Sunday, July 26, 2015

Introducing Guest Blogger: Kristina Stanley

I’ve had the great good fortune to meet a lot of terrific, supportive writers over the years. One of the kindest and most enthusiastic authors is mystery writer Kristina Stanley. She and I connected some time ago through Twitter, as we both incorporate security work into our mysteries. Kristina is my first guest blogger in what I hope will be many more in the coming months. Kristina just released her first mystery DESCENT yesterday, which I can’t wait to read! Here’s more info about Kristina and her books:

Kristina is the author of the Stone Mountain Mystery Series. Her books have garnered the attention of prestigious crime writing organizations in Canada and England. Crime Writers of Canada nominated DESCENT for the Unhanged Arthur award. The Crime Writers’ Association nominated BLAZE for the Debut Dagger. She is published in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

Before writing her series, Kristina was the director of security, human resources and guest services at a resort in the depths of the British Columbian mountains. The job and lifestyle captured her heart, and she decided to write mysteries about life in an isolated resort. While writing the first four novels, she spent five years living aboard a sailboat in the US and the Bahamas.

And in Kristina’s own words….

Have you ever wondered if alpine ski racing is dangerous?

Speed is everything to an alpine racer. The characters in DESCENT demand it. They have specialized technicians who follow them on the World Cup circuit, striving to give each skier an advantage, to squeeze out that extra bit of speed from the equipment. The technicians file and wax multiple skis for each skier. Always busy trying to give their athlete an edge over others. Everyone wants to cross the finish line first. But at what cost?

What happens if the tuner loses track of the skis, misinterprets the conditions or ignores a racer’s injury? The tuner can cause havoc on the course.

It is my understanding 11 people have died alpine ski racing since 1959.  The deaths were all accidents.

For a mystery writer, there can be no accident. Hence the birth of DESCENT. I’ve watched many world class ski teams train, and one day I asked myself what would happen if a racer was murdered while skiing on a training run?

DESCENT will answer that question if you read to the end. 

When Kalin Thompson is promoted to Director of Security at Stone Mountain Resort, she soon becomes entangled in the high-profile murder investigation of an up-and-coming Olympic-caliber skier. There are more suspects with motives than there are gates on the super-G course, and danger mounts with every turn.

Kalin’s boss orders her to investigate. Her boyfriend wants her to stay safe and let the cops do their job. Torn between loyalty to friends and professional duty, Kalin must look within her isolated community to unearth the killer’s identity.

DESCENT is the first in the Stone Mountain Mystery series. The series takes place in an isolated mountain resort in the depths of the Purcell mountain range in British Columbia.

With all the forest fires this season, BLAZE, the second in the Stone Mountain Series deals with a current Canadian and American issue. Of course, BLAZE is a mystery and arson is the crime, but this time it looks like Kalin Thompson is the target. BLAZE is scheduled for release before the end of 2015.

The third in the series, AVALANCHE, has Kalin Thompson searching for a thief, struggling to prove her brother is innocent of a major theft. Unfortunately for Kalin, her brother disappears hours after the theft and is the prime suspect.

REQUEST FOR READER ASSISTANCE: I’m writing the fourth in the series. A business partner of Kalin’s is murdered while driving his ATV on a mountain trail. He’s forced into a frothing river… My problem with the fourth is I have to stop calling it “the fourth.” I need a title. If you have any suggestions for a title that fits with DESCENT, BLAZE and AVALANCHE, please leave a comment below.

Thank you, Debra, for hosting me.

I love to connect with people online. I can be found at:


Follow me on twitter, let me know you read this blog and I’ll follow you back. @StanleyKMS

Or comment on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KristinaStanley.Author

Descent can be purchased here at amazon.ca  and here at amazon.com




2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for having me as guest on your blog! So honoured to be here.

Debra Purdy Kong said...

It's been a great pleasure, Kristina. Thanks for being my first guest!!