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Guest blogger: Cindy McDonald

Change of Life

I’ve had several bloggers ask me to write the article: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR. And while that is kind-of, sort-of an interesting subject—I think I’m going to write an article called: THE DIFFERENCE IN A DAY OF MY LIFE SINCE BECOMING AN AUTHOR—because whoa, has my life changed!


As the bio on the back of my books and on my website reads: For twenty-six years my life whirled around a song and a dance: I was a professional dancer and choreographer for most of my adult life and never gave much thought to a writing career until 2005. What was a day in my life like as professional dancer? Well, it was considerably different than it is now. Let me show you… 


When I was a dancer I would get up at my leisure, have a cup of coffee, some breakfast, and then I would work-out with weights and an elliptical for an hour. I would spend the next few hours doing what was required around the house. By 
2:30 I was at the auditorium working with the cast of whatever musical I was choreographing, and by 3:45 I was in my car on my way to my dance school to greet my first round of students by 4:00. I would teach an entire schedule of ballet/pointe, jazz, and tap classes until approximately 9:30. I taught at my dance school Monday through Thursday and rehearsed musicals Monday throughSaturday. 

Whew! Just thinking about it makes me sweat.

After twenty-six years I was ready to do something else with my life, and in 2005 I had started writing. In 2011 I published the first book of my first series, Unbridled. There are four books in that series thus far with another coming in January of 2014, and of course I now write another series, First Force—the first book from that series has just released, INTO THE CROSSFIRE. In May of 2011 I retired from my dance career. It was a scary proposition to leave the lifestyle that I lived for so long, but change was something that I was ready to embrace.


My life is much different now. It’s…quieter. I get up every morning, drink coffee, workout with weights and my elliptical—sometimes I take my dog for a run, and then I settled in my chair to wrangle with all the social networking sites to market my books. By 
11:00am I am usually in my office with my glasses parked on my nose dragging my characters into one debacle or another. It’s quiet…well, until the bullets start flying and my characters are diving for cover. Of course I take time out over the course of the afternoon to check my email, market, market, and more marketing for my books, and then there’s dinner that I must prepare—another change in my life. When I was a dancer I never cooked dinner because I was always at the dance school during the dinner hour. To tell you the truth, teaching myself to prepare dinner every night has been more of a challenge than writing—my husband will gladly confirm that for you. 

I’ve experienced a lot of things in the last two years: attending conventions, talking with groups, attending book festivals, and my favorite: virtual book tours—I just love them!


People are always asking me, “Do you miss dance?” Sometimes I do. I miss my students. I miss choreographing musicals, and quite frankly all the applause. Nevertheless I love my books, and I love sharing them with you.

 

 

Into the Crossfire 7

A notorious killer leaves Jack Haliday’s world in shambles.

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, an adorable daughter, and a lovely home in the suburbs—everything was just about as perfect as it could get, until Gunner returned to twist Jack Haliday’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!

Purchase your copy at AMAZON.

Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE.

 

 

Cindy McDonald 7About the Author:

For twenty-six years Cindy’s life whirled around a song and a dance: she was a professional dancer/choreographer for most of her adult life and never gave much thought to a writing career until 2005. She often notes: Don’t ask me what happened, but suddenly I felt drawn to my computer to write about things I have experienced (greatly exaggerated upon of course—I’ve never been murdered!) with my husband’s Thoroughbreds and happenings at the racetrack. Viola! Cindy’s first book series, Unbridled, was born—there are four books to that series so far.

Cindy is a huge fan of romantic suspense series, and although she isn’t one to make New Year’s resolutions, on New Year’s Day 2013 she made a commitment to write oneInto the Crossfire is the first book for her new series, First Force.

People are always asking Cindy: do you miss dance? With a bitter sweet smile on her lips she tells them: Sometimes I do. I miss my students. I miss choreographing musicals, but I love my books, and I love sharing them with you.

For more information, book trailers, and excerpts for all of Cindy’s books please visit her website: www.cindymcwriter.com.

Connect & Socialize with Cindy!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK

*****

Kelly’s review of Into The Crossfire

18712019TITLE: Into the Crossfire
SERIES #: First Focus #1
CHARACTERS: Jack Haliday
AUTHOR: Cindy McDonald
PUBLICATION DATE: September 24, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 1/2
REVIEW:
Jack Haliday has always known his job could be dangerous. But he never realized just how dangerous it could end up being until the day that his world was turned completely upside down and he lost everything.

This was an okay book for me. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters but there was something missing for me. I just never really connected with it over all. But fan’s of suspense novels would enjoy this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2 Responses to Guest blogger: Cindy McDonald

  1. cindy mcdonald November 20, 2013 at 9:44 am #

    Thanks for hosting me today, Kelly. And thank you for taking the time to read Into the Crossfire.

  2. Ginger Robertson November 20, 2013 at 1:59 pm #

    Hi Cindy,
    Wow! I liked the trailer and blurb of Into The Crossfire. Thanks for sharing your bio. You are a new to me author, which I appreciate as I am always looking for new authors. And, I enjoy reading romantic suspense. I will place this book on my Goodreads “want to read” list.
    Many thanks,
    Ginger aka robertsonreads

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