The Interrogation of Kathy Bennett

WHO IS KATHY BENNETT?

Kathy Bennett is no stranger to murder and mayhem.  After twenty-one years as a Los Angeles police officer, this retired cop’s authentic crime experience results in arresting stories. 

As a police officer, most of Kathy’s career was spent working patrol in a black and white police car.  Prior to retirement, Kathy was assigned as a Senior Lead Officer, with approximately five square miles in the City of Los Angeles her responsibility. Kathy also served as a Firearms Instructor at the LAPD Police Academy, a crime analyst in the ‘War Room’, a Field Training Officer, and worked undercover in various assignments.  She was named Officer of the Quarter twice, and Officer of the Year once.

In June of 2011, Kathy self-published her debut novel, A Dozen Deadly Roses.  The e-book climbed the charts becoming one of the best-sellers at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  In April of 2012, Kathy published her second full-length suspense novel, A Deadly Blessing, and is currently working on her third book.

She’s married to a Los Angeles Police Officer, Rick and they have one daughter and one granddaughter. 

Kathy likes to go hiking with Rick and their three Labrador Retrievers, incorporating photography into many of their adventures.  Attempting to recapture some of the excitement of working the streets, Kathy can periodically be found in Las Vegas risking a few bucks on slot machines, blackjack or craps tables.   

THE STORY

The critically ill daughter of the governor of California has been kidnapped. LAPD Detective Maddie Divine is assigned to find her before it’s too late. But this high-profile case comes with secrets on every side: cops, politicians, even the innocent.

Maddie Divine: Her marriage hangs by a thread, her SWAT-officer husband has lost it, and almost as bad, she can’t trust her detective partner.

Travis Divine: After the death of a SWAT teammate, he’s a shell of the man he used to be.  He’s lost touch with his work, his wife and occasionally even reality.  Can he regain the warrior mentality needed to support Maddie and do his job?

Preston Truesdale: The California governor’s daughter has gone missing, and so has her only bone marrow donor.  Is it coincidence or something more sinister?

Pilar Luna: The mayor of Los Angeles is a media favorite, and she plays Preston like a Vegas pro would play a Midwestern farmboy…all in hopes of reaching the White House.  Will she hit the jackpot?

Tiffany Truesdale: The brainiac teenager evaded her security team to spend a night on the town with her girlfriends, but can she outwit the man who kidnapped her before time runs out? 

A Deadly Blessing is a lightning-paced story of suspense that will keep readers on edge from beginning to end. 

FOR A PEEK AT THIS BOOK, VISIT KATHY'S WEBSITE!

WHERE, OH WHERE, IS KATHY BENNETT?

Contact 

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @KathywritesLAPD

Blogs

Goodreads

Now for the details....

ALEXA: Thanks for joining us today, Kathy. What's the first book you remember reading? 

KATHY: Fun With Dick and Jane. Well, that probably doesn't count. That's the book where I learned to read. Not so long after Dick and Jane, I met Trixie Belden in the Secret of the Mansion. I wanted to be like Trixie and solve mysteries.

ALEXA: What's your favorite love word?

KATHY: Some people might find this odd, but my favorite love word is safe. When you love someone you feel safe in sharing yourself - flaws and all. A person who loves you will not intentionally hurt you - physically or mentally.

ALEXA: What's your favorite cartoon character?

KATHY: My favorite was Underdog…I suspect that says something about me, but I also liked Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the Jetsons. You DO know that cartoons are much funnier to adults than children, right?

ALEXA: Oh, I loved Underdog too! Can you tell us about a real-life hero you've met?

KATHY: When I was a police officer, I worked with too many too count. A few cops are recognized for extraordinary actions on their part. But many cops do heroic acts every day and chalk them up as 'part of the job.'

ALEXA: What is your biggest vice?

KATHY: Reality TV. I watch WAY too much. The Amazing Race, America's Next Top Model, and Big Brother are probably my favorites. Oh, wait…then there are the dramas of all drama: The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

 

 

ALEXA: What's something you'd like to tell your fans? 

KATHY: I brand myself as writing Authentic Crime and Arresting Stories. Sometimes authentic crime is ugly and disturbing. I'm not talking about blood and gore, because I try to keep that kind of stuff to a minimum. But I AM talking about difficult subject matter.

 

A Deadly Blessing has a subplot of teenaged prostitution, and within that subplot dog-fighting is mentioned - not shown. These two crimes are part of real life, and as disturbing as that fact is, there are many people who are totally unaware they are problems in our society right now. In part, that's why they're in the book.

 

 

ALEXA: If you couldn't be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

KATHY: I'm supposed to be retired, and yet I'm working harder as a writer than I did as a cop - I worked really hard at the LAPD - they even honored me as Officer of the Year. If I couldn't write anymore, I'd take it easy and learn how to relax.

ALEXA: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? 

KATHY: Yes, I do read them. Its the only way I know how I'm connecting with readers. I've had a few readers who've really raked me over the coals. But I've had many more fabulous reviews that have literally given me chills. I can't believe I've touched a total stranger so deeply - and in turn, their reviews have touched me just as much.

One of my adult readers shared that, in her lifetime, she'd never finished an entire book until she read mine. Another reader, a teenaged girl, wants to become a police officer, but her family teases her and says some very mean things. She wrote to me and said she'd found strength in my character Jade Donovan and wants to be like her. That's how I started out my career as a police officer, aspiring to be like Trixie Belden. Maybe my books will lead this young lady to a successful career wearing a police uniform. How cool would that be?

ALEXA: Kathy, thanks for spending some time with us today. One last thing before you go. Do you have a question you’d like to ask your fans?

KATHY: Knowing that once readers find an author they like, I realize they are anxious for new books from their new favorite author. How long are you willing to wait for that next book? Would you, on your own, periodically check for new books by that author?

 

GIVEAWAY!!! Folks, Kathy will be giving away a copy of DEADLY BLESSING to one commenter today!

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author       may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.