I was privileged to be interviewed by the Mystery Tribune recently. They were interested in learning how I created the character of Lucy Guardino, my FBI protagonist from SNAKE SKIN and BLOOD STAINED.

Here’s an excerpt, click HERE to read the complete interview and learn how I researched my FBI characters.

What was your inspiration for the character of Lucy Guardino?  

CJ: I was tired of reading thrillers featuring female FBI agents who were driven by angst, fleeing demons, fighting addiction, stalked by serial killers, or with dark, forbidden secrets, etc–all things that would never allow them to do their job effectively in the real world.

As a woman who has always worked in a male dominated field (Emergency Medicine), I wanted to create a main character I could relate to. Someone facing the same kind of struggles balancing work and family and who was “real.”

So, I thought, why not go as real as it gets? How about a Pittsburgh soccer mom, who has a loving and supportive family? No angst, no dark past, no addictions or demons…Just the very real need to do her job the best she can while also giving her family as much love and attention as possible.

Of course, I can’t go too easy on her, so I give her the worst possible job, tracking pedophiles and sex offenders. The fact that she happens to be good at it only makes her life more complicated because she fights a constant battle of protecting her family from her work.

She seems to have a reckless attraction to confronting her fears, right?

CJ: Wow, great question! I never thought of it that way, but yes, she is most definitely someone who always confronts her fears, refuses to let them just lie there sabotaging her life.

Part of that comes from me–my entire life has been about facing down fears, both physical ones like flying in helicopters to go get patients or facing off with drunk gang-bangers in the ER, but also emotional fears like finding the courage to make a leap of faith and leave medicine to write full time.

The rest comes from my deep-seated belief that heroes really are born everyday…and re-born with every obstacle and fear that we face. That’s what all of my Thrillers with Heart are about: finding the courage to change the world, one person at a time.

Of course, I haven’t been as successful as Lucy in conquering my fears. Every book still leaves me quivering in panic that I’ll disappoint my readers. Yet, I keep on writing them, even when they take me into deep, dark places like BLOOD STAINED did. That book was as painful for me to write as it was for Lucy to live through.

 

Want to know more about Lucy and how I researched BLOOD STAINED? Click HERE to keep reading.

PS: BLOOD STAINED just hit Amazon’s Top 100 and is the #1 Police Procedural, so grab your copy today!

Readers asked for “More Lucy, Please!”

Now Lucy’s back and she’s facing the fight of her life:

Just your average Pittsburgh soccer mom, baking brownies and carrying a loaded forty-caliber Glock…

Until recently Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino was a shining star in the FBI’s roster. But after killing a man and disobeying orders, Lucy’s been sidelined, chained to her desk. When a mysterious letter arrives hinting that, thanks to Lucy, the wrong man was blamed for a string of serial rapes, kidnappings, and killings four years ago, Lucy jumps at the chance to re-open the case–despite orders to leave well enough alone.

Her unofficial investigation takes her back to the small town that thrust her into the spotlight four years ago when she saved the killer’s last victims–before the killer took his own life and the life of one final victim, a mother who left a ten year old son and loving husband behind.

What Lucy doesn’t know is that what happened four years ago was all a lie, fueled by sacrifice and betrayal, designed to shield the real killer.

With the lives of her family, a group of innocent children, and the future of one desperate boy at risk, Lucy races to stop an innocent from killing and a killer from butchering more innocents.

When it comes to “breathtakingly fast-paced thrillers” (Publishers Weekly), New York Times and USA Today Bestseller CJ Lyons is a “master of the genre.” (Pittsburgh Magazine).

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child has called CJ’s work “Everything a great thriller should be–action packed, authentic, and intense.”

BLOOD STAINED and SNAKE SKIN available now for a limited time at a special sale price.

Think you can handle a trip to the dark side? Download a sample or buy BLOOD STAINED today:

Today’s USA Today features an article, “Self-published authors find e-success”, that features me and several other authors who are doing whatever it takes to reach out to readers.

While I am extremely honored to be mentioned along with such fine authors as Michael Prescott, Amanda Hocking, and Barbara Freethy, I have to say, what really made me smile was the quote from my new publisher at Minotaur, Andy Martin, who said:

Her new publisher, Andrew Martin, says, “I’m not buying a book, I’m building a career with an author.” He says an established publishing house lets the author do what he does best — write — while the publisher offers expert marketing, editing, production and aggressive protection against e-books being illegally pirated.

In the midst of this revolution, Martin sees a silver lining for traditional publishers. In the past, editors, agents and publishers depended on their gut about whether a book would connect with readers. Now the stories are being pre-tested in the online marketplace. “It’s like the old-fashioned slush pile being road tested — with the cream rising to top.”

In the end, Martin selected Lyons for the oldest reason of all.

“She is a storyteller. I think that speaks most to me.”

Wow! Now that made my day!

Click HERE to read the whole article.

Thanks for letting me share,

CJ

I’m participating in a fun experiment from a group of authors called the Book Lovers’ Buffet. From Dec 1 thru Jan 15th, we’re offering some of our favorite titles at the low price of $0.99 on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

NERVES OF STEEL, the first of my bestselling Hart and Drake romantic suspense/medical thriller series is included. But there are many more great books in a variety of genres.

Click HERE to visit the Book Lovers’ Buffet and load up without gaining a calorie!

Remember, e-books make for great holiday presents!

Want to grab your copy of NERVES OF STEEL at the special low price of 0.99? Just click below:

Save $3.00 for One Week Only!

SNAKE SKIN is part of Amazon’s Big Deal Sale!

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child has called CJ Lyons’ work “Everything a great thriller should be–action packed, authentic, and intense.”

Just your average Pittsburgh soccer mom, baking brownies and carrying a loaded forty-caliber Glock…

A loving mom and wife, dutiful daughter, consummate professional, and kick-ass federal agent, Lucy Guardino is living the perfect life.

Until the day she comes up against a predator more vicious and cunning than any she’s ever tackled before, one who forces Lucy to choose between the life of the young victim she is fighting to save and her own daughter’s….and Lucy’s dream life is shattered.

“Combine Dirty Harry with a loving wife and mother and you might end up with Lucy Guardino…You won’t be able to put this one down.” 4 1/2 stars, RT Book Reviews

Click HERE to sample or buy SNAKE SKIN today for a special low price of $1.99!