FBI Tracker Cat Morgan has an unusual talent, one she has successfully concealed, even from her fellow agents. That is—until she finds a body with a strange symbol carved on the forehead during a stop in Clinton, Mississippi and crosses paths with the town’s rugged police chief, Kevin Hunter. Despite his instant attraction to the sexy agent, Kevin is suspicious of her presence at the crime scene and isn’t buying her dubious explanations. He wants her out of the investigation and out of his town.
The discovery of another mutilated body with the same symbol sends Cat back to Clinton, and this time she isn’t leaving. To stop the killer, Cat must find a way to overcome Kevin’s distrust and will face an impossible impasse—truth or lies. But will either one matter, when the killer fixates on her for his next sacrifice?
Excerpt
The air reeked with the stink of marijuana. Blackened matches, remains of joints, empty plastic bags, and beer cans littered the kitchen table and floor. He pushed the burnt stubs around to find one large enough to light. What was left crumbled to ashes. Damn, the weed’s gone.
At least, he still had beer and grabbed one from the refrigerator, cracked the lid, then chugged half the can. Even though the cold liquid eased the raspy pain in his throat, he needed something stronger than beer.
Old prescription bottles filled the drawer under the bathroom sink. He shoved the containers around until he spotted one labeled Vicodin. Yeah, there were still a couple left. His hand trembled as he shook one out and popped it in his mouth. Head tilted back to swallow, his eyes drifted to the mirror over the sink.
The sight caused him to gag, and the pill caught in the back of his throat. Another face overshadowed his image. The gleam of eyes, dark with hatred, stared at him. A tremor of panic made him look over his shoulder. No one was there. JD leaned toward the mirror. The swish of a bat, then a scream echoed in his head. Images flickered, the knife, a face, blood splatters flying in the air, and a voice laughed. Terrified, the can slipped from his hand. Clanking, it rolled around the sink.
He rubbed his hand across the mirror trying to wipe away the image as he shouted, “No, no, you can’t be here, you’re dead.”
Interview
Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
When I decided to write my first fiction novel, what to write wasn’t a problem. Since I am a retired cop, I’d write about what I know; crime.
Developing the characters was more difficult. I have always been intrigued by characters with a special edge to overcome danger and adversity. How could I add that special ability and make it unique? Over the years, I have spent countless hours reading about the myths of the Native American Indians as well as Scottish and Irish folklore. It was in those ancient stories that I found my paranormal abilities.
In Sentinels of the Night, I created a new FBI team, code name—Trackers. Each of the agents has a different ability, a secret that defies logic and reason. Agent Cat Morgan has an uncanny gift based on a Native American myth. As for the plot, it is based on my encounter with a serial killer. That experience shaped the character in the book. The book trailer highlights the eerie nature of Cat’s talent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m00v2W4K4o
What 5 words would you use to describe your main characters?
Cat Morgan and police chief Kevin Hunter square off in Sentinels of the Night. In their first encounter, the sparks fly. Despite their different personalities, they are tough, tenacious, ethical, intelligent, and intuitive.
What are your future ambitions?
I had an amazing career with the Dallas Police Department and would do it again in a heartbeat if that was possible. When I retired, though, I didn’t believe I would find anything I enjoyed more than being a cop. But I did. Every aspect of writing and publishing has brought new and exciting experiences, and I hope I can continue to add to what is a new career.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I have finished the second Tracker novel, Going Gone! Tracker Ryan Barr, the unit profiler, is on the hunt for the children of high-ranking politicians who have been kidnapped. The story is action packed and intense from the opening scene when one of the children escapes and is rescued by an ex-homicide detective turned private investigator Kerry Branson. The book trailer has an amazing sound track that ramps up the action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGI9MzkBkSE
I have started a third. It doesn’t have a title yet. My titles come from a word or phrase in the story and so far, inspiration hasn’t struck. Tracker Adrian Dillard is sent to Laredo, Texas to investigate the disappearance of an ATF agent. What he discovers sends shockwaves through the law enforcement community and the White House.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be a writer?
I am fortunate there have been none. As I am retired, my hours are flexible. I can spend as little or as much time as I want. If anything, I have found I am working harder than I ever did as a cop. I started a new business, Mystic Circle Books & Designs, LLC. I provide manuscript and designs services to help other authors publish their manuscripts. I just finished an illustrated children’s book. I am promoting my two novels which is a labor-intensive project. I also have a column, On The Hunt, in Indie Authors Monthly magazine. I write articles on publishing. The same column can be found on my website. All in all, my days are abuzz with activity.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to?
I spent about two weeks touring Scotland. I stayed at some very intriguing bed & breakfast inns. One had beams in the ceiling that came from a sailing ship that were over 400 years old. There was such a sense of history everywhere I went. It was during that time I fell in love with the folklore.
Thank you for hosting my book.
Anita Dickason
Trailer
Anita Dickason is a retired police officer with twenty-seven years of experience, twenty-two with the Dallas Police Department. She served in patrol, undercover narcotics, accident investigation and was on a sniper on the Dallas SWAT team.
Anita is the recipient of the prestigious Law Enforcement Professional Achievement Award from the State of Texas House of Representatives. Other awards include Officer of the Year—Texas Women in Law Enforcement, Officer of the Year—International Association of Women in Police, Runner-up Officer of the Year—Dallas Police Department, Officer of the Month—Dallas Police Department and multiple Police Commendations, Certificates of Merit and Citizen/Business commendations from the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas community.
Anita was a certified instructor with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Her instructor certifications include Defensive Tactics, Batons, Spontaneous Knife Defense, Field Sobriety Procedures, Drug Recognition Expert program, and Accident Investigation.
She is a Past President of Texas Women in Law Enforcement, and Past Treasurer for the International Association of Women in Police.
Her first book, JFK Assassination Eyewitness: Rush to Conspiracy, is non-fiction and details the reconstruction of a 1966 vehicle accident near Midlothian, Texas that killed a key witness to the Kennedy assassination. The project opened the door to a new career, Author and Publisher. She owns Mystic Circle Books & Designs, LLC and provides manuscript and design services, helping other authors turn their manuscripts into a published book.
Her fictional works are suspense/thrillers and her plots are drawn from her extensive law enforcement knowledge and experience. Characters with unexpected skills, that extra edge for overcoming danger and adversity, have always intrigued her. Her infatuation with ancient myths and legends of Native American Indians, and Scottish and Irish folklore adds a touch of paranormal for the backdrop of her characters.
The experience of writing led to developing a knowledge of self-publishing and graphic design and a new business endeavor: Mystic Circle Books & Designs, LLC. It is a tossup of what Anita enjoys more, working on her books or helping another author publish their works. She has found an unexpected enjoyment in designing book covers, bookmarks, bookplates, etc. Email her for an autographed custom bookplate -- anita@anitadickason.com
Book Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m00v2W4K4o
Website: www.anitadickason.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anita_dickason
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnitaDauthor
NOTE: The book will be on sale for $0.99.
https://www.amazon.com/Sentinels-Night-Trackers-Anita-Dickason-ebook/dp/B06XK9PS3B/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sentinels-of-the-night-anita-dickason/1126807924
Giveaway
Anita Dickason will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN CG to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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