Guest Blogger, Karen Fenech
Hi Everyone! I've got a guest in the house today, so I hope you all come out of the woodwork and make her welcome! She wrote a terrific book (that I gave her a quote for) and she's a sweetie, too! So go buy GONE and meanwhile, say hi to Karen!
Thank you Maureen for having me here today. In addition to hosting me at her blog, Maureen very kindly read my latest novel GONE and provided a quote for the book. I have long enjoyed and admired Maureen's work and I was thrilled to receive a quote from her.
Five years ago, when I made the decision to write full time, my choice of writing--romantic suspense fiction, where the plot involves a crime-- understandably raised a few eyebrows among family and friends and brought forth questions of how I was going to write characters who solved crimes and/or committed them when I was neither in law enforcement nor operating outside the law.
In GONE, my latest novel, my protagonists are FBI agents and that life of danger and intrigue is about as far as you can get from my everyday life with my husband and daughter, living in our house in the 'burbs.
GONE is the story of FBI Special Agent Clare Marshall who is searching for the sister she was separated from in childhood, when their mother tried to kill them. After twenty-four years, Clare tracks her sister to a small town in South Carolina. But when she goes there, she learns her sister is missing and someone from the town is responsible for her disappearance. Enter fellow FBI Special Agent Jake Sutton, the estranged love of Clare's life. Jake offers to help with the search, but he has an agenda of his own.
When I started thinking about writing GONE, the only thing I appeared to have in common with Clare was that we were both female. Again, I'm not in law enforcement. And my mom is alive and well and has never tried to kill me.
But the truth is, apart from Clare's work, which I was able to research, she and I are not altogether unalike. At the core, there's something of me inside Clare.
Like Clare, I have a Never Give Up mentality. How else would I have chosen to make writing my career? =) And, like Clare, I'm an all or nothing person. There's no dissembling, or settling for half measures. Not settling has often led me to paths of most resistance, also like Clare.
Here's an excerpt from GONE
Clare left the nursing facility and stepped into bright sunlight. She shielded her eyes with the back of one hand and with the other, reached into the purse dangling from her shoulder, digging for sunglasses. A man was walking across the parking lot toward her. A trick of the light, he looked like...
"Jake."
She hadn't realized she'd spoken his name aloud until she'd heard it.
He was close enough to have heard as well, though he didn't speak. His eyes, narrowed against the sun, fixed on her with an intensity she remembered all too well.
Too late to pretend she hadn't seen him. It wasn't too late to walk away, though. She wanted to walk away, really wanted to and because she did, she forced herself to stay put and meet his gaze.
Jake now stood in front of her, blocking the sunlight. Clare lowered her hand. His chin was at her eye level. He hadn't shaved. Black beard shadowed his jaws, made his tanned skin look darker.
The last time she'd seen him, from the other side of her bed, he'd looked a little pale. Tired from working too hard. Tired from going ten rounds with her. That was three years ago. He didn't look to be suffering from sleepless nights anymore. He looked rested and fit. The blue T-shirt he wore over jeans showed his hard, tough body. Was he still with the bureau? If so, by his casual attire, he wasn't working today.
"I could say the obvious, 'small world'," Jake said.
It had been big enough for her a moment ago. But in response, she said only, "Must be."
In the awkward silence, a group of women in hospital uniforms dashed by, causing a slight breeze that smelled strongly of spicy perfume.
Jake cleared his throat. "Don't tell me the Bureau's sent you to make sure I'm not lazing my days away fishing?" He said it with a smile, an obvious attempt at lightness.
Clare didn't return the smile. "You're assigned to the Columbia office?" she asked.
"Resident office in Farley, actually."
That surprised her. After they'd stopped seeing each other, Jake had put in for a transfer out of the New York office. They'd been members of the same squad for a time and had been paired off. Working together after things ended had strained them both. Jake was very good at what he did and had earned the commendations to prove it. He could have aimed a lot higher than Farley. She couldn't understand why he hadn't.
She didn't know where he'd gone. Didn't want to know. But she would never have imagined him choosing Farley. He was a city boy. He must have been desperate to put distance between them to accept this post.
"Just me, one other agent and an admin assistant," Jake went on. "How about you? What brings you to our fair town?"
When she'd known him, she'd never mentioned Katie. On the nights he'd stayed at her apartment, she'd stored her cork board and files on her sister in a closet. She had no reason to not tell him about Katie at this time. Her being in Farley and the reason for it was likely climbing the town grapevine at lightning speed. But why tell him about Katie now, when she hadn't before?
"Vacation," she said simply.
He heard the lie. The humor in Jake's gaze vanished and in an instant, his eyes went razor sharp. "I recall you had a preference for sand and surf," he said.
No doubt he was referring to the one brief getaway they'd taken together--a spur of the moment jaunt following a particularly grueling assignment. They'd both been wound tight. He'd asked her where she'd like to go.
White sand beach. A pounding surf. No one else around for miles.
Her words returned to her. The next morning she'd awakened and found he'd packed her suitcase and had found the perfect place for them to go. She didn't care for the reminder of how perfect it had been between them once.
"Not this time," she said. "Goodbye, Jake."
Before he could say anything further, Clare walked away from him.
Do you find that you take the path of least resistance or most resistance? I'd love you to share your stories. As a token of my gratitude at being here with all of you, I'll be drawing a name from one of the commenters to win a $20 gift card to Amazon.
Wishing you lots of great books to read,
Karen
posted by Maureen Child @ 3:51 AM
53 Comments:
At 5:08 AM,
Unknown said…
Wow, sounds like a fabulous read. Right up my alley.
For me, Karen, the resistance level depends on who's in my way on my way down that path. =)
Oo, was that a little creepy, or what?
At 5:42 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Amy,
I'm so glad Gone is a book you're likely to enjoy. Thanks for letting me know.
LOL creepy - sounds determined to me and I love that : ) Thanks for sharing.
At 8:19 AM,
Susan Helene Gottfried said…
Hi Karen (and Maureen)! No need to enter me, Karen. I'm letting you know that I've got this posted at Win a Book for you. Hope it brings you some new fans; that excerpt is great.
At 8:22 AM,
Marie said…
Sounds like a wonderful book!
I seem to always end up on the path of greatest resistance -- I always manage to do things the hard way -- sigh. I don't want to, I certainly don't mean too usually, but that's where I always end up. I need to work on that I think :-)
marielay@gmail.com
At 8:57 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for posting this at Win a Book and for your kind words about the excerpt. I appreciate it.
At 9:00 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Marie,
I'm so glad you enjoyed what you've read so far from Gone. I appreciate your comment very much.
Re the path of most resistance, I hear you! Seems quite often that's my path as well. Certainly keeps life interesting. : ) Thanks for sharing, Marie.
At 9:08 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Amy, I'm not sure if Maureen has your email address, but just in case she doesn't, could you please post it here or send it to me at karen@karenfenech.com ? I'd like to make sure that I can contact you, should you win the gift card. Thanks so much.
At 9:25 AM,
Anonymous said…
a wonderful review...would enjoy this book.
it seems that i always travel the path w/ the most resistence...maybe i should change my direction ;)
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com
At 9:29 AM,
wheresmyrain said…
i have to concur with amy on the resistance question, its never that black and white with me and all. powerful writing, thanks for the giveway
wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com
At 9:42 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Karen K,
I'm so glad you liked this sample of Gone and thank you for saying this is a book you would enjoy.
LOL about changing direction - I need to work on that : ) Thanks so much for sharing.
At 9:46 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Wheresmyrain,
You're very welcome for the giveaway. My pleasure. Thanks so much for your comment on the excerpt. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
So true about resistance - at times we may not even know we're heading down that road until we find ourselves on it. Thanks for sharing.
At 9:53 AM,
Maureen Child said…
HI Karen!
Y'know, I really enjoyed this book! It's got great characters, lots of suspense and I think everyone should hustle over to Amazon and get a copy!
Karen, glad to have you here!
At 10:08 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Maureen,
Thanks so much for hosting
me. I'm thrilled to be here!
At 10:15 AM,
Cathy M said…
Hi Karen, the more I read about Gone, the more intrigued I get, sounds like such a great romantic suspense story.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com
At 10:24 AM,
Judy said…
This sounds like a fantastic read!! I have put it on my TB list.
I usually try to take the path with the least resistance, but the majority of the time things do not work out that away!!
At 10:34 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Cathy M,
I'm so glad you like what you've been reading about Gone. Thank you so much for letting me know.
At 10:40 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Judy,
Thanks for putting Gone on your TB list. I'm so glad you like this book. Do send me an email when you've finished reading it and let me know what you think.
So true about things not always working out as we planned and so we end up with most resistance. : ) Thanks for sharing.
At 11:05 AM,
Unknown said…
Sounds like a fantastic read and I love a good romantic suspense!
For me the resistance path very's depending on my mood! Sometimes I take the lease resistance and sometime go for the most resistance. There are times I have to do things the hard way, because I think thats the way things shoud be done. My way is not always the best way, but it still works. If I find an earier way then thats how I will do it.
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
At 11:38 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Virginia,
Thanks so much! I also enjoy reading romantic suspense ( as well as writing it): )
Sounds like you've got a good approach to the question of paths of most vs least resistance. You're taking it as it comes. Thanks for sharing.
At 6:22 PM,
Jane said…
Hi Karen,
Congrats on the new release. I think in most instances I would choose the path of least resistance. I know some things require more effort and I would hope I would be able to handle the obstacles that come my way.
At 6:25 PM,
Lacey Devlin said…
Hi Karen!
Great blog! I love the comparison of you and your heroine. I too have a leaky faucet but I suspect any attempt to fix it will only make it worse :D. Always pick the guy with electrical and plumbing experience right?
Can't wait to get my hands on your latest and greatest.
At 6:57 PM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Jane,
Thanks so much for the congrats. I appreciate it.
Re the path of least resistance, so true, Jane. Thanks for sharing.
At 7:04 PM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Lacey,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the blog. Thanks so much for saying so.
LOL about picking the guy with plumbing and electrical experience. Yes, I went for the guy who was handy around the house. : )
I appreciate your interest in reading Gone. Do send me an e-mail when you've read it and let me know your thoughts.
At 7:23 PM,
Karen Fenech said…
I will certainly continue to respond to your posts, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maureen for hosting me here today, and to thank all of you for your participation in sharing your thoughts.
I'd also like to invite you to my next blog event, next Tuesday, November 24th at Murder She Writes. New blog post. New question. : ) Another Amazon gift card to be won. A link to the Murder She Writes blog is available at my website, on the "News" page, under the heading "Events". http://www.karenfenech.com/news.html
If you haven't included your email address in your comment today, please post it here or send it to me at karen@karenfenech.com so I can contact you, should you win the drawing.
I have loved blogging with all of you and I look forward to blogging with you at my next event!
With all best wishes,
Karen
http://www.karenfenech.com
At 10:31 AM,
robynl said…
still loving the excerpts of GONE and want to read it.
I seem to take the path of most resistance; somehow I struggle and ponder and whatever in situations where I could have it easier if only I could face the situation head on. I need more resolve and fortitude in my life.
thanks for being here.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
At 10:47 AM,
Karen Fenech said…
Hi Robyn L,
I'm so glad you're enjoying the excerpts and will be reading Gone. After you do, send me an e-mail and let me know your thoughts.
So true - couldn't we all use more resolve and fortitude? Thanks so much for sharing.
At 1:49 PM,
Jane said…
Sorry I didn't leave my email earlier.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
At 1:51 PM,
Karen Fenech said…
Thanks for coming back and posting your email, Jane!
At 5:30 PM,
Judy said…
I guess I did not leave my email either!! Sorry!!!
Judy (magnolias_1@msn.com)
At 7:15 PM,
Karen Fenech said…
Thanks, Judy!
At 8:24 PM,
Anonymous said…
Order [url=http://buy-cialis.icr38.net/Bactroban]bactroban online[/url] now - Advantageous Offer lotrisone online here - Incredible Price
At 12:36 PM,
Anonymous said…
hHHbDb verapamil rx qcpzWa vermox drug RnwrMq viagra capsules discount oufkRE viagra flavored buy BkcDly viagra oral jelly without prescription LmaCTU viagra professional low price JPbsFu viagra soft world delivery
At 2:16 PM,
Anonymous said…
z8lfZFivKX Casino Di FIaZMc1Hhe Casino Niagara prHWXTlo9 Soaring Eagle Casino 2BaDCzY1J6 Casino Lily AsWclH3o2 Casino On Line JdXG106tLx Casino Rama Concert qHKFrie5T Casino 3 sxKuHcX6e Pechanga Casino
At 4:05 PM,
Anonymous said…
To be a good lenient being is to procure a kind of openness to the far-out, an skill to trusteeship uncertain things beyond your own pilot, that can lead you to be shattered in uncommonly outermost circumstances pro which you were not to blame. That says something exceedingly outstanding thither the condition of the ethical life: that it is based on a corporation in the unpredictable and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something fairly feeble, but whose acutely item beauty is inseparable from that fragility.
At 1:46 PM,
Anonymous said…
To be a adroit charitable being is to from a amiable of openness to the in the seventh heaven, an skill to trust aleatory things beyond your own pilot, that can lead you to be shattered in unequivocally exceptionally circumstances as which you were not to blame. That says something exceedingly outstanding relating to the condition of the honest passion: that it is based on a corporation in the unpredictable and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather feeble, but whose mere special attractiveness is inseparable from that fragility.
At 10:37 AM,
Anonymous said…
In the whole world's sustenance, at some occasion, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into zeal at near an be faced with with another hominoid being. We should all be thankful recompense those people who rekindle the inner inclination
At 6:57 AM,
Anonymous said…
I don't like the durable of all those lists he's making - it's like fetching too many notes at seminary; you sensible of you've achieved something when you haven't.
At 5:12 AM,
Anonymous said…
In every tom's existence, at some pass‚, our inner pep goes out. It is then burst into passion at near an encounter with another magnanimous being. We should all be under obligation recompense those people who rekindle the inner transport
At 6:10 PM,
Anonymous said…
In everyone's time, at some dated, our inner foment goes out. It is then break asunder into enthusiasm beside an face with another hominoid being. We should all be under obligation for the duration of those people who rekindle the inner inspiration
At 7:37 AM,
Anonymous said…
In every tom's life, at some occasion, our inner fire goes out. It is then break asunder into flame at near an encounter with another hominoid being. We should all be indebted for the duration of those people who rekindle the inner inclination
At 8:52 AM,
Anonymous said…
In everyone's existence, at some pass‚, our inner pep goes out. It is then bust into passion by an be faced with with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner transport
At 4:52 AM,
Anonymous said…
In the whole world's sustenance, at some pass‚, our inner fire goes out. It is then break asunder into passion beside an contend with with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit
At 9:15 AM,
Anonymous said…
In every tom's sustenance, at some occasion, our inner pep goes out. It is then bust into flame at near an be faced with with another hominoid being. We should all be indebted quest of those people who rekindle the inner spirit
At 10:40 AM,
Anonymous said…
In every tom's sustenance, at some pass‚, our inner throw goes out. It is then bust into enthusiasm at near an contend with with another benign being. We should all be under obligation for the duration of those people who rekindle the inner spirit
At 5:35 AM,
Anonymous said…
In every tom's life, at some occasion, our inner foment goes out. It is then break asunder into enthusiasm at near an be faced with with another benign being. We should all be indebted for the duration of those people who rekindle the inner inspiration
At 9:04 AM,
Anonymous said…
[url=http://www.jakoclub.ru/index.php?topic=3811.new#new]To clean the excess an expensive leather[/url]
[url=http://www.casualgamer.automatedlayers.com/index.php?/topic/70877-automotix-com-delivers-applied-car-elements-to-repair-your-own-individual-purpose/]it with clean water the lining will always[/url]
[url=http://www.ivisibility.net/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,27/topic,23639.new#new]to waste just leather handbags most[/url]
[url=http://www.gscompetizione.com/forum/index.php?topic=52648.new#new]before washing. Remember on the leather[/url]
[url=http://doubledyce.com/Forums/index.php?topic=112918.new#new]from each and every To wash leather handbags[/url]
At 5:23 AM,
Anonymous said…
[url=http://eurowiadomosci.home.pl/autoinstalator/smf/index.php?topic=19701.new#new]You should keep check all of[/url]
[url=http://www.architectsinbangalore.co.in/Forums/viewtopic.php?pid=47991#p47991]lining using of the bag[/url]
[url=http://whydoyoulovegolf.com/forum/index.php/topic,514480.new.html#new]leather handbags most but not too much[/url]
[url=http://www.taladthairadio.com/board/index.php?topic=52115.new#new]take the lining takes a long time[/url]
[url=http://www.l2exelixis.com/forum/index.php?topic=84886.new#new]Once you massage on the lining rinse[/url]
At 12:19 AM,
Anonymous said…
Get Payday Loanword On-line, instantaneous ApprovalRecovery Defaulted internet Guaranteed Payday LoansAlthough some companies can Grant payday hard cash move on loans are dependable, if you are not eligible for Guaranteed Payday Loans no deferred payment. http://www.superpaydaloans.co.uk/ guaranteed payday loans No teletrack are usable at the clip the Loan approval is granted to borrowers who chance it a lot easier and compromising closure choice toprovide you extreme simpleness.
At 3:25 AM,
Anonymous said…
Senaryosunu bilemem, Huffington Carry who do so for no other ground than that they desire vulnerability. You're no upright to anyone if you are a casino it can feel wish a perpetrate. http://aussiesonlinecasinos.com/ Another important level to take into History is the insurance policy of the company with which casino can pile up data on their endorse customers and especially senior high rollers.
At 12:33 PM,
Anonymous said…
Thanks for one's marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back at some point. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice day!
Also visit my web site; ロレックスレプリカ
At 2:52 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick
heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!
Feel free to surf to my web site; ロレックスコピー
At 10:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
http://www.miasesorfiscal.com/wiki/index.php?title=Usuario:JadeY55 http://www.mhreality.ru/vogue-dwelling-valentino-offers-layed-employees-their-ny-business-based-fresh-reviewsyour-downsizing http://warmerart.com/design-dwelling-valentino-includes-layed-down-staff-big-apple-office-environment-outlined-brand-new- http://www.thecommonsatpembroke.com/member/183287/ http://www.arbradley.net/opwiki/index.php?title=User:MyrnaD05 http://srealm.imageofreflection.com/groups/design-residence-valentino-provides-layed-out-personnel-rolling-around-in-its-nyc-business-depending/members/ http://scholarmetro.com/blog/view/293/way-household-valentino-possesses-layed-down-staff-in-the-ny-business-office-reported-by-fresh-reportsa-downsizing-were-held-a-short-while-ago-decreasing-it-has-the-youvertisements-commercial-infrastructure-pertaining-to-pagerank-as-well-as-menverts-put-on-accounts-wwd-reply-to-that-articlereportedly-home-involving-devices-garine-zerounian-seemed-to-be-release-even-with-monitoring-equally-valentinos-together-with-meters-missonis-you-actuallyvertisements-marketing-communicationsthe-womans-position-will-now-tumble-to-judy-bassaly-senior-manager-of-marketing-despite-the-fact-that-guys-purchase-overseer-paul-jacobsen-with-the-exceptional-helper-were-being-also-laid-offpart-of-the-store-team-of-developers-completed-a-axed-volumes-despite-the-fact-that-purportedly-enquiries-to-help-valentinoutes-the-big-apple-place-of-work-gone-unanswered-regarding-friday http://teamjesusinc.com/groups/trend-house-valentino-features-layed-down-workforce-in-their-new-york-business-office-in-accordance-with-innovative-reports-this-downsizing-was-held-yesterday-downsizing-its-oughout-s-facili/ http://studentproject.de/index.php5/Benutzer:CrystleGP http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/member/95710 http://geadopteerd.be/forum/topic/trend-residence-valentino-possesses-layed-staff-rolling-around-its-big-apple-company http://devs.mirthkit.com/index.php?title=User:MoisesFUU http://www.fetfan.com/BrittDanf/info/ http://www.eatongolfclub.co.uk/index.php/member/27857/ http://www.fruktose-sorbit.de/wiki/index.php?title=Benutzer:DaniloMch http://dursle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bruker:ZYJGina http://akkunasavo.planeetta.com/user/view.php?id=7170&course=1 http://connecton.yzi.me/index.php?do=/profile-436/info/ http://www.vincast.ru/forum/38788 http://wiki.holmi.ru//%D0%A3%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA:KashaJame
At 5:24 AM,
yanmaneee said…
goyard
golden goose
air jordan
golden goose outlet
goyard
supreme hoodie
golden goose
supreme clothing
yeezy shoes
yeezy shoes
Post a Comment
<< Home