Tell us about your McSwain & Beck novels. What are they about?
Sydney McSwain & Cody Beck are two 18-year-olds forced to take over the investigation firm of Sydney’s mother, after she was murdered during a live-news broadcast. In Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00 they take on a criminal enterprise operating inside a secret club. Murder, teen abductions, and illegal underground parties.

In Fireworks on the 4th, McSwain & Beck find themselves trapped in their most perilous adventure yet. Racing against the clock, their unique skills are put to the test against a sinister group bent on destruction. An explosive thrill ride where sparks fly and the lives of thousands are in their hands.

All of the crimes depicted in the McSwain & Beck series were derived from interviews with big-city and small-town law enforcement, from some of their major cases. The stories are gritty, straight from the headlines-types stories developed with fictional plots and characters.

How many books are in the series?
There are currently two published. The third, Lethal Hostages, is due out spring/summer 2013.

What genre are they? 
YA mystery-thrillers.

What kind of readers will they appeal to? 
Readers 13 and over who enjoy action-oriented mystery thrillers, or books about sleuths, detectives, and spies, will enjoy the McSwain & Beck series.

Complete this sentence for us: if you like__________, you’ll love the McSwain & Beck novels.
If you like Veronica Mars with the action of Alex Rider and written in the vein of James Patterson, then you’ll love the McSwain & Beck novels.

Tell us a bit more about Sydney Marie McSwain and Cody Beck.
Growing up without her father, Sydney was rebellious and constantly sneaking off in search of him, even though it put her at odds with her mother. It was on one of her rebellious jaunts that she met a young police officer, Ace Carter, who later becomes a detective at the department, and is instrumental in her life. A complex character for an 18-year-old girl, Sydney is hot, but has no clue. Looks have never been a major factor in her life. She would rather wrestle around in the mud on a paintball obstacle course, than be caught dead in a dress – even though her rivals are the cheerleaders and It girls.

Cody is a wannabe filmmaker, and all-around prankster. At odds with his filthy rich parents, he chose to give up the wealth and moved into the basement of his other best friend, Jared. To pay the bills, he worked part-time with Sydney’s mother at her private investigation firm.

When Sydney’s mother was murdered – an incident that was broadcasted on live TV – Cody recommended he and Sydney take over the investigation firm. Just a few days after the funeral, a beautiful young woman unexpectedly walked through the front door. Little did McSwain & Beck know; their first case would put them up against a major criminal enterprise.

What can you tell us about Lethal Hostages?
Lethal Hostages is the third book in the McSwain & Beck series, and is due out spring/summer of 2013. At the end of Fireworks on the 4th, the reader learns that Sydney and Cody were invited to participate in Spy Games. Their fun begins with some spy training, and then they are both given what they believe is a make believe covert operation. Little do they know at the time; the covert op is anything but a game.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Most of my time is spent writing, and spreading the word about my books via social media ( @mcswainandbeck, https://www.facebook.com/CRHIATT) and blogging (www.mcswainandbeck.com). On my down time, you’ll most likely find me playing with my Golden Retriever puppy, Annabelle, or catching up on some well-needed exercise, and viewing some of my favorite films and TV shows.

What else should we expect from you?
After LETHAL HOSTAGES, keep an eye out for I AM NOT A SPY, and RETRIBUTION.