Wednesday, January 8, 2014

An Interview with Amy Lignor, author of The Hero's Companion



The Hero’s Companion

Series: Tallent & Lowery

Author: Amy Lignor

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

Formats Available In: Digital and Print

Release Date: October 22, 2013

 Synopsis: With their second battle behind them, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery find themselves still knee-deep in hell. What should’ve ended with a celebration of passion wrapped in each other’s arms becomes a nightmare once more, as a mysterious man demands Leah to return home, or else her beloved father will be found at the bottom of the sea.

Scrambling to figure out what’s happened Tallent & Lowery walk in on a family that has literally gone insane: A mother filled with accusations, three sisters who wish them nothing but certain death, and a frightening story of a blood-red eye that leads to a puzzle with immense repercussions. The woman named Anippe who readers questioned in The Sapphire Storm is back, with an item in her possession that will have Tallent & Lowery heading out on an adventure based on pure emotion and ultimate fear – where victory may just depend on their willingness to sacrifice each other.

Purchase Links:


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Where are you from, and what do you do when you’re not writing?

I was originally born on the East Coast in a VERY small town in Connecticut called Sharon.  Over the course of writing and receiving different jobs, I moved to Dallas, TX where I lived for about seven years, and now I am in Roswell, New Mexico (where the aliens love to crash) LOL.

This will most likely sound completely boring, but when I’m not writing or editing for a few companies, I love reading, I LOVE watching movies (I think I’ve seen everything from the 1920s on up), and I love to walk. That’s why I adore NM because it is far warmer down here and the walks are lovely. I definitely don’t miss the horrendous snowstorms of the Northeast.

How did you come up with the idea for this book/series?

I was actually just finishing a YA series called, The Angel Chronicles, and I was at work with a friend during the holidays. We were completely bored; nothing was really going on in the office because of the season, and she decided to look up her horoscope on the computer. Oddly enough, as she was bringing it up there was a reference to an article regarding the 13th sign and how it was ‘thrown’ out of the zodiac chart…I put on my research cap and…Tallent & Lowery was born.

Tell us about the writing process—what were your favorite and least favorite moments?

I love research! And I absolutely love compiling the story in my head. During the research process, if it’s historical; and during the dream/thought process when it’s not – the characters begin to form in my mind – what they look like, how they talk, what their backgrounds are…and that introduction to these people is a thrill. Because I know they’ll be with me for a long time to come. I feel very lucky when they ‘appear’ (not to sound too crazy). LOL. Worst moments is when, A) you wake up in the middle of the night and HAVE to go to the computer ASAP because you need to write; and, B), when you get stuck in ‘real life’ with things that have to be done and can’t stay inside your own head and create the story.

What’s your favorite cure for writer’s block? 

Movies, movies and more…movies. (LOL) If you need to get that romance bug, Pride & Prejudice is an immediate help. If you need to find that thrill for action, Indiana Jones is there for you. When horror is in mind, Psycho rocks; when it’s suspense, Silence of the Lambs is a great one…

That’s the thing I truly love about movies; they do take you out of ‘real life’ and put your writer’s mind back on track!

Can you please share an excerpt? 

“We are about to begin our descent.”
Even though she’d escaped the confines of the plane over an hour ago, the voice of the annoyingly perky flight attendant seemed to be ingrained in Leah Tallent’s mind. She was still saturated with sweat from the claustrophobic cabin; the rancid odor of the re-circulated air that smelled like the regurgitated breath of a minion from Hell, still clung to her clothes.
Leah tried to shake the thoughts from her mind as she stared out the window at the new layer of snow on the fields. A blanket of ice was smothering the dark green New England countryside.
Leah was so filled with anxiety and fear that she could barely feel Gareth Lowery’s cold, clammy hand clenched in hers. Exhaustion wracked her body as pictures flashed through her mind like snapshots from an unbelievable nightmare . . .
It seemed like only yesterday that Leah had rushed from her parent’s holiday table to arrive at the side of Gareth’s sister in Los Angeles, after they’d received a frantic phone call from his sister begging him and Leah to hurry up and come quickly in order to find Kathryn’s missing fiancé, Emmanuel. From there, they’d uncovered a secret that was buried in the words of the ‘Bard of Avon,’ leading the trio to a forgotten cave where two extremely famous brothers were buried, a well-known family that shared a truly unbreakable bond. Leah could still feel the power of the brilliant blue light that’d come from the famous Sapphire Staff as she’d held the artifact in her trembling hands. The news, the secrets uncovered, the legends proven, the battle they faced . . . and won—all of this was a mess inside Leah’s usually well-organized librarian mind.

What’s your next/current writing project?

 I have just completed Book #4 of the Tallent & Lowery series called, The Charlatan’s Crown, and I am beginning a new historical suspense novel that will be called, Loyalty Unbroken. Then it’s on to Book #5 of Tallent & Lowery, The Double-Edged Sword…so there are some very busy months ahead. LOL

Here’s a totally random question for you. Who would win in this fight: Cookie Monster vs. Spongebob Squarepants? 

I would have to say Spongebob! But I would rather hang out and have lunch with Cookie Monster. (I mean Oreos or seafood? Oreos are gonna win every time!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thank you Mysti!

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About Amy Lignor:

The daughter of a career librarian, Amy Lignor’s first love has always been books. She began her career in publishing as the Editor-in-Chief of Grey House Publishing. Working in the industry for twenty years, she is now the Owner/Operator of ‘The Write Companion’, an editorial house offering authors a range of services.

Appointed the Editor-in-Chief of a brand new traditional publisher–Hallowed Ink Press–Amy somehow finds the time to do it all while still putting out the most amazing series that has received every ‘Top Pick’ readers can think of!

Her popular YA Series: The Angel Chronicles (Until Next Time, Gilded Wings & A Privilege), introduced her to fans who now wait with bated breath for the next ‘Tallent & Lowery’ suspense/thriller to arrive.

Inducted into the International Thriller Writers Organization, Amy is also a writer/contributor for various magazines, companies, and review organizations; Authorlink, The Feathered Quill, Suspense Magazine and more.


AMY’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:



Check Out Amy Lignor’s HIT YA Series at:




1 comment:

  1. Hey Mysti! I want to thank you for having me on your incredible site. The fans have been incredible when it comes to Tallent & Lowery, and your amazing site is just one of the reasons why!!! (I loved the questions sent by the way :) (Where are the Favorites? LOL)

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