Snowball's Chance Page 9
Weapons: HK Mark 23 Heckler & Koch double action pistol, Nasty looking black gun he carries in his waistband at the small of his back. Ka-Bar knife.
Background: Played football at the University of Montana, Had been in the Marines with Adam Cameron years ago , His boss is a woman named Roz, Hadn’t had a vacation in 2 years, His cell phone plays/rings an old fashioned sound ring tone, Had a “hurry, the justice of the peace is waiting” wedding to Denise Cameron Marriage to Denise only lasted 5 months, Divorced Denise 10 years ago.
Kendall Metcalf
Height: 5′9″
Hair: Red. Distinctive red/gold. Spills over her shoulders like liquid fire, Deep, rich orange-red of an excellent XO Cognac.
Eyes: Large. Sparkling. Hazel.
Body: An Amazon. Attractive. Pale, velvety skin with amber freckles. Nails painted Christmas red. Endearingly too large feet. Luscious. Curvy. Smells of pears. Ugly scar on her throat. Dozens more obscene scars, thin and silvery (defense wounds), all over her.
Dress: Subtle make up. Red sweater and black leggings.
Voice: Robust laugh
Marital Status: Divorced
Children: None
Employment: A designer. A party planner. Owns her own very successful business. Her business partner is Rebecca Metzner.
Personality & Attitude: Smart. Deliberate. Not much of a follower. Likes to think things through. Not that spontaneous of a person. Weighs the pros and cons before making decisions. Funny. Intelligent. Sex appeal off the charts.
Quirks & Habits: Paces. Usually sleeps naked. Bites her lip as she ponders. Babbles when she is nervous. Makes busy work when scared. Scar on her throat always throbs when she thinks about the night of the attack.
Weapons: Lady Smith handgun
Background: Was kidnapped and assaulted 15 months ago by Dwight Treadwell. Tortured for 17 hours by Treadwell. She is his only living victim . Learned that if she kept her body and mind busy enough, she could keep horrific memories at bay. Went to therapy for several months after her attack. Took self-defense classes. Bought a gun and learned to use it. Felt invincible before the Treadwell attack. Had two fairly long term relationships over the last 10 years. Dated Andy for more than 6 months before sleeping with him. Dated Jerry for a year. Cell phone plays/rings Beethoven’s Fifth.
ROZ (ROSE ANNE MURPHY)
Age: 32
DOB: April 11, 1972
Birth Order: Youngest daughter of Sean and Patsy Murphy. Sisters: Mary, Catherine and Patricia. All family members were murdered when Roz was 11 (she was away on a sleepover that night). Killer was caught, tried, convicted but the conviction was overturned on a technicality and the killer was freed. Killed again (was a contract killer).
Story Role: Runs B.A.D. (Bulletproof and Dangerous) from Phoenix with the cover of Brown & Donohue: Genealogical Research.
Physical Attributes:
Eyes: green/gold
Hair: Red/Auburn, depending on her colorist
Height: 5′8″
Build: Tall, lanky, very fit but very feminine
Physical Flaw: Slightly crooked smile
Formative Background: Was raised by her uncaring Aunt Sandra and Uncle Mac after her family was murdered. Aunt Sandra didn’t want children and saw Roz as a burden (and is the only person who calls her Rose Anne). Uncle Mac was royally pissed that Roz’s parents set-up an ironclad family trust, so he couldn’t get his hands on the millions the Murphy Family made in real estate development. Roz’s father was an Irish immigrant. Her mother was a very traditional, Irish Catholic. Roz grew up with lots of rosaries and naming all the saints. Went to Catholic schools, got a degree in Library Sciences from Notre Dame. She didn’t like books but she wanted to know how to research, hence her choice. (Her agents at BAD know this and picture a dowdy librarian kind of person who bakes cookies, but she’d really beautiful).
Romantic Background: Dates a lot but doesn’t attach.
Friends: Jane Callahan has been her dearest friend since 10th grade. Jane is now an attorney in private general practice in Phoenix.
Enemies: Injustice. Roz follows high profile cases in and out of court as well as smaller matters and send in a team member whenever evil prevails.
Greatest Fear: Facing her own pain by interacting with others. That’s why she works from a distance and keeps all the BAD operatives at phone’s length.
Core Needs: To help those abandoned or deceived by the system and/or to prevent a wrong from happening at all. To protect the innocent.
Coping Mechanisms / Problem Solving Style: Instinctual, very precise and organized, directed and determined.
Secret Talent: Beautiful, sexy and smart. She enjoys keeping it all secret.
Secret Demon: Fears allowing anyone to truly get to know her. Keeps her “public” front in place at all times, never lets anyone know her true self.
Supporting Characters
Adam Cameron: Ex-Marine, Married to Denise Cameron, three children and another on the way.
Denise Cameron: Ex-husband is Joe Zorn, Married to Adam Cameron, doesn’t shop at discount stores, no expense spared wedding to Adam, three children and another on the way, married three months after her divorce from Joe, had a “hurry, the justice of the peace is waiting” wedding with Joe Zorn.
Andy: Had dated Kendall for over 6 months before she would sleep with him.
Donald Sanders: Married to Donna Sanders
Donna Sanders: Close to 60, Married to Donald Sanders
Jerry: Had dated Kendall for a year.
McKenna: Montana cop. DECEASED
Preston: From New York
Rebecca Metzner: Aka Becky and/or Beck Kendall’s business partner
Roz: Joe’s boss
Sonny Goodwin: A cop, A younger brother of one of Joe’s old college buddies. DECEASED
William “Buckeye” Wilder: Beefy, Red faced Chief of police, Wore a Stetson, His son had played football with Joe at the University of Montana. DECEASED
The Christophs: Had a nice secluded little summer place over the ridge.
Dwight Gus Treadwell: Fine hair, Light brown hair, Not a big man, Soft fleshy face, Pale narrow hands, Weedy looking, Medium height, Medium coloring, Medium features, Fingers like a piano player, Chillingly calm voice, Right and left handed, Crazy Serial killer, Determined, Didn’t look like a monster, looked like a teacher or a priest. Had kidnapped and abused Kendall, Sharp knives and a ka-bar were his weapons of choice, Knew how to inflict the most exquisitely painful kind of torture , Killed 23 before his arraignment and at least 7 more after his escape, Received 23 consecutive life sentences and one concurrent for attempted 1st degree on Kendall and another 75 years for her torture, Almost superhuman strength.
DECEASED - shot and killed by Kendall and Joe
Original Title Ideas
All I want for Christmas
Dancing in the Dark
Leap Of Faith
Mr. Moonlight
Slow Hand
Snowball’s Chance
Tight Rope
Storyboard Images
Weapons
HK Mark 23 Heckler & Koch double action pistol, is a weapon system consisting of a match grade semi-automatic pistol, a laser aiming module (LAM), and suppressor. It was adopted by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for special operations .
Smith & Wesson developed the Ladysmith 60LS to address the demand of more and more women for a reliable handgun specifically suited to discrete concealed carry. It’s a pretty gun with beautiful wood grips that fits very well in small-to-medium sized hands, and it has a matte stainless steel finish. It weighs just 21-1/2 ounces, and is outfitted with low-profile fixed sights specially designed not to snag on clothing or accessories if drawn from a purse. The barrel is a short 2-1/8″ and the five-shot revolver is chambered to shoot both .357 magnum and .38 special cartridges.Smith & Wesson developed the Ladysmith 60LS to address the demand of more a
nd more women for a reliable handgun specifically suited to discrete concealed carry. It’s a pretty gun with beautiful wood grips that fits very well in small-to-medium sized hands, and it has a matte stainless steel finish. It weighs just 21-1/2 ounces, and is outfitted with low-profile fixed sights specially designed not to snag on clothing or accessories if drawn from a purse. The barrel is a short 2-1/8″ and the five-shot revolver is chambered to shoot both .357 magnum and .38 special cartridges.
KA-BAR Last Ditch Knife
With an overall profile no larger than a credit card, this knife offers myriad possibilities for discreet carry. Slip it into a purse or pocket, wear it around your neck under a shirt or blouse, attach it to a boot or tactical vest – carry it wherever you may need access to a reliable blade quickly. The Last Ditch is constructed entirely of black powder-coated 9CR18 stainless steel and comes with a hard-plastic friction sheath and 30″ of black 550 cord.
Blade length: 1-5/8″.
Overall length: 3-5/8″.
Weight: .8 oz.
About Cherry Adair
Behind the Writing
Q&A INTERVIEW
New York Times & USA Today’s Bestselling Author Cherry Adair
Birthday : 3/31
Astrological sign: ARIES
On Writing and Reading…
I ALWAYS love to read.
What do you love most about being a writer?
The people I create can’t tell me “No!”
What do you like least about being a writer?
Having to be disciplined. It’s hard on an Aries to plant her behind in that chair.
Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?
My favorite location is always where my characters are at the moment. It could be a civilized condo in San Francisco, or the jungles of South America. As long as I can make one of them extremely uncomfortable there, I’m happy.
Which of the books you have written is your favorite?
Which ever book I’m working on right now.
What is your favorite title by another author?
Anything by Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Karen Roberds, Anne Stuart. . .
What are your five all-time favorite books (with authors)?
Aaaargh! Only FIVE????!
ATLAS SHRUGGED – AYN RAND
CHARIOT OF THE GODS - ERICH VON DANIKEN
FIVE SMOOTH STONES – ANN FAIRBANKS
GONE WITH THE WIND – MARGARET MITCHELL
THE WINDFLOWER – TOM AND SHARON CURTIS
What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?
Sit your butt in that chair and WRITE! Writers WRITE. And two? FINISH The Damn Book. So many writers stop at chapter three!
Briefly summarize how you began writing.
Long before I could read (or physically write, for that matter) I’d get pencil and paper and pretend to write a story. Then I’d ‘read’ the hieroglyphs to my mother. She was a very appreciative audience. I eventually learned how to write – although my handwriting still looks like hieroglyphics
As a romance writer, what are your greatest goals?
To write books that touch and entertain people. My favorite quote is from Mark Twain -My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.
Challenges?
You’re asking an Aries?! Challenge-smallenge.
What gives you the most satisfaction in your job?
Typing CHAPTER ONE and/or typing THE END
On Romance…
Describe the ultimate romantic meal. Anything we can eat with our fingers. . .and share.
What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?
Gone With The Wind – I’ve seen it 104 times
What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?
Anything I know at least half the words to, I have a terrible voice, but I LOVE to sing.
What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?
For my birthday one year my darling husband gave me a long, slinky evening dress he’d picked out all by himself. It was a size TWO. I was size twelve at the time. I still have it (with no aspirations to ever fit into it. Lol)
How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?
Kiss often and s-l-o-w-l-y
What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?
Kiss often and s-l-o-w-l-y
Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?
Venice, Italy
What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day gift or experience? My honey bought me all sorts of lovely things to pamper myself. . .body lotion, my favorite perfume, corn plasters (?), more lotion, nail polish, perm rods (?) more lotion, nail file, more lotion, scented candles, more lotion. . . and a bottle of prune juice. Large. LOL I love that man.
All About Me…
Besides writing, what other talent would you most like to have? To be able to sing. My mother was an opera singer. How come I can’t carry a tune in a bucket?
Who is someone you admire and why?
Oprah. She’s brash and brave and doesn’t take no for an answer. She does a tremendous amount of good for people on a very personal level. (and any woman who appears without make up in public deserves an award )
Do you have a good luck charm or superstition?
No. But I am an Aries and we tend to think we wear a magic cape
Share one of your favorite indulgences with us.
Snuggling under a blankie on a rainy day and reading.
What quality do you most admire in a man?
Everything that my husband has.
What is the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try?
Everything I’ve ever wanted to try, I’ve tried – of course that doesn’t mean everything I’ve tried has been successful. But that’s half the fun.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Thin.
What quote or personal saying do you live by? Who said it?
THE HARDER YOU WORK, THE LUCKIER YOU GET. I have no idea who said it (other than my brother
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I love to spend time with my husband,– doing. . anything
What do you think makes your writing unique?
My books are a little tongue-in-cheek, a little over the top. A lot larger than life action adventures. I love writing running-chasing-falling-down-wild monkey-sex-shooting-running-chasing-loving-wild monkey sex-happy endings. Maybe people love reading running-chasing-falling down-wild monkey sex-shooting-running-chasing-loving-wild monkey sex-happy endings?
Every author that I have spoken to has their own writing process. Some spend weeks working on character building charts. Some use post it notes to plot their entire book. Other’s pull pictures from magazines and make a story board of sorts.
What is your writing process and how long would you say it takes you when a new idea is sparked from sketching out the details to getting to THE END?
I spend several weeks plotting (3M company LOVES me, I buy at least half the PostIt notes sold in the US! (ok not literally, but I do have every color they make. lol) I spent two to three weeks building my characters, plotting and doing the initial research. Then I’m ready to rock and roll. Being an author comes with its fare share of joys and disappointment whether you are just starting or you have been in this business for many years. All of us need advice no matter where we are at on this journey.
What is the most valuable piece of advice that you have received throughout your writing career that you would
like to pass along to other authors out there?
Most valuable piece of advice given to me? Give yourself permission to write crap – as long as it’s on the page it can be cleaned up later! (I have this PostIt note stuck on my monitor!)
My advice to other writers? Sit your butt in the chair and write. Have a career plan (yes, even if you haven’t sold yet.) Stay focused on what you want. Don’t look at what other people have or where they are in their career, you’ll be doomed for disappointment. We each have our own journeys. Like fingerprints, no two writing careers are the same. And once published, don’t read your own reviews! If they’re great we believe them. If they suck you not only believe them, you remember that crappy review forever!
Out of all of your books, which one would you say is your favorite? And why?
THE MERCENARY because it was my first, and we always remember our first. But I think our books are like kids. (Sometimes messy, expensive to raise until we sell them (the book, not the children lol) and time-consuming! Lol) All different and loved in their own way. I can’t think of any job I’d love more than this. Every day is an adventure and a thrill a minute. Even the most mundane tasks associated with being an author are better than just about any job out there.
What type of hero do you find irresistible?
Tall, dark, and rich. (Hey! This is my hero and my heroes are never poor! Lol) He has to have an ethical compass, a sense of humor (even if sometimes it’s well hidden!) and know his way around a woman’s body as well as he knows his way around weapons.
When you aren’t writing steaming hot romances what do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? I don’t have much. My bar-none favorite place to be online is my Facebook page. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE playing with my readers there! We have a ridiculous amount of fun every day. It’s the carrot on the end of the stick, and my reward when I’ve reached my goaled page count during the day.