Bitten by Books
Please join me in welcoming author Linda Bond for her exclusive Bitten by Books vlog interview. She will be here throughout the day to chat with readers in the comments section below about her new book release Cuba Undercover. Direct link to the video one so you can watch the interview on your cell phone or tablet from work:
Buy a print copy of Cuba Undercover from Amazon by clicking here.
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About Linda Bond
Author Bio:
Linda Bond is an Emmy award winning journalist by day and an author of romantic adventures by night. She’s also the mother of five, four athletes and an adopted son from Cuba. She has a passion for world travel, classic movies, and alpha males. Linda currently lives in Florida, where the sun always shines and the day begins with endless possibilities.
11 Quick Things About Linda
Favorite Food? salad - I know boring!
Favorite Color? Red
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Gone with the Wind, Pride and Prejudice - Wuthering Heights. You get it the classics
Favorite Drink? Red wine
Favorite Current Book? Cuba Undercover
Favorite Season? Summer
Favorite Online Hangout? Facebook
Favorite Animal? Bulldogs
Favorite Band or Musician? Bon Jovi and 80’s hair bands
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) Cars
Favorite Vacation Destination? the beach
Connect with Linda
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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $50.00 Amazon Gift Card
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Who are some of your favourite authors?
I love Nina Bruhns. Karen Rise. James Patterson and Hatlan Coban. How about you?
Some of my favourites are Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, David and Leigh Eddings, Cindy Spencer Pape, Maggie Shayne, Jax Garren and Merline Lovelace.
I love Nora Roberts too. I met her in New York last year. Very nice
Woohoo! 80′s hairbands! LOL! You are speaking my language!
Have you ever seen any of them live in concert?
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give? One pro for being an author? A Con?
I’ve seen Bon Jovi in concert numerous times! I wanted to see Van Halen. My advice: Just don’t give up . Pros. I love reading reviews where readers express why they love the book Cons. It’s hard to get noticed. And it takes time away from the family
Sooo jealous!!! I would have loved to see Bon Jovi. I’m not wild about their newest stuff. They really lost me when they went country.
I got to see Sebastian Bach.. but that was several years ago. He was making a guest appearance for a newbie band. I remember texting an old school friend “My life is complete.. I have seen Sebastian Bach.” LOL just to make her jealous. That man was my teenage crush. I also got to see Danzig and Megadeth. I may not have seen them during the height of their popularity but it sort of fulfilled the dreams I had as a teen to see them.. even if I was in my 30′s. LOL
And totally weird coincidence.. I am listening to Bon Jovi right now ( SAY IT ISN’T SO)
You know I got my kids to listen to Bon Jovi. lol. They like the older songs too.
Awesome! When hubby had Rock Band.. the older two and the niece use to annoy the heck out of him by wanting to play WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.
I’m surprised my 17 year old doesn’t try to learn BON JOVI on his guitar. He has an electric and acoustic.
Hi Linda!
My husband and I are actually just starting the process of adoption (very early stages!)- do you have any advice or a little nugget that you wish someone would have told you before your adoption?
I would love to get lost in Spain, Italy, or Greece. Can we just do a tour of all 3?
My favorite romantic suspense/thriller character huh? Wow, I am not sure. There are so many I don’t know if I could choose.
I am going to be really cheesy and say my dream man is my husband. He really is the perfect match for me- but if we are talking book boyfriends- Marius from the Vampire Chronicles. Love him!
We didn’t formally adopt our son as he was 17 when he came from Cuba but he’s been a wonderful addition to our family. Congrats. I’m happy for you
I’ve been to Spain and Italy but really want to get lost I’m Greece
Thank you! Did you have some favorite places in Spain or Italy?
What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
— Hmm, the first country that comes to mind is Scotland. Ireland a close second. I think it might be fun getting lost in such a wild and magical land. Then perhaps Japan, the home of my favorite animation! LOL
Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
— I have recently joined the Gabe Rossi bandwagon.. He is from Roxanne St. Clair’s Guardian Angelino and her new spin off series Barefoot Bay Undercover series. This man has the looks and charm of an angel but the personality and mouth as a devil. LOL. I just hope my Gabe (my son) never grows up to be that man. LOL
Who is your fantasy man?
—- Who is ‘my’ fantasy man. Huh, I have seen a lot of celebrities (actors, models) who have physical characteristics that I like my fantasy man to be..Urgh, book wise, my brain is blanking. I have many book boyfriends, some characters just resonate with me. Take Vanyel from Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books. This man came a privileged family, he faced a lot of hardships for his orientation, and although life handed him some rough times, he still willingly sacrificed much of himself to defend his country and the people in it. But I’m getting off track.. But I like a man to have snark like Vegeta does in Dragonball Z (yes I’m an anime nut)
All great answers!
Hard to pick my ideal fantasy man.. Although I see a lot of them in anime and manga. Yeah I am a sad, sad woman…
Hi Linda!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, it is awesome to have you here with us today.
My question for you is: How do you manage to keep a balance between your busy work career and your writing? What do you do to relax and enjoy life besides reading and writing?
LOL Funny you should ask Rachel I’m sitting in a taxi in AWFUL traffic in New York typing away. You just do what you have to do. To relax I workout or go for a run or just hang out with my kids who are 11 and 13.
To answer your questions on the Contest Widget;
1. What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
I would love to get lost in Italy or Greece. Both amazingly beautiful. Also, Egypt if it were safer.
What about you Linda?
Greece seems to be winning. It looks very romantic
2. Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
I had to ask my husband who this was. LOL Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore). *drools* From Criminal Minds.
Who’s your favorite Linda?
What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
Considering what kind of summer we’ve had here my choice would be Australia.
Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
I can only think of Roarke from in Death by J.D. Robb.
Who is your fantasy man?
There are so many. Roarke from in Death series is one of my favourites. And then there’s Rolf Magnusson from Miranda’s Viking by Maggie Shayne.
3. Who is your fantasy man?
My husband, Angel and Buffy in that order. FOR THE RECORD! bahahahah
How about you Linda?
Congratulations on the publication of Cuba Undercover! What new book releases are you looking forward to this year?
Bonnie. I’m working on a suspense novel with my 11 year old and two more romantic thrillers for Entangked publishing called LIVEShot and Eyewitness
Hello! Do you have any summer releases that you are looking forward to or checked out already this summer?
Oh my gosh I’ve been so busy writing I haven’t even looked up. Can you recommend some
I love salad and Bon Jovi too ;).
What book (ever written) would you like to have been yours and why?
1. New Zealand would be a great place to get lost in a lover.
2. Cynthia Eden’s Chance Valentine. He has so many layers :).
3. Larissa Ione’s Wraith Seminus.
Oh that’s a good question. I don’t know if I can name just one book but any book I read twice tells me that writer knows what she’s doing. Or he’s doing!
And I love layers too!
My mum has just finished a night training course learning to make rings and my father spent 6 weeks learning (and making) to build a guitar. If you could do any training course that interested you what would you want to learn?
I really want to learn how to become a better cook. I have about seven specialties but I want to learn how to cook HEALTHY but TASTY dinners.
Simple tip is just to start with good ingredients. Think about the flavours you like and just experiment
Forget about trying to be low fat and go for healthy fats and cook from scratch. Pretty much anything you cook that you cook without using processed foods will be healthy.
Thanks Emma. As a working mom who also is also writing books - whew - i fall back on the easy dinners - Tacos - salad - salmon - pasta.
Here’s a quickish meal I do when my partners grandkids are staying.
Chop some garlic and bacon up (I use a dry cured bacon that is perservative free but that’s just because that’s my preference) and toss in a frypan with a bit of olive oil. Add some mince (I use beef but could use any mixture or type of mince). Stir until meat starting to brown up. Add a tin of tomatoes and two massell beef stock cubes (http://massel.com/) Leave to simmer. While that is happening cut up some potatoes into thin slices and put on a oven tray with a drizzle of olive oil. Bake until crisp and cooked through.
Crate some cheese. Then just serve with the potatoes in place of taco chips/shells.
Have a green salad on the side and it’s just a bit better for you without using packet mixes and taco’s (unless you home made your taco’s I guess).
We are in winter at the moment so loving being able to make a heap of homemade soups which I also freeze to have for my lunches.
Where is your favorite place to write and/or where do you write? Do you get a better flow of writing or ideas in a certain environment?
I can write anywhere. LOL All the soccer moms I sit next to can tell you that. ( I write during halftime ) Years as a TV reporter taught me to focus in the worst of places, like in hurricane or during a concert. So I can tune out sound and other people pretty easily. I do love to have music in my ears when I write. I guess its another barrier but I’m used to writing under deadline.
Any news story or stories that you’d love to cover but hasn’t come up yet?
I’d love to interview Fidel Castro before he passes away. So many questions I would ask him. On a much lighter note, I’d love to do the red carpet at the Oscars. Just once. Bucket list. What’s on your bucket list Ann?
Do you have a favorite variety of red wine? Is it a splurge, or are you cool with ‘the cheap stuff?’
Bethany
And really, when with friends, its all good. Don’t you think?
I love an expensive bottle of red wine as much as the next writer. LOL But I’m not too proud to buy the cheap stuff. I do splurge though because I actually love the taste of wine. Today I met a friend in New York for a drink and wanted a buttery Chardonnay. But I’m not a snob.
I saw where you said you can write anywhere because you can tune out the noise. Do you find it harder to write in a quiet environment? I myself can’t stand silence and have to have some sort of background noise even if it is just the a ceiling fan.
Good question Amanda. Maybe that’s why when I’m alone, I put in my earbuds and listen to loud music. LOL
answers to the widget questions
1. honestly any country… my husband and I are both history nuts so we could find plenty to see and do. Right now we really want to go to Scotland.
2. this is just a cruel question to ask a book lover… lol. I couldn’t tell you my favorite. I read so many books that I can’t keep up with them without a complex database. I almost feel like i’m in a confessional- (i went to catholic school) its been 25 books since my last romantic suspense…. I think the most recent one that might fit that genre was Bai Tide so I’m gonna say Bai Hsu.
3. this is another toughy… I have so many… I’m gonna have to say my go to is Acheron Parthenopaeus… talk, dark, sexy, bad attitude, Atlantean god… he is rather yummy. Or maybe Han Solo… I have a thing for scruffy-looking nerf herders! lol… Or James Bond (the Daniel Craig version)… Of course I could easily sit here and spout off at least a hundred more… lets just say I like ‘em sexy and bad-ass!
OH I love James Bond too! Daniel Craig especially
Would you please share 3 unique things about yourself
1-I have become a mother in 3 different ways: first a stepmom, next a biological mom and finally an adoptive mom
2-I am a breast cancer survivor and a health reporter ironically.
3-I’ve won 12 Emmy’s for my writing as a reporter.
What about you Jo Anne?
1. always wanted to visit Scotland
2. right now it’s Gavin in when fates collide
3. he has to be good looking with sexy blue eyes, have a great sense of humor, be protective but not to a fault, compassionate and caring, honest, faithful and loyal, smart
Hi Linda!
If you could spend the day with any literary character, who would it be and why? What would you ask them?
Answers to Author’s questions:
1. What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
Japan
2. Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
Derek Morgain (Shemar Moore) from Criminal Minds
3. Who is your fantasy man?
Jericho Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s ‘Fever’ series, or Acheron Parthenopaeus from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters series
Is there a genre you’d like to write in, but haven’t yet for whatever reason?
Do you have a favorite place to write or a routine you follow when writing?
1. What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
Spain
3. Who is your fantasy man?
Rhage from Ward’s BDB, or Fang from Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters series
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Since I’m a romance writer I love Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. Great question! LOL
I’d love to explore Scotland or eastern Canada (Old Montreal, Halifax, Quebec City)…
Lucky from Eden Winters’ DIVERSION series is a fascinating mass of contradictions: deeply flawed but devoted to those he loves, a convicted felon who’s a brilliant undercover DEA agent, a guy who’s not physically attractive (especially rare in m/m romance) yet sexy as hell!
I have a pretty big crush on Griff from Damon Suede’s HOT HEAD, but I wouldn’t want to cause trouble with his best friend-turned-boyfriend Dante…
Hi Linda and Congratulations! I really enjoyed the interview~a mystery set in a hospital sounds great! Your next book and the one you’re working on with your daughter both sound great! Who is your favorite character from a book?
Answers to your questions:
1. I’m willing to get lost in any foreign country but Italy comes to mind first…
2. My favorite character…hmmm, so many…I’ll have to ponder!
3. My fantasy man…Bruce Willis…
Betty
My favorite character is Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. I also love Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. Although I write modern romance, I love the classics.
Linda,
I like Scarlett, too. She’s spunky!
You are one busy woman~I don’t know how you do everything unless your day is more than the usual 24 hours! Or maybe you don’t require sleep!
How do you decide if a book is going to be a stand alone or part of a series?
Well in my case Mary, I always wanted to write a series where all the main characters were reporters working in a specific newsroom. Each reporter goes out on assignment, and stumbles onto a mystery and eventually love.
hi Linda, do you like a certain Pride and Prejudice film? I love the one with Keira and Mattthew.
?1 not sure
?3 so many to choose from
My favorite too!
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
I like to write the action adventure scenes, like in Alive at 5, flying in an F-16. Thanks Lindsey
To answer your giveaway questions:
Egypt
Rock Babineaux from Julie Ann Walker’s Thrill Ride.
Rock Babineaux!
Do you have any current favorite TV shows or books at the moment?
I love Scandal on ABC. How about you?
I haven’t seen Scandal yet, my favorites are Major Crimes, Supernatural and Hannibal
Questions Answered:
1. What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
UK or Paris
2. Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
Carissa Teodoro from Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley and Noelle from Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy are my current favs
3. Who is your fantasy man?
Either Chris Evans as Captain America or Malcolm Slain from Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole.
Are there other genres you have considered / or would consider writing in ?
Yes, as a matter of fact I’m writing a YA book with my 11 year old daughter. It’s suspense with a psychological twist.
Is your writing space (desk, table, etc) neat and tidy or chaotic and cluttered?
Busy - just like me life! LOL
As a world traveler, where is your favorite spot? What place should I definitely visit if I’m thinking about traveling?
Europe! There are some many different cultures and music and food a train ride away. Very romantic countries too. I love Italy and FRance
who is your favorite author?
Karen Rose and Harlan Coben.
Wheres your favorite place to write?
Do you do a lot of research before writing?
Yes, especially when my book includes a murder and suspects. Or a certain type of profession I”m not familiar with.
What foreign country would you get lost in with a lover?
Scotland or Ireland, Israeli and or alternatively I still will go with Italy or France - it is so classic.
Who is your favorite romantic suspense or thriller character?
No one in particular right now - I fell in love anew almost with each book…
Who is your fantasy man?
IDK, any elf will do
Is this standalone?
Yes and no. Alive at 5 is the first book I wrote and the characters appear in Cuba Undercover but both books can stand alone.
France
no fav
Darcy
What one author has had the most influence on your writing?
Probably Nina Bruhns. She was my first editor and I love her writing style.
Name your top 3 favorite things (other than writing) to do and why
Spend time with my family, work out, hang out with friends.
What genres of books do you like?
I open to any genre but I read a lot of suspense and thrillers and women’s fiction.
Australia or New Zealand….
Gosh - both.
What’s your favorite print or e-book?
1. Scotland! Castles, cottages and countrysides!
2. Hanable Lector - But I don’t read/watch a a lot of scary books/movies!
3. Roarke from JD Robb’s In Death series - That man can do anything and everything and is SEXY!!!
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Since I’m a reporter in real life - a lot of my books are based on things that have happened to me and people I know.
how old where you when you wrote your first story/book?
What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
if you could have three folks to dinner living dead, real, or imaginary who would they be and why?
How have you found writing with your 11 year old daughter? Will it be YA or adult?
P.S. I love Bon Jovi too! I miss the 80s and hairbands. I’m going to have to disagree though about the best Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth is definitely Mr Darcy!
Tough questions!
1). So many beautiful places to get lost in. I know it’s cliche, but I have to say Paris or maybe Rome.
2). I assume you mean from books? I can’t just pick one, that’s tough! I just finished Nothing but Trouble by J.D. Hammer, and I loved Wes. As he’s fresh in my mind I’ll say him.
3).That always changes! Currently Joe Manganiello.
What;s your favorite cocktail?
What is the title of the most expensive book that you own?
YAY, thank you so much!