BooksChatter: ℚ The Kill Box: Jamie Sinclair [3]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Nichole Christoff to talk about The Kill Box (20 October 2015, Alibi, 277 pages) a Mystery Thriller, book three of the Jamie Sinclair series.

“Intelligent and fast-paced, Nichole Christoff’s debut thriller takes off like a rocket and never slows down. I read The Kill List in a single sitting.”—New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose

“Thanks to Christoff’s labyrinth-style of intrigue and mystery, the enjoyment is in trying to solve the puzzle. Good luck, because in The Kill Shot, Christoff doesn’t make the adventure a cake walk. She understands how to keep her readers riveted from beginning to end.”—USA Today

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Tour Stops

A big welcome to Nichole Christoff, thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

What was the inspiration for The Kill Box?

"Sometimes, several sources of inspiration can come together to make-up a story, and that was certainly the case with THE KILL BOX.

I'm a military spouse and I am so troubled by so many reports of returning military personnel who are treating the wounds you can't see with illegal drug use and even committing suicide.

Secondly, we got to know my protagonist, Jamie Sinclair, fairly well during her first two adventures, but I wanted to share more about her would-be boyfriend, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett, and see what history has made him the man he is.

Last but not least, while I was writing about Jamie's trip to Barrett's hometown and the situation returning soldiers were facing there, I kept picturing the people and places of my childhood. In many ways, I was inspired by the past to think about the future."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"A little piece of me ends up in everything I write, I think. Like Jamie Sinclair, I've got a deep connection to the military. After all, I was a military spouse for twenty-some years. It was through my husband's military service that I first met security specialists like Jamie. Also, I was a broadcaster by trade, working in radio and TV news. Day in and day out, I encountered the story behind the story, and that's what mystery novels are about as well. Because of this, or maybe in spite of it, the topics, troubles, and situations my characters encounter are things that matter to me. Sometimes, a case will hit Jamie square in the heart, and that's often how I feel, too."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for The Kill Box - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"My cover artist is Jerry Todd and I always love to see what he comes up with. He often features my protagonist, Jamie Sinclair, in his designs, and he always somehow gives a sense that she's a woman alone against tough odds. He often highlights Jamie with light from the rising dawn or another light source. On the cover for THE KILL BOX, he backlights her with the headlamps of a car, and that imagine and use of light just says so much. He's so talented. You can find his covers on many authors' books, including Janet Evanovich's."

Why should we read The Kill Box and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I like to think it's the heroine, Jamie Sinclair, that makes this series unique. She's a private-eye-turned-security-specialist and you don't see a lot of those out there. Sure, there are a lot of hard-edged private eyes in novels, and Jamie can be as tough as nails, but she's also got his gentle compassionate side which makes her take on cases she maybe shouldn't. As well, her connection to the military makes her unique. She understands the armed forces like a military spouse or members of a military family would, and she shares that point of view with the readers."

Can you tell us something quirky about The Kill Box, its story and characters?

"In THE KILL BOX, Jamie races to the hometown of her would-be sweetheart, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett. She learns more than she dreamed about his roots ad how he was raised. She stays with his grandmother on the family orchard, and while there, Jamie finds this ancient apple tree which plays a small role in the story. That tree is very much like one from my childhood. Five generations of my family have held celebrations under it."

Who would you recommend The Kill Box to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Both men and women who read thrillers, suspense novels, romantic suspense, and military themes will find something to love in the Jamie Sinclair books. There can be rough-and-tumble scenes from time to time, and sometimes, a character may use a bad word or two, but that really shows us who he is and what he's about. There's compassion in these novels, too, because that's the kind of character Jamie Sinclair is, and I try to make sure that always shines through."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to write about the underdog with a big heart. For me, that's often found in mystery novels. Whether it's an amateur sleuth or a private eye, those heroes and heroines just speak to me. All my life, I've read a lot of mysteries, but I like to read science fiction, fantasy, and YA for the same reason. I've got to cheer for those underdogs. I need to see them succeed."

What is your writing process?

"Writing, I think, starts with daydreaming. At least, it does for me. I catch myself wondering about a topic, a conflict, or a situation, and the next thing I know, I'm daydreaming what could happen to people facing those problems. When those daydreams are sharp and clear, I've got to get them down on paper. Then the hard part begins! Daily writing is honing those daydreams, adding to them, making sure they follow the ebb and flow of a good story. That's what I try to do every day."

What is in store next?

"I'm so glad you asked! Right now, I'm working on the next Jamie Sinclair novel. We find out how she became a private investigator in the first place, and we meet the mentor who taught her all she knows. Unfortunately, their reunion is rocked by some serious consequences.

I'm also working on a brand new series I've been wanting to write for a long time, but I can't say too much more about it yet. I hope to be able to share another update soon, however!"