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Book Addict contributor C.J. Lyons talks about the latest in her Angels of Mercy series with Krysten Hager.

Tell us about your newest book, Urgent Care?

Urgent Care is the third book in the Angels of Mercy series and follows ER charge nurse Nora Halloran as she faces her greatest fear: the man who assaulted her two years ago has returned and now he’s killing his victims.

How does your character, Nora, change in this novel?

Feeling guilty about not reporting her assault (over 60% of victims never report) Nora has retreated to the world of rules and guidelines, using them to protect her patients and give them the best treatment possible.  But when a fellow nurse is murdered and Nora realizes the killer is the same man who assaulted her, Nora must break all the rules.  She risks everything including her own life to stop the killings and save the man she loves.
What was your road to publication like? Was it an easy process?

My road to publication was as twisted and difficult as a blind man navigating the streets of Manhattan at rush hour with his ears plugged full of cotton batting.  But I knew it was a dream I wanted to pursue, so once I made the leap of faith and left my medical practice to write full time, I never gave up.

How have both your careers (in medical field and as an author) changed with the series doing so well?

After seventeen years of practicing pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine, I left to write full time.  Since then there have definitely been ups and downs—with the economy and its impact on the publishing industry, I suspect every writer could say that.  I’ve been lucky to have been successful enough with the Angels of Mercy series that I just received a new contract for the fourth book, Isolation, that will be Gina’s long-awaited (and frequently requested by my fans!) story. 

Becoming a national bestseller has increased my visibility so now I find myself turning down more requests to speak and teach workshops than I accept, but I love teaching, so I still over-book myself.  I’m also beginning a new series, one that I hope will appeal to my current fans as well as mainstream thriller fans.

What advice do you have for aspiring and struggling writers?

Either Tim Allen or Winston Churchill said it best: Never surrender, never give up.  This is a tough business, so learn everything you can about it, have realistic expectations, listen more than you talk, but in the end you need to dare to dream that you can succeed. 

I am convinced that there are three keys to success in any business, but especially in publishing: Vision, Passion, Commitment.  If you have all three you can do anything.

What changes have you seen in the publishing world since your first book was published? Is it easier or harder for a new writer to break in?

I think in many ways it’s easier for a new writer to break in right now.  Publishers have always been more willing to take a gamble on an unknown new author that has potential than they are to support their own mid-list authors whose sales figures may be mixed.  And unfortunately, with the current economy, many, many authors have mixed sales figures attached to their name, most of which have nothing to do with the quality of their work.

Can we expect another book in the series?

Yes!  Isolation will be out December 2010, and is Gina’s story.  I’ve just begun it, but I can already tell that it’s going to be very intense and dramatic—just like Gina herself!

Your novel, Lifelines, is a finalist in the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for best Mainstream Mystery/Suspense novel of 2008. Tell us what you felt when you found out.

I was honored.  I’ve been a judge for the Daphnes for years and know the quality of writing it takes to final, so to have my first book be included among so many stellar novels was a thrill beyond compare.

Where can we find your blog and website online?

My website is http://www.cjlyons.net and I blog for Criminal Minds every Monday at http://7criminalminds.blogspot.com/