Musa Blog Hop- An Interview with Frank Conley

September 30, 2012September 30, 2012 | sepiastoriessepiastories | 33 Comments | 10:00 am

My first novel, Love Lies Bleeding, will be released in the spring. As a little taste, here is a little glimpse into my main character, Frank Conley, a member of the  New York State Police, and a small excerpt.

Story

It was a story that had haunted Ithaca for decades. Libbie Morgan disappeared on a stormy night back in 1916, never to be seen again. In 1986, a hiker stumbles across an old skeleton at Buttermilk Falls State Park, buried with a rusty buttonhook and a locket full of pictures. Frank Conley of the New York State Police realizes that the woman was his aunt, who vanished all those years ago.

Aided by the town historian and one of Libbie’s childhood friends, Frank starts peeling away layers of history and confronting family demons. Finally, he pieces together Ithaca’s seventy-year-old secret as flashbacks unfold.

Frank

Now, you have to know, we tried to get Frank to tell us more, but he’s a pretty quiet guy, and it was almost like pulling teeth getting him to talk. Besides, he was still trying to get some paperwork cleared up for a murder the previous week, so he begged off early. That’s just the kind of guy Frank is. But here’s what we were able to get out of him before he excused himself.

Thank you for coming to chat with us today. Why do you think Laini chose you to represent her?

Don’t know much about that. She needed a stand-up guy who could put all the pieces together, I suppose. The fact that the skeleton happened to be related to me might have had something to do with it. And the fact that I’m a cop.

Tell us a little about yourself?

Do I have to? I’m a pretty quiet guy. Don’t like to talk about myself much. I work for the New York State Police. Divorced. I have a teenage daughter who, while being the light of my life, can also be a giant pain in the ass at times.

What is your birth date? 

Why? You want to know my sign? Bake me a cake? What?

Where do you live? What is it about that area that drew you there?

Ithaca, New York. I was born here, so just ended up staying. I love it here. Lots of nature and beautiful scenery, state parks, great camping, hunting and fishing. Couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, I suppose.

What do you wish people would know about you?

Nothing. Look up the word private in the dictionary and it’s got my picture next to it. I do like chocolate chip cookies though. Any readers want to send me some chocolate chip cookies, then feel free. The moist kind. Not those hardtack ones.

What music do you listen to?

Stuff my daughter’s embarrassed by. You know, the classics. Neil Young, Dylan, Joe Cocker.

Will we be seeing more of you or are you stepping out of the limelight?

Not sure. Gonna have to ask the boss lady that. I don’t think she’s decided yet.

What is your perfect evening?

Evening at Nonna’s with a glass of red wine and a good plate of pasta, I guess. Maybe a pretty lady with me. Linda fits the bill.

Is there anything you wish Laini had kept her mouth shut about?

I don’t think everybody needed to know about my drinking. I mean, geez. It was something I kept pretty much under control. Didn’t let it affect my work. But I’ve got a handle on it now. Hope my boss doesn’t read this book.

Do you feel you were portrayed fairly?

Yeah, I guess so. She seemed to get right to the meat of me. We’ve had some family dysfunction, I know. But I think all families have a little bit of that, don’t they?

What really pushes your buttons?

I hate the little creeps that mess up our area—selling drugs, driving drunk, and destroying old cemeteries just because they’re bored and want something to do.

What’s your favorite sports team?

The Jets, of course.

Why should the readers be interested in your story?

It’s got a little bit of history, a little bit of modern day content (well sorta modern-day), some romance, some sex, some violence. Isn’t that what everyone wants in a story?

***************************

Blog Rules

Don’t forget– for each blog you visit and comment on, you earn a chance to win the Kindle Fire (in  the U.S. and Canada). For international folks, you can win a $50 Musa gift certificate. Two swag bags are also up for grabs full of all kinds of Musa goodies!

Here on sepiastories, I’ll be giving away either your choice of a book in the Melpomene imprint or a copy of Love Lies Bleeding when it is released (I’m kind of partial to that second choice). If you think any of this sounds interesting, you can follow me on Twitter (@4gottenflapper) or like me on Facebook (lainigiles). Leave a comment to be entered in my giveaway.

The Hop starts October 1st at Midnight pst and ends Monday, October 7 at Midnight pst. The winners will be drawn and posted October 9th!

Thanks for visiting, everyone! You can head back to the blog list by clicking this link.

33 thoughts on “Musa Blog Hop- An Interview with Frank Conley”

  2. Thought I’d hop by and share the Musan love! Cheers and best wishes for a stellar publishing career!

    1. While I appreciate the interest in Bodies in the Rain, I included it at Dom’s suggestion to include a Melpomene title. It is not my book. I’ve now removed it.

  5. Love Lies Bleeding–um, YOUR book–sounds very intriguing, Laini. 😉 It reminds me of these cold cases we hear about and the detectives who take them on years later in their quests to solve the mystery. The fact that the police officer is related to the victim is a really cool twist. Best of luck with this book and everything else!

  7. Congratulations on your upcoming book release – sounds like it will be a great read! And thank your for the opportunity to gain another entry in the Musa giveaway!

  10. Jan, I think it’s one chance per BLOG, not one chance per comment. I’ll clarify with the Musa folks, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it works.

    1. Thanks, Dawna! I’m curious about “these types of books” Historicals in general, or cold case types or something else? It’s always good to know what others are reading. Especially if you want to appeal to a certain audience. 😉

  13. I like Frank’s interview. I like the same kind of music. I’m hooked on my satellite radio classic rock stations.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    1. I’m a little more of a punk/post-punk girl, but I had to make Frank a bit more of a traditionalist next to his Smiths-listening daughter. 🙂

  14. It’s always nice to hear a characters perspective. I have a special place in my heart for “Frank”s too since that’s is my wonderful husbands name. Thanks for participating in this awesome hop!

    Donna @ The Happy Booker
    ahappybooker at gmail dot com

  15. Congrats to Musa on their anniversary. Congrats to you Laini on your upcoming release. Intriguing title and plot. I don’t have a facebook or twitter page. But I hope my comment still counts in the grand prize.
    I wish you success in your writing career.

    1. Gotta think like a barkeep, ya know? Thanks, Cia!

      We’re over at The Romance Reviews right now, chatting for our birthday. Come join us if you like! They’re picking winners every hour. 🙂

  17. Hi!! Happy Anniversary! Very awesome! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you! And thank you for the fun hop and giveaway!! Many blessings to you!
    Facebook: Shadow Kohler
    Twitter: @LuvToRead09
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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