Please Welcome Romantic Suspense Author Reggi Allder

with Reggi Allder

We are delighted to welcome romantic suspense author Reggi Allder to Omnimystery News.

Reggi's new novel has the intriguing title Money Power and Poison (Cressmead Publishing; January 2014 ebook format) and is subtitled, "Can love win against the odds?". She uses a modification of that phrase as the title of her guest for us today, "Can you win against the odds?"

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Photo provided courtesy of
Reggi Allder

Whether it involves business or family everyone has a secret in their life even if they aren't aware of it. So be careful what you wish for. That's the premise in Money Power and Poison discounted to 99 cents April 9th, 10th, and 11th (2014) on Amazon.

It's a page turning, mystery / romantic suspense that take place in the California beach community of Carmel by the Sea. When my heroine realizes her dream she's thrown into the world of the super rich and ruthless and surrounded by a web of lies.

A caterer, she's given the job to plan the birthday party for a billionaire software developer, money is no object and only the best is acceptable. But before the evening is over the man is poisoned and she is the prime suspect. She's stunned when the police believe she'd kill a man she only met once. A reporter, looking for an exclusive story to revive his career, is her only possible ally. But can she trust a man who's only interested in his job? Not only that, why is someone trying to kill her?

The main characters cope with betrayals. They control their panic and manage their passion. While they search for answers to the mystery besieging them, their hidden strengths are revealed. It's a strain to remain motivated as the world offers temptations and puts them in untenable situations. Can they survive multiple ordeals and carry on to reach their goals?

For the protagonist I needed a strong male who wouldn't be put off by threats or danger, a person who wouldn't stop even in the face of his own fears. Someone other than the usual cop or law enforcement officer was required. In order to bring us TV's nightly news reports from all over the world, foreign correspondents are often in life threatening situations without the benefit of a weapon. According to ABC News, at least seventy journalists were killed on the job in 2013. I admire these brave men and women for their dedication to protect the people's right to know. An investigative journalist, back home after being wounded overseas, was the right person to be my protagonist.

As it is about a software developer it seemed obvious to set the book in the Silicon Valley with its many big name companies and even more startups. However, I've spent many summer vacations in Carmel-by-the-Sea / Monterey, California. With my family I kayaked and swam and went sightseeing. We enjoyed Point Lobos State Reserve, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Seventeen Mile Drive, just to mention a few of our favorites. Watching the waves on the beach during one of the visits, I realized the tranquil beauty and perfect beach weather of the area could be a counterpoint to a dark mystery punctuated by imminent danger.

From people who live in the Silicon Valley, I've heard of high-end parties with amazing catered food. I've listened to the lengths the party planner and caterer go to bring off large dinners for the rich and famous. When I decided to write this book, I contacted chefs in the catering business and discussed menus that would be appropriate for a high end birthday party. Though I later decided to focus on the book's mystery rather than the food, I enjoyed reading recipes.

I remember an English teacher telling me to write what I know. But I write about suspense, murder, espionage and of course romance, not to mention the bad behavior of the super rich. So obviously I have to rely on my imagination. Writing can be a mysterious, passionate and sometimes a tedious process. But with mystery / suspense I find the counter point of the hero and heroine being in danger and falling in love at the same time exciting. I want the reader to wonder if they'll live enough to develop a relationship. I often toss a middle class person(s) into a situation out of their social milieu and their field of expertise as in Money Power and Poison and watch as they find their way out.

I'm a pantser. I tried to plot when I first started writing and had my first bout of writer's block. Making lists and outlines and plotting every scene is a great idea but it just didn't work for me. It was lucky I found that out early. I stopped plotting and the writer's block disappeared. Now before begin I let ideas percolate. I have a general idea where the story is going. Even so, feelings and plot twists come to me as I write. Often I know the end before I have a beginning. I don't work backwards. But when I begin the first chapter, though I don't have all the characters and the plot turns, I know the conclusion.

I'd be pleased to hear from readers; please leave a comment and share with your friends.

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Reggi Allder has lived in small towns and big cities. Both were enjoyable as each is special in its own way. She has set her books in the city and the country. At UCLA she studied screen writing and creative writing. Later she worked as part of the support staff in a large city hospital, as a newsletter editor and as an advertising manager. Even though she didn't know it at the time, her various career moves and life events now help Reggi craft her books.

For more information about the author and her work, please visit her website at ReggiAllder.com.

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Money Power and Poison
Reggi Allder
A Novel of Romantic Suspense

Can love survive against the odds?

Why would business woman Kathryn Carlyle poison a man she only met once? Reporter Holt Rand needs a scoop and won’t stop until he gets answers.

But when he meets Kathryn, his life is changed forever. Kathryn is drawn to Holt but how can she trust a man who's using her to further his career.

Will a killer let her live long enough to find out?