Author Interview: Cindy Bonds

I don't read a ton of suspense novels, because I like mine to be a little less ... stressful. Ha! But, if I were to go pick one up, the author I'm interviewing today is one who would tempt me. Cindy Bonds is part of the Scrivenings Press family with me, and her second book released a few months ago. I think you're going to enjoy getting to know her a little more, as well as learning about her books. Read on!

Hey Cindy. Congrats on your second book! Is this book connected to the first book, or are they both stand-alone?

Both of these books are stand alone. Since I’m relatively new to the market, I wanted to get my foot in the door and learn with these two first! There are some similarities as in most of my books. I enjoy a strong female lead and someone that can stand up for herself. The other side of that also means that the male protagonist has to be strong as well and willing to put up with a bit of a stubborn streak!

What is it about suspense that makes you love that genre the most?

I love the tension and mystery in suspense. How all the characters interact and fit together, how the mystery clings and characters change and evolve through the story is a wonderful thing to read. Figuring out the mystery as to not only why, but how everything connects is what draws me in.
When I’m reading a really great suspenseful novel, all the mystery connects beautifully and makes it one of those books you want to read over and over again! One day, I aspire to be that writer with that book!

Because of the military history in your family (dad and grandfather), I know you try to shed a great
light on the military through the characters in your books. What's the hardest part of that? 

I don’t want to get it wrong. The ability of men and women that serve doesn’t make them perfect, it doesn’t make them super soldiers that will never be hurt or injured. They’re real men and women choosing to serve their country, serve something bigger than themselves.
I’m trying to write characters that are human, that struggle and are real. It’s always in the back of my mind that I’ll get something wrong, where someone is stationed and why they would never be stationed there, get a rating wrong, a duty or detail that doesn’t fit. But I want people to read my stories and see real life, what veterans deal with when no longer serving, how they fit into society and that we do owe them much more than what receive when they come home.

What do you wish people knew more about the military?

Most of who I talk to are older veterans, simply because that’s the group I know! There are a lot of stories out there that aren’t being told from a whole new generation of soldiers. Talk to someone that served, ask questions. Everyone has a story to tell. It’s history in the making when we think about the service of men and women overseas, in a war that’s lasted nearly 30 years. When we don’t ask, we forget. No one wants the memory of their loved ones to be forgotten and those that served, they don’t want their brothers and sisters that died to be forgotten either.
When you ask questions, engage in conversation, there will be that one person, that one story that makes them smile.

Can you give us a sneak peek on what you're working on for the future?

I have my first series coming out on November 16th. It’s a three book series that details the lives of a group of men and women that work as an assistant to SWAT teams in Dallas. The TRT, tactical rescue team, assists in the large metro when help is spread thin.

Here’s a snippet of the first book, Fighter:

“So, what’d they do to get asylum?”
Lieutenant Evan Mitchell frowned at Sergeant Rogers. “Not your concern. We just follow orders, Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir.”
Glancing at the trio walking ahead of him, he’d wondered the same thing.
The couple had a woman with them. She had to be older from the way she held her head, appearing unfazed by the danger they were in. A younger woman would be terrified to see men with guns raid their compound and escort them out of town.
But she seemed unaffected. Covered in a burka, only her eyes showed in the dim light. Big and piercing, they looked more determined than afraid.
Whoever they were, the U.S. government deemed them worthy enough for a SEAL team escort to American soil. They’d executed the entry without a hitch. If they could just get to the exfil without trouble …
As they approached the helipad, Evan turned. That overwhelming feeling that had saved him and his team in the past told him they needed cover. Now.
A glint on the hillside three clicks away caught his attention. “Down! Everyone down!”
The tremendous wave threw him backward. His body slammed into a Humvee, knocking the wind from his lungs. Burned-out remnants of an assault vehicle, now in flames, sat in front of him. The smell of sulfur stifled his breath.
“Lieutenant!”
Evan gulped in air. “Protect the bird! Get them out of here!”
Small arms fire erupted. He righted himself and rushed to the defensive. Straining to see through blurred vision, he fired on the insurgents. The sound of another shell whistled through the air.
“Down!”
His team took coverage just as the blast shook the ground. The roar of rotor blades drowned out the shouts and gunfire. Evan dove behind a vehicle and sprayed suppressive fire while the helicopter lifted and banked away.
“Sir? Where’s the evac?”
“They’ll be here! Stay at your position!”
The small arms fire ceased as the helicopter disappeared into the darkness. Evan steadied himself from his position and sucked in a deep breath, still shaky from the blast’s impact.
“Sir?” A hand grabbed his arm.
Spots appeared. A wave of dizziness sent Evan to his knees.
The echoing sound of Roger’s voice rolled through his head as his world collapsed and went dark.
 
One last question: can you tell us one random thing about yourself that very few people know?

As a high school senior drum major, our band was invited to march in the Orange Bowl Parade in Florida in 1998. I started in band in sixth grade, starting out on clarinet and then on to saxophone. Junior year, I became drum major and enjoyed a wonderful two years helping to lead our 130 member band from Siloam Springs High School. From a small city in Arkansas, it was a wonderful invite and a great experience. 

Nice! Thanks for joining us today, Cindy!

Keep reading to find out more about her most recent release as well as where you can find her online.

​Cindy Bonds lives in rural Arkansas where she works for an aviation insurance agency and spends her free time with her husband and children. In between ball games and gymnastics, she loves to read and work on her crafting skills.
Writing has become an outlet for her creativity and she is excited for her novel Rainstorm as well as an upcoming three book series beginning in November 2021. You can check out Rainstorm on the link below and sign up for her newsletter at www.cindybonds.com. She’s also on Facebook @cindybondsauthor.