Eavesdropping
on an Author? Bad Idea!
Some of my fondest memories come
from noticing how people around us reacted to slips the tongue, to overheard
snippets of conversation that weren’t meant for them. I’m sure this is not new,
and definitely not unique; the majority of authors must face the same challenges.
I guess an example would be in
order. We were celebrating my husband’s birthday at a local semi-fancy
restaurant, and we were seated on the almost deserted patio, close to closing
time. Totally engulfed in our
conversation, we missed noticing the group of four who was seated nearby. As it
normally happens, regardless of whose birthday we are celebrating, the
conversation took a turn towards discussing my latest project, Dawn Girl, a seriously chilling serial
killer thriller. My husband asked me a polite question, such as, you know,
“How’s it going?” and I proceeded promptly to replying with tons of detail and all
the story issues that I was struggling with at that time. He’s always been my hero, so of course he
offered to help, and I then started to tell him that I needed to kill somebody
slowly, without leaving any DNA evidence, and I needed to delay time of death findings
without risking exposure, or running the risk that the victim would somehow
survive and call the cops. We debated ways to do that for about 10 to 15
minutes over dessert and drinks, when suddenly I realized the group of four at
the table next to us was deathly quiet. I think there were on a double date or
something, two young couples, but they looked almost scared. I mumbled to
myself, “Oh crap,” while my husband promptly announced, “She’s a writer and
this is not real, don’t worry.” They
just said, “Uh-huh,” without looking at us, took care of the check and immediately
disappeared, without a single word.
I felt bad for them, and since
that day, we’re watching what we’re saying and where. However, in all fairness,
the two of us look remarkably benign, and, if they would’ve been more
open-minded they would’ve realized we were talking fiction, not real crime. Yet
perception is reality, and it’s driven by the realities of each person who
perceives the given set of facts. So, if those two couples had been more
exposed to dangerous individuals than actual authors, their reaction is
understandable.
Later on, that same month, I ran
across a Facebook group posting that was along the same lines, authors being
overheard planning terrible crimes and having written or verbal conversations
that could make everyone’s hairs stand on end, while they regard such
conversations as trivial, normal course of business, nothing out of the
ordinary idea exchanges.
So, if you ever happen to overhear
an author talking about their craft, don’t be scared. Just ask them what
project they’re working on, and most of them would be happy to share. With more
detail than you might probably want to know.
On the flipside, several Government
organizations, including law enforcement, have authors they consult with in
devising training scenarios, new methodologies, new ways to fight crime. That is because, unlike the typical
individual, authors do not restrict the boundaries of their imagination. We
believe anything is possible, and we make a living proving it.
Dawn Girl
Tess Winnett Series
Book One
Leslie Wolfe
Genre: Crime Thriller / Police Procedural
Publisher: Italics Publishing
Date of Publication: 8/30/2016
ISBN: 978-1-945302-06-0
ASIN: B01I0X2YR0
Number of pages: 225
Word Count: 71,000
Cover Artist: Sam Roman
Tagline: Pristine, golden beaches and a dead body
Book Description:
Her blue eyes wide open, glossed over. A few specks of sand clung to her long, dark lashes. Her beautiful face, immobile, covered in sparkling flecks of sand. Her lips slightly parted as if to let a last breath escape.
Who is the beautiful girl found at dawn, on a deserted stretch of golden sand beach? What is her secret?
FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett searches for answers relentlessly. With each step, each new finding, she uncovers unsettling facts leading to a single possible conclusion: Dawn Girl is not the only victim. Her killer has killed before.
Hiding a terrible secret of her own, Special Agent Tess Winnett faces her inmost fears, in a heart-stopping race to catch a killer who’s getting ready to end yet another life. Will she find the killer in time? Will she be able to stop him? At what cost?
The rules of the game have changed.
So has the textbook definition of a serial killer.
Special Agent Tess Winnett is the bold, direct, and short-fused heroine of Dawn Girl. Putting her life on the line, she doesn’t pull any punches, searching only for the truth, and for the man who takes lives on her watch. Intelligent, resourceful, and uncompromising, Tess will take readers on a memorable, white-knuckled journey in this suspenseful, gripping serial killer thriller.
Excerpt:
She made an
effort to open her eyes, compelling her heavy eyelids to obey. She swallowed
hard, her throat raw and dry, as she urged the wave of nausea to subside. Dizzy
and confused, she struggled to gain awareness. Where was she? She felt numb and
shaky, unable to move, as if awakening from a deep sleep or a coma. She tried
to move her arms, but couldn’t. Something kept her immobilized, but didn’t hurt
her. Or maybe she couldn’t feel the pain, not anymore.
About the Author:
Bestselling author Leslie Wolfe is passionate about writing fiction, despite spending a significant number of years climbing the corporate ladder. Leaving the coveted world of boardrooms for the blissful peace of the Florida-based "Wolves’ den," Leslie answers one true calling: writing.
Leslie’s novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. Fascinated by technology and psychology, Leslie brings extensive background and research in these fields that empower and add texture to a signature, multi-dimensional, engaging writing style.
Leslie released the first novel, Executive, in October 2011. It was very well received, including inquiries from Hollywood. Since then, Leslie published numerous novels and enjoyed growing success and recognition in the marketplace. Among Leslie’s most notable works, The Watson Girl (2017) was recognized for offering a unique insight into the mind of a serial killer and a rarely seen first person account of his actions, in a dramatic and intense procedural thriller.
A complete list of Leslie’s titles is available at http://wolfenovels.com/titles
Follow Leslie on Twitter: @WolfeNovels
Leslie’s Goodreads profile: http://bit.ly/LWolfeGR
Like Leslie's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wolfenovels
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfenovels
Visit Leslie’s website for the latest news: www.WolfeNovels.com
Tour giveaway
3 $20 gift card combos, “Coffee and a Book,” Starbucks and Amazon gift cards $10 each.
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