CLANDESTINE COVER-UP INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Vince Frenci, the hero of Clandestine Cover-Up by Pamela Tracy, a December 2009 release.

Ileen the Interviewer: Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

Vince: First, let me tell you about my family. The Frenci’s have been in Sherman, Nebraska, a century. I’m pretty sure the ground our family tree sprouted from was soaked from moonshine hence a boot-legger ancestor. We have a picture of GreatGrandpa with Jesse James. They’re standing in front of a bank. I met my grandfather once. We drove three hours to the prison he was sentenced in. My father, well, he went to the store to get bread when I was in junior high and never came back. The branches of my family tree all look like leg shackles.

Ileen the Interviewer: Except for you?

Vince: Accept for me. I got in trouble once, just out of high school, and that, plus knowing how much help my mother needed with my little brother, put me on the straight and narrow. Of course, I didn’t realize that I needed a good woman (Tamara Jacoby) to help me stay straight, and I didn’t realize I needed God to help define the narrow.

Ileen the Interviewer:. So, I’m still curious about the suspense, but I’m sure we’ll get there. During the book you met Tamara Jacoby. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Vince: I met her for the first time at her sister’s wedding. She started out by ordering me around. I’m a contractor, see, and she was helping with decorations at the church. Then, one day (more than a year later) when I was driving home from work, I saw her again. Well, first I saw her car. I knew a little bit about why she’d moved to Nebraska. She’d had some trouble with a stalker back in Arizona. I stopped to see if she was okay. She wasn’t. But, I gotta tell you, she has spunk. Someone had painted YOUR NOT WANTED HERE on the front door of the old building she’d purchased. Any other woman might have turned tail. Tamara, she stood and fought. Not necessarily wise, but very impressive especially after what she’d just been through with the stalker. Ah, you ladies and your love questions. I wish I knew the exact moment. Tamara asks me that same question about every three weeks. I think I knew it was love at Yano’s Restaurant, when I was sitting across the table from Tamara and some friends – one of whom the restaurant owners had tried to fix me up with – and I realized they all knew something I didn’t. Yup, that something was the way Tamara and I acted together.


Ileen the Interviewer: What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Vince: I can put almost anything together and fix most things, including gadgets. I’m a big guy. I tend to either scare people or make them feel very safe. Luckily, I made Tamara feel very safe. My greatest weakness is I let my family bring me down. It was only after I found God that I realized sometimes the family is not just blood but can also be community.


Ileen the Interviewer: What scares you?

Vince: Being responsible for other people. My family took up plenty of my time and it all seemed to be damage control. Why would I want more family. Tamara showed me the opposite of damage control – well, once we figured out who was after her. I confess, I still get shaky hands at the thought of my wife. She takes my breath away. On one hand, I cannot believe she wants to be with me. On the other hand, I have to protect her. Did I mention she’s a criminal attorney. Nope, I couldn’t marry a nice safe teacher. Nope, not me.

Ileen the Interviewer:. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Vince: I married into a family where there’s a banker, a teacher, a lawyer, etc. I’m sitting here with just a high school degree and suddenly thinking it’s not enough. I’m pretty sure I’ll go back to school and major in business. Maybe someday instead of working for others, I’ll work for myself.


Ileen the Interviewer: Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Vince: God invited me through the back door. As we were trying to figure out who was after Tamara, it became clear that one of the Main Street Church ladies had insider information. We had to go to church to meet her. Then, we had to go again, and again. Pretty soon we were going to church when we didn’t have to. Tamara’s more questioning than I. I think that’s the lawyer in her. Me, I can wrap my mind around a carpenter’s son.


Ileen the Interviewer: You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

A good name is more desirable than great riches, to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Keep in mind, in Sherman, Nebraska, the last name Frenci was pretty tainted. I mean, we were the town’s Capones.


Ileen the Interviewer: If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Vince: Ack! A girl question. Let me go find Tamara. I’ll let her answer this one.

Ileen the Interviewer: Hmm, he sure looks good in his gray construction uniform. I can certainly see what Tamara saw in him. Not only looks, but a teddy bear protector. Guys, I don’t think Vince is coming back to share his favorite dessert. So, everyone, go ahead and grab your own personal favorite and join us next week for another Love Inspired Suspense hero or heroine interview!


Thank you Pam for letting our guest interview Ileen ask Vince some pressing questions. This sounds like a great read!