 Tucson, Arizona author Kate Mathis left the fluorescents of the banking world behind and plunged headlong into a world of espionage — she’s never looked back. The result is her first published novel, Living Lies, introducing Agent Melanie Ward.
Ward lives her life as a secret agent, one of the top operatives for a clandestine division of the US government. Recruited while graduating from San Diego State University, Ward becomes immersed in work, greatly distancing her from family and friends for years.
Ward’s escapades as an agent offer the thrills and intrigue of a James Bond adventure … until she is passed over for a much-deserved promotion at the agency. That prize was snatched away by her no-good nemesis, the seedy Finn Parker. Hurt and confused, Ward walks away from the agency and heads back to her old world, languishing in self-pity on her parents’ old plaid couch.
Shifting gears, the exploits of Everyday-Person Ward read more like a chick-lit novel. Rekindling neglected relationships, she suffers through an onslaught of blind dates chosen by her mother and well-meaning female pals. It doesn’t take long for Ward to realize that she belongs back in that secret world of espionage. Then she meets Adam. On first meeting, he’s the perfect man, although she resists the closeness of the relationship.
Finally, called back to the agency, Agent Ward leaps back into action where a surprise turn of events reveals a much deeper side of Adam, the man she was trying so hard to forget. At book’s end, Mathis leaves readers wondering what will happen next. This is undoubtedly just the beginning of a thrilling mystery series of Agent Melanie Ward’s adventures. Mathis offers an easy-reading, fast-paced style and develops characters fully, so I can barely wait for more.
I had the opportunity to dig a little deeper into author Mathis’ secret psyche and here’s what she revealed.
C4W: How long did it take to develop this tale?
MATHIS: I worked a long time on Living Lies – I have twin girls and would take a few hours on weekends to write while thinking about the plot and characters during the week. This method took about two years. When they went into kindergarten I worked more frequently.
C4W: What authors have influenced you? Were there any television shows or movies while growing up that influenced your choice to write a spy thriller?
MATHIS: Reading, music, and movies have always played important roles—Jane Austen’s relationships; Stephen King’s emotions; Mark Twain’s cleverness; and lately, Janet Evanovich’s wit. I love the ending to the Sixth Sense, the unwavering love of the Princess Bride, and the physical strength of Bourne Identity.
Growing up, I loved to read and I was always writing, though never finishing. I grew up in Tucson watching reruns of I Love Lucy, Star Trek, and Gilligan’s Island with my dad, and listening to Patsy Kline and Elvis with my mom.
C4W: Is your main character, Agent Melanie Ward, autobiographical? And I’m not totally sold on Adam – I can’t say that I trust him as yet. Will he be a continuing character in your upcoming efforts?
MATHIS: Melanie is way cooler than I am and gets to do more things. She isn’t autobiographical, though I would love to have her courage and strength. Adam returns, as do most of the main characters, and we learn more about some of the minor characters in the next book too.
C4W: So when will you release your next novel and what is its title?
MATHIS: The storyline of next book is completed – I’m working on the body, filling out the plot and the suspense. I don’t have a title yet. I’ve spent more time these last few days thinking about it but ... nothing has grabbed me yet.
Living Lies can be ordered through www.PowWowPublishing.com, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.com, and is available at small independent book stores throughout Tucson, Arizona.
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