Monday, November 26, 2012

Interview with Romance/Suspense Author Julie Coulter Bellon


Julie Coulter Bellon loves to write international romantic suspense novels because she gets to travel to distant lands to research and add an authentic feel to all of her books. Her favorite cities so far are Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She's the mother of eight children and the author of eight books and isn’t sure what that really says about her. Julie graduated from college with an English teaching degree from Brigham Young University and taught journalism for 14 years. Her habit of reading multiple newspapers daily is where she gets a lot of story ideas - ripped from the headlines and twisted a bit.

Welcome back to my blog, Julie. Please tell us about your new book.

All Fall Down is my newest novel about a hostage negotiator, Claire Michaels who finds herself in the middle of an international incident when an American businessman is kidnapped by al-Qaeda. She has to use all of her training to try and get him back while preventing the man behind it all from compromising national security. 

Rafe Kelly, a Navy SEAL on leave to recover from an injury, never expected to be fighting terrorists on his home turf, but when his brother is kidnapped, it becomes a personal war. He teams up with a hostage negotiator, but the deadly game of cat and mouse takes an ominous turn when they realize what’s really at stake. Can Rafe save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

Well, I was watching a special about when SEAL Team Six penetrated bin Laden’s compound and killed him, but the thing that was most interesting to me was how they confiscated his ten computer hard drives and sent them to be analyzed. My mind kept asking, what if there was something on those files that would help al-Qaeda attack America again? Wouldn’t there be someone in that terrorist organization who would do anything to get it? And the story grew from there.

That is so interesting. What kind of research did you do for this book?

Since part of the book is set in Afghanistan I had to do a lot of research since I’d never been there. I also researched computer forensics, hostage negotiators, and Navy SEALs. It was quite enlightening and I am so grateful to all the law enforcement people, computer experts, and military personnel who helped answer all my questions and added a realism to my work.

I love it when authors add real life situations to their stories. Do you ever put real experiences in your suspense novels?

I do, actually. There are several events in the book that actually happened in real life with the computer forensics sections and the hostage negotiation chapters. And part of the inspiration of the book was that prisoners from Guantanamo Bay were released and went back to help terrorism. I also used several different personal Afghanistan experiences in the hotel to make that more real. If you’ve read my work, you know I base my characters after an amalgamation of real people and real experiences because I want it to feel like this is something that really could happen.

Thank you, Julie, for this interview. Your book sounds fantastic. For those interested, Julie has a blog where she posts book reviews and writer tips at http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com.

18 comments:

Lisa And Randy said...

I would love to read Julie's book, and if I win I will even write a review. email: leeben@bdawg.net. I'd love a print copy if I was to win.

Serena said...

It sounds like you did a lot of research!
This book sounds intriguing! I would love to read it.
Print copy please.

sclarke710@live.com

Louise said...

I would love to read this book, myself, & then send it on to my son-in-law, one of the country's top Navy Seals, who has served several tours of duty in the Middle East. Thanks for taking the time to do all that research!

Jasmine A. said...

Sounds like a great book! A lot of work put into it :)

I posted a link to this giveaway so I hope that counts towards 2 entries.

Jasmine A.

montanamade(at)gmail(.com)

Anonymous said...

The fact that you have such a desire for the knowledge we al need to know inspires me!! I am very interested in your book Julie Coullter Bellon. I am excited that you took the time to make your own book from the underground things we accomplish. I Hope it is full of mystery and suspense, I love that. Thank you for the interview and the chance at winning your New book!! Linda thank you for taking the time to share such a rare gem with us.
jdovefamily@gmail.com i've been known to review in the best places when the book is a page turner and this looks to be one.
I really hope I win! Humble (Oops)

Anonymous said...

Julie and Linda - I never say thank you enough to those who work so hard in Gods name - Thank you,
Jenn

Unknown said...

I love doing research and from the interview it sounds like you do too...and this book sounds like it covers current issues, which brings it even more to life. Can't wait to read this romantic suspense. Thanks for the contest.
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com

Katherine said...

Sounds like a great book! I love the suspense and reality without ever being in danger myself! Thanks for a great interview!

katsaddress AT gmail. DOT com

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read the book! I really hope I win a copy. :) I tweeted about the contest too so I hope I get two entries.

lindzee.armstrong@yahoo.com

Gayle said...

It amazes me how much research goes into a book! Thanks for a great interview!
bgh(at)byu(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity.

Kaylee Baldwin said...

This book is on my to be read list for sure. I'd love to win a copy. kayleebaldwin (at) gmail

Debbie Curto said...

would love to win!
likesmusic 2@ consolidated.net

Connie Porter Saunders said...

This book sounds so exciting and the topic is very pertitent. Would love to win a print copy.
cps1950@gmail.com

Meghan said...

This sounds really interesting. A book inspired by the Navy Seals... sign me up!
My email is mestith@gmail.com

Connie said...

Hi! I would love to read this book. I know it would be exciting to read and provide factual info as well. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Charissa said...

Sounds very riveting. I love all the research that you did for it. Will have to put it on my to-read list. char@joyinthemoments.com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations to Lisa and Randy! You are the winners of this wonderful book. I know you'll enjoy it very much.