Jake Carmedy from Deadly Legacy

Let's give a warm welcome back to Jacob Carmedy of Deadly Legacy.

It's just Jake. I can produce three pieces of ID to prove that if you like.

Sorry, Mr Carmedy. Chief Thorsen referred to you as Jacob and... what now?

What?

You're scowling at me. I said sorry.

Only the chief gets away with calling me Jacob -- partly because I can't stop him and partly because he's earned the right to call me whatever he damned pleases. I also feel weird when someone calls me Mr. Carmedy -- but that's my bad not yours. I've been out of the regular forces for ten years now and it still feels weird being called mister. Call me Jake or Carmedy, okay.

Once a soldier always a soldier?

I still have reserve status, but yeah, I guess so. Maybe not for everyone...

Do you think it's a bit cliche having a former military man as a detective? Former Army Ranger becomes FBI agent in Bones. Former Army Ranger becomes bounty hunter in the Stephanie Plum novels. All those former SEALs and Marines in NCIS.

Do I care if you think it's cliche? I don't think so. I was a MP and security specialist. What was I going to do? Become a baker? If it makes you happier, I'm not a Ranger, Marine or SEAL. I am Canadian. Anyway, part of the reason I find it strange to be called Mr. Carmedy is because Joe only used "mister" and "ms" with civilians. You might as well say, "once a cop, always a cop."

Fair enough. You still keep your uniform in good order.

Like I said, I still have reserve status. I also keep my hair short, my face clean-shaven and my nails trimmed and filed. But so does every male professional worth his salt. What is this obsession with my military background.

Sure, I like khaki and olive. The colours work for me and I don't have to worry about putting the wrong shirt with the wrong trousers. Everything I own matches. Almost everything I own is equally practical in the office or in the field. You can't say that about the Zoot suits and Berber-style clothes that are in fashion right now.

You seem a little sensitive about this topic.

Certain people seem to have made it their holy mission to get me wearing more colour.

Kate Garrett?

<laugh> No. That maybe the one thing she doesn't want to change. Hell, she even likes me in uniform. And I have to say, she looks fine in her dress blues. Nothing like a woman in uniform, I always say.

Deadly Legacy is free March 4-7, 2013. Pick it up and learn more about Carmedy and Garrett.

Jake from Incendiary

Chelsea James, captain of the Biggin Hill First Aid Squad, has had ten years to mend a broken heart and forget about the man who'd left her hurt and bewildered. Ten years to get her life on track. But fate has other plans.

Fire Inspector Jake Campbell, back in town after a decade, investigates a string of arsons, only to discover they are connected to the same arsons he'd been accused of long ago. Now his past has come back to haunt him, and Chelsea is part of that past.


My friends, we have Jake Campbell here in the studio. It's taken a bit of wheedling to get him beyond "No comment." Let's see if he's ready to talk.

You've been accused of arson, Jake. Why? 

Because there was evidence at the scene that would implicate me. Someone planted it.

Who?

I assume the arsonist.

D'uh. Any idea who that is?

As an investigator, I can see how the evidence points to me, but I'm innocent. I don't know who's guilty.

But you must have some ideas.

<Silence.>


Okay, tell us about Chelsea. I take it you guys have a history?

We were lovers when I used to live in Biggin Hill.

And?

I left when I was first accused of arson. I'm guessing she didn't take it too well. I can't blame her. I didn't really ever say goodbye.

That's not a good way to keep a girl's interest, that's for sure. It certainly would make me squawk. Is anyone helping your investigation or hindering you, for that matter?

Both. Chelsea is helping me. She always thought I was innocent. Guess I didn't realize earlier on how important that was. And yes, the arsonist is putting roadblocks up so that I can't figure out who that is.

Good luck with clearing your name Jake... and clearing up things with Chelsea.

Want to find out what Jake doesn't know yet? Pick up Chris Redding's Incendiary, published by Imajin Books.

Becki Green from A Purse to Die For

Yeah, you're absolutely right. If you want to know about veggie cooking, especially in Black Currant Bay, I'm the one to talk to. Back home in my beloved adopted hometown, I swear I've got to be the only person scouring Metro for tofu.


Oops. We're back on the air Becki.


I've been talking to Becki Green who can be found in A Purse to Die For by Melodie Campbell and Cynthia St-Pierre. Becki is an amateur sleuth and vegetarian foodie. An interesting combo.

I wasn't always vegetarian. To this day, I still love the taste of flame-grilled filet mignon. But I've got more than 25 years' experience cooking meat-free. From a home cook perspective, you understand, with close to a hundred recipes in my virtual recipe book, vegetariandetective.blogspot.com.

Have you ever considered trying to get your own show, like friend and partner in crime solving, Gina Monroe? You could do for vegetarian cooking what she does for fashion.


Keep in mind, I'm not a chef and don't claim to be. Hey, do you watch MasterChef on TV? Love that show!

Maybe we should talk about the murder mystery.

None of this would have happened if I hadn't been in Langdon Hills to celebrate my godmom's birthday.

(Sniff) Sorry. Makes me tear up to think about it. It was supposed to be such a happy time. She died suddenly. Very upsetting. I stayed for her funeral the reading of her will. None of us expected a body to be discovered in the backyard.

I don't suppose anyone does. Were you a suspect?

Yes, I was a suspect. (Loud exhale.) Was interviewed by Detective Rob Dumont and everything. Being married to the Chief of Police of Black Currant Bay didn't get me out of that one. No sirree.

Man, I've never been suspected of any wrongdoing before, in my life! I mean, I'm like everybody else. I try to be good and honest I don't even cheat on Measure How Sex-crazed/starved You Are self-quizzes. But Detective Dumont said, and I quote, "you arrive here in Langdon Hills and people drop like flies."

Not the most tactful of comments.

You know what I learned from this?

Do tell.

(Pause) Two things really. One, you can't get everything right all by yourself, 100% of the time. Even if you have a reputation for getting things right. And two, your chances of nailing things will double if you work as a team with somebody who shares your interests.

And that would be Gina Monroe?

Gina and I are both avid amateur detectives.

I take it that means you'll be working together again.

It ain't over yet.

Thank you Becki. And thanks to Cynthia St-Pierre who brought you hear today.

Find out more about Becki and Gina in A Purse to Die For, published by Imajin Books.

Freesia Worth from Dark Waters

Tonight we welcome Freesia Worth.

(Muffled.) Wow. Sitting in here reminds me of the creepy interview room I was in when they were questioning me about Mizu and Rick’s Dad, Frank. You know, except there’s a lot more equipment in here.

Freesia’s story is told in Dark Waters from Imajin Books. Though only sixteen, Freesia tackled the mystery of her mother’s disappearance...

(Slightly clearer.) And more windows instead of the mirrors they have in those police rooms, you know?

Not much like an interrogation then.

And it’s a heck of a lot more echo-y in here. My sister, Sage, would really hate it in here. (Laughs)

If you come closer to the mike, the listeners will be able to hear you better and we’ll lose the echo.

Oh.

After losing your father in Afghanistan a few months earlier, your mother mysteriously disappeared. Despite the hard work of Detective Barry Cuaco – he did work hard right?

Yeah.

Despite his hard work, the case was going cold...

Y' know none of this would have happened if people had just listened to me from the beginning! From the get-go, I tried telling people that something wasn’t right. I tried telling everyone that my mom wouldn’t have just left us alone, not with how much Sage needed her and after we’d just lost our dad. But no one listened to me, so I just went and figured things out on my own. Well, Rick and Mizu helped a lot too. Just goes to show that younger people have what it takes to solve problems too.

Rick is the guy you like?

Well yeah I like him – but I don’t LIKE him... well maybe I do a little but...

Why don’t you tell us about Mizu instead.

Wow. I’m not sure I really can. It hurts too much. I mean, I can tell you that she was a very strong presence. She was definitely someone who set her own path and didn’t listen to what others said was right or wrong. But there was something so hauntingly familiar about her, it was scary to be around her. And that’s all I can say about her.

You’ve had a helluva rough time in your short life.

Actually, life started really good for me and my sister, Sage. Then things kind of got really crappy for awhile. We lost our dad, then our mom, Sagey lost her voice on top of having to deal with all her sensory stuff and it was super rough. But everything turned out okay.

So you’re dealing.

It sucks not to have our parents with us but, well, we only have good things ahead of us, I think.

I hope so. Thanks for joining us, Feesia.

Find out more about Feesia and Sage Worth, Feesia’s not so secret crush Rick, and the mysterious and illusive girl named Mizu in Dark Waters by Chynna Laird.

Kate Garrett of Deadly Legacy

Welcome back to Nighthawk Talks, I’m your host Nighthawk...

You’re a bird.

Well, yes.

Common nighthawk, aka chordeiles minor. Owl-like insectivore. You look more like a crow. No, a raven. I remember my father telling me that ravens have longer tails and hookier beaks.

Nighthawk is my name, not my species... Never mind that!

Tonight we welcome Detective Kate Garrett.

Is Nighthawk your real name?

No my real name is “Quoth” - YES, it’s my real name!

Calm down, ma’am, it was just a routine question. How long have you been a virtual radio host?

I’m supposed to interviewing you, Detective Garrett.

You haven’t asked me anything yet.

Tell us about your father.

Which one?

Joe Garrett, of course. How many father’s do you have?

Well there’s Joe of course - everyone knows Joe. Then there’s my step-dad David. He’s a physician and counsellor at the university. I guess a lot of people know him too, but not as well as he knows most people. The Chief, Igor Thorsen, is my godfather. I used to call him Papa Igor when I was younger. Not so much now he’s my boss.

You say “everyone knows Joe”. He must cast an awfully large shadow on your life.

Well, he is taller than me, but compared to the Chief...

You know that’s not what I meant.

Yeah, but I get tired of the question. It’s almost as bad as “How are you feeling?” How am I supposed to be feeling when my Dad dies? As for living in his shadow... think of it more like shade. Sometimes I get a little lost in it, but mostly it provides protection.

Fair enough. What are the benefits of being Joe Garrett’s daughter? You didn’t exactly have a normal childhood with your father being injured and turning to alcohol, and your mother having an affair with another man

If you think that’s abnormal, you’ve never looked at family services stats. Anyway, my childhood was happy. It was my teen years that were ... challenging. I got through them. Even if I was willing to talk about what I went through – which I’m not – you’re prying into events that involve people who are not here to speak up.

Does that mean you won’t tell me about your new partner, Jake Carmedy? He called you the “damned woman.”

He did, did he?

He thinks you’re crazy to leave the police force.

Police services. Even in your time, it’s police services.

What do you think about Mr Carmedy?

I have generally found Carmedy to be polite and professional with people other than myself and, it seems, with you.

He walked out on the interview when I suggested he was attracted to you.

(Sputtered laughter.) According to this wiki, ravens are supposed to be highly intelligent problem solvers. So, before you ask me something that will make me walk out, why don’t we end this interview and have an off the record chat over coffee.

That’s an offer I can’t refuse. If you want to learn more about Kate Garrett, dear listener, you’ll have to pick up Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce.

In 2018, rookie detective Kate Garrett lives in the shadow of her near-legendary father Joe. When Joe dies unexpectedly, he leaves Kate half interest in Garrett Investigations, his last case that ties to three murders, a partner she can't stand and a legacy to live up to.



Don't forget to check out the Reader Appreciation contests at Imajin Books... where SUMMER SIZZLES!

Jake Carmedy from Deadly Legacy

Hmm...This place is really old school....

Wonder what that button does...

Don’t touch – Mr Carmedy, that’s my seat. Could you go over there? Thanks.

Welcome to Nighthawk Talks. Tonight we have Jacob Carmedy from Deadly Legacy.

You’ve been talking to the Chief, haven’t you?

Chief Igor Thorsen has been a guest here. Why do you ask?

It’s Jake, not Jacob. I can show you my birth certificate if you want proof. I let it go with the Chief. With you, not so much. And I’m with Garrett Investigations. Is Deadly Legacy another detective agency? They must specialize in estates. We – that is Garrett Investigations – specializes in bodily injury, security and related criminal investigation support.

What does related criminal investigation mean, exactly?

It means we’re licensed to act as consulting detectives to the police. My partner, Joe Garrett, was a violent crimes detective with the City Police Services before he was wounded on the job. My specialty is security but I’ve done my share of following up on complaints of violence when I was an MP.

Most of the time Joe and I get hired by the police when one of our civil investigations turns out to be criminal. Sometimes Joe get’s called in just cause he’s Joe.

Now that Joe Garrett is dead, will you still be hired by the police?

I have my consulting license – took me long enough. It’s a lot harder to get than the private investigators license unless you were a cop first. Military police doesn’t carry as much weight, I found out. But I am qualified and experienced, so the business is still eligible for police contracts.

And your new partner, Kate Garrett?

If she’s crazy enough to leave a secure job with police services, she’d probably get licensed fast enough. She’s been a cop for a while and she made detective last spring. I remember Joe was really jacked up about that. Really proud.

How would you describe your relationship with Detective Garrett?

If you mean Miss Kate, professional is how I’d describe it. Joe, on the other hand, was my best friend and mentor.

Did you hit it off from the start... with Joe that is?
Yes and no. We hit it off, as you put it, well enough for him to hire me, but we both had a steep learning curve.

Both of you?

I had a lot to learn about civilian investigation. Joe had a lot to unlearn about military culture.

Tell us about your military career.

No.

Okay. Tell us about you and Kate Garrett.

[Mutters] Damned woman!

You call her "Damned woman!" But you really think a lot of her, don't you?

No comment.

Then let’s go back to your service in Iraq.

I think Ms Garrett is being foolish. She has a secure job, doing what she wants to do, and benefits to boot. Why the hell does she want to be a private investigator? Because she thinks her father wanted it. Well, maybe he did, but Joe wasn’t infallible, no matter what some people think. And she’s bossy... well maybe not bossy but the take charge type. Independent.

You don’t like independent women?

That’s not what I said, Ms Nighthawk. Independent is good - but not in all circumstances. If she wants to be my partner, she’s got to stop acting like my boss.

And you’re attracted to her. That must be awkward.

Nice meeting you Ms Nighthawk. I’m outta here.

Maybe we'll learn more about Jake Carmedy from Kate Garrett. Meanwhile, find out more on your own in Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce.

Jake Carmedy has lost a partner, mentor and friend, but grief will come later. First, he has a case to solve, one that has detoured from a simple insurance case to a murder investigation. If that isn’t enough, Joe’s daughter seems to want to take her father’s place as his boss.


Also check out the Reader Appreciation contests at Imajin Books... where SUMMER SIZZLES!

Emily Taylor from The Bridgeman

Tonight we welcome Emily Taylor from Burchill. Ms Taylor is the principal of a small school in, what she describes as, “a sleepy little village.” More like the stuff of nightmares by what I've read in Catherine Astolfo's The Bridgeman. The sleepy village is rocked when the body of the school caretaker is found in the basement. He has been shot and has left behind a diary. Inside these pages, Ms Taylor discovers a very different character from the person she thought Nathaniel Ryeburn was: the writer is angry, cruel, and perverted.

You look uncomfortable Mrs. Taylor. Is there anything wrong?

This brings back memories of a time I'd rather forget. When the police questioned me about Nathaniel and his diary, I was reminded of the tragedy that befell my husband and me in Vancouver in 1980. I was plunged back into the terror, the disbelief, the injustice of it all. My poor husband languished in jail for years. We were deprived of children.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Taylor.

Bad things can happen to good people. Trust me, I know.

Sometimes good people go through more because they get involved more -- as you involved yourself in the investigation of Nathaniel Ryeburn's murder. How did that sit with the police?

Chief Superintendent Edgar Brennan of the OPP is not very happy with me, but it's not my fault. How could I explain my desire to chase down the truth? I'd have to reveal my husband's real name. You can imagine the response!

I'm not sure I can, but I see that you put yourself at risk.

I know I put myself in danger, but I certainly didn't plan on that. After all, something good did come out of my meddling. I am still quite nervous about the media presence in our village, but my husband has made me promise not to get involved any more, so I won't.

So, nothing bad happened to you...?

I thought I had gotten out of harm's way. It's not my fault that there was another nasty surprise awaiting me.

So who is your husband really, Mrs. Taylor?

You know I can't answer that. Not yet, anyway. We're not ready for the notoriety. We had enough of that in Vancouver. I'm developing a wonderful friendship with May. Langford, my husband, has a career in art that's taking off. We don't want to jeopardize any of that. We have no reason to open that Pandora's box.

Fair enough, but... well, you know things like that rarely stay buried.

I know. I have the feeling it ain't over yet. I am nervous and afraid. I like my life here in peaceful Burchill, surrounded by wonderful people and beautiful scenery. But it seems to me that the universe is conspiring against me. Events have caused me to feel restless, dissatisfied and suspicious. What's going to happen next? How will I cope? Will I ever be happy again?

Not for a few books, anyway. 

Find out more about the Emily Taylor Mystery series at Imajin Books or www.catherineastolfo.com. Better still, go buy The Bridgeman. Available in Kindle eBook and trade paperback.

Igor Thorsen from Deadly Legacy

I usually leave this blog up to Nighthawk, but I thought you might be interested in knowing a bit about Igor Thorsen's origins. He was inspired by the picture of a viking on a gift bag from York, UK. I visited the newly found viking digs with my parents in 1976. Getting that close to an active archeological site was amazing. And that viking on the bag... well I developed quite a crush on the guy. 

Someday I'd like to go the Jorvik Viking Centre and see how the place has changed over the years... but mostly I need to replace my bag.

I'm Nighthawk and this is no place for authors. Instead, I have a real character: Igor Thorsen, Chief of Detectives, City Police Services, brought back from the future. 


Welcome Chief. You're a close friend of Joe Garrett, our previous guest, right?

I’ve known Joseph most of my adult life. He was a community cop back when I was partnered with him as a rookie. Even then, everyone knew Joe and Joe knew everyone. He wasn’t so much older than me, but it took me a while to figure it out. He seemed like he’d been a cop forever.

You also know Joe's daughter Kate.

I’ve known Kathleen all her life. I drove Joseph to the hospital so he could be there when she was born. He was so proud and he wanted her to be proud of him. She was the reason he took the detective’s exam. I don’t think he was all that ambitious for himself. He preferred dealing with people over collecting evidence.

Is it true that Joe pushed Kate to follow in his footsteps?

He was pleased when she chose to become a police officer. I think he wanted her to become a detective. He never came out and said it, but he was always setting her puzzles to solve and playing observation games with her when she was growing up. I know that’s what she thinks he wanted.

Kate didn't get a lot of time to process her father's death.


Life doesn’t stop just because you lose someone you love. You know about the murder of Delano Gage, but my detectives had another dozen or so violent crimes to investigate at the same time. Even so, I gave Kate time off.

I soon saw that wasn’t what she needed. She needed distraction and I needed the manpower. Having her babysit one of the potential targets of our killer seemed like a good idea at the time. To be honest, I didn’t take the threats against him seriously. He was like the boy crying wolf to get attention. But there’s always a real wolf eventually.

In your future, police sometime use consulting detectives. How do you feel about that?

Funnily enough, Joe was one of the biggest opponents of the consulting detective idea. He embraced community policing – not all our colleagues were on board with it – and like I said, he didn’t originally want to be a detective. The hours stink. You’re always on call, even when you’re not supposed to be. You’re always having to upgrade your skills... and it’s nowhere near as glamorous as say Tactical. Sorry. I didn’t mean to go on a rant. The point is that Joe didn’t like the idea of consulting detectives until he became one.



That's not what I asked, Chief. What do you think about consulting detectives working with the police?

The reality is, we don’t have the budget a big city has to have all the detectives we need all the time. Even the OPP is stretched with the cutbacks we’ve had over the years. Like the idea of consulting detectives or not, there are times when I need to engage them. Most of them are former cops, which takes the sting out. Joe’s the only one I’ve brought in on violent crimes though.

You must really miss your friend.
<grunt> I’m really pissed off at Joseph. Not only have I lost my best friend, but because of his death, I’ve had to give up one of my most promising detectives... temporarily. Kathleen Margaret Garrett will be back in my department, legacy or no legacy. You can count on it.

Will she? Maybe we'll ask Kate Garrett that question. Later.

Deadly Legacy, by Alison Bruce, is available in Kindle format and paperback.

Alison Bruce is on a virtual mystery tour of blogs for the coming week. Check out links here. 

Nighthawk is seeking interesting new characters to interview. Direct message @alisonebruce on Twitter if interested.

Joe Garrett - Deadly Legacy

Welcome back! It's been a while, I know, but I had to go beyond the veil to get our next guest. Joe Garrett, formerly of the City Police Services, more recently the principle of Garrett Investigation, is dead but far from forgotten. His shade is felt throughout Deadly Legacy. Now it's here with us in the studio.

Hi Nighthawk. Thanks for inviting me.

Perhaps you could start by telling us how you died.

Well, er... that's a bit embarrassing. I was tailing a client at his request. He thought someone was after him and it was my job to spot the perp. I spotted the guy - it was someone I knew. In my surprise, I wasn't paying attention. Neither was the driver of the HSUV who hit me. Evidently I died in hospital, but I don't remember much. Maybe I don't want to.

HSUV?
Hybrid Sports Utility Vehicle. I think they were around now - maybe we didn't call them than then.

That's right, we didn't just bring you back from the dead, we brought you back from the future.
Ah, Back to the Future - I loved those movies. Yeah, your present is my past. Right about now I'm getting shot in the hip defending an abused wife. Or maybe I'm in rehab already.

That's the wound that led to your retirement from the police and you becoming a private eye.
<laughs> Not that I mind, but the PC term is "private investigator". I'm also a consulting detective.

What's the difference?
A thousand dollar bond and second license that qualifies me to be hired by law enforcement agencies. It wasn't a big deal for me because I had twenty plus years in service before I went private. It was a bit more difficult for my partner Jake. He was a detective with the military police, but that doesn't have as much sway. Kate might have trouble getting the license. She's only been a cop for five years and she's a rookie detective,


What do you think about your daughter Kate following in your footsteps?
Couldn't be prouder or more worried.


Worried for her safety?
No! Well maybe a little. I'm a father after all. I'm more worried about living in my shadow. I've lived in my own shadow long enough, I know it isn't easy. I guess I haven't helped things by leaving her half my business. In fairness, though, I wasn't planning to die so soon.

So what's it like in the future?
You'll have to wait and see... or read the book. I'm outta here.

You can find Deadly Legacy on Amazon.com. Guess I better go get my copy now.

In 2018, rookie detective Kate Garrett lives in the shadow of her near-legendary father Joe. When Joe dies unexpectedly, he leaves Kate half interest in Garrett Investigations, his last case that ties to three murders, a partner she can't stand and a legacy to live up to.

Please join Alison Bruce on Twitter and Facebook - she's trying to get as many friends as Joe.

From Whistler's Murder

With Joan Donaldson-Yarmey’s Travelling Detective Series, the trick is to pin down a character long enough to interview them. Elizabeth Oliver proved challenging, until she got waylaid by murder.

Welcome to the show, Elizabeth. You’re a part-time travel writer, what’s your day job?

I work at a long term care facility in Edmonton. While I like my job, my real passion is to travel and write about the places I visit.

And still you find time to get involved with murders.

I was trying to write an article on the resort town of Whistler.

Are the victims anyone you know?

Two people died before I got there and the third victim I only knew briefly.

How did you get involved?

I really don’t know. I came to Whistler with my friend Sally who was attending a Science Fiction retreat. But seems that every time I begin my research I get drawn into a mystery. Like when I travelled to the Crowsnest Highway in Southern Alberta, I hadn’t even made it to my destination when I met a man who had discovered a body in a septic tank. There was another death before the mystery of who the body belonged to was solved. Last year, though, my boyfriend, Jared, asked me to find out if his mother had actually committed suicide when he was four years old or if she was murdered. That was really tough on him because he found out a lot of secrets about his childhood.

Yikes! That would be tough.

Finding out what really happened to Jared’s mother took a toll on our relationship for a while.

I can imagine. But tell us about Whistler. When did things start to go wrong?

As soon as I arrived at the Bed & Breakfast and saw the house next door being demolished. The owner of the B&B told me that there was a rumour that a body had been hidden in the house years ago.

That might distract you from writing.

Actually, solving mysteries has made me decide to branch out into true crime writing. I don’t know if I’m a better person for my experiences, but hopefully I’m a better writer, since I sold an article to a true crime magazine.

Where do you see yourself in the future?
I want to travel across Canada and write about the places I see. I would like to write a travel book and also a true crime book about the mysteries I have been involved with. I can even see myself writing a mystery novel.

Let us know when you do. Meanwhile, anyone out there wanting to learn more about Elizabeth Oliver’s adventures - or should I say misadventures - should check out Whistler’s Murder, published by Books We Love, available in eBook and trade paperback.



Next week, you better watch out, you better not cry... you know who is coming to Nighthawk.

From Safe Harbour

Why is the wife the last to know? We ask Pat Tierney, whose story has been told by Rosemary McCracken in Safe Harbour. Tell us a bit about yourself, Pat.

I'm a 47-year-old financial advisor. I'm also a mother, and I was a wife for nearly 20 years when Michael had his fatal heart attack. I'm a smart cookie in some ways, but pretty darn clueless in others. When Safe Harbor opened, I was the epitome of clueless – a woman too stupid to realize that her late husband had been sleeping around.

Did you know the Other Woman?

I met Jude Seaton only once, on the day before her death. She barged into my Toronto office and asked me to look after her son for a few days. I was gobsmacked. "I'm a financial planner, not a daycare worker," I said.
"I didn't think you'd turn Tommy down."
"Whatever made you think that?"
And then she told me that Tommy was my late husband's son.

Gobsmacked. That’s a great word. Still, you must have had some idea your husband wasn’t faithful?

As I said, I can be pretty clueless. I had no idea what Michael was up to that summer when I took the girls to England for a month. He was supposed to join us for the last week of the holiday, but he called to say he was too busy at the office looking after my clients as well as his. And I felt guilty that I was on vacation and he had all that work to do. Bastard!

How did you get yourself involved in a murder investigation?

When I refused to take her kid, Jude told me that someone had threatened Tommy and that he was in danger. I didn't believe her. I thought she was stringing me a line, and I stuck to my guns: I wasn't taking Tommy.

So she simply walked out of my office. Left me with a seven-year-old boy, a backpack filled with his clothes and his booster car seat  - at seven, Tommy was small for his age.

And you just let her go?

I went over to her home, and she wasn't there. I tried calling her all evening, but she didn't answer her phone. The next day, the police contacted me – they'd found my business card beside her phone and my voice mail messages on her line – and told me she'd been murdered. In her own living room.
Tommy stayed with me for the next few days because the police thought it would be risky for him to be with Jude's relatives. They said the killer might want him out of the way too.

That’s taking a lot on.

Tommy is a special little guy, and it didn't take him long to find a place in my heart. In spite of who his father was, or maybe even because of it. And he was in danger. Well, I couldn't let anything bad happen to him, could I?

How do you feel about Jude now?

It's pretty difficult to hold a grudge against somebody who's dead. And somebody who died so horribly...and long before her time. At some point it hit me that Jude had really been terrified that her son was in danger or else she never would have approached me. She didn't want to leave Tommy with family or friends because that was the first place anyone would look. So she came to me.

I'm a mother, too. I know how it feels to be willing to give up your own life in a heartbeat to save that precious little life. And when I started seeing Jude as another mother, a mother who was trying to save her child...well, I couldn't hate her anymore.

And, as they say, it takes two to tango. Michael had a big part to play in their affair. But he's dead too. I can only feel sorry that he never knew his son.

So now you have a young child again. That can’t make it easy to get on with your life - especially your love life.

The whole thing has actually helped my love life. Michael had been gone for four years when Jude came into my office, but he was still very much top of mind. No one could hold a candle to him. I'd met my current guy, Devon, the summer before but I wasn't sure about him. He lives in the United States, and we hadn't seen each other for months but, as it happened, he was flying in to see me the day after Jude's visit. I was nervous, didn't know what I wanted from him, didn't know what he expected. And then Jude dropped her bombshell. I was so angry at Michael that I turned to the only available man around. For comfort, for revenge, for sex.

And I'm glad I did. I don't know if Devon is Mr. Right, but he's Mr. Right Now, and that's good enough for me at the moment.

How about your career?

What I’ve been through has reinforced my commitment to my clients, even difficult ones like Luella Cruickshank. In situations where an adult child is preying upon an elderly parent, the client may be blinded by loyalty to the child. But it is my duty to work 100% in the client's interests. I have zero tolerance for anyone in my industry who fails to do so.

Do you think the crisis has made you’re a better person?

I don't think I'm a better person than I was before Jude's visit. But I've had my capacity for love and acceptance tested, and I think I passed the test. I didn't turn my back on Tommy, and that may have saved his life. And now he's a big part of my life.

I've learned that when a life crisis occurs you have to pick up the pieces and carry on. I could have turned my back on Tommy and wallowed in my misery, but I didn't. I let Tommy and Devon into my life, and I said goodbye to Michael. Life is for the living.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Right now, I'm living out in the country, about a two-hour drive north of Toronto. I'm supervising the opening of a branch of our brokerage firm up here, and I'm trying to get to the bottom of another murder: An old man died when he drove into his garage and it burst into flames. And some nasty bikers are hanging around here and they think I'm involved in the local grow-op.

Sounds like you need to move back to the City.

On the whole, I like it up here. Haversham County is a beautiful part of the world and the people are just great. I don't think I want to go back to Toronto. So there may be a move in my future.
   
But first, we need to find out who murdered that old man. And get those bikers to go away.

Any last words of advice for others gobsmacked as you were?

Err on the side of generosity. My daughters call me a pushover, and they're probably right. But you have to be able to live with yourself, and I wouldn't be able to do that if I'd turned my back on Tommy.


Look for more about Pat Tierny in Safe Harbour, being released by Imajin Books in Spring 2012. Visit Rosemary McCracken's website at www.rosemarymccracken.com and her blog at rosemarymccracken.wordpress.com. Follow Rosemary on Twitter @RCMcCracken and at www.facebook.com/rosemarymccracken.

From Cheat the Hangman

Tonight we welcome Leander, Lyris Pembroke's spirit guide.

Lyris Pembrooke’s life is forever changed when she inherits her late uncle’s antique-filled Georgian mansion and discovers a small corpse hidden in the tower room, a 68-year old mystery that becomes her obsession and forces her to acknowledge that she will find the answers she seeks only through the intervention of Leander, her spirit guide, and her own budding psychic talents - if she dares to cross that threshold .

So, Leander, can you tell us a bit about yourself? You know, where you live when you aren't communing with Lyris Pembrooke, how many mortal lives you spent here on earth, that kind of thing?

No.

No?

That's classified information. Against the rules to talk about it.

Well, can you at least tell us what you did when you were last here? Maybe your profession?

Nope.

Okay. Would something cataclysmic happen? If you gave us some personal information does the space-time continuum collapse? What?

Nothing.

Then why can't you tell us?

This is my first gig as a spirit guide and I don't want to screw it up. Believe me, I spent enough lifetimes on earth and once or twice on other worlds, so I've done my time. As soon as Lyris joins us in this dimension, I hope to get a job with someone a little more enthusiastic about the gift of psychic ability. Actually, I hope next time its someone of the male gender. Lyris goes hormonal sometimes and takes up a lot of my time.

But, isn't that what you do? Watch out for your human subject and try and keep them out of trouble.

You're confusing spirit guides with guardian angels. Lyris has three of those and, believe me, they don't have a minute to themselves. My job is to help her develop her abilities, to raise her spiritual awareness so she can accomplish her soul's objectives.

How is she doing?

I guess not too badly. She finally accepted her gift, but only after I spent years poking her in the back, trying to get her attention. Finally I had to pop in without an invitation. That's not recommended but it was an emergency and I knew she would never invite me in voluntarily. Now she's getting used to me but, on the down side, sometimes she calls me just to talk.

What's wrong with that? It sounds like your relationship is progressing well.

She's supposed to contact me when she needs advice. I have a lot of other things on the go and don't appreciate being called away to talk about her cousin, the Family Trollop, or some other member of her fruitcake family.

Okay then. Speaking of your other activities. Lyris tells us you attend rock concerts. Who are the headliners – John Lennon, Rick Nelson, Jim Morrison ?

Pay no attention to Lyris. She keeps trying to find out who I hang out with but it's classified information.

So you said. Apparently, Lyris thinks you were once Winston Churchill because you quote him on occasion.

I also quote the Mad Hatter on occasion. Lyris will do that to you.

I understand that you and Lyris are, um, paired for life.

Her life. Yeah, we were matched by the Divine Source, so there's no getting away from her. Request denied.

Well, Leander, we appreciate you taking the time . . .

Time's nothing to me. But I gotta go, dude. I'm late for racquetball with... Oops, almost spilled it there.

And he's gone, folks. 

That's concludes our first ever interview with a spirit guide. I'm not sure Fred counts and he's no Guide -- maybe a Scout. Next time we'll see if we can get a spirit that's more forthcoming. Fortunately, we can always read Cheat the Hangman by Gloria Ferris and find out more for ourselves.

Where Horror Characters Reside

And now for something completely different... Jeani Rector publishes Horror Zine, a place where great horror and suspense characters reside.

Tell us a bit about Horror Zine and how you got involved in it.

I am also a writer, and I used to submit stories to online magazines quite a bit. Suddenly the "Great Recession" hit and online magazines started folding, one right after the other. When even The Harrow went on hiatus, I realized someone needed to step up and fill in the gaps. Why not me? So in July 2009, the very first issue of The Horror Zine went up.

The funny thing is, I chose the name The Horror Zine simply as words someone would accidentally stumble across while doing Google searches. I had no idea that I could have named the magazine anything I wanted and it would be successful enough that people would search it out. They don't find it by accident; they know all about it!

Are all horror stories paranormal?

Well, actually horror falls into sub-genres. There is the ghost sub-genre, the psychological suspense sub-genre, the "Twilight-Zone" sub-genre, the moster sub-genre, vampires, zombies, ghouls....you get the idea.

There are also sub-genres that I do not accept, such as slasher, gore-for-gore's sake, and I don't want anything that harms women or children. No torture, either.

What kind of stories scare you the most?

Now that's a good question. Probably what scares me most are the stories where ordinary people wind up in extraordinary situations. The ones that could really happen in real life, to me and even you.

Vampire or werewolf? Which would you rather be bitten by?

I would prefer to be bitten by a very sexy human man. LOL. But I gravitate towards werewolves because vampires are a bit over-done right now. You would need a brand new twist to make a vampire story stand out from the pack. Or are packs referring to wolves? You know what I mean!

Find Horror Zine here: www.thehorrorzine.com
Follow Jeani on Twitter: twitter.com/TheHorrorZine 

Survey says...
Twilight and Zombie Apocalypse notwithstanding, the creatures of the night that most readers want to hang out with are ghosts and demons.

Every Parent's Nightmare from Children of the Fog

YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION:
Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die.
Choose!

That's the decision Sadie O'Connell, bestselling author and a proud mother, had to make. Fear, grief and guilt rip her apart.

Hi Sadie, tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Sadie O'Connell and I'm a published author of romance, though my most recent work is children's fiction. I wrote it especially for the love of my life—my son Sam.

Having a child didn't come easy to me. When Sam was born, I was ecstatic and I dedicated my life to being a great mother, a good wife and a caring friend. But life hasn't been easy. Sam hears perfectly but is mute, and I don't know why. And Philip isn't exactly the most faithful husband. As for my best friend Leah—well, you'll have to read the book.

And I guess I should also tell you, I'm an alcoholic.

Clean and sober?

For a couple of weeks now – longer before The Fog took my son.

Tell us about The Fog.

He's a serial kidnapper and just his name alone strikes fear into the very core of every parent's heart. I first heard about him in the news, when a boy and girl went missing. Every year, he'd take two more. When Leah and I went for coffee a few days before Sam's sixth birthday, we read about another girl.

I never thought for one moment that my beautiful boy Sam would be next.

What happened?

Everything started with Sam's birthday party. Later, I thought I heard Philip returning home from another "late night at the office." But it wasn't Philip. I knew instinctively that something was wrong—a mother's intuition. So I went to check on Sam. And found The Fog.

You must really hate him for what he did to you and your son.

After everything that has gone down, I have very mixed feeling about The Fog. He was clearly insane, but now that I know his story, I have to say I feel for the man. He was left behind in the system and how can I really judge him? I was lost too for a while. I turned to my old habit—alcohol—and it nearly killed me.

You were given a choice—to let The Fog take Sam or watch him kill Sam. How difficult was that choice?

It was the most difficult, mind-numbing decision I have ever had to make. My first instinct was to fight for my son. It was horrifying to think of The Fog walking away with Sam. I couldn't even fathom what atrocities my son would endure. So I tried to fight. But I'm not a physically strong woman. And this was a man who knew how to fight—and how to kill. Though I tried, he beat me until I could no longer fight. When he held a gun to Sam's head, I couldn't breathe. So I made my choice. I let The Fog take Sam.

I know some people may not understand my decision. All I could think of was that Sam would be alive, at least for a while, and maybe he could be rescued. The only other choice was to have him shot in front of me. What would YOU do?

How has all this affected you?

I am still a writer. I'm writing more children's books than romance though. I'm not sure I believe in romance any more. I do have some new men in my life, but they are friends. Well, there's one...who knows?

As for Philip, he has a new home. He'll always be Sam's father. I loved Philip once. I am working at forgiving him for everything he did.

Leah and I are working on establishing trust in our relationship. Some days it's hard. We'll never have the same relationship we once had.

Is there anything positive you've gained from your experience - aside from the return of your son? Do you think these events have made you a better person?

I'm not sure if I'm a better person. I have faced my own demons, though there are nights when things come rushing back and leave me running to Sam's bedroom to make sure he's still there.

I think I'm not quite as weak as I once was. I've learned to open my eyes, see things for what they are and fight for what I want. I've learned to not take anything for granted, especially my son. And I've learned that swearing is very therapeutic. Does this make me a better person? I don't know, but I'm working on the new me daily.

I've learned that a child—even a mute child—is the most blessed gift a person could ever receive and to treasure that gift for an infinity.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself watching my son's children and being thankful every day for the gift of life. And I see myself always honoring those who came to save me when I was so far down a tunnel of grief that I couldn't see a way out.

Having gone through this experience, what would you tell someone in a similar situation?

I hope and pray that no one is ever forced to make the decision I was. But if it happens, I pray they find a way to make peace with their choice, no matter how it turns out.

Parents, love your children and treat them as the wonderful gifts they are. Some gifts aren't here forever.

Find The Fog and other great titles at www.imajinbooks.com
Find the author at:
www.cherylktardif.com
www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com
Follow Cheryl on Twitter: @cherylktardif

Angus MacPherson from View to a Kilt

A View to a Kilt by Chris Redding,
from Echelon Press.
Available in eBook and trade paperback
Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day.
When a wise-cracking interior decorator wants to put her
past behind her, the dead body of the mayor’s son
makes it pretty clear that won’t happen too easily. 

Tonight we welcome FBI Agent Angus MacPherson.
Retired FBI.

You’re a little young to retire, aren’t you?
Once my wife Charlotte was killed I lost my zest for law enforcement. I run a private security firm and do everything from body guards to internet and computer security.

Tell us how you met interior decorator Miriam?
Well, I saw her as someone who could help me figure out if Charlotte was murdered and by whom. I never had any idea I’d fall in love with her.

Investigating the death of your wife and you fall in love – how did you manage that?
Thinking with the wrong head? Oh, wait, I guess you could say I didn’t realize how captivating Miriam would be. My wife died two years ago. I didn’t realize just how ready I was to fall in love again.

And Miriam Stokes is The One?
I’m nuts about her. I never thought I’d feel this way again.

So, what went wrong?
I lied to her, or at least didn’t tell the truth. I was hired to protect her, but I couldn’t tell her. My client asked for the utmost discretion.
Now I can’t sleep and I certainly can’t go back to the Bureau if I’m dating someone who is a witness for them. The whole relationship closed some doors for me. But I learned how to put the past in the past and that no job is worth lying to the one you love.

Find out more by checking out...
www.chrisreddingauthor.com,
http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com, www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor
www.twitter.com/chrisredding.

From Under A Texas Star - Marly Landers

Tonight on Nighthawk Talk, we welcome back Marly Landers from El Paso.

I'm not from El Paso, I'm headed for El Paso. I notice that nice Cherie girl isn’t here. Does that mean I won’t be asked about my glutes and abs? I never did find out what she meant.

We won’t talk beauty tips this time.* Instead, perhaps you could tell us about your journey so far.

That's a long story. Aunt Adele was sending me to a convent school. I’d rather not go into the reasons. Let’s just say, I had other plans. So, I purposely took the wrong train out of Kansas City. Then I had steal boys clothes and muddy my trail so my aunt wouldn't figure out where I was going. Not that she would care too much but I bet she made Sheriff Langtree look for me when I didn't turn up...

How about starting when you met Ranger Strachan?

I guess I first noticed him in Abilene but we met in Dogflats. By that time I was having to walk or hitch rides to get from town to town. He'd been following me for a couple of days – though he said I was following him. He bought me a steak dinner after I gave my supper away to Mr Hayes. He lost his son in the war and he really wanted to blame someone but mostly he was just sad and drunk and whatever Jase might think, I don't think he really would have hurt me.

Excuse me?

He only left a little bruise. I got much worse falling of Trouble.

Your horse?

Jase's horse really. I was borrowing it. Except.... well... I really did feel like he was mine. That's what made it so sad when...

When?

You know, this is really something the way I can talk to you and people all over can hear me. Is it like the telegraph? Does my voice carry over wires?

Sort of. What about Trouble?

He was a good horse, even if he deserved his name. Jase said you were going to ask me about being a detective - though I'm hardly that. I just helped out some with the murder investigation. I mean I did figure out who killed Marshal Strothers, but Jase was the one that proved the case and even if I did break up a few bar fights, I think he only made me deputy to keep me safe.

Marly, do you ever run out of breath when you talk?

<chuckle> Sometimes.

You can find out more about Marly Landers in Under A Texas Star, by Alison Bruce
* And in her previous Nighthawk Interview.

Under A Texas Star is available in paperback at Amazon.ca, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble on sale in eBook format at Amazon.com , Amazon.uk and Smashwords.

From Under A Texas Star

Welcome back to Nighthawk Talk. Tonight we have a blast from the past, Texas Ranger Jason Strachan. Howdy, Ranger.

Good evenin'.

The Texas Rangers are legendary. Their history goes back to the early years of the American colonization of Texas when Stephen F. Austin hired ten experienced frontiersmen as rangers for a punitive expedition against a band of Native Americans. In 1835, the Texas Rangers were formally created as a law enforcement and defensive organization.

Sounds about right.

What made you join the Rangers?

Somethin' t' do.

And...

It was the Civil War. My father joined the Confederate Army out of a sense of duty or maybe because it was the thing to do at the time. I was to stay home and take care of my mother and sister.

 You didn't.

I did for awhile, but I was young, foolish and in love with the idea of adventure. Still, I joined the Rangers because I saw it as a way I could protect my family. We mustered to guard our home state from Comanches and banditos - not other Americans. As it happened, when things were getting desperate, we were sent east to fight.

 That's when you met Miss Jezebel.

Eventually. She and Fred rescued me when I was injured and helped get me back home. I will always be beholden to her for that.

You were lovers?

I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that last question, else I'd have to assume you were casting aspersions on my honor as a gentleman.

You were close friends?

I will always consider Jez my good friend. She was there when I needed her and I will always try to be there when she needs me.

 Which is what brought you to Fortuna when she asked for your help.

<chuckle> That was plain old good luck. Her message caught up with me a couple of days after we arrived in Fortuna.

By we you mean you and Marly Landers.

Yep. But before you ask the question I know you're dying to ask, think about how much you like your nose unbroken.

Uh - I was only going to ask how Landers worked out as your deputy.

Fine. Landers is a natural born detective - observant and nosy.

 Will you work together again?

Maybe you best ask Landers that question.

Maybe I will. Marly Lander was a guest on Nighthawk just before our change in venue. If you'd like to read the transcript of her earlier interview, click here.

Under A Texas Star is available in paperback at Amazon.ca, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble on sale in eBook format at Amazon.com , Amazon.uk and Smashwords.