THE FRAILTY OF THINGS BY TAMSEN SCHULTZ #mfrwauthor #mgtab

The Frailty of Things

by Tamsen Schultz

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BLURB:

Independence. Kit Forrester is a woman who wears her independence like armor. Despite keeping secrets and hiding her past, she’s built a life she loves and is accountable to no one. Until, that is, one of the world’s most wanted war criminals sets his sights on her and she must weigh the risk to one against the chance of justice and closure for many—a decision Kit couldn’t make on her own even if she wanted to.

Certainty. As a man who makes his living in the shadows of governments and wars, certainty isn’t a part of Garret Cantona’s vocabulary, and he’s just fine with that. But when Kit walks into his life, he realizes he’s never before been so sure about anything or anyone. Suddenly, he finds he’s looking at the world, his world, in a different light. And now that he is, he’s determined to protect it, and her, in whatever ways he can.

Frailty. No one knows better than Kit and Garret that an appreciation for what is, or what was, or what might be, can be born from the uncertainty and fragility of life. But when a hunt for a killer leaves Garret no choice but to throw Kit back into her broken and damaged past, even his unshakable faith in what they have together might not be enough to keep it from shattering into a million pieces.

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Excerpt:

“We need to talk,” Caleb said. Kit didn’t respond for a moment. She and her brother didn’t talk. They never talked. Not anymore. There had been a time in their lives when that hadn’t been the case. There had been a time when she’d idolized her older brother, when he’d looked out for her, when they’d gone fishing together, and when she had believed that he had an answer for everything.

But that time had long ago passed, and they hadn’t been in each other’s presence for more than a few days a year for over a decade. Kit started to speak but stopped short when a second figure emerged from the passenger side of Caleb’s car.

She was glad her face was hidden in the shadows of her hat and scarf as Garret Cantona, her brother’s right-hand man, straightened to his full height. Kit was tall, easily five foot eleven, but Garret’s six-foot-three form dwarfed hers. Like Caleb, he wore jeans and work boots, but rather than a jacket, Garret sported a black sweater and a gray beanie. She knew the hat covered light-brown hair that, if it got too long, curled in ways that bothered him. And she felt, more than saw, his light-blue eyes—eyes rimmed with thick, black lashes—studying her.

“And I see you brought your Mini-Me,” she added, forcing her gaze from Garret back to her brother in time to see a look of irritation flicker across Caleb’s face.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tamsen Schultz is the author of several romantic suspense novels and American Kin (a short story published in Line Zero Magazine). In addition to being a writer, she has a background in the field of international conflict resolution, has co-founded a non-profit, and currently works in corporate America. Like most lawyers, she spends a disproportionate amount of time thinking (and writing) about what it might be like to do something else. She lives in Northern California in a house full of males including her husband, two sons, four cats, a dog, and a gender-neutral, but well-stocked, wine rack.

MY INTERVIEW WITH TAMSEN:

What do you write?

Currently, I’m writing the Windsor Series—each are standalone novels but all take place with characters from the same town that intertwine through each other’s stories. The most recent is the fourth in the series called “The Frailty of Things.”

What genre do you favor?

Murder, mysteries, and mayhem. Usually. With a little love, good friends, and humor mixed in. “Romantic suspense” is the actual genre name that I write in, but I wish we had a “romantic mystery” genre since that would be more accurate when describing what I prefer to write. In “The Frailty of Things” there’s a little bit of everything—murder, betrayal, secrets, and lies. But there are also relationships, friendships, and family. Blending all these into a story that invites a reader in is my favorite.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Fall of 2008. Yes, that precisely! I picked up a romantic suspense novel at the airport on my way out of the country and I was taken in by the mix of mystery—which has long been my favorite genre—and human emotions (aka love). I loved it and immediately knew I needed to try my hand at it. My first novel was published in 2012 and since then, have published four more (with the sixth one on its way this fall!).
What do you think is the best way to publish these days?

I don’t really have any insight into this as I have published all five of my books through the same indie publisher, Booktrope. That said, I don’t think there is one best way to publish and I think any publishing that gets good writing into the hands of readers is something we (authors and readers) should support.
What are your favorite genres to read? Why?

I read in most genres though I tend to avoid sci-fi and fantasy. I love a good literary fiction book as much as I love a good regency romance. I guess I’m pan-genre – I just like solid, smart characters, an engaging story, and writing that leaves me satisfied or wanting more
Do your characters talk to you?

All. The. Time. Well, really I should say they have conversations with each other that I just overhear. But it’s fun, they have a lot to say to each other. They push each other, question each other, love each other, and support each other.
How do you approach starting a new book?

I have so many secondary characters in my books that clamor for their own stories and when their voices get loud enough, I usually see if I have a plot that works for them. It’s like I have an assortment of plots that I keep on hand (and develop) and an assortment of characters, too and then I kind of pair them up to see which combinations feel right. For example, when I started thinking about “The Frailty of Things” I had a character, Kit Forrester, who was strong and fun but definitely not someone whose past I had delved into. And then for my plot options, I have always been fascinated, from a literary perspective, about exploring the adult lives of children of a criminal—viola, “The Frailty of Things” was born.
What is your writing process?

I wish I had something profound and insightful to say, but really, my process is to write when I can and when I feel I have something to write. It’s not structured, but it does work for me.
What are the best writing books or blogs you’ve ever read?

Again, I wish I had some great recommendations here because I know they are out there but honestly, the best writing books I’ve read aren’t about writing, they’re the books themselves.
What are your non-writing hobbies, or what do you do to relax?

When I can, I love spending time with horses. I rode competitively for years and horses are still a touchstone for me. That said, I don’t get to a barn often although my youngest son is riding now so I do at least get to hang out at a barn for a little bit every week.
What was your best date ever?

My honeymoon – does that count as a date? We went to St. Johns and just swam, explored, relaxed, and ate amazing food for a week.
Navy SEAL or cowboy?

Cowboy. Definitely cowboy. Over the years, my girlfriends have given all sorts of cowboy gifts (ornaments, cards, t-shirts). Here’s a picture of the cowboy hanging in my office.

Chocolate or chips?

Both of course.
If you could have a superpower what would it be? Why?

Tele-transport. Especially if I could bring my family along. We love to travel and I can’t even begin to imagine all the places we would go if we could just be there. Well, actually yes I can, starting with Buenos Aires, then maybe Vietnam, then on to South Africa…..So. Many. Places.
Fancy restaurant or picnic?

I’ll sound like a snob, but fancy restaurant. If I’m going to go out, I like the idea of not cooking or cleaning up. I love picnics too but if I’m going to cook and clean, I’d rather do it closer to home and then go to the park or the lake or the river and just enjoy the time there.
Beer or wine?

Why does it have to be “or”?? I live in the wine country but we’re surrounded by some fabulous micro-breweries too. I love them all. Like children, I can’t pick a favorite. Or rather, like children my favorite changes from day to day.
Favorite author?

Depends on the day and mood. I always pick up the most recent Louise Penny and Julia Spencer-Fleming (both are fabulous mystery writers). But I also love Jhumpa Lahiri, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Growing up Robert Parker, Agatha Christie, and Dick Francis. And of course Sherman Alexi is amazing as is Markus Zusak.
Smooth or hairy?

Smooth. Definitely Smooth.

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamsenSchultz

Author Twitter: @tamsenschultz

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tamsen-Schultz/e/B009NVIEGO

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/tamsens

Author Website: http://www.tamsenschultz.com

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GIVEAWAY

Tamsen Schultz will be awarding a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.

Enter to win a $30 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tamsen encourages her readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/05/nbtm-frailty-of-things-by-tamsen-schultz.html