I am a huge fan of the Mindscape Investigations and have read all the books so far. So of course when author Alex Hughes contacted me and asked if I would like to be a part of her Blog Tour for Marked, I couldn't say no!
I haven't gotten a copy of Marked yet but I will be getting one real soon and I can't wait to read it. I loved Clean, Sharp and the novellas (review for Rabbit Trick coming tomorrow!) and I am sure that the third Mindscape Investigation is going to be just as good if not better than the first two.
Enjoy the guest blog and make sure you check out the books. I was pleasantly surprised by them and love the characters, original concept and the great mysteries.
Guest Blog
Character Interview with Kara
A blog post by Alex Hughes
As part of the blog tour for Marked, I’ve been subjecting Mindspace characters to difficult job interview questions to see how they’ll react. This time, it’s Kara’s turn—if you remember, she’s Adam’s ex-fiancé, a woman who plays by her own loyalties. (Interview questions taken from CareerBuilder’s list here.)
A: Hi Kara, thanks for agreeing to meet with me.
K: It’s Ms. Chenoa, thank you. And when the Guild Council asks me to meet with someone, I give them whatever attention they need. What can I do for you?
A: Ms. Chenoa, I’m doing a detailed psychological study of certain individuals for a (mumble mumble) project. I’d like to ask you some detailed questions that may get a little personal, and I’d like you to answer them truthfully.
K: I’ll do what I can, but you must keep in mind that I’m in a delicate position as the Guild attaché. Often there is only so much I can say.
A: I understand. Let’s start with the first question. How would your best friend describe you?
K: I can see what you mean about the personal questions. Well, I would say my best friend would describe me as intelligent, poised, competent, and well able to handle my political position within the Guild. She would also probably also mention my family, which is significant in position in the Guild on both my mother’s and father’s side. I have voting rights through both lines.
A: That doesn’t seem like a very personal description.
K: It’s the best description available to the public. What else would you like to know?
A: What would you say are your two greatest weaknesses?
K: My sense of priorities is constantly changing due to my official and family position within the Guild. Sometimes the changing priorities offends people. Sometimes people don’t understand the decisions I make. But they are always the best decisions I can make at the time with the information that I have. I don’t see anyone else doing better.
A: Your second weakness?
K: I have a relatively short range for a teleporter. So I have to push longer and train harder to get the same courier distance. It’s just as well that I’ve been moved to a desk position. There are others better suited to that kind of work, and with my family I’m in a good position to navigate the political situation with the normals. I’m more used to politics than many others would be.
A: You realize you didn’t give me any actual weaknesses that I couldn’t have found out from official Guild statistics.
K: Did you have another question?
A: Sure. How do you alleviate stress? All people in high-powered jobs such as yours have stress.
K: Thank you. I enjoy a bubble bath and a glass of wine at the end of the day. I also enjoy skiing with my mother’s family in the Swiss Alps. My husband and I try to make it out at least twice a year to see them. It’s good to get away from the office and experience the snow and the family.
A: I see. Two more questions. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict?
K: You have to give a solid, precise, clear answer when a question is given. If people ask why, it’s important to give them as much of your reasoning as is practical to share. If they continue to ask, keep giving them the same precise, clear answer as your original. Eventually they will learn to accept it or go over your head.
A: That’s not conflict.
K: Isn’t it? I’ve had good success with the tactic.
A: (sighs) You’re really not going to open up to me are you? Fine, one more question. Tell me a time when you had to go above and beyond to get a job done.
K: Well, the most recent publically-available instance was…
A: You don’t have to stick with the public. Really.
K: With respect, I can see you writing things down. I’ll stick to the public, thanks. Do you want me to answer or not?
A: Go ahead.
K: Adam Ward called me out of the blue. I successfully liasoned with him and the police department he was working for. Unfortunately, the killer that he and his department were tracking was a Guild member. This made it politically difficult for everyone because of the Koshna Accord rules. But, since everyone was willing to talk and no one wanted a man killing people willy-nilly, I managed to work out an agreement between both sides. As far as the above and beyond piece goes, they had difficulty apprehending Bradley so I agreed to teleport Adam to the location where he was hiding. Since this was a Guild facility, I then had to obtain Council permission for the police to arrive and apprehend. It was many days’ work at considerable personal cost, but Bradley was ultimately punished as he deserved. We were all pleased.
A: Thank you.
K: Are we done? I have a great deal of work to do, as I’m sure you understand.
A: (sighs) Yes, I’m done.
The Author
Alex Hughes, the author of the award-winning Mindspace Investigations series from Roc, has lived in the Atlanta area since the age of eight. She is a graduate of the prestigious Odyssey Writing Workshop, and a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the International Thriller Writers.
Her short fiction has been published in several markets including EveryDay Fiction, Thunder on the Battlefield and White Cat Magazine. She is an avid cook and foodie, a trivia buff, and a science geek, and loves to talk about neuroscience, the Food Network, and writing craft—but not necessarily all at the same time!
The Blurb
FORESEE NO EVIL.
Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isn’t exactly a secure career; my job’s been on the line almost as much as my life. But it’s a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.
When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in again—Guild headquarters—to investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when I’m unwanted is downright dangerous.
Luckily, the Guild needs me more than they’re willing to admit. Kara’s uncle was acting strange before he died—crazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly it’s a game of life or death.
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