X - X FACTOR

X IS FOR X FACTOR

The X factor

The X factor or what is known as a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

Or in the case of my 'murder trilogy' certain clues play a significant part in the story of another book.

The story detailed in Murder & Obsession was hinted at in Murder, Madness & Love, the hints continued in the second book, Memories of Murder, but concluded in this, the third book.

Hints and certain happenings in both of the earlier books come to the forefront during this mystery. And while all three books are a stand-alone story, there were definite details shared early on - these X factors tied all three books together.

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Here's a scene, from Murder, Madness & Love  
that demonstrates an X-factor . 

Inside the entry door, she breathed easy, then heard laughter. He was on the other side. The door was heavy and would not come down with just one kick, but solid wood still wasn't strong enough to keep a determined assailant from getting to her.

She should have realized when he'd stopped following her. He'd come straight here—hell, he probably had time to go back to the church and get his car. How did he know? How could he know? She was disappointed in herself, but only for a moment. Think, woman, think.

"I've been waiting for you, sweetheart. Predictable. So damn predictable. I can get in, but you can't get out."

"Then come in and get me." She ran up the steps to the master bedroom. Locking the door, she knew how easy the door would come down. She went into the bathroom. Locked that door too, knowing a fist could take the door off its hinges. Opening the window, she waited. Listening, to make sure he was in the house before she went outside.

She poured a bottle of shampoo on the floor. "See how well you can stand up after you hit this," she whispered.

A loud explosion told her the front door was down, and she scrambled through the window to the first-floor roof.

"Come out; come out, wherever you are!" A loud bang heralded the news that the bedroom door was down.

She quickly, but carefully, made her way across the wood shingles, to a point where she could shimmy down to the porch roof, and to the ground. She heard him kick in the bathroom door and allowed herself a smile when she realized the other sound was him falling on his ass. Curse words filled the air.

She smiled as she ran for safety.                      

^***

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W - WRITING

W IS FOR ON WRITING:

A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT

by

STEPHEN KING

Writing a trilogy isn't easy. An understatement for sure, but while I will write several more Detective Quaid novels, these first three books, this trilogy, is my ode to love. All along, I meant to write three separate murder mysteries tied together by a love story. All stand alone books but with a running theme. I almost gave up.

To help get my head back in the game, I read Stephen Kings. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, and it helped to inspired me to continue. On Writing, and the content edit that Barbara Sachs Sloan did for all three books made all the difference. Without her patience and advice, these books might never have been written. 

A good content editor makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

But Stephen King's book inspired me to continue!

Amazon

The scariest moment is always just before you start.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Bad writing is more than a matter of shit syntax and faulty observation; bad writing usually arises from a stubborn refusal to tell stories about what people actually do― to face the fact, let us say, that murderers sometimes help old ladies cross the street.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

*****

This is my 'murder trilogy'!

#1 Murder, Madness &Love

#2 Memories of Murder

#3 Murder &Obsession

Light is a fleeting moment in the frozen north that is Alaska. Although the light shines brightly during the Summer Solstice, Detective Steven Quaid struggles to hold on to what he holds dear during life's darkest moments, his love for family, and professional achievement.

Will a murderous stalker, a self-proclaimed Lucifer resurrected, or insidious obsession prove more powerful than this dedicated detective? Three separate life-threatening situations. One determined man.

*****

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

V - VILLAINS

V IS FOR VILLAINS

Villain's are some of the most fun to create and most actors say, the most fun to play. The antagonist or villain in the world of writing has the job of playing the foil to the hero. Today the goal is to create a sympathetic villain, and some authors are so good at it that the villain becomes the favorite character.

The Saint comes to mind as a villain with the heart of gold.

Maybe critic, Roger Ebert, said it best:

"Each film is only as good as its villain. Since the heroes and the gimmicks tend to repeat from film to film, only a great villain can transform a good try into a triumph."

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In Murder & Obsession the villain does just that. He turns a chargeable offense into a cheer-able result. Public opinion almost grants him a pass.

Using this quote as my guide:

“The villains were always ugly in books and movies. Necessarily so, it seemed. Because if they were attractive—if their looks matched their charm and their cunning—they wouldn't only be dangerous.

They would be irresistible.”

 ― Nenia Campbell, Horrorscape

But the truth is:

“The fact is that we have no way of knowing if the person who we think we are is at the core of our being. Are you a decent girl with the potential to someday become an evil monster, or are you an evil monster that thinks it's a decent girl?"

"Wouldn't I know which one I was?"

"Good God, no. The lies we tell other people are nothing to the lies we tell ourselves.”

 ― Derek Landy, Death Bringer

Cheers to creating interesting villains!

*****

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U - UNUSUAL

U IS FOR UNUSUAL SURVIVAL TIPS

In Alaska and Canada there are guidelines in place for what pilots must carry in their planes. Alaskan Survival Kit Regulation.

If you're a hiker, snowmobiler or just a tourist and traveling into the Alaskan wilderness, even if only for a few miles or a few hours, your life may depend on what you're carrying.

Basic Wilderness Survival Skills

If you're foolish enough to go into the wilderness without a survival kit, you may still save your life.

Water, shelter, and warmth should be your first priorities:

• Find a dry location and use the vegetation like pine boughs to build yourself a nest.
• Lipstick or chap stick could help you start a fire. It's petroleum based.
• A mirror can signal for help.
• Dental Floss can be used as a fishing line, for cutting food, or even capturing it.
• Duct Tape is a favorite of mine and one I used in Murder & Obsession. There are numerous uses for Duct Tape! From first aid to creating containers.

This survival kit has everything you might need - no matter what emergency you find yourself in. You should keep one in your car!

• Gerber® Miniature Multi-tool
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Fine Edge Knife
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Small Flat Driver
• Medium Flat Driver
• Lanyard Ring
• Bottle Opener
• Tweezers
• Waterproof Bag
• Miniature Light
• Hand Saw
• Signaling Mirror
• Survival Blanket
• Fire Starter
• Waterproof matches
• Cotton Ball - Fire Tinder
• Snare Wire
• Emergency Cord
• Waxed Thread
• Fishing Kit
• Sewing kit
• Lanyard Whistle
• Lightweight, ripstop nylon bag with waterproof zipper
• Land to air rescue instructions
• Priorities of Survival - Pocket guide contains Bear’s survival essentials

Do you have an unusual survival tip you can share?

Stay safe!

*****

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Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

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HERE!

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paperback copy of the trilogy!
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T - TLINGIT

T IS FOR TLINGIT

"The Tlingit (pronounced clink it) are an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America and the Southeast Coast of Alaska. The Tlingit are a matrilineal society, which is the tracing of descent through the female line." In my books, you'll find Steven's mother holds the true power.

As Michael Di Gesu, says in the blurb he wrote for Murder, Madness & Love:

"Detective Steven Quaid waits. His Tlingit Indian features, as though carved from granite, mask his Irish passion..."

During my research it was the true story of a Tlingit warrior's sacrifice during the war in Iraq that influenced my choice for the background of Detective Steven Quaid. But this photograph played a big part too!

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt: (when Steven was sixteen)

“Atian,” Doreen addressed Steven, “do you still want to be a tracker like your uncle?” Doreen had always called Steven “Little Atian” when his uncle lived, and hearing the name as his own lifted his confidence. (Atian (Ah-tee-ahn) is Native American for Steven)

Doreen dished a bowl of stew for him. “You sound so much older this year, Atian. Don’t grow up too fast.”

“Show off,” Gayln uttered with a mouth full of roll. He swallowed and continued, “Steve says stifling, but what he really means is bullies make the city unbearable.”

Steven glared at Gayln.

“When this summer is over, you’ll have no more worries with bullies. I’ll make warriors out of the both of you,” Quinn promised.

Steven smiled and dipped his roll into his stew. Warrior. He rolled the idea around in his head. Warrior sounded like a much better title than half-breed did. His Tlingit mother and Irish father had given him everything a young man could want, but material items did not mean acceptance by either the white population or the native population. School was a struggle―not the classes, but the social interaction―the acceptance of his peers.

*****

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Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

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Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
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Please support my Thunderclap!

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paperback copy of the trilogy!
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S - SLEEPING LADY

S IS FOR SLEEPING LADY

Sleeping Lady Mountain or Mt. Susitna is one of my favorite views from Anchorage. I think I've talked about the mountain in each of my novels.

The Legend says: Mt. Susitna acquired the name ‘Sleeping Lady’, because its shape resembled a maiden at rest. Legend said the young woman came from a tribe of giants that occupied the land in a bygone age, and, when warring factions required her groom to negotiate a peace settlement, she lay down to sleep, and awaited his return. He died in the war, and no one wanted to awaken her to give her the news.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Captain Reed drummed his fingers on the top of his thigh. Forty-five years old, with salt and pepper hair, Bill Reed was the youngest officer to hold the position of Captain in Anchorage. An ulcer, testament to his dedication, had flared due to this mess with his top investigator. His phone, on speaker, sounded the ring of a placed call. He waited for someone to answer. 

Through the window to his left, Sleeping Lady Mountain’s new covering of snow reflected the purple hue of the sky. Captain Reed repeated in his head the childhood rhyme about a red sky at night. He wondered if a purple sky meant this living nightmare would get worse. He couldn’t believe Steven Quaid, an officer he’d chosen as his replacement, had run from authorities instead of facing the music. He considered Quaid a friend, but his position would not allow anything but professionalism and a hands-off attitude.

Buy Here

Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)

Please support my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)



And a very special shout out to Chrys Fey
on the release of her first novel.

DIGITAL LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble /

 KOBO / The Wild Rose Press

ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

Congratulations, Chrys!

R - RESEARCH

R IS FOR RESEARCH

Research Resource for Writers

No matter the type of book you're writing, some type of research needs to be done, whether it's trying to find a name, a point of law, or a question of forensics for a crime novel.

HERE, and all in one place is an item that may help you. Usually, I just type the title of my research question into Google and get a list of items. But I came across this wonderful site and thought I'd share.

Click the HERE for access!

For Murder & Obsession I did quite a lot of research and one subject involved flying to Russia.

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

“It’s not easy getting into Russia. You have to file a request for flight authorization with Moscow. He’d also have to file flight plans twenty-four hours in advance. What did his paperwork show?” Steven asked.

“I’m assuming from your knowledge of the procedures you had considered this a possibility?” Agent Lopez said.

“Of course, with his heritage,” Steven said.

“Good, good.” Lopez seemed to relax with Steven’s acceptance of his theory. “Paperwork is pending; we’re still waiting to hear from Moscow, but I did get a few details from an officer at the Provideniya airport.”

“Did they pass through customs? Does he have connections in Russia?” Steven asked.

“That I don’t know yet. The paperwork will give us those details. I do know he landed at noon on October 21st. His associates we’re still investigating.”

“October 21st, but he was spotted in Nome on October 18th. Where was he before the flight to Russia?” Steven rubbed his chin and began to pace.

           “Again, it’s early in the investigation. There are hundreds of landing strips in Alaska, but we are assuming he came here to Anchorage since his home is here, and it’s where the flight to Russia originated. We’re checking all cameras at the airport, and the FBI will be doing another sweep of his home for possible evidence.”

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Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)

Please support my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

Q - QUINN

Q IS FOR SKY QUINN

One of my favorite characters in Murder & Obsession is Sky Quinn. An Inuit, better known by most as an Eskimo. Sky, is Steven's Uncle, in name only. He was a friend of Steven's Uncle Atian, and had a huge part in training Steven for wilderness survival. (I chose not to use the term Eskimo because some find it derogatory.)

This photo was my inspiration for Sky Quinn.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

A warrior with the heart of Santa Claus, Sky Quinn epitomized the man Steven desired to be. A tracker and guide of unmatched skill, Quinn stood five foot seven, wiry, with weather worn, russet skin, deep brown eyes, and a constitution that kept him forever young. Quinn’s unparalleled courage made him Steven’s hero.

“No one gives up The Ghost of the North Slope, but you they’ll sell out in a heartbeat," Quinn said with a grin.

Despite his pain, Steven smiled. Quinn’s nickname, The Ghost of the North Slope, fit the man. Sky Quinn had a legendary reputation. No man, enemy or friend would ever speak ill of Quinn. He had earned the respect, but Steven hadn’t yet reached mythical status.

                                                   

Buy Here

Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)

Please support my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)