20 Questions For……Steph Broadribb. The Deep Down Dead blog tour.

So here we are at my stop on the Deep Down Dead blog tour – and really what else could I do apart from ask the brilliant Steph Broadribb 20 Questions. Here we go then. You can find out all about the book at the end (which you don’t want to miss)

So, Deep Down Dead. What’s that all about then?

What’s it about? Well, Deep Down Dead in the first book in the Lori Anderson series. It’s an action thriller and my debut novel. Lori Anderson is as tough as they come keeping her career as a Florida bounty hunter separate from her role as single mother to nine-year-old Dakota, who suffers from leukaemia. But when the hospital bills rack up, she has no choice but to take a job that will make her a fast buck. And that’s when things go wrong. The fugitive she’s chasing is JT, Lori former mentor – the man who taught her all she knows … the man who also knows the secrets of her murky past!

You started a Twitter obsession with tasers. Well, ok, Alex Caan seems particularly attached to the idea, shall we taser him?

Oh no, we can’t taser Alex Caan he’s a total sweetie!! But you’re right, he does seem to have a thing for the taser! I’m not even sure how it all started, in one of those random Twitter conversations it’s so easy to get into, perhaps from one about bounty hunting, I’m not sure, but the hashtag #TasteTheTaser has had quite a few outings ever since!

Lori – she’s a kick ass heroine of the brilliant kind. Any of you in there? I know you went and tried out the lifestyle…

I did, I went and trained as a bounty hunter in California, and I’ve travelled to all the places feature in Deep Down Dead (well, not the fictional ones) – I’ve climbed in the Blue Ridge Mountains in West Virginia, I’ve kayaked through the Everglades with gators, and I’ve driven the six state route that Lori and JT take. I’m not sure how much me and Lori are alike though, if we are I’d say she’s a gutsier, more kick ass version of me!

Favourite cheese. Can you even eat cheese? If not go with favourite foodstuff of all time ever.

Yes, I eat cheese. My favourite is Halloumi, definitely. No contest.

Three crime writers locked in a cupboard. Lets say Rod Reynolds, Lee Child and Mark Billingham – which one comes out alive?

How big is this cupboard? But, erm, that’s a tough one because I want them all to survive because I love their books (and they’re good blokes too). But I guess what you’re asking is who would win in a fight, yes? So, on that basis, I’d have to say Lee is the one who comes out alive. His protagonist Jack Reacher is always getting into fights and can best multiple assailants with ease. I’m not sure Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne or Rod Reynolds’s Charlie Yates are quite as handy, therefore for fighting knowledge alone, I’m saying Lee Child is the survivor!

When writing are you efficient … or do you get randomly distracted by that thing over there?

What my phone? Twitter? Facebook? Yes, all of them are distracting, but if I’m on a deadline I’m actually so focused I tend to live in my pjs and just write, sleep, eat (and drink wine)!

First Monday panel for you in February. On with Sarah Pinborough who wrote an ending so good that eyes will literally pop out of heads. Do you like twist endings?

I’ve got Sarah’s Behind Her Eyes to read before the panel and I can’t wait, I’ve heard so many great things about it. And yes, I do love a good twist ending.

Are you looking forward to being on the panel instead of sat in the audience with me while I constantly fidget and tweet from my phone?

Oh your fidgeting is rather endearing really 😉 But yes, I’m totally excited to have been asked to be on a First Monday Panel, it’s such a fantastic monthly event and I’ve been a fan ever since they started. It’s kind of strange being on panels rather than watching them, but after doing Bouchercon, Iceland Noir, Portsmouth Darkfest and the SYP Conference at the end of last year I’m starting to get more used to it. Hopefully I won’t waffle on too much. If I do, just give me the sign!

One book you’ve read recently (that is not Reacher Said Nothing) which made you crazily attempt to sell it to everyone you ever met ever. (You can’t have an Orenda book either – nope it’s cheating)

Oh you are mean!! Well, if I can’t say Reacher Said Nothing by Andy Martin (which is amazing by the way!!) then I will say my top fiction book of 2016 – Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker. It’s like Twin Peaks, Fargo and Stephen King’s Under The Dome all mixed together with an extra side order of chilling noir. Fabulous!

What are you writing at the moment?

I’m writing the second book in the Lori Anderson series – DEEP BLUE TROUBLE.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading Stav Sherez’s new book THE INTRUSIONS (out in February). OMG it’s so good. If you haven’t read it you need to get it right now!

Deep Down Dead is published by the amazing Karen Sullivan of Orenda Books fame. Well she was famous before Orenda but lets stick with current affairs. We love Karen – what has the publishing experience been like with her (and the rest of the Orenda team. Pats self on head proudly)

It’s been fantastic. Everyone is so supportive and it’s been the best experience. Karen Sullivan and West Camel have guided me through the editing process and it’s been a joy to work with them and learn from them. Mark Swan the cover designer did the most amazing work on the book cover, and you have been the most brilliant cheer leader/blog leader ever. It’s been a lot of fun!

I loved Deep Down Dead from the really early version I read right up to the finished version which is bloody brilliant, but I was nervous reading it because we are friends and I love you. What if I’d hated it? In some other universe Liz is hiding in a basement. But in this one we are ok – do you find it difficult when reading books written by friends?

Ha! I’d hate to think of you hiding out in a basement!! I actually read a lot of books by friends, both when they’re published and also at earlier stages as a beta reader. I love reading their stuff, although I do get a bit nervous when I’m reviewing people I know – mainly because I’m worried I won’t do their fab books justice!

On a desert island who would you take with you for company. Keep in mind you’ll be stuck with them for at least 18 months with nowhere to hide (a random timescale I made up in my head just now). You can have 5. Go!

I’m assuming you mean five writers? Okay, first I chose Susi Holliday, AK Benedict and Helen Giltrow because they’re my writing sisters. Then Daniel Pembrey, because he holds my drinks (or perhaps in the case of a desert island, collects the coconuts and makes the drinks) and JS Law because he’s ex-military and will be able to fashion shelter, collect food and administer field-style medical attention. I’m not sure how well I’d survive on a desert island for 18 months mind you, I’m a vegetarian – I guess I’d just have to eat a lot of coconuts and seaweed!!

Tell us a little about what is next. Just a little we haven’t got all day (especially since I TOTALLY forgot to do this so you are sat there feverishly answering these in time to save my butt)

What’s next? Well, I’m working on the next Lori Anderson book, DEEP BLUE TROUBLE and planning to head out to California for some research for it. Alongside that I’m appearing at a whole bunch of events, the first is a free event at Milroys of Soho on 24th January where me, Daniel Pembrey, Rod Reynolds and Michael Grothaus will be quizzed by Barry Forshaw about our books plus there’ll be whiskey cocktails!

Favourite flavor of crisp

I don’t actually eat crisps, sorry!

Author you wait for and read without fail

One author? Seriously? I’m sorry, I’ll have to give you the list: Lee Child, Mark Billlingham, Ian Rankin, Jeff Abbott, Martyn Waites, Zoe Sharp, Rod Reynolds, David Young, AK Benedict, SJI Holliday, Mary Kubica, Eva Dolan, Mason Cross, Steve Cavanagh, Derek B. Miller, Luca Veste, Tom Wood, Neil White, Daniel Pembrey, I could go on …

Last time you laughed so much you couldn’t breathe

It was with Susi Holliday and AK Benedict. I can’t tell you why, but it was probably smutty.

Who would you call to help you plan the perfect murder?

Oh that’s a tricky one. I reckon using the collective minds of Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham and Martyn Waites we could come up with the perfect one.

How much do you hate me right now?

Hate you? Never! I love you!

The feeling is mutual! Thanks gorgeous.

About the Book:

Lori Anderson is as tough as they come, managing to keep her career as a fearless Florida bounty hunter separate from her role as single mother to nine-year-old Dakota, who suffers from leukaemia. But when the hospital bills start to rack up, she has no choice but to take her daughter along on a job that will make her a fast buck. And that’s when things start to go wrong. The fugitive she’s assigned to haul back to court is none other than JT, Lori’s former mentor – the man who taught her everything she knows … the man who also knows the secrets of her murky past.

Not only is JT fighting a child exploitation racket operating out of one of Florida’s biggest theme parks, Winter Wonderland, a place where ‘bad things never happen’, but he’s also mixed up with the powerful Miami Mob. With two fearsome foes on their tails, just three days to get JT back to Florida, and her daughter to protect, Lori has her work cut out for her. When they’re ambushed at a gas station, the stakes go from high to stratospheric, and things become personal.

Read my review of Deep Down Dead HERE

Find out MORE

Follow Steph on TWITTER

To Purchase Deep Down Dead clickety click right HERE

Follow the Tour! 

Happy Reading!

 

Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to 20 Questions For……Steph Broadribb. The Deep Down Dead blog tour.

  1. David Liscio says:

    When both the interview questions and the author’s answers are interesting, it makes the whole package a worthwhile read. Great job!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *