Original Title: Captured Lies
Author: Maggie Thom
Publisher: Quadessence Solutions
Release Date: October 17th 2012
Genre: Suspense
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo
She was kidnapped not once but twice and now someone wants her dead because of it....
Her life was a lie!
Bailey knew her upbringing wasn’t normal but she’s worked hard to stabilize her life. At 29, she finally has a good business, a stable home; her life is miles from that of her childhood. Then suddenly her mother dies, leaving a gaping hole and a discovery that they may not even be related. If Guy, the private investigator is to be believed, her life is a lie. Using the skills she learned on the streets, Bailey travels back through a sketchy and dangerous past, to find answers. Dodging bullets, staying ahead of those who want her dead and convincing Guy she can do it alone, are making it difficult to discover not only the secrets of her mother’s past but that of a family claiming she is theirs.
Everyone seems to have a story... but who’s telling the truth? And who wants her dead? Is Guy part of the solution? Or part of the problem? To discover the facts, she’ll have to untangle a web of deceit, lies, and secrets, dating back over thirty years.
1. Is there an inspiration behind why you chose writing?
I had an uncle who I absolutely adored. As a kid, he was my favorite person. I spent a fair bit of time with him and he always had time for me. He wrote his own music for the piano. He was always crafting one song or another. That fascinated me. I loved reading and I think what he did got me to wondering if I could write, 'cause I knew I sure couldn't compose music. :)
2. When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
When I was quite young I had a few ideas but nothing that really lasted very long. I wanted to be a nurse (I think that lasted a few days), a teacher (lasted maybe a day or so). When I was a bit older I wanted to work at the zoo with the wild animals. However when I learned that I would have to start with cleaning out the cages and all the poop, I lost interest real fast. I had grown up on a farm so this was just too much of what I had already been doing.
3. Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
Lord of the Rings
4. What are your current literary works? Any sneak peaks?
My next ebook is Tainted Waters. To be published in Spring of 2013
Excerpt:
“You’re fired!”
Sam’s hands slammed down on the arms of the office chair as she jerked forward. “Because some dude stole a necklace from his wife, pawned it and got the insurance for it? And I had the nerve to tell the story?”
“You’re fired!”
There was so much more Sam wanted to say to him. To tell him. It wasn’t fair that she was getting kicked to the curb for other people’s lies and secrets. It wasn’t her fault that she felt truth should win out at all costs. Climbing to her feet, she stared hard at her boss, debating about telling him again why she’d written that story but the blue vein bulging from his forehead and the deep crimson color of his puffy cheeks, told her it was pointless and might just cause a heart attack.
“The story didn’t run, so what’s the big deal?”
His mottled face started to shake with fury. Sam picked up her coffee, which she’d been glad she’d set down when she’d come in, and took a step back. The last man she’d seen that angry had thrown a punch.
“Only because I caught it. Nothing and I mean nothing gets printed in this paper without my say so. Very sneaky Samantha. Not acceptable. You’re done here. And don’t worry, you won’t ever work in this industry again.”
Sam shook her head hoping something would fall into place and this would all make sense. It wasn’t like it was any different than any of the other stories the newspaper wrote – they got details, or as many as they could and then skewed them sideways if that’s what made the tale sensational. Only she hadn’t needed to do that, the facts themselves had been enough to make the story astounding. For once the paper might have been able to print the truth and nothing but the truth. The informant who’d put her on to this situation had been right, it had been unbelievable. She wished she’d been able to thank him, but that had been part of the agreement – no names, no thank yous, no mention of where the story started. And she couldn’t tell anyone because it wasn’t actually supposed to have been hers to tell.
“I’m fired.” It didn’t compute.
“Of course. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Now get out.”
Sam eyed Mr. Donner, the man that she’d thought she was going to have a lot of respect for, the man she’d envisioned thanking in the future for all he’d taught her. For taking her under his wing and making her the exceptional journalist that she was. Okay she knew that was crap but she had hoped that her initial ‘feeling’ about him had been wrong. Besides, she figured even if he wasn’t more than a pompous figurehead that there had to be some people at the paper that she could learn from. Unfortunately to date, she’d only been patted on the head and given the lame jobs. Still, she’d actually started to believe that this job might actually be her calling. Well until she’d taken it into her head to run with a tip she’d been given – it hadn’t really been meant for her but since Tom hadn’t been at his desk when it kept ringing and ringing, she’d figured it had been hers to run with since she’d been the one to answer his phone. She had planned to show them what she could do and that would have been the start to her amazing career.
Another damn dream dashed.
Without stopping to think about what she was doing or even taking the time to rationalize that this wouldn’t be in her best interest, she tossed her almost full cup of lukewarm coffee across the expansive cherry wood desk, into the face of the man, who had been her supervisor for a few short months.
“You bitch!” he screamed. He jerked awkwardly to his feet, only to step onto the leg of his office chair, pitching him forward over the desk. His large bulk flopped forward with a loud thud, landing spread eagled over the almost immaculate surface.
Sam’s eyes widened with disbelief as she choked back a laugh. It was way past time for her to eave......
5. If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Great question. There are so many periods in history that would be fascinating to go to, being able to see it all happen live but also a little scary due to the mentality of the time. I think I would love to go back to the time of Joan of Arc. I would love to meet her and to be able to talk to her, get her thoughts, her feelings, what really motivated her. She stood up for what she believed in and at such a young age.
6. What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?
I have several favorite scenes in Captured Lies - Bailey learning her life was a lie, her mom's funeral, her regrets about her and her mom's strained relationship, traveling back through her life on the run to find answers, trying to figure out who was trying to kill her... To choose, I guess I'd have to say when she finds a toy, Miss Piggy, that she lost as a child and hasn't seen in twenty five years. It's the start of her realizing that so much of what she'd been told all her life, really was a lie. She really questions, who does she trust and how does she unravel it all. It's kind of a gut wrenching moment when she finds it and all that it means.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maggie Thom made the hard decision to leave her successful, twenty year career in management, to write full time. The leap was easy, the freefall was adventurous and very enlightening. When she’s not running her children around or spending time with her best friend, her husband, she’s writing - anywhere, anytime. Give her five free minutes and you’ll find her busy scribbling down ideas. She lives in the real world but loves to get lost in the lives of her characters - who live, love and laugh and are all figments of her imagination. She is thrilled to release her first novel - Captured Lies - filled with suspense, murder, mystery and romance - available October 2012. She is busy writing her second novel to be released, spring of 2013.
Maggie will be awarding winner's choice of a $20 Amazon or BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
All you have to do is COMMENT in this post. Leave a message or question to the author.
Author: Maggie Thom
Publisher: Quadessence Solutions
Release Date: October 17th 2012
Genre: Suspense
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo
She was kidnapped not once but twice and now someone wants her dead because of it....
Her life was a lie!
Bailey knew her upbringing wasn’t normal but she’s worked hard to stabilize her life. At 29, she finally has a good business, a stable home; her life is miles from that of her childhood. Then suddenly her mother dies, leaving a gaping hole and a discovery that they may not even be related. If Guy, the private investigator is to be believed, her life is a lie. Using the skills she learned on the streets, Bailey travels back through a sketchy and dangerous past, to find answers. Dodging bullets, staying ahead of those who want her dead and convincing Guy she can do it alone, are making it difficult to discover not only the secrets of her mother’s past but that of a family claiming she is theirs.
Everyone seems to have a story... but who’s telling the truth? And who wants her dead? Is Guy part of the solution? Or part of the problem? To discover the facts, she’ll have to untangle a web of deceit, lies, and secrets, dating back over thirty years.
INTERVIEW WITH MAGGIE THOM
1. Is there an inspiration behind why you chose writing?
I had an uncle who I absolutely adored. As a kid, he was my favorite person. I spent a fair bit of time with him and he always had time for me. He wrote his own music for the piano. He was always crafting one song or another. That fascinated me. I loved reading and I think what he did got me to wondering if I could write, 'cause I knew I sure couldn't compose music. :)
2. When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
When I was quite young I had a few ideas but nothing that really lasted very long. I wanted to be a nurse (I think that lasted a few days), a teacher (lasted maybe a day or so). When I was a bit older I wanted to work at the zoo with the wild animals. However when I learned that I would have to start with cleaning out the cages and all the poop, I lost interest real fast. I had grown up on a farm so this was just too much of what I had already been doing.
3. Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
Lord of the Rings
4. What are your current literary works? Any sneak peaks?
My next ebook is Tainted Waters. To be published in Spring of 2013
Excerpt:
“You’re fired!”
Sam’s hands slammed down on the arms of the office chair as she jerked forward. “Because some dude stole a necklace from his wife, pawned it and got the insurance for it? And I had the nerve to tell the story?”
“You’re fired!”
There was so much more Sam wanted to say to him. To tell him. It wasn’t fair that she was getting kicked to the curb for other people’s lies and secrets. It wasn’t her fault that she felt truth should win out at all costs. Climbing to her feet, she stared hard at her boss, debating about telling him again why she’d written that story but the blue vein bulging from his forehead and the deep crimson color of his puffy cheeks, told her it was pointless and might just cause a heart attack.
“The story didn’t run, so what’s the big deal?”
His mottled face started to shake with fury. Sam picked up her coffee, which she’d been glad she’d set down when she’d come in, and took a step back. The last man she’d seen that angry had thrown a punch.
“Only because I caught it. Nothing and I mean nothing gets printed in this paper without my say so. Very sneaky Samantha. Not acceptable. You’re done here. And don’t worry, you won’t ever work in this industry again.”
Sam shook her head hoping something would fall into place and this would all make sense. It wasn’t like it was any different than any of the other stories the newspaper wrote – they got details, or as many as they could and then skewed them sideways if that’s what made the tale sensational. Only she hadn’t needed to do that, the facts themselves had been enough to make the story astounding. For once the paper might have been able to print the truth and nothing but the truth. The informant who’d put her on to this situation had been right, it had been unbelievable. She wished she’d been able to thank him, but that had been part of the agreement – no names, no thank yous, no mention of where the story started. And she couldn’t tell anyone because it wasn’t actually supposed to have been hers to tell.
“I’m fired.” It didn’t compute.
“Of course. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Now get out.”
Sam eyed Mr. Donner, the man that she’d thought she was going to have a lot of respect for, the man she’d envisioned thanking in the future for all he’d taught her. For taking her under his wing and making her the exceptional journalist that she was. Okay she knew that was crap but she had hoped that her initial ‘feeling’ about him had been wrong. Besides, she figured even if he wasn’t more than a pompous figurehead that there had to be some people at the paper that she could learn from. Unfortunately to date, she’d only been patted on the head and given the lame jobs. Still, she’d actually started to believe that this job might actually be her calling. Well until she’d taken it into her head to run with a tip she’d been given – it hadn’t really been meant for her but since Tom hadn’t been at his desk when it kept ringing and ringing, she’d figured it had been hers to run with since she’d been the one to answer his phone. She had planned to show them what she could do and that would have been the start to her amazing career.
Another damn dream dashed.
Without stopping to think about what she was doing or even taking the time to rationalize that this wouldn’t be in her best interest, she tossed her almost full cup of lukewarm coffee across the expansive cherry wood desk, into the face of the man, who had been her supervisor for a few short months.
“You bitch!” he screamed. He jerked awkwardly to his feet, only to step onto the leg of his office chair, pitching him forward over the desk. His large bulk flopped forward with a loud thud, landing spread eagled over the almost immaculate surface.
Sam’s eyes widened with disbelief as she choked back a laugh. It was way past time for her to eave......
5. If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Great question. There are so many periods in history that would be fascinating to go to, being able to see it all happen live but also a little scary due to the mentality of the time. I think I would love to go back to the time of Joan of Arc. I would love to meet her and to be able to talk to her, get her thoughts, her feelings, what really motivated her. She stood up for what she believed in and at such a young age.
6. What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?
I have several favorite scenes in Captured Lies - Bailey learning her life was a lie, her mom's funeral, her regrets about her and her mom's strained relationship, traveling back through her life on the run to find answers, trying to figure out who was trying to kill her... To choose, I guess I'd have to say when she finds a toy, Miss Piggy, that she lost as a child and hasn't seen in twenty five years. It's the start of her realizing that so much of what she'd been told all her life, really was a lie. She really questions, who does she trust and how does she unravel it all. It's kind of a gut wrenching moment when she finds it and all that it means.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maggie Thom made the hard decision to leave her successful, twenty year career in management, to write full time. The leap was easy, the freefall was adventurous and very enlightening. When she’s not running her children around or spending time with her best friend, her husband, she’s writing - anywhere, anytime. Give her five free minutes and you’ll find her busy scribbling down ideas. She lives in the real world but loves to get lost in the lives of her characters - who live, love and laugh and are all figments of her imagination. She is thrilled to release her first novel - Captured Lies - filled with suspense, murder, mystery and romance - available October 2012. She is busy writing her second novel to be released, spring of 2013.
AUTHOR ONLINE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
GIVEAWAY
Maggie will be awarding winner's choice of a $20 Amazon or BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
All you have to do is COMMENT in this post. Leave a message or question to the author.
I love a good suspenseful novel. Can't wait to read this :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa. I hope you enjoy it. People like you are what keep me writing. :)
DeleteHi Lisa. I just wanted to let you know that you were the name drawn for the $20 GC. So if you can contact me at my website www.maggiethom.com or leave a reply to this. Thank you and congratulations. :)
DeleteGreat interview! I wanted to be a million different things when I was younger too. I'm almost 30 and still trying to figure myself out lol. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to tell you it gets easier Mandee but I'm not sure it does. It's been a long journey but I am definitely living my dream. What is something you love to do?
DeleteThank you for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteThank you Books Are Magic for hosting me today. This journey is so much funner together.
ReplyDeleteAs a little girl, I always wanted to be a Librarian, and now that I'm an adult, I want to be a Librarian again... :)
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late Kelli... just imagine the choice of books. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI enjoyed the interview, the book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ingeborg. I'm really happy with how Captured Lies turned out. It was an interesting venture to write it.
DeleteI'm sorry, but I'd be terrified to go back to the time of Joan of Arc. I don't know that a woman in that age would get close enough to talk to her, as they treated women with utter disgust unless they were of importance. Even then I wonder.
ReplyDeleteShe was even frowned upon by her own, and pretty much lived as a man in a way. Fighting and being quite barbaric, as they were such beastly times. Would not be a pleasant visit I'd think.
I admire the reasoning behind wanting to speak with her and pick her brain, it's the time and era that is frightening.
I totally agree with you fredamans, very scary times, especially for women. I would never want to go back to those times but I think it's women like Joan of Arc that has helped to change the path for women. Granted it took a while. :) Joan of Arc just had such guts, especially in the time she was living, don't you think?
DeleteThis book is on my list of books to read. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeletekvmatlock(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you Kim. I look forward to your feedback. Your picture is way too cute. A baby kitten right?
DeleteThanks for the author interview. It sounds like a really interesting suspense, kidnapped twice? I will have to add it to my to be read list
ReplyDeletefencingromein at hotmail dot com
Hi Shannon. I figured if I was going to put in a twist it might as well be a good one. It gives her lots to unravel. :)
DeleteI too totally admire Joan of Arc for the courage and determination to stand for what she believed in. Too be so determined that nothing, not even death stopped you. I can see those characteristics in Bailey in Captured Lies. Did you have Joan of Arc on your mind as you created the character Bailey?
ReplyDeleteGood question Mindgardner. Not sure. I know that I wanted Bailey to be a strong, independent female - smart enough to rely on herself but also know when to accept help. I too admire Joan of Arc, she went against the odds, in a time when women were so devalued.
DeleteI could just imagine that scene playing out in my head. Looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteeloquent [at] live.com
Hi eloquence. Thank you for stopping by. That scene from my next book, Tainted Waters was fun to write.
ReplyDeleteYou're a new-to-me author. Nice to meet you, Maggie.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine Lee. Nice to meet you. Thank you for stopping by. Follow my blog tour, to learn more about me and the writing of Captured Lies.
DeleteI can't wait to read Tainted Waters. it sounds as incredible as Captured Lies. You have me hooked Maggie Thom :)
ReplyDeleteHi Helen. Thank you. I'm actually done the rough draft of Tainted Waters. So now the editing. It should be available in the spring. Glad you liked Captured Lies. My aim is to make Tainted Waters as good. See you on my tour.
DeleteThank you Vidya for hosting me today. Great job. It was very cool. Thank you for what you do for authors and for readers.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention yesterday that Captured Lies is available for purchase at all ebook stores - iTunes, Sony, Kobo, Amazon, Smashwords, Diesel Bookstore, Barnes and Noble. I think that's all of them.
ReplyDeleteNice interview. Thanks for sharing and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by fundinmental.
DeleteThanks for sharing the interview, great to add to my "to read" list this year.
ReplyDeleteHi JC. Thank you. I look forward to getting your feedback. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteSounds fantastic! Congrats to Maggie on the release! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Erin. Glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteCAPTURED LIES certainly sounds very exciting.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you Mary. I have been getting very positive comments about Captured Lies, from readers. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteSounds very suspenseful and exciting.
ReplyDeletestrive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com
Hi Jbst. Thank you. I am glad you think so. That was my intent so I'm glad that has come through. :) Thank you for stopping by.
Deletedo you ever wish our own history was more like LOTR?
ReplyDeleteHi bashashhazbaz. It would sure make our world interesting wouldn't it but also very different right? What appeals to you the most, the quest or good over evil? Thank you for stopping by.
Deleteooops! my bad! that was supposed to have my contact info. mark asher at bashashhazbaz(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts. I love hearing the behind-the-scenes aspect of books.
ReplyDeleteMy contact info is danicapage.writer(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Hi Danica. It is interesting learning about how authors come up with things for their books isn't it? We all do it a bit differently. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteHi Karen. It was a great kick off day for my book tour. Thank you for taking the time to stop by - late or not it's appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds wonderful, Bailey is an interestin character.
ReplyDeletegalaschick78 at gmail dot com