Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Ashley Fontainne

Posted on May 31, 2012 by jchasenovelist

It’s my favorite day of the week!  Well, with exception to Forensic Friday!  Today, I have the very talented author Ashley Fontainne with her thriller Zero Balance, the second installment of the Eviscerating the Snake Series.  I have chills…

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Book Synopsis:

Nine months ago, I served my own personal brand of punishment on those
that kept their silence when I was raped.

Nine months ago, I was the voice that found justice for a beautiful young life, viciously slain in her prime many years ago, and helped her grieving mother to finally find peace.

Nine months ago, I saw this rapist/killer escorted to jail in handcuffs and now, I reign from his old throne.

Nine months ago, my horrid nightmares were finally quieted after eviscerating the snake’s body and crushing its evil head.

Two weeks before the trial of Olin Kemper was scheduled to begin, the dreams came back. Haunting, disturbing dreams that I can’t escape nor understand.

A week ago, I realized that I didn’t kill the snake; I just wounded it.

And it’s back with a vengeance and after us all.

Book purchase link: Amazon.com

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Jennifer Chase: If your main character was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would your hero or heroine devise a plan to escape?  Would they take any of the people with them?

Ashley Fontainne: Audra Tanner is all about planning!  She plotted and waited patiently for five years before she exacted her revenge, so she would have no trouble at all devising an escape route.  Since the group is facing a life or death situation, Audra would focus her thoughts on a way for everyone to escape, and it would not be a far stretch for her to sacrifice herself to save others.

Jennifer Chase: How do you get inside your main character’s head when writing?

Ashley Fontainne: By writing in first person.  Accountable to None was written in third person and I found that writing style is not conducive to truly crawling around inside the mind of your characters. So, in Zero Balance, not only did I switch to first person, but each character is written in first person, which I felt was a unique way of allowing the reader inside everyone’s head while building the suspense up from all angles.  When you allow yourself to step inside the skin of your character and feel what they do and sense what is going on around them, you can then react by projecting their emotional state onto the paper.  Of course, sometimes that can be a bit frustrating, especially when your character views things differently than you do (which can sometimes lead to their untimely demise!)

Jennifer Chase: What’s your specific genre?  If you could write in any other genre, what would it be and why?

Ashley Fontainne: I prefer to read and write suspense/thrillers.  I also enjoy a great murder mystery or well-written horror novel and would one day like to pen a horror story.  One of my favorite horror writers is Barbara Watkins.  Her novel, Hollowing Screams, is fantastic, and the short story collection she penned with Betty Dravis, Six-Pack of Blood, is phenomenal.  The one thing that has stopped me from attempting the enter that genre is the fact that what is there left to write about? Ghosts, demons, witches, vampires, werewolves, etc., have already saturated the market!  So, I would need to delve into something fresh, I just don’t know what that might be.

Jennifer Chase: Why should readers pick up your book Zero Balance?

Ashley Fontainne: Zero Balance has been compared to the TV Series “Dexter” and “Revenge” in terms of the fast-paced action and mindset of the characters seeking revenge.  While a dark read, it takes revenge and retribution to an entirely new level, by exploring the aftereffects on the main character nine months after the first book ended.  Audra finds out just how far the ripples from the rock she threw into the pond spread.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your book?

Ashley Fontainne: Anger; sadness; shock; fright; hope; a bit of love and a whole lot of fear!

Jennifer Chase: Now, it’s time to play word association with your main character.  Please respond with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

Ashley Fontainne:

Plot – patient

2012 – finally!

Predator – Olin

Giggles – rarity

Rural – haven

Omnipresence – dreams

Thank you Ashley Fontainne for stopping by today!

Author Bio:

My earliest memories from childhood are of reading.  Growing up as an only child, I found solace from the lonely times in books.  I believe, at one time, I owned every Nancy Drew book available, and read them all numerous times.  During those early years of my life, I became hooked into the world of mystery and suspense.  I began to write poetry and short stories in high school, although I rarely shared my musings except to a few select friends and one lovely English teacher.  It was a beautiful release for me to scribble down my thoughts in a journal, whether the words stemmed from joyous events or tragic ones.

As I grew, I discovered Stephen King, James Patterson, Robin Cook and John Grisham.  I fell in love with all of their works, especially those of Stephen King. The way that gifted man strings words together is nothing short of amazing.  By the time high school rolled around and I was introduced to classical literature, I was thoroughly addicted to the written word, especially thrillers that tugged at the heart strings.

Out of all the great classical texts that deal with revenge, the one that became a part of me, and what inspired me to pen Accountable to None, was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.  The physical and emotional pain suffered by Edmund Dantes left me an emotional wreck.  His calculated plans against all those that used him as a pawn in their life-altering game fascinated me.  Edmund’s transformation from the meek, mild-mannered gentleman into a revenge-fueled creature is truly a dark glimpse into the ravaged remains of a ruined mind.

Revenge for injustices perpetrated upon us is a tightly interwoven thread of the human condition.  Responding to immoral acts in a violent manner has been a part of society since the beginning of time.  The only thing that has changed over the centuries is the means by which an avenger might seek to accomplish their redemptive plans.

Accountable to None was written as homage to Dumas’ masterpiece.  Set in modern day Phoenix, Arizona, the book centers around the upper management of a large, successful accounting firm, Winscott & Associates.  I chose to set the scene at an accounting firm since, according to the most incredible words ever put on paper, the Holy Bible, the love of money is the root of all evil. Corporate greed is showcased through the actions of those that run the company.  The heroine suffers unimaginable pain and vows to seek revenge, which she ultimately achieves after years of plotting and planning.

I wanted to take the entire revenge motif to the next level in the sequels, Zero Balance and Adjusting Journal Entry. Sometimes, we tend to cheer and root for the avenging underdog, especially when they finally achieve their long awaited revenge.  However, rarely are the aftereffects explored once the revenge is completed.  My hope is that after reading these novels, someone contemplating vengeful acts upon another will give pause and reflect on the unfathomably high price of revenge.

Where readers can find Author Ashley Fontainne:

Website: http://www.ashleyfontainne.com

Twitter: @AshleyFontainne

Blog: http://ramblingsofamadsouthernwoman.blogspot.com

Facebook author profile

RABMAD page

Independent Author Network

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California Football Star Cleared of Rape Conviction after Nearly a Decade

Posted on May 30, 2012 by jchasenovelist

While members of law enforcement seem to have more technology at their disposal to help them track down the bad guys and make sure they have the right one in custody, the process of justice is still controlled by humans, and therefore errors are going to occur.  The best we can do is minimize any chance for an innocent man to be wrongfully convicted and, if such a verdict is handed down, to make amends as soon as the truth is discovered.

In California, one young man is enjoying new freedom after being exonerated of a rape conviction that he faced nearly ten years ago.

Brian Banks was found guilty of raping a high school classmate in 2002.  He served six years in prison, followed by probation and a spot on the sex registry after pleading no contest to avoid a potentially much longer sentence.  He lost a scholarship to play football with the University of Southern California, instead spending that time behind bars.  Banks maintained the fact that he never had sex with his accuser.

Doubt that a crime ever took place was heightened thanks to Facebook, when the supposed victim of Banks’ crime sent him a friend request through the social networking site in 2011.  The California Innocence Project, an organization that already had been fighting to free Banks, noted this odd development.  The accuser soon admitted that she never had been raped or kidnapped, as first claimed.

Banks has shared that he will be seeking compensation from the state but is not interested in pressing charges against the woman.  He just wants to move forward with his life.  In fact, he hopes to get the opportunity to play in the NFL.  When you think about the many ways in which this young man’s education, professional dreams, and very freedom were stolen from him, and his ability to maintain a positive outlook despite it all, finding a team to give him a shot would be a great ending to a terrible story.

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting

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Get Into the Mind with a Psychological Autopsy

Posted on May 29, 2012 by jchasenovelist

One of the most interesting aspects of studying criminal behavior and criminology is finding out why and how criminals commit a specific crime.  It is the complicated task of finding out what makes an individual tick by learning more about their criminal pattern of behavior in the process.

Victimology is a common information gathering tool that investigators use to help them to link a perpetrator to a victim that could ultimately solve the crime.  Victimology refers to the analysis of the victim’s characteristics, such as, how they lived, who they were, how they spent their time, and then the determination of their risk assessment.  Answers to these questions can lead investigators and profilers to determine the offender’s motive and MO of why and how they chose this particular victim.

I found the term psychological autopsy to be intriguing and it’s the extension to victimology used by investigators and profilers.  A psychological autopsy is another information gathering technique that entails the review of the psychosocial aspects of a victim’s life.  It reconstructs the deceased victim’s psychological state leading up to and at the time of their death.  It includes the emotions, relationships, behaviors, and thoughts of the victim.  The most common source collected is the interview data obtained from the family and friends of the deceased.

There are two basic types of psychological autopsies that are performed: the suicide psychological autopsy (SPA) and equivocal death psychological autopsy (EDPA).  The SPA is performed to understand which psychosocial factors contributed to the suicide.  The EDPA is performed when a particular death is not immediately known.

The term “psychological autopsy” was originally coined in 1958 by psychiatrist Edwin Shneidman from the Los Angeles Suicide Center as a means to refer to a procedure that was initially designed to assist the medical examiner in clarifying deaths that were uncertain or ambiguous.  It has been estimated that up to 20% of death cases have appeared to be unclear that have been presented to the medical examiner, which can’t address whether the death was the result of natural causes, accident, suicide, or homicide.

Generally, those who conduct SPAs are psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals who have expertise in suicide.  Psychologists and psychiatrists with a background and training in forensic pathology and death investigation usually conduct EDPAs.

I feel that it’s important not only to look at the crime scene forensics, but also to look into the victim’s background to better understand how and why they were targeted by the perpetrator.  There are valuable insights that shouldn’t be overlooked in any death case through the eyes and thoughts of the victim.

For more information on the procedure of psychological autopsy as well as an interesting read, check out the book Autopsy of a Suicidal Mind by Edwin S. Shneidman.

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Criminology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aloha Serial Killer

Posted on May 26, 2012 by jchasenovelist

When I first began writing crime thrillers and my first book Compulsion, I didn’t immediately envision a series.  I was so involved in the story initially and it was a therapy of sorts from my horrible experiences with a sociopathic neighbor that I didn’t think very far ahead.  Then, the Emily Stone Thriller Series actually took on a life of its own.  Each story seems to be falling into place for the crime-fighting, vigilante heroine.  There are many more storylines in the works!

My latest book, Dark Mind, was so much fun during the research phase.  I wanted to create a serial killer that had a flavor of the islands with a believable past and experiences, so I researched the history of Kauai and even read some of the Hawaiian folklore passed down through generations.  It was fascinating because there was so much great information to inspire me.  I could have spent an extra month just learning more about the Hawaiian Islands, but I had enough information to help elevate the murder mystery.

I visited Kauai on a few occasions and it made a lasting impression with the views, smells, waves, sunsets, and even the remote locations.  During my last trip a few years ago, I sat on this gorgeous deserted beach and began to think about the storyline to Dark Mind.

As I began writing and weaving my criminology expertise into the storyline, I realized that it needed just a bit of the Hawaiian language for realism.  Not too much to bore my readers where you would need an English/Hawaiian dictionary, but just enough to add a “real” sense of the island and culture.  I know that I was going out on limb but I incorporated a few real words and phrases to the novel.  I felt it was worth the risk and it wouldn’t take away from the reading enjoyment.

With a few Hawaiian words, I added a brief dictionary and correct pronunciation preview at the beginning of Dark Mind for readers.

Hawaiian Glossary:

ahi  (AH-hee)                       fire

akahele (ah-kah-heh-leh)  be careful of

akamai  (ah-kah-MY)         smart, intelligent

aloha  (ah-LO-ha)                hello, goodbye

a’ole  (ah-O-lay)                   no

hakaka (haka Ka)                fight

haole  (how-leh)                  foreigner, Caucasian

hu hu  (HU HU)                   angry, agitated

‘ilio  (e-lee-o)                        dog

kahiko  (ka-hee-ko)             old, ancient

kapu  (kah-poo)                    forbidden, sacred

Lani  (lah-nee)                      Lonnie

luakini  (loo-ah-kee-nee)    temple for sacrifice

mana  (mah-nah)                 spiritual power

pupule  (poo-poo-leh)         crazy

Readers come to know the serial killer in Dark Mind as Keo, until his true identity is revealed.  You won’t find any spoilers here!  Keo is from the Hawaiian word Keolo’ewa.  According to folklore, he was a god of sorcerers, black magic and was said to possess people.

Now the plot thickens…

Have you ever had to research another culture or a different language?

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  Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

“This is a terrific read from start to finish. The writing is impeccable and the story is fresh and tight. Emily stone is fragile and tough. She displays a vulnerability most protagonists aren’t allowed to expose. It’s nice to read a story which doesn’t follow a formula.” ~ Best Selling Author Gary Ponzo


“Dark Mind is written with a sharp attention to detail and a commanding knowledge that Jennifer Chase lends to the readability and believability of this book. The suspense is never ending and the unfolding mystery will keep you totally engaged.”  ~ Kindle Book Review

“Very well written with lots of cliff hangers to keep me turning the pages! It takes a certain talent to be able to write like that.”  ~ V.L., Forensic Manager

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Dark Mind, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Tamera Lawrence

Posted on May 24, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Today’s guest is Mystery Author Tamera Lawrence.  If you love mysteries with a paranormal flair, then keep the lights on with The Pond.  Trust me you won’t look at dark closets and homemade pies in the same way.

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Book Synopsis:

Twenty-five years have passed since eight-year old Carl Weber drowned in Gray’s Pond, and now one member of the Adam’s family has returned to Kimberton, Pennsylvania, to reside once again in the old mansion. It is time for Mark Adam to revisit his past, and for his wife Donna and daughter, Kim, to become acquainted with their neighbors- a rather odd old couple that owns the farm across the street.

Each day, however, brings strange occurrences- increasing paranormal activity, till it becomes agonizingly clear that ghosts of the past are trying to make their presence known. As the family delves deeper into the past, the future becomes more perilous with every passing discovery.

Book purchase link:  THE POND

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Jennifer Chase: If your main character was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would your hero devise a plan to escape?  Would they take any of the people with them?

Tamera Lawrence: Mike, the main character in this book, would never leave anyone behind. He would use every means necessary to make sure everyone was safe – even putting his own safety above others.

Jennifer Chase: How do you get inside your main character’s head when writing?

Tamera Lawrence: I allow the main character to rein in my thoughts sometimes for days or weeks seeing life and decisions through their eyes. I try to distance my own personal feelings and bring about my character’s unique personal traits to life.

Jennifer Chase: What’s your specific genre?  If you could write in any other genre, what would it be and why?

Tamera Lawrence: I have always had a flair for writing paranormal or thrillers. When I first started writing, Romance was my first ambition. I have learned to interweave both elements to satisfy my personal tastes.

Jennifer Chase: Why should readers pick up The Pond?

Tamera Lawrence: If you like paranormal mysteries, THE POND should satisfy your appetite. It has a ghostly element and just the right amount of mystery added to the mix. I like making people squirm.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your book?

Tamera Lawrence: Hopefully, anyone who reads THE POND will turn the lights up a little bit brighter…perhaps wonder more about their strange neighbors.

Jennifer Chase: Now, it’s time to play word association with your main character.  Please respond  with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

Tamera Lawrence:

Plot:  murder

2012: Hope

Predator:  Charlie

Giggles:  Mikey

Rural: farm

Omnipresence:  God

Thank you Author Tamera Lawrence!

Author Bio:

With a passion for writing, Award winning author Tamera Lawrence likes to entertain readers with edgy thrillers and mysteries mixed with romance.  As a mother of six, Tamera draws on personal experiences to bring to life interesting characters set in today’s complex world. She loves meeting fans and writes book reviews upon request.

Tamera also likes to play softball and clang out a tune or two on the piano.

Where you can find out more about Author Tamera Lawrence:

Blog

Twitter

Outskirts Press

Posted in Guest Post, Thriller Thursday | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Suspect Held in Connection with Missing California Teenager

Posted on May 23, 2012 by jchasenovelist

I am sure there are not many among us whose heart does not sink every time we hear about a missing child.  We follow the reports and hope that news soon will come that the boy or girl has been found and is safe.  But, unfortunately, the events do not often unfold that way.

In some instances, the parents must try to find solace in finding the person who took their loved one and in being able to provide a final rest to that child.  For Sierra Lamar’s family, they believe the first part of that wish may have been answered; now they are hoping the man authorities have in custody will allow them to bury their daughter.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Antolin Garcia-Torres on suspicion of kidnapping and murder in the disappearance of fifteen-year-old Sierra LaMar, who went missing while walking to her school bus stop.  Garcia-Torres’ DNA was discovered in LaMar’s discarded purse, and subsequently further forensic evidence was found “in multiple places” on items belonging to LaMar and in Garcia-Torres’ car.  Garcia-Torres already was in the DNA database due to assault charges filed against him in 2009, making the match a quick one.

Apparently, Garcia-Torres is not cooperating with questioning and, right now, Sierra’s parents simply want to know the location of their daughter’s body.  Because, although many details have not been released, police believe they have enough evidence to be certain the girl is dead.

I will hope, on behalf of Sierra LaMar’s family, that if they cannot see their daughter alive again, at least the next news story I read will share that are now able to bring her home one last time.

This case has been especially difficult for me because the events took place close to where I live.   Everywhere I would see Sierra’s beautiful smiling face on a missing poster.  The first few days after she went missing seemed to bring some hope that she was still alive and even a month later still some hope.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Sierra LaMar.

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime, Forensic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Signature Behavior vs. Modus Operandi

Posted on May 21, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Sometimes it’s confusing for people to differentiate between a criminal’s signature versus the criminal’s modus operandi when a criminal commits a specific type of crime.

Are they the same?

No, they are distinctly different because one feeds on emotional needs, while the other is a procedure.  Modus operandi is the method that is used to commit the crime and signature behavior is what helps to serve the criminal’s emotional and psychological needs.

A modus operandi or MO comes from the Latin phrase meaning “mode of operation”.  Basically, all criminals have a method of operation that encompasses their habits, techniques, and any peculiarities of behavior.  The method can stay the same, but it will often grow and evolve over time as the criminal becomes more skillful at committing a specific crime.

If an investigator or detective establishes the MO in a homicide case, they would refer to the forensic analysis of the crime scene.

Here are a few examples of a criminal’s MO:

•           The type of restraints used on the victim, wound patterns, and type of fiber from the restraints.

•           Type of weapon used, such as knife, blunt object, or gun.

•           Tape found on victim that was used to bind hands and cover mouth.

•           Tools used to gain entry to victim’s home.

•           Attack could be from when the victim exits their vehicle or walks through a dark parking garage.

•           Time of day that the offender chooses to commit the crime, such as nighttime or early morning.

•           Lack of fingerprints that would indicate the offender used gloves.

All of these examples constitute a criminal’s MO in committing a crime.

A signature refers to the distinctive behaviors that help to serve the criminal’s psychological and emotional needs.  Physical evidence helps to establish the signature behaviors of the criminal who committed the specific crime.

Again, the investigator or detective for a homicide case would refer to the forensic analysis for this type of evidence concerning the signature behaviors at the crime scene.

Here are a few examples of criminal signatures:

•           Level of injury to the victim, minimal to excessive.

•           Specific location or sequence to the criminal act.

•           Ejaculation, urination, and/or defecation at the crime scene.

•           Specific type of weapon used.

•           Personal items taken from victim.

•           Specific type of victim targeted that refers to age, race, occupation, or other physical characteristics.

•           Anything specifically left at the crime scene, such as a note or object.

An easy way to remember the difference is that a criminal’s MO refers to the way the crime is committed and the signature is what is beyond that it takes to commit the specific crime.

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To read more about criminal modus operandi or signature behaviors, check out these books:

Crime Classification Manual

By John E. Douglas, Ann W. Burgess, Allen G. Burgess and Robert K. Ressler

Crime Reconstruction

By Jerry Chisum & Brent E. Turvey

Criminal Profiling

By Brent Turvey

The Anatomy of Motive

By John Douglas and Mark Olshaker

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Criminology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment