Shannon here: Nike N. Chillemi shares how her characters’ meet in her latest Murder Mystery, Acts of Malice. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: Jan 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Nike:
Set in northeastern coastal Florida with a quick jaunt to Caracas, ACTS OF MALICE is a classic murder mystery. While main characters Lavender Raines and Mac “Mackey” Mackenzie are consumed by catching the killer(s) or staying out of the killer(s) crosshairs, the novel has love-story themes.
The newly widowed Lavender Raines is totally in love with her murdered husband and is in deep mourning. George Raines was supposed to have been in New Orleans, but his tortured body was recovered by the FBI in Caracas. The FBI falsified his death certificate to make it appear that he died in the United States and they have stopped answering Lavender’s questions. Out of fear for her own life, her daughter’s and her mother’s lives, Lavender has stopped seeking those answers. She is wary of Mackey, almost fears him, but he may be the one who can find out what happened to George. A random situation or even a physical object can trigger a memory that has Lavender longing for her husband…sometimes she thinks if she could have him again even for one single moment. Her love is that poignant.
Mackey seems to be only a beachfront restaurant owner. He’s that, but is also a decorated, former special operations Marine Raider who sometimes takes assignments. Authorized Operations, a quasi-government, clandestine organization on occasion sends him out on missions. Only a handful of senators and congressmen know of its existence, and they would deny it. Mackey has just been assigned to find George Raines’ killers. Mackey has loyalty and a love for his country that is palpable. He’s becoming attracted to Lavender in a way that has never happened before with another woman, and he’s not at all pleased with himself. All the while, he honors the memory of her husband, as one who has fallen.
This inspirational/faith based novel is the first in a series. We will see more of Lavender and Mackey.
About Nike: Nike N. Chillemi writes classic murder mysteries/detective novels. It’s been said she writes
literature that reads like pulp fiction. Plenty of action, a dash of grit, wry humor as her characters navigate through situations and relationships, and there’s as an uplifting message. There’s usually a national security/public safety underlying theme to her work. She likes her bad guys really bad, her good guys smarter and better. Her newest endeavor is ACTS OF MALICE
Nike is the founding board member of the Grace Filled Fiction Spotlight (formerly the Grace Awards) and its Chair, a platform to promote excellence in Christian fiction. She has been a judge in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories; the Genesis Awards in 2018; First Impressions 2019, and an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category. Her four novel Sanctuary Point series (out of print), set in the mid-1940s has finaled, won an award, and garnered critical acclaim. The first novel in the Veronica “Ronnie” Ingels/Dawson Hughes series HARMRUL INTENT won in the Grace Awards 2014 Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Historical Suspense category. She has written book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. She lives in NE coastal Florida, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Learn more and connect:
Nike’s Website Nike’s Facebook Nike’s Twitter
About the book – Acts of Malice:
Lavender Raines gets the ‘doorbell ring’ no wife ever wants to get. Her husband has been brutally murdered, and the FBI is more secretive than helpful. The problem is, his body was found in Caracas when she thought his business trip had taken him to New Orleans.
Mackenzie just opened a second beach resort-town restaurant, this one in Ribault Beach, Florida…but now the clandestine national security organization that from-time-to-time sends him on covert missions wants him to find Lavender’s husband’s killers.
Forces from within the “Deep State” have shaped circumstances that will alter the course of both their lives. Then a local man is murdered. Lavender and Mackey are polar opposites. He is emotionally shut down about his life, but protective of others. She is a pillar of strength in her family, but distrusting of Mackey and guarded around him. Can they find common ground amidst this treachery and turmoil?
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!
Interested in Nike’s other books. Check them out! Nike’s Amazon Author Page
Question for Readers: Have you set any goals for yourself in 2020? Tell us about it and maybe we can keep each other accountable.
Come back January 10th for Louise Gouge!
Thank you so much for having me. It was a lot of fun explaining the the complexities of the love stories in Acts of Malice. These are characters who feel deeply and who have great loyalty. I hope everyone enjoys the article.
Glad to have you back, Nike. It sounds like a page turner. As for the question, my goal for the year is to be more productive and start living healthier. I’ma terrible procrastinator and I hate not exercising.
try to eat healthier and be more active. Study God’s Word more and pray more.
read more books
I have a winner! Jennifer Hibdon won the drawing. I appreciate Nike for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.