A Conversation with Romantic Suspense Novelist Cindy McDonald

with Cindy McDonald

We are delighted to welcome romantic suspense author Cindy McDonald to Omnimystery News today.

Cindy's first book in her new "First Force Series" of thrillers is Into the Crossfire (Acorn Book Services; October 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had a chance to talk with her about it.

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Omnimystery News: Tell us a little more about your new series.

Photo provided courtesy of
Cindy McDonald

Cindy McDonald: "First Force" is a new series for me. I already write another murder/suspense series, "Unbridled". The character Jack Haliday made his first appearance in my third novel from the Unbridled Series, Dangerous Deception.

I enjoyed writing the character so much that I included him in the fourth novel, Against the Ropes, and he comes along for one more Unbridled adventure in Shady Deals (to be released January 2014).

What can I say? I simply fell in love with Jack, so I decided to write a romantic suspense series for the ex-Navy SEAL — First Force. The first book of the series is Into the Crossfire.

OMN: How would you tweet the synopsis of the book?

CM: A notorious biker gang has attacked ex-Navy SEAL Jack Haliday's family killing his wife. Now Jack has a score to settle and he's got some friends to help him do it!

OMN: Tell us more about the book's cover.

CM: The man on the cover of my book is UK rugby star and model Stuart Reardon. When he posted this picture of himself (taken by renowned NYC photographer, Paul Rietz) on Facebook I thought it was absolutely perfect for Into the Crossfire. I contacted Paul to contract the picture. I think it is perfect for the storyline, and the photo depicts my character, Jack Haliday, to a tee. See, social networking can pay off!

OMN: Do you choose real places to set the action in your books?

CM: All of my books, in both of my series, take place in fictional locations. I made the decision to do this while writing my first series, Unbridled. The murder/suspense series takes place at a Thoroughbred racetrack, and because my husband actively trains and races Thoroughbreds I didn't want anyone at the racetrack where our horses race to think the stories were directed at them or be upset by descriptions of landmarks that they felt should be represented differently or feel that certain locations should not be used. In other words, I didn't want them to feel exploited in any way. Likewise, I decided to use fictional locations for my new series First Force as well, even though this series has nothing to do with horses or horse racing. Like most authors, I already get the question: Is this character based on so-and-so?

OMN: What kinds of books do you read for pleasure?

CM: I love murder/suspense and romantic suspense storylines. For me, something has to be at stake — and the stakes have to be high. To keep my interest, someone has to be in danger, and that someone has to be at the heart and soul of the hero's life. I love hot love scenes — but they must be well written and tasteful. I have no use for vulgar sex scenes or sex scenes that have been thrown into a story just for the sake of writing one. The love/sex scene must move the story forward.

OMN: What's next for you?

CM: I am always writing. Writing two series is a challenge, but it is one that I truly enjoy. I have also decided to add children's books to my bookshelf. In the spring of 2014 my first children's book will release: George the Boss. I will be writing the books under the pen name: CS McDonald.

I also have another book from the Unbridled series coming in January of 2014 — Shady Deals, which will be book number 5.

And of course I will continue writing the First Force series. Meanwhile, I travel to horseshows with my daughter, and I race Thoroughbreds with my husband, and I love to travel through wine country to visit wineries — I especially enjoy Virginia wines, but I am planning a trip to Oregon this spring.

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Cindy McDonald was born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. For 26 years she was a professional choreographer and taught ballet, jazz, and tap. During that time she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. Most recently she has retired to write her novels. She resides with her husband on their Thoroughbred farm known as Fly By Night Stables near Pittsburgh.

To learn more about her book series and to read excerpts from her upcoming books, please visit her website at CindyMcWriter.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Into the Crossfire
Cindy McDonald
A First Force Novel of Romantic Suspense

Jack Haliday has a score to settle …

It has been four years since ex-Navy SEAL Jack Haliday, had an explosive run-in with a biker gang, wounding their leader, Gunner. During those years, Jack had acquired everything he ever wanted: a beautiful wife, daughter, and a lovely home in the suburbs — everything was just about as perfect as it could get, until Gunner returned to twist Jack's world inside-out with a vengeance that he could never have prepared for.

Now Jack has a score to settle and he's got some friends to help him do it.