Nomad Authors is happy to host an interview of Zia Westfield. She’s a very interesting writer! You might even say she’s a killer of an author!
NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
ZW: I love gothic romances. There’s something about the atmosphere that grips you from the start. I also had in my head the movie, Gaslight. That was the inkling that got me started on Killer Lies, but I really didn’t know where I was going until I reached the end. 🙂
NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
ZW: I set my story in western New York State, near the Pennsylvania border. I had fun researching what kind of smuggling took place during Prohibition. I also spent time learning about reptiles in the area.
NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
ZW: I hope readers walk away feeling fulfilled and feeling that Kelsey and Sam deserved the happiness that they found with each other.
NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time? What started you on the path to writing?
ZW: I have always been a voracious reader. I went through so many books growing up. I could never get enough. When I first came to Japan, it wasn’t easy to find English books and they cost a lot. Now with Amazon Japan and Kindle, books are only a click away. When my children were born, I was a stay-at-home mom. I itched to do something beyond childrearing and reading. I had all these voices in my head, demanding that I put their stories on paper. I started writing late at night, after my sons were in bed. It took a while, but I was never more proud than when I finished my first manuscript. I now teach fulltime. It can be tough sticking to a writing schedule after a long day at work. But those voices in my head won’t go away and so I make the time to write because it’s who I am.
NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
ZW: My family is generally proud of me, though no one has read anything I’ve written. LOL! My sons pat me on the back and tell me, “Good job.”
NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer
ZW: I’m shy about sharing my writing with others. I teach and I present at conferences. I’ve given speeches in my city with the local mayor in attendance. I am not shy as a person. But when it comes to my writing and promoting myself, I become a turtle. I’m really working on being more confident about my books.
NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
ZW: I really really want to outline my books. I feel like I could be more productive as a writer if I had a plan. The reality is that I often have a beginning in mind. If I’m lucky, I can manage to outline a general plan. But, when I sit down, I often veer off from that plan and end up writing by the seat of my pants. When that happens, it takes me time to figure out where I’m going next and making sure that all loose ends are appropriately tied. Maybe one day I’ll figure out the magic formula to plotting.
NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
ZW: I recently learned that my first book Killer Secrets placed in the Oklahoma RWA International Digital Awards contest for 2018. That other writers judged my novel to be worthy of such an award, really brought it home for me—I’m a writer and my stories entertain people. [NA: YAY!! Congratulations!]
NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
ZW: Love scenes are the hardest for me to write. Some action and dialogue scenes will just flow from my fingertips. But writing love scenes that do not come off as clinical or mechanical is challenging! It’s important in a love scene that the connection between the characters jumps off the page. The reader has to believe that this is the right moment for these two characters to come together. If the chemistry is there, I know the scene will be the sensuous read I intend it to be.
NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
ZW: It’s comfortable! I am all about comfort. I wear flat-heeled shoes for the most part. I dress business casual for work. I like to move with ease and I like clothes that breathe. I also like bright colors. The shirt I have on is a lovely fuchsia color that lifts my spirits.
NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
ZW: Hmmm…I’m not sure about the first alarm. I’m lucky if I hear it. I set about 5 alarms on my phone, which drives my husband crazy. I am not a morning person. And until you get one cup of black coffee in me—preferably Peets French Roast—I am not even human. 😉
NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?
ZW: I don’t have a clothes dryer or a dishwasher. I’ll let you all guess what chores I despise! LOL!
NA: What are you working on now?
ZW: I am working on a novella that I hope to offer for free to people who sign up to my newsletter. It’s tentatively called Killer Date, but that might not remain the title. It features Melissa Carmichael, the sister of Sam Carmichael, the hero in Killer Lies. I’ve paired Melissa with Harry Fontana, a PI with attitude. It has my trademark excitement, suspense and romance with a dash of humor.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for Killer Deceptions, which should be released in Spring 2019.
Killer Lies
Zia Westfield
(Deadly Encounters Series, #2)
Publication date: December 21st 2018
Genres: Adult, Suspense
Kelsey Tremayne’s life unraveled in the summer of her 16th year when she and a friend were abducted. She came out of the experience alive, but without memories of her abduction and her friend was never found. Rumors that she’d killed her friend in jealousy, and that she was mentally unstable, started and eventually her parents moved her away from Carville. Now, she’s back in Carville to settle her aunt’s estate. However, someone is watching her, playing with her mind. Could it even escalate to murder?
One man is willing to stand by her, protect her, and breach the barriers that have guarded her heart for so long.
Sam Carmichael stays focused on the job and keeps his personal interactions limited. The emotional instability of his wife and her subsequent suicide have made him leery of getting deeply involved with anyone. Even so, someone is targeting Kelsey Tremayne and the roots go back twelve years to an abduction that was never solved. As Sam is drawn deeper into the case, he can’t help admiring Kelsey’s strength and compassion and he vows to do everything he can to find the truth and bring her kidnapper to justice.
Can two people hurt by their pasts survive a criminal’s web to find a future together?
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Killer Secrets
Zia Westfield
(Deadly Encounters Series, #1)
Publication date: February 5th 2017
Genres: Adult, Suspense, Romance
With bills to pay, an orphaned niece to raise and her job on the line, Gemma Fitzgibbons needs a front-page story in order to keep her job. A serial killer and a corrupt detective, whose father was accused of corruption, offer headline possibilities, but when she confronts Jack Donahue, the detective is nothing like she expected.
Jack considers reporters to be bottom-feeders, and deep into the investigation of a series of murders in which the victim is posed with a wedding veil, he doesn’t have the time or inclination to delve into the scandal that ruined his father’s career. But Gemma won’t take no for an answer. Neither will she stop investigating the Wedding Veil Killer. When she attracts the attention of the killer, Jack is assigned to keep her safe. But Gemma isn’t about to hide away. She intends to use the leads she’s developed to help him track down the person responsible for the gruesome murders.
Torn between his dislike of reporters and his admiration for the smart, sexy, reporter he’s drawn deeper into the scandal in his father’s past–a scandal that someone will kill to keep hidden. But, when Gemma uncovers secrets about the scandal, and her life is threatened, Jack is determined to protect her. It’s also time to make a choice—leave the past buried or fight for the future.
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Author Bio
Zia Westfield creates suspenseful, exciting stories with romance at the heart of them. There is nothing more thrilling than watching two people fall in love despite the odds and the danger surrounding their every move.
She makes her home in Tokyo with her husband and three sons. She holds a full-time job, volunteers too much because she doesn’t know how to say “no,” and generally finds peace between the pages of a book or when she’s writing out the stories in her head.
Website (you can sign up for my newsletter here)
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Excerpt from Killer Lies:
CHAPTER 1:
Sam Carmichael switched his high beams on and eased off the pedal as he drove the narrow mountain road. Fat raindrops splattered the windshield of the SUV in a steady torrent that even the windshield wipers working double time couldn’t keep up with.
The Tremayne mansion drive should be another half a mile up the road. He’d be glad to get there. The mountainside wasn’t known for landslides, but the amount of rain that had been coming down steadily had been causing a number of accidents throughout Carville. Best-case scenario, he’d see the crazy cat lady and get back into town before anything bad happened.
Thunder cracked overhead, followed by a flash of light that lit up the road, revealing towering trees on both sides. He also caught sight of the gate that signaled the Tremayne estate.
He made the turn and pulled up beside the box attached to the wall. He lowered his window, pushed the button and waited for a response.
He’d been out here years ago when he’d been riding patrol. A woman dressed in shawls and surrounded by dozens of cats, or so it had seemed, had answered the door. She’d insisted that he find the person who was trying to steal her cats.
Setting aside his private thoughts, he’d checked the house and the grounds, but had found no signs of anyone having been there.
He’d chalked it up to experience and had forgotten about it until tonight, when the desk Sergeant had roped him into coming to check out a report of a possible burglary before going home.
“Lucky me,” he said into the darkness.
“Excuse me?” The voice crackled across the intercom.
Sam leaned out, ignoring the rain that pelted him, and spoke loudly.
“Detective Sam Carmichael, Carville PD. I’m here about the burglary.” He pulled his head back in and waited for the gate to open. Instead, the intercom crackled to life once more.
“Would you show me your badge, Detective?”
Sam reminded himself that he had become a detective to serve the public, even on foul nights when man and beast knew better than to be outside. He fished his badge out of his pocket and thrust it out towards the camera. How the hell the person on the other side expected to see anything with the rain coming down like it was, he didn’t know.
The gate suddenly creaked and slowly began opening.
“You’re welcome,” Sam muttered.
While he waited for the opening to be large enough for him to drive through, he gave himself a stern talking to. Crazy cat lady or not, he would do his job and be professional. Some days were the pits and today ranked as one of them, but he wouldn’t let it interfere with his job.
He drove up the long drive, noting the overgrown lawn and the creepy vibe given off by the ivy crawling up every inch of the turreted mansion, the branches overhanging the drive, and the coldness that seemed to emanate from the dark exterior. Before he left tonight he would make a point to the person who called the stationhouse to add lights to dispel the gloom.
He pulled the SUV as close to the front porch as he could, but he was still soaked by the time he reached the top step.
He pushed the bell next to the door and prepared to meet the crazy cat lady.
The door opened, and Sam stared dumbfounded. The woman before him was dressed in shawls and a long dark grey skirt, and had one cat in her arms while another curled up on a straight back chair that butted up against the wall.
But she was years younger—younger than him, he’d guess—and punch-in-the-gut beautiful.
None of it made sense and he said the first words that popped into his mind.
“What happened to the other crazy cat lady?”
***
Kelsey Tremayne winced at the question. When she’d opened the door, she hadn’t been sure what to expect. The security system needed a major upgrade. She had barely been able to hear the detective identify himself, and the rain and poor camera quality had made it impossible to see his badge clearly.
Though she’d debated the risk in letting him approach, she had decided to chance it. She gripped the pepper spray she held in her hand which was concealed by the shawls. It hadn’t been easy to call the police given her history with them, in fact, her stomach still felt queasy over the decision, but she needed the incidents on record.
Crazy cat lady, indeed.
“Please come in, Detective.” She stepped back and petted Sabina, the white Persian mix that had sought comfort in her arms when the thunder had started.
The detective entered, dripping water on the wood floor, and surveyed her from head to foot. He was tall, over six feet, if she had to guess, with a rangy build, brown close-cropped hair, and a stubborn jaw.
Kelsey could imagine what he saw. A not-very-tall, not-very-short, brown-haired, brown-eyed female with more cats than friends. Okay, he wouldn’t be able to guess the last, but it wouldn’t take long for him to stumble onto the truth.
Then again maybe he already knew it. After all, he’d asked about the other cat lady.
before it’s needed—without actually involving the main characters. It’s a win-win!
hat will have them asking, “What’s next?” Of course, both the character in the prologue—often the villain—and the action itself has to lead to the main character, but without actually having him/her appear. Build suspense. Leave character development to the book’s chapters.
weren’t reading enough, you were lazy or stupid. Jack’s teachers said as much about him in his classes. His problem was not plain to anyone looking at him. He looked sweet as an angel, but normal. Without some physical sign, there was nothing wrong. At least, that’s what people thought. So while I was given a pass for not being able to run, Jack was not given a pass for not being able to read.
same things the other kids did, or how much hurt he bottled up inside. His mom tried so hard to help him but didn’t know exactly what to do to make things better. Later, she gained her master’s degree in education with a specialty in reading so she could help other kids with Jack’s problem, so some good came of his hard time growing up. And as his family now, only I truly understand his pride in finishing his degree summa cum laude. It was a huge accomplishment and I’m so proud of him.
matching socks, I can relay Susie’s whole impression, what was said to her and what she replied. This often puts the questioner to sleep with TMI, but hey! It’s a talent, right?
that, but give me any normal space and stand back for the sight of your life as I park almost like a guy with the back-up gene. Of course, I pull into a space whenever possible. No need to wear a talent out with too much practice.
Julie grew up in a small, rural town in New Zealand. After leaving school, she worked at the local maternity annexe as a nurse aide, which gave her a love for caring for mothers and babies. Life could not have been happier, until the death of her second baby at birth led to depression, loneliness and despair.
mom used to collect those little Hummel figures—not the real ones. But I was never drawn into that. I’m sentimental…and yet, not. My mother-in-law once convinced me to collect pewter cups. In Virginia, pewter is readily available and some of the fine cups used for display are really beautiful. I collected three and then lost interest. Maybe I don’t have the patience to build an actual collection. However, for hoarding…I find that a little too easy.
silver serving tray, silver monogrammed drinking glasses, and silver tipped salt and pepper shakers. Nope, never used them. Kept them in the same boxes we received them. But I kept packing and moving them with us because for some reason I just couldn’t let them go. Crazy? Yeah, I think so a bit. Finally, in a wild downsize, I sent all of that stuff to the Salvation Army but—I won’t lie—it was painful.
ridiculous dust collector I picked up in Chicago, book my mom gave me fifteen years ago, etc.), so I can’t toss it away.” That’s how it goes, folks. One day I will have to say goodbye to all of it, but until then, all of that stuff is in four tubs stacked in my closet. Sigh.