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Ruby Release: Only Fear by Anne Marie Becker
 Posted by Rita Henuber Sep 6 2011, 12:01 am in Ruby Release
I’m so pleased to host Anne Marie Becker on the book birthday of debut novel Only Fear. Only Fear won the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Romantic Suspense. The story is about a psychiatrist, Dr. Maggie Levine, who becomes a radio talk show host after a violent incident with a patient. Psychoanalyzing on the air lets her do what she loves and at a safe distance. That is until a caller begins to murder people to get her attention. Maggie turns to former Secret Service Agent Ethan Townsend, now a personal security expert to track down the violent monster intent on teaching her the ultimate lesson in fear…. EXCERPT “Hello?” It was barely a whisper as she gasped for air. “Maggie,” the cheerful voice said. Owen’s voice. “You got home safe, I see.” He chuckled as her grip tightened on the phone. “And by now, you’ve learned tonight’s lesson.” “Lesson?” She was pleased that her voice sounded stronger. Stronger, but not strong enough. “About fear, of course. Did I scare you, Maggie? I believe I did,” he said when she didn’t answer. “I proved my point. But then, I knew you’d be an apt pupil. After all, you earned the highest marks in all of your classes in medical school.” “Why did you do this?” The man was insane. Again, Owen’s voice flipped from thrilled to threatening in the space of a stuttering heartbeat. “There is only fear. All other emotions are born of fear. You have to understand that before we move on to your next lesson.”
Zowza! Some heavy duty stuff. Knowing Anne Marie I was struck by the difference in her and this dark story. I asked her about this contradiction and she responded thoughtfully, “You know I never smoked, or played with matches but I know how to burn a body.” My reply was “Girl…. Does Your Mama Know What You’re Writing? When Rita asked me this question, I laughed. Of course not. My mama thinks I’m a good girl, her straight-A student, and perfect eldest daughter, a role model for my siblings. And, I am. (*twirls pigtails around fingers*) I’m innocent and pure. I was an honor student, Valedictorian, summa cum laude, and all that good stuff. But yeah, I write romantic suspense. Books with death and sex and all kinds of gritty tidbits in them. (Oh my.) Still, I’m pure at heart. It’s the voices in my head that make me write the things I do. Where did those voices come from? Many grade-school years of secretly devouring garage-sale paperback romance novels and almost everything Stephen King wrote. Rita also asked if I’d been out TP’g (toilet-papering) houses before. Moi? (*bats eyelashes*) I was home studying every night, of course. (And if I wasn’t, Mama didn’t know about it, so shush!) But I digress… I was talking about the voices in my head. I kind of blame Mama for them. She’s the most likely source of my interest in the macabre, though she’d never admit that’s what it is. She’s the type who watches 60 Minutes, Dateline, Nancy Grace and any manner of true crime story and clamors for justice, wondering how there can be such people in the world. Underneath, however, I’m convinced Mama has a secret fascination with evil and overcoming it, and I think I inherited it. (Is there a gene for that kind of thing? There must be.) It’s this fascination that led me to study biology and psychology, and to pursue a career in the mental health field. A desire, sometimes a need, to understand what makes people (and yes, also evil people too) tick has motivated every course I chose in college. Well, except for those pesky core curriculum courses – though philosophy, come to think of it, was also about understanding mankind. So it’s probably no surprise that I became fascinated with stories of serial killers and the people who hunt them when I researched my Mindhunters series. Reading the books of John Douglas, and stories of the beginnings of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit were jaw-dropping and enlightening. Here were true villains. People who let their dark sides reign. So, what holds us in check? What keeps the rest of society from acting on their darker impulses? Perhaps it’s our belief that love overcomes evil. Good wins over bad. I don’t know the answer, but given my history, I know I intend to explore it further! And yes, I’ve been TP’g before – just ask some of my fellow honor students who were with me. (*twirls pigtails*) How about you? Are people surprised at what genre you read/write, or what deep, dark thoughts you’ve had? Come on, confession time. I know I’m not alone here. To get your copy of Only Fear go to Carina Press, Amazon, B&N Share:
              
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My family is probably surprised I can string words together into sentences. Congrats, Anne Marie.
Thanks, Kelly! My family seems to think this writing thing is pretty easy – especially since they still expect me to do dishes and cook meals and fold laundry AND make my deadlines.
Sounds like my day.
Yay! Congratulations, Anne Marie!
I got a little shiver when I read that excerpt of ONLY FEAR. I’m looking forward to reading the rest…but I think I’ll have to do so when I’m not alone in the house.
Strangely, people don’t seem surprised when I tell them I write YA.
Enjoy the release-day buzz!
Wow, shivers? Thanks, Vanessa!
Good morning and welcome to the party.
Waving to all our visitors. Help yourself to the coffee, tea, and Mimosas or straight champagne if you prefer. The croissants and cinnamon rolls are fresh made and the melon and berries are very sweet. Anne Marie is on left coast time and will join us soon. In the mean time feel free to tell us what you like about Only Fear and a favorite Anne Marie story.
What? Really? Anne Marie really did that? OMG!
I’m here!
Thanks for hosting, Rita. I’ll take some champagne – pulled my back yesterday. Must have been all that happy dancing…. or maybe it was the TP’g. I’ll never tell…
Cinnamon rolls?! Dang, I ate my breakfast already!
Anne Marie! I’m shocked. Just shocked! You’ve TPd houses before???
Readers, don’t be jealous, but I’ve started Only Fear. It’s dark and gritty and a psychological game of cat and mouse that takes off like a rocket. My kind of read!!!
Anne Marie, best wishes on your release! I’m one of your biggest fans!
It’s a great book!
Rita, I know
One other thing. It was sooo cool to sit beside Anne Marie the night she WON the Golden Heart. Excitement fairly floated off that woman. She’s destined for great things, as long as she stops TPing houses. What do you think? An intervention?
Intervention? NO! Encouragement and join her.
LOL. I so agree. Charmin or Angel Soft?
Donnell, it was SO wonderful to have you by my side that night – I needed it! And it was fabulous to share the excitement with you. Looking forward to reading your debut novel in a couple weeks, too!
Okaaaayyy, we had a promising fiction career until we teamed up with Anne Marie and her vandalism
I’m in!
Congratulations, Anne Marie!
People often seem surprised at what I write, which at the moment is contemporary romance. I think they expect me to write broody literary fiction, since I went to a wombyn’s college that emphasized such things. But I’ve always liked enthralling, entertaining books with beginnings, middles, and ends. I can only write what I love, and I love genre fiction!
I’m with you on the lliking books with a beginning, middle and end. And we are soo happy you write what you do.
I here you, Jamie. Most people probably expected me to write literary fiction, too. Or maybe textbooks. (Yawn.) I don’t think anyone in high school even knew I read romances. It was a secret passion.
And I struggled for years with what to write (once I knew I wanted to be a writer). Then I read that you should write what you love. And here I am.
Looks like a great read, congratulations! Don’t know if anyone is shocked by what I write, never asked them.
Recently had an issue with being told my book was THAT kind of book. Asked what THAT meant. “You know, it has sex” was the answer. To which I responded “Oh, you read it. What did you think?”
LOL, Rita. As if they don’t even think about *that* kind of thing. Seriously!
Thanks for being here, Diana! Help yourself to some cyber treats. Rita put out a great spread.
Snort. Like literary fiction doesn’t have sex. I’ve got news for folks…it does!
Molly Bloom: “yes yes yes yes”
Sounds like a book guaranteed to give me nightmares!
Here’s to giving your readers many, many sleepless nights, Anne Marie. Wishing you all the success in the world with your Mindhunters.
Thanks, Vivi!
I have Only Fear. I checked my kindle yesterday morning and pop there is was. I’m reading and enjoying Bev’s new release, Jockey’s and Jewels right now, but I had to peek at Only Fear. Great first chapter. I’m sure the rest is going to be awesome!
So happy you’re a good girl who keeps her bad side in check and used it for good.
Me? I was always the quiet, shy one. Always watching people and wondering what they’d do if this or that happened. I never TP’ed, but (Shhhh)I did soap windows.
Congrats, sister! (((HUGS)))
Autumn Jordon! I’m shocked. YOU soaped windows
Shhhh, Rita. You got higher points for soaping windows where people were actually in the room. Cars were low on the points ranking. Anyone could do that, but back then cars didn’t have alarms. LOL. Our village sparkled the next day.
Soaping windows with people in the room? Now THAT sounds like a challenge! It’s always the quiet ones who shock you.
I wrote ONE, count ‘em (1), romantic suspense, and it took me FOREVER, Anne Marie. The reason it took me so long–I was uncomfortable writing the twisted things my imagination conjured. I enjoy other people’s RS, but I think knowing my acquaintances would read my darkest thoughts stifles my creative process. The only way I could finish the RS I started was when I decided I would never publish it under my own name.
What took me a while to master with RS is the pacing. So grueling to write such beautiful paragraphs and then have to slice and dice to increase the pace. Sigh. But now I’m told I have great pacing, so I suppose it’s worth it.
And I hear you about the pseudonym. I write under my real name, but include my middle name so that not everyone in my town immediately recognizes it. With little kids in school, I try to be subtle in case a fellow parent reading it has objections… but then I thought, why would they be reading it if they objected to it! LOL
Hi Anne Marie,
I was also the quiet, shy one. LOL I’m also the oldest and my mom’s “good” girl. I was just telling my husband the other day that one of my antagonists scared me. Namely, because if I thought about it, he lived inside my head.
LOL
Congratulations on your release. This is one I really want to read! : )
Shawna I was the oldest also got all A’s. But good, quiet and shy? Never!
Haha – somehow I guessed that about you, Rita.
I figure everyone has a dark side (at least to some degree), and it’s better that it come out in “safe” ways like writing. Thanks for stopping by, Shawna! Happy writing.
Yay! Congrats on the release! I’ve got it on my Kindle and can’t wait to read it.
I love dark, gritty stories. I don’t know what that says about me, because I’m not the dark, gritty kind…I tend to be silly and a little bit (okay, maybe a lot) dorky, but I always gravitate (in reading and writing) to the darker books.
Oh, me too, Cynthia. If I choose a movie or show (or often, even a book), I tend toward lighthearted and funny. Probably because I dealt with so much dark/emotional stuff when I was a counselor and I needed a break. But writing dark seems to come naturally to me.
Love the cover, and the story sounds great. Gonna have to read this one! Happy release week, Anne Marie!
Thanks, Barbara! Doesn’t Carina Press do great covers? Love yours too.
Did you know it’s National Read a Book Day? What great timing! Settle in and read Anne Marie’s.
Wow!!! What an excerpt! Love it and can’t wait, Ruby Sis! I was summa cum laude too. How cool is that?
I’ve been dying to read this. Preordered it and now it is on my Kindle, just waiting to be devoured. SUPER CONGRATS! And great post, Rita!
Thanks, Darynda! It’s so weird to see other people excited about my work after so many years of just me (and my family) being excited about it, ya know? LOL Such a thrill that people I’ve never met could be out there, reading my words, at this very moment. How do you get used to that?!
It was so foreign for me at first too, Anne! It def took some getting used to. And yet you are always so humbled and grateful. THAT does NOT go away. It’s such a thrill to know you helped someone get through the day or through a bad period in their lives. It’s such an honor.
So true! To help boost someone’s mood or give them an emotional high is a wonderful feeling.
Many congrats, Anne Marie! Love, love the excerpt! Can’t WAIT to rad it!
I’ll have straight champagne, Rita. Thanks, girl. LOL! (Great post, btw)
Anyway, I’m super excited for you. I know you will have many happy sales.
As for people being surprised by what I write, I find that many are surprised that I AM an author. And once they erad my steamy love scenes, they are more shocked than surprised. Ha!
Congrats again, Ruby sis!
Looky here… a brand new bottle of champagne. *pops the cork, pours a glass and hands it to Jenn!*
Now I gotta go check out some of those steamy love scenes… love me some pirates!
Woohoo!!! Congratulations Anne Marie!!!! Can’t wait to read it. The except is awesome!
I was excited to see this download to my Kindle a day early, but haven’t had a chance to start it yet. I will soon, though. I love dark, serial killer stories. Expecially when killer is screwing with someone’s mind!
Mine downloaded Sunday afternoon also. Hmmm! Anne Marie has some connections.
Hey Rita. Meant to say great job on the inteview!
I was too busy being excited for Anne Marie and I forgot!
Hi, Kim! I really enjoy exploring the psychology of my characters, and how they react to whatever life throws at them. (Hmmm… I guess I should make that “whatever I throw at them” – LOL) THAT’s the fun part!
Wow, Anne Marie. I’ll have to read this with the lights on. The excerpt is GREAT. Congratulations on “Only Fear.”
Thanks, Bev!
Yay, Anne Marie! Congratulations on your new release!!
I don’t have a problem with thinking of you as a good girl. And what’s wrong with TPing? I’ve done it so often, I have a ready supply of TP in my garage, plus Oreo cookies to stick on a car windshield, and forks for the lawn and vaseline for the fork handles and all sorts of goodies. Nothing destructive, mind you, just plain clean fun.
I love a good dark story. Can’t wait to read yours!
You and I are going to have to hang out sometime! … and I suppose it would have to be at night, wearing dark clothing… LOL
It just occurred to me that my kids might never know the *joy* of TP’g. Nothin’ but tall, tall pine trees around here.
Congrats Anne Marie. Your excerpt sounds scary. I can’t do contemporary scary. Historical scary, lopping off heads and blowing people up, now that’s cool.
Must be because I never TP’d a house. Or soaped windows. Wow, I was a boring child. Must come from being the only one and having two parents constantly watching. Come to think of it, that could make a seriously warped story.
LOL, Kate – yes, that could be a creepy story. And I find only children fascinating. I was the oldest of three, and my siblings definitely got away with more than I did (scary, huh?). And now that I have three of my own, I can see how it’s hard to keep an eye on all of them at once, those little imps.
Congrats on the debut, Anne Marie! Love the cover, with the bare lightbulb and harsh lighting. The perfect complement to the title!
Thanks, Elise! I’m in love with the cover, too. (My husband ordered me a cookie cake to celebrate my release and they tried to draw a tunnel. Came out pretty funny (imagine a squiggly chocolate icing line making an arch and a white bulb hanging from the top), but I LOVED the thought (and the chocolate!!).
Did you take a picture of the cake?
Yeah, my husband did. I’d post it if I had his phone handy.
Congrats, Anne Marie on the release! I just snapped it up in the Kindle Store, and saw you were around 19,000 in the rankings…which is impressive for the Kindle Store on your first day!!
And the premise: “Psychoanalyzing on the air lets her do what she loves and at a safe distance. That is until a caller begins to murder people to get her attention.” YIKES!!!!! Count me among the shiverers!
Wow, thanks, Elisa! Hope you enjoy the book.
Congrats on your debut novel release, Anne! Many happy sales to you! Sometimes it makes sense to me that an author would write (for lack of a better word) “opposite” to her persona. For instance, deep down I’m a rather cynical, pessimistic person, yet I write light-hearted and frothy. On the flipside, I know authors who write deep and dark, yet they’re the fun-loving, life-of-the-party type. Go figure
Hi, Randy! I wonder if writing opposite of personality has something to do with writing being a type of escape? I always thought it was a way to explore the other sides of our personalities. Besides, who, besides nonfiction writers, wants to write about what they already know/experience? Where’s the fun in that?!
Oh, good. I didn’t miss the entire party!! Congrats, Anne Marie, and no, you aren’t alone. More than that I will not say *EG*
I hope this book is just the start for you. You deserve it.
Whoops… the comment below was meant to be to you, Gwyn.
Hi, Gwyn!! It’s so good to see you here – it’s never too late to party! And I see you’re twirling your pigtails in mock innocence, too. *grin*
Ugh. I’m late.
But I did make it! Congrats, Anne Marie. It sounds suitabley suspenseful and a little freaky – perfect for a gal like me
Hope you had a fabulous release day! Enjoy!
FASHIONABLY late, Liz.
Glad you could make it, and thank you for the good wishes. Welcome to the party!
I’m late, late, late, Anne Marie, but I couldn’t let today go by without saying congratulations and wishing you much success! I’m looking forward to reading Only Fear!