Elizabeth on Elizabeth Heiter

A Little Romance on the Beach

…and a Little Murder

Read a Little, Buy the Book

 “You’re thinking you should’ve gone out with me the first day I asked, aren’t you?”

That’s the question FBI Hostage Rescue Team agent Kyle “Mac” McKenzie asks the heroine of my Profiler series, Evelyn Baine, in my short story, AVENGED. 

The story takes place right after the second book in the series, VANISHED, ends, and the two of them have gone on a – secret! – vacation together.

They work for the FBI, and they’re both part of the Critical Incident Response Group – Mac as a tactical specialist (think the FBI’s version of Special Operations) and Evelyn as a profiler – and rules about dating within the group are murky at best.  It’s why Evelyn resisted Mac’s flirtations – or at least tried her best! – throughout the first two books in the series, HUNTED and VANISHED.

During AVENGED, Evelyn has finally realized maybe Mac was right, and the two of them have headed to a beach – without telling the FBI – for a little romance.  But soon, that romance is interrupted by bodies washing ashore.  Mac wants to move to a different beach and continue their vacation, leave behind the investigations for a change, but Evelyn is getting more and more sucked in to what looks like a vengeance killing.  And when the killer leaves Evelyn a message, Mac is in…they’re staying until they put the killer behind bars.

In my brand new release, SEIZED, their relationship is still a secret, which means that when Evelyn is taken hostage by a cult of survivalists and Mac is one of the agents tasked with breaching the compound, he has to keep his feelings hidden.  Inside the compound, Evelyn realizes the group may be planning a lethal attack and she needs to find a way to get that information to the outside world.  Her relationship with Mac (and something that happened in the little beach town in AVENGED) proves to be the key…

About AVENGED

a FREE short story releasing a chapter a day on the Harlequin.com website:

Love and vengeance

FBI profiler Evelyn Baine and fellow agent Kyle McKenzie are—secretly—on vacation together, visiting an island off the coast of Georgia. Evelyn has recently solved a notorious cold case, so she considers their holiday a reward of sorts. More than that, it's a cautious acknowledgment of her growing feelings for Kyle.

One day a body washes up on the beach, a body that's been disfigured. The killer has carved the word "pervert" into the victim's stomach. A second murder, with the victim labeled a "killer" appears soon after. The police don't agree when Evelyn tells them the murders look like the work of a vigilante trying to avenge…something.

Evelyn and Kyle find their own lives at risk as they move closer to the truth.

Start reading.

About SEIZED

Book 3 in The Profiler series

Danger is all around her...

What should have been a routine investigation for FBI profiler Evelyn Baine turns ominous when she's kidnapped by a dangerous cult of survivalists. As her worst nightmares become a reality, she begins to question what she's seeing. Because the longer she's inside their compound, the more she realizes this cult is not what it seems to be.

The next terrorist threat is right beside her...

As the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team closes in, Evelyn suspects she may have stumbled onto an emerging terrorist threat – and a leader who has a score to settle with the FBI. If Hostage Rescue breaches the compound, Evelyn's dead for sure. If they don't, the cult may unleash a surprise attack that could leave the whole country shattered.

"Suspenseful from the start and intriguing throughout. Recommended!"  - #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

Learn more.

ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little bit (or a lot!) of romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range.

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature.  She’s a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America.  She writes The Profiler series, a psychological suspense series featuring FBI profiler Evelyn Baine, who Fresh Fiction called “one of the most amazing characters created in print” and The Lawmen series, a romantic suspense series featuring friends in law enforcement, the third of which was nominated for Best Intrigue of 2015 by RT Book Reviews.

AVENGED is a special online short story in The Profiler series by MIRA
Free online Daily Read at Harlequin.com

FIND ELIZABETH

Website    Facebook     Twitter   @ElizabethHeiter    Goodreads     Previously on GLIAS

HUNTED

The Profiler, book #1

Read a little, Buy the book

VANISHED

The Profiler, book #2

Read a little, Buy the book

ANGI'S back Wednesday with

REGINA RICHARDS

UP NEXT ON GLIAS:  Lizbeth Selvig

~Angi Morgan

Get Lost on Goodreads, Facebook

or @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

What do you like best about serial killer stories?

THE LAWMEN of Elizabeth Heiter

THE DISARMING DETECTIVE

The Lawmen Series, book 1

Harlequin Intrigue

The case that's haunted one FBI profiler for years may have finally met its match in a sexy—and dedicated—detective…

When FBI profiler Isabella Cortez finds a stranger outside her office, she's in trouble. Because even though Detective Logan Greer is one of the good guys, their instant attraction is a serious distraction. Ella's got one mission: to find the criminal who hurt her friend and drove her to become a profiler. But Logan's appeal isn't just chemistry. He has a case that bears an eerie resemblance to the crime Ella's been trying to solve for years. Together, they're racing to stop a killer, but the closer they get, the more dangerous the search becomes. Falling in love could be deadly…or it could be the only way to survive.

Read a Little, Buy the Book

Don’t miss the entire Lawmen Series

 

ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy's shooting range. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She's a member of International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. Visit Elizabeth at her website.

A Q&A with ELIZABETH

I have really enjoyed getting to know Elizabeth over the past couple of years. Her books are wonderful . . . hope you give them a try.

ANGI: Do you have a favorite hero from your Lawmen series?

ELIZABETH: I can’t choose! I think whichever hero I’m writing at the moment is my favorite!

ANGI: What do you like the best about the hero of THE DISARMING DETECTIVE?

ELIZABETH: Homicide detective Logan Greer is so dedicated to his family.  It’s a problem in a way, because that gives him deep ties to a town far away from heroine Ella Cortez, but anyone with that kind of capacity for loyalty is a hero worth catching!

ANGI: What do you like the best about the hero of SEDUCING THE SNIPER?

ELIZABETH: FBI sniper Scott Delacorte is so confident and capable, both in his job and in his personal life.  He’s always been a playboy, and he’s not ashamed of the fact that he likes to have a little fun.  But when he falls for FBI negotiator Chelsie Russell, he falls hard.

ANGI: What do you like the best about the hero of S.W.A.T SECRET ADMIRER?

ELIZABETH: FBI SWAT agent Grant Larkin is the kind of guy you want to have your back.  When teammate Maggie Delacorte is threatened by the man who attacked her a decade ago, he’ll stand by her side – or plant himself directly in front of her, and dare anyone to get past him.

ANGI: Hiking Boots or Dancing Heels?

ELIZABETH: Although there’s a time and place for both, I love a fun pair of heels, and I love to dance, so I’ve got to go with dancing heels.

ANGI: Who’s your favorite villain?

ELIZABETH: I have a soft spot for Hans Gruber in Die Hard.  Not only did he switch back and forth from the German to the American accent, but he was so matter-of-fact about just being in it for the money. Smart, savvy, and straight-up.  But, alas, no match for John McClane!

 

ANGI: What is your best wish come true?

ELIZABETH: Being a published author! It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was very young, and something I’ve worked toward for many, many years.  Actually having my books on the shelves still gives me a thrill every single time I’m in a bookstore.

  

ANGI: Would you rather be in a Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

ELIZABETH: Definitely an action adventure! This seems to be changing, but the fairy tales I grew up with either featured a woman who needed to be rescued by a man (Disney) or a lot of gore (the original Grimm Fairy Tales).  Besides, most good action adventure stories still have a little romance…

ANGI: What’s your favorite rerun on television?

ELIZABETH: There’s something so entertaining about Psych.  I could watch that show all day – the Gus/Shawn friendship is so funny and cute, and then of course, there’s the Shawn/Juliette romance.  Humor, mystery, romance – it’s got all kinds of fun!

ANGI: What's your most favorite thing to do in your state?

ELIZABETH: Probably downhill skiing.  When I was younger, I skied a lot more – I could ski backwards, on one foot, over small jumps, and around moguls.  Now I wouldn’t attempt a lot of that, but I still enjoy it – skiing makes the Michigan winters more bearable!

ANGI: What’s your favorite meal?

ELIZABETH: Is chocolate a meal? (If not, I think I could figure out a way to make it one…)

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: If you could have your favorite movie star for one day, what would you do?

ELIZABETH’S GOTTA ANSWER: Hmmm…I think I’d force him to act out scenes from my book, so that when anyone asks, “Who do you see as this character?” I’d have a visual aid!  (After he was finished with that, of course, he’d be tired, and he’d probably want to sit by the fire and eat chocolate with me…since he’d certainly agree that it was a meal!)

FIND ELIZABETH:

Website    Facebook     Twitter   @ElizabethHeiter    Goodreads     Previously on GLIAS

UP NEXT for ELIZABETH

SEDUCED BY THE SNIPER

Playboy or protector?

In a twenty-four-hour period, FBI negotiator Chelsie Russell's life changed. She was a promising negotiator in the Bureau, but then she failed to talk down a crazed gunman. A year later the killer has escaped, and sniper Scott Delacorte has stepped up to protect Chelsie. Scott is the FBI's most infamous playboy—and the guy Chelsie had a one-night fling with just before the shooting. She'd dismissed him as the love 'em and leave 'em type, but now he stands between her and a killer. When the investigation takes an unexpected turn, powerful people become desperate to keep Scott and Chelsie silent—dead silent. Chelsie knows it's time to put aside their past and trust this man who has the power to break her heart. Again.

Read a Little, Buy the Book

S.W.A.T. SECRET ADMIRER

A predator is no match for her protector…

It's been ten years since the attack that drove Maggie Delacorte to become an FBI SWAT agent. She's an elite fighter now—and when the Fishhook Rapist sends her a letter saying he's coming back for her, she knows she has to find him first. Her teammate Grant Larkin is assigned to the case, and he's determined to protect Maggie, even if it damages the connection that's been growing between them. And even if her attacker has decided that the way to get to Maggie is by targeting the people she cares about. Her feelings for Grant could get him killed, but she needs him —and his love—to make it through the worst danger yet…

Read a Little, Buy the Book

PREVIOUS RELEASES by ELIZABETH

VANISHED

The Profiler, book #2

Read a little, Buy the book

 

HUNTED

The Profiler, book #1

Read a little, Buy the book

ELIZABETH is giving away a signed copy of Disarming Detective. North America Readers

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. 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.

ANGI'S back tomorrow with her

West Texas Watchmen

UP NEXT ON GLIAS:  THE RANGER

~Angi Morgan

Get Lost on Goodreads, Facebook

or @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

ELIZABETH WANTS TO KNOW: I love writing lawmen heroes (and heroines!).  What kind of heroes do you like to read about? (It could be a profession, a character trait, etc.)

Serial Killer Debut

HUNTED

Profiler Series, book 1

Mira

Terror stalks a small Virginia town…

FBI rising star, criminal profiler Evelyn Baine, knows how to think like a serial killer. But she’s never chased anyone like the Bakersville Burier, who hunts young women and displays them, half-buried, deep in the woods. As the body count climbs, Evelyn’s relentless pursuit of the killer puts her career – and her life – at risk. And the evil lurking in the Burier’s mind may be more than even she can unravel.

Terror is closer than she thinks…

The Bakersville Burier knows he’s got an FBI profiler on his trail. He knows who she is and where to find her. And he’s biding his time, because he’s planned a special punishment for Evelyn. She may have tracked other killers, but he vows to make this her last chase. This time it’s her turn to be hunted!

Read a little, buy the book

MEET ELIZABETH HEITER

She likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy's shooting range. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She's a member of International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. Visit Elizabeth at www.elizabethheiter.com.

THE PROFILER is PROFILED

ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?

ELIZABETH: I wish it were more often!  These days, I’m so busy writing books that I have less time to read.  But growing up, I went to the library every other week and came home with a stack of books so high I couldn’t see over them.  And the bookstore was still my favorite place to shop.  Needless to say, I read fast!  And I LOVE books, pretty much all genres.

Doing research (learning to shoot a Glock)
at the FBI Academy.

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

ELIZABETH: A real-life hero I know is the FBI Special Agent who has read my manuscripts for accuracy.  He’s been in the FBI for more than a decade, being on the front line in a counterterror squad among other things.  My friend, along with his colleagues – male and female – are heroes to me.  Doing the research to write an FBI character really made me appreciate all the work they do, and the personal risks they take to do their jobs effectively and protect us.

ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?

ELIZABETH: HUNTED is a psychological suspense, but it still has a romantic element.  The hero, Kyle McKenzie, is a Hostage Rescue Team agent with the FBI.  I loved writing him because he’s such a mix of badass (HRT is basically the FBI’s version of a Special Operations Team) and sensitivity (he really stands by my heroine, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine, even when she doesn’t think she needs him).  Plus, he’s charming, and he knows it!

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

ELIZABETH: Definitely something up-tempo, with a lot of tension built in.  One song that immediately comes to mind (probably because I listened to it often while writing HUNTED!) is called Promentory, from the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack.  There’s something about the use of string instruments (which seems so appropriate for the psychological elements of the book) and the inherent tension in the song (which ties into the action sequences).  Basically, that song makes you feel like something big is always on the cusp of happening – which I hope is also how the book makes you feel!

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

ELIZABETH: Action-adventure, definitely!  While I don’t mind a good fairy tale, in most of the classic tales I remember, the heroine needed to be rescued (I like a heroine who can rescue herself!).  I like a modern twist on a fairy tale, something like Ever After (my favorite scene in that movie is when the heroine is surrounded in the woods and is told she can keep only whatever she can carry out – and so she matter-of-factly picks up the hero!).  Action-adventure appeals to my need for an adrenaline rush (but in my opinion, the best action-adventure also has a romance with a fairy tale ending – or the promise of one to come!).

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?

ELIZABETH: This is a hard one!  I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember.  And even back in elementary and middle school, I was drawn primarily to novels.  I started a lot of novels as a kid that I never finished, but the first novel I did finish was with critique partner Robbie Terman (whom I’ve known since second grade).  That masterpiece <G> was our own Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew story.  We wrote the very first version of it entirely by hand, in a big notebook.  Later, we revised it so it became its own story, completely separate from Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, and typed it out onto the computer.  Somewhere, I still have that notebook with the original story!

Here I am with critique partner Robbie Terman,
writing novels (with a mocha, of course!

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?

ELIZABETH: Chocolate.  Or coffee.  Or best yet, chocolate coffee!  It’s become a little Pavlovian for me – have chocolate and coffee, must write!  (Or – am writing, need chocolate and coffee.  In fact, I have a box of Godiva on one side of my computer and a mug of german chocolate cake flavored coffee on the other as I write this blog post!)

ANGI: Is there a “Blooper” in your story (it may have been changed before printing)?

ELIZABETH: There were several that got changed before printing.  It seems I am a little too unfamiliar with names in popular culture, because when I gave the manuscript to my critique partner the first time, she laughed at me and told me I had to change the name of the Medical Examiner, because I’d used the name of a famous actress!  Then, when I turned in the first version to my editor, she pointed out that the new name I’d given the M.E. (now a man) was again someone famous.  Apparently, I’d better get a subscription to People!

ANGI: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

ELIZABETH: Oh, it’s a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it! <G>  I’ve always loved storytelling, and I really enjoy torturing my characters – making them face their demons and come out stronger for it.  For me, perseverance and the strength to keep pushing through, even when it looks like there’s no possible way there will be a good outcome, is a sexy trait!  (And, admittedly, I imagine the hero of my debut, Kyle McKenzie, to look a little like Hugh Jackman, and the heroine, Evelyn Baine, to resemble Thandie Newton, so they’re pretty good-looking on the outside, too!)

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: I know you enjoy researching your books, but what do you do for fun?

BEFORE

ELIZABETH'S GOTTA ANSWER:  Why, Angi, do you ask this question because all I seem to do is write or research for my books? <G>  Last year, after nine years of submitting (see why I appreciate perseverance?!), I finally sold my first five books.  So, I was writing those while working full-time as an editor for an e-learning company.  

This is the after shot of my living room
– note the new floor I put in!

And, a few years ago, I bought a house, and decided I could do the updates (things like redoing all the floors in the house) myself.  But I’m determined to make more time to get back into some of the other things I enjoy this year.  

I’ve already made plans to go downhill skiing in January (once upon a time, I could handle jumps, skiing backward, etc. – we’ll see how this trip goes!), and come summer, I’m determined to get back on a jet-ski and do some wake jumping!  Maybe it has to do with why I like suspense and action-adventure (love that adrenaline rush!), but I like sports with a little speed built in!

FIND ELIZABETH:

Website    Facebook     Twitter   @ElizabethHeiter    Goodreads     

UP NEXT for ELIZABETH:

VANISHED

Profiler Series, book 2

Mira, January 2015

THE LAWMAN SERIES:

THE DISARMING DETECTIVE, SEDUCED BY THE SNIPER, & S.W.A.T. SECRET ADMIRER

Harlequin Intrigue, March, April & May 2015

ELIZABETH IS GIVING AWAY a copy of HUNTED to a blog commenter. North America Readers only.

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. 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.

ELIZABETH WANTS TO KNOW: What hobby did you used to love that you want to make time for again?