 The Last Man Standing Posted by Anna Campbell Feb 2 2012, 12:15 am
(Nancy) I loved Last Man Standing, a wonderful concluding volume for a dynamic series. How would you describe the Black Ops Inc. series to readers who might not be familiar with it? I think the best way to answer that is to share the short pitch I made to my publisher when I first created the series – so here goes BLACK OPS, INC. Where patriotism meets the seamy underbelly of a world held hostage by greed, corruption and terror. Black Ops, Inc. (B.O.I.) picks up where the Bodyguards left off. Where E.D.E.N. Securities showcased the all-American Garretts and their extended family, B.O.I., a private contracting firm specializing in jobs even the military and the CIA won’t touch, features an equally heroic but different breed of men and women fighting a covert war pitting good against evil. The B.O.I. operatives are shadow warriors – former SEAL, DELTA, Special Forces, and CIA types who valiantly served their country and now fearlessly serve their employer. They are individuals so committed to their cause they’ve lost touch with the concept of baseball, mom and apple pie. Their world, instead, is comprised of bullets and bad guys and a daily fight to save not only the free world but their very lives. (Anna) Can you tell us about your latest Black Ops extravaganza, LAST MAN STANDING? Last Man Standing is the 7th and final book in the BOI series and brings the team full circle, tying up an event that brought them together years ago in Sierra Leone when they were all active military. I think this blurb from the back of the book summarizes things nicely: Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante. His mission, avenge his Black Ops.,Inc. brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone. He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead. Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relationship, but he can’t stop her now from executing his escape. Breaking him out of prison is the easy part. After Joe’s explosive theory pans out and his cunning enemy emerges as the front runner for a high level presidential appointment, he and Stephanie must race to derail the traitor’s conspiracy if they are to save their loved ones, the nation and each other. Absolutely! Thanks so much for asking. Here’s the opening scene: Freetown, Sierra Leone Joe Green was as good as dead. He’d known it the moment he’d started digging for answers to questions no one wanted asked. What he hadn’t known was the havoc his hunt would create. What he hadn’t wanted was for the priest to die. “No, man. Oh no, man. You—” “Quiet,” Joe snapped when Suah’s whisper echoed through the cavernous nave of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The teen-aged boy at his side was frozen in shock. On the cold stone floor, blood pooled beneath the holy man’s head, crept around the base of the chancel rail, then spilled down the step to the altar. Joe dropped to a knee and pressed his fingers to the cleric’s neck. No pulse. And no life in the eyes that stared blankly at the stained glass windows. “Is he—?” Joe swallowed heavily. “Yeah. He’s dead.” Regret, self-disgust and defeat pounded through his veins, a reminder that what he had started would come to no good end. No good end? Jesus. The priest was dead. Ends didn’t come much worse than this. He glanced up, beyond gold candlesticks on the high altar, above yards of maroon velvet cascading from an alcove that hosted a life-sized statue of a benevolent Christ. Pale candlelight flickered eerily through the church, casting his and Suah’s shadows in tall, wavy relief along the far wall, like ghosts already here to claim the priest’s soul. He lowered his head into his hand. God help him … what had he done? The thick wooden doors at the front of the cathedral swung open with a heavy, echoing thud. He whipped his head around to see several uniformed officers storm into the nave. The police – Freetown’s bastion of corrupt law enforcement – had arrived in force and put an end to any hope of a quick search of the cleric’s prostrate body. “Hide before they spot you,” he whispered urgently when Suah stood there, petrified in fear. “Hurry! Duck under the high altar.” He shot to his feet and gave the boy a shove as the contingent of gunmen raced down the center aisle between the rows of worn wooden pews. Satisfied that the kid was well hidden beneath the draping cloth, he made certain the men got a glimpse of him then sprinted for the sacristy, leading them away from Suah. He got as far as the Epistle door and swung it open. The rattle of rifles being shouldered and the ‘snick-click’ of a dozen safeties switching to off position greeted him. The beams of as many flashlights blinded him. He was surrounded. “Hands in the air,” a voice shouted from behind him. Slowly, he did as he was told. Slower still, he turned around … and stared into the dark, angry faces of the men who had passed the priest’s body to get to him. Without warning, the butt end of an assault rifle swung around hard and slammed into his temple. He fell to all fours, fighting both a screaming pain and the hard pull of unconsciousness. Yeah, he thought again, just before the darkness sucked him under. He was as good as dead. (Nancy) Do you naturally create heroes before heroines, or vice-versa? Once you have a hero or heroine, how do you create his/her perfect match? I don’t have an absolute pattern when it comes to character creations. Generally, however, the hero presents himself to me before I meet his heroine. I have to get to know him before I know what kind of woman will be a good match and an equal. In some cases, my heroes/heroines start out as secondary characters – I love it when that happens. When a character becomes so intriguing that I just know they have to have their own book. Gabe – the Archangel – Jones, the hero of Show No Mercy began as a secondary character and the moment he walked on the page, I knew he had to have his own story. The same thing with Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins (Last Man Standing) They were never supposed to have their own stories but they just kept showing up and demanding that I let them speak.
Thanks for that. I loved the Bodyguard series as well and hated to let those people go even though I was already in love with the first hero from the Black Ops, Inc series. B.J. and Rafe were a really fun couple to work with. She was so prickly and he was so not wanting to break through that wall she’s built … but fate had other plans for those two. As for my favorite – that is so hard. I love all my characters but if you MAKE me chose, I’ve always had a soft spot for Johnny Reed. He was such an arrogant, womanizing bad boy and yet so irreverent and funny and heroic. I loved watching his veneer get peeled away by Crystal until she uncovered the REAL Johhny Reed. The man who carried a lot of emotional scars and hid those scars behind a bad boy facade. He was a really interesting character to unearth. But then Joe Green – Last Man Standing – was a huge surprise too. The opposite of Johnny, Joe is a quiet man. And beneath all that somber exterior run a gamut of emotions and longing and secrets. Very intriguing character. (Nancy) Many of your stories are set outside the United States. How do you research these locations? The first thing I do is get a map of the country, a Lonely Planet guide and then I haunt travel blogs, any videos that are posted showing the country or city and I read first hand blog journals to get a real feel for the setting. I also belong to several writer’s loops and often I’ll put a shout out to anyone who might have lived there or currently lives there or knows someone who lives there and dig up even more information. People are very generous and I’m grateful for that. But I do a lot of research as I always consider setting as another character in the book and that setting must have as much dimension as the people I write about. (Anna) What’s coming up next for you? Oh, I’m really glad you asked me that! As you know, Last Man Standing is the 7th and final book of the Black Ops series … however, you will be seeing the BOI’s again, only as secondary characters instead of in starring rolls. I’ve just begun writing a new series entitled: One-Eyed Jacks which is a spin off of the BOI series. The first book (no firm title yet) stars Mike – Primetime – Brown, a character you first met in With No Remorse (Luke and Val’s book) and who shows up again in an even bigger role in Last Man Standing. Mike – again – was one of those secondary characters who walked on the page and demanded his own book. Here’s a little over view of the new series: ONE EYED JACKS The One Eyed Jacks (a multi-branch military task force formed in 2002 and disbanded in 2005) got their nick name because of the uniqueness of their experimental unit, their tight camaraderie, their slightly reckless reputation, their favorite downtime/pastime of high stakes poker and because each of them made a pact to always carry a One Eyed Jack playing card (either a Jack of hearts or a Jack of spades) as their lucky charm and a sign of unity.
Now Brown, Taggart and Cooper lead separate lives in separate countries, have all dropped out of ‘normal society’ and not only live with the lie that led to their military separation but with the weight of the deaths of both their task force team members and several innocent civilians haunting them. For these three men, life is now all about getting by, about forgetting the past, dealing with the anger and coping with the hand they’ve been dealt. None of them intend to break the status quo – until a mysterious woman confronts and forces Brown to ask questions about what really happened in Afghanistan and how those events played into a current national security threat. She dangles bait Brown can’t resist – the means to clear his name, deliver justice and expose the master mind behind the death of his teammates and his own downfall. Oooh, way cool! We can’t wait! Thank you so much for having me here today. And I’d be happy to answer any questions. You can always catch up on my news at: or on FB at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Gerard-New-York-Times-Best-selling-author/167877057439
Posted in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, Black Ops Series, Cindy Gerard, Guests, interviews, Last Man Standing, Nancy Northcott, Romantic suspense Comments132 thoughts on “The Last Man Standing” |
  
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Cindy is giving away a signed copy of one of her books (winner’s choice) to one commenter today. Do you have a question for her, ask away. Or tell us, what’s your favorite of Cindy’s books or your favorite other book featuring covert operatives?
Congrats on the new release, Cindy. I can’t wait to learn what really happened to Bryan. I’m so sad that the BOIs series is ending. Gabe is my favorite and so “Show No Merycy” is my favorite book.
Hey, Jane, you’ll have to introduce the Rooster to the delights of Cindy’s works. I think they’re so good, they might even keep the GR quiet!
Jane, congrats on the bird!
I won’t give anything away, but Last Man Standing ties together threads from the other books to explain Bryan’s death in the first one. I love when authors do that.
Thanks Nancy
)
Oh – and this bird sounds like quite the character
Cindy, “Character” doesn’t even begin to describe the Golden Rooster…life of his own, mind of his own, black ops of his own…
Ii haven’t read Last Man Standing yet, Nancy, and I’d be hard put to pick a favorite of Cindy’s books.
But I’m wondering how a tv show stole her title LOL.
Hey Jane! Congrats on catching the chookie! :> And I’m with you, I hate to see the series end!
Isn’t it really hard to see a favored series end, Jane. And Cindy’s are so iconic. I love all those military-like men and their strong women.
Iconic? Wow. i love that. thanks!
Hi, Cindy and Anna,
I am sad that Black Ops is ending but I am heartened by knowing that the One-Eyed
Jacks are in our future.
My question: After all the many books you
have written, how difficult it is to find names
for your new characters?
Pat C.
Ooh, great question, Pat! Actually a lot of the credit for today’s post goes to our gallant Nancy. We talked about this ages ago and then I got distracted with pesky little deadlines so Nancy did most of the chasing. Bravo, Nancy!
The truth is, I’ve never actually agonized over my character’s names as many of my writer friends do. When the character appears to me, they generally come with a name. I know. Odd but I love that. And I hope that trend never ends.
Oooh, how fun, Cindy! I usually get a first name, but then agonize over the family name. Ha!
That is so cool. I often get the name, but the character traits come later.
Hi, Pat–there’s a great preview of One-Eyed Jacks in the back of Last Man Standing.
Ooh, I’ve been collecting Cindy’s books for years! How exciting to learn about the new spin-off to look forward to! It makes it so much less sad to be celebrating the final BOI book!
Cindy, do you commemorate your new releases in any special way? Framed coverflats? New bling? Dinner out?
And is it any different for you now that you’ve so many titles (and releases/release dates) behind you now?
Wow, Fedora, what a great question! I’m loving that you’re all coming up with such interesting points for Cindy to clarify!
I wish I could tell you that I have a special commemoration event when I have a new release, but the truth is, I’m usually deep in another deadline on release date and because I’ve been promoting the new book with interviews and blogs and such, I’m luck to just keep swimming. I keep telling myself that one of these days I’m going to celebrate in style … but it never happens.
)
p.s. on this – I have a stack of cover flats I intend to frame someday … thanks for reminding me.
as of is it different now than when I first started? In many ways, yes. As the books have grown in popularity (thanks to you all!) the demands on my time for activities other than writing have increased. I’ve been doing more speaking engagements, more blogs … more everything. And I like that part of the business but find it very distracting. It’s much more fun to visit with readers than to knuckle down and write, if you know what I mean
)
Hi, Fedora–
I just discovered Cindy’s books last year. In a way thas great because I had a lot of books I could just dive into, but now I’m caught up. So I’m back to waiting like everyone else.
Nancy, I’m in the same boat! Cindy, I discovered your books when I was up against you for an RT award. Grins. Lucky me! And I was so totally HOOKED!
So sorry I haven’t read you yet. So many great books … so little time. Congrats on that RT nod
)
Congrats on the release!! I can’t wait to read joes story. As to favorites I can’t pick one. It always ends being whichever I am reading at the time. I’ve loved them all.
I so appreciate hearing that Donnas! thanks
Donnas, I think you’ll love Joe’s story, too.
Donnas, I’ve come fairly recently to Cindy’s books too – wonderful to have that huge backlist to dive back into!
I’m just wondering: when you come to the end of writing a series such as Black Ops, Inc. do you the release all the books in the series with new covers as a ‘set’?
So far there are no plans to re-release either the bodyguard or the BOI series with new covers. fortunately for me, both series are still selling very well and people identify with the ‘brand’ that my publishers created when developing the covers for these books.
my current publisher (S&S with the Pocket imprint) have placed a couple of ‘deals’ on amazon and on the S&S website, bundling books 1, 2 &3 together as a set for a discounted price and also books 4,5,&6 as a bundle. I suspect there will be more of that going on in the future.
These sets are available on iBooks, too.
Cindy, readers love those e-bundles, don’t they? And who can blame them?
Aloha, Cindy! I reviewed LAST MAN STANDING and loved it! I appreciate how you capture the entire spectrum of a warrior’s emotions.
Now I have to read the BOI backlist!
Thanks Kim. Are you the lady who writes that great newsletter? If so, I enjoy it very much.
Kim, I don’t have your firsthand knowledge of warriors, but I do so love Cindy’s guys!
Hey, Kim, cool you loved Last Man Standing! Waving madly from a very rainy Sunshine Coast – now that’s just counter-intuitive, isn’t it?
Hey Kim! Yes, Cindy, Kim IS the one who writes the great SOS Aloha newsletter!
Hi Cindy
Great interview Ladies
It was great meeting you Cindy when you were here in Sydney for ARRC2012 as keynote speaker such a great weekend.
I loved The Bodyguards series loved those EDENS
I have all of the BOI series here but have yet to start them I know I am in for a fantastic treat.
Have you ever visited some of the Countries that the stories are set in?
Congrats on the release Cindy and also the new series you are starting I look forward to that one as well.
Have Fun
Helen
hi Helen. It was great meeting you too! and thanks for the kind words on the BG books. Hope you enjoy my BOI’s as well.
)
As for visiting the countries I set the books in, sadly no, I haven’t been there. I do extensive research on setting when I start a book so I feel as though I know it fairly well once I get into the story. Of all the settings the ones I’d love to visit are Argentina, Peru and Sri Lanka. Maybe some day
Cindy, I’d love to visit South America one day too. Maybe we can meet up and share a margarita!
Your on Anna. Bring the wombat, okay?
Hi, Helen–Yes, you are in for a treat. I love discovering an author and having a lot of books I can read before I get current. That happened to me last year with Cindy’s BOI, which led me to the Bodyguards. It also happened with J. D. Robb and Sf author Lois McMaster Bujold.
Helen, wasn’t it great meeting Cindy in Sydney last year? Such fun!
Hi Cindy
I also met you at ARRC2011… what a great weekend. I loved the Bodyguard Series and have yet to read the BOI series ohhhh the TBR pile is too big lol will have to put them to the top…. and they keep coming up with more books on this blog…
Hi Barb! I remember meeting you and yes, it was a fantastic conference! Loved every minute of it!
Barb, you know you’re not alone in having this blog spur your TBR pile’s growth. I’m having some success whittling mine down. Every time I buy books, I have to read the same number, plus at least one, before I can buy more.
Barb, wasn’t ARRA11 great fun? So wish I could come down for the big Awards night dinner on the 11th Feb! Good luck to all the nominees – so wonderful to see so many Banditas on the list! And Cindy too!
I especially liked the growth of Stephanie. She’s Joe’s recently dumped girlfriend and sister to deceased Black Ops member Bryan. I admired her take control, go after what you want and need mind set.
I liked Sam and Abbie from Take No Prisoners. Abbie too showed groth physically and mentally.
I’d definetly recommend these books. I’m in the process of buying all of the others in this series.
Thanks for that Laurie
Laurie, I think you’ll really like Stephanie in Last. man Standing. She really came into her own in this book. That’s one of my favorite parts of the story.
Laurie, one of the things I love about Cindy’s books is the way she writes the female characters. They’re feisty and smart without being unbelievable. Great stuff!
*fan girl squee*!!! Cindy is in the Lair!!
Welcome, Cindy – pull up a cabana boy or a hockey hunk, order a drink and make yourself at home.
I’ve recently become a big fan – so many people recommended your books as ones I’d like – I finally got around to ordering all the first series a few months and was hooked. I’m about to start on your Black Ops series, but am saving it for a treat when I finish the current wip and can read them all back to back *g*.
Gabe Jones definitely hooked me and I can’t wait to read his book – especially as my current hero is a Gabe *g*.
Dallas Garrett captured my heart too with his love for Amy. And Jason, with Sweet Baby Jane.
I’m intrigued as to how you write – are you a plotter or a seat of the pants gal or somewhere in between? Do you write all in one go and revise, or do you revise as you go along?
Hi Anna. What a sweet note and good luck with your wip!
) No first, second or third drafts.
As for my writing process, I’m a little bit of both. I always write an outline – I refer to it as my road map. BUT, I’m always open to veering of the plotted course. Writing, like life is filled with intriguing shortcuts, scenic routes and blue highways. If I never let myself stray off the main road, I might miss a lot of opportunities.
And much to my dismay, I can’t leave a passage until I’m satisfied that it’s finished and polished – so I write and revise as I go, so when I’m done, I’m done
Whoa! Now that’s a process! I’m in awe.
It can be very trying at times to write that way. I tend to spend most of my time in the first120 to 150 pages. I just sort of get mired there until finally I can move on. Makes for some all nighters come deadline time
(
Anna, so glad you’re another fan!
Hi, Cindy! I’ve been hoarding LMS for a few weeks now, sorry to see series end. But the new book sounds great too!
Can I just say how BEAUTIFUL that cover model is? Hello!
Hey Sweetie. And I won’t disagree. they found a GREAT model to represent Joe.
Hi, Kristan–I love reading a whole series one after another. It’s like total immersion.
Kristan, welcome back! He IS kinda easy on the eye, isn’t he? LOL!
Hey Kristan! Glad to have you pop into the Lair! Isn’t Cindy’s series fabulous?
I’ve never read these, and now I’ll need to add more to my TBR pile. The excerpt is amazing!
I really haven’t read much suspense, but I do love Elizabeth Lowell’s Blue Smoke and Murder, about a group of private bodyguard/consultants who just show up with one phone call and make you safe. I love that!
Cindy, I’ll definitely put Last Man Standing on my spring break reading list. I can’t quit staring at that cover.
Thanks, Gillian. I appreciate that you’re willing to take a chance on me!
)
And I’m a big Elizabeth Lowell fan myself
Gilliian, I’ll check out those Elizabeth Lowells. They’re new to me.
Gillian, my fandom for Cindy is proof positive that giving out a free sample works. Two of Cindy’s books were included in the goody bags at the Australian Romance Readers Conference last year. I devoured them and they turned me into a diehard reader.
I love anything “SEAL”, body guards, etc – so I am going to have to check out your books! My question for you… how much personal experience do you have with your heroes or is alot of the background just good old research?
Hi Wendy
I have a lot of military contacts and have become personal friends with many of them. I feel that my associations with these amazing individuals adds to my ability to portray them with a degree of accuracy and heart. but yes, I do a lot of research and reading of military memoirs and accounts.
Wendy, I love these kinds of books, too, obviously. And I always like finding a new author. A new author with a backlist is even better!
Wendy, sounds like these books are right up your alley!
I’m sorry to say that I’ve never read your books… but they do sound brilliant. It’s always sad when series comes to an end… it’s like losing a member of the family … and there’s always a low, sad, empty feeling when a book finishes up and you have to say goodbye to your characters. I know because I had to kill off one of my major characters and I caught myself crying my eyes out on the first draft of his death… it was horrible!
Mozette. I so hear you on that one. I’m really going to miss my BOI’s. That’s why they’ll probably show up in future books as secondary characters. Helps that they know the hero of the first book of the new series
)
Mozette, I’m always sad to see a series end, too. It helps when the author brings back the characters in future books, as Cindy says she plans to do.
I killed a character once, and I felt wretched about it. So I know what you mean.
Mozette, crying over your characters is an occupational hazard!
Hi Cindy! Congrats on the release of LAST MAN STANDING. The other six books are on a shelf patiently waiting for this one. Now that it’s been released I can start with book one and read the entire series back to back. Can’t wait to get started!
What books do you like to read when you take a break from writing? (assuming you ever get to take a break!)
puppy mom, huh? bet there’s a story behind that
)
When I’m not writing I like to read thrillers. Lee Child and Robert Browne are among my favorites. I’m also a huge Kristan Higgins fan and love the J.D. Robb series.
I actually try to avoid romantic suspense novels (and I hate that because many of those women are my friends and I love their work) but I don’t want to know what they’re writing for fear it will inhibit what I’m writing. Did that make any sense? Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense to me LOL
Cindy, many if us in the Lair love thrillers, too. I wonder if there’s a big overlap between thriller and RS readers.
Many stories, Cindy, including the two furkids at my side patiently waiting for me to finish typing so we can go for a walk.
PJ, I envy your patience. I tried buying and not reading a series, but I just couldn’t stand it. *sigh*
I rarely succeed at waiting either, Nancy. The only reason I have this time is due to an unfortunate lack of reading time!
PJ, what a great question. I love hearing what everybody’s reading. Although then of course, my TBR pile grows. It’s already taken over the house! I’ll have to build a book extension!
Cindy, I was interested in your comment that you see setting as a character. Your settings are so vivid, I would’ve thought you’d visited these places, and I’ve noticed that settings frequently pose obstacles to the characters.
A lot of books I like have a real sense of place, whether’s your books, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, with its evocative description of Depression-era Maycomb, AL, or J. D. Robb’s near future NYC. One thing that impresses me about such books is the authors’ ability to build and use these settings without dropping in massive chunks of description that seem to go on and on. I remember reading a descriptive passage in Far From the Madding Crowd in high school and thinking Just Get On With It.
Nancy, you’ve hit the nail on the proverbial head. It’s difficult to NOT infuse too much of the setting into a story – especially after you have done all the research and have reams of material. The trick is to drop enough in to make it seam real and credible and NOT overwhelm with too many details. Often a tough trick
)
Nancy, I so agree with you about Cindy’s use of setting. Cindy, I was surprised and very impressed when you said you hadn’t been to those places in the stories. The descriptions are so vivid, even down to the smells and sounds!
thanks ladies. I do try to make it work
)
Hi Ms.Gerard,
I love your books, I just picked up “Last Man Standing”-can’t wait to read it:)Who are your favorite authors? Do youread the classics like “Gone With The Wind” or “To Kill A Mockingbird?
Gail, I loved Last Man Standing. I’m sure you will, too.
Thanks for buying the book Gail! I sooo appreciate it. Hope you enjoy it.
I have so many favorites it would be difficult to list them all – but I’ll mention a few. Tara Janzen (aka Glenna McReynolds) is amazing. Yes, she’s a good friend of mine but we became friends after we realized we were admirers of each other’s work. Nora – writing as herself of J.D. Robb just can’t be beat. Peggy Webb and Debra Webb (no relation but they are friends) are wonderful. Robert Gregory Browne, Lee Child, Vince Flynn are all favorites of mine. But it was books written by the likes of LaVryle Spencer, Tom and Sharon Curtis, Sandra Brown, Jane Ann Krentz, Jennifer Green, Eileen Dryer and many more that got me started reading romance years ago.
I’m leaving several out, I’m sure and I feel bad about that but that gives you an idea.
Gail, so glad you’re another fan!
I really like secondary characters who turn out to be heroes and heroines. A great story for me is when even the secondary ones are special
Congratulations on your book release, Cindy.
Na, I also enjoy having secondary characters step into the spotlight. I think that’s why I enjoy ensemble books.
Na, I also admire the way Cindy often gives us a bonus secondary romance in each book as well. Like a nice bit of dessert to the main course
Covert operatives? Well, there was this Silhouette series called Year of Loving Dangerously.
Minna, what did you particularly like about this series?
Great title for a series, Minna!
Congrats on the new release, Cindy, & I have to say I love the sound of the One Eyed Jacks! I love a good special forces story.
I fell in love with the early Suzanne Brockman stuff, back when they were all Navy SEALs blowing stuff up. I still love them but it seems like they’re geared more toward family drama & political drama these days rather than good old fashioned explosions. I hope your boys bring the boom. 
Will be looking forward to it.
Susan, I love the sound of the One-Eyed Jacks, too! And I can promise you these guys definitely “bring the boom,” as you put it. One thing I like about Cindy’s approach is that she starts filtering future stars into earlier books in supporting roles. Mike from One-Eyed Jacks is great in Last Man Standing.
Susan, I think in the lair we all love the boom! LOL!
Boom? Oh yeah. Gotta get the boom in
)
Hi Cindy! Welcome to The Lair!!!
We have our own Black Ops force….If you think you felt a feather on your cheek…he just ghosted by
I recently took care of a Spec Ops soldier. He had a really different look in his eye. NOt scary just….determined.
I made sure I wasn’t late with his pain meds :0
Last Man Standing sounds great, can’t wait to read it.
Joanie, your comment about the Spec Ops soldier is interesting. There’s just something about the way some people carry themselves (not just soldiers but others in specialized vocations) that if you know the type, you know they fit in it.
Wow, JT, interesting story about the Spec Ops guy.
These guys are a whole different breed of cat that’s for certain. Amazing men … some struggle with their calling though. And that’s tough to hear about. There is always a price for heroism
Cindy, welcome to the Lair. I have heard so many people sing the praises of your books that I’m going to have to make a point to read them soon. I love continuing series where we see favorite characters from previous books in secondary roles in later ones.
Trish, I think Cindy’s books would really appeal to you!
Trish, I second Anna. I know you love action and danger with your romance, and the books really deliver.
Hi Cindy! Welcome to the lair! Anna and Nancy, thanks for bringing Cindy to us today. I love black ops books and looking forward to LAST MAN STANDING.
My question: Cindy, have you been able to do any hands on research with these black ops guys or is it the nature of the beast that if they told you about themselves they’d have to kill you? Are there many biographies or documents of any kind to help you with research?
Ooh, great question, Christina. Although if Cindy tells us, she might then have to kill us
Christina, I’m interested in any book or web resources, too.
I’m proud to call a former spec ops warrior among my friends. I continue to have close contact with a man who was once also a securities specialist in a Latin American country that shall remain nameless. I’ve gotten insights from all of these amazing men. But i do read a lot. Black Hawk Down, Generation Kill, One Bullet away are my bibles for the intricacies of how these guys operate and how their minds work.
Welcome, Cindy! I love your books and am very excited to read Last Man Standing! It’ll be a nice treat for handing in my revisions yesterday
Beth, I always reward myself with some reading treats after getting something in, too! Have fun!
Beth, yay on the revisions! Can’t wait to read the book.
Hi Cindy – Just bopped in to say welcome to the lair. I’m not a big black ops gal (I know, I know – hangs head in shame) – but if I was – these would be tops on my TBR pile! They sound action packed with yummy heros. (I am a rippling muscle clad chest sort of gal
)
Any book praised by Nancy and Anna is a great book indeed. Wishing you much success!
I think you’d like ‘em Donna! And as you said, if Anna and Nancy like ‘em…. Grins.
Donna, I really like these books! Give ‘em a go!
Donna, I appreciate your faith! Actually, both our Annas like these books. And yes, the heroes are seriously yummy.*g*
Hey Cindy! So glad you’ve joined us in the Lair to kick things off for February! This is a fabulous series and I’m so sad to see it end. Looking forward to new things too, though, so thanks for that awesome excerpt.
Jeanne, wasn’t that excerpt fantastic? Can’t wait to read the book!
Jeanne and Anna, the rest of the book lives up to that opening.
OMG, Cindy, welcome to the Lair. I’m so sorry to be late dropping by. Your One-Eyed Jack series sounds absolutely fascinating. Can’t wait to read that one!
Jo, I’m looking forward to One Eyed Jacks, too!
Jo, these books sound just your sort of thing! Thanks for swinging by.
You all are so wonderful to stop by and comment. Love that you’re loving the series and the support you’ve shown me. I’ve been having a blast here today
Cindy, Nancy and I were tickled pink when you accepted out invitation to the lair. So glad you’re enjoying yourself. I’m really enjoying reading your answers – and haven’t the questions been interesting?
Hi Cindy!
I’m late as always, but wanted to say hello and welcome! This series sounds fantastic, and I am in awe of your character development skills..each so different, and yet so real.
If I could ask you anything, I’d ask how you do that. You say you don’t form their match until you “know” them. I realize you may be gone for the evening, but I’d love to hear how you get them to talk to you…how you come to know them at the soul level so you can put them on the page so perfectly.
Hi, Cassondra–I’m interested in that, too. The characters have so much depth that the relationships also do.
Great question, Cassondra. I think one of the things that sets Cindy’s books out from the crowd is the wonderful character development.
Wow. what a nice compliment. Thanks for that. I never feel as though I reach perfection but i do try for it
_)
As far as how I get to know my characters, I always keep in mind something a writer friend once told me. Always keep it honest. Honest emotion. Honest flaws. Honest reactions. If it feels honest, it will read that way and readers will not only empathize with but relate to your characters. So I do keep that in the fore front when I’m getting to know them. I ask myself would they truly react this way to this particular situation? Or am I being dishonest about what they do or say. I just keep working it until I feel comfortable with the outcome. Wish I could explain it better but there it is
Hi Cindy!!! Welcome to the Lair! I trust that the cabana boys have taken good care of you today. They do love their jobs.
Can’t wait to start this last book in the Black Ops series (LOVE that cover!!), but I’m even more excited to hear about One-Eyed Jacks. What a fabulous series title! I’ll be scooping up the first book as soon as it’s out.
Anna and Nancy, wonderful interview. Thanks for luring Cindy over to the Lair!
Hi, Kate–Glad you liked it! I’ll be scooping up that first book, too.
Kate, we’ve loved having Cindy here for the day!
Thanks, everyone, for a great day in the lair. Cindy, thanks for being such a fabulous guest. Can’t wait to read your new book!
Don’t forget to check back to see who won the prize!
thanks again you naughty bandits, you, for making me feel so welcome. You ladies really know how to show a girl a good time
)
I have always had a soft spot for Joe ever since “Feel the Heat”. But I think Ethan from the Bodyguard series is one of my favorite characters ever. I can’t wait to read this book and I’m so happy there are more great books to come!