Please welcome our guest author, Andi Ramos, presenting about her debut novel, the romantic suspense, Gumshoe Girl. I loved her title and wanted to help her celebrate her debut novel and geek out about mystery heroines.
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Q: Andi, What motivated you to write romantic suspense?
A: It’s funny as of now; I can’t seem to get out of the Romantic suspense genre.
I am a plotter, meaning I write an outline before I start writing my book.
I don’t stick by them entirely. I think of my outlines as organic they grow with the story.
But, outlines are useful to make sure your story gets back to where it needs to be and doesn’t veer too far off path.
I tend to write my romance story first. I want to make sure I don’t skimp on the romance — it’s my favorite part.
I have this great WIP (work in progress) I had every intention to make it a contemporary romance, but as I am writing my brain automatically thinks of ways to weave mystery or suspense elements into the story and I can’t turn it off, the stories just take that natural turn.
Q: Tell us about GUMSHOE GIRL
A: Sure. Here you go!
Sheagan O’Hare got more than she bargained for when her newly inherited detective agency lands its first case; a missing person, embezzlement, and murder. Sheagan’s out to prove she can hang with the pros, despite the constant reminder of her amateur status from an annoyingly attractive FBI agent, Colin ‘Mac’ MacEvine, who’s forced himself into her life.
How does she feel when an old high school friend hopes to ignite a new romance?
Will she be able to discover if detective work and love can mingle before someone gets hurt?
Q: Tell me more about your heroine. She seems gusty and fun.
A: Sheagan O’Hare is the main character in my debut novel, Gumshoe Girl. She is 27 years old and hasn’t quite figured out how to be successful in life. However, she realized with the recent death of my father and catching her boyfriend cheating on her that she had better figure things out quick. She recently took over Diamond Detective Agency, her family business. She never expected to be in this situation, so doesn’t know anything about being a detective or solving cases. She’s not going to let that deter her especially landing her first big client, a missing persons case.
She tries her best to hang with the pros, problem is she’s got this annoying and unfortunately extremely attractive FBI agent that keeps reminding her of her amateur status. She’s not looking for a new love, but she runs into a guy from her past that is trying to change her mind. And, well I mentioned the hot agent…so I’m not sure her heart is going to listen to her head. She’s got to learn to trust her instincts in order to be succeed, but will she be able to do that before someone gets hurt?
Q: You have an excerpt to share with us?
A: Sure do!
Excerpt:
Sheagan blinked back the sting in her eyes as sweat drizzled from her forehead. Her shoulders and forearms cried out as determination inched her body forward through the tin walls that framed her slender figure. The narrow shaft rendered her legs useless as they dragged behind her like dead weight. She made a vow to start working out as she approached her destination, the metal grate that looked down into the sweetheart suite of the Eliot Hotel.
She shimmied her binoculars out of her bag and clutched them in her sweaty palms as she readied herself to delve into the world of private investigating. The friction of her movements caused her mahogany mane to cling to all the surfaces of her temporary confinement. Perched behind the filigree frame, peering like a caged animal, she was a mere 20 feet from her target. Her target? The Rat Bastard, who up until this very moment she’d called boyfriend.
She wasn’t there to kill him, even though the thought had crossed her mind; no, she was there to catch him in the act. She suspected he had been cheating on her for some time, so proof would end her suspicion or the relationship. Spying on her significant other through an air-vent of a swanky hotel room was hardly a promising start to her so-called glamorous career as a private detective. But it snapped her back into the reality that her new chosen profession would often be messy and difficult.
She peered through the grate and envied the spacious room below, but her viewing angle was no good for the task at hand. She could feel the heat in her cheeks rise along with her anger as she scanned the room and soaked in the extravagance–the hardwood tables, the Italian marble fireplace, the opulent sheen of the fabric on the overstuffed furniture that glimmered in the soft candlelight. The Rat Bastard was not known to overindulge on frivolous expenses, unless it was on her dime. Thoughts of killing him resurfaced.
What is wrong with me? Why did I wait so long?
She immediately regretted the fleeting question. She knew why. The answer brought back the pain and significance of her father’s sudden death. He had been the only family she had left, and he was gone. All that was left behind was his detective agency. She had thought about giving it up, but she couldn’t; it was her only connection to him, to her family.
She closed her eyes briefly, realizing that now she was facing more loss–even if he was a lying, cheating Rat Bastard.
No! It’s better this way, stay focused.
She choked in a breath and turned her attention back to the room. His secret love nest was finished with soothing tones on the walls and thick, plush carpeting.
What is that on the end table?
Her gaze was drawn to the bottle label as it bobbed upside down in the melting ice. She sharpened the focus of her binoculars, and her eyes widened in recognition.
Her cheeks flushed. Cristal, she scoffed. Who is this Bimbo, anyway?
As if she had room to criticize this girl’s intelligence, when Sheagan was the one sweating her makeup off in a four-by-four-foot air-duct.
Yeah, who’s the stupid one?
She heard passionate sounds coming from the right of the room and recognized his tone. Leaning sideways, Sheagan pressed her face to the grate, but her limited
view revealed only a portion of the bed and unable to make out major details, like faces.
Crap, I can’t see anything. Damn! She needed to get a better look.
As she shifted her weight, the metal walls started to reverberate and Sheagan stifled a gasp, willing the rumbling to cease. Her breathing became labored as the musty air stole the aroma of the sweet perfume wafting up waft from the suite below. She stilled her movements and did the only thing she could think of… nothing. Nothing but stare at the heap of blankets and wait.
Come on, bimbo, come up for air. I know he doesn’t last that long.
Her discomfort increased as the noise from their passion became more intense. Ugh, that’s it, I’ve had it!
She mashed her cheek and upper body against the grate.
I just need a peek to confirm.
She pressed harder, ogling the bed. Finally, she caught a tiny glimpse.
Just a little further.
She pushed and heard a chirring sound, then a scraping. She froze in place, but
the grate gave way with a creaking groan and crashed to the ground. Time stood still as Sheagan realized there was nothing between her and the floor except air.
Q: Where can we get your books?
A: Here you go!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Gumshoe-Girl-Andi-Ramos-ebook/dp/B07CMZVJ9Z
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gumeshoe-girl/id1376902448
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/820388
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gumeshoe-girl
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gumeshoe-girl-andi-ramos/1128555736
More About Andi Ramos
Andi Ramos is a debut author from central Massachusetts where she lives with her family, goat, and Boston Terriers. Her love for reading grew into a passion for writing. She dabbled with pen and paper for a long time and eventually stopped pushing her amusements aside and started developing those stories into novels. One of her favorite things to do is to hop into her motorhome with her family and write while traveling down the road as they journey to various destinations.
Website: www.andiramos.com
Blog: www.andiramos.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andiramosauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andiramosauthor
Sounds interesting she could be a great character seems she has some spitfire in her
Thanks, Joe! She certainly does, I hope you like her!
Thank you, Beth, for having me on today. Your questions were great, I had so much fun!
So glad to have you stop by, Andi! Come back anytime!
What a great Blog!!! This book sounds like a must read!!! Pre-ordered my copy, can’t wait, so excited! Andrea, do you expect more shenanigans with Shaegen in her future? Do you have more books in the works, that we can also look forward to? You seem to be an aspiring author and I am excited about your writings!
Thank you, Kelly, you can definitely expect more from Sheagan. I have book two well underway as well as an outline for book three. Thank you for your support be sure to check out my blog http://www.andiramos.com/blog to find out more about my works in progress and upcoming events!!