Today we have Clay West from Killer Headlines by Debby Gusti, a Feburary 2010 release.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
My name’s Clay West, and at the beginning of the story, I was a homicide detective with the Chicago Police Department. While working undercover, I came down too hard on a punk who needed to be taught a lesson and was placed on administrative leave so the situation could be reviewed, which gave me time to do a favor for an old friend of mine. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jackson McGraw asked me to check up on a cute reporter working for the Missoula Daily News. I had met Violet Kramer when she was an intern at the Chicago Gazette and decided to take a road trip to Montana to help Jackson out. Of course, agreeing to check up on Violet changed my life forever.
2. So, during the book you met Violet Cramer. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
I saw Violet for the first time when she strolled into a low-rent bar and grill on the Southside of Chicago that teemed with riffraff and Mafia-types. She told me later she had wanted to learn firsthand about the Martino crime family, but one look at her dimples and curls and curves and the angora sweater that left nothing to the imagination and I knew she was out of her element. As quickly as possible, I escorted her outside and sent her on her way. I should have known Violet wouldn’t be put off so easily. Two years later, when she called for information about the Martino mob, I realized she might be cute as a kitten, but she was also stubborn as a mule.
When did I know it was love? Hmmm? I’m not sure. We started off with a kind of love/hate relationship, if you know what I mean. And then…well, my feelings changed.
3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
My strength lies in reading people. Maybe it’s the cop in me, but I can smell trouble. That’s why I was so worried about Violet. She walked headfirst into danger, without realizing she was putting herself and the women in witness protection in jeopardy.
My greatest weakness? Violet, of course. If anything happened to her, my life would have no meaning.
4. What scares you?
The Chicago Martino family scared me when they were tracking Violet and wanted to do her harm.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wouldn’t have turned my back on God. Eventually, I learned about his forgiveness and mercy. As a teen growing up in foster care, I thought the Lord had forgotten about me so I cut Him out of my life. That’s a mistake I’ll always regret.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
As I mentioned, I had cut God out of my life.
7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?
Luckily, I learned God had been watching over me the entire time. Once I put Him first, everything fell into place.
8. You’ve got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: From where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2
When I needed God the most, He was there to help me save Violet.
9. If you could be a dessert what would it be and why?
Lemon meringue pie because it reminds me of Violet--tart and sassy at times, but sweet and fluffy as well.
Thank you Debby for sharing Clay with us today. This sounds like a fun and exciting read.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
My name’s Clay West, and at the beginning of the story, I was a homicide detective with the Chicago Police Department. While working undercover, I came down too hard on a punk who needed to be taught a lesson and was placed on administrative leave so the situation could be reviewed, which gave me time to do a favor for an old friend of mine. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jackson McGraw asked me to check up on a cute reporter working for the Missoula Daily News. I had met Violet Kramer when she was an intern at the Chicago Gazette and decided to take a road trip to Montana to help Jackson out. Of course, agreeing to check up on Violet changed my life forever.
2. So, during the book you met Violet Cramer. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
I saw Violet for the first time when she strolled into a low-rent bar and grill on the Southside of Chicago that teemed with riffraff and Mafia-types. She told me later she had wanted to learn firsthand about the Martino crime family, but one look at her dimples and curls and curves and the angora sweater that left nothing to the imagination and I knew she was out of her element. As quickly as possible, I escorted her outside and sent her on her way. I should have known Violet wouldn’t be put off so easily. Two years later, when she called for information about the Martino mob, I realized she might be cute as a kitten, but she was also stubborn as a mule.
When did I know it was love? Hmmm? I’m not sure. We started off with a kind of love/hate relationship, if you know what I mean. And then…well, my feelings changed.
3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
My strength lies in reading people. Maybe it’s the cop in me, but I can smell trouble. That’s why I was so worried about Violet. She walked headfirst into danger, without realizing she was putting herself and the women in witness protection in jeopardy.
My greatest weakness? Violet, of course. If anything happened to her, my life would have no meaning.
4. What scares you?
The Chicago Martino family scared me when they were tracking Violet and wanted to do her harm.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wouldn’t have turned my back on God. Eventually, I learned about his forgiveness and mercy. As a teen growing up in foster care, I thought the Lord had forgotten about me so I cut Him out of my life. That’s a mistake I’ll always regret.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
As I mentioned, I had cut God out of my life.
7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?
Luckily, I learned God had been watching over me the entire time. Once I put Him first, everything fell into place.
8. You’ve got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: From where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2
When I needed God the most, He was there to help me save Violet.
9. If you could be a dessert what would it be and why?
Lemon meringue pie because it reminds me of Violet--tart and sassy at times, but sweet and fluffy as well.
Thank you Debby for sharing Clay with us today. This sounds like a fun and exciting read.
2 comments:
Ok, I give up!!! I already have so many books on my "to read" shelf, that I'll never finish, but now I'm going to have to go buy Killer Headlines!!! Today!! lol
Donna, I totally understand. Wouldn't it be nice if all we had to do each day was sit and read. The world would be a happier place.
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