Awesome Romance Author C. F. Francis
~Strong Women. Strong Men. C.F. Francis’s Romantic Suspense~
Today I am interviewing fellow Kiss of Death member C. F. Francis. Francis writes romantic suspense featuring strong women and alpha males who protect the ons they love. C.F. Francis shares about what influences her writing.
Tell us a little about yourself
I am a native Floridian, born in Tampa and raised in Hollywood, Florida. I’ve lived in most every part of this tropical state including Tallahassee where I did a stint as the committee secretary for the Select Committee on Organized Crime which helped develop Florida’s RICO statute at the time.
Before becoming a full-time author, I was an executive assistant with a diverse background in law, insurance, tourism and health care. Through the help of a website dedicated to assisting troops that are deployed (AnySolider.com), I developed friendships with those who have served in the Special Forces and Military Intelligences. They are generous and helpful with their knowledge when I tap them for research. I currently live in Southwest Florida where Sanctuary Island takes place
How much research do you do for each book you write?
Once I come up with an idea for a plot, I check with my resources to make sure it is feasible. Then I just run with it. If I have a question along the way, I’ll stop and ask. Sometimes, that means I’ll have to backtrack if I got it wrong but most of the time I have the since to look before I leap. I live in the area where the novels take place. Researching locations at the beach is a tough job. NOT!
Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?
The James Gang series (of which Sanctuary Island was the first installment) is about a team of Special Forces men who get involved in as much trouble off the battlefield as they do on it. In Lovers Key, Lt. Steve Brody and his “wife” must solve a mystery that she has landed smack in the middle of. They have an interesting past.
How did you come up with the title?
The title, Lovers Key, is a double entendre. Steve and Josie are lovers and she holds the key to the mystery. One of the major locations in the book is Lovers Key, a State Park just south of Sanibel Island.
What are you working on now?
Lovers Key is at the editor’s. I assume there will be some rewrites but I am hoping to have that out this fall. In the meantime, I’m working on the third installment of The James Gang. Haven’t settled on a title yet.
Sanctuary Island by C. F. Francis
Catherine Storm has returned to Sanibel Island. She seeks the tranquility and solitude that her favorite getaway spot has always offered while she struggles with decisions she must make regarding her career and her future. The last thing Cat expects is to find herself in the arms of a troubled, former Special Forces commander – while dodging an assassin’s bullets.
After more than a decade in the Army, Colton James put down his rifle and picked up his camera to block out the haunting images of his last mission in Afghanistan. His days of protecting the innocent are behind him – or so he thinks until he literally runs into the short-tempered, independent pixie who has unwittingly become the target of a killer.
Who wants Cat dead and why? While they search for answers, Colt knows he must do everything in his power to keep this woman safe – because whether she realizes it or not, her future lies with him.
Ooh, I love the set up. Can’t wait to read this one.
It was fun to write. Hope you enjoy it, Jeri. Thanks for taking time to stop by.
I had to get this to read. I’ve always enjoyed a good mystery and set in a location I’m familiar with is the cherry on top. Hope to see you at RWA too.
Thank you, Darleen. I hope you enjoy it. I’ll be working registration at the KOD reception and on the floor at the Lit Signing. Look for me.
This sounds great! Count me in.
Thanks, Karen. See you at RWA.
Can’t wait to read this book. I love Southwest Florida settings–and love, love intrigues! I have to agree that the Mucky Duck is the place to be at sunset. Lover’s Key sounds great, too. Awesome choice for the title.
Thank you, Lynnette,
I hope you enjoy the story. I did (lol). It was my first attempt but such an enjoyable journey. Southwest Florida is the perfect place for steamy relationships and wonderful scenery. I plan to branch out a bit on locations but SW FL will always be “home”.
Thanks, Jean. Some locations are composites of places in the area. Others actually do exist. I’m sure you’ve visited the Sanibel Cafe (their Pina Colada French Toast is to die for – no pun intended). And if you haven’t been to the Mucky Duck to watch a sunset, it’s worth the trip (off season, of course). The owner of the prestigious Gardens Hotel in Key West (a location in SI) has graciously offered to serve as a setting for an upcoming book and I can’t wait to spend more time there – for research purposes, of course.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hello.
A Floridian writing about Florida sounds just about right to me! You know the turf, you know where the alligators–and the bad guys–hang out, a perfect marriage. Looking forward to reading Sanctuary Island. I live close to Sanibel, wonder if I’ll meet up with familiar sites? I’m intrigued.
Love it when I’m intrigued by an intrigue! And a military romance to boot. Thanks, for introducing us to this work. After following investigating her website and finding her on Amazon I’m hooked!
Nice to meet you, Marty. Glad you’re intrigued. I try. Hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed creating it and the characters in it. They live inside my head now with several of them currently banging against my skull demanding to get out so they can tell their stories.
Thanks for stopping by.
Good morning! What a pleasant surprise with my coffee this morning. Love the interview and getting to know a bit more about C.F. because I read Sanctuary Island and folks, this is an author to watch!
(Attention getting cover too.)
Thanks, Sarah,
My, you’re an early riser. Glad you enjoyed the interview. I liked the cover, too (lol). I did learn one lesson from it, though. Amazon does not allow rifle scopes in their ads. So while I was able to advertise on other social media sites, Amazon nixed it. A lesson learned. So a word to the new authors like me, if you want to advertise on Amazon you might want to check their guidelines before okaying the book cover. They are rather strict (and with good reason). Still would have gone with this cover. It really is an eye-catcher.
Thanks for touching base.
C. F. Francis