Author: Nina Mason
Genre: Political Thriller
Publisher: Crushing Hearts &
Black Butterfly Publishing
Formats: Kindle and paperback
Blurb:
The last thing Alex Buchanan, the
editor-in-chief of a formidable news site, expects as he looks around the
newsroom at the bodies of his editors, is that he’ll soon be teaming up with
The Ball Buster to solve the crime and stay alive. Well, maybe not the last
thing. The last thing he expects is to fall for her or any other woman. Because
he’s The Tin Man–a suit of armor without a heart.
Or so he believes…
The Ball Buster is his private
nickname for Thea Hamilton, a smart, gutsy, and insecure investigative reporter
for The New York News, America’s newspaper of record. They went out once years
ago–an unmitigated disaster during which she jumped all over his case about
smoking.
When events force them together,
they embark on an emotion-charged, high-octane quest for the truth, ending up
in bed, but also in the clutches of a sociopathic corporate raider. “Zeus” is
obsessed with James Bond and owns a hardcore S & M club in an old fallout shelter.
Is he the killer? And, if so, what’s his motive? What he hopes to gain by
torturing the journalists is clearer: the proof they’ve uncovered of a
corporate takeover scheme that threatens the future of democracy. And he’ll
stop at nothing to get it.
Excerpt
Buchanan was
smoking out among the trees when he heard the gunshots. Turning toward the
barn, he saw flames leaping from the roof. Dropping his cigarette, he charged
from the underbrush like a bull, thinking only of Thea. Another shot shattered
the darkness. He drew his Glock as he trundled across the field. The fire was
spreading fast. He reached the barn, choking as he raced inside. The whole
place was filled with white smoke.
“Thea!” he
screamed, coughing violently. “Thea!”
He raced toward the
stairs, grabbed the rail, hoisting himself up two rungs at a time. He
frantically searched the loft, but found only her purse. Taking it with him, he
stumbled back down.
“Thea! Thea! Where
are you?”
The smoke was so
thick he couldn’t see a thing. He heard another crack. Outside. Shite, the
assassins had found them. But where were they now. And where was she?
He groped his way
through the cloud, gasping, choking, eyes stinging, until he found the car.
Feeling his way around, he located the driver’s door, got in, and started the
engine. He hit the gas. The Toyota lurched forward. He couldn’t see a fucking
thing through the smoke. The car crashed through wood, jolting him. The air
began to clear as he bounced across the field. The black sedan came into view,
speeding toward the road. He eased off the gas, falling back to avoid being
seen.
Fucking hell. He’d
cocked up everything. Now, they had Thea, which was killing him. Anything he
could do to save her would endanger her life. Assuming, of course, she was
still alive. The possibility she might not be kicked him in the chest, but he
reasoned it away. She had to be alive. It only made sense. If she was dead, why
take her? He felt better, but not for long. If she was alive, there was a
reason. And the only reason he could think of made his stomach turn.
Trailer:
Author info:
Nina
Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and
the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to
read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. When not writing, Nina
works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and
raised in Southern California, she now lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with her
husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert.
Social-media
links:
Author
Interview:
Q. Tell us about your book.
A. The Tin Man warns of
the dangers posed by corporate media monopolies, something most people don’t
care about but really should, because they who control the media control how we
perceive the world. It’s a work of fiction, but steeped in reality. The hero is
Alex Buchanan, an embittered journalist who runs a formidable online news site.
When he becomes the target of hired assassins, he hooks up with Thea Hamilton,
a crack investigative reporter, to find out why. They end up on a wild ride
that takes them from New York City to Philadelphia and finally, Washington
D.C. It’s loaded with high-octane
action, deeply-etched characters, and hard-hitting truths. I did an
unbelievable amount of research while writing the book.
Q. After this, what's your next project?
A. I’m currently working on a four-part paranormal fantasy series titled
the Knights of Avalon, which is under contract with Lyrical Kensington.
Q. What inspires you to write what you do?
A. All of my paranormal stories are inspired by my interest in history,
mythology, and the occult. Even my fantasies are steeped in reality.
Q. When did you start writing?
A. About
as soon as I could write the alphabet. When I was a kid, I won an essay contest
sponsored by the local library (I was an avid reader and always did the summer
reading challenge). Back in the days of typewriters, I wrote a romance novel
about a couple of ballet dancers, but never did anything with it. Didn’t try my
hand at fiction again until five or six years ago, when I started what is now The Queen of Swords.
Q. What inspired you to write the book?
A. My
work, really. The Tin Man comes from
another part of me than my paranormal romances. My degree is in journalism and I’ve worked in media relations and
in “framing”—a way of spinning ideas, basically, which is discussed in the
book.
Q. Are you a careful planner or do you let the story
guide you?
A. I do a bit of both. I work out the characters and their
motivations, setting, and where I want the story to go. I also tend to do index
cards for each scene or major plot point from start to finish. Once I begin to
write, it can go completely off the rails, depending on where the characters
want to take it. As long as they’re reaching the touchstones, I let them do
what they want. If they go too far off track, I either re-plot the novel or
rein them in, depending on which direction seems better at the time.
Q. Who is your favorite among your characters?
A. I love them all, of course. Graham, the hero in The Queen of
Swords, is both noble and funny. Callum, the hero in The Knight of Wands, is a
good-hearted romantic. Leith, the hero of my WIP, is a bit on the dark side,
but still well-intentioned. If pressed to pick just one, I’d have to go with
Alex Buchanan, the journalist hero in The
Tin Man. He’s very complex and has lots of demons to overcome, but also is
a really good guy.
Thanks for featuring me on your blog!
ReplyDelete