I had to know the answer to this question: Who is your favorite character in the Disaster Crimes series?

Here’s what the author, Chrys Fey wrote. Thorn. Hands down. And what’s interesting is that he wasn’t a character I had planned. In Hurricane Crimes (Book 1) Beth and Donovan carried that story and are the only characters (aside from Hurricane Sabrina) until one bad guy comes in at the end. Thorn comes into the series in Seismic Crimes (Book 2) because of the case against the murderers of Donovan’s brother, an Internal Affairs investigator. He wasn’t supposed to have a big role, but he wanted to come back for an undercover string. And then again after the earthquake. Okay, I thought, you’re cool and funny, so I’ll let you come along for the ride. 

In Tsunami Crimes, we see him more often. We also see other sides of him. He’s not just the detective or the guy who likes to flirt with Beth to get on Donovan’s nerves. He’s also caring, comes to Beth and Donovan’s rescue, speaks wisdom to Donovan, and gets embarrassed when Beth cries. He was quickly becoming a character I wanted to write about more and more.

So, I did. In Flaming Crimes, Thorn is called upon by Beth and Donovan for help. We witness his impressive driving skills as a law enforcement officer, in fiery woods to boot. I also introduce a possible love interest…Amanda, and in doing that, uncovered yet another side of Thorn—his romantic heart. He was always a great friend, like a brother to Beth and Donovan, but he hadn’t had the chance to show any other aspect of love up until then. In Frozen Crimes, I expanded on that. I had to. It was too good to resist, and Thorn wouldn’t have let me. Before I even began writing Frozen Crimes, I knew Thorn would have his own story with Amanda.

I guess you could say Thorn stole my writer’s heart.

Pages: 154
Genre: Romantic-Suspense
Heat Rating: Hot

BLURB:

*A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be read as a standalone.*

Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he’s worried the truth will frighten her away.

And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates, jeopardizing their happy ending.

Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and Amanda have a fighting chance?

Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

EXCERPT:

Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye. She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.

“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her fingers at April and pointed at the stools.

April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so they blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield Amanda.

From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front of the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to be closing.”

“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”

The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her memories.

Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by that name here.”

“Don’t bullshit me. I know she works here.”

His voice was closer now.

***FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME***
THE DISASTER CURSE

Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

Author’s Note: I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance, and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow. Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*

The Disaster Crimes Series:

*The Crime Before the Storm (prequel)
Hurricane Crimes (novella, #1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (free short, #2.5)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)
A Fighting Chance (spin-off, #6)
The Disaster Curse (short story, #7)
*Free exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.

***LAUNCHING A WEBSITE***

TheFightingChance.org is a website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Inspired by the Disaster Crimes series.

***GIVEAWAY***

Prizes: Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2) eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a Volcanic Blast Scented Candle

Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com

Author Links:

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This is my entry into the WEP April event. I’m a bit puzzled about where it came from, but it came and that’s how it is. I”m looking forward to reading the others as they publish!

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Those pearl earrings were mine, and I was going to have them back no matter what.

The Voice, the one I’d heard for far too long, said, “You are in another place now, Juliana. Let the material possessions stay where you left them.”

I could almost see the long finger of caution wagging at me, but I ignored it as well as the boring reminder of my altered state. I didn’t need that. I knew my situation all too well. But, I didn’t quite know how I’d manage the heist and restore those earrings to my possession. That was going to take some unearthing of proper procedures.

“Hmm. Unearthing.” I had the answer. All I needed was a willing digger. I just needed to find one. Next, I’d need an animator. There used to be one per village until the Inquisition, so there had to be some lurking here.

The back alleys of this place were overflowing with unfulfilled entrepreneurs, and so I set out to explore an area I’d avoided since my arrival. A visit to this dark side held a few risks, but those pearls were worth it. I needed something to make me feel good about myself. It had been a long time since I’d had anything to make me feel like the Contessa Juliana Costa da Verdi.

Of course, along my route The Voice nagged at me every step I took.
“Turn back.”
“This is a terrible mistake.
“There’s great danger in returning to fetch what you left. I’ve told you that.”
I stomped my foot and hissed back. “Stop. I know what I’m doing.”

I knew that The Voice could only go as far as the entrance to the dark territory. While there was no line drawn, I felt a barrier as I approached, and so for a moment I stopped.

“You will regret going in there,” The Voice said, and this time it sounded depleted.

For a moment, I hesitated, but my desire for what was rightfully mine swept over me again, and before I could change my mind, I stepped into the blackness of the other side. I hadn’t expected the icy air or the odd smell of creosote. I’d always thought this place would be filled with fire and steam and smell of the unwashed. Well, it wasn’t.sI crept ahead feeling my way through what felt like a narrow canyon until I spotted a flickering light ahead. Moving closer, I discovered a small flame with a hooded figure huddled around it. It didn’t look up when I stepped into the light.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I’m the Contessa Juliana Costa da Verdi.” My name used to turn heads and make people bow. The one seated at the fire didn’t seemed to hear me. I tried for attention again, louder this time. “I’ve come seeking a digger and an animator.”

The figure rose and towered over me. I was forced to look up at what I supposed was a face, but in this light and with the hood pulled down, I couldn’t be certain.

“I am that.” It was a deep, animal sound that came at me.
“A digger or an animator?”
“Both.”
“Oh, well, then you’re exactly what I need.” This was far too simple. I’d have to tell that nattering Voice just how silly those warnings really were.
“I charge.”
“Yes. I imagine you do. What?”
“A soul is my going rate. You have only to give me a name.”
I thought of one immediately. This would teach my dearly beloved to re-marry so quickly and to give my jewelry box along with my precious pearl earrings to his bride. “Done.”

I laid out my plan, named the soul, and asked, “So when can I expect your service to be complete?”
“Come.” Like a shadow, the digger-animator moved back down the canyon, and I followed. It was a relief to come out of that dark place until The Voice started again.
“How did you bring this into our side?”
“I hired it for a job.”
“You paid?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, Juliana. You have made such a terrible mistake.”
The way he said that, did give me an anxious moment, but I had a mission. I would not be stopped now. “You’re nothing but a naysayer and worry wort. Go away.”
“You have set loose unimaginable tragedy.”
I think those words were followed by a sigh. Silence came after that, and I was left alone with the giant hooded figure.

Without a word he led the way until we came to a familiar spot. Not my favorite one, but at least I recognized it, and I knew this digger-animator was going to complete the task.
It didn’t take long to bring up the coffin. I really hated opening it, but it had to be done. And what a mess I was. I’d hoped some of the preservation techniques would have kept my lovely body in tact, but no.
Before I recovered from the shock of seeing the rather vile remains of the Contessa Juliana Costa da Verdi, the figure placed a massive hand on her chest. And up she came. Juliana still had some kick in her. I smiled as I reconnected with the old, although greatly damaged, me.

“Now, I’m off to fetch those earrings. Thank you,” I told my animator.
I started away, stumbling over the uneven ground because no one had thought to put shoes on my feet for my burial. When I looked back, the figure was following me.
“You may go.”
Still it came along behind.
“Why aren’t you returning where you belong?”
“I now belong here. You gave me a soul, and I’m taking it.”
“Then what?”
I could make out a smile, but it had no humor in it.
“Then all that is the soul’s becomes mine.”
“Not my earrings!”
“I’m afraid so. Everything in that jewel box. Everything in the estate.” Sweeping back the hood, the new Conte Costa da Verdi looked down at me. “You’re quite a mess, you know.”

He strode away, and in the far distance I heard The Voice, “Poor Juliana. Forever to roam between death and life.”

Last month I said, “I give up!” That was the first time I ever heard those words from my lips. I never give up.

Even if I’m holding plank and the teacher says, “Just ten more breaths!” I take ten more breaths, but here’s the story about last month.

I was well into 40K words on a new WIP and feeling very…

when my computer coughed up a ginormous hairball and died. Okay, so I have backup, right? Yes and no. The file that I was working on–the 40K, bright and shiny, new, amazing, and best story ever–didn’t quite back up. My grocery list from 2010, did.

That’s when I went all…

and…

and fell off my 

Now, I’m climbing back onto my

and once I find my

I’m ready to ride!

Feel free to send warm, cheery thoughts and saddle soap.

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Quote of the Week: “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” Coach John Wooden

The brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh

Your Optional Question of the Month: What do you love about the genre you write in most often.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 7 posting of the IWSG are Stephen Tremp, Pat Garcia,Angela Wooldridge, Victoria Marie Lees, and Madeline Mora-Summonte! 

Please stop by and say hi and thanks for hosting this February IWSG First Wednesday.

Also Tick Tock, A Stitch In Time is posting today for it’s first, First Wednesday. I’m introducing my short story, Heartless. Come say hello to us, too.

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And now, I want you to meet a lady who’s got my admiration. I had the privilege of meeting Flossie Lewis. She’s a friend’s teacher, and we shared an afternoon together a few years ago. This is Flossie, and this is why whining is just not an option.