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 - ABC's Castle - Melanie Atkins drug of choice!

Everyone in the universe should know by now that ABC's Castle is my favorite TV show. Lord knows I've put it out there enough. On Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and as part of Lee Lofland's weekly Castle blog (Tuesday mornings after a new episode has aired) on The Graveyard Shift at http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/.

I love the drama, the comedy, and the romance. Especially the romance -- and that makes sense, with me being a romance writer, right? I mean, seriously. I hang out on one of the main Castle boards, read Castle fanfiction -- some of it is really, really good -- and rewatch the best episodes time and again. I'm what's known as a Caskett Shipper, and no, that doesn't mean I export coffins. It means I want the show's two leads, Castle and Beckett, or Caskett, to get together... sooner rather than later. All this waiting around is killing me.

Some people talk about the Moonlighting Curse, claiming that if a couple on a show gets together, the show will tank -- but I disagree. Relationships are fluid, and even if Rick and Kate become a couple, they'll still have plenty of conflict to keep the show interesting. I think it will be even better, if you want to know the truth. We'll still have the drama, comedy, and crime solving… with some hugs and kisses thrown in. I'm all for that.



Anyway, I find TV to be great motivation for writing. I watch a lot of other shows, too, nearly all of them crime dramas, with a couple of comedies and a fluffy guilty pleasure or two throw in. I love Justified, Dexter, In Plain Sight, Unforgettable, Person of Interest, Desperate Housewives, Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory, The Closer, Blue Bloods, Law & Order SVU, and Southland. Yep, that's a lot of TV. Thank goodness for DVRs! I only watch TV at night, except for checking in on the news and enjoying the Golden Girls while I eat breakfast, but I get plenty of motivation in the evenings. And I love it.

I've gotten a good many story ideas from bits of dialogue and the way a character in a particular show might bite the dust, and I've also learned a lot about what not to do… and a lot of that I've learned from Castle and Lee's next day assessments.

Still, goof ups aside, I love that show. Can't wait for the next episode, one we won't see for a couple of weeks thanks to March's basketball hiatus. Bring on the Caskett! I'm ready.

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 - 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 - Excerpt from Voodoo Bones

VOODOO BONES is now available from Desert Breeze! You can read my earlier posts from this week to find out how I came to write this story. Now, it's time for an excerpt!

Blurb:
Noel Galliano has always wanted her own business, and despite critics who believe she won’t succeed, opens a tiny French Quarter voodoo shop. What she doesn’t count on is finding a dismembered corpse upstairs. Detective Mathieu Bergeron is considered a screw up around the district station, until he puts away the Bayou Ripper. Then another body is found mutilated, and both his arrest and competence are thrown into question. Matt and Noel must work together to solve this terrifying crime in the Big Easy...and along the way, they fall in love.

Excerpt:

The night's inky blackness reminded Detective Matthieu Bergeron of hot chicory coffee: thick, rich, and filled with mystery. A muted jazz tune echoed off the French Quarter's worn bricks, and heavy fog rolled in off the river, masking the scrollwork on the balconies and dampening the air. October in New Orleans was fickle. Warm one night, and cold as hell the next. Tonight's humidity chilled Matt to the bone and told him it was the perfect night for murder. Not many people were out, and those who were, hurried to wherever they were going.

He halted just outside the narrow alley where Crawford Delacort, one of the chief techs from the Orleans Parish Medical Examiner's office, knelt beside a sprawled female corpse. The air reeked of stale cigarettes, river mud, and old beer. He scowled.

Fog snaked eerily around the body, and the bright yellow crime scene tape stretched across the entrance to the cave-like space fluttered in the damp breeze. Matt ducked beneath it and approached Delacort, a tall red-haired man with a runner's lanky build.

"Hey, Crawford. Please tell me this woman has all her parts."

"You're in luck tonight, Detective." Crawford rose and brushed off his hands. "She's all here."

"Cause of death?"

"Strangulation with some sort of ligature." The ME looked down at the body lying face down on the cold concrete. "Maybe a necklace. Can't be sure."

"Was she raped?"

"No fluids, but I'll know more once I do the autopsy." He cocked his head. "I'm thinking she might be a hooker, though. Just look at her clothes and shoes, and she has needle marks on the inside of both arms. Killer left her empty purse. He cleaned her out."

"Could've been a dissatisfied customer."

"Or a drug deal gone bad. Even a simple robbery." Crawford shrugged. "Who knows?"

Matt squatted beside the dead girl and examined her twisted, pale neck. Sure enough, a dark red line was gouged into her skin. He sighed. "Okay. Where's CSU?"

"On the way."

"Make sure they get plenty of pictures of her neck."

"I've got it covered."

Something in Crawford's tone made Matt look up. The ME's dark eyes gleamed with derision. Anger boiled inside Matt, but he held it in check. No way would he let the bastard know his air of superiority bothered Matt in the least. Damn it. Gage Simms had soured everyone against him.

He gritted his teeth and came to his feet. "Any witnesses?"

"No idea." Crawford peered down his sharp nose at Matt and jerked his head toward the other end of the alley, where two uniformed officers lurked in semi-darkness. "Ask the first guys on scene."

"All right." Matt's heart raced. He dug out his pad and pen and made a few notes. Even his big collar two days ago, when he'd single-handedly brought in the Bayou Ripper, hadn't silenced his critics. His former partner's constant barbs had alienated everyone in the district station, and now that the jerk had been elevated to commander, Matt was seriously considering asking for a transfer. He started down the alley, and his cell phone rang.

With a sharp curse, he jerked it off his belt. "Bergeron."

"Matt." Speak of the devil. It was Gage Simms. "Got another one for you."

"You can't be serious." Matt halted. "I just got here."

"I'll send someone else. Get your ass over here. To Vous Deux, on Esplanade."

"That new voodoo shop?"

"Yeah. And Matt -- I told you so."

"What are you talking about?" A sick feeling swirled in the pit of Matt's stomach.

Simms laughed. "You'll see when you get here."

Author Spotlight - Melanie Atkins talks about The Big Easy

New Orleans, Louisiana. The Crescent City. The Big Easy. No matter the moniker used to describe it, the city is sprawling, busy, and often chaotic. The French Quarter adds a bit of mystery, too, making it like no other city. More sexy and sultry, since it's right on the river, and simmering with a boiling heat all its own. The heat of humanity.

Most of my stories set in New Orleans take place in this quaint area filled with wrought iron balconies, picturesque structures made of old brick, and rowdy tourists. A murder in an apartment above a Voodoo shop doesn't seem too far-fetched in this part of the city teaming with so many nationalities, personalities, and odd folks.

VOODOO BONES, my October Novella out at Desert Breeze, is not for the squeamish. In this story, Noel Galliano has always wanted her own business, and despite critics who believe she won’t succeed, opens a tiny French Quarter voodoo shop. What she doesn’t count on is finding a dismembered corpse upstairs. Detective Mathieu Bergeron is considered a screw up around the district station, until he puts away the Bayou Ripper. Then another body is found mutilated, and both his arrest and competence are thrown into question. Matt and Noel must work together to solve this terrifying crime in the Big Easy...and along the way, they fall in love.

I got my idea from this story from a news article online… a true story about a dismembered corpse found above a Voodoo shop. My eyes widened as I read about it, and a story was born. I had my premise. Next, I developed my main characters and then just started to write. The plot progressed from there. What a fun story to write!

Look for an excerpt from VOODOO BONES on this blog tomorrow (Friday).
Hope you'll check the book out here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-213/Voodoo-Bones-Melanie-Atkins/Detail.bok

Author Spotlight - Melanie Atkins talks about researching romantic suspense

I love writing and reading suspense, watching crime shows, and even hearing about crimes in the news. Why? I have no idea. I just know I do. And when I write my books, I want to get the details right. So I do a lot of research.

I've bought books about police procedure, forensics, and the deviant mind -- everything from Forensics for Dummies to Lee Lofland's Police Procedure and Investigation, one of the best books out there for people who write about law enforcement. I've also attended some fabulous conferences, including Forensic University in 2007, sponsored by the St. Louis chapter of Sisters in Crime, various LEO sessions at RWA conferences, and Lee's Writers' Police Academy in 2010 and 2011. Some of my best information, however, has come from local citizens' police academies. I've been to two: one sponsored by the Jackson Police Department, and the other by the Hinds County Sheriff's Office. Both were excellent and gave me a much needed glimpse inside these local agencies.

I've talked with detectives, ATF agents, members of the bomb squad, SWAT team members, and forensic experts, gone on ride alongs, and taken jail tours. And at this year's WPA, I did hands on fingerprinting, learned about blood spatter from an expert, and viewed an outdoor crime scene in the pouring rain. It's so great to get a glimpse into this world!

I'm working hard to "get it right", not only by doing what I've listed above, but also by talking to local cops… and I hope you'll check out my books! Last month at Desert Breeze, the second book in my Keller County Cops series, Shield of Valor came out, and this month, Voodoo Bones, a novella, is available. I'll post an excerpt in a later post.

Buy link for Voodoo Bones: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-213/Voodoo-Bones-Melanie-Atkins/Detail.bok

Author Spotlight - Melanie Atkins talks about her favorite show

As many of you probably know, I'm a Castle addict. No, I'm not jonesing for a medieval home. I love the TV show Castle that airs on Monday nights at nine central on ABC... starring hunky Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. Best. Show. Ever!

Fillion plays Rick Castle, a bestselling mystery writer along the lines of James Patterson (who, by the way, has appeared as himself in poker games on the show, along with Michael Connelly and the late Stephan J. Cannell) who finds himself bored with his career until he meets Detective Kate Beckett, played by Katic, when some yo-yo starts killing people the way he does in his books. He is immediately entranced with Beckett and decides to start a new series about "a saavy female detective" -- Nikki Heat. Of course, to develop his characters, he has to do research. So he pulls strings with the mayor and winds up shadowing the beautiful detective as she solves cases -- much to her chagrin.

Sparks fly between them from day one despite her annoyance… and that was all it took to get me hooked. I love a good romance, and this show has it in spades. Andrew Marlowe, the show's creator, says that when he started developing this show, he "set out to write a great romance", and so far, he's succeeding. What a treat!


I seem to obsess over only one show at a time, and I was in the doldrums lamenting the lack of what I most wanted to see on my previous favorite program, Law and Order SVU, when Castle came along. In my opinion, SVU peaked in seasons seven and eight and then went down the tubes. The writers drew the audience in with Elliot's impending divorce, thrilling those of us who desperately wanted Olivia and Elliot to get together, only to dash our hopes when Elliot's estranged wife Kathy turned up pregnant. What a waste of a great storyline! I just couldn't get excited about that show after that, even though I tried.
And then along came Kate Beckett and Rick Castle. Marlowe is following through on his promise to get the two together, even though it's taking a while, and I love it. Finally, a show that doesn't disappoint in the romance department. Sure, some episodes are better than others, but as a whole the show, which has been called a "dramedy" because of its mix of comedy and drama -- and their relationship (or friendship, as it is right now) -- rocks. They will get there eventually, Marlowe swears, and I believe him. He hasn't let us down so far.

He's also a marketing genius, because each fall a new Richard Castle book comes out. First there was Heat Wave, then Naked Heat, and now Heat Rises. Of course, Castle is a fictional character, so he can't really write the books… and Marlowe won't say who pens them. I don't care. They're just like the show, only with Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook as the main characters, and I always enjoy them. This year, they've even come out with a graphic novel called Deadly Storm that focuses on Castle's pre-Nikki Heat series about cunning Derek Storm. Too cool!


In addition to watching the show and read the books, I also blog about each Castle episode with Lee Lofland, an ex-cop, author, and fabulous resource for anyone writing crime fiction, on The Graveyard Shift. Lee puts on the Writers' Police Academy in North Carolina, and I've never been to a finer conference (I'll blog about that another day). Lee critiques Castle's police procedure every week, while I discuss the romance. Sometimes, we go good cop-bad cop in our reviews. It's so much fun! You can read our blog each Tuesday morning here: http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/

Don't forget to catch Castle on Monday nights at nine central on ABC… and if you become addicted like I am, check out the fansite at http://www.castletv.net

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Melanie Atkins

STEPH: I don't know much about Voodoo Bones. What's it about?

MELANIE: Noel Galliano has always wanted her own business, and despite critics who believe she won’t succeed, opens a tiny French Quarter voodoo shop. What she doesn’t count on is finding a dismembered corpse upstairs. Detective Mathieu Bergeron is considered a screw up around the district station, until he puts away the Bayou Ripper. Then another body is found mutilated, and both his arrest and competence are thrown into question. Matt and Noel must work together to solve this terrifying crime in the Big Easy...and along the way, they fall in love.


STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

MELANIE: Voodoo Bones is a novella, and I wrote it in about a month.

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

MELANIE: Not really. It's a romantic suspense set in New Orleans, like many of my books, so I'm familiar with the area, and I already do plenty of law enforcement research.

STEPH: What was the inspiration behind the story?

MELANIE: I read a news article about a dismembered corpse found in an apartment above a voodoo shop in New Orleans (a true story), and the plot formed from there.

STEPH: How did you go about picking the hero/heroine's names?

MELANIE: I went with Cajun names because my h/h are from New Orleans.

STEPH: Are you a plotter or a panster?

MELANIE: I'm a pantser. I've tried plotting, but it doesn't really work for me. I come up with a basic premise, develop the main characters, and just dive in and let the story unfold.

STEPH: What's your writing space like?


MELANIE: I write in a corner of my bedroom in a recliner, surrounded by research books. It's a cozy little space.

STEPH: How long have you been writing? Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

MELANIE: I've been writing for about 13 years. My advice is to never, ever quit. Write everyday.

STEPH: What's the last book you downloaded for your Nook? What feature do you like the most about your Nook?

MELANIE: The last book I downloaded is Heat Rises by Richard Castle (the fictional author). lol As anyone knows who reads the blog I co-write with Lee Lofland on his blog The Graveyard Shift, I'm a Castle addict.

STEPH: Fun question: Fess up: Who is your favorite football team?

MELANIE: I'm a devoted New Orleans Saints fan. Who dat? Geaux Saints!

STEPH: Where can we find you on the Web?

MELANIE:

Website: http://www.melanieatkins.com
Blog: http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.face-book.com/melanie.atkins
Twitter: http://twitter.com/melanie_atkins
Google +: https://plus.google.com/109250905947468207446/about?hl=en-US

Author Spotlight week -Excerpt from Marked for Murder

Enjoy this excerpt from "Marked for Murder" Melanie Atkin's latest release.

********

"He must like you."

"Excuse me?" Ellen turned her aching head and focused on the slight blonde nurse
changing one of her IV bags. She must have just come on, because Ellen didn't remember seeing
her before.

The nurse smiled. "The detective. Jenny said he stayed 'til after midnight, and he just
called to ask about you."

"He probably just wants to question me again."

"I heard someone say they found you on the highway." She checked the tubing and then
picked up the empty bag. "What happened?"

"I don't know." An icy shiver wracked Ellen. Part of her wished she knew how she'd
happened to end up beside Highway 463, but another part simply wanted to forget it. As if a
sinister force lurked inside her head, keeping certain memories at bay. She feared what might
happen once she did remember.

The nurse checked the thermostat. "Where are you from?"

"I'm not sure." She frowned. "The detectives found my license, but--"

"Jenny wrote it on your chart. I'll look it up for you. Your test results might be here
already as well. I'll be right back." She smiled and left the cubicle.

Ellen relaxed against the pillow. She was drowsy, thanks to the pain medication. All she
wanted to do was sleep. Her bones ached, but to her relief the pain was now only a dull throb
instead of the full-blown agony she'd experienced last night when she'd first awakened.

The nurse strode back in carrying a pitcher and a clean disposable cup. "Your chart says
you're from New Orleans," she said. She put the pitcher and cup on the bedside table. "About
forty miles from here."

"Louisiana," Ellen whispered. She didn't remember living in New Orleans. "Where is
here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you knew. You're in Hunter's Bayou, Mississippi, in Keller
County. Near the Gulf Coast."

"Detective McKee mentioned the county."

"He moved here from New Orleans about six months ago, I think." The nurse poured her
some water and helped her sip it. "And, dear, you're not pregnant, if that was a concern."

"I see." She frowned. Then why did she have a sonogram image in her purse? She wished
she could remember buying the brown leather bag Jonah had said he'd logged in as evidence --
probably because of the large amount of cash inside. Cash she didn't remember having.

The nurse set the cup on the bedside table. "You're doing so well, we're about to move
you to private room."

"I hope Detective McKee will be able to find me," she whispered. "He probably has more
questions."

"I'm sure he'll find you. He left you this," she said, handing Ellen a business card bearing
the handsome detective's name. He'd scribbled what looked like a cell phone number on the
back. Only, the card appeared to have gotten wet and she couldn't read all the numbers. Still, she
clutched it in her fist as if it were her lifeline.

Ellen blinked. She wanted Jonah to visit her again, mainly because he was the only
person she really remembered, and because he'd been so nice. She knew he had questions, but
she didn't know when -- or if -- she'd ever be able to answer them.

She pictured his smiling blue eyes, and an odd sense of longing spread through her. He
had been so kind and gentle, unlike the angry man storming through the shadows inside her head.
Thoughts of him made her cringe, despite not being able to see his face.

"Ms. Jones?" A burly man in light green scrubs poked his head inside her cubicle.
Ellen nodded, even though the name was still foreign to her.

He walked in and examined all the wires and tubes connecting her to the equipment. "I'm
supposed to take you up to the third floor, but they have to unhook you first."

"I'll call the nurse," she offered, pushing the call button. "She's already told me I'm
moving."

"Yeah?" He turned and looked at her, and her stomach churned. His dark eyes were flat
and lifeless, and she could have sworn she'd seen him before -- although she had no idea where.

She tensed. "Do I know you?"

"I don't know, honey," he said with a thick drawl. "Do you?"

Author Spotlight Week -Melanie Atkins talks about her favorite "spot"

My favorite spot is right in my own backyard. Yes, at my home. My back porch, to be exact. I live in the Deep South, where winters are relatively mild and summers are blazing hot, and I relish the time I can spend out there before that heat arrives. I have plants, including hanging baskets, scattered around, and I love to sit and write (I bought a small laptop table just for this purpose), and watch my cats aggravate each other. I live on a cul-de-sac, so they are free to roam about the yard. None of them venture too far, thank goodness, and we have fun together. I also have a couple of hummingbirds that venture to my feeder, and they're a blast to watch, too.

So you can find me on my back porch most days that I have time to write and/or edit in the spring, early summer, and fall. But July, August, and the first few weeks of September? Not happening -- and I even have a fan out there. Is it writing time yet?

Author Spotlight Week -Melanie Atkins talks about her ebook reader

I have a Nook (Barnes and Nobles' e-reader), and I love it. My favorite feature is the e-reader's ability to increase the font, so I can read on the treadmill and the bike at the gym without going blind. I also love the ease of buying books, turning a page with a flick of my finger, and the quick downloads. My Nook is an older model, but it still works great. When I get a little extra dough, I plan to buy a new Nook so I can download those colorful Dr. Seuss books for my grandbaby. Right now, I have a couple of them on my iPhone, but I'd love to have them on a larger device.

E-readers are here to stay. I write and read e-books... and I hope their popularity continues to grow!

Author Spotlight Week -Melanie Atkins shares her passion for Romantic Suspense

I write suspense because I love to read it. I crave that edge of your seat, heart pounding breathlessness that prickles my skin, ices my blood, and keeps me turning pages. I want my books to affect people like that.

My biggest influences are Lisa Gardner, Linda Howard, and John Sandford. All of them write delicious, in-your-face suspense that effects me deeply. I always snap up their books as soon as they come out. I read them on my Nook now, but still... I love the twists and turns Lisa gives us with her FBI series, Linda's determined heroines, and John's sexy Lucas Davenport. He might be married, but he still pushes my buttons.

A great read always stays with me, and I want people to recall scenes in my stories in just that way. The more suspenseful, the better.

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.

Spring Flowers by Melanie Atkins

Spring has sprung. At least, it has here in the Deep South. I love it! The fruit trees are flowering, leaves are filling out the hardwoods, and the azaleas are blazing with pink flames. We had whale of a storm a couple of weeks ago, and now the air is filled with pollen. I've had a time with it this year. My white car has a yellow tint – and so does my white cat after rolling around in the layer of the stuff on the back porch. My nose has been dripping, and for a while I couldn't stop sneezing. Thank heavens for antihistamines!

Thanks to the gorgeous weather, I already have Spring Fever – a strange ailment I get every year. I love to hang out on the porch and enjoy the warm, fresh air, so I write and edit out there. It's time for me to start another book… and that means work, work, work. But I’m ready for it. I’ve been editing a lot, and now it’s time to start something new. Can you think of a better way to spend the spring?

Check out my latest Desert Breeze release, UNWILLLING ACCOMPLICE. In this story, Marcy Moretti believes that anyone can be redeemed, until she witnesses a murder at the hands of her ex-husband and is forced to go on the run with her young son in order to survive. The only person who can help her is Joe Riso, her former brother-in-law, a detective staggered by the loss of his wife and daughter. If he's going to protect both Marcy and her boy, he must first find a way to unfreeze his icy heart -- and along the way find his own redemption.

In April, I have yet another title coming out – the first book in my new Keller County Cops Series, MARKED FOR MURDER. In this book, 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.

And in June... PERFECT PARTNER, the last book in my New Orleans Detective series, will be released. Wahoo!

Author Spotlight week - Excerpt from Unwilling Accomplice

The steady pounding in Joe Riso's head beat in time with his aching heart. Sharp pangs stabbed his temples. He groaned and rolled onto his back. No way was he opening his eyes. He never slept anymore unless he was exhausted or on a bender, and it might be morning already -- which meant the shock of light would simply hurt too much.

He scrubbed his hands over his face. Why was the pounding getting louder? Usually it ebbed once he woke up. With a bitter curse, he rocked onto his side and cracked his eyelids. The living room was still dark, except for the milky gray light from the TV.

It was the middle of the night, and the infernal pounding continued. His stomach swirled. He put his hand flat on the carpet and tried to focus on the monotone murmur of the World Poker Tour announcer, but it was impossible to hear over the cacophony inside his head.

"Joe?" a woman's voice called from far away.
He lifted his head. Was he hallucinating?
"Joe, please open the door. It's an emergency."

He frowned and groggily sat up. The light hurt his eyes. With a wince, he tried to shake the cobwebs out of his brain. After a few slow shakes, he finally registered the voice's cryptic words. Open the door. Emergency.

So the pounding wasn't inside his head after all, but was caused by a woman standing on his front porch beating the heck out of his front door. He cranked his eyes open again and peered hard at the clock over the TV. Two a.m. Son of a--

"Joe, please!" The woman hesitated. "I know you're in there. Wake up!"

With great effort, he hoisted himself off the floor. The room tilted. He lurched into the side of the recliner and hung onto it for dear life until the floor leveled out.

Another series of knocks pounded dull nails into his temples.

"Cut it out," he snarled, half to himself. "For just one freaking minute."

No luck. The only way to make the noise stop was for him to open the door. He took a deep breath, let go of the recliner, and caught sight of himself in the mirror on the foyer wall. His hair stood on end, his chin was dark with stubble, and his wrinkled white tee shirt rode up his flat stomach. He yanked it down and lumbered across the sea of carpet. His fingers fumbled with the chain, but he finally got it off and unlocked the deadbolt.

He opened the door and reeled backwards. His former sister-in-law, Marcy Moretti, and her little beanpole of a kid stood on the mat.

"Whoa," he said, meeting Marcy's frantic eyes in startled shock. "It's two a.m. What do you guys want?"

"We need to come inside. Right now." She whirled and raked the street with her terrified gaze. Turned back. "Please, Joe. I'll explain once we're in and the door is locked."

Author Spotlight Week - Melanie Atkins shares her favorite authors

I have a lot of favorite authors, but if I must pick one that I admire above the others, it has to be Lisa Gardner. She really knows her craft. Her first book, the Perfect Husband, made me realize I wanted to write edgy, romantic thrillers, and I’m still hooked many books later. Her FBI series has me mesmerized. I also enjoy reading John Sandford, Linda Howard, Linda Castillo, Karen Rose, S.J. Rozan, Sandra Brown, Tami Hoag, Linda Fairstein, and Kate Brady--all of whom write either mystery or dark, kickin’ suspense.
I love authors who keep me on the edge of my seat and make me fall in love with their characters. Great dialogue, a plot that flows, and in intriguing premise… all parts of a great story.

Author Spotlight Week - Melanie Atkins shares her favorite movie

My favorite movie is Silence of the Lambs. No, it's not a romance (not by a long shot), but it contains plenty of suspense, darkness, and psychological thrills… and watching Clarice Starling match wits with the disturbed Dr. Hannibal Lector never fails to make my skin crawl. I love the dance between Clarice and Lector as she prods him for insight into the mind of another sick killer, Buffalo Bill. Evil assessing evil. Both men are psychopaths, and Clarice teeters on the brink as she struggles to keep Lector from getting inside her head. What a fabulous movie. I love to be scared -- not by grisly horror flicks, but by genuine psycho thrillers like this one.

A close second is The Last of the Mohicans. Yes, I know… the two movies are as different as night and day. I love the scenery, hotness, music, characters, and history in the Mohicans. I mean, seriously… Daniel Day Lewis risking all to save his love? Fabulous story.

Give me suspense, romance, or a combination of the two, and I’m happy. Those are my kinds of movies.

Author Spotlight Week - Melanie Atkins shares her passion for Romantic Suspense

Suspense is my genre of choice because I like being on the edge of my seat. I love mysteries, and the intricate puzzles detectives must put together in order to solve their cases. Cops, serial killers, danger… if any of those elements are in a book, a TV show, or a movie, I'm there. My favorite shows are cops shows: Castle, Law & Order SVU, In Plain Sight, Rizzoli & Isles, Memphis Beat, The Glades, and so on. And my favorite authors are Lisa Gardner, John Sanford, Tess Gerritsen, Karen Rose, Linda Castillo, Erica Spindler… do you sense a trend here? Scare me, make the hair stand up on my arms, make me grit my teeth. I like reading books that are gritty and dark, with a heaping helping of emotion.

I love to read and watch suspense, and it's what I write. I try to get my facts correct by talking with law enforcement professionals and doing plenty of research on my own. I used to be married to a cop, and I've attended two civilian police academies and Forensic University. Later this month, I'm scheduled to attend the Writers' Police Academy in North Carolina. I can't wait. So look for more cop stories -- along with a little romance -- from me in the future. Those stories get my blood pumping and keep me putting words on the page. Nothing is more motivating than plotting crime fiction.