Oklahoma-born author tells drug cartel story

EDMOND — Summertime is the traditional time to escape into a new novel. Oklahoma-born author Vicki Allen has created a world of intrigue, daring and a drug cartel in an exotic setting in her latest book, "Drink One To Me, Christian Bennett” from Magnolia Publishing.

The idea for the book came as she was waiting at the post office.

"It hit me all at once; dialogue, storyline, characters. ... Within two weeks I had written 150 pages,” she said.

Allen graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy, and after meeting her husband, wound up living in the state for 13 more years.

Now, this pharmacist, wife and mother living in Pineville, La., finds her inspiration to write comes late at night.

"I’m not interrupted and the phones are not ringing. About 11 p.m. is peak,” she said.

She said it usually takes almost two years to complete a novel but her fourth and newest book took only five-and-a-half months.

"Inspiration strikes me at the strangest times, which makes me late for everything because I have to write it down,” she said.

Allen signed copies of her book "Drink One To Me, Christian Bennett” at Edmond’s Best of Books and will be at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 6100 N May Ave. from 2 to 5 p.m. today.

For more information about Allen or to read excerpts of her books go to www.vickilallen.com.