Please help me welcome multi-published author Jerrie
Alexander, whose newest book, NO CHANCE IN HELL was released on April 20, 2014.
I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to review NO CHANCE IN HELL,
which you can read below, and to have Jerrie agree to an interview so we may
all get to know her better.
Thank you, Jerrie, for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to join us today.
I'm thrilled to join you this morning! Hanging out with
friends is always fun.
Please
tell us a little something about you.
I
love to write about alpha males and kick-ass women. I let them weave their way
through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite
of, their love for each other. If they’re strong enough, they live happily ever
after.
My
husband and I live outside of Ft. Worth, Texas, where my brother refers to as
the 'boonies.' Our awesome daughter and her husband presented us with a
granddaughter. She helps me brainstorm when I'm developing a title for a book,
even though she's way too young to read any of them.
It’s so
wonderful that you have a close relationship with your granddaughter. Besides
having her brainstorm with you, what is the most thrilling aspect of writing
for you?
Other
than, say typing the end? Just joking, I enjoy the satisfaction of completing
the project, but the most fun ever is logging onto my email and finding that a
reader has contacted me!
Last
week, I received an email from a reader who lives in Australia. How cool is
that! She took the time to reach out and let me know she'd read No Chance in
Hell and loved it. There's no greater high than that...not for this
writer.
Absolutely. It’s so
exciting when a reader takes the time to tell you how much they like something
you’ve written. Speaking of writing, how do you begin your stories? Do you plot
and outline or do you just sit down and start writing?
Great
question. Just the word plot sends shivers up my spine. I envy people who can
do that. For me it's a slow process. I have to come up with an idea that is
plausible and then research like crazy. Then I sit down, develop a profile for
each character, and then start writing. I let my characters direct their own
story.
Plotting
is daunting to many great authors. As evidenced by your
books, it hasn’t
hindered your success at all. Will you tell us a little bit about your newest
release, No Chance in Hell?
After
a drunk driver killed Marcus Ricci’s wife while he was deployed in Afghanistan,
he closed up emotionally. Working at Lost and Found, Inc., he lands a puzzling
case with too many missing pieces. A killer is closing in on the woman Marcus
is supposed to protect. Guarding the beautiful Chris is his job—and he’s one of
the best—but keeping her close without letting her inside, makes it hard to
protect his heart.
A
murderer took the only family Chris Holland had left. When her sister's killer
comes after Chris, she turns to the Lost and Found agency for help. As she and
Marcus Ricci dig into her background, they’ll discover surprises that shake
everything she believes to be true about her past.
Forced
together day and night, passion ignites, and Chris falls for Marcus. He's a
loner and not interested in a permanent relationship. When her case is over,
he'll go back to his solitary life. Just a man and his dog.
Another
excellent romantic suspense. Where did you get your inspiration for your books?
Truth?
After I finish writing a book, I agonize that I'll never again have an original
idea. I'll pour over FBI profile books and read every story in the newspaper.
Once something piques my interest, the research starts. For example, I read big
events like the Super Bowl or World Series increases human trafficking in the
host city. In fact, it skyrockets. That was the trigger for Hell or High Water.
You have written many
terrific books, and we’re sure you have favorite parts in each of them, but
what is your favorite part of No Chance in Hell?
Now
that the book is out, my favorite part has to be Diablo! I'd never given an
animal a pivotal role in one of my books, but his transformation had to play a
role in No Chance in Hell. While I was writing the story, I kept forgetting
him! I'd be working, writing away and stop. Where's the dog? :) But Diablo
turned out to be my favorite part of the book.
I
have read many of your books and have never been disappointed. No Chance in
Hell is no exception. Would you mind
sharing an excerpt from your book to spark everyone’s interest?
Thank
you. And thanks for asking for an excerpt.
Chris
Holland's eyes flew open. The room was pitch black. She always left the light
in the kitchen on. It should have been burning brightly. Her muscles tightened,
coiled, ready for her to spring out of bed. She slipped her hand under her
pillow, reaching for the cool butt of her gun. She found nothing. Before she
could react, something hard pressed into her temple.
"Looking
for this?" a male voice whispered.
A
wave of terror washed through her, filling her with emotions she'd never
experienced. She didn't think for one second that he was a burglar. This was
the murdering bastard who'd butchered Chelsea.
"You'd
better use it now. If I get out of this bed, I won't be as easy to kill as my
sister."
He
made a low-pitched sound that filled her veins with ice. Had he actually
chuckled?
The
tip of the pistol pressed deeper into her skin.
"Calm
down. I didn't come to kill you. But it's time we talked."
"You
mean like over a cup of coffee?" Chris did her best to keep her voice
steady. No doubt, he'd heard the tremble in her words. "Put down the gun,
and I'll go put on a pot."
He
wouldn't accept her offer, and she knew it. But it might buy her some time. If
she could get to the kitchen, she might get to the weapon hidden in the back of
a drawer of utensils. Chris lifted her shoulders, as if trying to rise.
"You really didn't think I'd fall for
that." A gloved hand stroked her cheek, sending her into a full-body
shiver. "Your sense of humor is refreshing."
Chris
strained to see some part of him in the dark. Anything that might wake up her
memory would be helpful. "How'd you get in?"
"I
can't give away all my secrets, but I found you again, didn't I? Suffice it to
say, I'm a great deal smarter than you think. The only reason you're still
alive is because I want you that way."
"Oh.
I get it. You're a god. Deciding who lives and dies must weigh heavily."
The
pressure eased on her temple, and icy lips brushed her forehead. Something
covered her nose and mouth. "Breathe."
She
fought his command, holding her breath. A sharp blow landed to her abdomen, and
she gasped, inhaling deeply.
That
excerpt definitely leaves the reader wanting to find out what happens next. If they haven’t had a chance to read any of your
books, they will surely want to read this newest one. We’ve learned about your
writing, now we’d like to know a little more about you. Describe your typical
day.
Right
now, I'm constantly moving! We're doing some house renovations, and I seem to
be in the way a lot. We have to stop watching Property Brothers on HGTV. (But
aren't they gorgeous?)
Typically,
I'll have a cup of coffee with Buddy. He's our rescue dog, meaning he saved us.
:) Then I start on social media. I enjoy staying in touch with friends and
readers. Then I'll write or research a while before mixing in a little
housework. We live a fairly quiet life out here in the 'boonies'.
Agreed.
The Property Brothers are gorgeous. If you could spend a week anywhere, where
would you go and what would you do during that week?
Ireland!
My ancestry traces back to a family named Boyde. It was later changed to Boyd,
my maiden name. I'd love to have my own personal guide, so I wouldn't miss a
thing. It would be awesome to walk the ground he and his family walked.
That
sounds fabulous. And you’ve decided on a male guide – even better. Where was I?
Talking about men always make me lose my place. Oh, right – back to the interview.
What genre do you like to read, and who are some of your favorite authors?
I
love romantic suspense. Allison Brennan and Cindy Gerard are great authors.
Truth be told, I want to be Linda Howard when I grow up. :) She writes the best
contemporary romantic suspense ever. My guilty pleasure is historical romance.
It's a fun break from the suspense, and Elizabeth Hoyt can sweep me away to a
different era.
Great
choices. They’re all fantastic authors. If you could have any three wishes
granted, what would they be?
Tough
one.
It's
selfish, but my first would be that my husband's health remain strong. He's
been ill, but he's is doing much better.
Second
would be my family's well being.
Third
would be that no child go to bed hungry or afraid.
None of
your choices are selfish. I know your husband has been ill for some time, and I’m
so glad to hear he’s doing better. Maybe, our readers will say some prayers to
help make your wish come true. And if we all try, maybe all your wishes will
come true.
What are you currently working on, and when can we expect your next
book?
I'm
half way through book one in a new series. My books are written to stand
alone...no cliffhangers...but each secondary character has his or her own book.
I'm also searching for an idea for book four in the Lost and Found, Inc.
series.
It's
not unusual for me to have two projects going at one time. Keeps me from
getting bored. :)
Fun
facts
Favorite
dessert – Blue Bell ice cream
Pet
Peeve – Rude customer service people
Favorite
pastime – Spending time with my granddaughter and her mother
Favorite
feature on a man - His smile
Least
favorite household chore - Bathroom duty. I hate cleaning the toilet!
Something
you like about yourself - Whew. Tough one. Have to be my snarky sense of humor.
Tall,
dark & handsome or blonde & gorgeous - Oddly enough, I usually write
tall, dark & handsome. I married blonde and handsome.
~~~Review of No Chance in Hell~~~
Chris Holland has been running from her sister’s killer for
two years, but the killer always seems to locate her. When he finds her latest
hideout and issues a threat, she decides to turn to the Lost and Found, Inc. to
help her find the killer and bring him to justice. Marcus Ricci is given the
task of protecting Chris and helping her. Closed off emotionally after his
wife’s untimely death, Marcus finds himself drawn to Chris even though he’s
held himself apart from people.
No Chance in Hell takes off running from the very first page
and doesn’t let up until the thrilling climax. Jerrie Alexander demonstrates
her talent for words by crafting yet another highly suspenseful love story with
plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and interested. The main
characters are well developed and likeable, including Marcus’ dog Diablo, who
has a large part in the story and is awesome. However, don’t let the cuteness
of the dog throw you. The reader’s pulse quickens and heart pounds as the
villain splashes his evil thoughts and deeds on the pages of this novel.
The heat, suspense, and romance that fill this story bring
out a myriad of emotions that keep the reader turning the pages rapidly. A thrilling ride that will have you rooting
for the happily ever after between the sexy, lamenting hero and the tough,
determined heroine. A definite must read.
~~~Purchase Links~~~
Amazon | B&N
| Kobo | Google Play
~~~About the Author~~~
A
student of creative writing in her
youth, Jerrie set aside her passion, when life presented her with a John Wayne
husband and a wonderful daughter. A
career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful
locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.
She
writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and
fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for
each other. She likes to torture people,
make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.
Author
of The Lost and Found, Inc. series, HELL OR HIGH WATER , COLD DAY in HELL, NO
CHANCE in HELL, with single titles, THE GREEN-EYED DOLL, THE LAST EXECUTION,
and SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, Jerrie is currently working on No Great Hell.
She
continues to hone her craft, write what she loves, and hopes her readers love
the stories she writes. She lives in
Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and
researching for her books.
~~~Follow
Jerrie Alexander~~~
