Before we get started, I want to thank Sally for having me on her blog for Writerly Wednesday..Also, I will give away a print copy of “THE ARCHER” to a commenter. So be sure and put on your e-mail address so I can contact the winner..I’ll draw a name at the end of my stay, notify you and get your snail mail address. Now you may carry on….;-)
(From Sally – Thanks right back to you, writers make the Wednesday and without your work, I’d be making things up.)
Website (to see a list of all my books go to the Bookshelf.
Purchase “THE ARCHER” at:
Print copies: my website above, and at Amazon
Publisher: (e-books)-
Fictionwise
Bio:
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Betty Sullivan La Pierre attended the Oklahoma College for Women and the University of Oklahoma, graduating with her BS degree in Speech Therapy with a Specialty in the Deaf.
Once married, she moved to California with her husband. When her husband was killed in an automobile accident, she was left with two young boys to raise. She is now remarried and has had another son through that marriage.
Ms. La Pierre has lived in the Silicon Valley (California) for many years. At one time, she owned a Mail Order Used Book business dealing mainly in signed and rare books, but phased it out because it took up too much of her writing time. She’s an avid reader, belongs to the Wednesday Writers’ Society, and periodically attends functions of other writing organizations.
She writes Mystery/Suspense/Thriller novels, which are published in digital format and print. Her Hawkman Mystery Series is developing quite a fan base. She’s also written two stand-alone mystery/thrillers and plans to continue writing. ‘BLACKOUT,’ Betty’s story about a bingo hall (of the Hawkman Series), ranked in the top ten of the P&E Reader’s Poll, and won the 2003 BLOODY DAGGER AWARD for best Mystery/Suspense. EuroReviews recently picked ‘THE DEADLY THORN’ (One of Betty’s stand alone thrillers) for their 2005 May Book of the Month.
Betty Sullivan La Pierre’s work is a testament to how much she enjoys the challenge of plotting an exciting story.
Blurb:
The overcast sky hid the moon, and the highway appeared black as pitch. Glancing into the side mirror, Hawkman could see the faint silhouette of a pickup, with no lights, gaining on him fast. He shoved his foot to the accelerator, causing his 4X4 to leap ahead.
Reaching across his chest with his right hand, he loosened his shirt buttons and flipped up the velcro flap on his shoulder holster that held his weapon. Leery of what to expect, he braced himself for some sort of impact as the vehicle gained on him.
Suddenly, a cracking sound vibrated the hull of his SUV. Peering into the rearview mirror, he could see the back window had shattered. It hadn’t fallen out, but one more arrow piercing the surface would send it flying onto the freeway in a million pieces.
Excerpt:
CHAPTER ONE
Hawkman sat at the desk of his Medford, Oregon office, coffee mug in hand, reading the newspaper, when the door flew open and a woman screamed, “No! No!” as she fell on her side into the room. She kicked the door closed, then braced her boots against it as if to keep out an intruder.
Dropping his cup on the table, Hawkman jumped up, pulled the Beretta pistol from his shoulder holster, and leaped into a poised position beside the entry. “What the hell’s going on?”
“Don’t let him come in,” she sobbed. “He’s going to hurt me.”
“Who?”
“That horrible man.”
“Move back. I’ll check it out.”
“Don’t go outside,” she said, dropping her feet from the door, and scooting on her jeans-clad butt toward the center of the room.
Hawkman dropped to his haunches, opened the metal door a few inches and peered outside. He scanned the area, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Easing through the opening, his weapon ready, he cautiously made his way down the stairs, scrutinizing the nearby alley and grounds. He checked under the stairwell and peeked around the side of the building. Seeing no one who appeared suspicious, he holstered the gun and walked around to the front. Soon, he made his way back to the office. When he entered the room, the female raised her hand to her mouth, then in a relieved voice, squeaked out,
“Thank God, it’s you. Is he gone?”
He sank into the chair. “I didn’t see a soul out there. Tell me about this man. Is he your boyfriend, husband, or a friend?”
She still sat on the floor, legs crossed in an Indian fashion. She pivoted on her hips until she faced him. Reaching over her shoulder, she brought the long auburn braid hanging down her back forward and began fingering it. She glanced up at him with big brown eyes. “I don’t know who he is.”
Hawkman studied the woman’s features. She had high cheek bones, a sharp chin, a pug nose splattered with freckles across the bridge, and no makeup. Not a real pretty face, but definitely not ugly. She reminded him of a country girl with her jeans, plaid shirt, unzipped hooded sweatshirt and cowboy boots. “What’s your name?”
“Laura”
Interview –
1. In three days, all electricity is going to be shut off for a very long time. What items are you going to gather in preparation for this event?
I’ll make sure my Kindle and cell phone are charged to the hilt, along with many extra batteries for my flashlights and battery operated lanterns. My campfire pots and pans lined up on the hearth, with plenty of firewood so we can have hot meals. The bar-be-cue grill outside will also have plenty of charcoal nearby. The big freezer will not be opened in hopes the food stored will stay frozen by the time the electricity comes back on. If not, we will take out foods and cook them on the grill or over the fireplace. It won’t be easy, as we really depend on electricity, but you can survive.
(From Sally – I heard just before the last weather event that text messages are probably going to be more reliable than phone calls.)
2. Where did the idea for the work you are promoting arise?
We own a vacation home on Copco Lake shoreline. This is a hunting paradise, and in the last few years, I’ve noticed hunters carrying compound bows to hunt deer and turkey. It’s an amazing contraption and my mind started working toward a story. That’s when ‘THE ARCHER’ was born.
3. What do you like to read?
Fiction of any kind, except horror. Horror scares me and I have nightmares. My preference is, of course, Mystery/Suspense.
4. Tell us about the most exciting place you have ever visited?
The one thing that stands out in my mind is when I was a kid (a regular tomboy) and went to my Grandma’s farm. It was so exciting. I slept on feather beds, warmed myself next to an old wood-burning stove, ran in the fields, played with the dogs, cats, calves and any other pet Grandma had. The outhouse or big bucket hidden in the corner of the room was the bathroom. I took a bath in a big round tub, warm water poured from a bucket of water heating on the stove. Taken to bed at night by the light of a kerosene lantern and tucked in by Grandma with tons of covers to keep me warm. I rode the tractor, and learned how to ride a horse. These fond memories have given me lots of information for stories.
5. What is the most mundane, day to day, thing you can share about yourself?
Housework–BORING!! 😉
6. What scares you the most?
Heights-Acrophobia. I can’t look down if I’m up high..scares me half to death..
7. Tell us anything but keep it G rated. (fishing)
Hmm, G-rated..well, okay…I’ll tell you about what I love next to writing..I love to fish…
As I told you above, we have a house on the banks of Copco Lake. Our dock is right out my back door and down a gangplank..I have my own huge table with umbrella. I can have my cocktail, and fish at the same time. The bathroom is just up the walkway. (this is my type of camping)
It baffles me why men thank you have to have a different rod and reel for different types of fish. I have caught, trout, bass, crappie, and perch, even a clam and a crawdad all with the same rod, reel and bait. My goal is to catch a trout on each visit. So far, I’ve accomplished my goal. However, this year, due to personal circumstances beyond my control, we were not able to get to the lake this summer. I hope things shape up, so we can go soon, at least next summer. Wish me luck!!
Our Guest this week has certainly found her way into my TBR pile, I love delving into a book in a series. I like daytime dramas, too.
Scroll back up to the top of this page and participate in the contest. You know, I think I’ll paste it down here at the bottom for the scroll challenged among us. Next week, come back for Kathryn Meyer Griffith.
My granddaughter got a Rooster for 4H this week, so I feel a blog post coming on about the new resident in our back yard.
The Drawing –
I will give away a print copy of “THE ARCHER” to a commenter. So be sure and put on your e-mail address so I can contact the winner..I’ll draw a name at the end of my stay, notify you and get your snail mail address.
Thank You Betty and I wish you many sales!
Comments
44 responses to “Writerly Wednesday Welcomes Betty Sullivan La Pierre”
Hi, All,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. I’ve drawn the winner for a copy of ‘THE ARCHER’
Congratulations to Patsy Hagen. I’ll get her autographed copy in the mail tomorrow..
Hugs to all…Happy Reading,
Betty Sullivan La Pierre
Author of the renowned ‘Hawkman Series’
Great interview. Spent some time as a seven year old on a farm such as you describe … new world for this city girl.
boots9k at wowway dot com
ok I can’t recall if I entered this or not, I remember reading the email but , um, did I already post?
I enjoyed this article and thanks for sharing with us. susan Leech garysue@dejazzd.com
Interesting interview, Betty! I love a good mystery series.
🙂 Hi first let me say great inter veiw made me want to get to know more about you and yes the only thing more boring than housework is HAVING to pay bills lol. I really enjoyed the excerpt and the cover is really unusal and speaking from experance (I have close to 350 books )it’s one of a very few that I would have blown up and framed . I would love to win this book , I’m always looking for new and exciting authors to feed my book addiction lol,:) here’s the info you wanted HELENE TOMPKINS 901 FORT.WAYNE AVE apt. #507 INDIANAPOLIS , INDIANA 46202 🙂
Wonderful interview reads as if you have and continue to have a fascinating life. Wishing you many more years of the same. Your novel, the Archer sounds fantastic, I wouldn’t mind reading more of it. I am addicted to mystery novels and you have grabbed the reader from the very beginning. Now, I am wondering who she was running away from and how anyone with a bow like the one the mystery man chasing her with could disappear so quickly. That is, of course, if such a person existed. My best to you always.
Hugs,
Elena
Well, I know I’m late but crazy day at work yesterday so couldn’t get to the blogs. Book sounds great and enjoyed the story about grandma’s place.
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN YOUR BOOK THE COVER IS DIFFERENT THAN MOST BOOK AND MAKE IT
WANT TO READ IT MORE
Like you I like the mystery but don’t sleep well reading horror. Your book sounds great.
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi, Betty.
I liked the excerpt and now I want to read the book. I have a hunch that was your plan. It worked.
I also liked the visits to your grandmother. I have almost identical memories of visiting mine in rural Kentucky.
Best wishes.
thanks, I saw this in your newsletter
I’d love to win “THE ARCHER”. I love Betty Sullivan La Pierre’s books.
Hi Betty. Your personal story is amazing which is probably why you are an equally amazing author. I love your style!
I FORGOT TO SAY THAT BETTY’S BOOKS KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SITE, BUT BETTY WHAT DOES HAWKMAN GET INTO NOW? LOL
i would like to read your book i have not read any of them that i now of
and then i would be able to blog on it a lot around the area in many site
and then i love the cover of the book
I really have enjoyed your hawkman series, keeps you captivated from start to finish. Lo ve your favorite place to be, it reminded me of my visits to my grandfather in Brainard MN, it sounded exactly the same and they were on a lake so fishing made it better.
The hawkman series is realy a good read, I have not read them all, but they keep you captivated until the very end. Keep it up.
HI Betty, I loved reading the interview. You are a wonderful woman. I love mystery/suspense. Keep them coming for us
debby236 at hotmail dot com
I’m with you on loving mystery/suspense, Betty. You’ve been through a lot and clearly triumphed–I really enjoyed learning more about you and your work.
Great interview. I don’t do camping any more. I can see why you like it but I think camping now is a hotel room without room service! LOL
Intresting interview, book sounds good. Always intrested in a new series…
Sounds good, I want more! tWarner419@aol.com
I loved learning more about you! A lake house for fishing? I am so jealous. You are a wonderful person and author and I appreciate getting the chance to post that. I can’t wait to read The Archer.
Betty is not only a great writer, but a lovely person. The Hawkman series is unique – different. Thanks for a great interview!
What a intersting interview. I have read two of your Hawkman books and would love to read more.
Great interview. I like your kind of camping.
Joe Demarco
http://tinyurl.com/3hrm79m
I love the Hawkman series!
Nice to learn about the author behind the story.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Nice to learn more personal tidbits about Betty. I like her description of her type of camping. Yes, indeed!
Sounds like another great story from Betty. Would love to win it.
JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com
Enjoyed reading the first chapter. Now I want to read the rest of it.
My second husband was an archer and used his compound bow to hunt deer here in Minnesota—so I think I’d really enjoy this book.
farrell@crosslake.net
Wow, what an exciting and jam-packed opening! Really grabs the reader.
Wow!! What great comments…you guys make me feel like the queen of the walk…thank you so much…You definitely know how to make an author walk on clouds….
Hugs to all, Betty
Author of the renowned ‘Hawkman Series’
Thanks for a very interesting interview.
The Archer sounds like a very exciting book.
I love Hawkman, so any book he’s in will be great!
mom1248(at)att(dot)net
Enjoyed the interview, Thanks for the chance to win too 🙂
llm 96 (AT) aol (DOT) com
Great questions and answers. I learned some pretty interesting things about Betty with this interview. And I’m definitely a Hawkman fan, as well as a Betty fan. Please sign me up for the contest. Everyone should think about what they do if the first question came to pass.
Hello@marjamcgraw.com
i loved my speech teacher when i was in school!
I never realized Betty has a degree in speech therapy. How interesting!
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
HI SALLY AND BETTY! SIGN ME UP, I’D LOVE TO READ YOUR BOOK AAND THANKS FOR THE CONTEST
Betty – you are right about the things to have ready for the lights to go out. Would definitely have to be my Kindle. 🙂 We have 18 cords of wood ready for the woodstove for winter. So, we’re ready for that.
Hugs,
Tami
tami.winbush @gmail.com
If you havent read the Hawkman books you are missing a great read. I have read them all up to the latest and I will surely get that also and will keep nagging Betty to keep writing Hawkman series.
What an intriguing author! I certainly enjoy learning more about the
people behind the books they write…
Many thanks, Cindi