Avalanche

Who Is Kalin Thompson?

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 13 Comments

Avalanche Cover FinalWith AVALANCHE about to be released, I wanted to share a bit of Kalin Thompson’s life with you. Before the Stone Mountain Series began, Kalin was married to Jack, had a successful career in Human Resources with the Canadian Government, and loved her life.

Then one day, everything changed…But I’ll let Kalin tell you about it.

A DAY IN MY LIFE by Kalin Thompson

I opened the door to find two Ottawa police officers standing on my stoop.

“May we come in?” the one on the right asked.

No. You may not. Jack wasn’t home yet, and he should have been home hours ago. I wanted to slam the door and run. Instead, I stood there, smiling at them, being polite. What an idiotic time to smile. I took one careful step after another into the living room, trying to slow time. I must have looked as if I was walking the line of sobriety.

“Are you Kalin Thompson?”

Get out of my house. “Yes.”

“Your husband is Jack Thompson?”

I hated these two strangers standing in my living room. The guy had sweat on his brow. From the oppressive heat that day or from what he was about to tell me, I couldn’t know. The woman’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes avoided contact with mine. She examined the photos of Jack and me on the mantle, shuffled her feet and waited for her partner to speak.

Jack and I were supposed to be sitting in an air-conditioned theatre, fingers intertwined, watching the latest James Bond movie. I didn’t have time to talk. Maybe he was waiting for me, ticket in hand, shaking his head at how unusual it was for me to be late.

“You’re husband was riding his bike on Bronson Avenue when he was hit by a car,” the man said.

Okay, that’s not so terrible. He’s at the hospital. I’ll go to him, and he’ll be fine. Except what if he was paralyzed. He must be seriously hurt if the cops were here, otherwise he would have phoned me himself.

I picked up my car key. “What hospital is he at? I’ll go now.”

“He’s not at a hospital.”

“I don’t understand. Then why are you here?”

“I’m very sorry to tell you, but Jack died in the accident.”

I kept breathing, but I’m not sure how. My body still functioned when my mind wanted to shut down. I backed into the living room wall but had nowhere to go. If only I hadn’t answered the door.

“Who hit him?” I asked, like that mattered.

“We don’t know yet.”

“You mean the driver didn’t stop?” Bronson Avenue was a block away from our home. Jack had been minutes away from our driveway.

Minutes from opening the front door, burying me in a hug, and taking me out for the night.

“Have you been driving your car this afternoon?”

“What?”

“We’d like to have a look at your car,” the man said.

I handed my key to the officer, then sagged onto the couch. “It’s in the garage.”

Two years later when I looked back at this scene, I still didn’t understand how something so dreadful could have happened. I couldn’t believe I might never know who killed Jack.

I quit my job and accepted a new one. I’ll be the human resources manager at Stone Mountain Resort in the Purcell Mountains. It’s almost as far west as I could travel and still be in the same country. A big change was the only way for me to survive.

I knew leaving wouldn’t kill the pain of losing Jack. I knew I’d never get over him. But I also knew I had to live. I wasn’t thirty yet.

I got on a plane and flew to Calgary. From there I took the bus to Holden, BC. I took a taxi to Stone Mountain Resort and life began again.

***

If you want to find out what happened next in Kalin Thompson’s life, DESCENT is the first in the “Stone Mountain” Mystery Series followed by BLAZE, and then AVALANCHE. In AVALANCHE you might just find out what really happened to Jack…

A Little About AVALANCHE (To Be Released June 25th, 2016):

On a cold winter morning, the safe at Stone Mountain Resort is robbed, and Kalin Thompson’s brother, Roy, suspiciously disappears. As Director of Security, Kalin would normally lead the investigation, but when her brother becomes the prime suspect, she is ordered to stay clear.

The police and the president of the resort turn their sights on Kalin, who risks everything to covertly attempt to clear Roy’s name. As threats against her escalate, she moves closer to uncovering the guilty party. Is Kalin’s faith in her brother justified? Or will the truth destroy her?

A Gift to My Readers from Imajin Books:

Imajin Books has put AVALANCHE on sale for $0.99 USD for a limited time. Grab your copy before the price goes up. It’s available for pre-order now.
Thanks for reading…

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Write Better Fiction: POV and Writing A Series

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 6 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about writing a series, and what an author must consider when it comes to point of view.

AVALANCHE is the third book in the Stone Mountain Mystery Series and is to be released June 25th, 2016. When I first started writing the series, I thought I was writing a standalone novel. Of course my characters took over, and now I have a series.

Early on, I decided to write in close third person from multiple points of view. Little did I know, that once I made that decision, I would have to stick to that for the rest of the series.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you begin your novel. And when you ask these questions of yourself, don’t assume you’ll be writing a standalone novel. You just never know.

Do you plan to switch POVs?

If you’re going to have multiple POVs in your novel, it’s important to let your reader know this early on in the story.

It could be jarring for a reader to get half way through a novel, and the POV is ripped from underneath their feet and a new character steps in.

Changing POVs in the first few chapters will warn the reader this is your style and hopefully they’ll enjoy your book more. They’ll expect different characters to have their say, to drive the novel, and to provide surprises. They won’t get so attached to one POV that they can’t bear the change and toss the novel aside.

What POV type will you choose?

Can you be consistent for an entire novel or several novels?

  • If you chose first person, do you stay in first person? Do you reference anything first person can’t possibly know?
  • For Third person, are you writing third person, third person limited or omniscient? If limited, so you reference things character can’t know about? In limited reader can’t see into characters mind.

For the second book in your series, follow the same POV pattern. The reader will expect a similar style and voice in the second and following books.

BOOKS I’ve read on POV:

The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley

Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card

Characters, Emotions and Viewpoint by Nancy Kress

A Little About AVALANCHE (To Be Released June 25th, 2016):

Avalanche Cover FinalOn a cold winter morning, the safe at Stone Mountain Resort is robbed, and Kalin Thompson’s brother, Roy, suspiciously disappears. As Director of Security, Kalin would normally lead the investigation, but when her brother becomes the prime suspect, she is ordered to stay clear.

The police and the president of the resort turn their sights on Kalin, who risks everything to covertly attempt to clear Roy’s name. As threats against her escalate, she moves closer to uncovering the guilty party. Is Kalin’s faith in her brother justified? Or will the truth destroy her?

A Gift to My Readers from Imajin Books:

Imajin Books has put AVALANCHE on sale for $0.99 USD for a limited time. Grab your copy before the price goes up. It’s available for pre-order now.
Thanks for reading…

Thanks for Reading…

Kristina Stanley

AVALANCHE: Stone Mountain Buries A Man

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 6 Comments

AVALANCHE is the story of why?

Today, I proudly get to show you the cover…

How does a cover come to be? You need a good cover designer, like Ryan Thomas Doan. But how does he decide what to create?

Well, I gave him a detailed description of what I wanted. Did you hear the sarcasm?

Here are the three short sentences I sent Ryan:

I think it’s important to keep the look the same as DESCENT and BLAZE. I’d like the font, type and placement all to be the same. Maybe a hand flying through an Avalanche.

And here is what Ryan sent me:

Avalanche Cover Final

I’m absolutely amazed at his talent, and I’m very pleased with the cover.

Thank you, Ryan.

What do Avalanche And Gail Bowen Have In Common?

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

I’m sure you’ve guessed from the title, what I’m about to share…I know, as a mystery writer, I should hold back information, give a little clue here and there, but the excitement is too much for me.

I’ve been a fan of Gail Bowen’s since her first book was published in 1990. So to have Gail write an endorsement for AVALANCHE is truly unbelievable. Before I share her endorsement, let me highlight Gail’s amazing novels. You can click through on any of the links or book covers if you’d like to buy one.

Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.44.12 AM The first six books in the Kilbourn series – Deadly Appearances (1990); Murder at the Mendel (1991); Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.45.36 AM

Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.47.03 AMThe Wandering Soul Murders (1992);Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.48.26 AM A Colder Kind of Death (1994), winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award; A Killing Spring (1996) Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.50.33 AMand Verdict in BloodScreen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.51.42 AM (1998) – have appeared as made-for-television movies with world-wide distribution.  Burying ArielScreen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.52.55 AM (2000); The Glass Coffin (2002); The Last Good DayScreen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.55.16 AM Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.57.51 AMScreen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.53.56 AM(2004); The Endless KnotScreen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.56.36 AM (2006); The Brutal Heart(2008)
and The Nesting Dolls (2010) have met with critical and commercial success.  In June 2008, Reader’s Digest named Bowen ‘Canada’s Best Mystery Novelist’.

Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 10.59.10 AM

On to Gail’s endorsement of AVALANCHE:

A mountain as deadly as it is majestic; characters far too familiar with the Seven Deadly Sins and murder−Kristina Stanley’s Avalanche has it all. This fast-paced mystery is as thrilling as a heart-stopping run down the slopes.

If you’d like to read DESCENT and BLAZE, both are on sale this week for $0.99 US.

Thank you, Gail, for supporting me. And thanks to those of you reading…

Avalanche Explodes Again: More Praise…

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

Screen Shot 2016-04-03 at 7.24.14 AMThe weeks and months before a novel is published is an exciting time. It’s the time when early praise starts to roll in. I’m so thrilled to share an endorsement from James M. Jackson. James is the author of Ant Farm, Cabin Fever, and Bad Policy.

THANK YOU, JAMES 🙂

Avalanche is the third in the Stone Mountain Mystery series and is scheduled for publication by Imajin Books this spring.

Avalanche smashes and uproots relationships in Stone Mountain Resort, leaving devastation in its wake. With as many layers as winter’s snow, this whodunit will keep you turning pages and guessing to the end. ~ James M. Jackson, author of the Seamus McCree Series

***

On a cold winter morning, deep in the Purcell Mountains, the safe at Stone Mountain Resort is robbed hours before Kalin Thompson’s brother, Roy, disappears in an avalanche.

Under normal circumstances, as the director of security, Kalin would lead the investigation into the theft, but Roy is the prime suspect. The police and the president of the resort turn their sights on Kalin. She’s told to stay clear of the investigation and risks her job to covertly attempt to clear Roy’s name.

Threats against Kalin escalate as she gets closer to the truth. Is her faith in her brother justified? Was the avalanche an accident or did something more sinister happen? And is the truth worth destroying her life for?

 

AVALANCHE: First Early Praise

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 12 Comments

I can hardly believe I’ve received the first early praise for AVALANCHE, A Stone Mountain Mystery #3. AVALANCHE will be released by Imajin Books this spring.

It set my nerves on fire to send out the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) to well established authors asking for an endorsement if they like the book. The ARC has not been through the full editing process or proofreading, so it’s hard to let the work out into the world.

Imajin Books taught me with the DESCENT and BLAZE that this was part of the publishing process, so I should take a deep breath and hit the send button.

The first endorsement I’ve received is from thriller writer Jeff Buick.

Layer upon layer, like snow building for an avalanche, Stanley weaves a story that keeps you guessing. You can’t turn the pages fast enough.

AVALANCHE: On a cold winter morning, deep in the Purcell Mountains, the safe at Stone Mountain Resort is robbed hours before Kalin Thompson’s brother, Roy, disappears in an avalanche.

Under normal circumstances, as the director of security, Kalin would lead the investigation into the theft, but Roy is the prime suspect. The police and the president of the resort turn their sights on Kalin. She’s told to stay clear of the investigation and risks her job to covertly attempt to clear Roy’s name.

Threats against Kalin escalate as she gets closer to the truth. Is her faith in her brother justified? Was the avalanche an accident or did something more sinister happen? And is the truth worth destroying her life for?

Jeff Buick, a Canadian fiction writer, is a top selling author of thriller novels including:

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.29.53 AMBloodline

The world thinks Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was killed in 1993. The world is wrong. Escobar went deep into hiding, taking with him the access code to a Swiss bank account containing hundreds of millions of dollars. His enemies want that code, and they ll do anything to get it…. Escobar s enemies know that even in hiding he is still a very dangerous man, and that simply looking for him would cost them their lives. Instead they turn to Escobar s cousin, an innocent pawn who has no idea where to begin the search. But his wife and daughter are being held as security, and the clock is ticking. He has two weeks to find Pablo Escobar and get that access code or they die.                       

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.32.23 AMLethal Dos

When Gordon Buchanan’s brother, Billy, dies from an injury in a logging accident because his blood failed to coagulate properly, Gordon seeks an outside cause for Billy’s blood disorder, given no family history of hemophilia. Gordon learns that his brother was taking Triaxcion, a new drug manufactured by Veritas Pharmaceuticals, whose ruthless CEO will stop at nothing to maintain his company’s profits. As Gordon begins to dig into the inner workings of the drug company, he’s joined by Jennifer Pearce, a recent Veritas hire who has her own reasons for investigating her employer. Together they uncover a twisted path of corporate conspiracy, greed and murder that reaches into the very heart of American fears. Buick (Bloodline) offers two appealing protagonists plus plenty of fast-paced action and narrow escapes, with a minimum of tech-speak. While several convenient coincidences and overly helpful strangers speed along Gordon and Jennifer’s quest, the final product is a quick, enjoyable biotech thriller.                       

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.35.29 AMAfrican Ice

A diamond formation worth untold millions, hidden deep in the jungles of Africa. Many have tried to find it. All have failed. Can Samantha Carlson do the impossible? The president of Gem-Star thinks so when he hires the geologist to lead a team into the Democratic Republic of Congo and return with the diamonds’ location. Gem-Star has sent other teams in to find the formation. None made it out alive.

Samantha was aware the odds were against her when she accepted the mission. She’s taken hazardous jobs before, and she knows what she’s doing. Plus, Gem-Star has provided an escort team to protect her. But Samantha’s expedition is about to turn into an all-out battle for survival. There’s another team on a mission in the jungle. Their goal: kill Samantha.

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.37.35 AMShell Game 

When NewPro Stock collapses, Taylor and her husband Alan lose millions, forcing them to sell their home and business. But they re not going down without a fight. They re determined to track down the elusive Edward Brand, the mastermind behind the enormous fraud…

Taylor and Alan are about to learn two hard facts: A man who doesn t want to be found can be extremely dangerous – and in the world of high-level scams absolutely nothing is what it seems. If they re going to pin Brand down and recover their money, they re going to need an ingenious – and very risky – plan of their own.

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.39.04 AM Delicate Chaos

Leona Hewitt, a successful Washington banker, finds her life on the line when she takes on a new client. A poweful company is set to lose millions if she doesn’t approve a transaction . . . and they’ve hired a killer to make sure she doesn’t present a problem.

ANNOUNCING DEAL FOR AVALANCHE -A STONE MOUNTAIN MYSTERY #3

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 30 Comments

One of the most exciting days in the life of an author is the day she receives a contract for her latest novel.

The she, of course, is me.

Imajin Logo

Canadian Publisher, Imajin Books, has bought the print and eBook rights to AVALANCHE. Thank you Cheryl Kaye Tardif ,CEO of Imajin books, for believing in me and for this wonderful opportunity.

AVALANCHE is the third book in the Stone Mountain Mystery Series. DESCENT and BLAZE are the first two. Also published by Imajin Books.

On a cold winter morning, deep in the Purcell Mountains, the safe at Stone Mountain Resort is robbed hours before Kalin Thompson’s brother, Roy, disappears in an avalanche.

Under normal circumstances, as the director of security, Kalin would lead the investigation into the theft, but Roy is the prime suspect. The police and the president of the resort turn their sights on Kalin. She’s told to stay clear of the investigation and risks her job to covertly attempt to clear Roy’s name.

Threats against Kalin escalate as she gets closer to the truth. Is her faith in her brother justified? Was the avalanche an accident or did something more sinister happen? And is the truth worth destroying her life for?

I’m proud to be associated with Imajin Books and am excited about what’s to come.

Thanks for reading…