Friday, July 29, 2011

Cold Call Friday with DiAnn Mills! (and a giveaway!!)

Welcome DiAnn, to your “Cold Call” interview!! For those of you who don’t know what the “Cold Call” feature is, at the beginning of the month I have a poll, the winning author YOU then get to interview!! DiAnn Mills won this month’s vote and I am thrilled to present her here with YOUR questions. Without any further ado, heeeerrrre’s DiAnn!

In all your research on the FBI & its agents, have you ever gone on an assignment with any of them?
No - It’s against protocol; however, I’d love it! I did ride the line with the Border Patrol in McAllen, TX, which was a fabulous experience.

What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
That would be my trip to Juba, Southern Sudan. I went to research a novel accompanied by a woman from Kenya who was familiar with the area. Let’s just say, I had a couple of memorable experiences!

How do you brainstorm? In front of the computer screen? Outside staring into space? With a bowl of ice cream on the couch?

Cooking and gardening. Both free up my mind so I can wander into the character’s world and see how he/she reacts and responds to what is happening. Of course I’ve burned a few dinners and missed a few weeds in the process.

What's your favorite place that you've visited while doing research for your books?

Tough question! I have a few . . .
1.    Juba, Sudan. I learned so much about the people, the culture, and myself. A little dangerous at times, but God took good care of me.

2.    McAllen, TX when I rode the line with the Border Patrol. I saw the heart of the agents, their compassion for the illegals, the danger, and their commitment. The research helped me write a novel that won a Christy in 2011.

3.    Houston’s FBI office. Whoa! That was exciting.

What's the closest thing to a story-type adventure that you've had in "real life"?
Raising boys as a single mom? :)

When I was in Juba, I hired a young man to drive me and my companion all over the city. I wanted to see the city and venture out as far as he deemed was safe. His rules were I had to keep my door locked and my window rolled up. While in the middle of the city, the car was surrounded by other vehicles—cars, trucks and motorcycles—as though we were a bicycle hub and the vehicles were spokes. The driver told me not to worry, that he’d get the car out of the mess safely. While we were penned in, a man attempted to open my door four times. Didn’t think about the real danger until later.

At the end of the Sudan visit, I took an African safari to the Masai Mara in Kenya - by myself. Loved the birds and animals, the Hemingway type of tents, the people - all of it. Oh, coffee and ginger cookies were delivered to my tent early in the morning. The experience was incredible! Lots of pics to prove it. I remember a bull elephant charging the jeep I was riding. Got a super pic of that. 

If you had another life to live, and you could be anything you wanted to be, what you be? (thinking mostly career here, but you can answer however you want : )

FBI agent. :) Not a desk job either, but an investigator of Public Corruption or possibly Crimes against Children. 

And for all your loyal and eager fans (and possibly even a few news ones today) where can they stalk you online?


Hey readers, it's Casey here again! Earlier this month, DiAnn won the CHRISTY AWARD for her novel Sworn to Protect. Leave a comment here today to enter to win a copy of that book! I'll announce the winner next Friday. Don't forget to cast your vote for our next Cold Call Author!

30 comments:

  1. DiAnn congratulations. I would love to read the book. It sounds very good. So do your other books. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  2. I so enjoy reading your books. God has blessed you with a special gift. Having been married to a law enforcement officer/pilot for 49 years, I. too, would love to be in the profession! Please enter me in your contest.

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  3. I have read a few of your books and they are great. Would love to get entered in your giveaway.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. I love your books.
    ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com

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  5. I think it would be fun to be an FBI agent too! Would enjoy reading Sworn to Protect.

    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  6. I loved the Call of Duty series! I would SO be an FBI agent, and not behind a desk, as well :) Thanks for another great Cold Call Friday!! They just get better and better.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  7. Great post! I will have to check out DiAnn's books!

    gravesok@gmail.com

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  8. Congrats to Diane on her Christy win! She's braver than I am, though...I could NOT handle a job in the FBI! :o)

    Christy
    southernsassythings at gmail dot com

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  9. Sounds like a great read

    gfc follower

    vidishamun@gmail.com

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  10. This was soooo much fun. I've read every post and I wish you could all come for pie and coffee!

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  11. Hey DiAnn! Just wanted to stop by and say Congrats on your Christy Award for Sworn to Protect. How exciting!! That book was awesome!

    Casey, no need to enter me into this giveaway - I have a copy of my own sitting on my bookshelf already!

    ~ Katy

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  12. So excited to have DiAnn here! Thanks for coming by to check out the interview, everyone!

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  13. My daughter loves suspense books. She has seen these books she'd love it if I won this thanks for a chance.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  14. I would love to win this book! I've been wanting to read this series, but I haven't yet. Please enter me in this giveaway!

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  15. Congratulations to DiAnn for winning the Christy award. I haven't yet read any of her books but after seeing some of the variety she writes and reading the interview, I think I need to add her books to my "look for" list. Thanks for giving away a copy of one of her books.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  16. Wow..reading through this interview I have to admit one thing and that is, DiAnn you are one adventurous lady! I'm a wimp next too you! You are a new author to me and I'm looking forward to reading your books. By the way, congrats on winning the Christy award. What an honor.
    Thank you for having this giveaway!
    judyjohn2004{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  17. DiAnn, sounds like you've had some really cool adventures! Congrats on the Christy!!!

    Casey, Thanks so much for having DiAnn Mills on your blog, she's one of my favorite authors, and I really enjoy her books.

    Please enter me
    I'm a follower

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  18. Congratulations DiAnn on winning the Christy Award.

    I finished The Fire in Ember a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. It was the first book I have read of yours but it definitely won't be the last.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Sworn to Protect.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  19. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like an amazing book. I would love to read this. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Congrats DiAnn. I love all the adventures you've been on. I'd love to read Sworn to Protect.

    kdwoodmansee(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. THANKS FOR SHARING TODAY DIANN! IT'S ALWAYS A JOY TO BE ABLE TO READ ONE OF YOUR BOOKS.
    PLEASE ENTER ME IN YOUR CONTEST.
    THANKS!
    JACKIE

    joyfuljel@gmail.com

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  22. What an exciting life! I wouldn't want to go near those places! I'll leave that to you brave folks. :)

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo .com

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  23. I really enjoyed Diann's visit. I am amazed at all the traveling she's done and didn't know that you couldn't 'ride along' with the FBI. Wishing her continued success! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. DiAnn congratulations on the CHRISTY AWARD for your novel Sworn to Protect. Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the chance!augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

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  25. You are the best! Thanks for the great encouragement.

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  26. Congratulations DiAnn on the Christy Award! 'Sworn to Protect' sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.

    lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  27. I loved the Call of Duty series!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    I'm a follower on GFC-Lisa Richards


    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

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  28. Would love to win!

    Sarah
    faithinhim (at) gmail (dot) com

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  29. Congrats DiAnn!

    Would love to win!!!

    littleone AT shaw DOt ca

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  30. What an Honor! Congrats!
    Enjoy reading your books!
    Thanks!
    Rebecca
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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