Shae Evans is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Hunted for the Holidays, the first novel in the Jameson Investigations series.

Welcome, Shae. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

When Hunted for the Holidays, the first book in Deena Alexander’s Jameson Investigations series, begins, I have already been in witness protection for six years after my testimony was the key to putting a vengeful crime boss away for life. I spend my days keeping a low profile while caring for my five-year-old daughter, Gracie. Unfortunately, my past catches up to me when I spot two gunmen at Gracie’s Christmas pageant and know I’ve been found. When I call the emergency number I was given, which should be manned twenty-four hours a day, no one answers, and I know I’ll have to flee and keep my daughter safe on my own. Then, as we’re about to go on the run, Mason Payne—the love of my life and Gracie’s father—shows up. Which makes for a few awkward moments considering he didn’t know about his daughter since he disappeared before I even knew I was pregnant. Now, I have no choice but to trust the man who abandoned me if I’m going to save my child’s life. Thankfully, his team at Jameson Investigations, the private security firm he now works for, pitches in to help. Now, if we can just keep one step ahead of a killer who’s trying to silence me forever, we may come out of this alive.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

Deena gets some control, especially with Mason’s scenes, but I mostly guide my portion of the story. And I often nudge Deena awake in the middle of the night to share my ideas, since it’s the only time her mind is even halfway quiet.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I started out as nothing more than a vague idea of a mother trying to protect her child, then I evolved from there. I became more and more real as the chapters unfolded. I like to think I’m a strong character who would do anything to protect the people I love. And I do love fiercely. I feel like that and my strong sense of faith are two of my most important qualities, which only continue to grow as the story progresses.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

I absolutely love sharing this story with Gracie. She is truly my world. She’s smart, strong, and loving, and she holds onto those qualities no matter what happens. Even getting hunted through a swamp in the middle of the night doesn’t dim her inner spark.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

Unfortunately, I find myself in a dark and scary place through this story. I am being hunted by a vengeful crime boss who will stop at nothing to end my life, no matter the collateral damage. And I have only a group of strangers and the man who broke my heart to depend on. Though my faith remains strong, I do find myself doubting whether or not we’re going to make it through this.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

I would just like to say, if you decide to give Hunted for the Holidays and the rest of the Jameson Investigations series a chance, I hope you enjoy them!

Thank you so much for having me!

You’re welcome, Shae, and good luck to you and your author, Deena Alexander, with Hunted for the Holidays, the first book in the Jameson Investigations series.

Readers can learn more about Shae and her author, Deena Alexander by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub and Amazon Author pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon   B&N    Kobo    Harlequin   Google Play 

About Deena Alexander: Deena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, a son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. Deena’s love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night, and she now works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor.