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Welcome to the group! C.J. Lyons will be answering questions throughout the day on Tuesday, July 2nd in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for C.J. or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Hi everyone! I'll be here answering questions about any of my books, writing, or just thrillers in general.

I'll also be offering FREE ebooks to everyone who comments--stay tuned for more info!

Topics to discuss might include my latest book, EDGE OF SHADOWS, the finale of the Shadow Ops trilogy; my upcoming Caitlyn Tierney FBI Thriller, HOLLOW BONES (coming in August); everyone's favorite Pittsburgh soccer mom, Lucy Guardino (who also happens to be a kick-ass FBI agent); or my debut YA thriller, BROKEN.

Looking forward to it!
CJ

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CJ, I just want to say that I have never picked up and read anything of yours that I was disappointed with. I'm always anxiously awaiting the next book. I greatly admire your intelligence (needed to be a Peds ER doc)and your ability to weave a tale of mystery, suspense and sometimes a little romance. Was writing always a dream/pursuit for you and when was your first story published?

I want to tell you how much I enjoy your books - each and every one I read. Can you tell me from where you draw your inspiration? Do characters come first or storylines? Keep your books coming and I'll keep reading them!!! Thanks in advance for a great chat!!!

CJ, I love your books! Where have I been? What are the hours of the session on 2 July? Of course I want a free book!

Oh CJ I am so excited for this Event! Have loved all of your Books! You are such a great Author and a kind person to your fans! "See" you July 2nd!!!! Your TRUE fan Virginia Pretz

C.J. wrote: "Hi everyone! I'll be here answering questions about any of my books, writing, or just thrillers in general.

I'll also be offering FREE ebooks to everyone who comments--stay tuned for more info!

T..."

Do you do road trips to get your info for your books, i.e., FBI, Police, locales? Enjoy your books & can't wait for Jul 2. Thank you for writing what I love to read.

C.J. I just love your books! Shadow ops is your next series on my want to read! Lucy was my first books on my ereader I read and you got me hooked! Then i found your Caitlyn series. Then you started your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ site and got me hooked on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! Your site also started me reviewing books and I love it! I can't thank you enough for all the new author friends I have met from your site! I can't wait for your new books! Thank you again!

I absolutely love your books. Lucy was my introduction to you, and you have kept my interest ever since! I am curious where or how you come up with some of your scenes? And do you sleep well at night? I have been known to have some nightmares after reading some
Of you brooks!! And I keep coming back for more!! Thanks for being so good to your readers and I look forward to the chat, and also a free book is nice too :)

Hi, CJ. I've spent so many enjoyable hours with your books which always keep me turning pages. The only problem is I get to the end too fast. I work in federal court and I find your federal law enforcement portrayals to be very realistic. Who are your favorite authors?

What kind of research did you need to do for your latest book? Do you ever travel to locations to get a real feel for them or do you use various tools?

I'm really excited to read your latest. Grabbed Edge of Shadows today!

The first books of yours that I read was the Angels of Mercy series. I loved each one of them and hated when I found out that #4 was to be the last. :( Would you ever consider doing more medical suspense?

And which is more enjoyable, doctor or author? I have to say I'm glad you are an author but I'm being selfish and thinking of myself! lol

Thanks for taking the time to let us get to know more about you!

I love series! Do you have another series in mind to start or will you just carry on?

Adam wrote: "Writers Wanted For the Write On America Podcast

Talk about your writing adventures, Record a podcast with us.
I invite you to the site to read our syllabus listed on the
Write On America podcast p..."

Adam,
Thanks for the invite, feel free to email me to see if our schedules sync.

As for my writing adventures, each book brings new ones! I've visited the FBI Academy at Quantico, gone shooting with SWAT team leaders, attended the wonderful Writers' Police Academy three times, but the most fun is just listening to real-life people tell their real-life stories…usually they're more amazing than any fiction I could come up with!

Diana wrote: "CJ, I just want to say that I have never picked up and read anything of yours that I was disappointed with. I'm always anxiously awaiting the next book. I greatly admire your intelligence (needed..."

Thanks for the kind words, Diana! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying the books!

I've been a storyteller all my life—ended me in timeouts a lot as a kid! But I never dreamed of getting published until two published mystery writer friends encouraged (well, dared) me to enter a national writing contest and I became a finalist. After that I received my first publishing contract and realized I had a chance to make a dream come true with my writing.

It was tough leaving my patients and medicine--probably the hardest choice I've ever made, but you can't turn your back on your dreams.

Nancy wrote: "I want to tell you how much I enjoy your books - each and every one I read. Can you tell me from where you draw your inspiration? Do characters come first or storylines? Keep your books coming a..."

Thanks, Nancy! My inspiration comes from people—their struggles, their hopes, their failures, their heroics.

I've been blessed to witness so many amazing acts of courage during my years as a doctor…my patients and their families and my fellow medical professionals have been truly inspiring.

That being said, I never, ever use real people in my stories. Instead, I take one real emotion and then a build a character around it.

For example, Lucy Guardino (my Pittsburgh soccer mom/FBI special agent) is constantly struggling to balance the needs of her job with the needs of her family—and when your job is catching child predators, that's a tough choice to make. What working parent hasn't faced that struggle?

From the emotion comes the character and from the character comes the story. At least for me. That's why I call them "Thrillers with Heart."

Sybil wrote: "CJ, I love your books! Where have I been? What are the hours of the session on 2 July? Of course I want a free book!"

LOL! We'll be here all day, Sybil!

Sherry wrote: "C.J. wrote: "Hi everyone! I'll be here answering questions about any of my books, writing, or just thrillers in general.

I'll also be offering FREE ebooks to everyone who comments--stay tuned for ..."

Hey, thanks for stopping by, Sherry! I do take personal research trips whenever possible. I've been to the CIA, State Department, Quantico—twice!—even stayed with a real life FBI Supervisory Special Agent for several days to see how she balanced life and work.

When I can't go in person, I try to talk to people—their stories are often more amazing than anything you can find in research documents.

Lavada wrote: "C.J. I just love your books! Shadow ops is your next series on my want to read! Lucy was my first books on my ereader I read and you got me hooked! Then i found your Caitlyn series. Then you starte..."

LOL! Wow, thanks so much for your kind words! So glad you joined the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community, Lavada! When you're addicted to reading like I am, it's always great to share with other book lovers.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Karen wrote: "I absolutely love your books. Lucy was my introduction to you, and you have kept my interest ever since! I am curious where or how you come up with some of your scenes? And do you sleep well at n..."

Karen,
Sorry about the sleepless nights, lol! Best compliment you could ever give a thriller writer, thanks!

My scenes start with what does my character want/need—and how can I stop them from getting it?

Yep, that's right, us authors are masters at torturing our characters. We take them to Hell…and then we bring them back again.

And yes, I sleep well at night—unless an idea for a scene or story hits me while I'm sleeping, then I'm awake writing!

Margaret wrote: "Hi, CJ. I've spent so many enjoyable hours with your books which always keep me turning pages. The only problem is I get to the end too fast. I work in federal court and I find your federal law ..."

Great question, Margaret! I'm a voracious reader and read almost every genre. While I'm working on a thriller, I'll usually read literary fiction, short stories, or YA. When I'm working on my Young Adult thrillers, I'll read adult suspense or thrillers.

Favorite authors include: Lisa Gardner, John Hart, Suzanne Collins, Ray Bradbury…we could be here all day! Just check out my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ shelves—I only list books/authors I love!

Tasha wrote: "What kind of research did you need to do for your latest book? Do you ever travel to locations to get a real feel for them or do you use various tools?

I'm really excited to read your latest. Grab..."

Research is a constant thing—I never know what kernel of arcane knowledge will be the crux of a story.

For EDGE OF SHADOWS, I happen to live in an area where they'd done beach replenishing via a dredger like the one I described. So when I realized how absolutely perfect that would be in the book, I began researching the Army Corps of Engineers' fleet as well as civilian models. I found blueprints and videos and schematics and used them to create my own.

For my August release from St. Martins Press, HOLLOW BONES, I couldn't actually go to Guatemala and explore Maya ruins myself (sigh�) but I had been to similar places in Mexico and I've been to rain forests and jungles in Africa and Australia, so I used those sensory memories as well as a lot of YouTube videos, in person interviews, and even National Geographic footage of real Maya pyramids lost for decades and recently rediscovered with modern technology.

My November release, BROKEN, is my YA debut and I'm returning to my roots of writing medical thrillers. The research for BROKEN was actually pretty easy: the main character was inspired by my niece who I diagnosed with a congenital heart condition when she was born (the perils of having a aunt who's also your pediatrician!) and the thriller twists come from real life cases I was involved with.

Cindy wrote: "The first books of yours that I read was the Angels of Mercy series. I loved each one of them and hated when I found out that #4 was to be the last. :( Would you ever consider doing more medical su..."

Thanks, Cindy! Those books were so much fun to write! And CRITICAL CONDITION is still one of my best-reviewed books, talk about an adrenalin rush!

I actually am returning to medical thrillers with my YA debut, BROKEN, coming in November from Sourcebooks. It was tons of fun flexing those medical muscles, lol!

I love both medicine and writing—when I first left medicine I worried that I wouldn't have the chance to impact lives as I had as a pediatrician, but now, after selling almost 2 million books and receiving thousands of fan letters, I realize that I can have an impact on more people as an author than I ever could as a doctor, so I guess I'm blessed to have had the best of both worlds!

Lavada wrote: "I love series! Do you have another series in mind to start or will you just carry on?"

Great question, Lavada!

I love writing series and watching how characters change over time--like the Hart & Drake medical suspense where we get to see their relationship grow from first meeting through some rocky patches to a true commitment.

Or the Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers where Lucy must decide between work and family despite her trying her best to have it all...SPOILER alert, but the next Lucy story, AFTER SHOCK, will have some earth-shaking changes in store for her as she faces her greatest fear...don't say I didn't warn you!

I want to spin off Jenna, Morgan, and Andre from the Lucy world where they were introduced in KILL ZONE and take them into their own series, Renegade Justice, where it will be more psychological suspense with Morgan playing the devil, advocating vigilante style justice, and Andre playing the angel, and Jenna caught in the middle.

Readers seem to love Morgan--I have to admit I'm rather fascinated by her myself, she's so darn creepy and smart and although every adolescent has a touch of the sociopath/malignant narcissist in them, Morgan is the real deal!

I'm also working on the possibility of a YA/MG thriller series as well as a few stand alone YAs, all set in the same small town.

In other words, toooooo many ideas and toooooo little time to write them all!!!

I have only started reading your books this year and have finished 3 of them so still have a lot more to go. How long does it actually take to write a book including the research time. Do you have sporadic surges of inspiration or do you slog away at it daily?

I have just read my first book (Blind Faith) by you and I was very please. I am looking forward to reading another one of your books.

You are without a doubt my favorite author. I have loved everything you've written. My favorite series is the Angel of Mercy books. I really like medical thrillers. The only trouble I have with your books is that once I pick them up, I can't put them down until I turn the last page. Then I want to pick up the next one!! Thanks so much for so many hours of fantastic reading.

I've loved your books from the start. Did you find it any more challenging to write a YA than your other books?

David wrote: "I have only started reading your books this year and have finished 3 of them so still have a lot more to go. How long does it actually take to write a book including the research time. Do you have ..."

Hi David! Thanks for stopping by!

That's actually a really tough question to answer because sometimes I'm constrained by how long I have to write a book by my publisher deadlines--lately I've had as little as three months, but never more than six months, which really curtails things if I find a last minute nugget of research I want to pursue or think of a new plot twist but the deadline is looming.

I often work on more than one book at a time--researching one book while writing another or editing in the afternoon and writing in the morning. I do pretty much "work" everyday but it's not always about putting words on the page, often it's about talking to people or digging deep into my characters or sketching out new plot ideas.

Inspiration is great when it hits and I never ignore it, but you can't sit around waiting for inspiration--not if you have deadlines and readers clamoring for more books, now!

Donna wrote: "I have just read my first book (Blind Faith) by you and I was very please. I am looking forward to reading another one of your books."

Blind Faith Donna, thank you so very much! BLIND FAITH was a true book of my heart--I woke one morning with that execution scene (the first scene, you can read it in any online preview) in my head and just couldn't get Sarah's character out of my mind.

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it!

Brenda wrote: "You are without a doubt my favorite author. I have loved everything you've written. My favorite series is the Angel of Mercy books. I really like medical thrillers. The only trouble I have with..."

Brenda, wow, you just made my day, thanks! I'm so happy that you're enjoying my books--and love that you can't put them down! I work very hard to make them that way, probably the toughest job I have!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks CJ I'm loving getting to know you better here. It's fascinating.

Vicky wrote: "I've loved your books from the start. Did you find it any more challenging to write a YA than your other books?"

Hi Vicky! I have to admit I was terrified to try my hand at YA--everyone kept asking me to do one, given my background as a pediatrician, but I knew I couldn't just turn an adult thriller into YA, that's not what the kids were looking for.

I read a lot of YA, so I knew the kids would demand not just a compelling read but also one that is a lot more emotionally honest than I can go with my adult books. Adults read for entertainment and vicarious thrills, kids read to explore and experience the choices they'll be facing as adults, so it's a different type of book.

But, once I started BROKEN, I realized I actually had the freedom to go darker and edgier than with my adult novels. I was amazed at how much fun I had unleashing my inner-teen!

The second YA (which I think is the best book I've ever written!) will be out in 2014 is very dark, but truly is a book that might save lives--something the pediatrician in me is very proud of.

Of course, the proof will be in the kids' response (fingers crossed!) but so far the early reviews have been stellar, so I'm planning to keep writing more YA--not sure I could stop, they are so much fun!

Tasha wrote: "Thanks CJ I'm loving getting to know you better here. It's fascinating."

Thanks for stopping by, Tasha!

Margery wrote: "Hi CJ, how've you been? I have a writing question for you. I'd love to write an FBI/CIA/law heroine, but I'm worried about the research since I have no background. Where and how did you start resea..."

Margery, to me the most important research is talking to people and understanding their mindset--in fact, the greatest praise I've received for any of my books comes from the FBI agents and law enforcement officers who write to tell me I've "nailed" Lucy or that they actually worked with Lucy!

None of that came from reading the FBI's undercover operations manual or Law Enforcement Bulletin or even visiting Quantico...it came from meeting real people and understanding what makes them driven to do what they do.

You can meet people by volunteering--perhaps with your own local police department (many use civilians to answer phones and help with paperwork) and start meeting LEOs, learn why they do what they do. Many organizations also offer citizen police academies.

The technical stuff you can learn by researching online but the heart and soul part, that comes from real people.

Hope that helps!
CJ

I am a fan of all of your books that I've read! I have read the first two Shadow Ops books, and have been waiting a long time for this third one in the series! I'm glad it's finally here. If you write them, I will read them!!!! Keep up the suspense!!!

Karen wrote: "I am a fan of all of your books that I've read! I have read the first two Shadow Ops books, and have been waiting a long time for this third one in the series! I'm glad it's finally here. If you wr..."

Thanks, Karen! And I do apologize for the delay on EDGE OF SHADOWS--sometimes you just can't rush a story, as much as readers want you to.

I hope you find it's worth the wait! Please feel free to leave a review!

Happy reading,
CJ

Margery wrote: "Thanks, CJ. I'll see what's available in my area. Unfortunately, living in the middle of nowhere and not being American makes it a little more difficult to access FBI/CIA info :)"

LOL! I see a roadtrip in your future!

Have fun with it!
CJ

Hi CJ! HUGE fan here! Your books are so intriguing, I always have a hard time putting them down. I have a couple of questions. First, will you ever be coming to Las Vegas on a book tour? And second, do you know in advance how many books are you going to have in a series, or do you just go with where the characters lead you?

Val

Hi CJ! I started reading your books with Lucy and I love the series. My next group will be the medical ones and I just know that I will enjoy those as well. I will read them all this summer, every one that I can find! I am sorry that you left your patients, but I am so thrilled that you followed your dreams. That took courage! Keep them coming please, and I will definitely keep on reading. Sybil

Val wrote: "Hi CJ! HUGE fan here! Your books are so intriguing, I always have a hard time putting them down. I have a couple of questions. First, will you ever be coming to Las Vegas on a book tour? And s..."

Hi Val! No immediate plans to go to Las Vegas--always subject to change if I get invited to speak...and I never know where a single story is going, much less a series, lol!

For example, I thought this next Lucy story was going to be a simple one, a bit of breathing room after the high-intensity action in KILL ZONE...oh no, Lucy won't let me take things easy! It's going very dark and very, very edgy, leading to an emotional cliff that I have no idea how Lucy is going to get down from...

Sybil wrote: "Hi CJ! I started reading your books with Lucy and I love the series. My next group will be the medical ones and I just know that I will enjoy those as well. I will read them all this summer, eve..."

Thanks, Sybil! Writing as fast as I can, lol! It's so wonderful to have readers like you waiting for the next books!
Take care,
CJ

Hi CJ:
I'm fairly new to your books. I loved Blind Faith and was so excited to see Black Sheep because I loved the Caitlyn character.

My question would be about your writing process. Do you outline or do you just get an idea and hammer it out?

Joan wrote: "Hi CJ:
I'm fairly new to your books. I loved Blind Faith and was so excited to see Black Sheep because I loved the Caitlyn character.

My question would be about your writing process. Do you outl..."

Hi Joan! Glad you're enjoying Caitlyn's adventures--she and Jake will be back in HOLLOW BONES coming out August 28th.

I don't outline--something my editors hate because it means I never know what's going to happen in a story until I see where the characters lead me...but that's the fun in it for me. And, if I'm surprised, then hopefully so will my readers!

Thanks for being here today, CJ! I've been going back and forth from the questions and answers to looking at your other books! I didn't realize before reading through today that you had so many books out. This should keep me busy a while! :)

Joan wrote: "Thanks for being here today, CJ! I've been going back and forth from the questions and answers to looking at your other books! I didn't realize before reading through today that you had so many b..."

It's hard for me to keep track as well, Joan! By the end of the year I'll have 21 books out!

Thanks for taking a look at them, happy reading!

For any one who wants to continue the discussion with me and other thriller authors, come join us on the Thrillers with Heart discussion group:

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8...

Tons of fun and lots of free and discounted books as well as opportunities for advanced readers copies!

Hi C.J. thanks for taking the time to interact with us. I love your books but have to admit to being partial to Lucy. She was my first (laughing). I have read the first two Shadow Ops and soon getting into the third. I have noticed a "love at first sight" theme. Is this your own experience talking or wishful thinking? I love YA books and can't wait to read it. You have a collection named after you on my Kindle and I just keep adding to it. I usually burn through books but make myself slow down to enjoy yours. Thank you for the countless hours of entertainment. Gina

Gina wrote: "Hi C.J. thanks for taking the time to interact with us. I love your books but have to admit to being partial to Lucy. She was my first (laughing). I have read the first two Shadow Ops and soon gett..."

Hi Gina! What a great question! In the Hart & Drake books their relationship evolves much more realistically--it takes two books before he trusts his feelings for her (other than the sexual attraction) and not until the end of the third book that she can truly trust him with her feelings and make a commitment. But those two characters were both so very wounded by past mistakes of the heart that it made sense they would go slow (readers have compared them to JD Robb's Eve and Rourke in that respect).

With Shadow Ops the books are so very fast paced that I couldn't really have the traditional "courtship" period (hard to do with bullets flying) but I wanted to capture that very real chemistry of attraction that adrenalin can be a catalyst for.

In fact, in LOST IN SHADOWS, Lucky actually tries to dissect his feelings and Vinnie keeps dismissing them as a "mere chemical reaction brought on by flight or fight, an evolutionary instinct for survival of the species"

In CHASING SHADOWS, it's more lust and irritation at first sight but only after they both lower their guards enough to tell each other the truth and begin to trust can they form the bond they need to save each other's lives

Which makes sense, because think of the life of an undercover operative on long term assignment, never knowing if the next breath he drew would be his last...that would lead to a lot of wistful thinking and fantasies about any desirable woman he met, so I think Chase's reaction to KC fits...I actually really, really love their relationship in the second book, LOST IN SHADOWS, because the reader gets a chance to see just how far they've both fallen and keep falling in love--and how their love has changed them for the better.

As for my real life, yes, I've experienced both love and lust at first sight--I think we'd all be lying if we said we haven't! And yeah, living in a world fueled with adrenalin like the ER definitely makes it a lot easier--also a lot easier to make a horrible mistake by putting too much faith in hormones, but that would be a whole different story, lol!