Nike Chillemi and Free Books!

Acts of Malice is a taut and compelling classic murder mystery with an underlying national security theme, complex interpersonal relationships, greed, dry humor, love and unrequited love, and it's uplifting.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Suzanne Woods Fisher's contemporary Amish romance, Two Steps Forward, is:

gonjessica76@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you via email, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Nike Chillemi, author of the inspirational mystery/crime novel, Acts of Malice (Crime Fictionista Press, November 2019).

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, and wry humor as her characters navigate through situations and relationships. There's usually a national security/public safety underlying theme to her work with an uplifting message. She likes her bad guys really bad, her good guys smarter and better.

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 mystery and thriller categories in the Carol Awards, Genesis Awards, First Impressions Awards, and also the Inspy Awards. She has a very active blog that delves into murder mystery writing, Christian fiction, and many of the challenges we all face in life.

She lives in NE coastal Florida and revels in being a Floridian. She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the John 3:16 Marketing Network.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I used to be an animal rescuer in Brooklyn (NYC) and had a small kennel in my basement. I rescued about 50 animals over several years. I still have five fifteen-year-old cats and a fifteen-year-old dog from that time. I presently feed a colony of eight stray cats who come to my door every morning and then go away after eating.

The murder mystery writer with a soft heart!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of 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?

What is it about Lavender that will make your readers care about her?

Lavender has calm and calming strength. She's protective of her family, especially her college-age daughter. Thrust into the nightmare of her husband George's brutal murder, she tries to navigate through the pain with dignity, but sometimes fails. This most often occurs when she's in the company of Mackenzie, former special ops war-fighter, now restaurant owner who still has his hand in the clandestine game.

In Lavender's voice, give us a statement of what she thinks about romance (or love).

"I learned what not to do in love from my mother. I guess I do the opposite, but with her intensity."

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I've been trying to get through my TBR list. I'd recommend Secrets and Lies by Janet Sketchley. I'd recommend it because the author does a fine job with characterization. From the same list, I'm presently reading Alias Raven Black by Barbara E. Brink, and I'd also recommend that…as an exciting detective story read.

What are you working on now?

I'm writing Last Days, the second in the Katerina "Kat" Andruko/Dimitri Garmonin series, also set in a Florida beach resort town. Mackenzie shows up in this one as a secondary character.

Where else can readers find you online?

Blog: Nike N. Chillemi
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter: @NikeNChillemi

The book can be purchased online via the following button:




You can read a sample of the book HERE

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Have you considered reading in the classic murder mystery genre? Not necessarily my novels, even though I'd very much like that, but any good mystery where the story is driven by the main characters' search for a killer(s).

Thanks, Nike, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Nike has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE