10 Questions for Cindy Bradford, “Promises Kept”

Author interview with Cindy Bradford

Cindy Bradford is the author of Keeping Faith, recently released on Amazon and Promises Kept, which will soon be released. She lives at South Padre Island, Texas, and spends several months a year in Ruidoso, New Mexico. A retired public school educator and university professor, she holds a B.A. in journalism and English, a M.Ed. and a Ph.D. in educational administration/higher education. Prior to writing fiction, she wrote numerous professional articles that were published in various journals and educational periodicals.

Her hobbies include traveling, which she does extensively, gardening, and cooking. Tasting, drinking, collecting, and reading about different kinds of wine and the countries that produce them is a passion of the author. She often incorporates her knowledge of wine into her writings and shares the beautiful places she has visited, known for outstanding wines, with her readers.  She is currently working on two more novels. Cindy’s blog is http://www.doccbradford.com

1. Tell us about your latest book.

Promises Kept is Faith’s story, an unforgettable young woman whose life’s journey has been filled with uncertainty, of searching for people and answers that others take for granted. Compassionate and courageous, she never gives up, showing strength and character beyond her years. It is also the story about the power of the human spirit, of family, friends and love.

The book is a sequel to the novel, Keeping Faith, but can also standalone as an independent book. Avid readers of the romance genre will fall in love with Faith O’Brien’s gritty determination. After finding the father she never knew until adulthood, and graduating law school, she is focused on bringing down the priest who abused her father as a child. She wants the cunning, deceitful cleric put behind bars long enough that no other young boy will ever have to fear his touch. To do this, she takes on a veteran, highly experienced and shrewd Boston lawyer who will go to any means to win a case. But, he underestimates her passion for justice, her fight for right against a wrong.

The story transforms from the legal battle on behalf of her father into a beautiful love story as she falls madly in love with her colleague, Tyler England. Soon, her fighting instincts are called on like never before. Only this time her intelligence, perseverance and resolve may not be enough.

The author weaves the plot through the local charm of various locations around the world globe, including Italy, Boston, Texas & New Mexico, which provides the reader with a sensory experience. She also develops the characters through their experiences, needs, and inner conflicts. No one who reads this novel will finish without tears and a longing to read more of what this author has to offer.

2. How did you get started as a writer?

I don’t ever remember not writing. In high school I wrote poetry, but even before that when I was just a little girl I wanted to be a journalist, so I wrote little stories on leftover typing paper at my house. In college I wrote feature stories for a local newspaper and for the college newspaper. I taught English and journalism and then became director of communications for the school district. In that job, I wrote stories every day.

I had numerous articles published in professional journals, but I always wanted to write a novel. When I retired I began my first novel, which turned out to be Keeping Faith.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

There is no typical day for me. Even though I am retired, I do educational consulting, so some days I am in schools evaluating them for accreditation purposes. I enjoy this because I am able to visit schools all over the world. When I am home, I wake up about 8:00, have breakfast and start work on my computer, answering emails, writing, whatever. I try to quit by 4:00 so I can clean up and be prepared for Happy Hour! When I want a break from writing, I work in the yard.

4. Describe your workspace.

I have an antique desk in one corner of my huge bedroom. It is surrounded by my bookshelf, printer and filing cabinet, computer and phone. It really all looks good in spite of how it sounds. It’s my little sanctuary because it is cozy and looks out over my swimming pool and beautifully landscaped backyard.

5. Favorite books

That’s a tough one because I like so many. I have to say that Rage of Angels is probably my all time favorite.

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you

I’m funny. I have a crazy sense of humor and nothing is sacred. Everything and everybody is at risk, especially me, because I laugh at myself and the dumb things I do before anyone else. I am one of the most persistent, impatient individuals in the world, which can be a great asset at times, but it causes me and everyone around me stress at other times.  I am very adventurous with an untamed curiosity that helps be a lifelong learner, but also gets me into deep trouble on occasion.

7. Favorite quote

I have always loved quotes and old sayings so there are many, but my favorite is “Hitch your wagon to a star,” because my dad told me that when I was very young and I have always remembered.

8. Best and worst part of being a writer

Interruptions are the worst part of writing, and satisfaction and enjoyment the best.

9. Advice for other writers

Just do it! Nobody can do it for you, and if you never start you can never finish. Let it be fun or you won’t last at it.

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.

My dad, who has since passed away, was extremely proud of everything I did, but especially my writing. Because of my writing, I had an opportunity to go to New York City on a journalism internship in college.  He was beside himself with pride, telling everybody he saw. As a Sunday school teacher and deacon in the Baptist church he was, however, equally conservative.

When I called home to report about all my experiences and what I had done and seen, he must have taken notes because he called the local newspaper and told them everything, including my going to see Hair and Oh Calcutta. I never had the heart to tell him most people in the two plays were naked, and that the latter was a little on the erotic side. He would have never been proud of my writing again.

Where can people buy your books?

Keeping Faith is available on Amazon (paperback & Kindle) and on other websites such as wikio.com, Indiependentbooks.com, eBay, m.goodreads.com and BiggerBooks.com. Createspace extended distribution channel and Paragraphs Book Store on South Padre Island.

Promises Kept will be available at Amazon in April and eventually in the same channels.

About Promises Kept

Promises Kept is Faith’s story, an unforgettable young woman whose life’s journey has been filled with uncertainty, of searching for people and answers that others take for granted. Compassionate and courageous, she never gives up, showing strength and character beyond her years. It is also the story about the power of the human spirit, of family, friends and love.

About Cindy Bradford

Cindy Bradford, Ph.D., is also the author of Keeping Faith and Promises Kept. She lives at South Padre Island, Texas, and spends several months a year in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She is a retired public school educator and university professor. She often incorporates her knowledge of wine into her writings and shares the beautiful places she has visited with her readers. http://www.doccbradford.com

We invite you to join us on the Promises Kept virtual tour and every comment you post on the tour posts – will get you an entry into a drawing for a copy of the first book in this series – Keeping Faith. Visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/03/02/promises-kept/  for the complete schedule. We have a FREE gift for you – visit http://doccbradford.com/my-books/#excerpt  to download a preview of both Cindy’s book. For more details about Cindy Bradford, visit -www.KeepingFaithTheNovel.com  and http://www.DocCBradford.com/my-books