Author Interview with Linda W. Rooks & a Giveaway

I hope you enjoy hearing from my award-winning guest this week, Linda W. Rooks. Linda is giving away a paperback of her debut Suspense Thriller, Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light.

Be sure to comment below by May 7 for a chance to win! (US winner only)

Welcome to my blog, Linda! To kick us off, I’d love to know what you enjoy most about being a writer.

I just love to write. I love it when my writing transports me into the world I’m trying to create, and I love coming up with the right words to bring my readers there too. 

It is lots of fun, isn’t it? What genre do you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre?

Although Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light is usually classified as a suspense thriller, it’s actually a mix of several genres with romance woven through the plot and a time travel episode that requires the addition of futuristic and science fiction elements as well. 

I can’t say I chose to write in this genre because the story itself just seemed to evolve into this mix of genres as I wrote it. I knew what I wanted to say, and I knew what the characters would have to encounter for the story to be told. So, suspense was required for them to make it through the various twists and turns to make it to the end. I didn’t realize I was writing a thriller until one night as my husband was reading one of my first drafts, he looked up at me and said, “Linda, you’re writing a thriller!” Since that was his favorite genre, he was overjoyed. From that point on, I had fun enhancing the “thrill.”

I love when the story takes over during the writing process. What is the setting of your novel? Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it. 

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light takes place in both Washington D.C. and the country of Tajikistan, which is a real country located in Central Asia next to Afghanistan. The main story line develops in D.C. where the characters’ personal stories and relationships grow and the danger of weapons of mass destruction in the country of Tajikistan starts to be uncovered. Much of the exciting action takes place in Tajikistan. 

As Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light unfolds and new twists and turns take the story in unexpected directions, the suspense within the two countries become intertwined, both through an international, political crisis and also through the gradual revelation of long forgotten family secrets. All the locations in the story are very real, down to the street names in some of the travel sequences. 

Sounds intriguing. How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing?

I want my story to take readers into a deeper experience with God. As my characters face the darkness but discover the light, I want readers to see more of the light of Christ in their own lives and circumstances. Faith is an integral part of the plot. This doesn’t become evident, however, until later in the story. 

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light is meant for believers and non-believers alike. My hope is that non-believers will be drawn into the drama so they can experience the hope of Christ in a life-changing moment for themselves. 

In that same vein, what do you hope your readers take away from Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light?

I want readers to see how the pieces of dark and pieces of light in their own lives can all work together to create a beautiful picture when put everything in the hands of God. As it says in Romans 8:28, God uses everything for good, both the good and bad when we trust Him for the outcome. Although the reader has to experience some scary and suspenseful twists and turns in the story to get there, this is what I hope they come away with. 

Also, I want readers to see the importance of the decisions we make and how one decision can impact the future in unforeseen ways. Former U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney said it well in his endorsement when he said, “Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light inspires the reader to appreciate that our life’s every day decisions are part of a bigger design than any one individual can understand, but that faith in God’s plan will save ourselves, loved ones, and perhaps civilization writ large.”  

Amen! Which character in Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge?

Evie, the diplomat’s daughter, was the easiest and almost seemed to write herself. I can identify with some of her quirks, which helped me understand how she would respond in various circumstances. Each of my POV characters became like real people to me and seemed to just naturally evolve.

The most challenging character to write was Charlie, the wife of the main protagonist, Janssen LaMarche. I didn’t identify with her as much and had to make an effort to make sure her character was distinct enough from the other female characters since three of the women interact through several important scenes in the story.

How do you tackle research for your novels?

For Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light, my husband and I traveled to Washington D.C. and visited the State Department and White House in person. We traveled around the city to scope out various locations and even street names so I could write about them as accurately as possible. 

My research into Tajikistan was done through online resources, and for my time travel segment and futuristic elements, I read books on worm holes, nanotechnology, etc. at the library and talked to experts in their fields.

My husband and I toured D.C. several years ago and enjoyed it so much. Do you have critique partners or a critique group? What are the pros and cons of participating in such a group?

Although I’m a founding member of Word Weavers, which is a large critique group that has now spread across the US, I also met with a smaller group during the writing of Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light. We were all writing novels, and three members were men who were knowledgeable in technology and the military. We met once a month, and these men were a huge help to me in refining some of the writing in my action and futuristic scenes. 

Receiving honest feedback from a critique group can give a writer valuable perspective about how to hone and sharpen their writing. It’s important though that critiquing includes positive as well as honest criticism so the writer stays encouraged. 

Yes, every writer needs lots of encouragement! I’m glad you have a group of people to walk alongside you on this journey.

Thanks so much for sharing about your book. It sounds like a wonderful read, and I wish you nothing but success.

Join the conversation. Does Linda’s book sound like a story you’d like to read? What aspects are most appealing to you? What questions or comments do you have for Linda?

Be sure to scroll to the comments section and leave your thoughts by May 7 for a chance to win a paperback of Linda’s book. (US winner only)

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light by Linda W. Rooks

Click the book cover for purchase link

FORGOTTEN DANGERS.

FAMILY SECRETS.

AN UNKNOWN FATE.

When weapons of mass destruction are discovered in the country of Tajikistan and terrorist threats begin to surface, U.S. diplomat Janssen LaMarche is tapped as the one person who can avert an international crisis. It’s 2052, and WMD have been seemingly non-existent for twenty years because of an international treaty. Military options are off the table. Janssen’s diplomatic skills, charismatic personality, and family connections must save the day. Before LaMarche begins his mission, however, he encounters an unexpected personal crisis, which requires him to travel back in time where an unknown fate awaits him, and family secrets on two continents come to light. 

As a world crisis moves the plot through suspenseful twists and surprises, at the heart of the story is the personal story of a man on a mission and the women who fear for his life.

Linda is an award-winning author with her previous non-fiction books, and her newest book, Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light, is a 2022 ACFW Carol Award Semi-Finalist in two categories and an AWSA Golden Scroll Award Finalist. 

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light is endorsed by congressmen, military leaders, authors of suspense and inspiration, and an Emmy nominated writer for Bob Hope. Over 100 of Linda’s writings have appeared in publications across the U.S., including multiple editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul as well as articles in Focus on the Family, HomeLife, and Today’s Christian Woman. She is best known for her books on marriage and has appeared on numerous TV, radio, and podcast interviews across the North American continent. Her bi-weekly Heart Talk blog helps people “find hope in unexpected places.”

Linda received a B.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She and her husband Marv have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. 

Connect with Linda: Website / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

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If you missed my post last week highlighting my April reads, you can find it here.