The interview can be read HERE.

What a treat to get to be helicoptered to the cave for it.

Blessings,

Vicki

Today is the official publication for NOT THIS TIME, the third and final book in the Crossroads Crisis Center series.

One would think that the “newness” of a book being published—the excitement, the knots in the stomach awaiting reader responses to see if they love the story as much as I do—would wear off after nearly thirty books. But it doesn’t.

Instead I find myself walking down memory lane. Reliving receiving the first copy of the first book, the intense emotion I felt on putting it in my mother’s hands, the sight of her reading the dedication and bursting into tears because she was so moved, so honored to see her name in a book with her child’s name on the cover. No one has had a lifelong love affair with books and loved them more than my mom. That memory still moves me deeply and is all the more precious now that she’s passed on.

Seeing one of my books on the shelf at the bookstore for the first time. Yes, I took photos. After all the time and work invested, finally—finally—it was real. Oh, who could forget realizing a dream that had consumed them for so many years?

The look on my husband’s face, on the faces of my children. One teen’s friend coming over and saying, “Hey, did you know there’s a famous author living in your neighborhood?” And my son laughing. “Naw, that’s just my mom.”

Then I walk down memory lane to my first signing. It stormed so hard that day, and yet our mayor showed up—and he has for every book released and signed since. And the first radio interview, a call-in show, where the first caller, who hadn’t yet read the book suggested I write nonfiction about real women, and I explained why this character was real and encompassed much I respect and admire in women. He went from hostile to convert, and I learned the value of loving what you write and the passion only revealed when it’s coupled with compassion.

And then I walk on, through all the releases after that, each holding its own place in my memory and heart. Each with its own firsts and special moments. Things that go unnoticed by many, unknown by more, but ones that have woven into my personal tapestry and helped shape the writer I’ve become. The person I’ve become.

How lucky I am to have had these experiences, these days. How grateful I am for them. And how happy I am that today the door opens for new memories of a new book that now ventures out to find its place in the world.

With excitement, knotted stomach and fondest hopes, I release it, wishing:

May NOT THIS TIME be a blessing to all readers and serve them well.

Vicki

___________________________________________________________________________

Find a Christian bookstore near you.

Request from your Public Library

INTERVIEW in THE BIG THRILL

Read the First Chapter

–Vicki Hinze

_________________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released. To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace. Be sure to enter! You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

__________________________________________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1: When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2: What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3: Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4: Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5: Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6: Naysayers

_________________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released. To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace. Be sure to enter! You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

__________________________________________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1: When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2: What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3: Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4: Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5: Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6: Naysayers

I did an interview with ACRA’s Vickie King and it’s now live.  If you’re interested in reading it, you can find it on Vickie’s blog .  Vickie asked some questions that really made me think.  Blessing or curse, I did.   Very enjoyable interview with her.  Vickie is a novelist published in short fiction.  Lovely voice in her writing.

The Wordsmith Journal is giving away a free Kindle.  You can get details HERE.

Christians Reads‘ own, Kathi Macias‘s novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, is a nominee for Wordsmith Journal’s Novel of the Year.  Voting is ongoing, and I’m wishing Kathi the best.  This is a novel on human-trafficking, a subject so under-reported, and after writing DEADLY TIES, you know, near and dear to my heart.  You can read the first two chapters of Kathi’s book HERE.  Kathi, it’s my deepest wish that your book touch lives and hearts and influences the stopping of this madness we call human-trafficking.

“I  long ago learned the benefits of watching specific people in the industry for specific reasons.”

I said that at a lecture recently and now have been asked who I watch.  A few are:  James Rollins.  He always does creative and innovative author things.  He has his own app and now, working with COS Productions, Cover Stories as well as book trailers for his novels.  They’re gorgeous and brilliant.  Quick capsules on the books.

I’ve watched Sheila English of COS Productions since the year BODY DOUBLE came out–the better part of a decade.  She’s smart, savvy and innovative.  I like that. Her work with and for International Thriller Writers has been such a gift and a blessing to the organization and its members.  Recently, I hired COS to create the “bookends” for my web videos and book trailers. Totally positive experience, and I have a beautiful product I love.

Just over a year ago,  Kristen Lamb, also smart, savvy and innovative and an unabashed guru on social networking (and so much more) snagged my attention.  I first noted her on Twitter, and I wish I’d been quicker about it!  You can read her blog HERE.

I’m also watching friends Kathy Carmichael, Debra Webb, Peggy Webb and Regan Black.  All are smart women doing innovative things at a time when those in our industry must be innovative and willing to take measured risks.  And, of course, Susan Wiggs, who has been on my personal watch list since the 1980s and Susan Mallery who has been on it for at least a decade.

The reasons I watch these people are as varied as the women themselves and the types of books they write.  But all have much to offer someone willing to invest in learning about them and what they’re doing.

And I always watch my most excellent agent, Chip Macgregor.  He’s blogging again, and I’m rejoicing!

The Countdown to release is on for NOT THIS TIME.  The first review is in from Suite 101:  Mystery and Crime.  It’s a wonderful review, and this reviewer does the coolest thing:  she makes recommendations on how the book can be used.  I just loved that.  When a new book is released, I always get butterflies in my stomach, hoping that others will feel as invested in the book as I do and love it and the characters.  This release is a little bittersweet because it’s the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series.  <sniff>  I love these people and I’m going to miss them–for a time.

I strongly suspect Sam and Tim are going to nag me until I write their stories.  Sam especially is already being, um, persistent.  We’ll just see if he’s persistent enough to snag my imagination with a great story.  (Don’t tell him, but the man has already snagged my heart.)

Three other big events occurred in my life this week and I’ve blogged and written about them in my February Newsletter so I won’t get into specifics on them but will just share the upshot:  I started an INSPIRE ME! series of webisodes.  The first four are posted.  LOVE IS MURDER:  THRILLER 3‘s cover debuted (Sandra Brown edited and my WED TO DEATH is in it) from Harlequin’s MIRA.  And I announced (in the newsletter) that I’ll be publishing (via my own imprint, Magnolia Leaf Press) some of the “Sunday Books” (books I’ve written on Sunday afternoons over the years) under “Vicki Hinze writing as Kali Kaye” so readers know to expect anything in the stories.  The only common bond in these books is I love them.  Beyond that, anything goes.  FMI visit Kali’s page on my site HERE.

The major highlight of my week was a special invitation from my eldest Angel for Tigress Tuesday lunch at her elementary school.  Naturally, I accepted.   How lucky I am to watch her–all my Angels–grow!

Sometimes life is just so good. (Content sigh.)

Blessings,

Vicki

P.S.  I just remembered that I put the writing books I could on free on Amazon as a Valentine’s gift to my writer friends and followers.  I got a little busy so if I didn’t mention it, know that it wasn’t because you aren’t in my thoughts, it’s because I’m a tad scattered.  So sorry.  One Way to Write a Novel and Writing in the Fast Lane are still free on Kindle today.  My humble apologies for the delay in letting you know it, and for the synapse misfire.

Hey, I never claimed to be perfect.  Actually, I’m first to say I’m flawed to the core.  But bless you for joining me anyway.

Vicki

P.S.S.  I have NO idea why those two smiley faces are in the posts.  I’ve tried and tried to delete them but they refuse to depart.  Aw well, it’s nice to be beloved.

LOVE IS MURDER will be released May 31.  You can pre-order copies now at:

LOVE IS MURDER is the third Thriller anthology written exclusively by members of International Thriller Writers, Inc. It is being published by MIRA Books, a Harlequin company. Yours truly contributed a story to this collection of general market romantic suspense/romantic thrillers:  WED TO DEATH.

SANDRA BROWN, the author of sixty New York Times bestselling novels with eighty million books in print worldwide, edited the collection (and said some lovely things about the stories!).

Here’s what a few other people are saying:

“A slam-dunk collection of the best in the business.”–Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

“For romantic suspense lovers, this is magical mayhem loaded with bark and bite. Downright beguiling.” –Jeffery Deaver, International #1 bestselling author

“It’s like a box of chocolates–each one is different, but they’re all great.” –Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author

“An absolute must-buy for thriller readers everywhere.” –Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“I love this book and you will, too.” –Tess Gerritsen, International bestselling author

“Absolutely superb.” –Doug Preston, New York Times bestselling author

“Gripping, exciting, engaging–every story will leave you breathless.” –Karin Slaughter, #1 Internationally bestselling author

And here’s a list of all the contributors:

Lori Armstrong, Jeff Ayers, Beverly Barton, William Bernhardt, Allison Brennan, Robert Browne, Pamela Callow, Toni McGee Causey, Lee Child, JT Ellison, Bill Floyd, Cindy Gerard, Heather Graham, Laura Griffin, Vicki Hinze, Andrea Kane, Julie Kenner, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, Jon Land, D.P. Lyle, Jim Macomber, Carla Neggers, Brenda Novak, Patricia Rosemoor, William Simon, Alexandra Sokoloff, Roxanne St. Claire, Mariah Stewart, Debra Webb

I’m so honored to be in such esteemed company in this collection–thrilled!  No pun intended. 

LOVE IS MURDER will be released May 31.  You can order copies now at:

The proceeds benefit International Thriller Writers, an organization working for authors.  I do hope you’ll enjoy the book!

Blessings,

Vicki

_______________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released. To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace. Be sure to enter! You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

__________________________________________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1: When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2: What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3: Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4: Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5: Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6: Naysayers

INSPIRE ME!, Part 3;  Distractions

Coming next is:

INSPIRE ME!, Part 4:  MUST DOS

Blessings,

Vicki

_________________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released. To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace. Be sure to enter! You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

__________________________________________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1: When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2: What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3: Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4: Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5: Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6: Naysayers

INSPIRE ME!, Part 2:  What to Write

Coming next is:

INSPIRE ME!, Part 3:   Distractions

Blessings,

Vicki

_________________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released.  To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace.  Be sure to enter!  You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

__________________________________________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1:  When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2:  What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3:  Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4:  Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5:  Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6:  Naysayers

Hope you enjoy it!

Blessings,

Vicki

INSPIRE ME!, Part 1:  When You Get Knocked Down

_______________________________________________________________

A Note to My Readers:

On February 21, 2012, NOT THIS TIME, the finale in the Crossroads Crisis Center series is being released. To celebrate, I’m holding a CONTEST for an autographed copy of the novel and a diamond necklace. Be sure to enter! You can do so HERE.

Preorder the Book HERE.

Enter the contest HERE.

Read the first chapter HERE.

Get the Readers Group Guide for your book club HERE.

View the book-trailer HERE.

___________________________________

Inspire Me! Part 1:  When You Get Knocked Down

Inspire Me! Part 2:  What to Write

Inspire Me! Part 3:  Distractions

Inspire Me ! Part 4:  Must Dos

Inspire Me! Part 5:  Things Out of Your Control

Inspire Me! Part 6:  Naysayers