Dead Reckoning
Northstar Security #2
By Stanalei Fletcher
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Interview:
Crystal: I am honored to host Stanalei Fletcher today. Welcome Stanalei! I'm so thrilled you have you here today. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?
Stanalei: Ahh, I’m betting you’d like something that probably isn’t in my bio, which after posting it in so many places, is actually a bit boring to me, too. Well, I still have my day job doing technical support. With my husband now retired, the day job continues to help with the bills. So when I write, I’m squeezing in time between a typical 8-6 work day. I’m a grandmother and spend a lot of time at little league baseball and football games in the spring, summer and fall. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it does mean I have to prioritize other activities to have time to craft my stories.
Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us?
Stanalei: My latest book is DEAD RECKONING. There are a few scenes that are my favorite, but here’s one your visitors might enjoy:
Share a bed with Egan? After what had just happened? Could she do it? Had they done it before?
“I’m sleeping on the floor,” he said, as though sensing her thoughts.
She whirled around. “I wasn’t…I was wondering if we…” Her cheeks grew hot. How did she ask that question?
The corner of his mouth twitched. “No. We haven’t.”
“Oh.” That settled the question about being lovers. Disappointment gnawed at her. She wasn’t his student anymore. She was a grown woman, with mature needs and desires. “I’m perfectly fine if you want to sleep on the bed with me.” At least she thought she was. “Besides, you’ll be uncomfortable, and might kink your neck, or worse.”
He shrugged off her concern. “Comfort isn’t the issue.”
“Then what is?”
“Let’s just say I don’t need the distraction.”
Her? A distraction? His admission ignited a flare of hope. Without a second thought, she walked over to him, stood on her toes and planted a kiss on the same cheek she’d slapped earlier. His scruffy whiskers grazed her lips, searing a new memory into her brain.
“What was that for?” Frustration edged his voice.
“For slapping you. You didn’t deserve it. You were doing your job.” She returned to the bed and pulled down the covers, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
Egan stood rooted to the carpet for a moment. Then he strode decisively into the bathroom.
She smiled when she heard him swear just before slamming the door.
Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for your latest release?
Stanalei: You know, I honestly don’t remember exactly where the idea first came from for DEAD RECKONING. I know it was a conceptual idea sometime after Hurricane Katrina. But I didn’t want to write about the hurricane or the aftermath as much as find a story that had a bit of twist to it and use the storm as a backdrop. I do love to use forces of nature in all my stories. I think a storm or fire can add to the suspenseful trials my characters face.
Crystal: What are you currently working on?
Stanalei: My next project is book 3 in the Northstar Security Series with a working title: BEYOND DUTY. All the stories feature the head of the firm, Byron O’Neal. In DEAD RECKONING, you meet his daughter, Kellee. In BEYOND DUTY, you get to meet his son, Riley.
Crystal: Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing?
Stanalei: Because of the aforementioned day job, I do have routine I try to stick to. When I decided to write for publication, I sacrificed my regular Aikido study nights. For over twenty years, Tuesday and Thursday nights were set aside for training. Now my training is somewhat more sedentary, but it’s training nonetheless. I write on those nights and on Saturdays after my weekly chores. This routine is constant, with the few exceptions when I’m on vacations, at a conference or have purposely chosen not to write. There is no “when I’m writing”…I’m always writing or doing something related to my writing.
Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book or any other? If so, do you have a fascinating fact that you have learned you would like to share with us?
Stanalei: I do research for all my books. If possible, I like to have “boots on the ground” for any location I write about. I live in the western part of the United States and that has been easier research for some stories. But DEAD RECKONING takes place on the east coast. I have visited Florida a few times for my day job, but not the specific locations mentioned in the book. I did a lot of Google Earth research and made the internet and bookstore my friend. I researched amnesia, hurricanes, live-aboard boats, and the history of the Russian Mafia. I learned a lot about boats and even more about Russians when I put out a request to confirm some of the Russian terms I used. As a result of that research, I toned down some of the language to make it less vulgar. Any mistakes or misuse of the nautical and Russian terms in the story are mine alone.
Crystal: Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?
Stanalei: I have my old standby favorites, (listed in my bio) but I also love to read RaeAnne Thayne, Kristan Higgins, Tom Clancy, James Rollins, and Christopher Moore. More accurately, I love to listen to the last three authors on audio CDs. A good reader makes the book a performance and all the difference in the story experience when you listen to the audio.
Crystal: Is there a genre you haven't written that you would like to try?
Stanalei: I have a time-travel story out, so I’ve already ventured beyond the Romantic Suspense genre. In fact, I have readers who’ve requested a sequel to the time-travel, so that is rolling up on my to-do list, soon. I also have a small town contemporary series started that is in the WIP phase. I’d like to see if that is a genre that would please my readers.
I want to take a moment to thank you, Crystal, for the support and time you’ve given me on your blog today. I wish you and your visitors the best of days! To keep up with my latest projects, you can sign up for my newsletter here: http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/contact.html.
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Dead Reckoning Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press | Amazon | B&N | iBook | kobo | All Romance eBooks
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BLURB:
Egan Maddox isn’t sure he’s the right man for the job when Northstar director, Byron O’Neal, asks him to find his missing daughter and protect her from an unknown danger. Egan’s never shaken off his attraction to Kellee O’Neal and hiding away with her, could be more than trouble than this former Navy SEAL can handle.
Kellee is lost, with no memory, and believes someone wants to hurt her. When Egan appears and seems to know her, he convinces her she’ll be safe with him. As her memories resurface, she turns to Egan for comfort, and her youthful crush transforms into a womanly passion she can’t deny.
With the Russian Mafia closing in, Kellee learns her entire life has been a lie. How can her love for Egan be enough to help her navigate the murky waters of her past and prove that her heritage doesn’t matter as much as the woman she’s become?
I have to say that I anxiously anticipated Dead Reckoning and could not wait to get my hands on it. I so enjoyed the first book in the series I just could not wait to see what Stanalei Fletcher would come up with for book two. Every anxious moments and my incredible anticipation were well warranted. Dead Reckoning meet all my expectation and exceeded several. It's an incredible story with a whole lot of suspense, plenty of drama, a page turning mystery, and a wonderful romance story.
Kellee O'Neal is one intelligent, determined, strong willed lady that can kick rear end when need be. Kellee has been well trained in the security and investigation field by her Dad's crew. When she is caught in a dangerous situation, in the midst of a hurricane no less, even with all her training things still go horribly wrong. Kellee has no clue who she is where home is, or who her family is. She is on a bus of hurricane evacuees when Egan locates her.
Egan Maddox is ask by his boss to locate a very precious person, his daughter. Egan has to gain Kellee's trust when he does find her. She feels a connection but doesn't remember exactly who he is. When certain memories hit she knows this is a man she can trust with her life, despite the fact she doesn't remember her life at all or her family. She doesn't know why she feels as though she is in danger, she just feels that trouble is lurking.
Egan and Kellee work well together through many dangerous situations. They uncover mysteries that leaves Kellee with a lot of questions to her life. Now she not only does she not remember her life she questions what memories are true and what facts are right.
Stanalei Fletcher has done a fabulous job of creating charming characters with intriguing stories that had me flipping the pages just as quickly as I could. I waited with bated breath wondering how Kellee and Egan would get out of each situation. I hung on to the wild ride around each corner and twist to see what was going to happen next and what piece of information would be revealed to the mystery.
I really enjoyed watching Kellee and Egan discover they had deep feelings for each other. They have an incredible attraction to each other that is hot. Their Romance bloomes even through all the dangerous situations and secrets they uncover. Their past relationship makes their romance together just as sweet as their passion is hot.
I fell in love with Ms. Fletcher's work with the first book in the Northstar Security series and I'm even more addicted now. This talented lady does a fabulous job at romantic suspense. I can not wait to see what creative story she has in store for us next. I will be impatiently awaiting the next book in this series. Each of books will stand alone by itself just fine. You will not be missing any important details to take away from your joy of reading if you have not read the first book. However it is really awesome too so you may want to pick them both up and devour them as I did.
I was given the opportunity to read this fabulous story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Dead Reckoning.
Read my review on Stanalei Fletcher's first book in the Northstar Security Series here.
Dead Reckoning Amazon Buy Link
Proving Ground Amazon Buy Link
Proving Ground
Northstar Security
by Stanalei Fletcher
Blurb:
"PROVING GROUND is an intriguing story filled with tension. A strong debut."
New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin" Screw-ups don’t get second chances. That’s what Caitlin Malone believes when she returns to Oregon after failing her first Northstar Security assignment. When she inadvertently stumbles across a plot to steal deadly pathogens from the bio-lab near her hometown, she sees a chance at redemption.
USDA Forest Ranger, John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair, doesn’t want to babysit the motorcycle club holding their annual rally in his national forest. To make matters worse, Caitlin is attending the rally with Mac’s estranged uncle. Having her home again brings up feelings that are better left buried.
It’s early September. Any spark will send the dry timber into a raging fire. The terrorists are counting on that distraction to work in their favor. When Caitlin is trapped by the wildfire, her only hope of rescue is pinned on Mac, the man she's tried two years to forget. Before they can share their feelings, Mac and Caitlin must first escape the burning forest and stop the terrorists from releasing the deadly pathogens.
Amazon Buy Link
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Author Info:
Stanalei's love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm's Fairy Tales, Barbara Cartland and Alistair MacLean. She has over twenty years of training in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third degree black belt, in Aikido. After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her hero and best friend - her husband. Together they enjoy the open road astride a Harley, visiting museums and our National Parks. Visit Stanalei at www.stanaleifletcher.com
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Review:
I love a good mystery and when you throw in some awesome romance, well you have created a perfect book for me. Proving Ground by Stanalei Fletcher is one of those perfect books. I LOVED this story. I was completely captivated and spellbound by Proving Ground from page one all the way to end. I could not put this book down. I had to be reminded by my husband it was time to get out of the bath tub a couple of nights. I was too engrossed to have any idea what time it was.
Caitlin Malone so wants to follow in her Dad's footsteps working for Northstar Security. Her first mission does not go as planned and Caitlin is broken hearted with the thought that maybe she isn't cut out for it.
I loved Caitlin this girl really is one kick butt kind of girl with strong Independence and a determination to get through anything she has to. I really admired this girl. Not only is she strong and smart but she has the abilities to take out the bad guys when she has to and in some really creative ways.
John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair is not prepared to see his childhood friend Caitlin when she returns home. Mac finds himself in a position of having to go into a dangerous situation to try to help Caitlin out. If I was in trouble this certainly is one guy I would want to jump in to save me. He has great survival skills and a few creative ideas that saves both he and Caitlin a time or two.
I loved how these two worked together when times got tough. They have a really strong attraction for each other buy Mac doesn't want to give in to that attraction. He still thinks he should have brotherly feelings for the girl that he grew up with. However when he looks at Caitlin he doesn't see a sister. He sees a very attractive woman.
There are so darn many great scenes in this book. I was captivated by their adventure through the forest to try to out run the fire. Just when I thought they might be safe, something else would happen. There are some confrontations with the bad guys that are quite dramatic and full of suspense. Then there is the scenes where these two are so flammable they could almost out burn the forest fire. They have incredible chemistry.
There is a nice mix drama, suspense, mystery, and romance in Proving Ground. I found it to be a really great read. I can not wait to see what Ms Fletcher has came up with for the next book in the Northstar series. I know this is going to be one of those awesome series that I will want to get my hands on as soon as the next book is out.
I loved Stanalei Fletcher's writing style. She has a way of really drawing me into the storyline and holding me captive. The characters are well developed. She's done a great job of creating characters that are charismatic, full of charm, character, and each has an interesting past to add to the storyline.
I was given the opportunity to read this great story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Proving Ground.
