Meet Kate & Tom in

Sandra Orchard’s

romantic suspense

Desperate Measures

Revell Books

*******

The Story

Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the medicinal plant responsible for tearing her family apart. She’s certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father.

Kate will risk anything to find the truth–even her budding relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But more people than she can fathom are after the plants and going it alone just might prove to be a fatal mistake.

Introducing Kate & Tom

Brief physical description

KATE ADAMS is an athletic, 5’4”, thirty-year-old with long, fiery red hair and green eyes. She looks just like herself on the cover of the book. 🙂

TOM PARKER is a broad-shouldered, 5’ 10”. As a detective, he typically wears a suit jacket, carrying his gun in a shoulder holster. In his early thirties, he has chiseled good looks, with a square chin, soft blue eyes, and dark hair. He resembles a young Hugh Jackman: http://imstars.aufeminin.com/stars/fan/hugh-jackman/hugh-jackman-20060825-155170.jpg

Strengths and weaknesses

Kate: I’m a loyal friend and when I set my mind to doing something, I’m tenacious about seeing it through, especially seeing justice served. I’d call those strengths, although at times, others (namely Tom) sees them differently. And yes, okay, I admit that in my drive to get answers, I often sometimes leap before I look.

Tom: I’m a good detective. I can usually tell when suspects are lying. I can quickly assess a situation and respond. My biggest weakness is probably Kate, but don’t tell her I said so. My biggest weakness used to be that I trusted those close to me, until that trust got my partner killed. Now, maybe I judge a person or situation too quickly, and too harshly, or see a problem where there isn’t one. But better to eat a little crow later than fail to stop a crisis, right?

Quirk (if any)

Kate: I don’t think I have any quirks, but Tom was super-cynical when we first met. His motto was: “People are rarely what they seem.” I guess I’ve come to see how that’s true, but I like to think that I’ve also helped him become less cynical.

Tom: Having a motto is hardly a quirk. Now Kate, she has a few endearing quirks. You know she’s an herbal researcher, right? Well, the second you breathe so much as a hint of an ailment, she’ll say, “I have a tea for that.” Now, I’m as sceptical as the next guy when it comes to all that eye-of-newt stuff, but I love her desire to help people feel better. Then there’s the way she inhales the aroma of coffee, whenever we walk into A Cup or Two, as if it’s the most delicious thing on the planet. Only she doesn’t drink coffee. Just loves the smell. Oh, and there’s this adorable smile she gets when she’s excited. Her former roommate calls it her my-seeds-sprouted smile.

Your inspiration for the character

A variety of little things inspired different aspects of Kate’s and Tom’s personalities. I wanted them both to be justice driven, but to attack problems in opposing ways. Ways that at times they might admire and at other times might drive the other batty (much like in the strengths and weaknesses mentioned above). The odd couple setup—in everything from beverage preferences to investigative strategies—became great fodder for humorous interplay over the course of the series.

Background to the story 

Desperate Measures is the culmination of the previous two books in the series—Deadly Devotion and Blind Trust—which were inspired by herbal medicine research, questionable pharmaceutical company practices, and small town quirky characters. Each book was a standalone mystery, with a budding romance between the main characters and an underlying suspense plot arcing the series. So in this final book, I needed to bring closure to both of those. The mystery itself revolves around Kate’s drive to figure out what is so special about the plant that tore her father from her life and who else wants to know—a quest she must keep secret from Tom who would put an end to it in a heartbeat. But the secrets could cost her everything.

Thanks Sandra!

Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Deadly Devotion
Connect with Sandra on Facebook
Visit Sandra’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Desperate Measures or Koorong

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