Monday, May 9, 2011

"Deliver Us from Evil" by Dee Smith

Clash of The Titles

Meet Former Clash of the Titles Competitor Dee Smith,
guest post by Amanda Flower

Dee Smith writes for young adults. Dee states on her website, “I write fiction for young adults and reach out to teens by writing fiction with a message of hope, redemption, and the power of God.”

Clash of the Titles featured her second novel, Deliver Us from Evil, during our Best Description of an Antagonist Week. The description of her villain, Philomena Jones, gave our readers chills.

In Deliver Us From Evil, thirteen-year-old Angela Ross, a small town Texas girl, runs away in terror after she shoots her abusive father during his latest violent attack. She flees without knowing if he is dead or alive. Now a fugitive, she melts into the busy crowds of the city, desperate and penniless.

On a rainy afternoon a few days after she arrives, she walks a cobblestone path to the cottage of Philomena Jones, Psychic. Soon after, Angela regrets ever entering the deceptive white cottage with its charming picket fence. It's too late to escape Philomena's reign of terror, but a few years later, a talent agent, Arnold Peck, discovers her, grooms her into a music star, and renames her Angel.

At a performance, Angel meets Jessica Nelson, a devoted fan. Both lonely girls bond and become friends. Their meeting triggers a kidnapping plot and plunge them into indescribable horror as prisoners inside a medieval castle. Angel uncovers the kidnappers' plans--plans so evil that they will die by torture in a few hours. Can they escape? Will rescue arrive on time?

We posed a few more questions to Dee, which she was kind enough to answer.

How did you come up with your idea for your antagonist?
She came from another novel I had in progress. In that book her character was like the good sidekick or confidant for my heroine. Then almost as if she had a will of her own she became the “bad guy,” developing through her occupation as a psychic. I chose her darker side because my story draws clear lines between good and evil.

Who is your favorite character you’ve created and why?
Kos, the young FBI agent in the story. He’s the handsome hero, and the love story begins in my second book. I had so much fun creating him to be the good-looking, daring, and courageous guy I’d like to knock on my front door some day.

If you could interview one character in your book, which one would it be? What shocking or interesting thing might that character say? Why?
It would be Darla, Angel’s aunt. I would ask her, “Why did you take the rap for Angela after she shot her father? Since Darla is my prototype for the “good Christian” in the book, it would shock me if she answered, “I was on my way to shoot him, but Angela got there first. So intent was already present in me.”

Have you learned anything new about God’s character through this book?
Nothing new, but even as much evil Satan generates, God is the final authority.

Where do your best ideas come from?
The Source from above. I’ve been in the shower, taking a walk, driving somewhere. Sometimes I have a vivid dream.

Thank you so much for stopping by Dee. We enjoyed having you on Clash of the Titles and look forward to reading more of your work in the future.You can visit Dee at her website http://dee-smith.squarespace.com/  or Facebook.

Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, is an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel and the first in a series featuring amateur sleuth India Hayes. Like her main character, Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime and on the Clash of the Titles staff. Her next mystery, Murder in a Basket, will be released in January 2012. Visit her online at http://www.amandaflower.com/.

16 comments:

  1. Great interview. This book sounds like it is going to be one that when one picks it up they better have plenty of time because not going to want to put it down. I am definitely adding it to my wish list.

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Dee and KD, I enjoyed meeting you in your interview. Your book almost gives me chills to think about the trouble the characters are going through. I wouldn't hesitate to have my younger grandchildren (13 and up) read your book, because many young people have turned deaf ears to the voice of Jesus. Your book will teach them there really is good and evil and a God who loves them. Thank you for offering your novel for tlhe giveaway; and thanks KD for the chance to win. I hope I win!

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dodt rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the title and engrossed that she writes suspense thrillers for YA. I would love to read and write a review on goodreads.com/AdriennaTurner. Put me in for the win. ad-turner@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hmm, never heard of this author before but the book looks interesting. Please enter me:) Thanks!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The book sounds like a good read. Nice interview. I'm a subscriber and a follower via gfc. I also posted this to my blog:
    http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/05/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win_6273.html

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to win this for one of my grandchildren to read! Thanks for writing books that honor our Lord!

    workamper2530@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I appreciate people who write Christian fiction for teens. Our son was an avid reader growing up and finding good books was always the challenge. Kudos to you! Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the wonderful comments! My time as a Christian in a Muslim-majority countries caused me to understand how necessary it is for American Christians to keep up with the rest of the world. The recent unrest in North Africa and the Middle East may impact Christians in those countries. Also, the choices we American Christians make impact the way, favorably or unfavorably, that the world looks at us---witness the Quran burning by the Florida pastor.

    ReplyDelete
  10. would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the opportunity :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. thanks for the chance to read this novel...

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the chance to win. :)
    Ann_Lee_Miler@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I adore reading murder mysteries!
    Please include my name in your book
    drawing...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would like to be entered in this contest please!! =)


    Tvaleros18 @ gmail [dot] com

    Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds interesting...I would like to be entered to win! margie at mijares dot net

    ReplyDelete

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