Walking In Other People's Shoes

By: Laura Griffin

Congratulations to "Erin F.", the winner of Laura's giveaway.  Thank you to all who participated.

One of my favorite aspects of being an author is getting to walk around in other people’s shoes.

Through my characters, I have had an amazing array of jobs, including cop, hair stylist, forensic artist, PI, sniper… the list goes on. All have been an adventure, but my latest book, Scorched, was a particular thrill. Not only did I get to interview a real, live Navy SEAL (yes, they are just as impressive in person as they are in fiction!) but I also got to meet a forensic anthropologist and go on a bone-chilling tour of a decomposition research lab, also known as a body farm.

Learning about Navy SEALs and the grueling training they undergo was eye-opening. I started researching these guys four years ago for my Tracers novella Unstoppable and was hooked right away. These warriors are, literally, unstoppable. When they see an obstacle they find a way over it, under it, around it, or simply blow it up. You can get a feel for their determination by reading a snippet of the SEAL creed: If knocked down, I will get back up, every time….I am never out of the fight.

After researching SEALs and meeting several in person, I could tell that the SEAL creed isn’t just words, but a philosophy toward life that these men take very seriously. I started envisioning my hero, Gage Brewer, who has been knocked down many times in life—most recently by Kelsey Quinn, the story’s heroine. But every time he finds a way to get back up and keep fighting for what matters to him, no matter how many obstacles stand in his path.

Kelsey is her own sort of warrior. As a forensic anthropologist, she has committed her life to analyzing bones and pursuing justice for victims who cannot speak for themselves. Kelsey’s creed comes straight from a woman I interviewed who told me she knew forensic anthropology was her calling the first time she held a human skull in her hands and tried to deduce its secrets.

Scorched starts with a SEAL mission halfway around the world and ends much closer to home, here in the United States. Kelsey and Gage tackle many challenges throughout the story, including deep-rooted uncertainty about their relationship, which has been hammered repeatedly by the tough realities of their chosen professions. Of all the couples I have written, Kelsey and Gage really had to work hard for their Happily Ever After.

I’m giving away a signed copy of Scorched here on Just Romantic Suspense! Please leave a comment for a chance to win. Also, you can read an extended excerpt of the book on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LauraGriffinAuthor

Happy reading!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. Her books have won numerous awards, including a RITA for WHISPER OF WARNING and a Daphne du Maurier Award for UNTRACEABLE. Laura lives in Austin, Texas, where she is working on her next book.

www.lauragriffin.com

www.facebook.com/LauraGriffinAuthor

On Twitter: @Laura_Griff

Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Oct. 29th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.