(Almost) Everything Aligned for “Accidental Allies”

Today is pub day for my fifth novel, Accidental Allies! Each release is special for different reasons, as some have been long-awaited and fought for, while others have centered on special people in my life. In this case, it’s a mix of all of that.

I wrote the first draft of Accidental Allies in 2015-2016. As I’ve discussed in the past, turnovers in publishing companies impeded me from getting the Unde(a)feated Detective Series out at the pace I’d once intended. In fact, I didn’t even bother to copyright Accidental Allies until last year, since I didn’t know if its forerunner, Brother of Interest, would ever be accepted. During that long interval, I even began to question if I’d wasted my time by writing it back then.

Despite that delay, the process went so smoothly once I had the opportunity to submit it to the Wild Rose Press this past January. I expected to get critiques and have to resubmit like I have in the past, but to my surprise, my editor accepted it just three weeks later, thanking me for “gifting it to her”! Hence, this is the first time in my career when I haven’t needed to send out more than one query. Other than a misprint on the cover of my first 100 printed copies, this has been a drama-free release all around.

As for the storyline, Accidental Allies picks up four years after Brother of Interest left off. The protagonist, Minka Avery, has devoted herself to her daughter, Caela, having left the police force before the little girl was born. Coincidentally, a spot opens up for a detective at her former precinct right after Caela enters kindergarten. When her commanding officer, Gus Channing, invites her to apply for the position, she readily seizes it.

Minka’s return comes with more fireworks than she ever anticipated, however, with the county courthouse being bombed the night before she reports for duty. Thrust into the chaotic investigation and the limelight of attention that follows it, she must navigate the pressures of settling back into law enforcement, getting to know her new partner, and juggling the responsibilities of a working mom. Can she swing it all, on top of catching the alliance behind the explosion?

Throughout the course of the investigation, readers get a peek into Minka’s first case years earlier. The flashbacks provide a deeper understanding of what she’s overcome to be the accomplished detective she is today. In many ways, I view this as a new beginning to the series as a whole, so if you haven’t read the past installments, this is a good place to start!  (To catch up further, check out the first installment, Husband in Hiding, for $.99 on Kindle through Sunday, 11/26)  

The book touches on several subjects that are more relevant to today’s world than I intended seven years ago—so much so that I debated cutting some of it to preserve escapism! At the center of it all, though, friendship binds it together, like I’ve shared in my recent character spotlights. I hope this timeless theme resonates and stands out to readers, reminding them that care, acceptance, and belief in one another can defy the toughest odds.

Excerpt:

Because of the explosion, all of the amusement parks closed early, driving out the entire community of panicked tourists. News vans and first-responders added to the congestion, all sharing the same destination. Rush hour on its worst day didn’t compare to this chaotic ride.

Upon driving closer, Minka and Renee saw smoke ascending from the twenty-three-story building. Totally engulfed in flames, the Orange County Courthouse lacked its former majestic quality. Firefighters surrounded the south side where the thickest smoke bellowed into the sky. The darkness of it, combined with the late hour, filtered the whole scene, but the detectives managed to find Cael and his partner, Declan Schuster. Having arrived minutes ahead of Minka and Renee, Gus stood with the guys.

Minka swallowed the lump in her throat. “I can’t believe this is happening here.”

Also See

Character Spotlight: Minka Avery

Character Spotlight: Gus Channing

Character Spotlight: Renee Hart

Character Spotlight: Dawson Michaels