Interview & Tour Kick-Off: Cate Beauman, author of 'Finding Lyla'

We're thrilled to be hosting Cate Beauman, author of FINDING LYLA, as the kick-off blog for her virtual book tour February 1-26!  Be sure to leave a comment and ask her anything you like.  We love comments!

International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.

Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on Finding Lyla, the tenth novel in her popular bodyguards series.

For information on Cate's new releases, monthly giveaways, and upcoming events, sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.catebeauman.com/author/home.html#!newsletter-sign-up/c9td.

Her latest book is the romantic suspense, Finding Lyla.

For More Information

• Visit Cate Beauman’s website.
• Connect with Cate on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Cate at Goodreads.

About the Book

 Principal Dancer Lyla Markovik-Avery is always on the go. Grueling practices and endless performances rule her busy days—and things are about to get more hectic. Russia is rolling out th

red carpet for their beloved star, despite the string of violent terrorist attacks that have rocked the nation.

Bodyguard Collin Michaels’ life is falling apart. His long-time relationship recently ended. He’s trying to start over, but that’s easier said than done. Luckily, Collin has a new assignment on the horizon: keeping a beautiful ballerina safe for the next three weeks.

Collin finds comfort in Lyla’s easy friendship, but that all changes after a night out on the town. Simple feelings become complicated—something Collin can’t afford, especially when tragedy strikes and Collin realizes Lyla’s caught in the middle of a dangerous plot for revenge.

Collin and Lyla are forced to flee. They need to reach the border before it’s too late, but the odds are stacked against them in a country that wants them dead. With time running out, Collin formulates a risky plan that might be their only chance of making it out alive.

For More Information

• Finding Lyla is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Thanks for this interview, Cate.  Can we begin by having you tell us about yourself from a writer’s standpoint?

Thank you for having me! I’m the author of the award-winning romantic suspense series the Bodyguards of L.A. County. Finding Lyla is the tenth book in the series and centers around bodyguard Collin Michael and his client ballerina Lyla Markovik-Avery.

It’s funny to think that up until 2010 I was working a full-time day job and had no idea that I could write.  Flash forward five quick years and writing has become an obsession for me.  My mind is always “on,” particularly the creative side, with story ideas floating around in my head non-stop.  At other times story ideas will just pop into my head and it becomes a race to get the idea written down before I lose it.  When I do finally get to the point of writing the new story, I become so engrossed in the characters that I really struggle to disconnect from the process – obsessively playing through scenes and dialogue over and over until I think it is true to real life.  I think of the characters as real people to the point where I’m constantly putting them into life scenarios I experience and even see them in my dreams from time to time.  Writing for me is pretty intense…but I love every second of it!

When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?

Hmm…I don’t have a lot of downtime. I’m a wife and mother of two boys and two huge Saint Bernards. When I do find a few free moments to myself, I enjoy kayaking, baking, and watching crime documentaries.

Do you have a day job? Or a night one?

I’m lucky to be able to say writing is my day job…and night job!

Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing?  Can you tell us about your journey?

When I first started publishing books three years ago I was pretty overwhelmed. There’s a lot to learn and mistakes and triumphs are certainly part of the process. Now that my team and I are rolling out the launch for my tenth novel, it’s easier in many ways. We certainly know the ropes in a constantly changing industry.

I can’t say that the journey has been entirely smooth, but I’ll be forever grateful that I was able to give up my day job four months after releasing my first three titles. Writing is a process that demands everything you have to give, but it’s worth it.

What is it about the Romantic Suspense genre that appeals more than any other genre you would choose to write?

I love weaving romance and suspense together. Both romance and suspense are intensified when the hero and heroine have a lot to lose. I can’t imagine writing any other genre.

What makes your book stand out from the rest?

I write full-length romantic suspense fiction in a market that is fond of shorter novels or books broken into segmented reading. Also, readers seem to love that the characters I’ve written about in previous novels often make an appearance in later works.

If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?

Finding Lyla doesn’t touch on any particular holiday, so I guess I would have to choose Valentine’s Day. Who doesn’t love to read a story where action and adventure are combined with a healthy dose of romance?

Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?

Finding Lyla is book ten of the Bodyguards of L.A. County series. The series as a whole centers around Ethan Cooke Security, a LA based close protection agency specializing in high-profile clientele.  Collin and Lyla are the newest members of the Ethan Cooke Security team.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I’m obsessed with crime television/documentaries. I usually sit down with a pen and pad of paper and wait for something to catch my attention. When something inspires me and an idea clicks, loose plot ideas start to swirl around in my head. I go from there until I have a cohesive plot to work with.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on Deceiving Bella, book eleven in the Bodyguards of L.A. County series. Bella Colby and Reed McKinley’s story is still in the early stages, but I hope to share their adventure sometime this summer.