A Very Special Guest!

Today I’d like to introduce Nick Seven, a former CIA agent who lives in Key Largo, Florida. Nick is the hero of a new romantic thriller by award-winning author Tim Smith, “Memories Die Last,” available through Extasy Books. Nick, you spent a dozen years in the CIA and were pretty much the go-to guy when it came to tracking down terrorists. Why did you suddenly decide to leave five years ago?

(Laughs). Nice try, but you’ll have to read the book to find out. Is that the best you’ve got? Whenever I interrogated someone they felt it for days afterward.

Your adventures are now limited to The Florida Keys, aren’t they? How did you end up there?

When I quit the CIA, I couldn’t decide where I wanted to settle. I could’ve gone to Italy, Germany, Bermuda, Rio, you name it, but I’d been to The Keys and something about the laid-back atmosphere hooked me and reeled me in. Besides, I’ve always loved fresh seafood and the sunsets are to die for.

What do you do in Key Largo?

I own a bar and restaurant on the Gulf of Mexico side of the island. I needed something to do, and this seemed like the logical move.

Inquiring minds have to ask about Felicia, the beauty from Barbados you’re partnered with in this adventure. You two are reunited when the CIA drafts you back into action, but we can tell there’s a mutual attraction. Anything you can add?

Felicia was a member of my team when I worked in England six years ago. There were sparks from the start but I didn’t do anything about it at the time. When the suits in The Agency conned me into coming back for one last case, there she was.

To put it bluntly, Felicia is sex on two feet – bronzed skin, long woven hair, sensual eyes, the cutest West Indies accent and a body a supermodel would kill for. She also has a right cross that’ll bring a wrestler to his knees. We just picked up where we should’ve started a few years earlier. Good things come to those who wait, right?

One reviewer said “Nick Seven is the kind of guy your mother wouldn’t let you play with.” Is that an accurate assessment?

That probably explains why I had such a lonely childhood. I suppose some of my rougher edges turn off a few people, but when they take the time to know me I’m really a pussycat. I just don’t show it very well or very often.

What do you like to do when you aren’t solving cases and outwitting devious criminal minds?

First of all, I don’t go looking for trouble but it seems to find me. It’s the damnedest thing, too because all I want to do is live in my personal corner of paradise. I like gambling, boating and fine Scotch. To me a great evening is one spent on the outdoor deck of my club, listening to some good jazz and watching the sunset over The Gulf. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Do you ever miss the globetrotting you had to do when you were a spy?

Not really. There are places I wouldn’t mind visiting again for pleasure, but I’m not in any rush.

Sounds like you’ve really adopted The Keys lifestyle.

I’m pretty laid back. One of the things I like about living here is that no one really cares who you are or what you did before you got here. I think that’s why there are so many former Federal agents in The Keys. It’s very anonymous.

Does that mean there are skeletons rattling around in your closet?

Look, Pally, we all have things we’d like to keep buried. What if I turned that question around and asked if you had something you’d rather the world not find out?

Okay, point taken. Let’s get back to Felicia.

My favorite subject. When we first began working together, I wasn’t overly enthused about her joining my team. Even though she was a former Marine and about as hard as they come, she had no field experience. She proved me wrong very quickly, though and removed any doubts I may have had. (Looks at his watch.) Are we about done? I have a sunset to catch and a bottle of Grouse with my name on it.

Just one more question. What does the future hold for you and Felicia?

Probably more adventures, whether we want them or not. I’m just trying to live life on my own terms, but this Tim Smith guy won’t let me do that. What did I ever do to him? As for Felicia, I get the impression that if I don’t stay out of trouble, she’ll pack her bags and haul ass back to Barbados.

* * * *

“Memories Die Last” blurb:

What happens when your life is turned inside out by something from your past that won’t leave you alone? Former CIA operative Nick Seven finds out when his peaceful life in The Florida Keys is disrupted by the surprise appearance of an old nemesis he thought was buried alongside the painful memory of a personal tragedy. He reluctantly gets back into the spy game to settle an old score and is pleasantly surprised to find himself paired with beautiful Felicia Hagens, a former co-worker from Barbados. Together they uncover a complex maze of intrigue, espionage and high-level government corruption. The assignment gets more complicated when they realize they have unrequited feelings for each other. Can Nick finally hit the elusive target and reclaim his personal corner of paradise? Will Felicia decide to stay with the rugged former spy she’s always had a secret thing for?

Tim Smith is an award-winning author whose books range from romantic adventure to contemporary erotic romance. He is also a freelance photographer. More info about his books and photography can be found at his website, www.timsmithauthor.com.

Fiction or Fact?

I ran across an interesting quote about writing – “We are all the heroes of our own stories.” It was credited to Anonymous. I don’t know who this Anonymous guy was, but he sure got around, judging from the vast number of quotes, stories and songs with his name on them.

How much of you or your life makes its way into what you write? I try to include some of my own beliefs and attitudes in my characters, especially the heroes and heroines in my adventure stories. When I’m developing a villain, I may think back to some dark moment where I did something I really shouldn’t have. More often, I’ll recall something rotten that someone did to me and use that for inspiration.

I like to use life experiences whenever I can, especially things that happen when I travel. A few years ago I was vacationing in The Florida Keys and a charter boat skipper told me the most outrageous story I’d ever heard. He swore it was true, but I chalked it up to the Gin he was swilling. It might have been urban legend, but I found a way to work it into one of my books.

I’ve discovered that including personal experiences can be like walking a tightrope over a pool of piranhas. I’m careful not to make things too accurate, lest someone take offense. I once got reamed by a friend who swore that one of my unsavory characters was based on a mutual acquaintance. I pointed out the disclaimer in the front of the book but she still insisted I was a sub-human species because I trashed one of her BFF’s in print. The fact that I was angry with the person I modeled the character on had nothing to do with any supposed similarities. Riiiight!

One of my romances, Anywhere the Heart Goes, turned out to be roughly seventy-percent autobiographical. It’s about a man and a woman, both divorced and not eager to get back into a committed relationship, who meet courtesy of two friends and decide they want to be together – sort of. A lifetime of navigating the treacherous waters known as dating and marriage provided me with a wealth of personal anecdotes and experiences to draw upon. To paraphrase the late Jack Webb, “The names were changed to protect the guilty.” Fortunately for me, none of my exes read that book – or if they did, I haven’t received any suspicious-looking packages. Yet.

So which do you prefer – fiction or fact?

Tim Smith is an award-winning author whose books range from romantic thriller to contemporary erotic romance. He is also a freelance photographer. His latest romantic thriller, "Memories Die Last," was recently released by Extasy Books. More information about his work can be found at his website, www.timsmithauthor.com.

The Other End of the World

I recently returned from my annual trip to The Florida Keys, where I spent a week engaging in R, R, P and S– rest, research, parasailing and snorkeling. For those contemplating a trip to The Keys, I offer up the following cultural differences between the self-named Conch Republic and everywhere else.

- Many restaurant menus boast “generous portions.” Translation: it is literally impossible to finish a meal, which is served on a small meat platter. Entrees are accompanied by grilled vegetables, fresh rolls and the starch du jour, which can be anything from sweet potato fries to Caribbean rice. After deciding which part of dinner you won’t be able to finish, the server has the nerve to ask, “Did you save room for Key Lime Pie?”

- Don’t be confused when you go to a restaurant and you’re asked if you want a “well drink.” This is not Florida mineral water, but a cocktail, and not the top shelf stuff, either. If you want Johnny Walker, you have to request it. I learned this the hard way when I simply ordered Scotch and the bottle they served it from had a large red “S” on the label.

- All businesses, regardless of size, sell shirts and hats with their name or logo on them, thanks to the folks at Hard Rock Café who pioneered the concept. Let’s see, which would the folks back home like better – a t-shirt from The Lazy Gecko, Snook’s, Dirty Dick’s, The Square Grouper Lounge or the one with K-Mart Key Largo against a palm tree?

- When you come back you can adopt a new philosophy: “You can’t scare me – I drove through Miami!” People in Ohio complain about Michigan drivers, but they don’t pass the road rage test like the residents of Dade County. You’ll quickly figure out that the posted speed limits are merely suggestions.

- Key Lime products abound, encompassing everything from marmalade to shampoo. Many shops will gladly ship a fresh Key Lime Pie anywhere in the country for $49.95 (not including the cost of the pie).

- No trip to The Keys would be complete without a visit to Key West, where Jimmy Buffett has set himself up as a cottage industry. Next to his Margaritaville Saloon is his Margaritaville Souvenir Store on Duval Street, soon to be renamed Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Boulevard. Inside the shop you’ll be regaled with parrot heads on everything from key chains to thong bikinis. You can also view Jimmy Buffett’s literary output, including several mysteries, his autobiography and a series of children’s books. What a talent! I understand he sings a little, too.

- The current political controversy there involves a proposed resolution that would make it illegal for homeowners to rent their houses or condos to tourists. I’m not sure who’s behind this, but I suspect a strong lobby made up of innkeepers, desk clerks, and travel agents.

If you go, take plenty of sunscreen, enjoy the sunsets, and meet me on the beach so we can split some Conch Fritters and Rum Runners.

Tim Smith is the author of numerous books, ranging from romantic adventure to contemporary erotic romance. More info about his work can be found at his website, http://www.timsmithauthor.com/.

What's In Your Playpen? by Tim Smith

Every writer has a favorite place to meet their Muse. For some, it’s ‘neath the shade of a tree in the local park. Others may choose a cabin in the mountains. I know one writer who takes her laptop to the café at Barnes and Noble and pounds out stories while sipping Latte’s and munching biscotti.

My playpen is a spare bedroom in my house that evokes Fred Sanford’s junkyard. I like to think of it as organized chaos. The top of my desk is littered with papers that I’ve convinced myself are important, although at times I’m not sure why. I’m surrounded by posters from my favorite Bogart and Clint Eastwood movies. Alongside these I have a souvenir of one of my proudest achievements, a poster advertising a book signing tour I did in The Florida Keys a few years ago. There’s also a framed copy of a terrific interview I gave to a newspaper in The Keys.

Of course I have a bookcase filled with my favorite paperbacks by Mickey Spillane, Raymond Chandler and Ian Fleming. Another shelf is devoted to old books about movies. These fight for space with Roget’s Thesaurus, a dictionary, The People’s Almanac and a dog-eared copy of Catch-22.

There’s a couch that no one can sit on because it’s piled high with promotional materials, half-finished manuscripts I lost interest in, a few cameras and a stack of rare Sinatra LP’s. I believe there’s an e-reader in the pile, too, but I can’t say for sure. If I dug deep enough I’d probably find that overdue book the Library’s been hassling me about.

I have a credenza that’s filled with research material, including brochures, newspapers and photographs from places I’ve visited. Since I tend to gravitate toward romantic adventure stories, I have a book devoted to firearms so I can be accurate when describing what kind of gun the hero pulls on the bad guys. There are also a few how-to books, like Romance Writing for Dummies and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published. I didn’t say I had all the answers. Another research book that’s useful is The KISS Guide to the Kama Sutra. Not only good for writing sex scenes, it’s warmed up a few winter nights as well.

I think most writers have notebooks filled with random thoughts that hit them while waiting in the Dentist’s office and I’m no exception. I looked through a couple of them and found the following nuggets, some of which I’ve used.

He had all the charm of a statue but not as much personality.

She was as nervous as a hooker in a Confessional.
The office itself wasn’t much – slightly smaller than the Astrodome, with a desk you could land a light plane on.
The men were going for the drug dealer wannabe look – Armani suits over white muscle shirts and garish jewelry – that concealed their drab lives as nine-to-five office dwellers.

“You think he’s telling the truth?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“You’ll need to speak to my secretary, Singletary.”
Vic gave him a blank look. “Singletary the secretary?”
“That’s correct.”
“Must get confusing.”
So what’s in your playpen?

Tim Smith is an award-winning author whose books range from romantic intrigue to contemporary erotic romance. He is also a freelance photographer. More information about his books can be found at http://www.timsmithauthor.com/.

"Getting Started" by Tim Smith

I recently attended a book festival and experienced a first. A local English teacher had given her class an assignment to talk to the authors then write an essay about what they learned. I’ve had writer wannabe’s pump me for tips before, but these students asked questions that went beyond “When did you know you wanted to be a writer?” and “What’s your favorite color?” One of them asked something that had me momentarily fumbling for a good response – “How do you begin writing a story?”

My mind instantly flashed back to the first Creative Writing class I took in high school. The opening line in the textbook still haunts me - “Does the blank page hold terror for you?” Some days the answer is a resounding “Hell, yes!”

This question made me think about how I actually do it. I may read some item in the news or hear a story that sounds interesting, and if I’m sufficiently intrigued I’ll ask myself a question – “What would happen if…?” There’s an anecdote about the creation of the 60’s sitcom Get Smart. When writers Mel Brooks and Buck Henry made the pitch, they asked, “What if James Bond and Inspector Clouseau had a child together?” Thus was born bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart.

I once used the “What would happen if…?” tactic to concoct an entire story. Several years ago I had planned a vacation/business trip to Florida with my sig other, but shortly before we were to leave she became unavailable. This became the basis for Mistletoe and Palm Trees, where two strangers end up unexpectedly alone in The Florida Keys at Christmastime. I asked myself “What if this guy went on a planned vacation alone because he’d just broken up with his girlfriend, and he meets a woman who recently split from her fiancé?”

I like to use the “What if” thing when I’m putting together a mystery plot, usually to throw the reader a curve. If it looks as though the finger is pointing toward an obvious conclusion, I’ll think “What if this happened instead?” It keeps things interesting when you’re approaching the “Aha!” moment. I’m proud to say I’ve had readers tell me they were mad at me because things didn’t play out the way they expected. While writing my latest mystery romance, The Bundle, I knew there would be a physical altercation between the villain and the hero, but I decided to throw a curve ball. No, I won’t tell you what it is, but people have told me they were surprised by the twist.

I think a lot of this has to do with my dislike of clichés. Remember the old private eye shows like Mannix and Peter Gunn? In most episodes there was the required fight scene, where the guy gets the stuffing beat out of him by two or three thugs (sometimes four or five, but who’s counting?). Then he miraculously gets up and runs after them. Get real! If he’s on the receiving end of a savage beating, the last thing he’ll feel like doing is engaging in a foot race. He’s probably thinking about an ice pack, a shot of whiskey and some tender lovin’ from his busty blonde secretary. I busted this myth in one of my thrillers, where the hero gets jumped by three guys then throws up afterward. When the female lead frantically asks if he’s okay, he responds “Of course not. I just got the crap kicked out of me.” After another character offers the opinion “You don’t look so hot,” he says “I don’t feel so hot. It’s a matching set.”

Hey, here’s another “What if…” – what if no one reads this blog???

Tim Smith is an award-winning author of everything from contemporary erotic romance to romantic thrillers. He is also a freelance photographer and works with adults with disabilities. More information about his books and photographs can be found at his website, www.timsmithauthor.com.