After our interview today, sci-fi author Cyrus Keith will be giving away an ebook of one of his NADIA project novels to THREE lucky commenters – winners get to choose which book!  So, I’m putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, fixing us both a couple of slices of cherry pie, and wasting no more time.

Whereabouts do you live, Cyrus?  In a small village in Southwestern Michigan on the outskirts of a thriving Potowatomi reservation. 

Where is your favourite place in the world?  That’s a slam-dunk. Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana is the most peaceful, exotic and unexpected place I’ve ever seen on the planet.

Picture, out of the middle of miles of flat cornfield, a network of sandstone canyons up to a hundred feet deep, lined with sheer cliffs and running with LIFE. Seriously, there is so much growing and thriving there, it boggles the imagination. The trees are so thick and luscious, if it weren’t for the signs marking the cliff edge, you could walk right off and never see it. Turkey Run is a small river fed by a myriad of streams that flow down the bottoms of the canyons. The hiking is glorious, the shade is cool, and the scenery makes your brain scream, “Good Job, God!”

What a glorious sounding place.  I’d love to go there for the name alone :)

Being a writer is a great job.  What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?  One pretty nasty one was right when I got out of USAF Basic Training, when we were waiting for enough students to fill out our specialty training class roster. This sergeant rounded up the lot of us who were “AFI” (Awaiting Further Instruction) and dragged us down to the squadron’s headquarters office, what we called the Orderly Room. He handed out hammers and safety glasses and told us we were to tear up the slate tile floor, down to the concrete beneath, so a new floor could be laid down.

These slate tiles broke up hard. It took several sharp strikes to get one to break, and when it did, it was like razors flying across the floor. When we got blisters, they made a run for some work gloves. When someone’s leather combat boot was cut by a flying shard, they ran for some metal shoe covers. But by then, the boots we were told to keep “clean, dry, and serviceable” were scuffed and cut. It was hot (March on the Mississippi Gulf Coast), hard, miserable work, and we weren’t through until well into the evening. My arms hung like limp, flaming ropes, and when dinner time rolled around, I had to lower my head to take food from a fork.

I don’t think there was a job I’ve had since then that made me more miserable.

That sounds totally hellish!!  Let’s talk about reading!  What book do you wish you’d written?  The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.  What self-respecting science fiction freak wouldn’t want to grab some credit from Heinlein?

What’s your favourite song?  Don’t have “a” favourite song. I got about four. In no particular order (just for a bit of chaos),

“Breathe” by Flyleaf. Passionate message meets crashing guitar.

“Oxygene” by Jean-Michel Jarre. Mind candy. All nine parts. Hey, it counts as one song to me.

“Dreams I’ll Never See” by Molly Hatchett.

“Going Nowhere” by Barren Cross. Okay, I’m an unrepentant metal-head. I admit it.

“Beyond the Gun” by REZ. Message meets production. One of their biggest surprises.

All right, that was five. But I did say “about four.”  

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?  Saul of Tarsus. Just to tell him “It’s okay. You ran a good race.” Sometimes people just don’t have enough time to see the splash they made.

What’s your happiest childhood memory?  Summer of 1966. Before I knew. When my most persistent occupation was trying to disconnect my shadow from my feet as I bounded down the sidewalk.

If you had to marry a fictional character, from film, television, or books, who would it be?  Seriously? Everyone in that ball park is an emotional train wreck, my sister. Why do you think their stories are so compelling? People love to see/read/hear about people who are more miserable than themselves. Sure, there are some who are smokin’ hot, but let’s face it: They’re all drama queens, and they all attract trouble. And half the ones I know, I would be terrified of pissing off. So not “wife” material.

Mmm.  You have set us a challenge! :)

What’s the most important lesson life has taught you?  Be yourself. The one God made. No one else is going to do it for you, and the world needs at least one you.  That, and tying a towel around your neck and screaming “Geronimo!” before you jump does not make you invincible.

And finally, please tell us about your latest book, where we can find it, and where we can find your blog/website!

Well, let’s start with the website. You can get to know me better at cyruskeith.blogspot.com.

My author page at MuseItUp Publishing is tinyurl.com/cyrus-keith

Now, for the bread and butter part (*Rubs hands excitedly*):

Lies and Paine is the final instalment of my EPIC-Award-winning series The NADIA Project. If you like white-knuckle thrillers that keep you up until the wee hours reading just one more page. I think you’ll like the ride I have in store for you.

Blurb For Lies and Paine:   Jenna Paine doesn’t know how “special” she really is. Raised by her scientist mother and a Japanese tutor named Mama-San, her special abilities go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of her schoolwork and training. However, other eyes are watching as well, from behind a veil of secrets. And they have plans for someone with precisely Jenna’s talents.

In college, she meets a group of people who introduce her to a new vision forworld peace, and a way to realize it.

But when the cost for peace is measured in blood, can Jenna get out before it’s too late?

You can find out more about Cyrus’ Nadia Project novels here on Amazon.  And don’t forget, Cyrus is giving away a copy of one of his books to THREE LUCKY COMMENTERS – winner to choose which copy!

Thanks for coming, Cyrus.  It’s been a real pleasure getting to know you, and to discover your beautiful national park.

If you have any questions or comments for Cyrus, please let us know.  You could win one of his novels!