Welcome Cynthia Hickey to my blog today. She has a new book out called Candy Coated Secrets and if you would like to win a copy then leave a comment with a way to reach you.

Tell me about yourself.

I am a Detention Monitor at my local school and live in Arizona with my husband and two of our seven children. I have been making up stories since I was a child. I can't imagine not writing. It's as necessary as breathing.

How hard was your road to publication?

Depends on the definition of hard. I have a couple of pod books out. They aren't very good, but they showed me I could write more than one book and meet deadlines. My first "real" book was written on a dare. I entered it into a contest, won first place, obtained my agent, who sold the book within a month. This was Fudge-Laced Felonies.

How did you know that you were meant to be a writer?

I just can't imagine not doing it. I've been "writing" since I was a little girl. Even started a couple of books in high school. Hopefully, I'll be doing this until the day Jesus calls me home.

How do you choose a setting/storyline for your books?

I spent most of my childhood in the foothills of the Ozarks in Arkansas. My stories take places in fictional towns in the same area.

Which authors have influenced your writing?

LOL! I don't know. Since Fudge-Laced wasn't something I planned on writing, I have no one to compare it to. Maybe a clean version of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plumb series.

What are your currently reading?

A new Steeple Hill release. I just finished a book by Deborah Raney and one by Lisa Samson before that.

What advice do you have for new authors?

READ READ READ, PRAY PRAY PRAY, WRITE WRITE WRITE. And never give up. Not if this is something you really want. The road to publication can be an uphill climb, but it's worth pursuing.

If your book was made into a movie who would you pick to play your main characters?

A blond Patrick Dempsey, and Kristin Stewart

Tell me about your featured book.

Candy-Coated Secrets.

Who would have thought escorting an elehant down Highway 64 could lead to murder?

Whenn a carnival train crashes in front of Summer Meadows's house, she does what comes naturally--she acts without thinking and vounteers to lead an elephant to the fairground. The animal's trainer follows close behind but disappears when they reach their destination. When Summer goes looking for the trainer, she finds something altogether different--a woman hanging dead in the shower of one of the trailers.

A carnival slew of mishap and misadventure ensue when Summer and her fiance, Ethan, set out to solve the murder.

Do you have any works in progress?

I am currently working on a Romantic Suspense.