To mark the release of White Heat
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White Heat
Researching a novel is often the best part of writing—it’s when you’re able to immerse yourself in whatever interests you about your subject, what drew you to write about a particular place, or organization or type of individual.
My first book was a Victorian-set historical titled OF NOBLE BIRTH. Not only did I know nothing about penning novels, I knew NOTHING about the era or the setting. So I had a lot to learn.
Now I write suspense, but my research days are far from over. Other than traveling to a research setting, I’ve toured the old territorial prison in Florence, Arizona (for TAKING THE HEAT) and done quite a bit of general research into the criminal justice world via interviews and “ride-alongs” with police officers. I’ve gone up in the Sheriff’s Helicopter, toured the Sacramento Morgue, where I observed an autopsy on a homicide victim (and nearly passed out despite my best attempts to override my reaction
), and spent all night in a squad car observing Lieutenant with the Sacramento Police Department. I also have a detective friend who regularly answers my research questions. This has been tremendously helpful with all my books, especially The Last Stand series, because so many of them are set in Sacramento, where I live. Research gets a bit harder when I set a book in an area I’m not familiar with, however. Although I was raised in Arizona, and distinctly remember the monsoons and weather I depict in my new trilogy, there was still a lot to study. In WHITE HEAT, the Church of the Covenant (led by my villain, Ethan) has settled in Paradise, which is a real town, a ghost town, located in the south-east part of the state. Because I’d never been there, I had to do most of my research on the Internet and via telephone interviews. I also had to research cult behavior, which was fascinating. Every time I began to worry that Ethan might be TOO evil, I’d read about Jim Jones or someone else who makes him look good by comparison. LOL
I created a fictional town for BODY HEAT modeled somewhat after Douglas, Arizona, but the bulk of the research involved learning a lot more than I ever knew about the border problems in that area. For instance, I had no idea illegal aliens come over in such large groups (thirty or more). Or that the number crossing our borders each night is absolutely STAGGERING (thousands and thousands). Or that the harder we fight to deny them entrance, the more it costs those trying to come through (coyotes or guides make this money; it’s getting to the point that human smuggling is as lucrative as drug smuggling). And I never considered that part of the problem is the trash, broken fences, broken water pipes, etc. left behind by such a large influx of people.
Sometimes a story will suggest a setting. Other times, a setting will suggest a story. I chose Skull Valley as the setting for KILLER HEAT because I’d been there (what suspense author can refuse such perfect nomenclature?). I was invited to speak to a writer’s group in Prescott and was put up by one of the members who lived in this remote location. Although the guest house was very comfortable, it had no phone and there was no cell service–and because I’d arrived after dark and had been shuttled around by others, I didn’t really know where I was, even in relation to the owner of the property and the main house. I remember lying awake, staring at the ceiling as the minutes of that long night ticked by, listening to the wind move the screen door—creak, creak…creak, creak…
What would I do if someone attacked me out here, in the middle of the desert? I asked myself.
Then the idea for the remains of seven bodies to be found in Skull Valley began to take shape….
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak has three novels coming out this summer – WHITE HEAT, BODY HEAT & KILLER HEAT. She also runs an annual on-line auction for diabetes research every May at www.brendanovak.com. To date, she’s raised over $1,072,000. Brenda considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life.
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White Heat is available now from HQN. You can buy it here
We are giving away two copies of White Heat. Leave a comment telling us what you would do if you were attacked in the desert. Kick ’em in the weakness and run? Or stay and fight?
Want more Brenda Novak? Swing by The Book Vixen on Friday, August 6 for Brenda’s next stop!
Tonight Brenda is hosting a Cyber Party on Twitter from 8-10pm Eastern using the hashtag #BNParty. Check out her site for more information (and to register to win goodies! You can win an iPad [she’ll be giving away THREE], Borders and Barnes & Noble gift certificates, autographed copies of her backlist, jewelry, See’s Candy, and other fabulous prizes.) and be sure to follow her on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Brenda_Novak)
I would kick them in the family jewels and then run like hell.
Helen L.
I would try to incapacitate him and then hide.
Getting him where it hurts the most and you know where I mean. HAHA.
Hi, Brenda! I very much look forward to your super-hot “Heat Trilogy”. I am a peaceful person, and I would certainly avoid a physical confrontation if at all possible. However, if someone attacks me, there’s going to be one heck of a fight. They’re going down, and staying down, and then I’ll be moving on!
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I would probably stay and fight. I wouldn’t go down without a struggle!
Thanks!
Kick where it hurts the most and run. I could never win in a straight fight.
I would definitely try to kick and run.
I am a wimp through and through – would kick them and run!
I would definitely kick and run!
I would try to incapacitate them and keep them around for a snack…..oops, drifted into Stephen King land for a minute! Brenda, I’m looking forward to the party tonight!
kaisquared
That’s a tough question. If the kick’em took him down and a weapon was at hand, I’d probably finish it if I thought it was him or me. No weapon, keep kickin’ until he’s out, bind him, and THEN run like hell preferably taking his vehicle!
I would like to think I could take someone on, but I’d probably hurt myself. So…I would have to knee, kick, gouge and then run.
Hello,
I would probably kick & run as fast as I could outta of there!! In the adrenaline rush, hopefully, I could channel the speed of an Olympic Sprinter & not a turtle.
I would stay and fight unless I knew for certain that I had some place to run to. Trying to run would only mean that if they chased you, and caught you, you’d be completely winded and less able to defend yourself–a recipe for disaster.
Besides, they’d probably be surprised if a woman turned on them. Surprise is the best advantage.
Stella
At my age, kick and run and hide would be my only option, unless I had a weapon. A younger me would stay and fight.
i wish i can say stay and fight but knowing me, i’d probably run away.
There are so many places to hide a body in a desert…not a good idea to try to grapple with an attacker. I’d try to get away as fast as possible.
I have no idea. But what I do wnat to know is why the heck I’m out in the desert? I must have lost my mind;its hot enough where I am now! 😉
I think I’d kick them and run away.
Kick ’em in the weakness and run ! i believe that i just can’t stay much longer in dessert. it will hot down there 🙂
oehm, first they would take me as a prisoner, and when we are out of the desert I would run away as fast as possible *gg* very brave, isn’t it?
I think I would go for the eyes. I think a kick to the jewels is expected, and so is ineffective. 🙂
I would go for the eyes and shins and then kick them in the balls, etc.!
I would definately stay and fight!