“Hell.” Mac Carlson hit speed dial for a second time, one white knuckled hand gripped the steering wheel. Crap like this didn’t happen on his watch. Carlson Group, though new in Atlanta, ranked number one in the security business.
He punched speed dial for the third time and swerved to miss a car that pulled out in front of him. He swore at the driver and flipped him off. The idiot would have killed a less skilled driver. Why didn’t they answer the damned phone?
The Knights’ alarm had activated and then fallen silent. Why? Mac had dropped Allen Knight off earlier at a meeting downtown. Only Knight’s wife and daughter stayed home, along with the family’s personal security, of course.
Could be a false alarm. Yeah, right. Like the newly installed multi-faceted security system all malfunctioned at once, no chance. Besides, Mac trusted his instincts and alarm bells were jangling through every cell of his being. His gut said this was real, and it wasn’t going to be pretty.
“Answer the phone.”
Where the hell was security? If Allen had allowed him to handpick the on-premise security team this wouldn’t be happening. Mac’s fist pounded the steering wheel.
“Hell.” Mac Carlson hit speed dial for a second time, one white knuckled hand gripped the steering wheel. Crap like this didn’t happen on his watch. Carlson Group, though new in Atlanta, ranked number one in the security business.
He punched speed dial for the third time and swerved to miss a car that pulled out in front of him. He swore at the driver and flipped him off. The idiot would have killed a less skilled driver. Why didn’t they answer the damned phone?
The Knights’ alarm had activated and then fallen silent. Why? Mac had dropped Allen Knight off earlier at a meeting downtown. Only Knight’s wife and daughter stayed home, along with the family’s personal security, of course.
Could be a false alarm. Yeah, right. Like the newly installed multi-faceted security system all malfunctioned at once, no chance. Besides, Mac trusted his instincts and alarm bells were jangling through every cell of his being. His gut said this was real, and it wasn’t going to be pretty.
“Answer the phone.”
Where the hell was security? If Allen had allowed him to handpick the on-premise security team this wouldn’t be happening. Mac’s fist pounded the steering wheel.
I write fiction, I make it all up. I tell lies for a living now. Yep, that’s what I do. I used to be a more honest person. In my former career I taught school and I prided myself on my honesty. Not so anymore.
My Daddy was a consumate liar. He was famous for it. He’d tell the same lies so many times that he’d believe them himself. I guess I owe my dad for my gift of writing fiction. He taught me to tell stories. I learned how to embellish the truth.
An idea pops into my head and I run with it. Easy as pie right? I gave up writing historicals because I didn’t have time to do the research. But guess what, even writing contemporary fiction requires research, so I spend many hours gathering facts and articles, maps and pictures all to insure that my stories, while fiction, ring true.
Right now I am working on a romantic suspense set during a major snowstorm in the Atlanta area. Guess what I’ve been researching?
You got it, the great Snowpocalypse of 2014. I’ve found so many details of that event to include in my story. When I started developing this plot, I had no idea who my hero would work for, so I reached out to a retired military friend for that information. I waited a couple months for the answers to my questions because he had to get permission to give me those answers. Wow, I was impressed. Maybe he wasn’t quite as retired as I thought he was.
Once while working on a story that involved agents from the GBI I called the Atlanta office and talked to an agent. He was very informative. I promised him a copy of that book, but haven’t managed to sell it, so he’s still waiting. Now maybe I’ll pull it out and go the indie route, so I can send him his copy.
I’ve decided historicals might be easier after all, history doesn’t change like contemporary times do. Don’t even get me started about sci-fi or paranormal or fantasy. Yes, you make it all up. Yes it’s fiction. But you still have to get the details right and that means research.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the research. I’ll waste… uh work for hours researching. Did I mention I majored in history in college? Well, I did and I love research. I love researching and digging up the little details that make my lies ring true. What about you? How do you make your lies ring true?
I’ve tracked down Jolie Wyngate heroine of A Matter of Trust and want her to tell us about Mac Carlson. Jolie is sitting beside the pool at the Arizona estate of a well-known congressional candidate. He and Mac are buds from way back and he’s extended his hospitality to the couple. After working together to rescue a kidnapped child, Mac and Jolie are taking a well-deserved break now that the bad guy has been taken care of. (At least that’s what they think as they visit Sedona, Arizona for a little R & R.)
MJ: “Jolie, the question we would like to have answered is what makes Mac great hero material?
Jolie: “Mac is certainly hero material, just ask the Maniac, she’s quite taken with him.”
MJ: “Okay, let’s start with physical appearance, is there anyone you think Mac favors?”
Jolie laughs, the sound carries on the warm Arizona breeze. “He looks a bit like Matthew McConaughey. But then you know that MJ, I’ve seen the picture you hung over the computer while you were working. He has a boyish charm that most women find endearing.”
MJ: “What was the first thing you noticed about Mac?”
Jolie: “His smile and he has really nice teeth. And that dimple beside his mouth. But his eyes, he has the most beautiful, dreamy eyes. But you do remember the first time I saw him, right? That first impression was a little hard to shake. I thought he was an alien!”
MJ: “Yes, I remember, he was wearing night-vision goggles, wasn’t he?” I smiled at the memory. “So, what else about Mac made an impression?”
Jolie: “His sense of duty and honor, you do remember he was a SEAL?”
MJ: “Did you find working with Mac a challenge?”
Jolie: Definitely, he has big time trust issues. But you’ve got that under control right?
MJ: “Me?”
Jolie: “You’re the author, you’re the one who gave him those trust issues.”
MJ: (I suddenly realize what comes next in the plot and decide to change the topic) “What do you think is the most important character trait for a hero?”
Jolie: “Honesty is very high on my list.”
MJ: Still remembering where we are in the plot. Uh oh. Mac can still pull this out if he’s careful. “How about on the hotness scale. Where would you rank Mac on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being too hot to handle?”
Jolie: Again with the giggle. “Mac is definitely a 5+.”
MJ: “Why?”
Jolie: “He’s in top shape, has a killer smile and Paul Newman eyes. Just being near him is enough to make your toes curl.”
MJ: “Where is this male paragon?”
Jolie: “He went to get the Jeep, we’re going to explore red rock country. I want to see Bell Rock.”
MJ: “Bell Rock? Well, y’all be careful.” I decide not to distract Jolie any longer because I know she… well, read the book and you will see!
You’ll want to know what happens next, so hurry and click the buy link for A Matter of Trust!
Watch the trailer for A Matter of Trust
About the Author:
MJ Flournoy loves crafting stories of romance and suspense. Her interest in writing grew organically from her love of reading. A late bloomer, MJ attended college as a non-traditional student and earned a degree in history with an eye toward writing historical romance.
After graduation from college, MJ became a middle school teacher, which helps to keep her grounded in the real world while her plots take her away to the extraordinary worlds of imagination and creativity. MJ enjoys adding a twist of paranormal to her plots.
MJ makes her home in rural Georgia with her husband. She has two children and two
grandchildren. Her favourite activities are writing, reading, and travel.
Today I’m joining the Baton Blog Hop. Blame it on my friend Beverley Bateman. Bev is a member of Kiss of Death chapter of RWA and a close friend. Beverley writes romantic suspense and medical thrillers. She lives in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Beverley has an extensive background in nursing that helps keep her medical thrillers “real.” Bev’s current release is A Cruise to Remember. Visit Beverley at http://www.beverleybateman.blogspot.com
Here’s how the Baton Blog Hop works, I answer the following questions and then pass the baton on to three other authors. We hope it doesn’t get dropped along the way. You know – you’ve seen it happen in relay races. But not this time. We got this!
1. What am I working on?
My current work in progress has the working title, The Serpentine Thread. It is the first book in my new romantic suspense series. It features a teacher who works with special needs kids, a hot FBI special agent with the OTD and an autistic student who is a computer whizkid.
2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?
My heroine is a teacher who is a regular person placed in an extraordinary situation. I draw on my 20 year career as a special education teacher to breathe life into Erin.
3. Why do I write what I do?
I write what I like to read. I enjoy putting my own twists on my plots.
4. How does your writing process work?
Who says it works? I like to base my plots on true life events, but fictionalize them to fit my plot. My current release, A Matter of Trust,was inspired by a news headline about a woman who had a “feeling” that a child was in danger and saved te child’s life when she reported it to the authorities.
That’s enough about me. Let me tell you about my three friends.
Lisa Kessler and I met on Facebook. We enjoy chatting and following each other around the web. Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.
You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Next up is Kizzie Darker, another Facebook friend, this one from across the pond! Kizzie Darker was born in may 1979 in the small UK brewing town of Burton on Trent.
She grew up in a small town outside of Burton where she lead a somewhat happy childhood until her parents divorced and Kizzie was taken into care where she lead a more fullfilled childhood.
She left school with the minimum qualifications and studied performing arts at college.
She now lives in the West Midlands UK with her husband Adrian and her pets. Kizzie’s new book, Destraction & Desire is currently free on Amazon, so snap it up!
Kizzie just sent me the link to her book in print! Squee!! http://createspace.com/4727671
Our third author is Carol Shaughnessy. Carol and I met at a Georgia Romance Writers meeting and hit it off right away. Carol writes paranormal menage erotic romance. Her belief in Happily Ever After and love at” almost” first sight ties her characters together through dangerous missions to protect their world from discovery. Filled with passion, secrets, and self discovery the stories are unforgettable.
Her latest book is fifth in the Sanctuary series. The Learning. See more at http:// carolshaughnessy. com
Don’t forget to check out these three authors in Monday, April 7th. You’ll be glad you did!
I saw a news post about a woman at Walmart who had a feeling about a man. He was acting strangely and she wrote down his tag number. Later that same day the man abducted a seven year old girl. The woman gave the tag number to the police and the child was saved.
There was another case a few years ago where a woman had a feeling about a child being in danger and it turned out she was right. The child had been kidnapped and thanks to the woman’s intuition or sixth sense, that child was saved.
The second case is where the idea for A Matter of Trust was born. Have you ever experienced intuition that saved you or someone you know? Have you experienced a sixth sense? Tell us about it. You share one and I’ll tell you about one of mine.
A Matter of Trust
By MJ Flournoy
While watching a news account of the rescue of an abducted child, I became absorbed in the story. So much so, that I took that one event and built an entire plot around it. The person in the news story encountered a small child and her intuition told her something was wrong. Being a teacher, I have often encountered situations where that intuition kicked in to help a child. Often teachers have a sort of sixth sense where the well-being of students is concerned.
I took that grain of an idea and built it into the plot of A Matter of Trust. Jolie Wyngate is a teacher with a gift, or curse, depending on how she views it. She tries to keep knowledge of her ability undercover, but when the wellbeing of a child is at risk, she has to use her ability, regardless of the personal cost.
What would you do in a similar situation? If you had a special gift, but sharing that gift could cause you to lose the career you’d worked hard to establish, would you do it? Would you do the right thing regardless of personal costs?
I like to think that I would rise to the occasion. That my innate sense of always “do what is right, regardless,” would be strong enough to help me do what my conscious insisted I do.
That is exactly the dilemma Jolie faces in A Matter of Trust. She has learned through many personal setbacks that sharing her gift with others usually came with a steep price for her personally. Now she faces the ultimate challenge.
Mac Carlson is a man on a mission. Ex-Navy SEAL and security expert, Carlson’s mission is to save a kidnapped child. Jolie shows up on his radar as his major suspect. With serious trust issues on both sides, it seems unlikely that these two will be able to work together to save the kidnapped child, let alone develop a serious relationship.
Add to that the presence of the Maniac, the disembodied voice that is the source of much of Jolie’s information and the plot becomes very complicated. A Matter of Trust, by MJ Flournoy, available now.
Leave a comment here and visit MJ’s blog and leave a comment for a chance to win an Amazon gift card. Excerpt:
A Coke, a fat one, or an orange soda.
“Not gonna happen.” Jolie Wyngate shrugged, climbed from her car and hurried toward the convenience store to pick up a quick snack before continuing on her way south.
And why not?
“Because I have to drive another hundred and fifty miles, and I don’t intend to stop every half hour for potty breaks.”
You are so not any fun! It’s just a Coke, for Pete’s sake.
“And you, lady, are so predictable.”
Make it chocolate then.
Jolie smiled. Chocolate, a compromise with which she could live. “Right.”
And stop speaking out loud, people will think you’re crazy.
“Me crazy? Get real, Maniac, I’ve talked to you since childhood. If I haven’t landed in the
loony bin by now, I hardly think it’s going to happen.”
Humor me, then.
Jolie shrugged, continuing toward the store. She’d pick out a chocolate bar to keep her unseen companion happy.
Serve you right if I quit talking to you all together.
“Put it in writing.” Jolie reached for the door handle.
A giggle erupted within Jolie’s mind. Then, in the tone Jolie hated hearing: Shush, pay
attention. There’s something wrong in there.
Oh, hell. Jolie bit the soft flesh of her lower lip. Her hand tingled as if the door was
electrified. Shit, this was the real reason for the Maniac’s sudden thirst.
The cool, dry air of the convenience store surrounded her when she stepped through the open door. For a second, the young clerk behind the counter looked up from the newspaper spread in front of her. Nothing. Jolie expelled a breath of relief, exchanged a quick smile with the clerk, and then headed toward the candy isle.
Then she saw her. The little girl wandered listlessly down the candy isle, her small hand
trailing over the rows of candy, gently touching, but taking nothing. Jolie watched her for a moment, then scanned the store and saw no one in sight.
The child turned, her gaze lifting until it found Jolie. She tilted her head to the side, her eyes searching Jolie’s for an instant. Then she moved closer and stared up at her. The expression on the small face caused Jolie’s heart to turn over. She knelt to the child’s level and touched the riot of red curls. A jolt of emotion skittered along Jolie’s spine, but Jolie forced herself not to pull away.
“Hey, sweetie, does your mommy know you’re out here alone?”
The little girl looked about three. She continued to stare mutely. Jolie smiled at her. “That your mommy behind the counter?”
She lifted the child into her arms. Unprepared for the sudden shock of pain and despair that engulfed her, Jolie almost dropped her. Instead, she tightened her arms instinctively around the frail body.
Something’s not right.
Blurb
Her paranormal abilities had always caused her grief. But can they save the life of a child who has been spirited away from her parents and the life of the man she loves?
Jolie Wyngate is a middle school teacher with an extraordinary gift—or is it a curse? Throughout her life, she’s been never been sure. Now, when she is implicated in the disappearance of a child, the ultimate value of her powers will be put to the test.
Mac Carlson, former Navy SEAL and security expert, is tasked with rescuing the girl, Rachael Anne. From the moment he meets Jolie, his suspicious and protective nature sets its sights on her as a prime suspect. Can Jolie clear her name and gain this man’s hard-won trust?
More importantly, can she save the girl before time runs out? She won’t be able to do it without her psychic abilities—but Mac has a hard enough time trusting Jolie as it is, let alone trusting her powers to lead them to Rachael Anne.
As Mac and Jolie realize they have no choice but to work as a team—and as they slowly warm to each other in the process—they realize they have a new problem: the man they are after has set his sights on Jolie. Now Jolie will need all of her abilities, and all of Mac’s strength and skill, to stay out of the fiend’s hands and bring Rachael Anne back home.
Bio for MJ Flournoy:
MJ Flournoy loves crafting stories of romance and suspense. Her interest in writing grew organically from her love of reading. A late bloomer, MJ attended college as a non-traditional student and earned a degree in history with an eye toward writing historical romance.
After graduation from college, MJ became a middle school teacher, which helps to keep her grounded in the real world while her plots take her away to the extraordinary worlds of imagination and creativity. MJ enjoys adding a twist of paranormal to her plots.
MJ makes her home in rural Georgia with her husband. She has two children and two
grandchildren. Her favourite activities are writing, reading, and travel.
What is your dream vacation? Can I tempt you to start planning now? Let’s see, what would it take? Is it cold where you are? Are you tired of snow and ice? Can I tempt you to tag along with me on my virtual vacation? Come on, it will be fun. Where shall we go?
Venice, Italy how does that sound? Romantic enough for you? We could enjoy a romantic gondola ride down a Venician canal with our main squeeze.
We’ll stroll across Railto Bridge and watch the traffic along the Grand Canal.
Then it’s on to Athens to climb to the top of the Acropolis and explore the Parthenon.
Finally, we’ll stop to sun ourselves in the warm Mediterranean sun while we sit and enjoy an amazing lunch. What could be more fun than people watching at an open air cafe?
How about it? Did you enjoy our virtual vacation? Did it help to warm you up? No, still not warm? Then might I suggest you curl up with a good book? Do I know of a good book? Why I thought you’d never ask! Might I suggest a spicy romantic suspense?
It’s a new year and I want to wish all my friends a Happy New Year. 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year. I have three projects to finish. One is a novella that my editor is waiting for edits on, the second is the sequel to A Matter of Trust, which will feature more paranormal elements with a “walk-in” and finally I’ve been asked to write a romantic suspense sans paranormal. This third thing offers the most challenge for me because almost all of my work has strong elements of paranormal that find their way into my writing.
What about you, my friends? What are your plans for the new year?
If you haven’t download it already you can find my romantic suspense novel, A Matter of Trust, here:
I’ve joined the blissekiss.co.uk Sunday SNOG This is from my romantic suspense published by Reniassance Ebooks. This is the first kiss from A Matter of Trust.
“Dammit, this makes no sense. I’d have bet my life that you were not involved with Walters, and then you dropped a bombshell only he could’ve given you.”
He moved closer, so close that his nose was mere inches from her face. His Paul Newman eyes bored into her. He focused first on her eyes, and then allowed his gaze to drop to her lips.
Jolie couldn’t stop herself from darting her tongue out to moisten her lips. Sudden fire blazed in his eyes when they followed the motion, then banked to smolder just beneath the surface of his arctic gaze.
“I can’t figure you out.” He moved closer still. He filled her vision and her senses screamed overload. Her body, no longer comatose from exertion, spiraled to vibrant life. The scent of him filled her senses, her very being.
He closed the inches separating them, eyes ablaze.
Jolie held her breath. His lips met hers, slowly brushing them. With infinite care his lips glided, caressed, tasted, his tongue gently probed her lips. Her eyes closed of their own volition. His arms closed around her, pulling her into his embrace.
All thought fled under the heated onslaught of his kiss. It was at once sweet and demanding, gentle, yet controlling. For a moment, she let go of all questions, doubts and fears, allowing her body to go with the onslaught of his kiss. It was torture and bliss, his desire bombarded her, sheer physical wanting inundated her as his body telegraphed its needs to hers.
He drew away and Jolie sensed his withdrawal in more than just the physical sense. Once again cloaked, shuttered, a world unto himself, guarded from her.
Jolie felt alone, outside that world. She sat for a moment in wonder. What had just happened? Why had she allowed him to kiss her?
Because he is totally hot, screamed Maniac.
Jolie lifted trembling fingers to her lips, found them swollen and tender from the onslaught of his kiss. His taste lingered there, and she licked her tongue out to touch its’ tip to her tender lips, testing the slight tingling awareness lingering there. She had not invited his kiss, yet strangely, she could not have resisted because his lips ignited a burning d bliss, his desire bombarded her, sheer physical wanting inundated her as his body telegraphed its needs to hers.
He drew away and Jolie sensed his withdrawal in more than just the physical sense. Once again cloaked, shuttered, a world unto himself, guarded from her.
Jolie felt alone, outside that world. She sat for a moment in wonder. What had just happened? Why had she allowed him to kiss her?
Because he is totally hot, screamed Maniac.
Jolie lifted trembling fingers to her lips, found them swollen and tender from the onslaught of his kiss. His taste lingered there, and she licked her tongue out to touch its’ tip to her tender lips, testing the slight tingling awareness lingering there. She had not invited his kiss, yet strangely, she could not have resisted because his lips ignited a burning deep within her. Her blood sang. Her body responded. Never had she experienced such overwhelming, blatant, raw sexual power. It both attracted and repelled her.
Jolie blanched at the discovery. Where Mac Carlson was concerned, she could not trust her own body not to betray her.
For a moment, Jolie focused on her body’s response to Mac, and then her attention was claimed by the impressions that had transmitted to her from the man. He had been trying to master and control her, but he had, for a second, lost control of his iron will. He had wanted her, more desperately and totally than any man had ever wanted her. And she had wanted him just as much. Wanted him with a deep, primitive, all-consuming need, one Jolie had never felt before. She wasn’t sure she liked the way it made her feel and she was absolutely certain she would never be able to control herself if he pulled her back into his arms.
She scooted away from him just a few inches, hoping to clear her brain of the heated swamp of hormones his presence caused.
Do you have a special sixth sense? A sort of knowing that everyone doesn’t share? Teachers, some teachers, at any rate, have what I’ve come to call “teacher’s intuition.” It’s something that I see and experience everyday at school. Some teachers have that extra something that helps them to understand their students. Maybe it is an empathy developed by years of being there and seeing the kids. Or maybe it is something they came equipped with, that knowing when something just isn’t right.
I’ve seen cases where a teacher intervened and found a child had been abused. Other times that extra teacher’s intuition led to the information that the child was going hungry because there was no food at home due to sudden hardship befalling the family.
Teacher’s intuition is not unlike a mother’s intuition. In fact, it is probably the same sense, because many teachers are also mothers. Or maybe I should say parent’s intuition, because fathers too often know when their child is in danger.
In my romantic suspense novel, A Matter of Trust, Jolie Wyngate experiences just such an intuition, but in Jolie’s case the sense goes a step further. Jolie knows things she shouldn’t know. She reads people and objects. Those skills are not cherished by school boards, making it hard for Jolie to keep her job when the media outs her as the psychic who found a kidnapped child. Now history is poised to repeat itself.
A Matter of Trust available from Sizzler Editions.
