Saturday, July 25, 2009

ROADSIDE CROSSES: DOUBLE GIVEAWAY DAY, PART ONE

GIVEAWAY ENDED!
DOUBLE GIVEAWAY DAY

WATCH FOR NEXT GIVEAWAY
LATER TODAY! YOU MIGHT WIN BOTH!

CLICK HERE TO GET TO BOOK TWO OF
THIS DOUBLE WIN GIVEAWAY

ROADSIDE CROSSES
by Jeffrey Deaver

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Monterey Peninsula is rocked when a killer begins to leave roadside crosses beside local highways . . . not as memorials of past accidents, but as an announcement of his intention to kill. And to kill in a particularly horrific and efficient way: using the personal details about the victims that they've carelessly posted in blogs and on social networking web sites.
The case lands on the desk of Kathryn Dance, an agent with the California Bureau of Investigation and the state's foremost kinesics — body language — expert. She, along with close associate and friend, Deputy Michael O'Neil, and the fellow CBI agents introduced in The Sleeping Doll, follow the leads to Travis Brigham, a troubled teenager, who is retaliating against those who have posted attacks on him in a popular blog, The Chilton Report, for his part in a fatal car accident that took the lives of two high school girls.
The investigation reveals that Travis, who idolizes the Columbine and Virginia Tech killers, is bent on revenge — first against those who cyberbullied him, then against anyone connected with the blog that, he believes, has destroyed his life. He vanishes and, using techniques he learned as a brilliant participant in MMORPGs, Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, easily eludes his pursuers and continues to track his victims, some of whom Kathryn is able to save just in time, some not. Among the obstacles Kathryn must hurdle are politicians from Sacramento, paranoid parents and the blogger himself, James Chilton, whose belief in the importance of blogging and the new media threaten to derail the case . . . and possibly Dance's career itself.
The book picks up only a few weeks after The Sleeping Doll ended and Kathryn must not only run the Roadside Cross case but has to confront issues that loomed at the end of that first book in the series — issues that threaten to tear her family apart.
Typical of the author's novels, Roadside Crosses is a roller coaster of a thriller. It takes place over four days, is filled with dozens of plot twists, cliffhangers and heart-rending personal subplots.
And, not surprisingly, the novel offers up several, well, surprise endings.
A searing look at the accountability of blogging and life in the online world, Roadside Crosses is the third in Deaver's high-tech thriller trilogy, along with The Blue Nowhere and The Broken Window.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Q&A from jeffreydeaver.com

Question: Did you always want to become a writer?
Jeff Deaver:
Yes. I wrote my first "book" at age eleven.

Q: How do you manage to find fresh story ideas?
Jeff: I'm often asked where the ideas for my books come from. To answer that I have to describe what I think is my responsibility as a thriller writer: To give my readers the most exciting roller coaster ride of a suspense story I can possibly think of. This means that, rather than looking through newspapers or magazines for inspiration, I spend much of my time during the early stages of a book sitting in a dark room and trying to think up a story line that will fit the typical Deaver novel: one that features strong (though possibly flawed) heroes, sick and twisted bad guys, deadlines every few chapters, a short time frame for the entire story (eight to forty-eight hours or so), lots of surprising plot twists and turns and plenty of cliffhangers.

Q: You've been described as a 'psychological thriller writer.' Do you think this is accurate?
Jeff: It's accurate to the extent that I explore the psychology of crime and crime detection in my books: the minds of the criminal and his hunters. I also try very hard to create characters — both heroes and villains — with psychological depth. In other words, the people who populate my books are more than caricatures. We inhabit their minds throughout much of the book. Of course — as in my Lincoln Rhyme series — there's a great deal of forensics and police work that has little to do with psychological profiling.

Q: How did your first writing get into print?
Jeff
: I was editor of my high school literary magazine and a reporter for the school newspaper.

Q: Does writing come easily to you? Do you revise much?
Jeff
: I wouldn't say it comes easily to me but I thoroughly enjoy doing it so I'm lucky in that sense. I revise a great deal. My publisher doesn't even get a peek at my manuscript until I've revised it at least twenty or thirty times (and I mean major revisions).

Q: Where do you like to write?
Jeff
: I write pretty much anywhere — on planes, in hotel rooms, anywhere in my house. (My office sometimes gets so cluttered I end up working in the kitchen. When the kitchen goes, it's up to my bedroom. And so on and so on. I wish I had a bigger house.) I like the writing area to be silent (or with jazz or classical accompaniment occasionally) and either windowless or shaded. When it comes time to write the book itself I'll shut the lights out, picture the scene I'm about to write then close my eyes and go at it. Yes, I can touch type. And, yes, sometimes my hands accidentally move over one key and I end up with a paragraph or two of encryption.

Q: Do you ever have "writer's block?"
Jeff
: I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block; the problem is idea block. If you have a craftsman's command of the language and basic writing techniques you'll be able to write — as long as you know what you want to say. This is not to belittle the affliction, of course, because figuring out what you want to communicate can be one hell of a daunting task. When I find myself frozen — whether I'm working on a brief passage in a novel or brainstorming about an entire book — it's usually because I'm trying to shoehorn an idea into the passage or story where it has no place. I ask myself: What am I trying to say? If I can't answer that, or if the answer doesn't enhance the work, I back off and try another approach. Trying to write books with a subject matter or in a genre or style you're not familiar with is the best way to find the Big Block looming.

Q: What is the best advice about writing anyone ever gave you, and who gave it?
Jeff
: Mickey Spillane: "People don't read books to get to the middle. They read to get to the end."

Q: You've also been a folk singer. What led to that interest?
Jeff: Ah, there's nothing like music. It's seductive, it's all-consuming, it's emotional, it's infinitely creative . . . . I was a singer-songwriter, not particularly talented musically but drawn to the craft of song writing. I liked the challenge of writing in a very concise structure in which both meaning and form are important. (It's far easier to write long than it is to write economically.) I performed and taught music in clubs in the San Francisco Bay area and Chicago. But that was years ago and I don't do it anymore.

Q: Were you happy with the movie version of The Bone Collector? And were you involved in making this movie?
Jeff
: I thought the movie was very good. There were probably some things I would have done differently but my expertise is in writing novels, not making movies. Directing films is extremely arduous work and I wouldn't want to do it for any money. I let the movie-makers do their thing and they let me do mine. That's a great relationship. And, no, I was not involved with the making of the film. On other movie fronts: I've sold The Blue Nowhere to Joel Silver at Warner Brothers (The Matrix, Lethal Weapon, Die Hard) and The Devil's Teardrop to Wolfgang Peterson (The Perfect Storm, Air Force One, In the Line of Fire).

Q: What do you do for fun?
Jeff
: Cook and have dinner parties, including some rather bizarre ones (Roman and medieval, for instance). When you work alone, you need to socialize at some level.


HOW ABOUT A GIVEAWAY?
WANT TO WIN?



Thanks to Kelly at Simon and Schuster,
I have one copy of this exciting book to give away.
Please follow the simple rules and the book
could be yours very soon!

RULES:

--U.S. Residents Only
--No P.O. Boxes, Please
--Email address must be in your comment
--ALL comments must be separate to count or
they will count as one instead of possible two.

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: Comment and tell if you have read any other Jeffrey Deaver book and which one, OR why you want to read this one!

+1 MORE ENTRY: Blog or Tweet about this giveaway and leave link in your comment!

Watch for my NEXT GIVEAWAY later today
in order to have a chance to not only win that
book, BUT also you might be able to win
both of today's giveaway books. Keep your
eyes peeled!

ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE BY JULY 30!

49 comments:

rubynreba said...

I have not read any of the Jeffrey Deaver books yet. I would like to read this - sounds very mysterious!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

wheresmyrain said...

wow, what fantastic timing. I just recently read "SLeeping Doll" and love to read books in sequence. Please enter me
wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I have read Bone Collector. It was chilling and thrilling. I want to win this one because this author is one of my favorite writers. His books are spine-chilling, especially if you read them late at night.

Please include me in this giveaway!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I follow you on Twitter. My username is Soccermom213

I tweet often about your blog and giveaways!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Libby's Library said...

No - I don't believe that I've read any of his books. I would love to win this because I love thrillers.

Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Matt Gladden said...

i haven't read any of his books and this one looks really good and i have heard good things about this author (in my book club)!

matt.glddn@gmail.com

Matt Gladden said...

go to twitter.com/MattGladden to see the comment

matt dot glddn at gmail dot com

DCMetroreader said...

Sorry I meant to post my comment here. I want to enter this giveaway b/c I enjoy thrillers -- perfect summer reading.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

DCMetroreader said...

Blogged about the giveaway here :
http://metroreader.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I have never read any of his books
:( I want to read this one because it sounds great! I love crazy serial killer thrillers.

Unknown said...

I haven't read any of Jeffrey's books but I love a good thriller so I'm sure I'd like this.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2844980977

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Sue said...

I've never read one of his books, but this one sounds so exciting. I'd love to read it. Thanks for sharing~

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

This looks interesting! Please enter me!

I haven't read any of his others, but I've seen them around and they look good!! I'd love for this to by my first since it sounds awesome!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

tawndam said...

I want to read this book because it sounds interesting to a CSI addict... ;-)

throuthehaze said...

I havent read his books before but I have heard good things and it sounds very interesting
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Rebecca N. said...

I thought that, "The Bone Collector" was a very good read! I look forward to reading this trilogy. Thanks for the great giveaway :)

Rebecca N. said...

I tweeted! http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2009/07/roadside-crosses-double-giveaway-day.html

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I follow you
I blogged about your giveaway at
http://www.blogged.com/profile/shawnal2

I have read 2 of his books The bone collector & Coffin Dancer both were Amazing
Thanks for the chance to win this on!!!!

holdenj said...

No, I haven't read any Jeffrey Deaver books, but this sure looks good. What a great way to end the summer--with an exciting murder thriller, complete with online RPG and all!
I liked the interveiw too--there's hope for us former high-school editors and writers.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I have not read any other books by him. I would like to read it because it sounds really good and he would be a new author for me. :)

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Beverly said...

No I have not read any books by Jeffrey Deaver.
I would like to read this book as I am looking to read authors that I have not yet read. And something about summer going into fall makes me want to read mystery/thrillers and this book looks like it will fit the bill.

beachlover20855[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

DarcyO said...

I have not read any Deaver, but this thriller sounds wonderful.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Unknown said...

Blogged about giveaway

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/07/726-book-giveaway-list.html

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

scottsgal said...

I haven't read it yet but Bone Collector is sitting in my TBR pile.

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

already a subscriber and follower

msboatgal at aol.com

Bingo said...

I see lots of you haven't read Deaver..which I can't believe...but if you love mysteries...really good ones, then you must! His style will keep you glued to the page! Thanks for entering! Good luck to all!

KR said...

This would be my first but it sounds great!!

Let's keep these entries rolling in and cap off an awesome weekend. Thanks to everyone participating so far! #swaptree

Jblanton said...

I have not read any of Jeffrey Deaver's books but this one sounds very good. THanks for the chance to win

Jblanton said...

blogged on my site about your contest
http://mynotsohurriedlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-giveaways-for-august-2009.html

MurderMysteryMayhem said...

Most recently the Bone Collector..

Please enter me to win..

Thanks..LooseEnds AT Snet DOT Net

donnas said...

I have not read any of his books before. But it sounds like a great suspense novel and I love those types of books.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

donnas said...

I posted on my sidebar here:

http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/

bacchus76 at myself dot com

heatherzilla said...

I recently read The Twelfth Card.
Jeffery Deaver is a good writer.
heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

CatCrazy7 said...

I have read a few of his books and my favorite is probably The Bone Collector.

espressogurl at hotmail dot com

Debbie F said...

I haven't read any of jeffrey Deaver books yet, but have wanted to! Love suspense!
DebbieF
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow - google reader

Debbie F
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Unknown said...

I haven't read any books by Jeffrey Deaver yet but he has been recommended to me by several people so I would like to read some of his works and this would be a good start!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I tweeted about this contest at http://twitter.com/Amestir

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

nfmgirl said...

I've never read Jeffrey Deaver, but this book sounds like a thrillfest! Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

blair w lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

I have read coffin dancer and Sleeping Doll

Thanks for this chance to win the book

I follow you on googlereader

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

Thanks for the contest!!! This book looks like it would be really good.

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

I follow your blog

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

I subscribe to you through Google Reader

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

I have only read Sleeping Doll and liked it so this one looks great

ChristyJan said...

I haven't read any of Jeffrey Deaver's books ~ yet. I have a friend who has and she is always talking about how I need to read them.

hawkes(at)citlink.net

Anita Yancey said...

I haven't read any of Deaver's books. But I would love to read this one, because thrillers are my favorite type of books. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Carol M said...

I haven't read any of his books yet. I have heard lots of good things about them and I would love to start with this one!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

CherylS22 said...

I haven't read any of Jeffrey Deaver's books, but this looks like a great thriller. What would make it really scary is how someone could use all the info you place on the web to do harm!

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

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