married to a Software Engineer and fascinated by today’s technology, my books focus on a fictional world where cybercrime bleeds into the real world leading to mayhem and murder.

Tell me a bit about Ginger Snapped.
Very loosely based on my life with my husband, Mike, Ginger Snapped is a fictional story of a couple, Jake and Ginger Gibson, relocating for a job opportunity. They stumble upon a murderous identity theft ring with a mastermind focused on unspeakable revenge.

A fast paced thrill ride, Ginger Snapped, will make you look at your computer differently. Every time, you purchase something on the web, you’ll wonder if your information is protected. More importantly, you’ll ponder if you and your loved ones are safe.

What was the inspiration behind Ginger Snapped?
Ginger Snapped was inspired by a trip to visit family in Northern California. My husband and I fell in love with the area and considered relocating from Cleveland to San Francisco.

Remembering that seemingly, mundane discussion, I imagined a fictional world, where that relocation would threaten everything…our beliefs, our relationship and ultimately, our lives. A simple conversation inspired a potentially best-selling novel. Fun, huh?

Do you have another writing project in mind or in the making? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
Absolutely! I’ve written about 10,000 words of my next book, tentatively titled Spicy Ginger. The second in a series featuring Ginger Gibson, the main character from Ginger Snapped. Although a series, each book will be a standalone novel. 

Here's an unedited excerpt:

When I departed into the warm night, I looked up and saw nothing, black nothingness, not a star in the ominous sky. Exhausted, I trudged across the empty parking lot to my car twirling my key chain in my hands. A light smell of the stale rain which had fallen hours earlier hung in the air.  In the distance, birds chirped and frogs croaked from a nearby pond on the business park property. 
A crackling sound trumpeted behind me breaking me out of my reverie. I turned and an object moved toward my eye rapidly. It happened so fast. Instinct kicked in. I raised my arm to defend myself but I was carrying my laptop bag. The satchel swung violently slamming into the head of my assailant.
Before I could celebrate my dumb luck and sprint for my car, the loudest popping sound rang out.  What was that? A gun shot? My gaze darted about trying to focus in the blackness. Fortunately, I saw it, a semi-automatic gun sliding across the asphalt. I dashed toward the firearm. My attacker grabbed my leg and I fell on my elbows.  Holy crap that hurt! Ignore the pain. I need that pistol now.
I kicked frantically like a wild horse as my attacker tried to corral me. No! I’m getting to that gun first. I belly skulked toward the pistol using my hands for leverage. The weight of my body caused my keys to penetrate deep into my palm, drawing drips of warm blood. As he bounded on top of me, I hit the panic button on my key fob. The blaring distress signal boomed through the air. The goon rose up and turned toward the deafening noise giving me space to maneuver. I used my feet as propellers and dove for the gun. Outstretching my fingers to maximum length, I felt the cold metal under my skin. Yes! I’ve got it.
I grasped the icy Glock in my trembling hand and turned towards the savage werewolf of a man. Brian’s face flashed into my mind. But it’s not Brian, focus Ginger!
Time stood still while I placed my index finger on the trigger, ready but petrified. Then my aggressor lunged at me. He’s too close. I aimed at the man’s thigh and pulled the trigger. The earsplitting boom rocked my body knocking me flat onto the asphalt below. I heard him hit the ground, wounded.
Lucky shot! I did it. I don’t know how but I hit him. I watched in horror as this hoodlum’s eyes widened.
He grabbed for his bleeding leg and screamed, "Why lady? You paid me good money to do this...I don't understand."

Any advice for aspiring authors?
My main advice is DO YOUR RESEARCH! Join author groups, get references, check those author’s rankings online, and expand your network so you can tell the real deal from the scam artist.
Additionally, find an experienced editor, invest in a cover designer and learn, learn and when you’re done, learn more. Did I mention learning?

GINGER SNAPPED.

How does an amazing professional opportunity descend into a living nightmare? 

Carefree Ginger's motto of “Work Hard, Play Harder” shapes her life. So when her husband, Jake, gets a job offer on the other side of the country, she is up for the adventure.

But after Jake accepts the promotion, nothing is as expected. While Ginger remains in Cleveland to sell their house, she is plagued by strange prank calls, premonition-like nightmares, and the feeling that she is being watched.  Is Jake's new job putting her in danger?  

Unfortunately, she ignores her intuition and soon finds herself face to face with a ruthless killer. Trapped in a deadly world of corporate corruption and murderous greed, she must overcome her own fears and rely on her wits if she plans to survive.

Ginger Snapped Purchase Link (Available in both E-book and Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732013608

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