Author Elisabeth Naughton

Please join in welcoming back to Killer Fiction the famously fabulous author Elisabeth Naughton. Take it away, Elisabeth...



Happy New Year!


Thanks so much to the ladies here at Killer Fiction for inviting me back. The third book in my Stolen Trilogy released this past Tuesday, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s finally on the shelf. STOLEN SEDUCTION was a lot of fun to write, a book I’m extremely proud of, but one that wasn’t without its trials and tribulations.


Aside from the fact I nearly killed my hero halfway through the book (see this post if you’re interested in reading why), I got myself into some hot water in the research department. You see, to make the plot work, I needed to figure out how I could kill someone and not make it look like murder. I thought long and hard about how I wanted to do the dastardly deed and finally decided on poisoning. Logically, I asked my husband (who works for a pharmaceutical company) how I could poison someone and NOT make it look like murder. Because he knows how my twisted mind works, he rubbed his chin and rattled off various drug interactions that would cause easily explained (legitimate) deaths. Problem: they all took way too long to work. I needed something immediate. So—after lots of grumbling on my part—the hubby finally said, “I know a doctor on the Coast who’s also a medical examiner. We get along well. I’ll ask him.”


Okay.


Lesson Number One: When asking questions about how to murder someone, DON’T DO IT VIA EMAIL.


The hubby wrote out a long email explaining what I needed and told the ME it was for my “book”. The medical examiner replied with three words: GET A LAWYER.


*sigh*


So much for that research connection. On I went to a friend whose brother is a Physician’s Assistant. This time *I* contacted him with my question. This “friend” is like a best friend. And she and her mom read ALL my books. They know what I write, they tell everyone about me, so it seemed logical the brother – who also knows what I write – would be a big help.


Lesson Number Two: Do not assume anything. Especially when it comes to murder.


The PA’s answer? “Please send me your husband’s cell number. I think he needs to know what you’re asking.”


*sigh*


And there went that research connection. My last shot was a county medical examiner who had spoken at a writer’s workshop I’d attended. She KNEW we were all writers and gave us her contact info and told us to get in touch with her if we had any research questions. (In her words: “It’s so cool that you write about this!”) So I did.


Lesson Number Three: People LIE.


All messages AND emails went unanswered.


And that led me to…


Lesson Number Four (and the most important): If you want to know how to clear a room, ask a group of medical professionals how to commit murder and get away with it. I guarantee you’ll become as popular as the plague.

In the end, I was able to get my questions answered, but it wasn’t easy. And I am absolutely certain someone in the FBI is keeping a close eye on my husband to make sure he doesn’t wind up dead in the near future.


I’ve got one copy of STOLEN FURY, book one in the trilogy, and one copy of STOLEN HEAT, book two in the trilogy, to give away today. To be entered in my drawing, simply tell me about a time you got yourself into hot water.


And in case you haven’t heard, I’m running a big contest in celebration of the release of STOLEN SEDUCTION. Click the widget below for rules and how to enter!