#AuthorInterview – “Deadly Gamble” by Lorelei Confer

What kind of research did you do for Deadly Gamble?
Did you travel, use the Internet, speak with experts on a topic, etc? Deadly Gamble is the sixth book in the Deadly series, primarily because when I researched for my first book, Deadly Deception, (which developed from a dream) I learned so much more than I expected, and I had to share it. It2527s a human sex trafficking story, another lesson or message to young women to always be aware of even a new man in your life. Also, an example of how many tricks and ruses people go through for the love of money.

How long have you been writing? When did you decide to become an author?
I2527ve been writing since the fourth grade when I wrote a story about going to the doctor for a shot. My teacher made it into a play, inviting other classes and parents to attend. I continued writing in a diary every day and then progressed to a journal. When my husband was deployed, I wrote newsy love letters to him in Viet Nam. I continue to journal and even include some of my dreams; some have been embellished enough and have become my novels.

What is your favorite book? Favorite author? 
My most favorite authors were the late Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey. I grew up reading them and I don2527t particularly care for historian romance now. Shannon by Kathleen Woodiwiss was the first book that attracted me to romance, and then I had to read every book she wrote. Then Johanna Lindsey was new to the scene; I don2527t remember the name of the first book, but I2527ve read them all. Now, there are so many good authors out there I can mix it up.

What2527s your most bizarre life experience?
My first date with my husband: On a Thursday in the spring of 1968 while in high school, I happened to sit by his younger sister in choir practice and asked about him. She told me he2527d returned from Chicago, so I told her to tell him hello. So, next day, Friday, school2527s out and he2527s parked outside the school; he wants to drive me home. It was either go with him or ride in the very slow bus with lots of stops. We both lived in a very rural area of central Pennsylvania, where everybody knew everything about everyone.
On the way to my house, he asked me out to dinner and a movie the same night and I agreed with some trepidation. He liked my outfit and asked me to wear it that night. LOL A couple hours later, when he picked me up, his shirttail was out and almost down to his knees and he looked kinda like a bum with his long shaggy hair. I2527d known him most of my life and new he was a good guy, but I still hesitated.
We had dinner at a cute little 502527s diner and went to the drive-in theater next door. Neither of us remember the name or anything about the movie because from the first kiss we were lost in each other. He scared me; he made me feel so many emotions I2527d never felt before. And those feelings never went away. On the drive home, I asked him to take the back roads and let me drive his car. I2527d recently received my driver2527s permit and wanted to practice driving once more time. My dad had promised to take mefor my driver2527s test the next day, Saturday.
So, he agreed; I2527m driving and go around a turn with a high bank and I went too wide and side-swiped the bank. My head hit the rearview mirror and bled profusely; headwounds usually bleed a lot, and as a result there was blood all over everywhere. He couldn2527t get the passenger door open, so I got out, and he behind me. He hugged me; now blood all over him and we walked up the hill to a house. When the neighbor lady answered the door, she knew my name and asked what was wrong? What had happened? I explained and she called my dad. She knew my family, and my name although I had no idea who she was or her name.
Dad arrived within a few minutes and took charge. I held a washcloth on my head while dad and my date got his car back on the road and running. He followed my dad and I to my house. My mom tended to me, didn2527t need stitches, and then washed and dried his shirt. He left shortly after and I didn2527t think I2527d hear from him again.
Saturday morning, I passed the driver2527s test the first time, something that was uncommon at the time, dad took me home and went back to work. Later, I received a phone call from my future husband. He asked about my head and wanted to take me to the doctor. We had one doctor in a large rural area and so my doctor was his doctor, etc. Anyway, I had a torn ligament in my neck and had to wear a folded towel (didn2527t have a cast small enough) around my neck for a couple weeks.
We2527ve been inseparable ever since our first date, except for his two tours in Viet Nam.
He2527s driven me the hospital/doctor many times in the past fifty years, which we2527ll celebrate our 50th anniversary May 2020.
We were never able to get the passenger door open on that car and sold it for $200.