Monday, August 6, 2012

Guest Post: Shadow of Deceit by Mal Olson


Today's guest is Mal Olson, author of Shadow of Deceit. Mal Olson writes adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When her consuming passion for writing allows time, she enjoys reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on the mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). She has three grown children and one granddaughter and resides with her own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where she juggles writing time with her freelance landscape design business. Here's a quick blurb of his new book:

          Can an FBI agent obsessed with redemption and a grieving widow desperate to clear her husband’s name learn to believe in love again?
Shannon Riedel faces down danger when a gunman breaks into her office claiming her dead husband swindled him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak arrives to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. The ex-Delta Force operative’s massive presence and dark eyes trigger an attraction the young widow finds unnerving.
When Crazaniak convinces Shannon she needs his protection, they partner to unearth secrets her husband left behind—secrets involving a Tanzanian mine that yields perfect blue diamonds coveted by dealers around the world—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazanaik has vowed to take down.
With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?


Take it away, Mal!


                                                         Writer's Inspiration
People always ask where writers get their ideas. Mine pop up everywhere.
A phrase from song may spark an idea for a scene, and a movie or a book title can start a plot racing through my mind. Likewise, plain-old-everyday-life-experiences and not-so-plain-old-everyday-people often kick my muse in the shin.
Trips are always a treasure-trove of inspiration. Exploring breathtaking fjords along the Norwegian Sea and discovering the folklore of huldras inspired the first book of my Adrenaline Series (still in the works). One such huldra is said to hang out around a spectacular waterfall that cascades over the craggy cliffs between Myrdal and Flam along the Flamsbana Railway. The heroine in this story happens to be portraying a huldra when the hero first sets eyes on her.
I chose my heroine’s profession in the second book of the Adrenaline Series because of a friend who is a medical technician. This novel's setting was inspired by many trips to my favorite place on Earth, the Canadian Rockies, especially British Columbia and the Banff area.
After participating in our local Sheriffs Citizen's Academy, I decided the hero for my work in progress would be a handsome Field Training Officer assigned to mentor the heroine, an intriguing, female rookie. Much inspiration for Rambo in this story came from an adventure with a breeder who trains Belgian Mailinois in New Mexico.
The short story ME AND BRAD evolved after I met the above mentioned four-legged heroes. The feel-good romance features a forlorn Belgian Malinois, a kind-hearted young woman who adopts him, and a sexy sheriff who falls for both of them. It's free at www.malolson.com, Smashwords, Amazon's Kindle Store, and most ebook sellers.
Katrice, an Air Force pilot, came knocking on the door (in my head) one day, and I just had to introduce her to Benjamin Thigpen, a former Delta Force operative and character from my debut novel. Voila, a pulse-pounding romantic suspense short story exploded on the page. You'll find DANGER ZONE, a free read, at all of the above ebook sellers as well as on my website.
While plotting SHADOW OF DECEIT, my debut romantic suspense, memories of a neighbor’s three-legged feline inspired Trivet, the heroine's cat, who plays an important role in Shannon Riedel's survival. And years of news articles headlining the search for and taking down of Oshama Bin Laden pricked my creative juices when giving life to the terrorist who haunts Tony Crazaniak in this adrenaline kicked thriller—SHADOW OF DECEIT, released by the WILD ROSE Press March 7, 2012.

Thank you for stopping by, Mal!

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