Crafts and Life

Can a discount P.I. rescue a naive runaway girl from a nefarious survivalist cult? Penny-wise Investigations, “Vigilance you can afford,” is a detective agency conveniently located in a suburban shopping mall. Single mom and recent widow, Cameron Chandler, desperately needs a job. She quickly discovers that her new PhD in liberal arts doesn’t open any doors. When she impulsively applies for and lands a position as a private investigator, she’s both surprised and delighted. To her, it’s not only a paycheck but a job with a sparkle of excitement. It’s a chance to reinvent herself.

Survival Can Be Deadly is a lighthearted mystery/adventure set in Seattle and the San Juan Islands to the north. It is also the story of a woman’s struggle to find new direction after the death of her husband and a lengthy period of unemployment. Cameron’s strong, opinionated mother lives in the top floor apartment of the carriage house she and her two children call home. Her 11-year-old son is a news junkie, and her 13-year-old daughter loves math and agonizes over the shape of her eyebrows. Cameron’s attempts to keep peace with her mother while being a good mother to her own children provides a humorous counterpoint to the very real and unexpected risks she faces in her new job.

Her first assignment at Penny-wise is to locate a runaway girl, something her predecessor had been pursuing before he disappeared. Following in his footsteps, the trail leads to a survivalist camp on a remote island in northern Puget Sound. Armed with only a Swiss Army Knife and her quirky on-the-job training as a suburban sleuth, Cameron uncovers more than she bargained for. She soon finds herself in a fight for her own survival.

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

Cameron Chandler. If I have a middle name, no one has told me.

What is your Profession?

Although I got my PhD in order to be a university professor, my liberal arts degree didn’t open any doors. So now I’m a new investigator with Penny-wise Investigations, a discount agency located in a suburban shopping mall. 

What is your current favourite book or movie?

I’m inspired by Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich’s series. I would love to be an edgy nonconformist with several boyfriends and no obligations. Not that I don’t love my two children. 

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

There are only a couple of movies I re-watch occasionally – The Secret Garden, Little Women and Kill Bill. Depending obviously on my mood. The first two are so sentimental; I always cry. Kill Bill makes me feel empowered. Now that I think about it, don’t tell anyone I named these as my “go-to comfort movies,” okay? Put me down for Casablanca instead. Or the African Queen. Classics.

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

In a movie, maybe Emily Blunt or Amy Adams as me. They’re attractive but can be low-key and still engaging. On the other hand, it would be nice to be portrayed with more panache, maybe by Scarlett Johansson at her sassiest best.

What is your ideal evening?

I hate to admit it, but staying home while mom and the kids are out, watching a movie or reading a book with a big bowl of popcorn.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 15 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

January 15 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW, GUEST POST

January 16 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

January 16 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

January 17 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 18 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 19 – Laura’s Interests – SPOTLIGHT

January 20 – Literary Gold – GUEST POST

January 20 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 21 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

January 21 – Elizabeth McKenna – SPOTLIGHT

January 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

January 22 – Ascroft, eh? – GUEST POST

January 23 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

January 23 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

January 24 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 24 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, EXCERPT

January 25 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

January 25 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

January 26 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

January 27 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 27 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 28 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

January 28 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

January 28 – ebook addicts – REVIEW