GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
Unorthodox
(A Kendra Spark Novel Book 1)
by S. Peters-Davis
Unorthodox by S. Peters-Davis is currently on tour with Bewitching Book Tours. The tour stops here today for a guest post by the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Kendra Spark, suspense-mystery romance author and communicator with the dead, is requested to hop on the first flight to D.C. Jenna Powers, FBI criminal analyst and estranged best friend of Kendra, gets ghosticized in a fatal accident before relaying all the details of the FBI killer case. Derek Knight, a dedicated FBI Special Task Force agent, leads on the case.
The investigation into the FBI agent killings continues as Kendra, Jenna (yes, even after death, and Derek work together on the case before Director of the Special Task Force Jackson Powers’ number is up. He’s Jenna’s father and the end-game of the killer’s target list. But somehow the elusive killer remains undetected, until Kendra’s unique ability produces results and a final possibility at stopping his killing spree before it’s too late.
Excerpt
[The scene – Derek has Kendra in a casual interrogation room inside the FBI building – D.C. location]
The door opened and Jackson Powers entered before I could respond.
He glanced around the room stopping when he saw me; his red rimmed eyes spoke volumes. I clearly remembered his presence, a straightforward man, full of confidence and direction, but in this moment he appeared like a man broken. I rose and reached for a hand shake. Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a big bear hug.
“I’m so very sorry about Jenna. Sorry for your loss, for my loss…” Muscles tensed around my vocals and cut off the words.
Tears spilled from both of us. Derek stepped out of the room, clicking the door closed.
“Jenna told me she was meeting with you today, going to show you the city sights.” Jackson held me for a few more minutes, patting my back and telling me it wasn’t my fault.
The thought of the accident initially being my fault had never entered my mind. Why would that thought cross his? I stepped back. Obviously he hadn’t received the latest details of the accident, but even so why would he consider that I’d feel responsible. Even if I questioned that maybe I could have done something to stop her in some way, she did save that boy. “Not sure what you mean…in thinking it could be my fault?”
His eyes widened, maybe a little startled at my blatant question. “I assumed Jenna ran after a little culprit that grabbed your purse or something much worse. She must have gotten caught up in the chase to run in front of on-coming traffic.” His face softened. “Kendra, I know Jenna, there was nothing you could have done to stop her. She’s always been head-strong…was always
head-strong,” he corrected himself, then his voice cracked, and suddenly something occurred to me.
Jackson isn’t privy to Jenna and Derek’s manhunt for the FBI killer, nor the reason I’m here. Of course. Jenna had tagged along to certain crime scenes while she was still in college, but from all that I remembered, Jackson wanted her profiling cases strictly inside the building. She had access to all the crime scenes from pictures and files on her laptop. At least she always used to complain about his restrictions, and I couldn’t imagine he would allow her in the field on a serial killer task force, unless things had changed in the last couple years.
There’d been a few close calls on other cases, some of the agent’s family members being abducted or being used for negotiation, leverage. While in college, Jenna told me all the rules her father had enforced if she were to join in any of the FBI cases. He protected her, and now she had returned the favor…to her demise.
Jenna and Derek were hunting the serial killer behind Jackson’s back.
There was a tap on the door and Derek stepped in. His brows were drawn close, eyes narrowed, perhaps his expression of concern. “Sir, I thought Kendra might be hungry. She hasn’t eaten all day.” He smiled at me, and then looked back at Jackson. “I’m headed out for a late lunch and thought I’d take her with me.”
Jackson’s lips pressed together. He finally lifted his chin toward me. “Well, of course. We certainly wouldn’t want anyone going hungry now, would we,” more of a statement than a question. He patted my shoulder. “Go on, Kendra. We can continue our talk later. I’d like to hear exactly what happened to my daughter from someone who was there to witness it.”
Derek grasped my elbow and led me toward the door.
Instead of following, Jackson released a long breathy sigh and sat on the couch. “Shut the door behind you, Derek. And tell Darla I don’t wish to be disturbed.”
My heart swelled huge behind my ribcage, again the confining weight pressing in on my ability to breathe. I couldn’t imagine the emotional maelstrom Jackson was going through. I knew only my own turbulent ride. Now I needed to get some facts straight; it was my turn to interrogate Derek.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]
Praise for the Book
"Murder, ghosts, psychics, the writer's life - this story had everything I so enjoy in a good book. It's certainly an 'unorthodox' tale. Well-written and captivating, this gripping thriller entices the reader from beginning to end. I look forward to more Kendra Spark novels." ~ Sandra's Book Reviews
"This book has everything I love. Suspense and paranormal. I felt the character development was well done. The story was very well written. You follow Kendra, Jenna and Derek (ghost whisperer, ghost and FBI) thru a thrilling ride of mystery with a ghost to help along the way. [...] I am excited that this is only book 1 because I can see big things coming with this series and author." ~ angelique burns
"This is a thrilling, suspenseful read that combines ghosts and solving crimes, and does it quite well. The book is very interesting and keeps you hooked, from start to finish, really pulling you right into the crime scenes, and the sad, untimely death of the FBI analyst." ~ Naturalbri (Bri Wignall)
"This book was really good. The touch of spook factor along with the suspense, mystery and paranormal (which is always fun) all blended together making the perfect combination." ~ GothicMom'S Reviewers
"Unorthodox is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you engaged from the very beginning." ~ Sapphyria
Guest Post by the Author
Story-Star Interview with Kendra Spark – MC of Unorthodox
Hello Lynda and everyone visiting Books Direct. :) I’m S. Peters-Davis, author of Unorthodox, a paranormal suspense-thriller. I’ve got Kendra Spark sitting across from me. She’s a mystery romance author, the main story-star of Unorthodox, and she has agreed to answer a few interview questions.
I’m totally geeked as she’s always been on the ink-side of my pen, and now she’s ... well, wearing a gray and green jogging get-up that reminds me of Jenna’s (another story-star in Unorthodox). *smiles*
Without further introduction, I’m going to jump right in and if anyone else has a question or comment for Kendra, please feel at liberty to post it in the comment section – she’s ours for the day; )
Interview
SPD – Kendra, your eyes really are the most beautiful shade of violet in this lighting and your hair is longer then I remember, a lot curlier too. Do you wear tinted contacts?
Kendra – No. I don’t wear contacts or glasses, at least not yet; and my hair grew a bit longer since last we saw each other. Humidity determines the tightness of the curls in my hair, and it’s been crazy humid lately. I love the four seasons of Michigan, but boy, sometimes that humidity ... whew.
SPD – I hear you. You’re north of where I live, thought it would be milder. *chuckles* How about your writing? Clara Jones is your literary agent, right? *Kendra nods* How’s that relationship going?
Kendra – Clara’s happy for the moment, but she’ll be pressing for the first book in the next series. She thrives on productive authors and she’s good at inspiring performance. I just got back from California, signing a contract with Knixton House Publishing. Thankfully the publisher enjoys mysteries and romance ... and he’s willing to wait for the next series. I have a feeling that the upcoming case I’ll be working as an FBI consultant with Derek and Jenna (in Malevolent) will be jam-packed with story potential for my mysteries.
SPD – Oh, so you’re working as an FBI consultant? As in you decided to take the job?
Kendra – I just received a proposition from FBI Special Task Force Director Jackson Powers. Apparently my ability can be an asset in solving cases. My grandmother believes it’s my true calling over everything else, including my novel writing. I’m not sure about giving anything up yet ... only that I’ll be working on Director Jackson’s next case with Derek and Jenna.
SPD – So ... about Jenna ...
Kendra – Without giving away any spoilers ...all I can say is Jenna is still working cases as an FBI criminal analyst.
SPD – Okay, understood. I’ll move on to Derek. He’s an attractive single FBI Task Force agent ... one of the best, I understand. And you’re an attractive single mystery author. *I wiggle my brows* Anything you’d like to share?
Kendra – Yes, Derek ... striking blue eyes, dark wavy hair, dimple on his left cheek ... just up from the corner of his mouth when he smiles. *she stares off for a moment and catches herself then chuckles* It’s the writer inside me that gets a bit carried away with defining descriptions. *she shakes her head* All I’ll say is, yes, he is attractive, but his attractiveness goes much deeper than his good looks.
SPD – Interesting. And something to look forward to also, but for now, I’ll move on. What is it that annoys you most?
Kendra – Being called a psychic. Not just the name, but the inflicting tone used to say it out loud. That has a tendency to leave nasty burning holes in my confidence.
SPD – I’m sorry you have to deal with nay-sayers. I know you have an amazing gift and you’re putting it to good use. I agree with your grandmother’s thought about it being a "calling".
Thank you, Kendra, for your honest responses – I appreciate the chance to get to know you and to share this exclusive interview with your fans.
Kendra – Thanks for having me, Lynda and everyone visiting Books Direct – always a pleasure to spend time with readers who enjoy paranormal, suspense-thriller romances. Have an amazing week, everyone, and I hope you all enjoy my story. :)
About the Author
S. Peters-Davis writes multi-genre stories, but loves penning a good page-turning suspense-thriller, especially when it’s a ghost story and a romance. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she’s hiking, RVing, fishing, playing with grandchildren, or enjoying time with her favorite muse (her husband) in Southwest Michigan.
She also writes YA paranormal, supernatural novels as DK Davis.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card, a $10 Amazon gift card, or a box of See's Candy (US only).
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