Eden Baylee and Stranger at Sunset

by toby | Jan 25, 2015 | The Writing Life | 33 comments

Now and again I like my romance steamy, and Eden Baylee does a lovely, tasteful job with that. I was interested to hear her latest book was a departure from romance, a suspense called Stranger at Sunset.

I invited her to share about her new book on the blog, and as a special treat, she's going to give away several ebook copies to people who comment below, so if you'd like a chance to try it, please just say hello in the comments section!

Welcome Eden! I just had a couple of questions for you:

One big question: what made you switch genres from romance/erotica to mystery?

Though my first books were erotic/romance anthologies, I've written short stories and flash fiction in multiple genres including: thriller, mystery, and suspense. Given that, it was not a huge leap to write Stranger at Sunset.

I read different genres, so I enjoy creating in multiple genres too.

In actuality, changing genres was not as challenging as writing a full-length novel. I've never had to plot my short stories. With Stranger at Sunset, I knew I had to be more diligent with planning, but it wasn't easy. I struggled to outline because I’m a natural ‘pantser'. Because Stranger at Sunset is the first in a trilogy, I’m trying to do it differently for the next two books by spending more time planning.

My impatient nature dictates that I start writing the second I have an idea, but I know that whatever is not planned upfront will need to be worked through in final edits. And that can be very painful.

What can readers expect from your suspense novel?

Stranger at Sunset is inspired by a real place I stayed in Jamaica, and many of the characters are based on people I’ve met. Parts of it are sensual and there is an element of romance as well. The motivation behind the book is to arouse a mysterious, uncertain atmosphere, eliciting a sense of conflict, suspense, and anticipation in the reader.

I have a large cast of characters, and the story exists because of them. There is tension between them in a place where you would not normally have any: a tropical resort in sunny Jamaica is the antithesis of conflict, and yet, that is exactly what happens because of some volatile relationships and personalities.

Stranger at Sunset is suspenseful as it keeps the reader slightly off balance. The protagonist, Dr. Kate Hampton, was a complicated woman to write. Some readers did not like her. Others loved her. I am quite thrilled she elicited such diverse reactions. To me, it means I created someone evocative, which is a great compliment to me as a writer.

With Stranger at Sunset, readers can expect a moody, atmospheric story with a focus on moral conflict. I use unreliable narrators to drive the psychological tension in unpredictable ways. What I'm exploring are the characters' motives and how they see the world, which may be different from how you and I see it.

The book has been compared to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, a huge compliment for me as I loved that book!

Thanks so much, Toby for this opportunity to be on your terrific blog and to share with your readers! Comment below to have a chance to win an ebook copy in your preferred format!

eden

Stranger at Sunset (summary)

Vacation can be a killer.

Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.

It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.

Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?

Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate's own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.

Available in e-book and print

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon worldwide http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM

Apple | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo

Also available in Print | iTunes Soundtrack

Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.

Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.

An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!

To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.

Author Links

Website | Blog | Amazon Author page US | Amazon Author page UK

33 Comments

eden baylee on January 25, 2015 at 10:41 am

Toby, thanks so much for the feature, and I look forward to giving some copies of my book to your readers!

eden
Reply
- Toby on January 25, 2015 at 10:29 pm
  
  Truly a pleasure, Eden, and long overdue!
  Reply
Jeanne Maliner on January 25, 2015 at 11:02 am

Will have to try this author. Sounds very interesting. I think that since I like Toby’s Lei Crime series and she recommends you, the book has to be good.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 8:59 am
  
  Hi Jeanne, thanks for your comment and wishing you luck to win the book!
  
  eden
  Reply
- Jeanne Maliner on February 2, 2015 at 5:22 pm
  
  Excellent read. Highly recommend it.
  Reply
  - Toby Neal on February 2, 2015 at 5:37 pm
    
    Wow, so glad you won and let us know you enjoyed the book! Aloha
    Reply
Shalora on January 25, 2015 at 11:56 am

This book sounds absolutely fascinating. It’s also promising to me to hear it compared to Christie’s “And Then There Were None”, as that is one of my favorites of her books, so odds are good that I’ll enjoy this as well. Definitely one for me to try!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:00 am
  
  Hi Shalora, thanks very much for your comment on Toby’s great blog,
  eden
  Reply
Karin on January 25, 2015 at 12:59 pm

I’m really in the mood to start reading a new /interesting author/novel. I love
anything in the Mystery/Thriller spectrum.Also love Jamaica and complicated
characters.Can’t wait to start reading.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:01 am
  
  Thanks very much Karin for your kind words here, hope you enjoy. Jamaica is a fascinating country with a complicated history, and it makes for quirky characters indeed,
  eden
  Reply
Anima G on January 25, 2015 at 3:37 pm

As a big fan of Toby’s books I would read anything she recommends. Eden sounds like another great storyteller and am excited to try her books.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:02 am
  
  Thanks Anima,
  
  Keeping my fingers crossed you win or try the book,
  eden
  Reply
Angie Lail on January 25, 2015 at 4:12 pm

I always like to hear from and about the authors that Toby recommends and look forward to reading this book.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:02 am
  
  Thanks for your comment Angie, very kind of you,
  eden
  Reply
Kathy on January 25, 2015 at 5:52 pm

Toby, thanks for the introduction to another author. Stranger at Sunset sounds intriguing, and I look forward to learning more about Eden Baylee and her other stories too.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:02 am
  
  Hi Kathy, appreciate the comment and support,
  
  eden
  Reply
Hillary on January 25, 2015 at 10:28 pm

Anxious to find a new author with great recommendations!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:03 am
  
  Hi Hillary, thanks very much for your vote of confidence!
  
  eden
  Reply
TANYA on January 26, 2015 at 5:30 am

I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ A BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR. THANK YOU!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 1:09 pm
  
  Hi Tanya, I love your enthusiasm!
  
  Thanks for your comment and good luck!
  eden
  Reply
Holly Robinson on January 26, 2015 at 6:10 am

This sounds like an intriguing read, and I love the setting. Can’t wait to read it!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:03 am
  
  Thanks so much Holly, rooting for you to win!
  eden
  Reply
Lynn on January 26, 2015 at 7:21 am

Hey! Stranger at Sunset sounds intriguing ! Would love to try the ebook! Thank you.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 9:04 am
  
  Hi Lynn,
  Appreciate your comment, and will keep all commenters informed when the winners are chosen. Thanks so much for stopping by,
  
  eden
  Reply
Janet on January 26, 2015 at 11:56 am

I am a huge fan of Toby Neal so if she recommends a book or an author I am game to try! Love Agatha Christie and Stranger at Sunset sounds very interesting. Thanks for the opportunity!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 26, 2015 at 1:10 pm
  
  Hi Janet, I’m a fan of Agatha Christie as well, from waaaaay back. Good luck with the drawing and appreciate the comment,
  eden
  Reply
Mary Preston on January 27, 2015 at 1:41 am

This does sound like a fabulous read. Am I needing to read this during daylights hours? I scare easily at night.
Reply
- eden baylee on January 27, 2015 at 11:34 am
  
  Haha, Mary, I think you’ll be fine (I hope! ) Not scary like a slasher movie type of scary, it’s a slow burn 😉
  
  eden
  Reply
Dannie on January 27, 2015 at 9:33 am

Wonderful interview Eden! I really enjoyed your latest book!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 27, 2015 at 11:35 am
  
  Thanks so much Dannie, really appreciate your kind comment,
  xo
  eden
  Reply
William Kendall on January 27, 2015 at 9:46 am

Having your work compared to Agatha Christie is quite a compliment!
Reply
- eden baylee on January 27, 2015 at 11:35 am
  
  William, it is! Thank you for your comment here xo
  eden
  Reply
eden baylee on February 1, 2015 at 4:55 pm

So wonderful to see the support and I really appreciate the interest. 3 winners have been chosen to get a copy of Stranger at Sunset, and they will be contacted shortly.

Thanks again to everyone for your comments!
eden
Reply