With an eagle eye for prey, Nighthawk swoops through the fourth wall to get a character's-eye view of the action.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Talking Turkey
Thanksgiving not only comes earlier in the year in Canada, it was celebrated in what would become Canada 43 years before the Pilgrims sat down to give thanks near Plymouth Rock when Martin Frobisher threw a thanksgiving dinner in Newfoundland.
Neither Frobisher nor Pilgrim likely had turkey on their menu. If they did, it was nothing like the bird we roast now. Now the turkey is a holiday icon, so much so that Thanksgiving is also known as Turkey Day.
Our guest is that iconic bird. Welcome.
Gobble-gobble.
How do you feel about your role in this holiday?
Gobble-gobble-gobble, gobble-gobble.
Your role as an icon must keep you busy. There's Canadian Thanksgiving in October, the American Thanksgiving in November and you often have a starring role at Christmas too. How do you feel about that?
Gobble, gobble-gobble.
Well. That just about says it all.
To all our Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving. To our American friends, Alison and I will be thinking of you.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Nighthawk Talks to Cynthia Young from Murder for Glacier Blue
No, this isn't the start of a blond joke. This is tonight's guest Cynthia Young, making her entrance. Ms Young appears in Diane Rapp's new book, Murder for Glacier Blue.
The book title refers to a painting which is taking an Alaskan cruise as part of a charity auction. Steven Young and his fiance Kayla are working security for the cruise line. As if art theft and murder aren't enough, the couple have to contend with Young's ex-wife, who is now coming through the door.
Anyone here? Hey, out there! Is anyone coming to chat me up? Bloody Hell! You’d think a proper gent would show up on time. Where is this Nighthawk chap?
Ms Young. Over here. Please sit down.
Who’s really talking through this here bird? I was married to a bloke who did a magic act, so you can’t fool me.
So, you were married to a magician. You were also married to Steven Young, right?
Yes, he’s my ex-husband. Stevie worked undercover for Interpol, but I weren’t allowed to tell nobody and got ever so bored. Now he’s all over the press as a bloody hero, saved a ship from sinking in the Mediterranean and arrested a ring of smugglers. Workin’ for the cruise line, I bet he makes lots more money. I might just give him another tumble.
What about his fiance?
Kayla? I don’t know what Stevie sees in her. She’s got no sense of style, loves to wear trainers and pulls her ponytail through the back of a sport’s cap. You know, I can steal Stevie away from Kayla any time I wants.
Mind if I take off me fur? It’s gettin’ a bit warm in here.
Sure but don't put it...
*****<silence> ****
Don't worry, Ms Young. My producer will put your coat somewhere safe. Away from our equipment. Let's get back to the interview. What prompted you to take a cruise at the same time as your ex and his fiancé?
I came along with Phillip, one of Stevie’s mates from school. Me and Phillip are engaged. At least we were engaged before Jeffrey got murdered…
The artist you were having an affair with, right?
I can’t talk about those events without me lawyer present. Are you recording this? Who can hear me? Honest! I never knew the details of Jeff’s scheme to steal that painting, and them coppers can’t hold me responsible for…
“I know! This is one of Steven’s tricks!
Ms Young, will you please sit down.
That copper thinks he’s ever so clever, using a talking bird to get me to spill me guts. I won’t cop a plea without a deal in writing! You tell Mr. Law-and-order that he made a big mistake! He can’t trick me into tellin’ all I know before I gets into witness protection. That murderer is still out there waiting for me. I don’t care if Steven thinks he’s getting married! I’m in danger, and I’ll make him help me! We took our vows long before he met that tart, Kayla
And Cynthia Young has left the studio. I wonder if she'll remember her coat.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Chiku from Devolution
Our guest tonight is Chiku Flynn. She was born in the Congo rainforest. For the first eleven years of her life she is raised alongside the chimpanzees her anthropologist parents are studying. When her mother died, she was sent back to the United States only to return, at age sixteen, when her father disappears.
Chiku is a Swahili name, isn't it?
In Swahili, Chiku means’ chatterbox’, the chimps call me Talk Talk.
You must know a lot about chimpanzees.
I was born in the rainforest. Me and Scals played tag and hide-and-seek right where elephants come to drink. The chimps always loved when I read to them. Scals’s favorite was Curious George. I bet you didn’t know they could understand me. My dad taught them sign language and I can speak to them as well as I can speak to you. Maybe better.
There's a lot I don't know... like this trouble you're trying to get out of.
None of this would have happened if. my dad hadn’t sent me back to the States. I know my chimps better than anyone. And my dad, well, my dad wouldn’t have done the things he did. Now my family’s in all kinds of hot water. It’s a mess, and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.
What do you mean, your dad wouldn’t have done the things that he did?
I can’t say. I can’t. He…. It’s not something I like to talk about.
Okay. I take it you won't be leaving again.
My guys are still in trouble. The civil war is still going on, and Union Miniere still wants what’s on Chimp Island. But I’m staying now. I ain’t going home. This is where I belong, and together me and the guys will win.
When you talk about the guys and family, you don’t mean your father, do you?
It’s hard for me to talk about my dad. He could be wonderful sometimes. And sometimes he wasn’t. Now I have my sister Cary and my wonderful grandmother Lucy Burchill. Besides that, Scallion, Pan, Scopes, Dora and the other guys are my family now. They need me. So much is happening in the forest. They’re still in great danger, and they need Talk Talk to stay with them.
Then we'll let you get back to it. The rest of us will have to read about it in Peter Clenott's book Devolution.
Buy Devolution, or any other Imajin Book, in August and enter to win a Kindle Fire.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Anne from Sweet Karoline
Good evening and welcome to Nighthawk Talks. Tonight we have Anne Williams direct from Los Angeles and the pages of Sweet Karoline by Catherine Astolfo.
Anne, you've been described as the Ice Queen. How would you describe yourself?
I’m very smart. I worked hard at becoming the Executive Assistant at Grace Productions here in Los Angeles. I’m also loyal, a trait that is a rare commodity it seems.
My worst trait is that I trust too easily.
Like when you partnered with Catherine Astolfo to tell your story? At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
Oh, my, right from the first sentence. Talk about spilling your guts and misleading the reader!
Misdirection is the prerogative of crime writers. They can be damned twisty sometimes. I should know.
The title of the book is Sweet Karoline. I know that you trusted and loved your friend, but was there any point in your life you thought that Karoline was sweet? What was your first clue that she wasn’t?
All my life I was grateful to Karoline for rescuing me and befriending me. She kept all those crazy stalkers away. She was smart and generous and friendly. I thought she was wonderful. We lived this amazing, hedonistic, self-absorbed life. I really liked that life! It was Karoline who was responsible for most of our lifestyle. Then suddenly she went crazy and turned on me. I mean…Just realized I never said she was "sweet" here. That word could be replaced with nice or lovely or pleasant or fresh - but I don't think any of those apply to Karoline. She was more like a little bull dog.
A dog that turned rabid? Never mind. Forget I asked. Tell us about Ethan Byrne. He’s right there with you, from the opening line of the book.
Ethan is the kind of man who doesn't judge by appearances. I mean, certainly I'm a beautiful woman and he couldn't help but get turned on. However, my beauty isn't the only reason he was interested in me. He could see through all the layers to the real me - the loveable, intelligent, but flawed person behind the perfection. Ethan's not very good-looking but he's tall and smart and confident and strong. Anyone would be happy to have him, but fortunately for me, he's mine! Oh, did I mention that he's terribly rich, too?
Interesting about him being rich. When Ethan Byrne showed up at your door to investigate Karoline's murder and then just happened to be around when you had your breakdown, I had to wonder if you contrived to have that last event happen just so you could get to know him better. Was that just good luck or did you manipulate events?
You are ridiculous. It was fate that brought us together.
Fate?
I think this interview is over.
I'm afraid if you want to know more about Anne Williams, you'll have to read Sweet Karoline by Catherine Astolfo. Be warned, once you start, you won't want to stop.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Sandy Beach from Which Exit Angel
Welcome back to Nighthawk Talks. Tonight we have Reverend Sandy Beach from Chris Redding's Which Exit Angel.
Seriously, Sandy Beach?
My parents were avid surfers so they loved the beach. Having the last name Beach was a bonus. And they had a great sense of humour.
Obviously. What church are you reverend of?
I run a non-denominational church. Everyone is welcome. Sometimes I preach about God and The Bible. Other times I preach about how to be a good person. Right now, I'm not sure what my faith is.
Why are you questioning your faith?
I'm not sure. I've just seen so much bad in the world. I don't know how there can be a God if he lets this evil happen.
Can you question your faith and accept the existence of angels at the same time? How did you meet the angel?
She's investigating the murder of another angel. It blew my mind for sure. She didn't look like an angel at all.
That does sound like a lot to take in. But there's more, isn't there? You two are trying to stop the Apocalypse.
The forces of good and evil are using the Earth as a battleground. The bad guys are tired of being relegated to Hell so they are going to fight the angels for control of the world.
I guess I better let you get back to work. I'm not in favour of apocalypses and have a great admiration for those who stop them.
For more on Sandy Beach, read Which Exit Angel by Chris Redding who you can also follow on Twitter @chrisredding.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Lillian Hayes from Deadly Ties
Up until recently, Miss Hayes was engaged to marry. Her fiancé turned out to be a no good con man who persuaded the people in her hometown to exchange their gold for worthless paper. Leave us say, the folks weren't happy and, to their discredit, thought Miss Hayes, one of their own, was involved.
All set, Miss Hayes? Just talk into the microphone there.
Well, life is just full of surprises. I thought nothing would surprise me any more. Goodness. This metal thing will share my voice with people?
Yes, ma'am.
Well. Goodness. And all we do is talk. Goodness.
Well I suppose you'll want to know about the bank notes my ex fiancé stole from the townsfolk. I do not know where they are and I never did. So don't start down that trail. I won't stand for it.
Calm down, Miss Hayes. I'm not saying you're involved or that you know anything about the gold.
I do apologize. Too many people have assumed the worst of me when I gave them no cause to. It's an awful thing when you're telling the truth and no one believes you. Simply awful.
They didn't just talk behind your back, did they?
Why if Nicholas Brace hadn't shown up when he did, before that rope broke, I wouldn't be here talking to you today. That man saved my life. And he believed me too, when no one else would. He's the one man who has always believed me and never doubted.
What happened to your fiancé?
He just up and disappeared one day, taking the gold with him. I can understand how the townsfolk were upset. It was a terrible thing he did, talking them into exchanging their gold for his worthless bank notes. Shelton Security bank notes aren’t worth the paper they are printed on. You might as well use them to light your fireplace if you have any of them.
How did you get involved?
My cousin Carl talked me into coming out west and introduced me to Mr. Shelton. Why, if I'd stayed back east… But then I wouldn't have met Nick. He's a good man that Nicholas Brace. Handsome too. When he looks at me I feel warm and happy, like the sun has just come out from behind the clouds. He taught me how to shoot to protect myself, so I wouldn't be at the mercy of men like Kingston and his hired guns ever again. But I'm worried about him. He's riding into town right into that nest of snakes and I know exactly how quick they can turn mean on you. I aim to follow him somehow, if I can't talk him into letting me go with him. I couldn't bear it if something happened to Nick.
Maybe I should be asking about Nick. Do you see yourself having a future together. A wedding, perhaps?
Goodness no. Wedding? (squeak) No, look what happened the last time I got engaged. I'm in no hurry to marry anyone. Though Nick is a fine man. But a future with him? No, I really can't say. I just want him to be alive and healthy. As long as he is alive and healthy I will be happy. He has his life on the ranch up north and I've been enough of a bother to him aleady. He's late delivering his horses, after taking care of me. No, no, a future with Nick would be too much to hope for. I can't think about that now. I have to get to town.
We'll let you get going, Miss Hayes. Before you go, is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience?
Well yes, that life is short and people can't always be trusted but there are still good men in the world. I'm lucky such a good man found me in time to save my life.
Miss Hayes has left the building. To find out more about her, and the handsome Nick Brace, check out Dangerous Ties by Debra Parmley.
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