CORE (Criminal Observance Resolution Evidence) is a private criminal investigation agency created by a former FBI profiler. The agents who work for CORE all have varying backgrounds–FBI, CIA, U.S. Secret Service and military.

CORE Shadow Trilogy is a bundle of the first three books in my CORE series.

Take us through it book by book.
SHADOW OF DANGER: Book 1 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy She sees too much…
Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through her psychic visions. Called in by the local sheriff to help stop the killer, John Kain, former FBI agent turned investigator for the private agency, CORE, has no use for psychics. But as more dead bodies are discovered, the criminalist reluctantly turns to Celeste for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

SHADOW OF PERCEPTION: Book 2 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy What happens when negligent plastic surgeons get a taste of their own medicine…?

When investigative reporter Eden Risk receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD or someone else dies, she turns to CORE for help. But that help comes with a catch. Her former lover Hudson Patterson is assigned to the case. And as more DVDs arrive, they not only find themselves knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past and the love they’d tried to deny.

SHADOW OF VENGEANCE: Book 3 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him…

At Wexman University male students will do anything to join a top fraternity. They’ll prove their worth during Hell Week by participating in a variety of pranks. But those shenanigans aren’t so funny when pledges start disappearing. CORE agents Rachel Davis and Owen Malcolm are on the hunt for a killer who’s kidnapping and murdering pledges. Time is ticking. They have only seven days to find the latest missing pledge and catch a killer. Seven days before the body count rises with another victim. Seven days to fight their attraction for each other before one of them ends up hurt.

What genre is this series?
All of my CORE books are dark, edgy romantic suspense/mysteries. I love a good “who done it” and love to find ways to keep readers guessing.

Complete this sentence for us: if you like _________________, you’ll love the Core Shadow trilogy.
Criminal Minds.

I’ve never watched the show, but I’ve had several readers comment that my books remind them of the show. I’m going to have to add it to my DVR!

It’s a great show.
Who is your main character?
Since this is a trilogy, I’ll give you a quick snippet of my main characters from each book.

Shadow of Danger: Celeste is a psychic who is having visions of women being murdered. John is former FBI turned CORE agent. He’s all about science and evidence and wants nothing to do with psychic premonitions.

Shadow of Perception: Eden is an investigative reporter and very career driven. She has a lot of trust issues and when she’s forced to turn to her ex, Hudson, for help, she’s also forced to deal with those issues. After spending years with the CIA, Hudson now works for CORE. He’s tried to forget about Eden, but now that they’re working together, all bets are off.

Shadow of Vengeance: Rachel is a computer forensics analyst for CORE. She’s been wanting to work in the field and gets her chance when her brother is kidnapped. But she’s not working alone. Owen, CORE agent and former U.S. Secret Service, tags along on the investigation. The problem, they’ve both been fighting an attraction for each other.

Have you written any other books that we should read next?
I also write contemporary romance. I have three books available: Kiss Me, Pick Me and Love Me or Leave Me. I love writing dark suspense, but the contemporaries are a great break for me. They’re fun and sexy and I don’t have to worry about where to hide a dead body!

You writers are strange people!
Tell us about yourself.
I have four kids (12, 10, 7 and 2). Trying to fit in their day-to-day things such as sports and school, plus my career needs, has made for a hectic and sometimes stressful schedule. I’m starting to think I strive on chaos, though. I seem to produce more when the pressure is on. But to ease some of that stress and pressure I workout regularly, take my youngest for long walks and to the park, and work in my garden. Depending on the season, you’ll find me on the sidelines watching my boys play baseball, football or lacrosse. Being with my family is important. Finding a balance between family and career can be a struggle. I have great kids and a supportive husband…so I’m getting there!

Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
www.kristinemason.net.

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/kristinemasonauthor
@KristineMason7

What’s next?
Ultimate Kill (Book 1 Ultimate CORE) will be released in April 2014!

Ultimate Core? Tell us about it.
When the past collides with the present, the only way to ensure the future lies in the ultimate kill…

Naomi McCall is a woman of many secrets. Her family has been murdered and she’s been forced into hiding. No one knows her past or her real name, not even the man she loves.

Jake Tyler, former Marine and the newest recruit to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, has been in love with a woman who never existed. When he learns about the lies Naomi has weaved, he’s ready to leave her—until an obsessed madman begins sending her explosive messages every hour on the hour.

Innocent people are dying. With their deaths, Naomi’s secrets are revealed and the truth is thrust into the open. All but one. Naomi’s not sure if Jake can handle a truth that will change their lives. But she is certain of one thing—the only way to stop the killer before he takes more lives is to make herself his next victim.

How easily do new storylines come to you? If we give you four random words 
– Man, Woman, Mexico, Future – can you give us a brief storyline?
This is always a fun exercise! How about:

A geneticist, determined to make a name for himself and secure his future with the world’s leading pharmaceutical company, is short on patients for his unconventional experiments. But he’s found an abundance in Mexico City. Young men and women start vanishing. When the daughter of a ruthless drug lord is added to the long list of disappearances, her father turns to the enemy, to his daughter’s forbidden lover and CORE agent, for help.

Sorry, I couldn’t help involving my agency!