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| Cate Beauman, Author JUSTICE FOR ABBY Sixth book of "The Bodyguards of LA County" |
Cate Beauman has just released the sixth suspenseful
thriller in her series “The Bodyguards of LA County.” In JUSTICE FOR ABBY,
Beauman’s protagonist, Abigail Harris, is chased by members of the Mid-Atlantic
Sex Ring after she testifies against them. Reviewers tout Beauman’s combination of suspense
and romance. She says she enhances suspense through plausibility and romance through 'real' characters.
Beauman currently lives in Tennessee with her family. Music
plays a big part in her writing process, and she has offered us a list of the
songs that helped her write her latest book. She points out that although
JUSTICE FOR ABBY is fiction, sex trafficking is a serious crime worldwide.
Don’t miss the excerpt from JUSTICE FOR ABBY following the
interview.
Q: Your best-selling
books are part of a series “The Bodyguards of LA County.” Why do you write a
series of books rather than independent standalone novels?
Cate Beauman:
When I first started my writing journey I had no intention of creating a series.
Heck, I didn’t even know I could write! MORGAN’S HUNTER was supposed to be a
standalone novel about a bodyguard and the woman he protects in the backwoods
of Montana. Hunter’s good friends Ethan and Sarah played very minor roles in
the story, but as the manuscript started to unfold, I had this overwhelming
urge to bring Ethan and Sarah to life.
At that point, Ethan and Sarah were supposed to be the end of a two-book
deal…until Hailey and Austin entered the picture. Halfway through FALLING FORSARAH, I knew I had a series on my hands. Now that I’ve begun research for book
seven, I can’t imagine starting another project until all of Ethan’s close
protection agents have a turn to share their adventures. Writing The Bodyguards of L.A. County is so
much fun.
Q: Reviewers tout the
suspense in your books as “a real thrill ride.” How do you create suspense?
What contributes to suspense and makes a thriller?
Cate Beauman: I
love that my readers find my work suspenseful. I think the key to creating a
good thriller is basing a story on plausibility. If the situation couldn’t
happen in real life, then it loses a bit of the ‘zing.’ Half the fun of
suspense is having an idea of what you think will happen and seeing if it plays
out the way you thought it would. Another key component of “a real thrill ride”
is believable character development. I basically imagine men or women who
embody the worst mankind has to offer. I try to dig deep into what scares most
people and bring that to life.
Q: “very suspenseful
and believable romance.” How do
you make your romantic thrillers “believable?” How important is credibility to
enticing readers?
Cate Beauman:
Bringing romance and suspense together certainly has its challenges, but I
can’t imagine writing any other genre. I think my thrillers are believable
because I try to base them off of some facet of reality. I’m a crime TV junkie.
Almost every story I’ve written has been sparked by something I’ve seen while
watching one of my favorite shows. It never has to be much. Just recently I
watched a program where they showed a bone in a grave and it gave me an idea
for a story I plan to tell down the road.
When it comes to the romantic side of storytelling, I try
very hard to create characters that are ‘real.’ My heroes and heroines are good
people at their core, but they’re flawed just like the rest of us. It’s so much
fun to bring two people together and create a love story with plenty of hiccups
along the way. Romance is fun, but my heroes and heroines have to work hard to
earn their happily ever afters.
Q: How relevant is
setting to your books? Are you able to use the background of L.A. to tell your
story?
Cate Beauman:
Setting is pretty important to all of my novels. What is a story without the
details that tie everything together? I like to mix the novels up a bit though.
Los Angeles is where Ethan Cooke Security’s main offices are, but Ethan’s
agents travel all over to protect their clients. So far my readers have
followed the bodyguards to Montana, Mexico, Maryland, Utah, Nebraska, and of
course, California.
Q: When writing, are you in control of
your characters or do those “bodyguards” push you around?
Cate Beauman: I
would say the bodyguards have their fair share of room to grow. It’s not
uncommon to rewrite at least half of my manuscript by the time I get to the
second draft and really know who each bodyguard and his principal are. I try
hard to stick to an outline, but that typically doesn’t last long. As each
story grows, original ideas are usually forgotten and the ones that advance the
plot and characters are what are used.
About Cate Beauman
“I
currently live in Tennessee with my husband, two boys, and our St. Bernard,
Bear. I recently resigned from my day job to concentrate on this thing I refer
to as ‘My Dream Come True’ career!
“I’m
a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the
light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, three years
later, I’m working on Saving Sophie, the seventh novel in my best selling romantic
suspense series, The Bodyguards Of L.A. County. “
About
JUSTICE FOR ABBY – Available NOW!
Fashion designer Abigail Harris has been rescued, but her
nightmare is far from over. Determined to put her harrowing ordeal behind her
and move on, she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life while eluding the
men who want her dead.
The Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring is in ruins after Abby’s
interviews with the police. The
organization is eager to exact their revenge before her testimony dismantles
the multi-million dollar operation for good.
Abby’s safety rests in the hands of former US Marshal,
Jerrod Quinn. Serious-minded and
obsessed with protocol, Ethan Cooke Security’s newest agent finds himself
dealing with more than he bargains for when he agrees to take on his beautiful,
free-spirited client.
As the trial date nears, Abby’s case takes a dangerous
turn. Abby and Jerrod soon
discover themselves in a situation neither of them expect while Jerrod fights
to stop the ring from silencing Abby once and for all.
Other The Bodyguard
of Los Angeles books
Book One: MORGAN’SHUNTER, the story of Morgan and Hunter.
Morgan
Taylor, D.C. socialite and wildlife biologist, leads a charmed life until
everything changes with a phone call. Her research team has been found
dead—slaughtered—in backcountry Montana.
As the case grows cold, Morgan is determined to unravel the
mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite the dangers of a murderer
still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even the bodyguard her father
hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter Phillips.
Sparks fly from the start when no-nonsense Hunter clashes
with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their endless search for answers
proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.
On the run and at the mercy of a madman, Morgan and Hunter
must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.
Book Two: FALLING FORSARAH the story of Sarah and Ethan.
Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after
her life was ripped apart. After
two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business as
photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter,
Kylee…until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with
a searing moonlight kiss.
Sarah’s world turns upside down as she struggles with her
unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband’s
memory. But when blue roses and
disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean
on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop until he has
what he prizes most.
Book Three: HAILEY’STRUTH, the story of Hailey and Austin.
Hailey Roberts has never had it easy. Despite the scars of
a tragic childhood, she’s made a life for herself. As a part-time student and
loving nanny, she yearns for a family of her own and reluctant Austin Casey,
Ethan Cooke Security’s best close protection agent.
Hailey’s past comes back to haunt her when her long lost
brother tracks her down, bringing his dangerous secrets with him. At an
emotional crossroads, Hailey accepts a humanitarian opportunity that throws her
together with Austin, taking her hundreds of miles from her troubles, or so she
thinks.
What starts out as a dream come true quickly becomes a
nightmare as violence erupts on the island of Cozumel. Young women are
disappearing, community members are dying—and the carnage links back to her
brother.
As Austin struggles to keep Hailey’s past from destroying
her future, he’s forced to make a decision that could turn her against him, or
worse cost them both their lives.
Book Four: FOREVERALEXA, the story of Alexa and Jackson.
First grade teacher
and single mother Alexa Harris is no stranger to struggle, but for once, things
are looking up. The school year is over and the lazy days of summer are here.
Mini-vacations and relaxing twilight barbeques are on the horizon until Alexa’s
free-spirited younger sister vanishes.
Ransom calls and
death threats force Alexa and her young daughter to flee their quiet home in
Maryland. With nowhere else to turn, Alexa seeks the help of Jackson Matthews,
Ethan Cooke Security’s Risk Assessment Specialist and the man who broke her
heart.
With few leads to
follow and Abby’s case going cold, Alexa must confess a shocking secret if she
and Jackson have any hope of saving her sister from a hell neither could have
imagined.
Book Five: WAITING FOR WREN, the story of
Wren Cooke and Tucker Campbell.
Wren Cooke has
everything she’s ever wanted—a thriving career as one of LA’s top interior
designers and a home she loves. Business trips, mockups, and her demanding
clientele keep her busy, almost too busy to notice Ethan Cooke Security’s
gorgeous Close Protection Agent, Tucker Campbell.
Jaded by love and
relationships in general, Wren wants nothing to do with the hazel-eyed stunner
and his heart-stopping grins, but Tucker is always in her way. When Wren
suddenly finds herself bombarded by a mysterious man’s unwanted affections,
she’s forced to turn to Tucker for help.
As Wren’s case turns
from disturbing to deadly, Tucker whisks her away to his mountain home in Utah.
Haunted by memories and long-ago tragedies, Tucker soon realizes his past and
Wren’s present are colliding. With a killer on the loose and time running out,
Tucker must discover a madman’s motives before Wren becomes his next victim.
Excerpt from JUSTICE FOR ABBY
The black bag was ripped from her
head, along with several strands of her hair. Abby blinked against the bold
light of the naked bulbs hanging from the low ceiling. She glanced around the
dingy space in shock as her gaze traveled from girl to girl—six young teens,
dirty, bruised, and malnourished, staring up at her through bland eyes while
they sat or lay on filthy mattresses on the dirt floor. “What—”
“In.” Victor shoved Abby into a
small, windowless room, slamming the door, locking her in with a rusty scrape
of something sliding against the heavy metal barrier.
She walked on shaky legs to the
wooden chair in the corner and collapsed to the uncomfortable seat, clutching
her arms around her waist, shivering as she bit hard on her bottom lip while
tears rained down her cheeks. Where was
she? What was this place? She shuddered, remembering six sets of listless eyes
holding hers. Nothing good was happening here.
She covered her face with
trembling hands and gave into her sobs, relieving the worst of her dread,
wishing for nothing more than to be home with Lex and Livy. Thinking of her
sister and niece, she forced away her tears, taking several deep breaths of
stale air. If she wanted to see her family again she needed to pull herself
together. She couldn’t get herself out of this—whatever this was—if she didn’t think. There had to be a way out. Her eyes
darted around the barely lit space, searching for a weapon, another exit,
anything.
The door opened, and she rushed
to her feet as a tall, well-built man stood haloed in the beam of light from
the room beyond. Abby blinked as he stepped forward. “Renzo?” She bolted from
the corner and fell against her friend’s firm chest as a wave or relief flooded
her. “Oh, thank god.”
His strong arms wrapped around
her.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t
know what’s going on. I need help. Can you help me?”
“What happened?” He eased her
back some, but she refused to release him from her grip.
“My family—we were on our way
home from Virginia Beach. We stopped at a rest area, and two men grabbed me and
brought me here.”
“You were with your sister and
niece?”
“Yes, Alexa and Olivia. I think
they’re okay, but I need to call and make sure. Will you get me out of here?”
“Of course.”
She could hardly believe she was
leaving. “Thank you. Thank you.” She hugged Renzo again as tears of gratitude
flowed free. “I knew this had to be some sort of mistake.”
“Come on, let’s get you home.” He
wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her to the door. “Oh, wait.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“I can’t let you go.”
The Inspiration
Behind Justice For Abby
"Justice For Abby is one of my favorite stories in The
Bodyguards of L.A. County series (Okay, they all are, but I really love Abby
and Jerrod!). I truly enjoyed writing their adventure. Oftentimes I found
myself caught up in Abby’s rollercoaster ride as she heals from her experiences
as a survivor of the Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring. At times I cried with her, and at
others, I laughed. She’s so strong and sweet, but she’s vulnerable and
struggling. Enter Jerrod Quinn, the perfect man to provide her protection and
help her overcome her ordeal in his own quiet way.
"Although Abby’s story is one of fiction, sex trafficking is
a very real crisis for millions of young women, men, and children all over the
globe. My idea for this novel came after a night in front of the television
watching crime television. A segment showcasing the mysterious disappearance of
a young woman named Amy Bradley bothered me greatly. She vanished from a cruise
ship in March of 1998 while vacationing with her family. Unfortunately, Amy has
yet to be found, but she is believed to be alive, stuck in the horrific world
of human sex trafficking. I immediately began my research into this very
troubling epidemic and shortly after wrote Forever Alexa, the story of Abby’s
sister dealing with the aftermath of Abby’s disappearance. My readers have
requested Abby’s story, and I felt the need to share her experience.
"I hope you enjoy getting to know Abby and Jerrod as much as
I enjoyed writing these two fantastic characters."
~Cate
The Unofficial
Justice For Abby Soundtrack
"Music always plays a huge part in my writing process. With two boys and two dogs in the
house, music helps me “get lost” in my story. I typically listen to Pandora or YouTube and put together a
playlist of songs that I feel represent the characters or the situations they
face as the novel unfolds. Here
are a few of the songs that I had on “repeat” while I created Jerrod and Abby’s
story! You can listen to them on
my website www.catebeauman.com."
The soundtrack, of sorts, for Justice For Abby:
·
Applause by Lady Gaga
·
Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
·
She Is by Ben Rector
·
I Should Go by Levi Kreis
·
The Other Side by Jason Derulo
·
Why Don’t You Love Me? by Hot Chelle Rae ft.
Demi Lovato
·
We Owned The Night by Lady Antebellum
·
Stars Go Blue by Tim McGraw
·
Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
·
Come Back by Pearl Jam
·
By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
·
Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed
Sheeran
Links
Social links
Buy links for all five books
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