Real Talk with the Cast of Protective Duty

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Hey ya’ll! I can’t believe Protective Duty is out in the world! So many of you who read Fatal Reunion asked about Eric Hale and I’m so excited to share his story with you. I decided to get chummy with my cast of characters and get some real talk. But I’m not asking the questions. Nope. Instead, my Patch Pack team who helps me spread the word about my books through word of mouth, reviews, and other cool ways asked most of these babies and they were so fun. 

Shout out to my Patch Pack! I love ya’ll so much. Thank you for all your support, the laughs, the conversations on our facebook page, and the prayers. I treasure each one of you. 

So let’s get on with the show, shall we? 

This first question comes from Susan Snodgrass and it’s for Eric.

Eric: Awesome. I love being first. Susan, thanks! 

Me: You don’t even know the question yet.

Eric: So.

Me: Susan asks why you think you’re a Jedi.

Eric: Maybe you should ask Luke Ransom. I don’t want to seem all puffed up….Okay, I’ll tell you. I have this thing I do where I give a suspect the look. I stare him down and will him to speak and he does. I can make just about anyone talk. But I kind of get Luke. Not Ransom. Skywalker. I mean he had a pretty intimidating father. Like mine. Of course, my dad never cut my arm off, but then he wanted me to use it play pro golf so there’s that. Also, when I was five, I was vicious with a light saber. Just sayin’. 

Me: Susan, I don’t know if that answers your question or not, but there ya go. The next question comes from Gayle Adams and it’s for Newton! Yes, the puppy. Aw. Newt, were you scared when the truck tried to run ya’ll over?

Newton: I peed a little. A lot really. I’m a pup. I have a hard time holding it in. Just ask Bryn. Sorry about the kitchen…and the carpet. Really. I’ll get better. 

The next two questions come from Charissa Kerley.

Bryn, do you watch Star Wars movies with Eric?

Bryn: I have seen Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi–the original trilogy with him when we dated ten years ago. I have seen them multiple times. By multiple I mean too many to count. When I found out Eric’s partner at the precinct was Luke Ransom I thought, “How many times has Eric said, ‘Luke, I am your father.'”

Eric: Actually, that’s the first thing I said when I met him.

Me: How did he respond?

Eric: I got the eyebrow raise and, “So about this case…” 

Bryn: As far as the new movies…truth is I didn’t see them because seeing them without Eric hurt too much.

Eric: Well guess what we’re doing Friday night, babe?

Bryn: Thanks, Charissa, you’re a real peach. *inserts heavy sarcasm*

Charissa: Eric, what is your favorite Star Wars movie? 

Eric: Empire Strikes Back. Hands down. One hand if you’re Luke. Hey wasn’t that a movie? One Hand Luke.

Bryn: That was Cool Hand Luke. With Newman. 

Eric: Riiiight. Yeah. 

Me: Okay, moving right along. The next question comes from Denise Hershberger. It’s for Bryn. When did you start swimming?

Bryn: I was probably two. I always loved the water. We were in Florida, I think. And I just jumped in and of course my dad jumped in, panicked…but I rose to the top and just swam. All by myself. After that, my parents put in a pool and I did take lessons. After that it was history. 

Eric: I was twelve if anyone wants to know when I started swimming. 

Bryn: Nobody does. 

Eric: Harsh, babe.

Me: Susan Tuttle asks Eric, if there was a worldwide licorice shortage what would be your next vice?

Eric: I can tell you it won’t be Kale. Oh man, I couldn’t imagine that. I’m totally stumped. Meatloaf, maybe.

Bryn: Oh jeez! How about Dum Dums?

Eric: I’m feeling some subtext here. 

Bryn: Must be your Jedi senses.

Eric: Probably so. Good call, babe.

Me: Susan also wants to know if you’d fall for Bryn if she has an allergy to licorice. 

Eric: I’d give it up cold turkey. Because I like kissing Bryn way more than eating licorice. And she can make meatloaf…now.

Bryn: *rolls eyes*

Okay, ya’ll thanks for joining real talk! I hope you’ll buy the book and check out this fun and crazy cast! 

Real Talk With the Cast of Fatal Reunion

Welcome everyone to Real Talk. Today, I’m featuring Homicide Detective Luke Ransom, Dojo owner and world martial arts competitor Piper Kennedy, as well as Homicide Detective and all-around-funny guy Eric Hale and a cameo appearance from Mama Jean (Piper’s grandma), and an unruly doberman. Yes, I may or may not be doing some dog whispering today. Stay tuned.

Fatal Reunion releases TODAY or as I like to put it, Luke and Piper and the gang have come to life and are out in the world. Memphis to be exact as that’s where this story is set. 

Blues. BBQ. Elvis. Jerry Lee Lewis. Memphis is a city like no other. And Luke Ransom and Piper Kennedy are people like no other. 

Let’s chat with Piper first. She’s less patient than Luke and gets antsy when things are movin’ and groovin’. 

Welcome, Piper! 

Piper: Thanks for having me, Jess. It’s kinda cool coming out into the world and not stuck inside your head. That, my friend, is a freak-show.
Jess: Um…thanks? You matriculated from there, you know.
Piper: Yeah…you’re proving my point. I admit, I’ve been a total freak show. My whole past is a freak show.
Eric Hale: If we’re going to talk about freak shows, I have great story. It involves Luke–
Luke Ransom: If it takes place prior to 2015, it’s off the table, Hale. 
Jess: Okay, let’s all just focus here, people! Piper, tell us your first thoughts when you saw Luke after all those years?
Eric: Or…people could just read the book and experience it as she does.
Jess: True.
Piper: It was surreal. A whole wave of emotions. Completely overwhelming. He smelled really good.
Luke: Thanks, love. 
Piper: That’s your cue to talk about how I equally smelled as good.
Luke: You equally smelled as good. *wink wink”
Jess: Luke, when you realized that Mama Jean had been hurt, did you really think Piper was involved. I mean, dude, that’s her granny.
Luke: *glances at Piper* *Piper nods for Luke to be honest* I did. I didn’t think she actually hurt Mama Jean. I know she wouldn’t, but indirectly…yeah. I thought she was involved and it scared me. A lot.
Jess: Because you wanted her to be innocent or because you’d have to face her after a decade?
Luke: *sighs* Both. Definitely both.
Eric: I’d like to point out that I, too, smell good. What? I need some screen time.
Jess: Okay, Eric. Question: Were you at all jealous of Luke and Piper’s relationship? Because you mentioned it must be great to have a woman who wasn’t afraid of the job but fought along with you. 
Eric: I did say something along those lines. I guess I was. I remember a great love like that. Kinda tanked and I don’t want to talk about why–
Jess: You won’t talk about your sister’s death either. Would you now? Openly? On Real Talk?
Eric: *pulls a Twizzler from his coat pocket* Let’s talk about what makes this licorice so freaking delicious instead. I have a few theories and the artificial flavoring isn’t one of them.
Jess: Point taken. But your story opens up live in June and everyone will see it unfold then.
Eric: Then we talk about it then, Jess. Lay off. Or I’ll sic The Force on you.
Luke: You are not a Jedi!
Eric: Got you to talk didn’t I? About Piper.
Piper: What’d he say?
Eric: Nothin’ you don’t already know, Kung Fu Piper.
Doberman: Ruff! Growl…..
Jess: Sorry, dude. What did you think when Piper tossed a blanket over your head.
Doberman: I was mad at first but then I was thankful she didn’t whop me upside the head. 
Eric: So to thank her, you took to an officer’s leg like a chew toy? 
Doberman: I’m a fierce dog. It’s what I do.
Jess: Mama Jean, you’ve been quiet in all this. Any thoughts?
Mama Jean: I’ve said it before. God does amazing things. He brought my Piper back and  changed her life. Through pain. Healin’ won’t come without some pain.
Piper: Amen. Not that I loved the pain. But it’s t

rue. 

Luke: That it is. 

Eric: You know what else is true?

Luke & Piper: You’re not a Jedi!
Eric: Tell them, Jess. It’s your job as my sire.
Jess: This isn’t a vampire novel.
Luke: I’m so glad. I live scary every day. I don’t need anything else. 
Piper. Ain’t that the truth. But God is bigger than the scary. I’ve learned that, too. 
Jess: So what’s next for you guys? 
Piper: Wedding bells of course and a nice long caribbean vacation with no crazies coming after me.
Luke: You chased a few crazies yourself. Scared me half to death if I recall. You and your Bruce Lee moves.
Piper: Hey, someone hurt Mama Jean. No one hurts Mama Jean.
Eric: No one puts Baby in the corner either.
Jess: *snort* That’s all the time we have for today. Thanks for joining me. You can connect with Luke and Piper…and Eric who has delusions of being a Jedi, when you purchase a copy of Fatal Reunion. e book or paperback. And Eric’s story, Protective Duty, can be preordered on Amazon. 
Purchase Fatal Reunion:

Preorder Protective Duty:
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Do you have a question for one of the characters? Or moi? 


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