Monday, February 24, 2020

Not Guilty & The Great Timelock Disaster by C. Lee McKenzie




Talented author C Lee McKenzie is here today to share some of her secrets.
And share her two recent releases

1.   What was your hardest scene to write?
I actually think it was the first scene in The Great Time Lock Disaster. I’m a novice at writing sequels, and I was scared about not setting up the story so it would follow the tone and capture the characters from the first book, Alligators Overhead. I must have written that opening scene ten times before I was satisfied.

2.   What makes you run screaming?
Bears do the trick, but since I’ve only encountered one of those and it was on the other side of a creek, I might have to go with something else— launching a book, for example. I’ve had a few moments of terror in my life—landing in a plane on the tail-end of a typhoon, falling into a Class V rapid from a raft, raising a teenager—but launching a book is at the top when it comes to inducing fear.

3.   You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

For a truly dangerous challenge, I’d choose Australia’s Outback. After reading Bill Bryson’s book, I know that continent has some of the most poisonous critters on the planet and all kinds of natural disasters to survive. I guess I’d take a hefty supply of water, sturdy hiking boots, and a native guide. I see no reason to try this on my own. I’m not ready to die.

4.   What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
I once lived in a war zone. That experience taught me a lot about why war is not only futile, but a true “comedy” of errors. Whoever, decides to go to battle, should go himself and not send others out to do the job.

5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
This answer would change with each trip I take. However, the south of France is high on my list of places to be while writing. Of course, every place I go is full of distractions: castles, vast deserts, pyramids, beaches. I’d do better to stay home that year to write and not be tempted by those unexplored treasures.

6.If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Enjoy every moment and learn from the best. Read everything, and find out what those authors do that engage you.

7.What does literary success look like to you?
If you’d asked me this question when I first started writing to publish, I would have said, being a published author. Later, I would have said getting good reviews. Today, I’d say, writing good books that people will enjoy reading for many years. 

8.Tell us about the book you’re working on now.
It’s not a middle grade and it’s not a young adult book. I’m a bit worried because it falls between the marketing cracks, and the closest label I have is New Adult. It’s a contemporary/realistic story that deals with a young skier who becomes a paraplegic due to a calculated “accident”. There’s a mystery, but there’s also what I hope will be a life-affirming story about overcoming the biggest challenges life can hurl at us.
*****

At heart I’m a Californian, maybe even a Valley Girl who grew up and found out Dorothy was right. “There’s no place like home.”
I have a Master of Arts, in Linguistics.
My Passions: 
Besides reading and writing, I love to do two things: I love to hike. I love to practice Yoga. Well, three things if you count eating. I love to eat. That’s why I love to hike. Might as well make it four things, because I love to spend time with my family and friends. Wait! I love to grow my own salad. And cats—I love to grow them too, so now I’m up to six things I’m passionate about. I know there’s more, but I’m out of space and you don’t need to be bored.
My Favorite Books:
Anything with Hobbits. Anything Stephen King writes, except I don’t like some of those stories at night when I’m alone or even if I’m not because I’m a real sissy in the dark. Anything with a dragon in the title or on the cover. Barbara Kingsolver’s books. Edgy Joyce Carol Oates books. E.B.White’s Essays, and stories that start, “Once upon a time . . . .”


The Great Time Lock Disaster (The Adventures of Pete and Weasel Book 2) by C Lee McKenzie


No YouTube. No smoothies. No Manga. Not ever again. Unless Pete figures out how to reverse his bad spell and free Weasel and him from the past. A young wizard accidentally opens a time lock and he and his bookish friend are swept into Victorian England, where they will be trapped forever if that wizard-in-training can’t find a way to reverse his bad spell by the next full moon--just three days away!

Read My Review HERE:        


Not Guilty by C Lee McKenzie

"NOT GUILTY is a compelling, engrossing, and ultimately uplifting and rewarding read. I couldn't tear myself away!"—Cheryl Rainfield, author of Scars, Stained, Hunted and Parallel Visions.
A blood-smeared knife. One young man’s word against another. A lifetime dream crushed. The evidence points to Devon Carlyle. He was there when it happened. Everyone knows he had it in for Renzo Costa. And Costa says Devon was the one. In the judge’s rap of a gavel, Devon’s found guilty of assault.
The star of the Oceanside High’s basketball team loses his shot at the one thing he’s worked so hard for—the championship game where college scouts could see how good he is. Now he makes his great shots in Juvenile Hall with kids far different from those that have always been in his life.
Angry?
 Hell, yes.
He’s bent on finding who did the crime. He’s bent on making them pay because he’s Not Guilty.
But can he prove it?
     Read My Review HERE:

*****

Thank you, Lee. 
Congratulations! 
You are one talented woman and I think many of us will agree
WAR should be fought only by those determined to solve their problems by it!

Best wishes on your New Adult novel!

Well folks, do you have a question for Lee?


26 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I wish you luck in the Outback. Way too many things that could kill you there. South America is off my list for the same reason.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Our view of success continues to evolve as we go.

cleemckenzie said...

Guess I'll be on my own! No support for the insecure hiker?

cleemckenzie said...

Fortunately.

cleemckenzie said...

Hi Yolanda,

What a pleasure it is to be here today. Thank you for giving me space on your blog and for taking the time to read and review The Great Time Lock Disaster.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Lee!
I'm thrilled that you're here today. You're a great writer and I applaud your talent!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

A remote area in the middle of the Outback? Yipes! Um, why not a slightly less remote place with fewer venomous animals... like the south of France? :) (More good food there, too!)

Nice interview, ladies. I thoroughly enjoyed "Not Guilty."

Pat Hatt said...

You can keep the outback and poisonous animals, bad enough here haha Yeah, I go into an area with 8 known bears about every now and then, they could definitely send me running.

Mason Canyon said...

I love the idea of traveling to the south of France, but I'd say Italy would be the place for me. Love your stories, can't wait to find out more about the book you're working on.

Denise Covey said...

Great interview, ladies.
Yes, Lee, the south of France beats the Australian Outback hands down for grub, unless you have a penchant for bush tucker - witchetty grubs, leaves, kangaroo or crocodile - oh yum. Agree with you on war. If the politicians who start them go and fight, we'd find a solution pretty quick.

No one else mentioned it, so it must just be me. From the start I didn't know which book you were talking about...

Peter J Earle said...

Intriguing site; keep going and strength to your pen.! Don't forget to send your choice of crime scene to Book Reviews: www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com

Yolanda Renée said...

Great catch, Denise. I added it, thank you!

cleemckenzie said...

You are probably right, but I'm into pushing my "envelope" these days. The south of France is beautiful, however, and very tempting. Glad you enjoyed Not Guilty.

cleemckenzie said...

It is a pretty terrifying thought, those poisonous critters. And I really don't like snakes, so it would be double terrifying.

cleemckenzie said...

I'm at the "it's. rotten" stage of development on this WIP. That usually means I have one more read-through to do before I find my next set of readers. These readers will be a tough audience because I'm asking paraplegics and therapists for their opinion. I see re-writing in my future.

cleemckenzie said...

Even those plants sound fierce, and I wouldn't want to run into a crocodile. Thanks for catching the confusion about the book. You must be an editor!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I haven't read Alligators Overhead, but Not Guilty was a great story.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you J. I won't still awaiting the final edited proof.

Yolanda Renée said...

It most definitely was!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Susan!

Tara Tyler said...

Yay for Lee! NOT GUILTY was excellent
and i agree, my image of success has changed over the years too. but thats how life goes too—reach one goal, set another! keep at it1

and Yolanda, thanks for your positive words!

Tara Tyler Talks

Christine Rains said...

Great interview! My image of success has changed too. I imagine it will continue to change, and I think that's a good thing. Your newest WIP sounds heavy, but you do so well with the tough topics. It'll be fantastic!

BATU said...

Reading books is really amazing
http://www.hazardonlinecon.com/
http://www.internetowaonline.com/
http://www.najlepszastrona.com/
http://www.hazardoweonline.com/
http://www.aayetiayokele.com/

BATU said...

This post is very simple to read and appreciate
http://www.darajulolori.com/
http://www.aleapullumreliable.com/
http://www.doragonbetto.net/
http://www.muchinahito.net/
http://www.rakkibeta.net/

BATU said...

Thank you very much for providing important information
http://www.graniewpilki.com/
http://www.pokagyanburusaito.net/
http://www.daftarnegaramiskin.com/
https://www.ceritamitosdunia.web.id/
http://www.daftaranjingpopuler.web.id/

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Renee and Lee - loved reading this ... Lee sent me a link - and I need to read it - now I have time ... so I'm methodically going forwards by starting backwards in some places! Take care and all the best to the both of you - cheers Hilary