Review Rambles

Why do you want to have a review? I've thought about this long and hard. A review tells other people what to expect from your book. And like most authors if I receive a bad review, it never appears on my web site. Not that I admit I've ever had a bad review.

First you have to contact the review coordinator to ask them to review your work. Siren-BookStrand had a list of review sites that they send all their new releases too. Then there are a bunch of other sites that the author can submit too if they want.

I have received three reviews for Chick Magnet, one for Watching Jenny and one for Romance and Misconceptions. This means that most of the review sites have determined not to review my work.

Why? I usually get a good review, so I know it's not because it sucks or anything. I started to pay attention to the lists of new reviews that come across my email. And I noticed a pattern. And don't get mad at me or anything, this is just what I noticed.

I'm not going to mention the name of the sites, and there were several but the pattern is the books reviewed were mostly erotica. Not that there is anything wrong with erotica, I have very good friends who write it and do very well. Or they were of authors with large New York publishers--Such as Nora Roberts, etc.

However, I do not write erotica and as yet I'm not with a New York Publisher. I had someone give me a less than perfect rating on Romance and Misconceptions 3.5 stars isn't bad but I've never had lower than a 4 before. I commented to the reviewer that I was sorry she didn't enjoy my story. She replied that she did enjoy it, it just didn't have the spark that caused the toe tingling.

I'm sure every review has their own criteria to base their rating. So it's all subjective and you can have good reviews and bad reviews. And some of those reviews could be on the wrong side based on spice.

I've been stressing about the fact I do not have a lot of reviews. But from now on I'm not going to waste my energy over it. What can I do anyway?

But what upsets me, is--Am I not getting reviews that I request because I'm not writing toe tinglers? Are the rest of you running into this or is it just me?

Interview with Derek Wallin of the U.S. Coast Guard

Today I’m interviewing Derek Wallin of the U.S. Coast Guard. The knowledge I have on the Coast Guard could fit into a thimble. As you’ll see most of my questions will be leading so you can elaborate and correct any misconceptions I have.  Before we start on the actual interview questions, would you please tell us your position and title in the Coast Guard? And give us a little background.

Derek: I am a Boatswain Mate 1st Class and currently serve as a Boarding Officer on a Law Enforcement Detachment.  As a Boatswain Mate I am a subject matter expert in Deck Seamanship, Small Boat Navigation, and many other nautical endeavors.  As a Boarding Officer I work with my 8 member team to conduct Counter Narco-Terrorism boardings in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, as well as Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf and Horn of Africa.  During our Counter Narco-Terrorism patrols we hunt and chase suspected narcotics smuggling vessels and stop, board, and search them.

Mary: What made you decide to serve for the Coast Guard?

Derek:  I was 20 years old and in my 2nd year of college.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in school, no idea what I wanted to study.  During High School I had worked down in the Florida Keys as a Divemaster and had seen and met a few of the Coasties and they made a good impression on me.  I saw a commercial for the Coast Guard late one night and the next day stopped by the recruiting office to talk to them.

Mary: Coast Guard, I assume, means you patrol and keep the coast of the United States safe. However, that sounds so simple, please expound on exactly what is their responsibility to the USA?

Derek:  The Coast Guard in general  is a life saving service, it was originally the Revenue Cutter Service, one of the first fleets to protect America’s coast, and was a huge component in the regulation of Prohibition.  It then joined with the Life-saving Service and the Lighthouse Service.  So the Coast Guard’s main focus throughout the years has been Search and Rescue off our coasts, lakes, and rivers.  In modern times the Coast Guard’s responsibility has grown tremendously to include maritime safety and security, marine safety, search and rescue, aids to navigation, marine environmental protection, ice operations, port waterways and coastal security, drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, and defense readiness.

Mary: How far—as in miles—do you patrol from the coast?

Derek:   On our counter narcotic patrols we may sometimes patrol close enough to see the shoreline of certain Central and South American countries.

Mary: Describe a typical day of duty for Derek Wallin.

Derek:  There are two different days I could have, the first is in port at the office.  When we are not deployed I report to the office in North Miami at around 630am, check emails and converse with my teammates.  At 715 all 9 teams, and support staff muster (gather and account for everyone) and pass any pertinent information.  Then we have until 930 to workout, I usually go for a run from 2 to 5 miles, then hit the gym to lift weights and bs with the guys.  After that we go back to our office and shower and change into uniform.  Form there we take of our day to day business, emails, ordering gear, training, preparing for a deployment or taking care of business from a past one.  Lunch is at 1100, and then back to work and much more bsing with the guys until around 1300 when we leave for home.  Some days of training we end up at the range shooting or other activities until late in the day 5-9, it all depends.

Another day would be while we are underway on a US Navy  or Allied vessel, while many of the things we do is For Official Use Only, I can describe a normal underway day, just not a typical boarding of drug interdiction without permission from our legal department.

Mary: When I hear of modern day Pirates I think of the high seas. Do you ever run across pirates? And if so what is the procedure. Like in the 1800’s do they hide away in coves, during storms and rough seas? What is fact and myth when it comes to pirates?

Derek:  In Coast Guard operations in the Horn of Africa teams from my unit have been involved in many many cases of pirates.  Chasing, boarding, and detaining until they can be transferred to higher authority.  Pirates are not normally run across other than there.  The Somali pirates normally work with a mothership and smaller chase boats and crews of around 10-40.  They use fishing boats and skiffs to get around, not old pirate ships.  They will lie in wait pretending to be fishermen, then when they see an opportunity to go after a ship they launch their skiffs and chase it down, threatening to blow it up with RPGs and explosives if they are not allowed to board.  Our teams patrol the area 24/7 waiting to spot suspect vessels or respond to distress calls over the radio.  We can chase them with helicopters and ships.  In some instances we have used gunfire from the helicopters to make the pirates stop.  Then we board them, sieze any contraband such as weapons, and detain them as pirates.

Mary: Do officers or anyone in the coast guard ever work cases with mainland police departments? With Federal Agents? If so what would be the circumstances or procedure?

Derek:  Many units in the Coast Guard consistently work with other departments and services.  Police departments are regularly worked with in state law enforcement cases, normally being BUI or Boating under the Influence.  Also working with State Fish and Game, we work fisheries cases or sometimes state enforcement options are harsher than federal options.  We also work with Customs Border patrol, ICE, DEA, the US Navy, and other countries coast guards and navies.

Mary:  I’m running out of questions, or I should clarify I’m running out of knowing what to ask. So I’m asking you to elaborate on anything you think would be useful to a writer who has a character in the Coast Guard.

Derek:  It’s hard to know what to write about exactly, the Coast Guard has so many responsibilities  and there are so many duties that could be talked about.  For a service of less than 45,000 people, nearly the same as the whole New York Police Department, to cover the US from coast to coast you can imagine the many different hats one could wear in a day.  As a member of the smallest and least known Armed Force I take pride in what we do everyday to keep Americans and America safe and out of harm’s way.

Thank you, Derek Wallin for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions today.

I hope this helps Mary!!!
Take care! GO UTES!!
Derek

Chick Magnet is now Available in print

Although I love my Nook (B&N eBook reader) there are those out there who love to read the traditional book. Feel the weight of it in their hands and flip the pages. Not to mention reading in the tub by candle light. Probably not advised with an eBook reader.

So I'm always excited when I can say one of my books have made it to print. Chick Magnet is now available in print.

Blurb:

Madison McCullough is recuperating from a broken heart. Her fiancé hadn't really loved her, he had used her as a babysitter for his young son while he wined and dined other women.

Brady O'Neill is a Formula One racecar driver recuperating from injuries from a near death accident and a broken heart. Brady’s matchmaking sister believes her son to be a chick magnet and encourages Brady to take her son to the grocery store.

When Madison and Brady meet, oranges roll. Thanks to Payton, Brady’s nephew. The first eye contact over the fruit table causes the air to sizzle. No matter how much Madison resists the attraction, the two are destined for each other. 

You can check out my web site to see an excerpt, reviews and trailer.

It's available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. 

Thanks for letting me share!

Interview with a Marine Biologist! Good Stuff...

I have a character in the profession of Marine Biologist. Jordan has agreed to let me interview her on her profession. When I think of what a Marine Biologist does, I think working at SeaWorld with Shamu. You can understand I need a lot of information to make my character real.

Mary: Jordan, could you give me a little bit of your background. Your title, what credentials you needed to become a marine biologist. A little about your personal background also, like did you grow up in Florida?

Jordan:  I am a born and raised Floridian spending the first few years of my life in the Keys, then moving to a beachside town of Melbourne on the east coast of Florida. Ever since I can remember I’ve been on boats, snorkeling, swimming, SCUBA certified as soon as I was old enough, fishing off my dock, building forts in the mangroves, surfing, spending countless hours at the beach.

I have a degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach FL in marine biology. I took courses in ichthyology, microbiology, oceanography, invertebrate biology, marine biology, etc.  Since graduating college I’ve had a variety of experiences mostly in education and with south Florida environments, as well as what you might think the “typical” marine biologist is : a dolphin trainer. I
After college I started out at Seacamp (www.NHMI.org) teaching summer camp and school groups during the year marine biology. Everything from: shark biology, sponge biology, coral reef, sea grass and mangroves, all typical Florida Keys habitat and ecosystems.

I then went to Naples to work for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to take care of their aquariums in their education center, as well as snakes and other south Florida animals.
From there it was to the Miami Seaquarium to see if I really wanted to pursue the dolphin thing. I loved it, it was a lot of hard work, cleaning buckets, cleaning kitchens, weighing out fish, scrubbing the pools that all the animals live in. But it was so rewarding, especially SCUBA diving with the dolphins and whale It gave me a taste of what it takes to be a trainer.

I have recently come back into the education field, back in Key Largo at a place called MarineLab (Marine Resource Development Foundation) where I take kids on boats/snorkeling to see the coral mangroves and seagrass. As much as love to teach about what I love, I am actually taking a job as an associate trainer at Dolphins Plus to pursue my training career within the next month.

Mary: When did you know you wanted to be a Marine Biologist?

Jordan: I have wanted to be a marine biologist since I was in the 5th grade. My teacher had a background in marine science and on top of my love for the ocean it all made a great combination for what I wanted “to be when I grew up”.  I have never changed my mind and didn’t change my major in college and have pursued different avenues figuring out what part of a marine biologist I wanted to be. I thought at a young age that marine biologist trained dolphins and whales. What little kid doesn’t want to do that? But I quickly found out that there is so much more to marine biology, but training& working with dolphins is still something I am pursuing.

Mary: Where in the world would your profession take you? Could you do research, with a grant or group? If so how would that work?

Jordan:  Marine biology could take me to….Masters or PhD in a specific subject anything from dolphins to plankton. You could train dolphins, be involved in educational programs, write grants, do research for NOAA or other government areas including fisheries and different harvesting of organisms from the ocean. Water quality, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, human impacts in different parts of the world. Turtle research, shark tagging, oceanography. Anything to do with the oceans and what impacts them could be considered marine biology.

Mary: What type of places would you be able to find a job doing what you do? And are they only in the coastal states/countries?

Jordan:    Definitely could find a marine biologist nearby in any coastal state here in the U.S. I think we understand how important our oceans are not only to lifestyle but the rest of our environment as well. Not only the coastal places of states, but many landlocked and middle of the state areas have people pursuing schooling/careers in marine biology. Different firms and organizations will hire marine biologists to travel and research and experiment with water quality, etc.

Other countries on the other hand I feel  the ones located near the ocean would have biologists/researchers and even some land locked countries with large aquariums would have marine biologists to upkeep the exhibits.

Mary: If I were to visit a marine wildlife sanctuary, what would I find a biologist doing?

Jordan:   Water quality, researching human impacts on the area, researching native species or invasive species, education. John Pennekamp State Park in the Keys is a coral reef state park. Their website I believe might give some further info. Monterey Bay is another great example of a marine sanctuary  area.      http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/    (great website!)

Mary: I hope I’m not showing my ignorance, too much, of your profession. I know that marine biologists are lot more than a whale or dolphin trainer. I imagine the number of areas for research are more numerous that you can cover in one short interview. If you could tell a little bit about a few, like what areas are you interested in? Marine Organisms? The Marine Creatures? Or…?

Jordan:   I am mostly interested in education, mostly of Florida habitats (Mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs) because this is what I have had the most experience with and the most time spent around.

Marine Invertebrates (like coral, sponges, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins) they may not have a backbone but all are really interesting too me. They have some cool adaptations and corals are really important down here in the Keys, it makes up our marine sanctuary, people’s livelihood comes from it, tourism too. I also have a huge interest in dolphin training. 

A general day includes fish prep: Weighing out different types of fish and making buckets for each animal for each show/interaction. Cleaning: the kitchen, the fridges the fish are kept in, buckets, every surface and area fish may have come into contact, this is so no bacteria forms that may make the animals sick. General facility upkeep & maintenance: picking up trash, laundry, costumes, scripts, office areas, docks & show areas. This is all before shows & guests arrive.

Shows: set-up props and buckets. Behaviors, and backup animals and behaviors. Cleanup and cleaning buckets. Think typical sea world show here.

Interactions:  Briefing the guests on their interactions, rules to follow, taking care of the guests wetsuits, life jackets, cameras, etc. Stationing the dolphins, guests into the water, behaviors. Timing to make sure all dolphins are done at the same time, all fish are fed for that session. Extensive notes on vitamins/medications given to dolphins, general notes on dolphins behavior and guest interactions are written multiple times a day for each dolphin.

Play sessions: ice, hoses, toys, you name it. Its play time for the dolphins, if the dolphins want to play they can, if they don’t want to participate that’s ok. Their reinforcement is whatever they are playing with 

Training sessions: teaching the dolphins new behaviors, adding another element to old ones,  revisiting old behaviors to make sure the dolphins remember how to. Sometimes this requires us to get into the water and ask for different behaviors in a water session or teaching them new behaviors for guests.

Medical sessions: checking the overall health of the dolphins, pregnancies, eye drops, blood draws, urine samples, blowhole swabs, etc.

Mary: Is there anything that you feel would be helpful to an author whose character is a marine biologist? Advice to make the book correct? Something that most people do not know, and would be unique to have in a book?

Jordan: Sounds like you are on the right track with your book what a great subject to write about in my opinion of course. Thank you for the chance to educate  and share my passion about the ocean with you. Good luck writing and I can’t wait to read the finished product.

Review on Watching Jenny

I love giving book reviews. However, it's even better when I receive a great one on one of my books. I received a surprise in my in box a few minutes ago stating that a review on Single Title reviews (part of the Catanetwork) had posted a review on Watching Jenny.

As always a feeling of dread ripped over me. What would I do if it was a 0 or 1 stars or something? Out in the universe for all to see. In this business you have to take the good with the bad. And you have to grow a thick skin.

I took a deep breath and opened the link. I was very glad I did. Emily gave me a fabulous review. I hope all of you enjoy it also. Check out Single Titles part of Catanetwork.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

Interview with Officer Christopher Lane

Welcome Christopher Lane: Drug Enforcement Administration – Make your officers believable in your story. Former DEA – Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force Officer

Mary: Thank you for joining us today, Chris. Can you tell us about yourself?

Chris: Well, from a professional standpoint I have worked for the Utah Department of Corrections fro 19 years. In that time I have been a Correctional Officer (3 years), a Probation and Parole Officer (7 years), and an Investigator III and IV (9 years). Also, while working as an Investigator I was fortunate to spend two years working as a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the DEA/Metro Narcotics Task Force in their Salt Lake City District Office (TFO is a temporary assignment that allows a state or local officer to gain federal experience while contributing to a multi-jurisdictional task force).

I have graduated from the Utah Corrections Academy (Session #26 in 1990) and the Utah Police Academy (Session #194 in 1995). Graduating from these sessions fulfills the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) training requirements for me to act as a certified corrections officer and a certified law enforcement officer in the State of Utah. Once you are certified as a law enforcement officer you are also required to complete 40 hours of in-service training annually in order to maintain your certification.

Also, while working I have completed an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Mary: What type of training did you go through to become a DEA officer?

Chris: The above-mentioned P.O.S.T. certification as a state law enforcement officer is required along with being sworn in as special deputy federal agent in order to give you the jurisdiction to enforce federal drug laws. Also, once you become a TFO the DEA puts you through a two week Basic Drug Investigator Course. Additionally, I attended a one week Clandestine Drug Laboratory course at the DEA Academy in Quantico, VA. Completion of this course certifies you to investigate and process Methamphetamine Labs.

Mary: I understand you attended Quantico, can you tell us how long you were there and what a typical training day consists of?

Chris: Yes, as I noted above I did attend the Clan Lab course for a period of one week in Quantico. This training centered on learning to identify the difference processes and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamines and followed up with practical exercises that involved utilizing Tyvek suits and a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). This also included a somewhat exciting practical in a “smoke house” while wearing a SCBA and Tyvek suit. Living arrangements consisted of dorm rooms at the academy and eating in the cafeteria. Although the DEA has a student lounge/bar at the Academy called the “Golden Eagle.” But the beer was kind of pricey.

Mary: What is a typical day in the life of TFO Christopher Lane?

Chris: Typically you begin the day by going into the office and meeting with the other members of the group you are assigned to. Special Agents and TFO’s are often times organized into groups that reflect what there focus is (e.g., clan labs, financial crimes, pipeline investigations, etc.). You then move on to whatever assignment you might be working at the moment.

Mary: All of us watch CSI and I’ve heard from a reliable source that is all television. Can you tell us what really happens at a crime scene?

Chris: Well, what does not happen is the crime scene tech running the scene, or conducting an investigation, or carrying a firearm, or arresting suspects, as represented on CSI. Typically, whichever officer is the assigned Case Agent will run the scene which entails making sure everything is handled appropriately. For example: ensures the scene is safe and secure; ensures anyone needing medical attention receives it; the scene is photographed and diagramed (if necessary); all evidence that is collected is photographed prior to collection; assigns one officer as the finder who documents, collects, and bags all evidence collected; any drugs collected are field tested; a record is kept of everyone who enters the crime scene; any evidence needing to go to the crime lab is properly packaged and sent; the appropriate property reports are completed; and, all evidence collected is turned into the evidence custodian in a timely manner. What’s important here, and the reason for all of the documentation, is to maintain a clear chain of custody for all evidence collected. The CSI staff would assist the Case Agent with the above-mentioned activities.

Mary: Can you tell us what the procedure is when interviewing a suspect? Is it always done at the station?

Chris: No, not all interviews are conducted in the office. Depending on the situation it could be conducted somewhere in the field if necessary. The office is usually preferable for the simple reason that we control the environment, which can provide an advantage. Also, it is easier to make a record of the interview if it is conducted in the office. One of your first consideration is conducting an interview of a criminal suspect is whether or not you need to issue a Miranda warning. Contrary to popular belief this is rarely, if ever, issued at the moment of the arrest, and if it is given improperly can hinder your investigation. What’s important to remember is the standard for issuing a Miranda warning (i.e., advising someone of their constitutional rights) is if you are going to interrogate them (i.e., ask them incriminating questions) AND they are in custody (i.e., not free to leave). If BOTH of these conditions are not present it is not necessary to issue a Miranda warning. The reason this is important is this: if you prematurely advise someone of their rights (say at the time of arrest) and they ask for an attorney, you cannot EVER speak to them about this case again without their attorney present. Enough about constitutional law.

Another consideration in an interview is whether or not you record the interview. Some do, some don’t. I prefer to make an audio and video recording of MOST interviews, if feasible, for the obvious reason of having a record of the statements made by me and the suspect.

A final consideration could be the setting of the room, both for strategy and security. For instance I have, in the past, put VHS tapes or file folders full of paper next to me during an interview to give the suspect the impression that I know more about the case than I do. Also, I typically sit with my back to the door of the interview room in case I need to get out, or keep the suspect in.

Mary: Do you do all night stake outs? Or is that just a television thing? If you do, what is it really like?

Chris: Yes, during some in lengthy and complex drug investigations I often worked regular nights conducting surveillance. The simple reason is that most drug dealers do their business at odd hours and you need to be in place to witness, and document, meetings and drug transactions whenever they occur. Also, I have done this for fugitive investigations as well if I am watching a residence where I suspect a fugitive will show up. Crooks keep odd hours and sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

Mary: What is the procedure to investigate a tip? If someone called to say their neighbor was running a Meth lab or something like that, or do you even receive tips like that?

Chris: We do occasionally receive tips like this and the typical response is to conduct a follow up interview and then establish surveillance in an effort to corroborate the information provided.

Mary: Once you determine there is something going on at a place, home or business involving drugs, what is the procedure for a drug bust? Step by step from beginning to finish.

Chris: Typically, you try to get someone into the operation, whether it is a confidential informant (CI) or an undercover officer (UC). By this I mean you arrange for the CI to introduce the UC to the individuals selling the drugs so that the UC can begin making purchases. This is usually done by arresting an individual involved in the operation and then turning them to work for you in exchange for not being prosecuted. Once the UC is introduced you make as buys as long as possible while conducting surveillance in several different manners. Once you have made enough buys you can try and move up the chain by arresting this person and then turning them. If not, you can write a search warrant, using your previous drug buys for your probable cause, for the target’s home or business, or both, and then go in and make your arrests and seize your evidence. Serving no-knock search warrants have made some of the most exciting moments of my career as drug dealers are often armed and like to run from the police.

Mary: I’m sure that there are many questions that I will think of after I send this to you, and many questions that others would love for you to answer. Can you think of an area of your work that may be of interest to a suspense author when writing his/her stories?

Chris: All of the above.

As professional authors we all strive for accuracy in our work and I’d like to thank you, Christopher Lane for taking time to answer my Questions!