Pamela Clare's Blog, page 27

MTM — Hooya! Men of the Military II

Happy Monday, womanity!

Welcome to another edition of Man-Titty Monday. After the response to last week's Men of the Military, I decided to pay this theme a second visit. Your ovaries will thank me.

I'm going to keep it short and sweet this week because I have so many things to do. I know you want Connor's book, and that means less time blogging and less time online.

These photos speak for themselves, really. Sexy men in uniform. Warriors. Men who put others first and themselves in the line of danger.

Yes, it does something for us.

As I said last week, there's something about dog tags that just turns me on, and the top photo is an amaaaazing photo of dog tags, don't you think? I find myself staring, almost mesmerized by those dog tags. They're just hanging there... Dog tags. Mmm...



But this man is clothed, you say. Yes, he is. But I wanted to share him with you because 1) beneath the clothes he is perfectly naked and 2) he is part of a real, elite group of agents who work the U.S./Mexico border — the Shadow Wolves. The Shadow Wolves are made up entirely of American Indian trackers and are widely acknowledged as the best trackers on the planet. They play a significant role in Breaking Point. I've thought about revisiting them and giving them their own series...

I love the name Shadow Wolves. And these guys are not only amazing at what they do — I've seen them cutting for sign, i.e., looking for tracks, and they can see things you and I would never notice unless you shoved them up our noses. Stuff like a thread on a shrub, the swoosh of leaves against the sand caused by someone trying to hide footprints, broken grass.



This military hero is carrying a rifle. He is not carrying a gun. For those of you confused about the difference, Zach will clear that up for you in/around Chapter 14 of Breaking Point. Notice the nice scattering of chest hair, the cleft in the chin, the lean, muscular build...

Oh, who am I fooling? You saw those things before you noticed the rifle. Come on! I know you did.


Why is it in all my years of hiking I've never come across scenery like this?

All I know is that I feel a real need to go get lost in the woods very near these three. I think a sprained ankle would be good. Or better yet, hypothermia. It looks a little hot for hypothermia, but I could give it a try. Maybe I can find an ice cave or something. They could hear my pleas for help and come to my rescue. And then they could warm me up.


This is for those you who love the flip side. This hero has got some gear. If you ask politely, he might let you check it out... Maybe he'd even let you use it.

Have a lovely Monday, everyone! I hope your hormones are on full blast and that you're ready for a day of feeling sexy.

Only two weeks till Breaking Point is released!

I-Team Reading Challenge update — I'll announce prize-winners on Wednesday. I'm so busy I haven't had a time to look through it. PLEASE don't think I'm ignoring your posts. I've just been slammed. If you haven't checked in but you completed the challenge, please do so immediately!

News! News! News! UPDATED with video

I just wanted to share the news — and my happiness — with you all.

Tonight at the annual awards ceremony for Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists' Top of the Rockies, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award.

It was the last award given out and is the biggest award the state chapter of SPJ gives. I was floored to learn last week that I was receiving this award, as it usually goes to older journalists with long careers who are either deceased or about to retire.

I was so happy to have staff there from both of the papers where I've worked. They came just to share the moment with me.

During my speech at the microphone, I asked them to stand up so I could thank them for the support they've given me, for example while the whole shackling bill effort was going on.

I was utterly amazed to get a standing ovation from the crowd there. I never imagined I'd be given this award. Never in a million years. And here were my journalism colleagues on their feet and applauding.

My parents and older son, Alec, were there, too. And it was wonderful to have them be there with me. My father video taped my little acceptance speech, and there are some photos. I'll share them with you when I have them.

I couldn't come out and say what award I'd gotten — I also received a couple of state journalism awards for articles tonight — until the ceremony was over.

So that's my big news.

Here's the video from last night, showing part of the speech. There's a little missing at the beginning and a chunk in the middle.





Wow, what a night. I have no words.

News! News! News!

I just wanted to share the news — and my happiness — with you all.

Tonight at the annual awards ceremony for Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists' Top of the Rockies, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award.

It was the last award given out and is the biggest award the state chapter of SPJ gives. I was floored to learn last week that I was receiving this award, as it usually goes to older journalists with long careers who are either deceased or about to retire.

I was so happy to have staff there from both of the papers where I've worked. They cam just to share the moment with me.

During my speech at the microphone, I asked them to stand up so I could thank them for the support they've given me, for example while the whole shackling bill effort was going on.

I was utterly amazed to get a standing ovation from the crowd there. I never imagined I'd be given this award. Never in a million years. And here were my journalism colleagues on their feet and applauding.

My parents and older son, Alec, were there, too. And it was wonderful to have them be there with me. My father video taped my little acceptance speech, and there are some photos. I'll share them with you when I have them.

I couldn't come out and say what award I'd gotten — I also received a couple of state journalism awards for articles tonight — until the ceremony was over.

So that's my big news.

Now Katey, one of my staffers in the newsroom, is here at my place watching sexy man videos with me. We've had a bit to drink. Just a bit....

Wow, what a night. I have no words.

I-Team Reading Challenge — Final Roll Call

We're down to the last 24 hours of the I-Team Reading Challenge. So now I have to ask...

Was it good for you?

I had a lot of fun meeting new readers who'd hadn't yet read the books — and just as much fun chatting about the books for those of you who were reading the series for the second or third or fourth time. Sixth time?!? Yes, there were a few of those, too.

As an author, of course, I can only feel delighted that someone enjoyed one of my stories enough to read it again and again.

One of the things that I discovered doing the I-Team Trivia was how many of you didn't know about "Heaven Can't Wait," my one and only novella, which happens to be an I-Team story. I'm so happy that more of you discovered it and took time to read the story, because it was terribly fun to write. But some of you had read it, and you included it in your re-read.

Now it's time for the final roll call.

I know a lot of you already commented and or updated me all along, but things are so completely crazy both at work and with my writing right now that it would make things much easier on me to have you all here in one place.

So IF you completed the I-Team Reading Challenge, please comment below to be eligible for a signed copy of Breaking Point. Feel free to share your feelings about the series, your favorite story moments, your favorite characters. And, yes, definitely tell me what team you're on — Team Reece, Team Julian, Team Marc, Team Gabe or Team RJMGZ.

Also, please tell me whether this was your first reading of the series or whether this was an I-Team re-read. Virgins and vixens. Which are you? I'll do a separate drawing for each category.

The deadline to complete the challenge was/is Friday, April 15. I'll draw names for signed books over the weekend. How many copies I give away will depend on how many readers are in each category.

If you're reading this on Goodreads, please pop over to my blog at pamelaclare.blogspot.com to comment for your chance to win.

My author copies of the book have arrived, and they are so delicious! I can't seem to put them down. I think they look better in person than they do in the .jpg. I give the credit to Jed Hill and his amazing body. As I said in a FB post and a tweet, I slept with Jed Hill last night. OK, so it was just the image of him on my book. But still... what a sight to wake up to!

I've already ordered a second case of books because so many copies have already been claimed. Those of you who donated to International Midwife Assistance will get yours first. They're already signed the packaged and are going into tomorrow's (Thursday's) mail. I-Team Trivia winners are next, along with my home team — those of you who spent long hours with me as I recovered from surgery and did my darned best to finish this book on time.

On a different note, I may have to scale back my crazy plans for this blog a bit. I had hoped to have a month of festivities leading up to the release of Breaking Point, but between trying to heal my neck, trying to get enough sleep, and keeping up with work at the paper and Connor's book, I just don't have time. My priorities right now have to be my health and also finishing Connor's book on time. I hate to think that might cut back on our fun and give Breaking Point less exposure than it deserves. But that's how it goes.

So what do I have in store for you?

I hope to post an interview with the U.S. Marshal who answered all my questions for this book. I also hope to do an interview with the I-Team heroes. If we can work in a Match the Hero to the Quote, we'll do that, too. I might toss an excerpt in for good measure.

It's awards season in the journalism world, and Friday night I'm going to be getting a huge award that I can't really talk about yet because it hasn't been announced. But you can bet I'll fill you in this weekend. One of my co-workers at the paper is having a dinner party to celebrate the award tomorrow (Thursday) night — a pre-party, I guess you could call it. Then Friday night is the awards ceremony in Denver. My parents will be there, together with my older son and the reporting staff of the two papers where I've been editor. It's going to be an incredibly special night for me. I'll share as much of it with you as I can.

So back to today's topic: The "Get Out of My TBR, Get Into My Bed" I-Team Reading Challenge.

Sound off below, and don't hold back!

I-TEAM TRIVIA ANSWERS — And prize winners!!!

And now the moment has arrived — when you can check your answers and see who won prizes.

I have to say that I had a flashback to my days of grading college papers. I went to graduate school to study classical archaeology and art history. And although I went for two years, I ended up leaving grad school to pursue journalism. But during those two years I graded soooo many exams. I have memories... *shudder*

But this was fun. I was really amazed at how many of you answered what were very tough questions quite accurately. And the detail some of you included was astounding. Then there was J3nn, who caught an error that my editors missed. And there were those of you who found more than one way to answer a question correctly.

I am amazed! One thing I will say for I-Team fans: You are smart women!

Without further ado, here are the answers:

1. What are the names of Kara and Reece's children? List them in the order in which they were born.

Connor (adopted by Reece) Caitlyn Brendan

2. What weapon did the bad guy in Naked Edge use to force Kat to cooperate?
TASER or stun gun

3. What was Julian's father's profession?

Pimp

4. Who is the managing editor of the Denver Independent?

Syd Wilson

A lot of people put Tom Trent, but Tom is the editor-in-chief. He's the boss of all the editors. That's my day job, incidentally.

5. What did Webb use to neutralize Gabe?

Tranquilizer dart

6. Who is Kara McMillian's "baby daddy"?

Galen Prentice

7. June 9, 1996: What is this date, and why was it important to remember?

This is the date that Marc and Sophie met at the graduation party and had sex for the first time. It's also the numbers that make up the combination to Marc's secret storage locker.

To get this right, both elements needed to be there.


8. What is Julian Darcangelo's undercover name?

Domenic Conti or Tony Corelli were acceptable answers.

Some of you gave both. Overachievers!

9. Name of the sacred site east of Boulder that plays an important role in Naked Edge.

Mesa Butte

10. What high-point-value word does Will use to win at Sex Scrabble?

Quim.

"Pecker" gained him more points, but quim is what locked it for him. So to speak...

11. What does Bilagáanaa mean?

White man.

12. What martial art does Julian practice daily to maintain his physical and mental state?

Aikido

13. What is Marc's e-mail address?

marked&hunted@gmail.com

14. Name Megan's baby daddy.

Donny Lee Thompson

15. Kat and Gabe were almost killed three times. List them.

1. At Mesa Butte when someone opened fire on them 2. At Gabe's house when someone stuffed the flue with wet leaves and forced CO2 into the air inside the house 3. Up in the mountains beyond Vail when the bad guy tried to throw them over a cliff.

16. What is Kara's mother's name?

Lily McMillan

17. Who calls Kat and Gabe "busy bunnies"?

Kat's grandmother, Grandma Alice

18. Where was Tessa born?

Rosebud, Texas

19. How old was Holly when she lost her virginity, and where did it happen?

She was 14, and it happened in the bedroom of her best friend's brother while his parents watched TV downstairs.

20. Give Kat and Gabe's daughter's Diné name and its meaning.

Alissa's Diné name is Shandiin Hozhoni — and it means "Beautiful light that breaks through the clouds."

21. Name the "secret location" Kara was taken for her protection.

Loews Hotel.

I was thoroughly impressed with the number of you who included the name of the suite and the floor she was one.

22. What did Marc find and remove from Sophie's bedside table when he visited her apartment in secret? What did he leave in their place?

He found fentanyl-laced heroin (fe-fe), as well as her vibrator. He took both and replaced the heroin with doggie biscuits.

A lot of you remembered the vibrator but forgot the heroin. A few forgot the vibrator.

23. Who is the first person to die in Hard Evidence?

Maria Conchita Ruiz

24. How did Sophie realize Marc Hunter was Hunt?

He called her "Sprite," and he was the only person who'd ever done that.

25. What does Alice James do to protect her corn crop each year?

She kills a crow, stretches out its wings and hangs it on the fence as a warning to the other crows.

I have actually witnessed this ritual on the rez.

26. What is the name of the puppy that Reece brings home from the pound for Connor?

Jake or Jakey

27. What are Tessa and Julian's "gang names"?

Blondie and Dark Angel.

A lot of you put Julian's nickname for Tessa — Golidlocks.

28. A pastor and his wife give Megan shelter. What are their names?

John and Connie Stevens.

A side note: I named these characters after two real people who made a difference to my family. Connie passed away more than a year ago from cancer, and John is in the hospital now in the later stages of battling leukemia. Seeing their names over and over as I read through answers was very touching to me. I did tell them before Connie became ill that they were in this novel. It makes me feel good to know that they will be remembered this way. Any prayers you choose to offer for John are most welcome.

29. What is the Indian name of the ceremony that is interrupted at the beginning of Naked Edge?

Inipi.

I was so happy at the number of you who remembered that!

30. What type of car do Syko and Flaco's minions drive?

Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Yeah, and some of you gave me the color.

31. Name all of John Cross's accomplices.

Here's the answer I was looking for: John Addison, Gary King and Ken Harburg

But some of you added an accomplice I'd forgotten about: Juan Diego Garza. He's the creep who helped kill John Addison.

Then, J3nny discovered that John Addison was called Joseph Addison in the article that Marc points out to Sophie. Yes, J3nny found an error that I and my editors missed. You're impressed, I know. I was!

I accepted all versions of these as correct answers. Some of you answered John Addison, some answered Joseph Addison. And then there was J3nny, who referenced page numbers.

WTG, J3nny!

32. What drug was used to ensure Megan's fellow victims overdosed and died?

Fefe or fentanyl-laced heroin.

33. Who was the first person Marc had sex with and how old was he?

He was 15, and she was Ms. Meadows, his English teacher.

I wish it had been me.

34. What type of weapon does Julian carry?

A .357 SIG Sauer.

A sexy weapon for a sexy man.

35. What did Marc earn in Afghanistan?

The Bronze Star

36. What was Tessa's original last name?

Bates

37. Name the halfway house where Megan stayed before going on the run.

New Horizons

38. What does Kat sprinkle on the ground after seeing a coyote?

Corn pollen.

39. Gabe describes Kat and himself as the 8th and 9th dwarves. What names did he use?

Gimpy and Barfy

40. Name the camp Megan where stayed when she was a little girl.

Pine River Christian Girls Camp

41. What is Kat's Lakota nickname?

Kimímila

No, I didn't take off points for misspelling. Kudos to those of you who noted that it means "butterfly."

42. Which name for a character in the I-Team series is also used for a character in the MacKinnon's Rangers series?

The answer I was seeking: Connor — both Connor, Kara and Reece's son and Connor MacKinnon.

However, there were a cheeky few among you who put "William" for Lord William Wentworth and Will from Heaven Can't Wait.

I accepted both answers.

43. What speech does Tom typically give when he's grandstanding about the role of journalism in society?

His Watchdogs of Freedom speech.

44. What team did Will play for in college?

The University of Colorado Buffaloes.

Coincidentally my alma mater.

45. Who is Malibu Melanie?

Reece's little sister whom Kara at first believes is his bimbo date.

All you had to say to get it right was that she was Reece's little sister.

46. Name the two young women who were tricked into overdosing by the bad guys.

Charlotte Martin and Kristina Brody

I was floored by the number of you who got that right.

47. How many confirmed kills did Hunt have as an army sniper?

86

Yeah, he's bad. Wait till you read about what he does in Breaking Point. Am I right, Ronlyn?

48. What does Julian give Tessa to help her sleep after she is molested by an intruder while taking a bath?

Two shots of rum in hot water.

49. Where did Julian and Tessa kiss for the first time?

A hospital linen or storage closet.

And one smarty-pants answered, "On the lips." You know who you are! You made me laugh.

50. Who has sex in the snow?

Kara & Reece AND Kat & Gabe

This is the question most of you got wrong because you listed one couple but not the other. Oooh! Trick question! Congrats to the few of you who answered correctly.

Bonus Questions:

B1. How far was Marc's record-setting kill shot?

three-quarters of a mile

B2. What is CKD?

Cement Kiln Dust

B3. Complete this quote —
Inmate: "What you in for, baby?"
I-Team heroine: "Castrating some guy because he ________me."

The missing word is "annoyed."

B4. What friend of Will's does Holly make out with in public?

Devon

B5. What is our word for what the Diné call Náhookos Biko'?

The North Star

A lot of you put Northern Fire, which is a direct translation, which I accepted. But we call it the North Star. It didn't change the level anyone was eligible to enter, so not getting this exactly right didn't keep anyone from competing for a prize.

And now for the prizes!

General prize drawing: Maldivian Book Reviewer gets a signed copy of Breaking Point.

Third Prize: CMD wins a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $10 Amazon gift card.

Second Prize: Jessie Bornes wins a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $15 Amazon gift card.

First Prize: Janet Kirer wins a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $20 Amazon gift card, and a walk-on cameo in the next I-Team novel as a character of my choice.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Inkbella wins a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $25 Amazon gift card, a personal phone call from me and the chance to read the next I-Team novel as it is being written as part of my feedback team.

Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who participated. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. You certainly proved you know your stuff when it comes to all things I-Team.

A special thanks to the home team who helped pull these questions together: Michelle, Ronlyn, Stef, Sue Z, and Libby. You know you are my lifeline!

Stay tuned for more I-Team fun as we count down the last 21 days until the release of Breaking Point! Still to come:

Match the Quote to the I-Team Hero
Interviews with I-Team characters
And some very special and exciting news from the real world of journalism.


And, hey, winners, send me your mailing/contact info at: pamelaclare at earthlink dot net. And, Inkbella, that includes your phone number.

MTM — Men of the Military

Welcome to Man-Titty Monday — Men of the Military.

It's no secret that women admire a man in uniform, but it's not the uniform that does it. It's what the uniform represents — a man who isn't afraid to stand up and take responsibility, putting his life on the line to protect others. In a world where most people — men and women — are selfish and self-centered, there are still some people who are willing to make sacrifices.

As you all know, I've become close to a Diné and Lakota people and culture as a result of my time spent reporting on Indian issues. One thing I learned from them and then passed to my boys was the concept of the warrior.

We hear "warrior," and we think of war. But that's not what being a warrior is all about. A warrior is someone who uses his strength and skill to take care of those around him. He takes the burden of others' welfare on his shoulders without asking for recognition or reward. It could be as simple as shoveling the snow off an elderly woman's sidewalk. It could be acting as a role model for the kids of a single mother who have no male influence. It could mean protecting a woman from an abusive man. Or it could mean going to war.

My grandmother's theory was that God gave men strength so that they could have a purpose in life — lifting heavy things. I've raised my boys to believe that the have physical strength for one reason — to serve and protect those who are weaker than they are. A man who willingly accepts that responsibility is a warrior.

All of my heroes are warriors, and Zach McBride from Breaking Point is no exception. A former Navy SEAL, he currently serves as a chief deputy U.S. marshal working the line — the U.S./Mexico border. It's in honor of him — perhaps my most heroic hero — that we celebrate MTM — Men of the Military.

A part of me felt a little guilty for doing this, because I take military service pretty seriously. I felt guilty reducing men in uniform to photographs that we can ogle.

And then I saw the photographs. ;-)

I love the photo above, and so will those of you who love lean muscle. The man is strong. He's ripped, but he's not the least bit bulky. And then there are veins... Yes, veins. If I ever decide to embed with the military, I hope I ended up embedded with him. (The word "bed" is right in the middle of "embedded." I like that.)



Here's a man with an intense stare, GI haircut — and a not-so-GI earring. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be wearing that with the rest of his uniform. But earring aside, this guy kind of reminds me of David Beckham. And that's never a bad thing.




This is a true military man, not a model. I'm not sure where he is in this world — clearly someplace hot. He has shed his shirt, baring some nice pecs, abs and obliques, along with his dog tags — just plain sexy, aren't they? — and some nice tats.

In a word, yum.


Here are some Navy SEALs training. Zach was a Navy SEAL. He volunteered after 9/11. There's a whole backstory there that I won't reveal.

To write Breaking Point, I spent weeks watching documentaries, researching and reading about the training Navy SEALs endure — pretty much the toughest military training on the planet. I have a relative who is a SEAL, and he made himself available to answer questions.

Actually, what he said was, "I've got 300 guys here happy to help you out." It took a lot of self-restraint for me not to buy a plane ticket, let me tell you. Three hundred Navy SEALs?

Let's just say that if I'm ever captured by loathsome Somalian pirates, I want the Navy SEALs to come to my rescue.



I'm not sure which branch of the service this excellent specimen of military manhood represents. But I do see that he is reading. I hope it was an enjoyable read and that he's safely back in the United States now. He has clearly served his country in two important ways: 1) serving in a war zone and 2) allowing this scrumptious photo to be taken. Very nice pecs and shoulders.

These are Navy SEALs deployed in Iraq who are about to go on a mission. When I saw this photo, I instantly thought of Zach — and the real risks these heroes face each day.

But while I was thinking about Zach and the heroic actions of our troops, I couldn't help notice the purrfect V this man has going on — broad shoulders, slim hips — or his triceps or his tribal tattoos.

Yes, I am capable of thinking on many planes at once from the lofty to the lustful.




Here's a SEAL team on a dock somewhere. Or maybe they're on a ship. I have no idea. Here are the real bodies of real heroes — chest hair, muscles and all. We get so used to seeing models and super-ripped guys who spend five hours a day in the gym, that it's nice to see what real men actually look like. SEALs are among the most mentally and emotionally tough men in the world, and here they are in their shorts — not waxed, not so ripped they could cut glass with their abs, not tanned and oiled. Real men with a real mission.

That does something for me.



"Wet and sandy" is a phrase with a special meaning for any man who has made it through BUD/s — basic SEAL training. It means something different but also very special to me. All I know is that any red-blooded heterosexual woman would be thrilled to get wet and sandy with these two SEALs.

Wherever SEALs train, they must have to put up a 12-foot security fence to keep out the women. I envision a tall fence with women carrying binoculars standing on one side, SEAL teams training on the other.

I hope you've enjoyed this edition of MTM. It's given you a taste of Zach McBride, the hero of Breaking Point. For a full-sized bite, you have to wait until May 3.

Happy Monday, everyone!

And let's hold our servicemen tight today. In our hearts, I mean.

Coming Tuesday: I-Team Trivia answers and prizes!

I-TEAM TRIVIA — UPDATED

I-TEAM TRIVIA, Round I

You've read the stories. You've loved the heroes. Now test your knowledge of the I-Team series.

Here are the rules:

Since no one can tell who's looking in the books and who isn't, we'll make the playing field level by saying this is an open-book trivia contest.

Answer each question as thoroughly and specifically as you can. There may be more than one answer per question, so read closely and think carefully. I am the sole arbiter of whether an answer is correct or not. Credit will be given for answers that are mostly correct.

E-mail your answers to me at pamelaclare at earthlink dot net by 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Saturday, April 9. Anything arriving in my e-mail Inbox after that will be disqualified.

Already I have nine completed I-Team Trivia entries, and most of the answers are right! I-Team fans rock! You are fantastic!

Answers will be posted here on April 12. We can't pre-empt Man-Titty Monday, can we?

Prizes:

The more correct answers you have, the more chances you have to win! All winners will be chosen by an online contest randomizer.

Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point.

Third Place — Anyone who gets 30 answers or more right will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $10 Amazon gift card.

Second Place — Anyone who gets 40 or more answers right will be entered in a drawing for a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $15 Amazon gift card.

First Place — Anyone who gets all 50 right will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $20 Amazon gift card, and a walk-on cameo in the next I-Team novel as a character of my choice.

Grand Prize — Anyone who gets more than 50 right — all 50 questions plus the bonus questions — will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $25 Amazon gift card, a personal phone call from me and the chance to read the next I-Team novel as it is being written as part of the feedback team.

Round II will take place toward the end of the month and will involve matching the hero or heroine to the quote.

Now, here we go for Round I. Enjoy!

1. What are the names of Kara and Reece's children? List them in the order in which they were born.

2. What weapon did the bad guy in Naked Edge use to force Kat to cooperate?


3. What was Julian's father's profession?


4. Who is the managing editor of the Denver Independent?


5. What did Webb use to neutralize Gabe?


6. Who is Kara McMillian's "baby daddy"?


7. June 9, 1996: What is this date, and why was it important to remember?


8. What is Julian Darcangelo's undercover name?


9. Name of the sacred site east of Boulder that plays an important role in Naked Edge.


10. What high-point-value word does Will use to win at Sex Scrabble?


11. What does @font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; } Bilagáanaa mean?


12. What martial art does Julian practice daily to maintain his physical and mental state?


13. What is Marc's e-mail address?


14. Name Megan's baby daddy.


15. Kat and Gabe were almost killed three times. List them.


16. What is Kara's mother's name?


17. Who calls Kat and Gabe "busy bunnies"?


18. Where was Tessa born?


19. How old was Holly when she lost her virginity, and where did it happen?


20. Give Kat and Gabe's daughter's Diné name and its meaning.


21. Name the "secret location" Kara was taken for her protection.


22. What did Marc find and remove from Sophie's bedside table when he visited her apartment in secret? What did he leave in their place?


23. Who is the first person to die in Hard Evidence?


24. How did Sophie realize Marc Hunter was Hunt?


25. What does Alice James do to protect her corn crop each year?


26. What is the name of the puppy that Reece brings home from the pound for Connor?


27. What are Tessa and Julian's "gang names"?


28. A pastor and his wife give Megan shelter. What are their names?


29. What is the Indian name of the ceremony that is interrupted at the beginning of Naked Edge?


30. What type of car do Syko and Flaco's minions drive?


31. Name all of John Cross's accomplices.


32. What drug was used to ensure Megan's fellow victims overdosed and died?


33. Who was the first person Marc had sex with and how old was he?


34. What type of weapon does Julian carry?


35. What did Marc earn in Afghanistan?


36. What was Tessa's original last name?


37. Name the halfway house where Megan stayed before going on the run.


38. What does Kat sprinkle on the ground after seeing a coyote?


39. Gabe describes Kat and himself as the 8th and 9th dwarves. What names did he use?


40. Name the camp Megan where stayed when she was a little girl.


41. What is Kat's Lakota nickname?


42. Which name for a character in the I-Team series is also used for a character in the MacKinnon's Rangers series?


43. What speech does Tom typically give when he's grandstanding about the role of journalism in society?


44. What team did Will play for in college?


45. Who is Malibu Melanie?


46. Name the two young women who were tricked into overdosing by the bad guys.


47. How many confirmed kills did Hunt have as an army sniper?


48. What does Julian give Tessa to help her sleep after she is molested by an intruder while taking a bath?


49. Where did Julian and Tessa kiss for the first time?

50. Who has sex in the snow?


Bonus Questions:

B1. How far was Marc's record-setting kill shot?

B2. What is CKD?

B3. Complete this quote —
Inmate: "What you in for, baby?"
I-Team heroine: "Castrating some guy because he ________me."

B4. What friend of Will's does Holly make out with in public?

B5. What is our word for what the Diné call Náhookos Biko'?


Have fun and thanks for playing!

A special and very heart-felt thanks to: Michelle, Stef, SueZ, Libby, and Ronlyn for helping me get the questions put together for this. We would not be doing this today without them!

I-TEAM TRIVIA

I-TEAM TRIVIA, Round I

You've read the stories. You've loved the heroes. Now test your knowledge of the I-Team series.

Here are the rules:

Since no one can tell who's looking in the books and who isn't, we'll make the playing field level by saying this is an open-book trivia contest.

Answer each question as thoroughly and specifically as you can. There may be more than one answer per question, so read closely and think carefully. I am the sole arbiter of whether an answer is correct or not. Credit will not be given for answers that are partially correct.

E-mail your answers to me at pamelaclare at earthlink dot net by 23:59 Mountain Time on Thursday, April 7. Anything arriving in my e-mail Inbox after that will be disqualified.

Answers will be posted here on April 8.

Prizes:

The more correct answers you have, the more chances you have to win! All winners will be chosen by an online contest randomizer.

Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point.

Third Place — Anyone who gets 30 answers or more right will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $10 Amazon gift card.

Second Place — Anyone who gets 40 or more answers right will be entered in a drawing for a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $15 Amazon gift card.

First Place — Anyone who gets all 50 right will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $20 Amazon gift card, and a walk-on cameo in the next I-Team novel as a character of my choice.

Grand Prize — Anyone who gets more than 50 right — all 50 questions plus the bonus questions — will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Breaking Point and a $25 Amazon gift card, a personal phone call from me and the chance to read the next I-Team novel as it is being written as part of the feedback team.

Round II will take place toward the end of the month and will involve matching the hero or heroine to the quote.

Now, here we go for Round I. Enjoy!

1. What are the names of Kara and Reece's children? List them in the order in which they were born.

2. What weapon did the bad guy in Naked Edge use to force Kat to cooperate?


3. What was Julian's father's profession?


4. Who is the managing editor of the Denver Independent?


5. What did Webb use to neutralize Gabe?


6. Who is Kara McMillian's "baby daddy"?


7. June 9, 1996: What is this date, and why was it important to remember?


8. What is Julian Darcangelo's undercover name?


9. Name of the sacred site east of Boulder that plays an important role in Naked Edge.


10. What high-point-value word does Will use to win at Sex Scrabble?


11. What does @font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; } Bilagáanaa mean?


12. What martial art does Julian practice daily to maintain his physical and mental state?


13. What is Marc's e-mail address?


14. Name Megan's baby daddy.


15. Kat and Gabe were almost killed three times. List them.


16. What is Kara's mother's name?


17. Who calls Kat and Gabe "busy bunnies"?


18. Where was Tessa born?


19. How old was Holly when she lost her virginity, and where did it happen?


20. Give Kat and Gabe's daughter's Diné name and its meaning.


21. Name the "secret location" Kara was taken for her protection.


22. What did Marc find and remove from Sophie's bedside table when he visited her apartment in secret? What did he leave in their place?


23. Who is the first person to die in Hard Evidence?


24. How did Sophie realize Marc Hunter was Hunt?


25. What does Alice James do to protect her corn crop each year?


26. What is the name of the puppy that Reece brings home from the pound for Connor?


27. What are Tessa and Julian's "gang names"?


28. A pastor and his wife give Megan shelter. What are their names?


29. What is the Indian name of the ceremony that is interrupted at the beginning of Naked Edge?


30. What type of car do Syko and Flaco's minions drive?


31. Name all of John Cross's accomplices.


32. What drug was used to ensure Megan's fellow victims overdosed and died?


33. Who was the first person Marc had sex with and how old was he?


34. What type of weapon does Julian carry?


35. What did Marc earn in Afghanistan?


36. What was Tessa's original last name?


37. Name the halfway house where Megan stayed before going on the run.


38. What does Kat sprinkle on the ground after seeing a coyote?


39. Gabe describes Kat and himself as the 8th and 9th dwarves. What names did he use?


40. Name the camp Megan where stayed when she was a little girl.


41. What is Kat's Lakota nickname?


42. Which name for a character in the I-Team series is also used for a character in the MacKinnon's Rangers series?


43. What speech does Tom typically give when he's grandstanding about the role of journalism in society?


44. What team did Will play for in college?


45. Who is Malibu Melanie?


46. Name the two young women who were tricked into overdosing by the bad guys.


47. How many confirmed kills did Hunt have as an army sniper?


48. What does Julian give Tessa to help her sleep after she is molested by an intruder while taking a bath?


49. Where did Julian and Tessa kiss for the first time?

50. Who has sex in the snow?


Bonus Questions:

B1. How far was Marc's record-setting kill shot?

B2. What is CKD?

B3. Complete this quote —
Inmate: "What you in for, baby?"
I-Team heroine: "Castrating some guy because he ________me."

B4. What friend of Will's does Holly make out with in public?

B5. What is our word for what the Diné call Náhookos Biko'?


Have fun and thanks for playing!

A special and very heart-felt thanks to: Michelle, Stef, SueZ, Libby, and Ronlyn for helping me get the questions put together for this. We would not be doing this today without them!

MTM — The Return of the Jed

In the beginning, there was Jed, and Jed was hot. He fired my imagination, kept me awake late at night as I worked on Breaking Point, fueling my fantasies of Zach McBride.

It only seems right as we celebrate the countdown to Breaking Point's May 3 release that we bring the amazingly sexy Mr. Hill back for some heartfelt appreciation.

The top photo shows Jed in his natural habitat. No, not bed, you naughty women — football.
The shockingly sexy Mr. Hill played college ball, then opted for a modeling career instead of professional sports. And aren't we grateful? I know I am.


This is the first photo I saw of him, and I can attest that I all but melted. My only thought was, "Oh. My. God." And then my eggs started talking in their squeaky little voices, saying something like, "We want! We want!"

As I've said, he has the most incredible obliques I've ever seen. And that trace of hair toward the bottom of the photo... No words do it justice — at least not ones I can put in a public place.

I thought I might share some photos with you that aren't just drool-w0rthy but that also remind me of Zach in some way.

The photo above shows raw athleticism, and Zach, as you know if you've read any blog post I've written about him, is a former Navy SEAL who went into law enforcement after serving in Afghanistan. To be a SEAL, you have to have phenomenal physical and mental endurance.


The photo above makes me think of Zach worrying about Natalie — after taking a shower. Here he is worrying and getting dressed... Slowly....

I like a hero who truly puts the heroine's life first — anyone who's read my books knows that. Gabe, anyone? Marc? Julian and those five rounds to the vest? From the moment he meets her, Natalie's well-being is foremost on his mind, even when he can't do a damned thing to help her.

As an aside... Though we talk about his pecs, abs, obliques and other enchanting muscles, he has a seriously beautiful face. (I wish there were more of it on the cover, but at least they got his mouth.)

Because Zach serves as a Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal at EPIC in El Paso (Google it), he sometimes ends up in Washington, D.C., hanging his bosses at the Operations Directorate, or OD. Sometimes, that means cleaning himself up and putting on a suit. When he does, he looks really, really good.

Can you imagine the reaction of the administrative assistants at the OD?

"Oh, my God! It's him again! Time for an eye-candy break!"




This photo makes me think of Zach getting his first night's sleep after all of the action that goes down in the first third of the story. Navy SEALS and other special forces are trained to endure sleep deprivation that would put most of us in the hospital. And Zach gets an opportunity to exercise that particular skill, along with several others, early in the novel.

I didn't realize this was Jed when I first posted it. Fortunately, I studied the image hard enough and long enough that I realize it was, indeed, him.


This makes me think of Zach as he and Natalie try to escape the Zetas by making an illegal border crossing into the U.S. He takes a lot more gear than this, but every long journey starts with putting on your pants, right?

I like the military-ish flavor of this shot, too.


Now, this photo doesn't remind me of Zach at all. It's here because — how do I say this? — it is the football britches equivalent of a wet T-shirt contest. Look closely.

Gosh, do you hear that? What's that squeaky sound? It's... Oh! It's your eggs.

And one last one before I let you get on with your Monday. This is one frame from the Breaking Point .gif that some of you are running on your blogs. It's the one and only photo I have that was taken of Jed for me.

I still can't believe my editor went out and got him for me. I was so surprised when she told me.

I asked for sand, and she gave me sand. Anyone familiar with Navy SEAL training will understand the phrase "wet and sandy." And believe me, Zach gets plenty wet and sandy in the story.

The deputy U.S. Marshal duty badge on his hip is a nice touch. I just love the attention Berkley puts into their covers.

As for those words — undeniable attraction — they apply to Zach and to Jed.

Have a Happy Monday! And stay tuned this week as we roll out I-Team Trivia!

Are you ready?

BREAKING POINT Trailer — the 30-day countdown begins!

And so it begins — the 30-day countdown to the release of my 10th novel, the fifth book in my I-Team series — Breaking Point. I never set out to write romantic suspense, but once I started, the project took on a life of its own. What began as an idea in my agent's head — I had only ever read or written historical romance — has turned into a series that had been called the new gold standard in romantic suspense (and not by me).

Welcome to a month-long festival of trivia, games, interviews, prizes and giveaways!

Coming this week:
Monday: MTM — The Return of The Jed
Wednesday: I-Team Trivia
Friday: I-Team Trivia answers — Prizes
Saturday: I-Team Reading Challenge final push check-in

Coming next week:
Monday: MTM — Men of the military
Wednesday: An interview with the I-Team heroes
Friday: I-Team Reading Challenge comes to a close — Prizes!!!

We kick off the celebration with the world premiere of the trailer for Breaking Point. So put on your glitziest gown, borrow some bling, and take a walk down the virtual red carpet for a sneak peek at Natalie and Zach's story!

Thanks to Jenn J. of Sapphire Dreams for putting the trailer together for me. I really appreciate her help. Please support the release of the book by sharing the trailer with friends!

Please "Like" it, tweet it, share it with your readers groups, and put it on your own blog. And keep track of the number of times you share it! Each time you share, your name goes into a pool for a prize. The more sharing, the higher the odds get in your favor. The winner gets a signed copy of Breaking Point, a $25 Amazon.com gift card and a personal phone call from me.

Let the insanity begin!