Category: Uncategorized

Amber Daulton & Arresting Mason #MysteryExchange

  By Uncategorized

The Mystery Exchange isn’t over yet! This week I’m please to present Amber Daulton and her story, Arresting Mason. Let’s start with a few questions for Amber.


What first gave you the idea for Arresting Mason?



A few years ago, I found a submission call for a bad boy anthology, and the stories were supposed to be pretty short. By the time I finished the first draft of my manuscript, I had exceeded the word count and still wanted to add more scenes. So I forgot all about the submission call and kept revising the manuscript until it clocked in at 80 thousand words and sparked ideas for more books, which is now a 5-book series.
For how I came up with the plot, I must thank my subconscious since I dreamed about it. For days after, I kept thinking about the hero, the heroine, and her brother, and the characters wouldn’t leave me in peace until I wrote out a rough plotline. Though I changed quite a bit as I put the dream down on paper (or rather computer), the main premise remained the same.

Please tell us a little about your hero, Mason.

Mason made some foolish mistakes as a teenager, and then ended up in jail. Though he joined a prison gang, he gave it up after the State released him on parole. He’s doing his best stay out of trouble, but the people from his past aren’t ready to let him go.

What’s a positive quality does Mason have that he isn’t aware of?

His ability to love. Though Mason wants to be a good person, he doesn’t think he deserves to have a woman show him unconditional love and acceptance. But when he loves someone, he doesn’t let anything stop him from showing and proving it.

Will readers like or dislike him, and why?

Mason has made a ton of mistakes—everyone has to one degree or another—but he’s ready to change and move on with his life. I think a lot of readers could relate to that, and they’ll like him because he’s a good person beneath all the scars and tattoos.

Does he see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?


Shades of gray. He’s made too many mistakes and done too many bad things to see the world as straight forward as black-and-white.

How do others perceive Mason based upon his looks?


Most women find him hot and only care about the exterior packaging, and most men find him shady or dangerous. These assumptions are correct. Mason is one sexy man, and he’s hiding a bunch of secrets that could cost him his life. Deep down, however, he’s a good man and determined to do everything in his power to protect those he loves from his past.

Do you write using an outline or do you just start writing?

I would be so lost with an outline. When I get an idea, I write down everything on paper, chapter by chapter, and sometimes scene by scene if my muse is really flowing. Usually, I end up with 30 or 40 sheets of paper, jammed with additions in the margins, and with some paragraphs highlighted for reference. Once that’s done, I finally start writing the story on my computer.
In your stories, is there more action or romance?

I try to maintain a good mix of action and romance scenes, and let those scenes play off each another. It can be difficult to not overdue one type of sequence at times, and sometimes I have to cut a scene or move it elsewhere, but I’m all about the final product. What works for the story at large is more important than an awesome but unnecessary scene somewhere in the middle. It may hurt to cut that scene, but if it’s needed, I’ll do it.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, since I was twelve years old. It’s pretty cliché to say this, but I was hooked the first time I snuck a Harlequin book from my mom’s bedroom. (I’ve heard a lot of romance authors say something similar.) After reading that book, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

What’s next for you?



Book one in the Arresting Onyx series came out in April 2018. The other four books in the series are already done, but I want to go through and edit them again before I submit them to my editor at The Wild Rose Press. Each book will probably take a few months to go through. I’ve already started on book 2, Arresting Jeremiah, and I’m anxious to get the publishing ball rolling for that book.

Arresting Mason

Series: Arresting Onyx (book 1)
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 80k
Heat Rating: 5 Flames

Blurb

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.
Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.
When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Tagline


Their chance encounter resulted in a steamy affair, but will his former gang and a parole officer tear them apart?

Excerpt


“Which one is your car?” She glanced around the crowded parking lot. A few streetlights pushed back the darkness and shadows. The restaurant served customers until midnight on the weekends, but no one loitered in the lot, at least from what Mia could see.
“Don’t have one at the moment.” Mason hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “I took the bus. It stopped a few blocks from here.”
“Would you like a ride?” She pulled the car keys from her purse. “I feel a little ridiculous we met here tonight. I just wasn’t sure if you were some kind of freak.”
His eyebrow lifted, and he closed the distance between them as a tiger would zero in on its mate. A sexy, masculine smile curled his lips. “Have you made up your mind yet?”
“I’ll let you know in the morning.” Desire trickled down her spine. Mia nodded toward the passenger side of the car for him to hop in.
He confiscated her keys instead to unlock and open the driver’s side door for her like a gentleman. Then he leaned closer and nuzzled her temple with his nose.
Not sure if he planned to seduce her in the parking lot or if he merely wanted to tease her, Mia pressed her hand to his chest and tried to think straight. “You’re the first guy I’ve gone on a date with since my divorce. I haven’t slept with anyone since Evan.”
He tunneled his fingers through her wavy, chestnut-brown hair. “I haven’t dated anyone in a long time either. We’ll take it slow or fast, whatever you want, but I promise you one thing. After I’m done with you, you won’t even remember that bastard’s name.”
Oh, God. She almost melted right then and there. “Fast. I want you, Mason.”
“Take me to your place and you can have me.”


Buy Links:

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2uOj90J

Official Book Trailer

HTML







About the Author:

Writing is the fruit of happiness.
Amber Daulton lives her life by that one belief even though she normally isn’t so Zen.
As a fan of contemporary, paranormal, and historical romance novels alike, she can’t get enough of feisty heroines and alpha heroes. Her mind is a wonderland of adventure, laughter, and awesome ways of kicking a guy when he’s down. She probably wouldn’t be too sane without her computer and notebooks. After all, what’s a girl to do when people are jabbering away in her head and it’s hard to shut them up? Write! Nothing else works.

Social Media Links:

Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author
Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff 

Amber Daulton & Arresting Mason #MysteryExchange

  By Uncategorized

The Mystery Exchange isn’t over yet! This week I’m please to present Amber Daulton and her story, Arresting Mason. Let’s start with a few questions for Amber.


What first gave you the idea for Arresting Mason?




A few years ago, I found a submission call for a bad boy anthology, and the stories were supposed to be pretty short. By the time I finished the first draft of my manuscript, I had exceeded the word count and still wanted to add more scenes. So I forgot all about the submission call and kept revising the manuscript until it clocked in at 80 thousand words and sparked ideas for more books, which is now a 5-book series.
For how I came up with the plot, I must thank my subconscious since I dreamed about it. For days after, I kept thinking about the hero, the heroine, and her brother, and the characters wouldn’t leave me in peace until I wrote out a rough plotline. Though I changed quite a bit as I put the dream down on paper (or rather computer), the main premise remained the same.

Please tell us a little about your hero, Mason.

Mason made some foolish mistakes as a teenager, and then ended up in jail. Though he joined a prison gang, he gave it up after the State released him on parole. He’s doing his best stay out of trouble, but the people from his past aren’t ready to let him go.

What’s a positive quality does Mason have that he isn’t aware of?

His ability to love. Though Mason wants to be a good person, he doesn’t think he deserves to have a woman show him unconditional love and acceptance. But when he loves someone, he doesn’t let anything stop him from showing and proving it.

Will readers like or dislike him, and why?

Mason has made a ton of mistakes—everyone has to one degree or another—but he’s ready to change and move on with his life. I think a lot of readers could relate to that, and they’ll like him because he’s a good person beneath all the scars and tattoos.

Does he see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?


Shades of gray. He’s made too many mistakes and done too many bad things to see the world as straight forward as black-and-white.

How do others perceive Mason based upon his looks?


Most women find him hot and only care about the exterior packaging, and most men find him shady or dangerous. These assumptions are correct. Mason is one sexy man, and he’s hiding a bunch of secrets that could cost him his life. Deep down, however, he’s a good man and determined to do everything in his power to protect those he loves from his past.

Do you write using an outline or do you just start writing?

I would be so lost with an outline. When I get an idea, I write down everything on paper, chapter by chapter, and sometimes scene by scene if my muse is really flowing. Usually, I end up with 30 or 40 sheets of paper, jammed with additions in the margins, and with some paragraphs highlighted for reference. Once that’s done, I finally start writing the story on my computer.
In your stories, is there more action or romance?

I try to maintain a good mix of action and romance scenes, and let those scenes play off each another. It can be difficult to not overdue one type of sequence at times, and sometimes I have to cut a scene or move it elsewhere, but I’m all about the final product. What works for the story at large is more important than an awesome but unnecessary scene somewhere in the middle. It may hurt to cut that scene, but if it’s needed, I’ll do it.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, since I was twelve years old. It’s pretty cliché to say this, but I was hooked the first time I snuck a Harlequin book from my mom’s bedroom. (I’ve heard a lot of romance authors say something similar.) After reading that book, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.


What’s next for you?





Book one in the Arresting Onyx series came out in April 2018. The other four books in the series are already done, but I want to go through and edit them again before I submit them to my editor at The Wild Rose Press. Each book will probably take a few months to go through. I’ve already started on book 2, Arresting Jeremiah, and I’m anxious to get the publishing ball rolling for that book.

Arresting Mason

Series: Arresting Onyx (book 1)
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 80k
Heat Rating: 5 Flames

Blurb

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.
Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.
When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Tagline


Their chance encounter resulted in a steamy affair, but will his former gang and a parole officer tear them apart?

Excerpt


“Which one is your car?” She glanced around the crowded parking lot. A few streetlights pushed back the darkness and shadows. The restaurant served customers until midnight on the weekends, but no one loitered in the lot, at least from what Mia could see.
“Don’t have one at the moment.” Mason hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “I took the bus. It stopped a few blocks from here.”
“Would you like a ride?” She pulled the car keys from her purse. “I feel a little ridiculous we met here tonight. I just wasn’t sure if you were some kind of freak.”
His eyebrow lifted, and he closed the distance between them as a tiger would zero in on its mate. A sexy, masculine smile curled his lips. “Have you made up your mind yet?”
“I’ll let you know in the morning.” Desire trickled down her spine. Mia nodded toward the passenger side of the car for him to hop in.
He confiscated her keys instead to unlock and open the driver’s side door for her like a gentleman. Then he leaned closer and nuzzled her temple with his nose.
Not sure if he planned to seduce her in the parking lot or if he merely wanted to tease her, Mia pressed her hand to his chest and tried to think straight. “You’re the first guy I’ve gone on a date with since my divorce. I haven’t slept with anyone since Evan.”
He tunneled his fingers through her wavy, chestnut-brown hair. “I haven’t dated anyone in a long time either. We’ll take it slow or fast, whatever you want, but I promise you one thing. After I’m done with you, you won’t even remember that bastard’s name.”
Oh, God. She almost melted right then and there. “Fast. I want you, Mason.”
“Take me to your place and you can have me.”


Buy Links:

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2uOj90J

Official Book Trailer


HTML










About the Author:

Writing is the fruit of happiness.
Amber Daulton lives her life by that one belief even though she normally isn’t so Zen.
As a fan of contemporary, paranormal, and historical romance novels alike, she can’t get enough of feisty heroines and alpha heroes. Her mind is a wonderland of adventure, laughter, and awesome ways of kicking a guy when he’s down. She probably wouldn’t be too sane without her computer and notebooks. After all, what’s a girl to do when people are jabbering away in her head and it’s hard to shut them up? Write! Nothing else works.

Social Media Links:

Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author
Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff 

Close Encounters of the Celebrity Kind #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

Have you ever spoken to a celebrity you really like? One you hated? Tell us about the encounters.

I live a quiet life. Like many writers, I’m an introvert. I don’t hand out where you’d meet a lot of celebrities. But I’ve got a few stories.

Way back when, when I was living in Florida, I participated in a community event that focused on family activities. It was a first time event, and was attended by a number of political figures, including the governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles. I got to hang out with him for a few minutes, and helped him make a beaded bracelet using the Florida Gators colors. (it was an activity aimed at kids and he also got some girls to help him out.) He spent a old War between the US and Russia was first lot more time then his schedule called for, and he ignored them while he joked with the kids and adults at the booth. I was most impressed by the fact that he seemed to be totally enjoying himself.

Even farther back, when the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union was first beginning to thaw  (long before the Berlin Wall fell) I got to attend a performance of the a Russian folk dance group. It was part of a college course (Russian was my language course) and our professor arranged for us to meet  with the performers afterward. Many of them were looking to increase their English skills while we were trying out our Russian. The interpreter did a lot of work that night, but we all enjoyed ourselves.

Then there was the time I attended a reading by American poet Gary Snyder. I didn’t get to do much more than shake his hand, but at least I got to meet him. I’ve also met Craig Johnson, author of the Longmire series.  Got to shake his hand too, and get a book autographed by him. I was also privileged to get a ticket to a lecture by Nelson Mandela, although I didn’t get to meet him.

I’ve also met Greg West, a Jason Aldean tribute artist. He actually worked for my husband before he developed his act. He’s a real down-to-earth guy, who is trying to make a living doing what he loves. (like so many authors I know!) He’s good enough that sometimes he gets mistaken for the real thing.  In fact, I don’t mind giving him a plug. Go check out his webpage, and if you like Jasen Aldean, check out Greg if you have a chance!  https://www.ultimatealdean.us/


The biggest celebrity I almost hung out with? John Travolta during Daytona Bike Week. (I’m not sure what year.) Me and my husband were at the old Pub 44, hanging out and having a beer, when John showed up, along with his contingent of bodyguards. (he lived in the area at the time.) Unlike some other people, we didn’t try to force our way over to him to get an autograph.

In a way, I felt bad for him. He didn’t appear to be having any fun. How could you, when every time you turned around you had someone trying to force their way close to you? When every move had to be cleared by your “people?” I can’t imagine living like that.

Oh, here’s a bonus one. Sister Joan Chittister, a social activist, spiritual leader and author, was one of my teachers in high school. She was our choral director and also taught other classes

And there you have it. My brushes with celebrities. Who’s on your list?

August 20, 2018

Have you ever spoken to a celebrity you really like? one you hated? tell us about the encounters.

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Blogger

Close Encounters of the Celebrity Kind #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

Have you ever spoken to a celebrity you really like? One you hated? Tell us about the encounters.

I live a quiet life. Like many writers, I’m an introvert. I don’t hand out where you’d meet a lot of celebrities. But I’ve got a few stories.

Way back when, when I was living in Florida, I participated in a community event that focused on family activities. It was a first time event, and was attended by a number of political figures, including the governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles. I got to hang out with him for a few minutes, and helped him make a beaded bracelet using the Florida Gators colors. (it was an activity aimed at kids and he also got some girls to help him out.) He spent a old War between the US and Russia was first lot more time then his schedule called for, and he ignored them while he joked with the kids and adults at the booth. I was most impressed by the fact that he seemed to be totally enjoying himself.

Even farther back, when the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union was first beginning to thaw  (long before the Berlin Wall fell) I got to attend a performance of the a Russian folk dance group. It was part of a college course (Russian was my language course) and our professor arranged for us to meet  with the performers afterward. Many of them were looking to increase their English skills while we were trying out our Russian. The interpreter did a lot of work that night, but we all enjoyed ourselves.

Then there was the time I attended a reading by American poet Gary Snyder. I didn’t get to do much more than shake his hand, but at least I got to meet him. I’ve also met Craig Johnson, author of the Longmire series.  Got to shake his hand too, and get a book autographed by him. I was also privileged to get a ticket to a lecture by Nelson Mandela, although I didn’t get to meet him.

I’ve also met Greg West, a Jason Aldean tribute artist. He actually worked for my husband before he developed his act. He’s a real down-to-earth guy, who is trying to make a living doing what he loves. (like so many authors I know!) He’s good enough that sometimes he gets mistaken for the real thing.  In fact, I don’t mind giving him a plug. Go check out his webpage, and if you like Jasen Aldean, check out Greg if you have a chance!  https://www.ultimatealdean.us/


The biggest celebrity I almost hung out with? John Travolta during Daytona Bike Week. (I’m not sure what year.) Me and my husband were at the old Pub 44, hanging out and having a beer, when John showed up, along with his contingent of bodyguards. (he lived in the area at the time.) Unlike some other people, we didn’t try to force our way over to him to get an autograph.

In a way, I felt bad for him. He didn’t appear to be having any fun. How could you, when every time you turned around you had someone trying to force their way close to you? When every move had to be cleared by your “people?” I can’t imagine living like that.

Oh, here’s a bonus one. Sister Joan Chittister, a social activist, spiritual leader and author, was one of my teachers in high school. She was our choral director and also taught other classes

And there you have it. My brushes with celebrities. Who’s on your list?

August 20, 2018

Have you ever spoken to a celebrity you really like? one you hated? tell us about the encounters.

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Blogger

Fear #OpenBook

  By Uncategorized

What is your biggest fear? What random and innocuous thing makes your skin crawl?

“I don’t like spiders and snakes…”

But that isn’t true. While I’m not a big fan of spiders, If they stay outside, I leave them be. There are some snakes that I avoid when possible, but there are others that I find absolutely beautiful. Have you ever seen a black racer sparkling in the sunlight? They almost look deep blue in color.

And while I’m no entomologist, I like some bugs. Not your everyday standard cockroach, housefly or mosquito, but give me a dragonfly any day. (I’ve been known to rescue dragonflies that got inside buildings and take them back outside.) I love the variety pf colors and the way the sun makes them sparkle. I’m fascinated by the way they move through the air with what seems like no effort.

Maybe you’ve noticed I’m a very visual person from the above descriptions. Which leans nicely into my biggest fear.

Well, maybe not my biggest but the one I’m willing to admit to. I worry about going blind.

Sure, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. But all my hobbies, my profession and my writing are based on being able to see. There are plenty of audio books out there, so at least I’d be able to feed my love of reading. But to not be able to observe this wonderful world in all its glories and beauty and pitfalls – I’d have a hard time adapting.

To never see another sunrise or sunset. To never stand and the top of a mountain and marvel at the world stretched out below. To never watch an old couple hold hands as they slowly make their way down the sidewalk.

To never write another book or story or poem. Sure, there’s speech to text technology, but I’d have to learn to use it. And sometimes the visual presentation of words helps to trigger the writing process for me.

And I can’t imagine having to ‘visualize’ what a person looks like from the sound of the voice. Or the way they feel. Or what color their hair is. In fact, I don’t know how I’d handle never seeing reds, greens yellows and more again. At least I’d have the memory of colors in my darkness.

And that’s my biggest fear. What’s yours? While you think about it, I’m going to go check the other authors.

August 13, 2018

What is your biggest fear? What random and innocuous thing makes your skin crawl?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Blogger

Fear #OpenBook

  By Uncategorized

What is your biggest fear? What random and innocuous thing makes your skin crawl?

“I don’t like spiders and snakes…”

But that isn’t true. While I’m not a big fan of spiders, If they stay outside, I leave them be. There are some snakes that I avoid when possible, but there are others that I find absolutely beautiful. Have you ever seen a black racer sparkling in the sunlight? They almost look deep blue in color.

And while I’m no entomologist, I like some bugs. Not your everyday standard cockroach, housefly or mosquito, but give me a dragonfly any day. (I’ve been known to rescue dragonflies that got inside buildings and take them back outside.) I love the variety pf colors and the way the sun makes them sparkle. I’m fascinated by the way they move through the air with what seems like no effort.

Maybe you’ve noticed I’m a very visual person from the above descriptions. Which leans nicely into my biggest fear.

Well, maybe not my biggest but the one I’m willing to admit to. I worry about going blind.

Sure, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. But all my hobbies, my profession and my writing are based on being able to see. There are plenty of audio books out there, so at least I’d be able to feed my love of reading. But to not be able to observe this wonderful world in all its glories and beauty and pitfalls – I’d have a hard time adapting.

To never see another sunrise or sunset. To never stand and the top of a mountain and marvel at the world stretched out below. To never watch an old couple hold hands as they slowly make their way down the sidewalk.

To never write another book or story or poem. Sure, there’s speech to text technology, but I’d have to learn to use it. And sometimes the visual presentation of words helps to trigger the writing process for me.

And I can’t imagine having to ‘visualize’ what a person looks like from the sound of the voice. Or the way they feel. Or what color their hair is. In fact, I don’t know how I’d handle never seeing reds, greens yellows and more again. At least I’d have the memory of colors in my darkness.

And that’s my biggest fear. What’s yours? While you think about it, I’m going to go check the other authors.

August 13, 2018

What is your biggest fear? What random and innocuous thing makes your skin crawl?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Blogger

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Favorite Villain #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized




Who is your favorite antagonist/bad guy/villain in your books and why? What makes him/her tick?

 Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t read my books, this is your chance to turn back before I tell you who dunit. 

If you’ve followed this blog for very long, you know I’m a pantser. That means I don’t fully plot out my books before I write them. I may have a general idea of the story line, but details often change as I write. That includes my villains. Someone once said that if they didn’t know who the bad guy was by the end of the first chapter, I was doing it wrong. I strongly disagree.

Take my first book, Wolves’ Pawn. I knew from the moment I first met him that Elder Choate was the bad guy of the story. I didn’t understand his motivation at first, but that developed as the story did. He was a man driven by the belief that the old pack structure was the best and he failed to realize that modern ways would influence changes even to his tightly controlled world. His idea of what was right didn’t match up with the beliefs of Dot, my protagonist.

I tried to build  him with more than depth than a single motivation. He’d been spurned by the woman who he’d chosen to be his wife. I never did figure out what caused the rivalry between the Choate pack and the Fairwood pack, one that had gone on for years. I suspect it was more than just a territory issue. One of these days I’ll figure it out.

SPOILER ALERT!

What I didn’t expect was for Elder Henry Fairwood, the hero’s father, to end up as an antagonist. I’d written him as a good guy for most of the book. When he revealed his true colors near the end of the book, I was crushed. But when I thought about it, it made sense.It was true to his time and upbringing. The fact that he surprised me meant it would surprise the readers as well, and I see that as a good thing.

But he ranks second in my list of favorites. I’d say my favorite is Annabelle LeRoix from the Baron’s Cufflinks, the third book in the Oak Grove Mysteries. I wrote her as an uneasy ally in Harmony’s quest to solve her current mystery. She was one of the good guys who, on the surface, sometimes acted like a bad guy. In fact, she was hired to help track down the bad  guy.

Then I got to the end of the book and she revealed her true colors. And none of them were good. The whole acting as a bad guy wasn’t acting at all. Luckily, Harmony was up to handling the news. So was I, and this time it didn’t make me sad. I didn’t even have to go back and change anything in the story to make it work.

Annabelle was fun to write because she was so deeply flawed and she was good at hiding it. She was motivated by the classics-greed, power and love. A deeply flawed definition of love, in my opinion, but it fit her personality.
I’d love to hear about your favorite villain in the comments. In the meantime, let’s check out what the other authors are willing to reveal about their bad guys.

August 6, 2018

Who is your favorite antagonist/bad guy/villain in your books and why? What makes him/her tick?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Blogger

<!– end InLinkz script →

Favorite Villain #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized




Who is your favorite antagonist/bad guy/villain in your books and why? What makes him/her tick?

 Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t read my books, this is your chance to turn back before I tell you who dunit. 

If you’ve followed this blog for very long, you know I’m a pantser. That means I don’t fully plot out my books before I write them. I may have a general idea of the story line, but details often change as I write. That includes my villains. Someone once said that if they didn’t know who the bad guy was by the end of the first chapter, I was doing it wrong. I strongly disagree.

Take my first book, Wolves’ Pawn. I knew from the moment I first met him that Elder Choate was the bad guy of the story. I didn’t understand his motivation at first, but that developed as the story did. He was a man driven by the belief that the old pack structure was the best and he failed to realize that modern ways would influence changes even to his tightly controlled world. His idea of what was right didn’t match up with the beliefs of Dot, my protagonist.

I tried to build  him with more than depth than a single motivation. He’d been spurned by the woman who he’d chosen to be his wife. I never did figure out what caused the rivalry between the Choate pack and the Fairwood pack, one that had gone on for years. I suspect it was more than just a territory issue. One of these days I’ll figure it out.

SPOILER ALERT!

What I didn’t expect was for Elder Henry Fairwood, the hero’s father, to end up as an antagonist. I’d written him as a good guy for most of the book. When he revealed his true colors near the end of the book, I was crushed. But when I thought about it, it made sense.It was true to his time and upbringing. The fact that he surprised me meant it would surprise the readers as well, and I see that as a good thing.

But he ranks second in my list of favorites. I’d say my favorite is Annabelle LeRoix from the Baron’s Cufflinks, the third book in the Oak Grove Mysteries. I wrote her as an uneasy ally in Harmony’s quest to solve her current mystery. She was one of the good guys who, on the surface, sometimes acted like a bad guy. In fact, she was hired to help track down the bad  guy.

Then I got to the end of the book and she revealed her true colors. And none of them were good. The whole acting as a bad guy wasn’t acting at all. Luckily, Harmony was up to handling the news. So was I, and this time it didn’t make me sad. I didn’t even have to go back and change anything in the story to make it work.

Annabelle was fun to write because she was so deeply flawed and she was good at hiding it. She was motivated by the classics-greed, power and love. A deeply flawed definition of love, in my opinion, but it fit her personality.
I’d love to hear about your favorite villain in the comments. In the meantime, let’s check out what the other authors are willing to reveal about their bad guys.

August 6, 2018

Who is your favorite antagonist/bad guy/villain in your books and why? What makes him/her tick?

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#MysteryExchange Cathy Perkins

  By Uncategorized

I know it’s August, but the #MysteryExchange isn’t over. This week I’m pleased to present Cathy Perkins and her Holly Price books.

A Different Point of View
By Cathy Perkins
When I was young, if you’d asked me for the last place I’d expect—or want—to live, my answer would’ve been, “In a small town.” Small towns seemed to be cultural wastelands, populated by gossiping neighbors who were all related to each other. And out west? That option never entered my Southern soul.
Fast forward a few years and dangle the right job opportunity at the right time and—you got it in one—we moved to a small town in eastern Washington state. We quickly discovered most of those myths about small towns were simply…myths.
As we settled into our new hometown, I debated whether my novels should make a similar cross-country leap. My South Carolina based mysteries featured a law enforcement protagonist. To get appropriate operational procedures, along with cop attitudes and humor, I drew from a circle of friends at various levels of local, state and federal law enforcement. Curious about procedures in our new town, I participated in the Citizen’s Police Academy and discovered most of the same policies and philosophies I’d encountered back east. (I also learned more than I ever wanted to know about making meth. Nasty nastystuff.)
Volunteering for the Sexual Assault Center as a hospital victim’s advocate provided an intimate view of law enforcement. Other than one cocky, testosterone-laden patrol officer and another older guy I wanted to strangle (except that would be assault and I really had no interest in going to jail), I found the officers professional, well educated and well trained. Nobody’s perfect, but I appreciated what these men and women did on a daily basis.
And those inevitable slow days in a small town? Well, let’s just say the day my in-law’s moving van got stuck at the entrance to the retirement village (blocking traffic on the main road—another relative term), all four patrol cars PLUS the sergeant showed up. Once they finished laughing, they helped a retired mechanic (who was in heaven being the expert, by the way) do something to a suspension part and un-stuck it. For some strange reason, the chief of police was not amused when I relayed this story at a party… So far, I’ve refrained from using this tidbit in a book.
With only five patrol officers on duty during a shift (and fewer than this in the even smaller nearby towns) reciprocal agreements were a must. Neighboring cities, counties, even Washington State Patrol was a welcome addition when suspects took to the highways to escape. I made use of this mutual support during Holly Price’s carjacking in So About the Money (Book 1 in the series). In addition to the local officers, county deputies and state patrol officers joined the chase to catch the villains in that scene. On a broader scale, I’ve used the involvement of outside agencies—the DEA, for example, in In It For The Money—to work with—and against—the local law enforcement agencies.
I’d better back up a second. For this series, along with changing locations from South Carolina’s cities to a small town in eastern Washington, I switched from a multiple (hero, heroine, villain) point of view approach and a law enforcement main character, to a single, civilian character. Whew! Talk about stretching and growing as an author. Everything that happened in the story had to come through that one character’s experiences and reactions. (And no cheating with, “Well, Laurie, as you know, this thing you should already know about happened, but let me give you the complete backstory.”) Action and body language became as important as dialogue for revealing character—but that’s a different discussion.
Rather than having my new protagonist act as a private investigator or a journalist working the crime beat, I made my heroine an accountant. Curious, bright and loyal to friends and family (hmm, she’s much better at crime solving than my dog) she made a terrific character to “follow the money.” Of course, when you poke at villains, they have a tendency to poke back, harder. It was fun to write the scenes where Holly bumped up against law enforcement and filter the scene through her impressions—her point of view—rather than another cop’s.
My new law enforcement friends did insist I get the details right. Even if they produced giant eye-rolls from my heroine.
So About the Money romps through eastern Washington with its rivers, wineries, Native American casinos, and assorted farm animals. Add in some wicked fun chemistry between the CPA amateur sleuth and a local detective and Holly Price better solve the case before the next dead body found beside the river is hers.


In It For The Moneycontinues Holly’s adventures:
Holly Price traded professional goals for personal plans when she agreed to leave her high-flying position with the Seattle Mergers and Acquisition team and take over the family accounting practice. Reunited with JC Dimitrak, her former fiancé, she’s already questioning whether she’s ready to flip her condo for marriage and a house in the ‘burbs.
When her cousin Tate needs investors for his innovative car suspension, Holly works her business matchmaking skills and connects him with a client. The Rockcrawler showcasing the new part crashes at its debut event, however, and the driver dies. Framed for the sabotage, Tate turns to Holly when the local cops—including JC—are ready to haul him to jail. Holly soon finds her cousin and client embroiled in multiple criminal schemes. She’s drawn into the investigation, a position that threatens her life, her family and her increasingly shaky relationship with JC.
Links
Thanks for letting me visit today, PJ! I invite your readers to head over to my blog and read your #mysteryexchange post about the story behind The Marquesa’s Necklace, The Oak Grove Mysteries, Book 1. https://cperkinswrites.com/2018/07/paranormal-transformation/
Author Bio
An award-winning author of financial mysteries, Cathy Perkins writes twisting dark suspense and light amateur sleuth stories.  When not writing, she battles with the beavers over the pond height or heads out on another travel adventure. She lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd. Learn more at her website, http://cperkinswrites.com.

#MysteryExchange Cathy Perkins

  By Uncategorized

I know it’s August, but the #MysteryExchange isn’t over. This week I’m pleased to present Cathy Perkins and her Holly Price books.

A
Different Point of View

By
Cathy Perkins

When
I was young, if you’d asked me for the last place I’d expect—or
want—to live, my answer would’ve been, “In a small town.”
Small towns seemed to be cultural wastelands, populated by gossiping
neighbors who were all related to each other. And out west? That
option never entered my Southern soul.

Fast
forward a few years and dangle the right job opportunity at the right
time and—you got it in one—we moved to a small town in eastern
Washington state. We quickly discovered most of those myths about
small towns were simply…myths.

As
we settled into our new hometown, I debated whether my novels should
make a similar cross-country leap. My South Carolina based mysteries
featured a law enforcement protagonist. To get appropriate
operational procedures, along with cop attitudes and humor, I drew
from a circle of friends at various levels of local, state and
federal law enforcement. Curious about procedures in our new town, I
participated in the Citizen’s Police Academy and discovered most of
the same policies and philosophies I’d encountered back east. (I
also learned more than I ever wanted to know about making meth. Nasty
nasty
stuff.)

Volunteering
for the Sexual Assault Center as a hospital victim’s advocate
provided an intimate view of law enforcement. Other than one cocky,
testosterone-laden patrol officer and another older guy I wanted to
strangle (except that would be assault and I really had no interest
in going to jail), I found the officers professional, well educated
and well trained. Nobody’s perfect, but I appreciated what these
men and women did on a daily basis.

And
those inevitable slow days in a small town? Well, let’s just say
the day my in-law’s moving van got stuck at the entrance to the
retirement village (blocking traffic on the main road—another
relative term), all four patrol cars PLUS the sergeant showed up.
Once they finished laughing, they helped a retired mechanic (who was
in heaven being the expert, by the way) do something to a suspension
part and un-stuck it. For some strange reason, the chief of police
was not amused when I relayed this story at a party… So far, I’ve
refrained from using this tidbit in a book.

With
only five patrol officers on duty during a shift (and fewer than this
in the even smaller nearby towns) reciprocal agreements were a must.
Neighboring cities, counties, even Washington State Patrol was a
welcome addition when suspects took to the highways to escape. I made
use of this mutual support during Holly Price’s carjacking in So
About the Money (Book
1 in the series). In addition to the local officers, county deputies
and state patrol officers joined the chase to catch the villains in
that scene. On a broader scale, I’ve used the involvement of
outside agencies—the DEA, for example, in In
It For The Money—to
work with—and against—the local law enforcement agencies.

I’d
better back up a second. For this series, along with changing
locations from South Carolina’s cities to a small town in eastern
Washington, I switched from a multiple (hero, heroine, villain) point
of view approach and a law enforcement main character, to a single,
civilian character. Whew! Talk about stretching and growing as an
author. Everything that happened in the story had to come through
that one character’s experiences and reactions. (And no cheating
with, “Well, Laurie, as you know, this thing you should already
know about happened, but let me give you the complete backstory.”)
Action and body language became as important as dialogue for
revealing character—but that’s a different discussion.

Rather
than having my new protagonist act as a private investigator or a
journalist working the crime beat, I made my heroine an accountant.
Curious, bright and loyal to friends and family (hmm, she’s much
better at crime solving than my dog) she made a terrific character to
“follow the money.” Of course, when you poke at villains, they
have a tendency to poke back, harder. It was fun to write the scenes
where Holly bumped up against law enforcement and filter the scene
through her impressions—her point of view—rather than another
cop’s.

My
new law enforcement friends did insist I get the details right. Even
if they produced giant eye-rolls from my heroine.

So
About the Money romps
through eastern Washington with its rivers, wineries, Native American
casinos, and assorted farm animals. Add in some wicked fun chemistry
between the CPA amateur sleuth and a local detective and Holly Price
better solve the case before the next dead body found beside the
river is hers.


In
It For The Money
continues Holly’s adventures:

Holly Price traded
professional goals for personal plans when she agreed to leave her
high-flying position with the Seattle Mergers and Acquisition team
and take over the family accounting practice. Reunited with JC
Dimitrak, her former fiancé, she’s already questioning whether
she’s ready to flip her condo for marriage and a house in the
‘burbs.

When her cousin Tate
needs investors for his innovative car suspension, Holly works her
business matchmaking skills and connects him with a client. The
Rockcrawler showcasing the new part crashes at its debut event,
however, and the driver dies. Framed for the sabotage, Tate turns to
Holly when the local cops—including JC—are ready to haul him to
jail. Holly soon finds her cousin and client embroiled in multiple
criminal schemes. She’s drawn into the investigation, a position
that threatens her life, her family and her increasingly shaky
relationship with JC.

Links

Thanks
for letting me visit today, PJ! I invite your readers to head over to
my blog and read your #mysteryexchange post about the story behind
The Marquesa’s
Necklace, The Oak
Grove Mysteries, Book 1.
https://cperkinswrites.com/2018/07/paranormal-transformation/

Author
Bio

An
award-winning author of financial mysteries, Cathy Perkins writes
twisting dark suspense and light amateur sleuth stories.  When
not writing, she battles with the beavers over the pond height or
heads out on another travel adventure. She lives in Washington with
her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd. Learn
more at her website, http://cperkinswrites.com.