Jazz Ramsey Speaks! (With a little help from author Kylie Logan.)
When my good friend Kylie Logan/ Casey Daniels told me the protagonist from her new mystery series, Jazz Ramsey, was gearing up to blog at the website Killer Characters this week, I asked if Jazz might like to introduce herself here, as well.
Jazz Ramsey makes her debut in The Scent of Murder* on May 7th, and lucky me, I already know her well. Not only did our brainstorming group discuss Jazz and the HRD dog, Luther, who she is helping to train, Kylie and the group helped me with my police K-9 dog, Bismarck, who makes his appearance in my upcoming novel, A Family of Strangers.
So we know each other’s dogs well.
BTW, if you don’t know what an HRD dog is? (I didn’t.) Both and HRD dog and a police K-9 are considered detection dogs, so they share the ability to track and find. Read on for Kylie’s explanation of what an HRD dog looks for.
Kylie and I will converse about our dogs and our books closer to the dates of their release. And by then we’ll have copies for a giveaway. So stay tuned.
By the way, Killer Characters, is a website dedicated to letting mystery characters have a voice. Each day a different character blogs, and some of the many authors involved include Sheila Connolly, Leslie Budewitz, Krista David, and Connie DeMarco. There are giveaways and contests and all around fun, so pop over and have a look.
And now, let’s hear from Jazz:
It’s not easy being a fictional character. I mean, people are always asking questions….what do you look like? Who are you dating? What’s this I hear about your big, crazy family?
Honestly, it’s enough to drive a heroine crazy. Especially one like me. I’m Jazz Ramsey, featured character in Kylie Logan’s “The Scent of Murder,” and not someone who likes the spotlight shined on me.
It’s not exactly like I’m shy. After all, I work as the administrative assistant to the principal at an exclusive all-girls school in Cleveland. You can imagine what that means–I interact with plenty of people all the itme: students, parents, vendors, staff. If I was shy, I wouldn’t last a day in my job.
That being said, I do like my alone time. Except even then, I’m usually not alone.
I usually have a dog with me.
You see, in addition to that stressful, interesting job of mine, I’ve got volunteer work I’m passionate about.
I’m a cadaver dog trainer and handler.
It’s important work. After all, every family needs closure. And when a loved-one goes missing, the least we as a community can do is help them find the person–dead or alive.
That’s where I come in with one of my dogs. Back in the day, I worked side-by-side with Manny, a Golden Retriever and the dog of my heart. Manny died a year ago and now, I’m working with the dogs that belong to other members of my search and rescue and HRD (that’s Human Remains Detection) group. I train the dogs, take them out practice searches, give them and their owners pointers on how to best do our work.
I was working with a dog named Luther, a handsome German Shepherd, running him through his paces in an abandoned building, when he discovered something that shouldn’t have been there. Someone who shouldn’t have been there.
As it turned out, the victim was a former student at the school where I work. And the lead detective on the case? The last person I wanted to see show up at the scene was Nick Kolesov, my former boyfriend.
In real life, I might be able to keep my involvement–with the murder and with Nick–a secret. But this is fiction, remember. And my life is an open book.
The first book of this new series, The Scent of Murder, will be on store and cyber shelves on May 7.
Is Kylie/Casey really a Clevelander??? If so she could contact Bill Kelly at the Cuyahoga County Public Library to be featured at a library branch to present her book!! Emily you know about that!!! Xxxxiris
She is indeed a Clevelander, born and bred. And she’s also a fixture at local libraries, where she’s well loved. She even does trolley tours for different branches. Keep your eyes open. Bet she’ll be near you.
Smiling at the comment from Iris. Yes, Iris, I’m a Clevelander. Which branch is Bill Kelly at? I don’t think I know him. Would love to visit libraries and spread the word about “The Scent of Murder.”
Bill is with the Main Branch and is the coordinator of all the speaker programs for CCPL— he is wonderful and you may tell him I told you about him.
WKELLY@cuyahogalibrary.org
Xxxxxiris
Thanks, Iris!
This sounds very interesting and May 7 was my ex husband Birthday so it will be enjoyed!
Sounds so interesting! Looking forward to reading it!
Thanks, Terry. Hope you enjoy the book!