Author Interview: 10 Questions with Deborah M. Piccurelli

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(Editors Note: This interview was done a year ago and Deborah has some new information to add: “I do have a new inspy romance novella e-book releasing March 20th called, LOVE COMES CALLING, that can be added”)

Our interview today is with Deborah M. Piccurelli. Thank You Deborah for being here today and for doing this interview.

Deborah M Piccurelli

Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?

Answer: A lifetime of reading suspense, and particularly romantic suspense, qualifies me to write it. Not that I haven’t read my share of other genres, but romantic suspense has always been my favorite.

Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?

Answer: Most importantly, I love spending time with the Lord; just being in His presence. I like talking about Him, too, with like-minded people. Of course, I love to read, or I wouldn’t be writing. I like taking walks with my family, hanging out with friends; shopping, even if I’m not buying.

Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.

Answer: Hopefully the back cover blurb for HUSH, LITTLE BABY will make you want to read it:

Investigative journalist, Amber Blake, is a little person bent on payback for the death of her average-sized twin sister. Enlisted by her former partner and estranged husband, Evan, she poses as a counselor in an abortion clinic to expose the doctor responsible for fetal harvesting. As a Christian, she struggles with concealing her beliefs to maintain her cover, while the doctor’s romantic overtures tumble her stomach. Amber agrees to date him for the sake of the story . . . but nothing prepares her for what’s behind a mysterious door in his office.

Hush Little Baby

Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)

Answer: I’m an advocate for sanctity of life, so my stories are usually cause-related. For instance, HUSH, LITTLE BABY is about abortion, and more specifically, fetal harvesting. Also, the main characters are little people, because I wanted to help bring about awareness of dwarfism.

Question: Tell us one place you visited or person you met, that made a big impression on you, and why.

Answer: Another author-friend and myself went to one of those free advance screenings of a TV show several years back. What made it so amazing was that the show was adapted from the books of one of our favorite authors, Tess Gerritsen. The evening also included a book signing of her newly released book, which coincided with the kick-off of the show. Tess mingled with and spoke to guests before the screening, and then spoke about her book, the show, and her writing in general.

Afterward, she signed our books and took pictures with us. But what made such a big impression on me is that she was very down-to-earth, not full of herself, at all, considering her popularity and that of her books so much that they were adapted into a TV show. And the fact that she recognized my name from comments I left on her blog!

Question: Share something that’s amazing, touching, or that makes you angry.

Answer: What makes me angry are injustices that are inflicted on the innocent and vulnerable. That’s why I write about them.

Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!

Answer: I’m working on a novella titled, LOVE COMES CALLING that was one of three winners in a writing contest to be allowed to submit the full manuscript to the publisher that sponsored it. They have been so gracious in making suggestions to improve it, and asking me to send it back when those suggestions are implemented.

Question: What is your current WIP?

Answer: Aside from the above-mentioned novella, my current WIP is tentatively titled, GONE. I’ll leave the rest to the imagination.

Question: How many books do you have out?

Answer: At the moment, I have one book released in both print and electronic formats, and one that is technically out of print, but there are some left being sold on Amazon.

Question: What are your future projects?

Answer: I have several that are in the research and development stage. One is a TV drama that I’m very excited about, another is a feature film, another suspense novel, and a non-fiction book.

Contact links:

Website: http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003395634363

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebPiccurelli

Reviews for HUSH, LITTLE BABY

I was totally delighted by author Deborah Piccurelli’s novel, Hush Little Baby. As a romantic suspense story it had my interest from the beginning, but the book still had to prove itself. I began by reading a few pages at a time, but it was so captivating, I had to devote a day for completing the story all at once!

Deborah develops the main characters and story right from the beginning. It moves at a fast pace, which is important for a suspense novel. The main character, Amber Blake who is an investigative reporter, begins working undercover at an abortion clinic and from that point on the danger escalates. Amber is a young and loveable Christian woman who sometimes takes her own path and has to face the difficult consequences. But with a strong spirit she manages to pull herself together by moving forward with God. Even so, this particular undercover work leaves Amber with some very difficult and new challenges.

She takes some hard knocks as a “little person,” but she doesn’t let that stand in the way, especially when it comes to getting justice for her twin sister of average height who met her death at the hands of Dr. Albert Hines who performs abortions and other atrocities within the clinic where she is working undercover. Amber finds herself confused by the doctor’s advances toward her, hating what he does, yet believing him at times to be a gentle and misguided soul. Grounded only by her estranged husband Evan, who is also a reporter and the only man Amber loves, she is able to remain fixed on the truth that the doctor cannot be trusted. I questioned many times whether the doctor had some redeeming qualities or a reason for his profession, but I didn’t have a clue until the end of this exciting story.

Hush Little Baby abounds with mystery concerning the strange murder of one of the employees at the clinic. Amber believes the murder may have something to do with a locked door inside Dr. Hine’s office. That mysterious secret really kept me reading, and when I found out what it was, I wasn’t disappointed! I was also shocked to find out the secret Amber was keeping from her husband after their separation. This is a must read book for lovers of suspense and romance! There’s plenty of romance that Deborah has woven into the story very tastefully. She also shares the reality of abortion and fetal harvesting; subjects which are near and dear to her heart.

Deborah has a great writing style and understanding of how to write a great story! I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a unique story that inspires with the truth that anything can be accomplished in Christ and that forgiveness is a means of new beginnings.

By Margaret Lukasik
www.lifepurposebooks.com

This is one of the most unique and compelling storylines I’ve read in years. There was suspense, intrigue and a lot of mystery to the story. I also enjoyed the romance and the undercover aspects of the story. Amber had a slew of secrets that ended up biting her in the butt, which was a bummer for her even though she’d caused a lot of her own heartache. At the same time, Amber had a soft heart and was not good at saying no when she needed to. Evan was pretty heroic for a guy also. Several times I wanted to applaud his valiant effort to save the love of his life.

I read this book pretty much straight through in less than two days. There was nothing boring about this story. I can’t imagine seeing some of the things Amber saw and having to do some of the things she did at the clinic. I’d have fallen apart. Amber was a tough heroine who put herself in jeopardy for a worthy cause, which was to intervene in a very disgusting business. The author did a great job of bringing the morbidity of the trafficking home in the way she presented it.

Well-written and compelling, Hush Little Baby was a read I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel with quirky characters and a hard core moral dilemma at the center of the conflict. The villain in this story was very three-dimensional and I thought the author did a fantastic job of making him sympathetic even though he was a bit of a sicko. Sometimes it was easy to forget what he did. Great job!

Michelle Sutton, author of Decision to Love,
Out of Time, and It’s Not About Her

She’s there to avenge her sister’s death, but she might lose her own life while trying.

This author is not afraid to tackle an unpleasant subject. The story is set in an abortion clinic and that’s enough to create conflict between most people. Ms. Piccurelli makes her main character a “little person” who’s an investigative journalist. Amber has her own secrets that adds to the flavor of the story. Her twin sister was average size and died from the doctor’s mistake during an abortion so Amber is willing to take on the doctor and the clinic. She has another secret, too.

The author adds Amber’s estranged husband into the mix to give it some romance and add more misunderstandings. This keeps the story moving on several levels and it flows very nicely. Evan is also a little person, so he develops some jealousy when the regular sized doctor tries to put the moves on Amber.

The author gives Amber a very dangerous tightrope to walk. She wants to get information and will do what it takes to get it, but the doctor makes her uncomfortable. Her instincts are right on. This clinic holds more secrets than what you see from the front.

The plot is intertwined with a bit of the past and the present. Ms. Piccurelli gives Amber challenges in both the office and in her personal life. This is good read that holds your attention and makes you wonder how it’s going to end. I enjoyed it even if the subject matter bothered me. There are abortion clinics and I’m sure some of those doctors might be looking for extra money, too. Be ready for some unpleasantness. Whatever you do, don’t look behind the locked door into the chambers or you won’t want to go to sleep again…

Originally posted at LAS Mystery Reviews
The Long and the Short of It Reviews 

Reviews for IN THE MIDST OF DECEIT

In The Midst of Deceit

 

“I grabbed this book with the intention of just reading a few pages. . . . But I was hooked immediately. I read the story almost straight through. . . . The tension between the hero and heroine was fabulous and honestly one of the best portrayals of romantic tension I’ve read in awhile. The kisses were delicious and probably my favorite scenes. But there was so much more depth to the story than that. Truly! Plus, the suspense was awesome and very well done. The people felt like my friends long before the book ended. I truly cared about them and I think I fell in love with Slade, too. His characterization and growth was perfectly done! I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves romantic suspense.

Michelle Sutton, http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com, www.michellesutton.net

In the Midst of Deceit has intrigue and mystery. Romance and suspense. Love and faith. Deborah Piccurelli does a great job of creating characters who are three dimensional and realistic. We meet with all of them, seeing each one’s flaws and strengths. . . . The plot is done well and draws the reader into the story. . . . Overall, I recommend In the Midst of Deceit by Deborah Piccurelli.

Allison M. Wilson, The Road to Romance (www.roadtoromance.ca)
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3 comments

  1. Thank you so much for this interview! Deb Piccurelli is a woman of faith and courage whose stories deal with tough issues. She is a strong advocate for life and for speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves (Proverbs 31:8). I am so honored to call her my friend and fellow author.

    MaryAnn Diorio
    http://www.maryanndiorio.com

  2. Great interview. I also loved Hush, Little Baby and am proud to say I saw it from the very beginning. Deb’s upcoming novella, Love Comes Calling, is also a great read! Congrats, Deb!

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