BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Fatal Flight: Sisters in Peril [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Madelon Smid to talk about Fatal Flight (8 January 2018, The Wild Rose Press, Inc., 220 pages), a Romantic Suspense, book one in the Sisters in Peril series.

“[FATAL FLIGHT] hooks you from page one and keeps you fascinated until the last page.” ͠ ~C.B. Clark author Broken Trust Ms.

"Smid delivers an edge of the seat read by bringing the authenticity of the flying world to the page of her latest suspense novel.

For readers who enjoy learning new things, and love the thrill of a great romance wrapped up in a romantic suspense, they will not be disappointed in FATAL FLIGHT.” ~Stanalei Fletcher author Tell It Like It Is

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Madelon Smid; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

To start, do you have a music playlist that you used in Fatal Flight , or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?

"I don’t listen to music when I write, but the song that most inspires the romantic part of my stories is “Everytime I Look At You” sung by Il Divo, and I like “Dance me to the End of Love" by Leonard Cohen."

What was the inspiration for Fatal Flight ?

"I traveled to Tahoe, San Diego and Sedona on a trip two years ago. Each place inspired me with its beauty and individuality. I wanted to write a trilogy with each book based in one of these places. As I love everything air born, I wanted each of my female protagonists to be skilled at a method of flying. Fatal Flight features an aerobatic competitive pilot."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

Definitely I write about my love of adventure, willingness to risk to learn and experience, my love for nature and physical challenges. I like my protagonists to have integrity, loyalty and courage and be willing to risk for love. All of these I draw from my own personality. As I flew private with my husband for many years, the delights of owning and flying various planes found its way into this plot.

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Fatal Flight - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The artist is Debbie Taylor with The Wild Rose Press. My female protagonist also flies a Pitts special in air show, bringing back the nostalgia of the WW aces. This cover depicts one of the old fighter planes Sky would fly."

Why should we read Fatal Flight and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"My readers say they love that they always learn something from me. I try to explore at least two areas with each book. In Fatal Flight you learn about aeronautical competitive flying and get a good idea of the Lake Tahoe geography and attractions. Reviewers have described my writing as intelligent and uniquely descriptive."

Can you tell us something quirky about Fatal Flight , its story and characters?

"Sky Prazinski doesn’t swear out of respect for her stepfather’s wishes, and so she uses foods to replace swearwords e.g. what the peanut butter and jam do you think you’re doing. I thought it gave her a bit of a quirky edge.

Adam is an alpha male and the first man introduced in the trilogy, so I named him after first man. "

Who would you recommend Fatal Flight to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I write more action suspense than romantic action and Fatal Flight does appeal to both sexes, particularly men who are interested in flying. Women love the alpha nature of both my female and male protagonists. The book contains suspense, so my only disclaimer is: be prepared to experience growing tension and lots of emotion when you read Fatal Flight."

If you could / wished to turn Fatal Flight and the Sisters in Peril series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Charlize Theron and Antonio Banderas, set in Lake Tahoe area."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I am published in both fiction and nonfiction. I read historical romance and contemporary romance, but like to write action suspense with romance threaded through, because it speaks to my love of action."

What is your writing process?

"I started challenging myself to write a book in a month (72,000 words). Then I found I could write one in two weeks, because I have the entire story in my head before I start and I write fast (5,000 to 10,000 words a day). I set aside certain months when I have more down time such as November, March, April and I write a book in each of those months. In between I am polishing or editing a stage of one of my previous books, and building the next story in my mind."

What is in store next?

"Fatal Flight is a trilogy based on three half-sisters who don’t know about each other. Their paternal grandmother sends a man to find each one of them. Sky falls in love with Adam. In Lethal Landing (Launches June 11), Damien finds Ari who is a hot air balloonist, and in Sinister Skies Halley, a helicopter pilot with the Coast Guard, comes up against Nik, head of the grandmother’s security. The sisters come to love each other and their grandmother."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"We had two sets of Siamese cats over the years. Now my pet is my 14.5 foot kayak, named Joy. I love being on the water in her, racing a river, ocean kayaking off Vancouver Island or paddling around a mountain lake."