Monday, August 31, 2009

WAKING NIGHTMARE is released!

It seems like such a long time ago that I signed the contract for this dark romantic thriller trilogy that it's hard to believe The Mindhunters are finally going to hit the shelves. But Waking Nightmare goes on sale September 1 and can be found online and in bookstores. Early reviews are very complimentary (whew!).

I actually went to contract for the series in 2007 and Berkley wanted to publish them back to back as soon as possible. But I only had this book done, and was still contracted with Silhouette for SRSs, so the schedule had to be delayed. Oh, and then there was the small item of my teaching job eating up some of my free time, too :)

Two years feels like forever in the publishing world. So actually seeing the books on the shelf will be a bit surreal.

A little about the series: The Mindhunters is the nickname for a private forensics firm that includes some of the best criminologists in the country. The agency is led by the legendary Adam Raiker, an ex-FBI criminal profiler. His employees are hired to consult with law enforcement on particularly puzzling and high profile crimes. Each story features an investigator from the agency, and they often have different specialties. Abbie Phillips, the heroine of book 1 is a forensic profiler. In book 3 the heroine is a forensic anthropologist.

It goes without saying that what I know about forensics that stems from personal experience wouldn't fill a thimble. But that's where my interests have long been, so I've been doing research for years. Waking Nightmare was especially fun to research because it's set in Savannah. That city has long been on my to-be-visited list for it's history, eerie legends, architecture and sheer southern grace.

I was surprised to learn that even the headquarters for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department has ties to history. Built in 1870, it's the oldest continually active police headquarters in the nation. Here's a picture of the exterior facing Oglethorpe Avenue. They've attempted to leave that side of the building true to its original form:

Notice the old squad cars out front. If I hadn't researched Savannah for this book, I never would have known that the police headquarters there was a must see! The building, known as "The Barracks" features windows edged with white gingerbread trim. It's situated next to the spooky Colonial Park cemetery, which is reputed to be haunted. I have to wonder if the location is an accident or if it was by design!

There's also a portion of the book that takes place on a nearby vacation spot, Tybee Island. After reading up on it I just may have to schedule a vacation there. I do so love beach and ocean. And who could resist visiting a spot that used to be inhabited by pirates?

Here's a photo of Tybee Island Inn. Doesn't it just drip atmosphere?













Oh and just for a taste of what Waking Nightmare holds in store for you, here's the back cover copy:

FIRST HE LEARNS YOUR DARKEST FEARS
THEN HE MAKES YOU LIVE THEM

With a serial rapist loose on the streets of Savannah, hot-shot detective Ryne Robel needs all the help he can get for his task force. And he needs it now, before another woman falls victim. But Abbie Phillips isn't what he bargained for. Sent from an exclusive group of the best criminologists in the country, she's smart, fierce...and distracting. She may be a brilliant forensic profiler, but Ryne needs answers, not psychobabble and head games.

However, Abbie convinces him that head games are exactly what this elusive suspect is all about. The seemingly random acts of torture are actually calculated to match each victim's darkest fears. And the stakes are rising. While they study the devious psychopath, he's watching them--the next objects of his horrifying obsession.

You can find an excerpt on my site: www.kyliebrant.com.

No big surprise that some of my favorite TV shows through the years have been Hillstreet Blues, NYPD and now NCIS. I love watching the same sort of story lines I enjoy reading and writing!

Do your TV/movie viewing tastes run to the forensic and/or police procedural? If so, which ones do you watch? Are you one of those who find the subject matter too grim? What do you turn to instead?

One lucky commenter will receive a an autographed copy of Waking Nightmare!

56 comments:

D Twomey said...

Congratulations on your new release.... It sounds like a good one!

I watch a variety of show types that include police/forensic ones. There are several that I'll watch, but two that come to mind immediately are Criminal Minds and Medium.

Of course, I really enjoy Desperate Housewives and Two and a Half Men too! :)

Keri Ford said...

Congrats, Kylie! Love NCIS. Can't wait for the new season and for the new season of NCIS: LA (though I undersatnd this one will focus on undercover operations and not forensics, but who doesn't love LL Cool J??)

I was watching the other day and realized my regency rake is modeled nearly exactly like Tony. Only, you know know instead of movie lines, he quotes his Shakespeare. Lots of fun there.

I used to do CSI: Las Vegas, but the characters got old for me and couldn't keep with it. Never got into the other two.

It's funny, I can watch all this gross stuff in forensics, but don't even think about making me sit through a graphic horror film.

Playground Monitor said...

I'm a CSI (Las Vegas)/Law and Order SVU/The Closer junkie. And I'll watch the original Law and Order plus L&O Criminal Intent too. I also like Cold Case Files and Forensic Files on the cable channels. Give me Desperate Housewives too and I'm a happy camper.

Isn't Savannah neat? My mom lives about 90 miles south of there and I've done day trips to Savannah. If you take the Gray Line tour, they show you the park bench where Forest Gump sat, the cafe where Julia Roberts saw her spouse cheating on her in "Something to Talk About" and various sites from "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Congrats on the release!

Marilyn

Unknown said...

Kylie, this sounds fantastic!!!!! I reallly can't wait to read it. I'm proud ta know ya.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new release !!!
I love NCIS, CSI Las Vegas (never got hooked by the other 2) and Bones.
SOmetimes they ARE a little creepy, but he... it's part a the reason I watch them ! ;-)

KylieBrant said...

D Twomey, I love Medium and Two and a Half Men, too. Not really that big a fan of Patricia Arquette's acting but I'm sucked in by the premise of the show every time!

KylieBrant said...

Keri, I'm a huuuuuge NCIS fan. Am waiting eagerly for the new undercover one. I wasn't as thrilled with it last season (the premiere) because it was sort of hard to follow. But then I often multi-task while watching tv, LOL!

Too cool about your character patterned after Tony. I find that my character in my wip is, as well! No movie quotes, though. That'd be a giveaway.

KylieBrant said...

Marilyn, I do want to take a trip to Savannah, especially after writing this book!

What channel is Forensic Files on? I've run across old clips on the internet but never seem to know when/where to find it on TV.

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, much, Lois! I thought of you when I was going through all the renditions of the cover on this one!

Emmanuelle, the creepiness factor doesn't bother me on the forensics shows. Which is weird because I can get totally grossed out on Grey's Anatomy or ER, LOL!

Helen Brenna said...

Hey Kylie - major congrats on your book FINALLY hitting the shelves! I can imagine it felt like forever.

I think I'd prefer the forensic side of things, but I honestly don't watch any of these TV shows. I know I should, though, from a writers perspective!!

Love your premise for these books!

GunDiva said...

Kylie, I can't wait to read the trilogy. Forensic Anthropology is a passion of mine, I was a TA for one of the world's leading Forensic Anthropologists for four years, right up until he died. He always told us that he'd be in the lab until they took him out toes up. I love any sort of crime-based novel, though I've not decided on TV shows yet. I didn't have TV until just a couple of months ago (finally caved when I got married and got cable hooked up for the hubby). I've seen one or two episodes of Bones and all I can say is that we never got to carry cool weapons when we were working. HATED CSI; saw one episode won't waste my time again. Maybe it's just too hard for me to suspend reality to enjoy those shows. I have seen one or two Forensics Files (my boss was in one of the episodes) and I enjoyed what I did see.

I'm happy for your new release and intend to go get it this afternoon!

CrystalGB said...

I am a big fan of those types of shows. I love Bones, NCIS, all the CSI's, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order SVU.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the long awaited release!!

Crime and forensics are on the top of my TV list:
NCIS
CSI- just not Miami
Forensic Files
The First 48

Usually I find them when flipping channels because I don't really get to sit down and watch anything until kids are tucked in and housework done.

Cindy Gerard said...

Yea!!!!!!!! Waking Nightmare is FINALLY out! Guys - 'cause I'm in tight with Kylie :o) I have already read this amazing book. run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore and buy it immediately! If they bookstore doesn't have it - demand that they order it. This is a book you really don't want to miss.

And YEA for NCIS. Can't WAIT to see Jethro and the gang again.

Enchanted by Books said...

I love police procedural type of books AND TV shows. My favorite show is Dexter on Showtime. He's a serial killer by night, forensics analyst by day! He works side by side with the cops investigating blood splatters and stuff like that at crime scenes. But he has an agenda to kill of people that are hurting others and actually thinks it's doing good in the world to do this. It's a great show! :)

Congrats on your new release Kylie! I've heard alot about this book and have been dying to read it. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy!

Maureen said...

I have enjoyed a variety of police shows on television over the years. Some favorites are Homicide: Life on the Streets, NYPD Blue, Law and Order and now The Closer. Congratulations on the new book!

Debra Dixon said...

Yay for the book being out !

Sounds like a good series and perfect for those readers.

I like suspense and when the girl that works for me part-times works in the evening, we feed her. And we all eat casually in the den. And a television is on. And it's usually on to CSI or Bones or whatever.

The other day she said, "Do you just try and find things to gross me out when I'm eating?"

We cracked up because it doesn't bother us at all and we never thought to ask because she watches these shows. Apparently just not while she's eating. (g)

Now, what I can't watch is horror/slasher films like Chain Saw Massacre.

KylieBrant said...

Helen, I just used to watch cop shows with my dad when I was a kid. I'm sure that's where my interest originated!

tetewa said...

I love to watch Bones and can't wait for the new season to start!

KylieBrant said...

GunDiva, I could have used your expertise on book 3. It features a forensic anthropologist. Don't know what made me think of writing a book that required knowledge of that and molecular biology. Eek!

KylieBrant said...

Crystal, sounds like you have a full line up of shows each week!

KylieBrant said...

LunaticCafe--I'm not familiar with The First 48. What type of show is it and where can I find it? I'm always looking for new shows!

KylieBrant said...

Cindy--thanks, buddy! Your signed copy will be in the mail--once I receive them! Couldn't have made it through without your constant support!

KylieBrant said...

Rachel--yes on Dexter!! Loved it while it got switched to CBS for a while but I don't have showtime. I will have to get the seasons I've missed on video and watch them on the treadmill this winter!

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, Maureen. Sigh--NYPD. I *still* miss that show!

KylieBrant said...

Deb, that is too funny! And I don't do the slasher films either.

KylieBrant said...

Tetewa--Bones is one of those shows I can never seem to find on TV. I'm going to have to make my own personal TV guide this year!

Unknown said...

Ooooooo, Kylie I love southern serial-killer-psycho stories! And SAvannah. . . gorgeous. Someday I'm going to set a book there just so I can go and research!

This look scrumptious!!!

Congratulations!

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, Betina! The villain isn't a serial killer in this book--he purposefully leaves his victims alive so they'll suffer forever. That does qualify him for psycho material!

Michele Hauf said...

I'm notorious for avoiding the alphabet soup of crime TV shows. Just too squeamish, I guess. And have never had much interest in procedural stuff. Though I confess, I have been catching an episode of Bones here and there, and really like the chemistry of the whole cast.

I do tend to find the subject matter grim, which sometimes shocks people because I write about vampires and werewolves. But that's fantasy. Crime is reality,and it's very shocking to me.

catslady said...

Congratulations.

My top two favorites are NCIS and CSI - only Las Vegas. Truly, I think the reason the other CAS's didn't make it big is because there is no humor in them. I really think that's what makes NCIS and CSI such a hit. It's a dark subject and a bit of levity is needed.

catslady said...

I can't type today - sorry - Not CAS's but CSI's.

Pamk said...

love show like that CSI, NCIS, NYPD any kind of whodunit show i like.

MaryC said...

Hi, Kylie!

The UPS man just delivered my copy of Waking Nightmare - can't wait to read it this evening!

I love NCIS - want to know what's going to happen with Ziva.

Been watching Quincy, M.E starring
Jack Klugman on Retro TV - love his sidekick Sam and the long suffering boss, Dr. Astin and of course Danny.

KylieBrant said...

Michele--regardless of the show (NCIS, Bones) it's the characters and their stories that are most compelling, just like in books!

KylieBrant said...

Catslady--you're right. There has to be humor, even if it's dark, to remind us that the characters are people who go home to lives and families regardless of their occupation.

KylieBrant said...

Pam, I grew up watching Mannix and the Rockford Files. Way before your time, I'm sure! Then Magnum PI and the old Hillstreet Blues. I have a love affair with who-dunnits too!

Mary C, I hope you enjoy the book! I remember watching the old Quincy shows. I prefer Ducky on NCIS. And yes...what is going to happen to Ziva??

Anonymous said...

The First 48 is on A&E. My mom watches all the time and last time I was visiting we would stay up half the night watching crime shows. A&E has a few good ones- I also like City Confidential.

Jasmine said...

Love Bones and NCIS. I used to watch CSI but now that William Peterson is gone, it just isn't the same.

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, LunaticCafe--I'll have to check out A&E!

Jasmine, one character on a show can make a big difference, can't it?

Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews said...

Congrats Kylie on your new release!

Great post and I love the pics! This series sounds like ones I would love to read because I love romantic supsense books.

I watch CSI & Miami, NCIS will be checking out NCIS Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, Murdoch Mysteries and Cold Case.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Kylie, big congrats! The setting and the setup sound wonderful I can't wait to dive in!

Jane said...

Congrats on the new release, Kylie. I love crime drama. Some of my favorites include "NCIS," "Criminal Minds," "Law & Order" and "The Menalist." I wish NBC didn't cancel "Life." It was one of my favorite shows and it was quite humorous. I don't find them too grim. I actually like the darker and more gruesome shows. I think they're more realistic.

KylieBrant said...

Razlover, I may have to give Criminal Minds another try. They do have some compelling plot lines. When it first came out I didn't like the lead agent and so stopped watching it. But I may have to get over that, LOL!

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, Kathleen! I'd be more excited about the release date if I had my author copies, LOL!

Anonymous said...

COngrats Kylie!
I've been following you around in order to get the chance to win this book :) Romantic suspense is one of my favorites.
My top list :
-CSI LAS VEGAS / MIAMI (No to Newyork)
- Bones
- the Mentalist
- Criminal minds
just can't get enough when i watch those series!
Mariska

KylieBrant said...

Jane, I guess I don't have any problem compartmentalizing...watching that sort of thing doesn't keep me awake. I find those kind of books scarier, actually, because I'm doing so much more visualizing when I'm reading, and there are no commercial breaks!

AllisonO said...

Kylie,
I am so excited about the release of your books. I've been looking for a new series ad I think this is going to be it.
One of my favorite shows is Bones. I am a police/forensic junkie - criminal minds, NCIS, etc...

Good luck with the series!

Playground Monitor said...

I think Forensic Files is on truTV (used to be Court TV).

How about a Savannah road trip? YEAH!

Marilyn

KylieBrant said...

Welcome, Mariska! You've got some of my favorites on your list of shows, too!

KylieBrant said...

AllisonO, I hope you like the series! We're watching the back-to-back-to-back NCIS shows on TBS as we speak!

Thanks, Marilyn, for the channel. I really have to get my TV viewing organized for the fall line up. And a road trip--yeah!! I've already decided when I go to Savannah I won't be taking my dh. He's so not into history...!

mslizalou said...

Congrats on the release Kylie! I'm totally addicted to NCIS. Other favorites are The Mentalist and Bones. I'll look for Waking Nightmare at the bookstore this week.

KylieBrant said...

Thanks, Liza! What do you think about the mentalist? Does he have extra sensory powers or is he enormously observant? I can't decide.

Enchanted by Books said...

Hey Kylie!
I didnt have Showtime either for a while but had to for Dexter. I ended up winning Season 1 on DVD somewhere and watched it all so fast. If you are thinking of buying them, check out Amazon's prices. That's where I got the other seasons from. It's so much cheaper then Target. Fabulous show. Love it!

Mint said...

I enjoy all the CSI's, Numbers,Law & Orders, NCIS, Castle and just about every crime show on TV. I don't like them to get to gory but usually they are all OK.

KylieBrant said...

Mint, yes, I usually find the medical shows are more gory than the forensics ones!