(MIRA, February 2011)

Where did you come up with the idea for the book?

Leslie--For a while, I’d been kicking around an idea about an FBI agent forced to deal with some very personal issues while handling a serial murder investigation. My main male character, FBI Agent Trevor Rivette, came from that. I love writing about the dynamics between siblings, and the idea sort of grew from there that the entire Rivette clan would be impacted by some dark family secrets.

As much as MIDNIGHT CALLER is a serial killer story, it’s also about what happened to tear the Rivette family apart twenty years earlier.

Why did you pick New Orleans for the setting?

Leslie--I had originally planned to set MIDNIGHT CALLER in Savannah, but when the Goth aspect of the storyline emerged, I did some research and found out that New Orleans has a larger Goth community. It also seemed the right place for a serial killer known as “the Vampire” to be running around.

On a broader level, I’m fascinated by historical southern settings, and I’d been to New Orleans several times. In fact, my brother-in-law lived in Kenner, Louisiana, for a while, which is basically a suburb of New Orleans. So I felt like I knew the city somewhat.

Who was your favorite character to develop and why?

Leslie--My main female character, Rain Sommers, is a practicing psychologist, but she’s also a bit of an eccentric with her own dark New Orleans-style legacy that factors heavily into the plot. Her background was very interesting to write.

There’s also a secondary character – Trevor’s sister, Annabelle – that I truly believe is the heart of the Rivette family. When I finished writing MIDNIGHT CALLER, hers was the story that really stuck with me.

What is it that draws you to writing romantic suspense?

Leslie--I love the elements of danger in romantic suspense stories, and the heightened passions that come along with that. While no one really wants that kind of danger in his or her real life, I’d think, it’s exciting to see it play out from the safety of a book. I’m especially drawn to male characters that act heroically and can be brave to the point of foolishness when the stakes are high.

How long did it take you to write the manuscript?

Leslie--It took about nine months to write the first draft, then longer still to edit and revise it into a viable manuscript. MIDNIGHT CALLER was my first completed novel, so I had the luxury of taking it slow and learning as I went. Now that I’ve developed a rhythm and discovered more about story building, I’m finding the subsequent novels have come much faster.

You are contracted for two more books in the series. As the writer, is the big challenge for you to grow the main characters or is it something else?

Leslie--As a debut novelist, my biggest challenge is to not get too overwhelmed by the business of writing – contracts, deadlines and the fear of not doing something absolutely right. If you let all that eat at you, it can disrupt the creative enjoyment of storytelling.

It sounds weird, but I’ve also had to learn to “let go” of the characters in each book when their stories come to a close. With the start of each new book, I always panic, thinking I’ll never love the next story and next characters as much. But so far I end up loving the new ones, too. I feel very lucky to be doing this.

Visit www.leslietentler.com

Genre: General Romantic Suspense, Romantic Suspense

Sensuality: HOT

RT Rating: 4 stars

Tentler’s novel set in New Orleans is filled with suspense and mystery

and centered around a compelling plot with a terrifying villain and

two main characters readers will come to care deeply about. This is

one riveting read.

FBI agent Trevor Rivette returns to his hometown of New Orleans in

search of a psychopath who is murdering women in the most gruesome

ways. He hasn’t been home in years, after trying to put a painful past

behind him. Late-night radio show psychologist Rain Sommers, who

dispenses advice to needy callers, begins to get chilling calls from

an obsessed fan. After hearing the call on her show, Trevor believes

the caller is the man he is looking for. Brought together by this

strange coincidence, Trevor and Rain make a harrowing journey to find

a vicious killer before more people die. (MIRA, Feb., 416 pp., $7.99)

Reviewed By: Melanie Bates

With Release of MIDNIGHT CALLER 

MIRA debut author Leslie Tentler decided a few years ago it was time to get serious about her dream of writing fiction. In February, readers will be treated to the results of her dedication with the release of her romantic suspense novel, MIDNIGHT CALLER.

 The novel launches a three-book series for the Atlanta-based MIRA author with a story that will keep readers turning the pages.

 “I had many of the early signs of most aspiring writers,” said Tentler. “I was an avid reader and wrote short stories that I kept mostly to myself.” An Atlanta public relations professional, Tentler also wrote press materials and ghostwrote business articles as her day job. “But I always wanted to write fiction. So a few years ago I decided it was time to get serious about it. I needed to roll up my sleeves, dedicate myself to my dream and not just talk about it.”   

 And with the book deal from MIRA comes her first offering…MIDNIGHT CALLER.

 Late-night radio-show psychologist Rain Sommers is used to the crazies who call in to rage from the back alleys of the French Quarter and the shadows of the bayou. But one caller's chilling obsession with her and her long-ago murdered mother – an iconic singer beloved among the city's Goth community – has even the jaded Rain running scared as a sadistic serial killer known as the Vampire prowls New Orleans.

 FBI agent Trevor Rivette is convinced her midnight caller and the killer are one and the same. As it becomes disturbingly clear that the Vampire has a sick bloodlust only Rain can satisfy, she allows Trevor to get closer and closer. But he soon discovers that his secretive past and troubled present are intertwined – and that he may die trying to keep Rain's fate out of a madman's control.

 As a writer, much of the challenge and enjoyment for Tentler was the development of her two lead characters. “These two have some real complexities. Rain Sommers has a real edge to her because of her childhood and famous mother,” said Tentler. “Trevor Rivette is coming back home to track a killer and to face his own demons of a troubled family past. He’s also trying to protect Rain yet still keep his distance. He’s trying to keep it professional. But I hope readers can feel the tension and attraction building as they delve into the story.”

A native southerner—she grew up in East Tennessee—Tentler is at home setting MIDNIGHT CALLER in New Orleans. At first she considered another southern town, Savannah, Georgia. “But as the gothic storyline developed I turned to New Orleans because of its larger Gothic community,” said the author. “It also seemed to be the right place for a serial killer known as ‘the Vampire’ to be running around.” 

 While MIDNIGHT CALLER is introducing readers to this talented new author, Tentler is busy working on the next book in the series.

For more information on the author visit www.leslietentler.com 

Author Tasha Alexander Shares Her Favorites For The Season

 Book enthusiasts look for those special holiday reads of the season. Noted historic fiction author Tasha Alexander is no different. 

 “I have favorites that are essential reading for my holiday enjoyment,” said the Chicago resident, who spends her working time writing the popular Lady Emily series set in Victorian England period. Her list blends classics with newer literary works.

 Alexander shares her holiday favorites that others might enjoy while sipping egg nog and curled up on the couch…wood-burning fireplace is optional.

 1. THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE, Lauren Willig. Willig is at her witty best in this charming tale. You'll never look at Christmas pudding (or root vegetables!) in the same way. If you buy one book this Christmas, it should be this.

 2. A CHRISTMAS ODYSSEY, Anne Perry. Perry does a magnificent job highlighting the contrast between rich and poor in Victorian England, but manages just the same to give her story a delicious holiday feel.

 3. A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Charles Dickens. We read this out loud every December; it's one of my son's favorites. The story goes beyond classic, and serves as an excellent reminder of Dickens' multitudinous talents.

 4. A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES, Dylan Thomas. A sentimental favorite, full of warm childhood memories, rich with nostalgia. A perfectly painted picture of a long-vanished time and place.

 5. LITTLE WOMEN, Louisa May Alcott. It's impossible not to love the Christmas scene. Even if you do want to slap Amy by the end of the book.... 

 Visit www.tashaalexander.com  for more information about Tasha and her books.

(Minotaur, November release)

Q—In Dangerous To Know are we seeing an edgier or more daring side of Lady Emily?

A—She’s more confident in her skills as an investigator, but she’s not necessarily more daring. If anything, she’s coming to accept that she can’t go racing blindly into every dangerous situation she encounters. She’s learning to balance her emotional responses with calculated, intellectual ones.

Q—What does the setting of Normandy bring to the story?

A—I wanted to set Dangerous to Know somewhere full of beauty and rich with culture—but also in a place that might feed a person’s growing fears and superstitions. Crumbling châteaux are an excellent background for a ghost story. I was lucky enough to write much of the novel in an exquisite house (that was neither crumbling nor haunted) in Normandy, and hope the atmosphere of the area permeates the book.

Q—What’s the biggest challenge writing the fifth book in the series and how do you meet it?

A—It’s a pleasure to get to write a long-running series. I feel incredibly lucky to have completed so many. The challenge, though, is to keep the stories fresh and to make sure the characters are growing. I do careful research when it comes to history and location—moving the settings of the book to different places broadens Emily’s horizons and, I hope, my readers’. 

Q—How long did it take to write the manuscript?

A—Generally speaking, I have about a year in which to write each book. Not all of that is spent sitting at the keyboard—lots of time goes into research, for example.

Q—Who was the most fun character to write in Dangerous To Know and why?

A—I was thrilled to bring Sebastian Capet, who appeared in A Poisoned Season, back into play. Sebastian’s wit and inappropriate candor make him extremely fun to write.

Q—You're married to thriller author Andrew Grant. Are Emily and Colin similar to you and Andrew? 

A—Andrew does have the right accent to be Colin, and I don't object to a nice glass of port now and then, but that's about as far as the similarities go. Neither of us is an agent for the Crown, independently wealthy, or owns a villa on Santorini. Most importantly, we lack a butler like Davis. But, as much fun as having a full staff must be, Emily and Colin miss out on one of our favorite daily activities—cooking together.

Media contact: Tom Robinson www.authorandbookmedia.com 615-794-2998