Interview with Author Nina Soden

I am very pleased to share this interview with a fellow author.  Today we are featuring the talented Nina Soden.

   

Nina, please tell us a little about yourself and why you write.

I grew up in Michigan, went to college at Eastern Michigan University with the hopes of becoming an actress. After college I moved out to Los Angeles, and although I had some success, becoming a full-time actor wasn’t in the cards for me. After meeting and marrying my wonderful husband, we moved down South. I had written poetry for years, and even dabbled in writing screenplays while in L.A. So, after we moved I published my first book Private Words Unspoken, a collection of my poetry. Then I moved onto short stores. One day, one of my short stories just didn’t end. After a few months it was 50,000 words and still going. I was enjoying the story so much that I decided to share it with some friends and family members. The feedback I got was great, and I decided to turn it into a novel.

I have enjoyed the writing process so much that I have published 3 books, Awaken, Beginnings, and Revenge in that series (The Blood Angel Series) and am getting ready to publish the second book, The Hunted, of my latest series (SECTOR C).

Can you tell us a little about each of your books?

My first books were the Blood Angel Series.

AWAKEN (book 1)

Awaken is set in a world very much like our own, yet Atlanta, Michigan isn’t just an ordinary city and Alee Moyer isn’t just an ordinary girl. Having barely survived her childhood it will take the death of her father for the truth of her true bloodline to come out. Even if it means losing her life, or at least her identity she won’t be able to escape her true destiny as the first surviving Dhampir in history. Surrounded by a new world where the horror films she grew up watching have become reality and the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline, Alee will struggle to find herself and her purpose.

Part horror thriller - part tender romance, Awaken will leave readers eagerly wanting more!

It seems that horror/romance combination is pretty popular nowadays. Tell us about Beginnings and Revenge.

BEGINNINGS (book 2)

Having lost her family, Alee has been thrown into a new life and new world. Camouflaged by the mundane happenings of a high school existence she would never have guessed what was happening below the surface in, "The Underground". If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes the hunted? Newly armed with the knowledge of being half witch and half vampire Alee, the only surviving Dhampir in history, is forced to learn to control a lifetime of magic and vampire powers if she wants to survive. Filled with magic and paranormal delights, Beginnings will leave readers wanting more!

  

REVENGE (book 3)

Having died in her father’s arms only to awaken in a pool of blood surrounded by the corpses of the mutilated, her true love among them, who could blame her for what she did next? Wouldn’t you seek REVENGE?

Tell us about your brand new series, Sector C.

The Chosen (book 1)

Set in a futuristic dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the Sector, all in the name of safety.

When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?

The Hunted (book 2)

 

In the future, most of the world is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes. Sector residents are offered the freedom to live as they desire provided they stay and abide by the laws handed down.

After being jolted awake by the blaring screech of the sector alarm, Zelina is dragged from her bed, gagged, and tied to a chair. Confronted with the brutal murder of one of her former classmates, she realizes that all eyes are on her as the primary suspect. Whether she was involved or not doesn’t matter.

In the eyes of most sector residents, and most Council Members, Zelina is already a pariah—feared for the powers she will certainly come to possess. For she is the first human known to have both vampire and lycanthrope blood flowing through her veins.

Zelina will find herself on a gripping adventure that will take her beyond the borders she’s known all her life in an attempt to save those she loves—and herself from becoming The Hunted.

I understand that The Hunted comes out on Halloween.  That sounds like perfect timing!

I write series myself and I often am asked how difficult it is to write a series   Did you have the entire saga all mapped out beforehand or did you just wing it as you went along?

When I started my first series, I had a rough idea of where books 1 and 2 where going to go, and then by the time I started book 2 I had a pretty good idea of how the series was going to end. However, I have to say, from my first draft to the final book—a lot changed. I let my characters lead the story, and sometime they don’t go exactly where I expect.

When I started the second series SECTOR C, I had no idea what the story was about or who the characters were. I had one scene in my mind and I thought that was the opening scene. I had jotted it down while my family was on a long car ride down to Florida, and a few weeks later when I finally had time to sit at my computer I typed it up. One thing led to another and I was well on my way to a new novel. That “opening scene” ended up being the start of chapter 4, but it is still one of my favorite scenes in the book because it really gives the reader a good idea of who the main character really is.

What drives you to write and where do you find your inspiration?

I’ve always been a creative person. I love art in every form. I enjoy painting, drawing, and even getting dirty doing clay sculptures. I love film and theatre and have always felt at home in front of a camera or on stage, even directing. Writing is just another form of artistic expression.

I think right now, my inspiration comes from my children. I have always tried to follow my dreams and I want them to grow up knowing they can do the same. I want them to believe that they can do and be anything in life as long as they try. After college I moved out to Los Angeles with stars in my eyes, hoping to catch my big break. No, it didn’t happen. Although I had some degree of success in film and commercials, it wasn’t near the level I had hoped for. Then, I met my husband, and we left California behind. It didn’t mean I was giving up, it meant I was finding a new dream. I started doing theatre again, then I had my kids, and my goals in life changed. Now, I write. I’ve published four books and I’m about to release the fifth. My kids have watched me through the whole process. They know it takes hard work and dedication, but that I did it because I wanted it bad enough. It’s a lesson I learned from my parents and one I am very proud to be sharing with my kids.

What is the hardest part about writing and being an indie author?

I used to say the editing process is the hardest part. Watching your manuscript, that you put your heart and soul into, get ripped to shreds by an editor can be very painful. However, now I believe the hardest part is marketing myself. I can deal with the edits and the re-writes because I know the story will be better because of it. Marketing myself and getting my name out there and my books in reader’s hands is very hard. It really doesn’t matter how good your novel is, it can be amazing but if no one knows about it then it’s just words on paper. Unfortunately, it’s hard for an indie author to find readers and more importantly, readers who are willing to write reviews when they like your book. Good reviews are gold to an indie author and bad reviews can kill your career before it has even begun.

What is your favorite genre?

I read a lot of different genres, but right now my favorite has to be YA Supernatural. I guess maybe because I am so engrossed in my own books right now, I tend to read others in the same genre. However, I love science fiction, dystopian, murder mysteries, horror, and autobiographies.

 Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I would love to say writing full-time, but if not, then at least enjoying my family, writing when I can, and doing theatre. I’m pretty happy with a simple life.

Do you have any helpful suggestions or advice for new writers?

Don’t give up. If you really want to be an author then keep writing. Writing isn’t always easy but it is worth it. It is fun and extremely rewarding. 

Where can we find more information about you and your books?

I have a blog, a page on Facebook and profile on Twitter, and you can look up my author page and all of my books on Amazon.

• BLOG: http://ninasoden.wordpress.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/BloodAngelSeries
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nina_Soden
• Twitter: @Nina_Soden
• Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nina-Soden/e/B00ITHSXC8
• Awaken (book 1): http://amzn.com/B008Q8ZPE4
• Beginnings (Book 2): http://amzn.com/B00D3G7RWM   
• Revenge (Book 3): http://amzn.com/B00MUT6XQY
• The Chosen (book 1 ~ SECTOR C): http://amzn.com/B00VUK6SQY
• The Hunted (book 2 ~ SECTOR C): Coming soon to Amazon.

Get $5 off Paperback Version of Legal Thriller, "A Patriot's Act"

$5 off paperback legal thriller "A Patriots Act"- discount code CPYKL353 at: https://www.createspace.com/4869276

Live the action in the second novel of the popular mystery legal thriller series by Kenneth Eade

Brent Marks, whom most know from Predatory Kill, is called upon to seek justice for an innocent client held prisoner in Guantanamo Bay

When a naturalized American citizen turns up missing in Iraq, Brent Marks fights the Goliath U.S. government with its own Constitution. Santa Barbara accountant Ahmed Khury responds to the plea of his brother, Sabeen, a suspected money launderer in Iraq. Before Ahmed realizes what has happened to him, he is in Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, being subjected to torture to extract information that he doesn't have. The drama outside the courtroom explodes, and when murder, corruption and cover-up enters the picture, nobody, including Brent, is safe.

Find out what critics already know

• "Eade, a lawyer by profession, weaves legal dialogue, corruption and international action to create a pacey read with echoes of Grisham, Baldacci and Clancy nipping at his writing heels. Law issues as well as forensics and police procedures are clearly explained with such authority as to add gritty realism in and out of the courthouse, but it's within the court drama that Eade really packs some punch. With some success with the first book of the series, Predatory Kill, this second saga looks sure to satisfy his growing base of readers. Out October 17th."  SPR Review
• "It's all about delicate balance of power and experience - something gone awry in A Patriot's Act, and something explored through intimate descriptions.  As Eade deftly juxtaposes the lives of two very different Americans experiencing two very different circumstances, he delves into the politics and processes of prisoners and military men alike, exposing the wounds of their experience and psyches and the points at which man's inhumanity stems from a worldview that dehumanizes and rips apart systems and people.   D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review.
• "Kenneth Eade is a master of suspense and unexpected twists, which makes "A Patriot's Act" an exciting, unpredictable page-turner, and a must-read for anyone who loves legal thrillers."  I Publisher News

Get a Free Advance Copy of "A Patriot's Act"

The newest legal thriller in the Brent Marks Legal Thriller Series, "A Patriot's Act," will be released on October 6, 2014, but the first 100 readers will receive a free advance copy.  It's very simple.  Just copy and paste the purchase link to your social network status (such as Facebook or Twitter, or both): http://amzn.com/B00MQ9TK0O and then email the message "I did it" to: info@timessquarepublishing.net with your delivery address.

When a naturalized American citizen turns up missing in Iraq, Brent Marks fights the Goliath U.S. government with its own Constitution. Santa Barbara accountant Ahmed Khury responds to the plea of his brother, Sabeen, a suspected money launderer in Iraq. Before Ahmed realizes what has happened to him, he is in Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, being subjected to torture to extract information that he doesn't have. The drama outside the courtroom explodes, and when murder, corruption and cover-up enters the picture, nobody, including Brent, is safe.

SUPPORT REPEAL OF THE PATRIOT ACT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/08/02/heres-what-real-reform-of-the-nsa-looks-like/

Rep. Rush Holt has long been one of the most outspoken critics of the surveillance state. First elected in 1998 to represent central New Jersey, the Democrat served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees U.S. intelligence agencies, from 2003 until 2011. He is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate from New Jersey, running against Newark mayor Cory Booker.

Last week, Holt introduced the Surveillance State Repeal Act. A number of members of Congress have offered proposals to rein in domestic surveillance, but Holt's bill may be the most ambitious. It would repeal the 2001 Patriot Act, which the NSA has cited as the legal basis for its phone records surveillance program. It would also repeal the 2008 FISA Amendments Act, the legal foundation for the government's PRISM program. And it would extend whistleblower protections to cover employees of intelligence agencies.

It's Time to Repeal the Patriot Act

http://www.opednews.com/articles/It-s-Time-to-Repeal-the-Pa-by-Kenneth-G-Eade-Patriot-Act_Patriot-Act_Patriot-Act_Patriot-Act-Failures-140912-919.html

On May 6, 2004, American born attorney Brandon Mayfield was arrested and held, without being charged, for two weeks, as a suspect in the Madrid terrorist bombings, based on a faulty fingerprint match and evidence concocted by the FBI. The FBI broke into his house, without a warrant, and searched it several times, as well as using national security letters to wiretap his phones, and bug the house. Mayfield sued the government for damages and declaratory relief and in the lower court, District Court Judge Aiken threw out two sections of the Patriot Act that modified the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in Mayfield v. United States, 504 F. Supp. 1023. Unfortunately, Judge Aiken's decision was rendered moot on appeal when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal decided that Mayfield could not pursue his declaratory relief claim after he had settled with the government for a reported $2 million settlement and letter of apology. Se e Mayfield v. United States, 599 F. 3d 964.

Less than one month after the horrendous terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the United States Congress rushed through both houses and President George W. Bush signed into law, the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, better known by its acronym, The USA PATRIOT ACT. Originally designed to be a temporary measure, this Act was reauthorized by Congress in July 2005. Some of the most controversial measures of the Act that were to expire in 2009 were temporarily extended when President Barack Obama signed extension legislation on February 27, 2010, and on March 26, 2011, Obama signed a four year extension of three key provisions of the Act that have been criticized as unconstitutional. These relate to roving wiretaps, searches of business and library records, and "lone wolf" surveillance, authorizing surveillance of individuals suspected of terrorist activities who do not belong to any recognized terrorist group.

What's wrong with the Patriot Act? Plenty-it is the most pervasive joint attack by the Executive and Legislative branches of our government on the United States Constitution in history. The Patriot Act expanded the executive's power to practical omnipotence, allowing the FBI and other government enforcement agencies to use "enhanced surveillance procedures," which included roving wiretaps, which follow the suspect and encompass any communication technology used at any time, "sneak and peek" searches, for which the search can be conducted before the suspect is informed of the search warrant, and the production of books, records papers, documents and other items to be ordered not by a court of law, but by the FBI, the CIA or the Department of Defense in a "national security letter." The Act also authorizes the forfeiture of assets of those suspected of money laundering, detention of up to two weeks of suspected terrorists who are United States citizens, and indefinite renewable detention of aliens from 90 days to six months.

The "War on Terror" is still on, and is still being used as an excuse to broaden or extend the broad brush of governmental power. Such power is being used to violate the Fourth Amendment Constitutional guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures and is unacceptable. James Madison said, "The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people." Madison, also known as the "father of the Constitution," along with other notable statesmen such as Thomas Jefferson, the draftsman of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, intended that the government to answer to the people, not the other way around. When they set up three branches of government with checks and balances, they did this so that no one branch would get any more powerful than the other. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were designed to guarantee that the government not be able to take away the personal freedoms that all people have.

The people of this country need to stand up for and defend the inalienable rights that we all have and send a clear message to their Congressman and Senators that if he or she does not vote to repeal the Patriot Act, or votes in favor of any further extension, they will not be getting your vote at the next election. We should not forget who said, "Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peace makers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." It was Hermann Goering.

An Involuntary Spy and Predatory Kill Book Blitz

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Book Title: An Involuntary Spy and Predatory Kill

Author: Kenneth Eade

Genre: Financial/Legal Thriller

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis:

Involuntary Spy:

Get the book that breaks open the GMO controversy

Seth Rogan was a shitty spy. Actually, he wasn't a spy at all. Just a guy trying to do the right thing. As a biologist for the largest biotech company in the world, he had a great job, and thoroughly enjoyed all the perks. But when asked to do some tests on the company's genetically engineered foods, he became entangled in a trail of corruption and fraud that he wanted no part of, but could not escape from. In a story so true to life it could almost be from today's newspapers, Seth, having bit the hand who fed him, is on the run from them, and the full overreaching strength of the United States government as a fugitive, who finds temporary refuge with an old enemy of the U.S. But his peace is about to be broken as he finds himself in the role of an involuntary spy. This is a thriller with mystery, suspense, twists and turns and non stop action that will pull you in and captivate you with all the elements you would expect from the genre; spies, CIA, Russians, FBI; but not how you would expect them. Being centered around the controversial subject of the danger of genetically engineered foods, the book breaks open the controversy.

Predatory Kill

Rocketing to the top of four Amazon best-seller lists, ""Predatory Kill: A Legal Thriller"" by best-selling author Kenneth G. Eade has been called “a wild ride” by critics. In the vein of his wildly popular first novel, ""An Involuntary Spy"", Eade delivers another solid and intricately plotted tale. At its core, ""Predatory Kill"" is an examination of the chaos and corruption of the 2008 mortgage crisis, and asks the vital question: “are banks above the law?”

Brent Marks had paid his dues as a lawyer, having taken his share of divorces and drunk driving cases over his 20 year career, but had finally reached a place in his life where he could take on cases of social importance. What he least expected was for April Marsh's predatory lending case against the big banks for wrongful foreclosure on her parent's home to turn into a murder investigation. April's mother was murdered. Her father was beaten within an inch of his life, and she believes their predatory lender is to blame.

Excerpt:

An Involuntary Spy Excerpt

1

The headlines of every newspaper and every Internet news service ran the same story.  His story; the story of Seth Rogan, 45 year old genetic biologist.  Some were calling him a whistle blower.

Society tends to stick labels on everything and everyone.  The label that is given to you will stick with you for a lifetime, especially in these days of the fledging Internet, which is swallowing up and replacing traditional journalism with real time news.  The separation that once was between news and opinion has blurred and the two have bled into one another.

Some were calling him a traitor.  The president of the United States said he was wanted for “espionage” and “aiding our enemies.”  Somewhere between his good intentions and unselfish acts he had become the “bad guy.”  Espionage was always something that Seth had read about in novels or watched in the movies.  He had never experienced it in real life.  Until now.  He didn’t feel like James Bond.  He knew he couldn’t step off this Aeroflot nonstop flight from Washington to Moscow clean shaven, shoot ten bad guys who were on his tail, and then relax in bed with a beautiful female Russian spy, sipping on a vodka martini, shaken not stirred.  

Seth stirred uneasily in his seat, as the Captain made an announcement over the PA system.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking.  I’m afraid we have had bit of change of routing.  We’re about 150 kilometers east of Kiev and have been directed by air traffic control to set down here.  There is no cause for alarm – it’s only routine.  After about an hour or so we’ll be back on our way to Moscow.”

The 777 lurched as the passengers moaned and groaned.  They had already endured a long flight, preceded by a lengthy mechanical delay.  They were tired.  Tired of the bad food.  Tired of the uncomfortable seats.  Just plain tired.

No cause for alarm?  Maybe not for them, but in Seth’s case there was definitely cause for alarm.  The last time he had checked, the Soviet Union had long been disbanded, and Ukraine and Russia were separate countries.  But, apparently, the Ukraine was now the 51st state of the United States, because the U.S. was forcing a Russian plane to land there.  Seth’s heart beat as fast as a crack addict’s, almost thumping out of his chest.  He clutched tightly to his briefcase, even though he had long since spilled all the beans by electronic upload.  He held no more secrets on him to reveal – except one.  The one without scientific backup and peer reviewed studies.  The scariest one.  The secret that he held onto to keep him alive.  The plane began its descent into Kiev and with every air bump, Seth’s panic renewed.  He became nauseous.

This was it.  He was screwed.  Doomed to spend the rest of his life in jail, or, even worse, to be shot on sight.  Well, he deserved it for what he had done. Let the show begin.

Seth looked out the window at the cold, harsh landscape.  It was barren and dry, a forest of a million tiny sticks.  He tried to keep his mind clear.  He knew what to do.

The plane touched down on the tarmac.  The purser robotically performed her landings “voice over” on the PA system.

  “Welcome to Kiev, ladies and gentlemen, where local time is approximately 6:30 a.m.  We will be taxying for a while, so please keep seated with your seatbelts on until aircraft has parked at gate.”

Yeah, like Kiev was just where Seth wanted to be.  How could this happen?  He was so careful – he didn’t waste any time – got right out of there.  How did they know he was on this plane?  Russia didn’t have an extradition treaty with the United States, and he had chosen Moscow as his route of escape.  It was easy to get a non-stop flight from the states and the government didn’t tag you when you were leaving; only when you were coming into the states.  He was naïve to think they would let him bolt.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it will be necessary for you to deplane here.  Please take all of your belongings with you, and hold on to your boarding passes so you can re-board aircraft.  And please have passports out and open for police for inspection at door of aircraft,” said the purser.

The passengers fumbled for their belongings, and trudged down the aisle toward the front of the plane.  Seth stayed put, clutching his briefcase.  A cute blonde flight attendant came up to him, smiling.

“Sir you’ll have to deplane here.  It’s only for about one hour.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Sir?”

The poor flight attendant didn’t know what to do.  Her smile faded into a frown.

“Please call the Captain.”

“Sir, please, I…”

“Call the Captain, I need to speak to the Captain.”

The flight attendant, flustered, went to the intercom phone and picked it up. Within minutes, as the plane continued to empty, a pilot approached.

“Sir, what is the problem?”

“Are you the Captain?”

“I’m the first officer.  Now are you going to tell me why you refuse to leave the aircraft?”

    “It’s me they’re after.  I’m the reason they forced the plane to land here.  My name is Seth Rogan and I’m a political refugee.  I’ve petitioned for asylum from the Russian government, and the Ukraine has nothing to do with it.  I won’t surrender to anyone but a representative of the Russian Embassy.”

“Sir, I…”

“Did you hear what I said?” Seth clutched at his briefcase, nervously.

“Sir, what is in the briefcase?”

“Call the Russian Embassy.  Seth Rogan.  I’m not leaving the plane except with them.   I’m not coming out.  Period.”

The First Officer turned and left.  Now the plane was almost entirely empty.  After a few moments, he returned with another pilot.

“Sir,” he said, “I’m Captain Davidoff.  I understand you have some kind of diplomatic issue.  But can you tell me what is in the case?”

“Have you called the Russian Embassy?”

“Yes we have, sir.  Now can you please tell me what you have in there?”

“Why are you so curious?”

“Because, sir, the way you’re holding it.  And sweating – you look very nervous.”

“You’d be nervous too if you were about to be taken by the CIA.”

“CIA? Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but…”

“Of course you don’t.  I’ll leave your plane, but only with an official from the Russian Embassy.”

The Captain turned to talk to his First Officer and spoke to each other in Russian.  “Is the crew off?”

  “Yes.”

“Good.  I’m not getting off until I find out what’s going on.”

“I’m with you.”

Two armed police, accompanied by a man in a grey business suit, Jack Singer, one of the CIA’s men in Kiev, approached them.  He spoke.

“What is your name?”  he asked.  Typical American accent, Midwest probably.

“What’s yours?” said Seth, facetiously.

“That’s not important.  May I see some identification sir?”

“I don’t have any.”

“What happened to it?”

“It fell in the toilet.”

Singer turned to one of the armed policeman and ordered, “Go look in the toilet.”

The Captain interrupted.  “Nobody is going anywhere in my plane without asking me first.”

“Sir,” said Singer, “This is a matter of national security.”

“Which nation?” Seth chimed in.  “I didn’t know the United States government had the right to force a plane down in international airspace.”

“Neither did I,” said the Captain.  “This is a Russian plane.  And that’s not what I was told.  What’s going on here?”

“I’m sorry Captain, I can’t tell you.  It’s on a need to know basis,” said Singer.

“Well I happen to be the pilot in charge and I need to know.  I’m responsible for this plane and everyone on it.”

“Captain, this is not about you.  Sir, I’m asking you again, what is your name?”

“Don’t you know?” Seth replied.  “I’m Barney Rubble, you know, Fred’s best friend?”

“I don’t think you realize sir, you are in a lot of trouble.”

In Russian, a voice from the front of the plane boomed out, “I don’t think you realize, Jack that the CIA has no jurisdiction here and this man is under my protection.”

The voice was from Yuri Streltsov, a strapping young Russian man, about 30, with a neck so thick it looked like his head was directly attached to his shoulders, biceps like Arnold Schwarzenegger, and not the best command of the English language.

“Hello Yuri,” said Singer.

Yuri flashed his badge at the police and they nodded.

“Let’s go Barney,” Yuri said, as he made a sweeping motion with his hand for Seth to come.  Singer smiled slyly at them as they exited the plane.

“You may be able to walk through this airport, Yuri, but I can’t guarantee you safe passage once you leave,” said Singer.

“Oh Jack, I didn’t know you cared,” said Yuri.

“What did he mean?” said Seth to Yuri.

“He means they have team of assassins waiting outside and they have no problem killing me along with you because after we are dead they will disappear and our bodies will never be found.”

“Great.  But you have men too, right?”

“Just me.”

“Just you?”

“Don’t worry.  Here, put this on.”

Yuri handed him a heavy grey vest with straps, like a life jacket.

“What’s that?”

    “Bullet proof vest.”

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Excerpt from Predatory Kill

1

A glint of orange bounced off the arched windows across Anacapa Street as Brent Marks exited the tall wooden doors of the Santa Barbara courthouse.  The old courthouse seemed to have a soul.  The soul of every jurist who ever made an argument between the tall walls of each formidable courtroom.  The soul of every man who ever sat before a jury of his peers in judgment since 1927.

How he dreamed of doing another grand trial in the old Spanish colonial building.  Brent had spent the first 15 years of his 20 year career paying the dues leading up to that moment, with bankruptcies, divorces and drunk driving cases, but since then he had earned the right to take the cases he wanted – cases of social importance.

As he strolled down De La Guerra to the small office on quaint State Street where he had hung his shingle 20 years earlier, Brent inhaled the fresh ocean air and thanked himself for deciding on Santa Barbara.  It was a refreshing break from the bustle of smog-bound Los Angeles, where he would have been an ant scurrying around with thousands of other ants, each trying to make a name for themselves in the law business.  Santa Barbara was a small town, which sometimes can be an impediment to a newcomer, but, during his “dues paying days” he had made a name for himself, and established a thriving private practice.

Brent turned left on State Street, feeling the privilege of being able to walk to and from his work.  He imagined State Street 100 years ago, with the Wells Fargo stage coach barreling through, and the town growing up around the route.  It was the perfect match for his heritage.

His father was an immigrant from Spain.  Jose Marquez had changed the family name to Marks, to avoid the stereotypes that he felt were cast on the family by people who thought they were Mexican.  Brent could have passed for Mexican himself, with his dark brown curly hair and dark eyes, but he was much taller than most Mexicans.  He was fluent in Spanish, which helped in the old days when he was a “poor man’s lawyer.”  The Spaniards had tamed this land and now it was Brent’s turn.  He loved Santa Barbara.

He had made it to his State Street office just in time to check messages and make sure everything was in order for the big weekend.  No work, only play and relaxation for the next 48 hours.  As he entered the office, Melinda Johnson, his secretary, looked worried.  It was unusual for her to be there past quitting time on a Friday.

“Hey Mimi, what’s wrong?” Brent asked her.

“You’ve got a call waiting.  I told him you weren’t in, but he said he’d wait.”

    “Who is it?”

“I don’t know, he won’t say.  He’s really weird, Mr. Marks.”

“Why don’t we let him just die on hold then?”

“I think you should answer.”

Brent entered his office, sat down behind his plush mahogany desk, and picked up the phone.

“Hello, this is Brent Marks.”

The eerie voice on the other end was cold and inhuman.  “Do you know how fast a bullet goes, Counselor?” it asked.

“Who is this?”

“Seventeen hundred feet per second.  At that velocity it will crack open your skull and blast your brains all over your wall like a watermelon being hit by a sledge hammer.”  The caller cackled like a wounded chicken.

Brent quickly switched on the recording device to the receiver.  He had bought that baby to record threats from ex-husbands whose wives had obtained restraining orders against them but which Brent had always refused to dismiss, even in cases of so called “reconciliation.”

“I don’t think I got your name, mister?”

The voice responded with a maniacal chuckle, which turned into a full blown belly laugh, like Vincent Price in the final stanza of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

“No judge in the world can stop a bullet, Counselor.  No piece of paper can do that.”

“This conversation is really interesting, but if I don’t have your name, I…”

“Think hard.”

“I’m not going to play games with you.”

“Oh, this is not a game.  I assure you.  I’m just giving you a little preview.  Wherever you go, I’ll be there.  When you’re at the corner at Starbucks, having your mocha grande in the morning before going to court, I’ll be there.  You won’t see me, but I’ll be there.  All it takes is one shot – one shot in the head.”

“And why would you want to shoot me?”

“I am a servant of the Lord, Counselor.  I do His work.”

“You’re saying that you’re going to kill me because God told you so?”  Without answering, the caller went into a sermon, like an evangelist preacher trying to convert a world full of infidels.

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord!  When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.  I am your terror, Counselor.  I am the hand of the Lord and I will strike you down!”

Suddenly, Brent realized who this character could be.  Last year, he took on a case for Felipe Sanchez, who had rented a house from a crazy religious fanatic named Joshua Banks.  When Banks found out that Sanchez had moved in his girlfriend, all hell broke loose.   “I won’t have fornication in my house!” Banks decreed.  Sanchez ignored him and three days later, came home to find himself locked out of his house and all his furniture thrown out on the street.  When Brent succeeded in getting the police to open the house, Banks turned off the utilities, and Sanchez sued.  Thanks to a little known provision in the Civil Code, daily damages were awarded to Sanchez at trial which allowed him to take his judgment, levy it against the house, and become the owner of it.  Justice can be hell for some people.

“Threatening my life is a felony, Mr. Banks,” said Brent, “Do you really want to go to prison?”

“Do you think I care about your court?  Your prison?  There is only one lawgiver and judge, and that is the Lord God!  Judge not, that you not be judged, sayeth the Lord.  Man does not have the right to sit in judgment of his fellow man.”

“You’re not God, Mr. Banks.”  Ignoring him, Banks pressed on.

“Your judgment has been pronounced, Counselor.  And I’m afraid there is no chance for a pardon.  The punishment is death.”

Brent heard a click, followed by the dull dead sound of dial tone.  It was now after 5:30 p.m. on a Friday.  There was no way he could get a restraining order until the court opened on Monday morning, and the police would refuse to do anything about it unless he had one.

“Mims, I’ve gotta work you this weekend.”

“Oh, boss, it’s my sister’s birthday tomorrow and we planned to go to Solvang to see Legally Blonde.  Do I have to?” she pleaded, batting her eyelashes over her power blue eyes.  Melinda was 20 something, attractive, with auburn brown hair, and had a huge crush on the boss.  But Brent had long since made it clear that their relationship would be strictly business.  Still, that did not prevent her from using her feminine wiles whenever she had the occasion, or, in this case, the need.

“Sorry, but if I don’t get a restraining order against this crazy Joshua Banks, I’m afraid you may not have a boss by Monday.”

“That was Banks? Oh, I remember that guy.  He’s nuts.”

“You can do it at home.  I’ll dictate it now and drop it by your house in about two hours.  But I need it by Sunday night.  Court opens at 8:30.”

“Okay boss, you can count on me.”

It was a good thing that Brent had not yet made any plans for the weekend, because this weekend would be reserved for writing up a motion for a restraining order and trying to stay alive long enough for the Court to grant it and the Sheriff to serve it.

---

Meet the Author:

Best Selling Author Kenneth G. Eade is an international business lawyer, based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in international law, Internet Law, appeals and complex litigation. He is a member of the Bar of California, the federal District Court for the Central District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. He holds a Juris Doctor in Law from Southwestern University School of Law, and a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge. He is also an accomplished filmmaker and a freelance writer for the Los Angeles Daily Journal.

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Book Information:

An Involuntary Spy: http://amzn.com/B00GQPBLZ6

Predatory Kill: http://amzn.com/B00JNNFEJ2