Shadow of Deceit blog tour: Interview with Mal Olson & Giveaway!!
It is a pleasure to welcome Mal Olson, author of Shadow of Deceit, to the blog today.
Mal: Hi Jessica. It’s absolutely delightful to be here today. Thank you so much for inviting me. I’m all set for your questions. And, readers, be sure to join in with any questions or comments you may have. One lucky commenter will win a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of my Sizzling Hot Blog Tour.
What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?
Mal: Since I love to read romantic suspense, writing adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense is where it’s at for me. There’s nothing better than a blossoming romance set on the brink of danger. I guess I’m drawn to thrills and excitement, along with a poignant love story.
What titles do you have published?
Mal: Shadow of Deceit is my debut novel. ~ An FBI agent risks his career when he collaborates with a haunting young widow desperate to prove herself and her husband innocent of diamond trafficking with the terrorist who killed the agent’s Delta Force team three year ago. Also, I have two free short stories available on my website, as well as at Amazon and at most ebook retailers. Me and Brad ~ Edge of the heart romance with a canine twist, and (you guessed it) a romantic edge-of-the-seat suspense story ~ Are two strangers destined to become kindred souls when they survive a rock n’ roll landing on an icy Milwaukee runway and chase a could-be terrorist into the Danger Zone?.
Do you have any upcoming releases?
Mal: Coming soon, another RS novel, Too Sexy For His Stetson ~ A rookie deputy and her training officer try to stay focused on business—the white supremacist gang that’s threatening their Idaho mountain community—while fighting the forbidden attraction that sparks between them.
What author(s) have influenced your writing style?
Mal: I love Suzanne Brockmann, Linda Howard, and Tara Janzen (to name a few). I hope they’ve influenced my writing. 
Who is your favorite character from any of your books?
Mal: It’s really hard to pick one favorite. Since I’m really focused on my debut right now, I have to go with Shannon Riedel from Shadow of Deceit. She’s loyal, never gives up, and she’s strong enough to overcome her past tragedies with the help of a really hot, caring, and driven man. Here’s an excerpt where Shannon is reacting to said hot man, Tony Crazaniak:
Minutes later, he reappeared, weaponless–so to speak–the streetlight’s glow illuminating his face, gold beams glistening in his hungry eyes. “It’s all clear.”
His powerful hand clasped hers, and he led her inside. When she tried to reach for the light, his fingers tightened. In the darkness, he trailed his thumb across her cheek.
The practical side of her brain hammered a warning.
“Tony, maybe we almost made a mistake.” She’d be crazy to take such a big step, to become intimate with him, simply because her estrogen was running rampant. She had to think this through. Tony was an FBI Agent. He was investigating her dead husband. Maybe he was investigating her.
“Maybe this is a little too fast.”
“I can do slow.” His index finger stroked her upper lip, languorously, delicately, as soft as a butterfly’s wing.
She swallowed.
Earlier, when they’d almost made love, they hadn’t been here, at the house she had shared with Tyler and Casey.
“I don’t think I can do this. Here. Maybe you should go back to the hotel.”
His hand stilled. “I understand. But do you think I’m leaving you here alone?”
On a sensual level, she’d be safer alone.
Alone. She had managed just fine alone since she’d been discharged from the hospital after Tyler and Casey…Tears stung her eyelids.
“Sometime you’re going to have to let go, Shannon…of the past and grab on to the here and now…I just want to make you feel good for a little while.” He twirled a strand of her hair around his middle finger and exhaled, his warm breath so close to her ear it turned her shivers to waves of need.
Her heart pounded. She licked her lips, but she forced herself to push away from him. She wasn’t thinking straight.
“Tony, I’m sorry. Not tonight. I can’t…” Probably never. She looked down and concentrated on her boots. If she risked looking at him, she might crumble.
He cupped her chin and tipped her face toward his. Kissed her right eyelid. Her left eyelid.
Maybe never.
Trailing the tip of his tongue over her lower lip, he somehow ended up with his arms around her.
Practically thinking, she knew if she locked him out of her house, he would spend the night in the cold keeping watch from the rental car. And dear God, if she allowed him inside…it was still going to be a long cold night. For both of them.
She wiggled out of his arms and slipped away, hurrying down the hallway without looking back. She dare not let him see how much she wanted him.
“You’ve got the couch, Crazaniak.”
What writing/writer’s organizations are you involved with? Can you explain how they help your writing and/or your writing career?
Mal: RWA, WisRWA and Mad City Romance are three organizations I am a member of, and the wonderful people in those groups have provided encouragement and excellent workshops over the years, all of which have been helpful beyond words.
Do you belong to a critique group or have critique partners? If so, what have you learned from them? How has it affected your writing?
Mal: I have a critique partner, my oldest daughter who’s a fantastic writer. Without her, I’d be lost. Everything I write is edited by her before it goes anywhere.
Where can my readers find you?
Mal: www.malolson.com
Where can my readers find your books?
Mal: In paperback or ebook at TheWildRosePress.com and Amazon.com.
ebooks are also available at most other ebook sellers.
Shadow of Deceit:Can an FBI agent obsessed with redemption and a grieving widow desperate to clear her husband’s name learn to believe in love again?
Shannon Riedel faces down danger when a gunman breaks into her office claiming her dead husband swindled him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak arrives to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. The ex-Delta Force operative’s massive presence and dark eyes trigger an attraction the young widow finds unnerving.
When Crazaniak convinces Shannon she needs his protection, they partner to unearth secrets her husband left behind—secrets involving a Tanzanian mine that yields perfect blue diamonds coveted by dealers around the world—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazanaik has vowed to take down.
With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?
Shadow of Deceit excerpt:
The gun Shannon came across at the bottom of a neatly folded stack of masculine attire on her bed shouldn’t have surprised her. She’d seen the agent’s Glock earlier.
Intrigued, she reached for the pistol, an object that seemed so out of place in her bedroom. As though she were familiar with handling firearms when she wasn’t, she wrapped her hand around the grip then jerked her head toward the bathroom door, conjuring up thriller fantasies.
But she didn’t have to conjure anything when she noticed a letter poking out of Crazaniak’s inside jacket pocket. Nor did she have to imagine the fact that the closet door stood slightly ajar. Her stomach clenched, a mix of anger and unease. Had the FBI agent been nosing through Tyler’s belongings?
Tit for tat—the urge to sneak a peak overwhelmed her. Her heartbeat ratcheted up as she shifted the gun to her left hand and reached for the letter.
At that instant, she sensed a presence behind her. Even as the sound of water pounded the walls of the tub enclosure, Shannon knew in her heart of hearts that six foot-plus of dripping wet, naked man stood not relaxing under the water jets, but hovering five heart-palpitating feet away.
“Want to toss me my clothes?” he asked.
Unwilling to face him, she remained quick-frozen like a pillar of ice.
“Tell me you weren’t snooping in my things,” he rumbled.
“Tell me you weren’t snooping in my closet.”
“ I wasn’t snooping.”
She eyed the edge of the letter. “I thought I’d treat your duds to some suds. You want to hang out in my robe for a few?”
“Not enough material there to cover my manly attributes. I’ll settle for day-old Jockeys, and what the hell were you doing with my pistol?”
“Nothing.” She almost turned around.
Her chest thumped. The thought of Crazaniak au natural not only spiked her pulse, it titillated her imagination. She waited for a chord of guilt to strum across her heart. It didn’t happen. Instead, discord fluttered low in her abdomen, and she sensed him moving closer.
Author Bio:
Mal Olson writes adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When her consuming passion for writing allows time, she enjoys reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on the mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). She has three grown children and one granddaughter and resides with her own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where she juggles writing time with her freelance landscape design business.
Buy Links: Amazon / The Wild Rose Press
Praise for Shadow of Deceit:
Sizzling Hot Reviews ~ Shadow of Deceit is a fast-paced novel that will draw you into the chaos surrounding Tony and Shannon, and won’t let you go until the end.
Beverly at The Wormhole ~ “Wow! This one has it all! Non-stop action, hot and sexy characters, betrayal, smokin’ romance, and a thrilling plot.”
Stacey Joy Netzel, award winning author of Lost in Italy ~ Shadow of Deceit delivers on the author’s promise of adrenaline-kicked romance with great characters, a well developed plot, and action packed scenes that’ll keep readers turning the pages and wanting more!
Gothic Mom’s Book Review ~ In the 150+ books that I read per year, there are very few that receive a five star rating. Shadow of Deceit did just that. Non stop action, sexual tension, an adventure that had me on the edge of my seat…A fantastic book that had me from page one…
Storm Goddess Book Reviews ~ Shadow of Deceit is an excellent suspense novel from start to finish! …If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, add Shadow of Deceit to your list of reads. Mal Olson is on my list of authors to watch-and buy!
Lissette Manning, author ~ This was such an intriguing story. I enjoyed every minute of it. So much so, I couldn’t put it down.
Cocktails and Books Review – Shannon ~ I love a good romantic suspense story that can draw you in immediately and keep you hanging on til the last page…An excellent read…
Keeping Up With The Rheinlander’s ~ This read is quite a rush…action packed, full of sexual tension, tragedy and of course deceit!! …I highly recommend this book if you like action packed drama with an interesting romantic twist! I look forward to reading more from Mal Olson!!
The Reading Reviewer – Mary Gramlich ~ Mal Olson writes with the perfect combination of mystery, suspense, and romance to keep every reader pleased with the turn of the page.
And don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered into the draw for a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate!
