Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "Quest for Justice"

Blurb:
Abby Ryals goes behind the sheriff's back to accept an undercover assignment with another agency to avenge fellow detective C.J. Bowman's death, and is stunned to learn he's very much alive when he leaves witness protection and follows her undercover to help keep her safe. Together, they must race the clock to defeat a notorious drug lord before he can discover their true identities.

Excerpt:
The unrelenting volleys of the twenty-one-gun salute reverberated inside Abby Ryal's head. With each shot fired, her heart skipped another beat. She tried to breathe, to draw in the cool fall air and clear her muddled senses, but she couldn't. The ache inside her only intensified, and she worried she might throw up right here in front of C.J.'s polished mahogany casket.

C.J. Bowman. Fellow Keller County detective. Her best friend, and former lover.

Dead.

Her stomach heaved. She wrapped her arms around her middle and dropped her head onto her knees. The ancient folding chair creaked as she released a shuddering breath.

Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Not here. C.J. will laugh his fool head off if you toss your cookies on the funeral wreaths. Their too-sweet smell is bad enough, and if you...

She sat up and smothered a laugh.

Oh, God. I can just picture him sauntering through the cemetery with that trademark smirk on his face, making fun of me. He gets off on that. He's always so--

The idea that she would never see him again curdled her stomach.

"You self-centered bastard," she whispered to herself, cringing as the line of uniformed policemen fired yet another round. Leave it to C.J. to go down in dramatic fashion, waging a one-man gun battle with one of the Deep South's most infamous drug cartels.

Tears filled her eyes as she murmured, "Always playing the hero. Only, this time it got you killed, didn't it?"

"Abby, you okay?" Jonah McKee, the detective who'd mentored her since she first got her gold shield six months ago, leaned over and asked with concern.

She nodded stiffly, unable to voice her pain, and aimed her gaze at the shimmering red and gold leaves on the trees bordering the tiny country cemetery. The brisk November breeze iced her heart. C.J. had loved this time of year. He loved to hunt, loved the contest of man against beast. Why, oh why had he chosen to challenge the most frightening beast on the planet -- Salvador Salazar, better known as Sal-Sal -- instead of climbing into his deer stand and scouring the wooded terrain for a prime ten-point buck?

Links:
To buy Quest for Justice: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-245/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok
Website: http://www.melanieatkins.com
Blog: http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.face-book.com/melanie.atkins
Twitter: http://twitter.com/melanie_atkins
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/melanieatkins/

Author Spotlight - Melanie Atkins visits the Writer's Police Academy

One of my favorite conferences is The Writers' Police Academy, a weekend trip into law enforcement land put on by my Castle blog buddy Lee Lofland and friends in North Carolina each September. It's so much fun, and is so informative. Just the ticket for folks who write mystery or suspense. I've been twice, and loved it both times. Can't wait for the 2012 version!

Last year, I attended sessions on Crime Scene Investigation (outside, in the pouring rain), Blood Spatter, Self Defense, Fingerprinting (a phenomenal hands on class), Alternate Light Sources, and Cold Cases, just to name a few. I also tried the driving simulator, but the screens on either side angled to simulate the side windows of an ambulance made me sick as a dog. I got so queasy, I literally had to jump up and run to the restroom. Luckily I didn't throw up, but I almost did. I won't try that again.

My favorite part of the weekend was the FATS simulator training… a video screen that simulates actual police calls, making me the cop. I had a gun, too. It fired nothing but air, of course, but I still took my share of bad guys -- including a grandma at an airport coming at me with knitting needles. I kid you not! I did a lot better this year than last year. What a treat. This year, I hope to also do a ride-along with a sheriff's deputy. I've done that here three times when I attended various citizens' police academies (another total blast), but would love to do it again.

Conferences like this are great for suspense and mystery writers. Writers must do research, and I can't think of a better way to learn about law enforcement. I invite everyone to check out the new WPA website as soon as it's up and running. I'll post the address on my blog the day I get it.


To buy Quest for Justice: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-245/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok
Website: http://www.melanieatkins.com
Blog: http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.face-book.com/melanie.atkins
Twitter: http://twitter.com/melanie_atkins
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/melanieatkins/

Author Spotlight - Melanie Atkins talksa bout the Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of my favorite places, and that's why I set my Keller Cops series there. The county in the books is made up, as is the town of Hunter's Bayou, but the setting is still on the coast in an area that's surging back since Katrina knocked it for a loop back in August of '05. The town I used as a model for Hunter's Bayou is perched on the edge of a bay. It stretches down to Highway 90 and on to the Gulf of Mexico. That highway is of the main drags that's also known to locals as The Beach. In the books, I call it the beach road.

Most of the stores along the beach were leveled by the storm when a thirty-foot wave swept ashore there, that broke my heart. So many fun little shops, restaurants, and beautiful homes just dragged out to sea never to be seen again. I don't know how many people died there, but I know a good many did. Several law enforcement officers survived by hanging on to a tree. Katrina was a truly horrifying event.


I look forward to visiting the coast now, but I do miss seeing and visiting the landmarks that are no longer there. The stately homes in Pass Christian, Gulfport's library, the Gulfport Grand Casino's giant neon buildings, Treasure Bay Casino's pirate ship, Valentino's… I had so many good times there. Treasure Bay had absolutely the best bread pudding I've ever eaten, and I loved browsing for gifts and fun little treasures at Valentino's.


The bright white sand on the gorgeous beach is still there, however. As are the centuries-old oaks and the Biloxi Lighthouse that has withstood many, many storms, not to mention a multitude of new hotels, restaurants, gift shops, stores, and casinos -- all this time built on the land side of Highway 90 away from the water.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast really is a visitor's mecca. I love to go down, stay at a hotel on the beach, and write. You won't find a more beautiful view in too many places. Ya'll come down!

Author Spotlight - Q&A With Melanie Atkins

STEPH: I don't know much about "Quest for Justice." What's it about?

MELANIE: In this story, Detective Abby Ryals goes behind the sheriff's back to accept an undercover assignment with another agency to avenge fellow detective C.J. Bowman's death, and is stunned to learn he's very much alive when he leaves witness protection and follows her undercover to help keep her safe. Together, they must race the clock to defeat a notorious drug lord before he can discover their true identities.

STEPH: "Quest for Justice" is in the Keller County Cop Series. Can you give us an overview of the series? Where is it set? The time frame?

MELANIE: This contemporary romantic suspense series set in the fictional town of Hunter's Bayou on the Mississippi Gulf Coast features the tough, handsome men who work for the Keller County Sheriff's office. Can you say hot heroes?

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

MELANIE: Took me months to write this book. I got stuck at one point and put it down. They usually go much faster for me. Everything came together at the end, though, and I'm very happy with the way the story turned out.

STEPH: What was the inspiration for this story?

MELANIE: I read about a drug bust in the paper, and that kicked things off. I admire law enforcement and appreciate the job they do to help us stay safe.

STEPH: Abby is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?

MELANIE: Abby is a cop herself. She's smart, resourceful, and brave. I'd say her weakness, however, is C.J. Bowman. She'll do anything for him... including risking her life and going undercover to avenge his death.

STEPH: What does CJ find attractive about Abby?

MELANIE: Even with her gritty determination and kick ass attitude on the job, she's still all woman. He appreciates that.



STEPH: How did you come up with the title, "Quest for Justice?"

MELANIE: That's what Abby and C.J. are after: justice. Makes sense, right?

STEPH: What's your writing space like?

MELANIE: It's a mess! I write jammed in the corner of my bedroom in a recliner with a laptop on my lap. Works for me, though. It's comfortable.

STEPH: How important is setting to the story?

MELANIE: Extremely important. The setting helps set the mood, and that grounds the reader to the tone and flow of the story. I love using sultry Southern settings.

STEPH: How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

MELANIE: By going to a parade! We have the fabulous Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade here in Jackson, MS every year, and it draws crowds of 30-40,000 people. It's amazing! And so much fun. It's like a Mardi Gras parade.

Author Spotlight week -Q&A with Melanie Atkins

STEPH: I don't know much about Marked for Murder. What's it about?

MELANIE: In Marked for Murder, Detective Jonah McKee is forced to juggle caring for his rowdy three year-old son and protecting a beautiful amnesia victim who was targeted by a vicious serial murderer… or was she? Brooke Wilson finally remembers her own name -- and the name of the man trying to kill her -- and the terrifying memory sends her on the run again. Jonah is forced to hide his son and go with her in order to protect her, and along the way they fall in love.

SETPH: Where did the inspiration for the novel come from?

MELANIE: I can honestly say I don't know. I just like writing about hot cops and smart, determined women.

STEPH: Where is set? How important is the setting to the novel?

MELANIE: The setting is important to the series, called Keller County Cops. All of the books take place in Keller County, a fictional county in south Mississippi just across the state line from New Orleans. Keller County is more rural, with one decent sized city called Hunter's Bayou. Much of Marked for Murder takes place off the beaten path as Jonah and Brooke hide from a brutal killer.

STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research?

MELANIE: I've done a lot of law enforcement research, including attending Lee Lofland's Writers' Police Academy in North Carolina and two local Citizens' Police Academies. Other than that, no. I'm familiar with the area where the book is set, so that part was a breeze -- especially since I fictionalized the location.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

MELANIE: About two months


STEPH: Cast the movie. Who are the leads?

MELANIE: James Franco and Jessica Alba.

STEPH: What's your writing space like?

MELANIE: I write in a corner, in a recliner with my laptop on my lap. Wish I had more space but I really don't need it. My cat sits on my chair with me and keeps me company. She's my furry little muse.

STEPH: Do you prefer ebook, print or both?

MELANIE: I prefer reading ebooks now, thanks to my Nook. Being able to adjust the font and carry so many books with me with so little effort sold me.

STEPH: What was the last movie you saw?

MELANIE: Ack! You would ask me that. Let me think... oh, yeah. No wonder I forgot. It was How Do You Know? A totally forgettable, unsatisfying movie I don't WANT to remember. lol Don't go see it.

STEPH: For Fun: What county would you like to visit that you haven't all ready?

MELANIE: I can name two: Italy and Greece! One day, I want to take a Mediterranean cruise. That would be my dream vacation.