Alex writes full-time and lives in Omaha, Nebraska and Pensacola, Florida. She is a member of International Thrillers Writers. Become a V.I.R. Member (Very Important Reader) at Alex's website: http://www.alexkava.com to win prizes or follow her on Facebook at Facebook/AlexKava.books

Questions for Alex Kava

What is your favorite indulgence, treat, reward?

Reading thrillers. I know that might sound odd, but for a long time I didn’t allow myself to read fiction, especially other thrillers, while I was writing.

I read constantly for research: on-line articles, magazines, newspapers, instruction manuals, loads of non-fiction books and even food labels. (Yes, for HOTWIRE I became obsessed with reading food packages). But I didn’t always allow myself to read fiction, only because I was more interested in finding out what happened in the book I’m reading instead of the one I was writing. Now, I allow myself a chapter or two or three before bedtime each night.

Do you watch TV and if so, what do you watch?

People always seem surprised that I don’t watch CSI, Law & Order, or Criminal Minds. After spending the day with killers and the evidence to catch them, I’m usually looking for something to make me laugh. I watch THE OFFICE, MODERN FAMILY, PARKS & RECREATION, and THE MIDDLE. Those are my favorites.

I also watch HELL’S KITCHEN, MASTER CHEF, PROPERTY VIRGINS with Sandra Rinomato, re-runs of THE X-FILES and of course, I love watching college football. When I’m looking for something a bit more thought provoking I go to cable news. I confess I’m a bit of a news junkie.

Is there something you can share that readers might not already know about you?

Both my parents were children of Polish immigrants. I grew up surrounded by all sorts of Polish traditions like having borscht on Easter morning and dancing the polka at weddings.

My dad played violin in the Kava Orchestra. He was a farmer and a welder by trade, but what a musical talent he was. He could pick up almost any instrument, listen to a song once--maybe twice on rare occasion and play it beautifully without being able to read a single note. I don’t have anywhere near his musical talent but back in my younger days I did win a few singing contests and actually sang at several of my friends’ weddings.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In six grade. Mrs. Powers read to us after lunch every day. Wonderful stories like HARRIET THE SPY and CHARLIE THE LONESOME COUGAR. Listening to how Harriet wrote all sorts of things in her notebook was probably when I first realized I wanted to be a writer.

What inspires your muse?

Silence. A clear mind and a clear schedule with no appointments, errands or business that needs to be attended to. However, the best inspiration still appears to be that magical thing called “a deadline.”

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

Up until eighth grade I really wanted to be a veterinarian. Then someone told me I’d also have to put animals to sleep. Being a vet quickly dropped off my list.

Do you ever scare yourself?

Always. I like to tell my readers that I don’t need to know what their individual fears are, I just need to know how to trigger them . . . over and over again.

Who is FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell?

I never intended to write a series, so I feel like I’ve been getting to know Maggie O’Dell right along side my readers. I confess it’s been challenging and sometimes a bit annoying, but mostly it’s been a fun journey.

Maggie O’Dell is an expert FBI profiler. Recently I realized that Maggie’s biggest flaw is probably one of the things I admire most about her. She does what she believes is the right thing, despite the consequences and despite the risks including her own physical harm. Sometimes she bends – even breaks – the rules. I suppose you could say she’s stubbornly independent, but I prefer to call her brave.

I think what readers find endearing about Maggie is that even though she’s very capable of going up against killers she still has vulnerabilities and personal challenges. She hates flying and is claustrophobic. She’s divorced, has a suicidal alcoholic mother, and a half-brother she’s only now getting to know. She’s slow to trust, not good at relationships and has very few people she counts on.

One of the best things about writing the series is that every time I think I really know Maggie, I find yet another side of her to explore. She continues to surprise me and I hope that’s true for my readers as well.

More Titles from Alex Kava

Maggie O'Dell series:

2000 A Perfect Evil

2001 Split Second

2002 The Soul Catcher

2003 At The Stroke of Madness

2006 A Necessary Evil

2008 Exposed

2009 Black Friday

2010 Damaged

2011 Hotwire

2012 FireProof (July)

2013 Stranded (July)

Stand Alone novels:

2004 One False Move

2007 Whitewash

What They’re Saying About Alex Kava

"Kava seems to get better with every book."~The Omaha World Herald

"Maggie O'Dell could be Jack Reacher's long-lost twin" ~Lee Child, NYT Bestselling author of 61 HOURS

"The question of how such widely disparite outrages might be connected is ingenius." ~Kirkus Reviews

"A sizzling plot, achingly real characters, and government officials working their backsides off to save their backsides, all strike as lethally as lightning." ~Starred Publisher's Weekly on HOTWIRE

"Kava spins a plot with significant political ramifications, combining nonstop action and lethal danger...plausible enough to leave readers wondering about the line between truth and fiction." ~Booklist

CHAPTER EXCERPTS

Excerpts reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE by J.T. Ellison

WATCH ME DIE By Erica Spindler

HOTWIRE by Alex Kava

All books available where ever ebooks are sold.

WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE by J.T. Ellison

CHAPTER ONE

Dear Sam,

There is a moment in every life that defines, shapes, transcends your previous spirit, molding you as if from newborn clay. It’s come for me. I have changed, and that change is irreversible.

Sam, there’s no doubt anymore. I’m losing my mind. The shooting is haunting me. The horror of your loss, of who I’ve become, all of it is too much. I’m not sure how much longer I can stand to go on like this, trapped under glass, trapped away from everyone. I’m lost.

The walls here speak. Disconcerting at times, but at others, it’s a comfort. The ceilings dance in the candlelight, and the floors shimmer and ripple with my every step. I escape out of doors, and when I do, all I find is fog, and mist, and lumbering sheep. Cows with gentle, inquisitive eyes. The dogs have a sense of humor. But you can tell they’d turn on you in a second. I’ve known people like that. The deer are patient, and sad, resigned to their captive lives. The crows are aggressive. The seagulls act foolish, and there’s something so wrong about seeing a soaring gull against the mountainous backdrop. The chickens are huge and fretful, the grouse are in a hurry. The mist settles like a cold shawl across the mountain’s shoulders, and the road I walk grows close, like it’s planning to share a secret.