Exclusive Interview with Andy Ruffett

Today, we're doing something a little different. This is our 23rd guest author interview on the Marie Lavender's Books! blog, and fellow author Andy Ruffett is visiting us.

Hello! :)





Hi. Thank you for having me today. 







Oh, it's my pleasure! 
 
Can you tell us a little bit about your book? When did it come out and where can we get it?

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00EZ7XIA8
The Wrongdoer is about a boy who falls in love with a girl. But there's a catch: the boy who bullies the boy (Michael Roberts) also likes the girl (Cindy). It came out September 3, 2013 and it's on Amazon.com and Amazon Canada, I believe. 

Interesting!

Did anything prompt this book? Something that inspired you?

This is the first novel I ever wrote. It was for a girl who never dated me, but it's a brilliant book.  

Great! I love the way the creative process works.

So...when did you know you wanted to write?  Or has it always been a pastime of yours?
 
Grade 4. But yes, it's always been a pastime of mine. 

That's cool. I love to hear about an author's journey! :)

Let's try another question, all right?

Do you write in a specific place? Or time of day?

Places vary and so do times. I prefer writing in the morning or midday, but sometimes the evening shocks me with ideas. 

Fascinating! Myself? I'm more of a night owl. I don't know why night is conducive to creativity.

Well, Andy, are there any words you'd like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?

Keep writing and reading and never give up.  

That's excellent advice. Thank you!

And thanks so much for stopping by, Andy! It was such a pleasure to have you here.  :) 

Readers, here is the blurb for The Wrongdoer

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00EZ7XIA8

Michael Roberts is a 14-year-old boy and a loser who feels that he is unwanted in the world. Since Grade 1, Mike has been bullied by the same boy, Bradley Brock.
But then things get really twisted around when Mike is pushed down the stairs and sees the girl of his dreams, the same girl Bradley likes.
Bullying has been taken to a higher level and love has never been so twisted.
 
Here is an excerpt.

As soon as Mike’s mother heard those words, she gasped.
“Is this true?” cried Bradley’s mom, looking disgustedly at her son.
“It is,” informed Ms. Charles. “Why don’t you tell us what else happened, Mike?” Mike could not bear it anymore as he looked up at the smiling giant. He remained silent. So Ms. Charles continued.
As Ms. Charles explained what had happened during lunch, Mike looked at Cindy. He didn’t need to hear what Ms. Charles was saying; she was probably lying anyway. As she went on about the afternoon, Mike mouthed the words Why are you here? to Cindy. He wasn’t sure if she was able to identify his lip movements since she didn’t respond.
After the principal finished, she asked Bradley, “What’s your side of the story?” Mike looked at Bradley; he looked like he was on the verge of tears and his parents looked like they wanted to hurt Bradley in all the ways he had hurt Mike. Bradley didn’t know what to say. In the end he said, “I felt stupid that I didn’t have any friends so I thought that if I bullied kids I’d get friends.”
“But now you’ve learned your lesson, right, honey?” asked his mother hopefully.
Bradley nodded. His mother sighed with relief. “Well, we’re happy you won’t do it again. Right, honey?” asked his mother nudging Bradley’s father. His father nodded obediently like a dog in fear of being kicked if he didn’t obey. Bradley smiled. Mike couldn’t believe what was happening. His mother was so gullible. Mike wondered if Bradley’s father, had he spoken out, would have shared a different opinion than his wife’s. To Mike, it seemed he didn’t have a choice as if he married her in fear.  Bradley glared at Mike. It was the glare of pain that seemed to communicate: I always win, Mike.

Definitely a riveting story here! I want to find out what happens next...

Purchase Links:


 
Thanks again for visiting us on the MLB blog, Andy, and telling us all about The Wrongdoer!  :)

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00EZ7XIA8

Readers, don't forget to pick up your copy of The Wrongdoer! ;)


Author Bio

Andy Ruffett is a proficient writer who has written many books. Currently he attends York University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English. However, if he is still not published in print from that, he plans to attend teachers' college in hopes to one day become an English teacher.


Author Links:

  


Andy's Books:
 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00EZ7XIA8

 

https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Humour-Andy-Ruffett-ebook/dp/B00AQ9G3C4/ref=la_B00AQKAFJK_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475006628&sr=1-1

  

Spotlight: C.L. Bush Visits to Talk About Regency Mystery Romance, A VINDICATED HEART!

Today, fellow author C.L. Bush is stopping by to talk about her latest book !


Hello, C.L.! As always, it's a pleasure to see you. Welcome to the MLB blog! :)






Hello! Thanks for having me.
 

 
 
 
 
 
My pleasure! Let me ask a few questions since you're here...
 
 
All right.

  Can you tell us a little about your latest book? When did it come out and where can we get it?

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01KW962QY



Sure! The latest book is the final in the 2nd trilogy in my Historical Mystery Romance series. It covers the finale of what happens after the trial of Simon Tucker, who is accused of murdering his friend who has been missing for two years since the battle for the capital on the war of 1812. Simon has been accused and had his pretrial hearing and is now sitting in a jail cell, his health failing in his quest to prove his innocence.

His love interest is Lucy Livingston, cousin to one of the leads in the first trilogy. She believes his innocence and wants to save him and have a life with him. Along with her family, they are trying to find clues to who actually committed the murder. In this book she ends up in a precarious situation but everything regarding the mystery is resolved.

It released on August 30th on Amazon Kindle.

Interesting!

So, what inspired you to write this book? How did you get into historical mystery romance?



My husband is in the military and has had experience with PTSD. I wanted to take a historical drama and include the elements of PTSD and how it was viewed in a different time period, before the world wars.

I did a lot of research, much of which is included in my author’s notes at the end of the books, and found out some interesting facts on how soldiers were viewed as inherently violent to their core back then. PTSD didn’t really have a name back then and was viewed as weakness. This plays a part in how the trial progresses and the viewpoints regarding Simon’s innocence or guilt.
 
 

Wow! It's fascinating where the muse takes us.

Tell us...what, do you feel, sets your book apart from other books in the genre?



Mine is a mix of mystery and drama. A series of a family that you can follow as they find their place and love, as well as solving some great mysteries along the way. My series is for those that love a good mystery and love story, in a time that isn’t their own. For those that dream of excitement and love.


Nice!
 
Please give us a teaser or two of the book if you can.

A day later, Laurie knew he couldn’t put off work any longer. The mining operation, now missing Simon and having been left in the hands of the foreman, was sadly lacking in attention. It had been a month since he had been out there and he had only kept up with the goings on via messages.
He leaned down and kissed Franny on the forehead as he breathed in her scent. It had changed with her pregnancy, becoming earthier. Smiling, he made his way downstairs for a quick breakfast.
Thompson met him at the breakfast room with the morning mail.
“Thank you, Thompson. I will be riding out today. Please inform Gerring to saddle Markum.”
“Right away, sir.”
Once the dour butler had exited the room Laurie took the time to go through his post. Issues with the land he was trying to buy that abutted the mining operation and his own property were not going well. The thousand acres would greatly increase the farming yield, but he wanted it more so because he felt there was more to mine on that acreage than what he had now.
Knowing it was something he would have to deal with soon, he put it at the back of his mind to ponder as he rode.
Markum was saddled and ready to go. At eighteen hands he was a huge animal; his black coat shining in the meager sunlight of the day, his muscles only hinting of his ability for speed and maneuvering. He was an amazing beast and Laurie thanked the stars for the day he had found him at market.
He mounted and made his way across the back lawn. Normally, he rode this way with Simon, but today he felt lonely. Opting not to take a groom, he knew it wouldn’t take long to get to the mines, and he longed for some peace and quiet to ponder all that was going on.
Ten minutes in, he came upon the meadow and allowed Markum his head. The river ran to his right with the waterwheel that ran the pump for the mines about a mile downstream. He would be there in a few minutes’ time, but he wanted Markum to get some of his restlessness out before they got to the mine. The feeling of the wind in his face and the animal moving beneath him was freeing.
He slowed him as he came within half a mile of the mill, not wanting to scare anyone by riding up like a bat out of hell. The feeling of peace buoyed him as he made the last bit at a walk on Markum.
That feeling of peace lasted only as long as it took for the arrow to fly by his face and lodge in the tree next to him.
Markum reared but Laurie, ever the trained horsemen, managed to keep his seat. He whipped around looking for the assailant and saw some fluttering of leaves over in the direction of the river.
Pressing himself low over his horse, Laurie galloped towards the spot he saw movement and broke through the bushes to find the river just twenty feet in front of him. Looking up and down the bank he saw no one.
“Damn.”
Making his way back through the brush and hurrying along to the safety of others, he saw footprints. The river had risen with the rains of a few days ago and when it had receded it had left the earth damp.
The clear imprint of footprints led directly into the river.
With nothing further to go on and his safety now a concern, Laurie kicked Markum into a canter and headed for the mine.
 
Sounds intriguing!

Let's try another question, okay? 
 
I'm sure readers are curious about your next writing project. Can you tell us what you've got cooking up now or is that a secret? 


I’m currently working on an adaptation of a very popular book (that was turned into a movie several times over), that takes place prior to the Revolutionary war. I won’t say the movie, but the title will be Alice and Uncas. I am about halfway through writing it now and I expect it to be released before Christmas.
 
Great! Sounds like a fascinating tale!
 
Thanks so much for stopping by to tell us about A Vindicated Heart, C.L.!
 
Thank you for allowing me to visit, Marie!
 
Of course!

Readers, you'll just have to pick up a copy of this romance mixed with a good dose of historical background and mystery!

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01KW962QY
 
Here is the blurb for A Vindicated Heart.

Rotting away in a jail cell is dangerous to a man’s health. So is being on trial for murder. Simon Tucker’s health is diminishing as it seems the world is colluding against him. The evidence is stacking up-not in his favor-and his future is looking bleaker and bleaker.

Lucy Livingston and her family are not standing idly by and letting the man she loves be convicted of a murder he didn’t commit.
But when sleuthing turns deadly and an old, unexpected foe turns up, Lucy is put into a situation that could change everything – and possibly cost her life in exchange. 
 
Purchase Links: 
 

 
 http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01KW962QY
    

This book looks interesting! We'll be sure to check it out, along with the rest of the Fire in My Heart Series! :) 


https://www.amazon.com/C.L.-Bush/e/B017OA7HV8/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1



About the Author:

 

C. L. Bush started reading at a young age. Since then, she has voraciously read all she could get her hands on. With a degree in Business and another in Marketing, as well as being the mother of two boys and three grown stepdaughters and the wife of a soldier in the U.S. Army, her life is busy, but she has always kept her love of reading and writing. History is also a passion of hers and she regularly goes on trips with her family to experience it firsthand.

Embarking on a new historical mystery series, Fire In My Heart, she also has a successful coloring book series, I F*cking Love Coloring.

Check out all her books now and follow her here for emails about any new releases, discounts and giveaways coming up!

 

Author Links:

Website/Blog:  http://www.clbush.com/
 

C.L.'s Books:


https://www.amazon.com/MILITARY-ROMANCE-Pacifier-Billionaire-Military-ebook/dp/B01HVNGYBC/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277373&sr=1-2&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
https://www.amazon.com/MILITARY-ROMANCE-Bodyguard-Billionaire-Military-ebook/dp/B01GY2GZCE/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277373&sr=1-12&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8

https://www.amazon.com/HISTORICAL-MYSTERY-ROMANCE-Victorian-Historical-ebook/dp/B01FSOVVJQ/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-6&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/HISTORICAL-MYSTERY-ROMANCE-Victorian-Historical-ebook/dp/B01CXM7JDS/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-1&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8

https://www.amazon.com/HISTORICAL-MYSTERY-ROMANCE-Victorian-Historical-ebook/dp/B01GZ587YE/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-4&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/HISTORICAL-MYSTERY-ROMANCE-Victorian-Historical-ebook/dp/B01GZ4EENI/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-7&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/HISTORICAL-MYSTERY-ROMANCE-Victorian-Historical-ebook/dp/B01C64X14Y/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-5&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/cking-Love-Coloring-Adult-American/dp/1523751444/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471277511&sr=1-3&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/cking-Love-Coloring-Mandala-Stress/dp/1523750863/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471278123&sr=1-14&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8
 
https://www.amazon.com/cking-Love-Coloring-Mandala-Stress/dp/1523718889/ref=la_B017OA7HV8_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471278123&sr=1-13&refinements=p_82%3AB017OA7HV8


 

Taking a Break from MLB

Yes, readers, that's right. I'm on hiatus for a while. I know I haven't posted for a bit, and that's really the reason why I...