What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?
Well, I thought I was exactly in the right place in my life. A bit weary perhaps, but certain of my path, loving being a PI and having a great partner to help. We knew we had to make some changes, but we’d been waffling, procrastinating. Then comes along L.A. and poof, life changed far more rapidly and dramatically than I thought possible. Never thought that I would fall in love.
What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?
My ability to see all sides of a problem.
- Interviewer Note: Jade Laurent, the heroine of Brushed By Betrayal, is waving her hand, I think she wants to say something. “Malcolm, I agree. You can be incredibly stubborn, but you can change your mind. A great trait.”
What do you like least about yourself?
My inability to trust, it seems to always get in the way of relationships. But good for a PI.
- Interviewer Note: Jade? “Malcolm, you trust, you just need to have your trust earned.”
What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?
Search for the woman I love in a freaking snowstorm with a ticking clock. Bizarre and terrifying.
Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?
I didn’t have any issues at first, then I got a bit testy. I wanted to make love to Jade about halfway through the book, and L.A. wouldn’t let me. In fact, not at all, though our blood boiled a few times Right, my love?
- Interviewer note: Jade is smiling here.“Yep. Malcolm is right. My hot blood kept me awake a few times, but even more, L.A. made me change. Granted I’m a better character now, but wow, it was a struggle at first from the character in her 1990s’ award-winning manuscript Betrayal of the Trust into our new bestseller Brushed By Betrayal.”
What is your greatest fear?
Falling in love. Losing that love and becoming my dad.
What makes you happy?
Being in love. Yep, I know that sounds odd considering my prior answer, but you have to know my history. Being with Jade completes me. When we’re hanging with my partner Greg and his fiancée, Megan, who happens to be Jade’s best friend, we have a blast.
If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?
I think the story happened exactly as it should. Sure, I’d change the ending so it was “nicer,” and not such a close call. But it had to happen that way, or you’d have felt cheated. I would rewrite a bit of my history. I’d have paid a lot more attention to my brothers.
Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?
Evan, I would have enjoyed getting to know him. He must have been an awesome person for Jade to have loved him so deeply.
Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?
At first, I wanted to be Aksel. He’s internationally cool and urbane, but realized I was exactly who Jade needed.
Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?
Well, L.A.’s told stories since she was young, like around the age of four, and her mom wrote them down. She had a bad teacher who stopped her writing completely, but much later she started again and thank goodness for that. After all, she’s an award-winning, bestselling author. She’s on the right track, and I hear she’s starting a new cozy mystery series. So go find her at www.lasartor.com and there you’ll find her mailing list (do sign up), her blog, and all her books.
What’s next for you?
I know there will be another case coming up, but first, a long-postponed trip to Hawaii for all of us to get to know Gus Tanaka better. You know, he’s the founder of the Kahuna Group. Famous surfer turned incredible detective. You should read Dare To Believe and get to know him, along with Cate, Malcolm and daughter Haley. Gus was incredible in that story.
Brushed by Betrayal
The Kahuna Group, Book 2
Jade Laurent, art expert and owner of the prestigious Laurent Art Brokers in Boulder, Colorado, is mourning the one-year anniversary of her father’s death when a close associate is killed and that chilling message for Jade is found by his body.
Private Investigator Malcolm Talbot is coming off his latest grueling case when he receives a request that he cannot refuse. To discover who’s put Jade’s life in jeopardy. The problem is that Jade refuses to stand by idly and let him do his job.
The last thing Malcolm needs is an amateur getting in the way and maybe getting dead. The last thing Jade needs is a professional who can’t find an ounce of compassion for her need to be involved.
While matching wits with a killer who is always one step ahead, dark secrets are revealed, putting everything Jade has believed in at risk.
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