Podcast appearances and mentions of thea paris

The electrifying sequel to The Freedom Broker, featuring Thea Paris, a kidnap and ransom specialist. For Thea, kidnap is always personal - her brother's life was nearly ruined when he was taken as a child. Lisa Gardner says The Freedom Broker is 'clever and gritty', and Peter James calls it 'spellbinding'. If you like David Baldacci's King and Maxwell series, you will love this. When Thea Paris' flight is hijacked over the Libyan Desert, her first priority is the two former child soldiers she is escorting to a new life in London. As an international kidnap specialist, Thea Paris negotiates for hostage release as part of her job. She knows one wrong move could lead to deadly consequences. After she is forcibly separated from the boys and the other passengers, Thea and her tactical team quickly regroup. And in their desperate search for the hostages that follows, they unearth a conspiracy involving the CIA, the Vatican and the Sicilian Mafia and a plot far more sinister than Thea could ever have imagined.

Winner of the Best First Novel 2018 Award at the International Thriller Writers Awards. The first in a brand-new series featuring Thea Paris, a kidnap and ransom specialist. Lisa Gardner says The Freedom Broker is 'clever and gritty', and Peter James says it's 'spellbinding'. If you like I Am Pilgrim, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell series or Ludlum's Bourne series, you will love this. Thea Paris is one of only 25 elite professionals in the world with the ability to bring hostages home safely. International negotiation, undercover operations and extractions are a part of life. Their only objective: release. For Thea, her family's wealth meant kidnap was a constant threat and their worst fears were realised when her brother was kidnapped. Although he was returned, she made it her life's mission to stop others suffering the trauma they did. Now Thea's past is about to come back with a vengeance as her billionaire father is taken. With her professionalism challenged to its limits, all Thea knows is that she has to get her father back alive, at any cost.

International thriller author KJ Howe has mastered the art of writing fresh and believable fiction. Armed with an extensive knowledge of her subject matter and a commitment to shedding light on underrepresented character traits, she is able to write novels that feel impressively accurate and relatable. KJ is well known for her Freedom Broker series, which follows the elite hostage negotiator Thea Paris as she takes on the world’s most dangerous kidnapping cases. She is also the Interim Executive Director of the International Thriller Writers organization and has previously been the Executive Director of ThrillerFest. Howe’s most recent publication, Skyjack, is available now.From KJHowe.com:While honing her fiction skills, KJ worked as a medical, health, and fitness writer. She then became involved with the International Thriller Writers as the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the organization’s annual conference held every July in New York City. In preparation for writing THE FREEDOM BROKER series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting, marketing, contracts. It all starts with a good book, then the real work begins. Join international bestselling author J.D. Barker and indie powerhouse, J. Thorn, as they gain unique insight and valuable advice from the most prolific and accomplished authors in the business.In this episode, you’ll discover:How to write something fresh and novelThe importance of accuracy and believabilityWhy you need to learn from authors in other genresHow to work out plot issuesHow to craft relatable charactersWhy non-fiction elements are still important in when writing fictionLinks:J. D. Barker - http://jdbarker.com/J. Thorn - https://theauthorlife.com/The Career Author Summit 2021 - https://thecareerauthor.com/summit2021/ KJ Howe - http://www.kjhowe.com/The Freedom Broker by KJ Howe - https://books2read.com/TheFreedomBrokerSkyjack by KJ Howe - https://books2read.com/SkyjackMusic by Nicorus - https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep Voice Over by Rick Ganley - http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio - http://www.millpondstudio.comContact - https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/ “Muggable” quote by Harley Christensen - https://www.mischievousmalamute.com/*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

K.J. Howe is the executive director of ThrillerFest, the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers, in addition to her penning international thrillers showcasing kidnap and ransom expert Thea Paris. For the last six years, K.J. has immersed herself in the world of kidnapping to bring authenticity to the page. K.J.’s first novel, The Freedom Broker, won a Thriller Award for Best First Novel and garnered a Starred Review from BookList and Kirkus. Her second book, Skyjack, received a Boxed and Starred Review from Publishers Weekly and a Starred Review from Library Journal. Adventure and travel are her passions. Toronto, Canada, is home, but she is often missing in action. www.kjhowe.com   *********************************************** More from ImaginePublicity on Air: http://imaginepublicity.com/podcasts/ Follow on Twitter @ImaginePublicty Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImaginePublicity/ Music: Bensound.Com  

She was born in Toronto, but “enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle during her early years.” She’s lived in Africa, the Middle East, parts of Europe, and the Caribbean, all of which have given her an insider’s view into various cultures and lifestyle settings around the world.She has a Specialist’s Degree in Business from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, in Pennsylvania. She’s been nominated for a host of writing awards and won several, including 3 Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.She’s extremely well-versed in the field of hostage negotiation, having spent many hours in conversation with former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives, all of which was used to weave creative threads into the fabric of her Freedom Broker, Thea Paris thriller series.She’s a member of The Rogue Women Writers and Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the annual International Thriller Writers Conference, held each July in New York City. Author K.J. Howe takes us on today’s Adventure as we peel open the pages of her most recent Thea Paris thriller, SKYJACK...

She was born in Toronto, but “enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle during her early years.” She’s lived in Africa, the Middle East, parts of Europe, and the Caribbean, all of which have given her an insider’s view into various cultures and lifestyle settings around the world.She has a Specialist’s Degree in Business from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, in Pennsylvania. She’s been nominated for a host of writing awards and won several, including 3 Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.She’s extremely well-versed in the field of hostage negotiation, having spent many hours in conversation with former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives, all of which was used to weave creative threads into the fabric of her Freedom Broker, Thea Paris thriller series.She’s a member of The Rogue Women Writers and Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the annual International Thriller Writers Conference, held each July in New York City. Author K.J. Howe takes us on today’s Adventure as we peel open the pages of her most recent Thea Paris thriller, SKYJACK...

She was born in Toronto, but “enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle during her early years.” She’s lived in Africa, the Middle East, parts of Europe, and the Caribbean, all of which have given her an insider’s view into various cultures and lifestyle settings around the world. She has a Specialist’s Degree in Business from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, in Pennsylvania. She’s been nominated for a host of writing awards and won several, including 3 Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She’s extremely well-versed in the field of hostage negotiation, having spent many hours in conversation with former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives, all of which was used to weave creative threads into the fabric of her Freedom Broker, Thea Paris thriller series. She’s a member of The Rogue Women Writers and Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the annual International Thriller Writers Conference, held each July in New York City. Author K.J. Howe takes us on today’s Adventure as we peel open the pages of her most recent Thea Paris thriller, SKYJACK...

Born in Toronto, Canada, KJ enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle during her early years, living in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean, which gave her an insider's view into many different cultures. While abroad, she read every book she could find, which triggered in her a desire to create her own stories. She attended Salzburg International Preparatory School, Neuchâtel Junior College, and Albert College before earning a Specialists Degree in Business from the University of Toronto. KJ found success in the corporate world, but her passion for travel, adventure, and stories drew her back to school where she earned a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She is a Thriller and Barry Award nominee, and she has won several writing awards, including three Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellent in Mystery and Suspense. While honing her fiction skills, KJ worked as a medical, health, and fitness writer. She then became involved with the International Thriller Writers as the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the organization's annual conference held every July in New York City.   KJ is an avid tennis player, cyclist, and swimmer. Travel and adventure still rank high on her priority list. She has had the pleasure of riding racing camels in Jordan, surfing in Hawaii, ziplining in the Costa Rican jungle, diving alongside Great White Sharks in South Africa, studying modern combat in the Arizona desert, and working with elephants in Botswana. Home is in Toronto, Canada, but she is often missing in action. In preparation for writing THE FREEDOM BROKER series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives.

KJ Howe "Skyjack": "ACTION-PACKED THRILL RIDE." --KARIN SLAUGHTER "SENSATIONAL." --LEE CHILD "HIGH STAKES, UP-TO-THE-MINUTE REALISM, AND NONSTOP ACTION." --KAREN DIONNE In the follow-up to her exhilarating debut, The Freedom Broker, K.J. Howe delivers a "riveting" and "rip-roaring" thriller perfect for fans of Sandra Brown and Lisa Gardner. International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to make an emergency landing in the remote Libyan desert. When the dust settles on a tense negotiation, Thea finds herself at the beck and call of a ruthless criminal who will stop at nothing to crush his rivals, even if it means forcing her to break international law. Revealing a deadly conspiracy that connects the dark postwar legacy of World War II to the present, this case will bring all parties to an explosive conclusion that will decide the fate of millions across Europe and the Middle East.

KJ Howe "Skyjack":  "ACTION-PACKED THRILL RIDE." --KARIN SLAUGHTER "SENSATIONAL." --LEE CHILD "HIGH STAKES, UP-TO-THE-MINUTE REALISM, AND NONSTOP ACTION." --KAREN DIONNE In the follow-up to her exhilarating debut, The Freedom Broker, K.J. Howe delivers a "riveting" and "rip-roaring" thriller perfect for fans of Sandra Brown and Lisa Gardner. International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to make an emergency landing in the remote Libyan desert. When the dust settles on a tense negotiation, Thea finds herself at the beck and call of a ruthless criminal who will stop at nothing to crush his rivals, even if it means forcing her to break international law. Revealing a deadly conspiracy that connects the dark postwar legacy of World War II to the present, this case will bring all parties to an explosive conclusion that will decide the fate of millions across Europe and the Middle East.

Jessie talks with Francesca Lia Block about her recently published book on the craft of writing,The Thorn Necklace: Healing Through Writing and the Creative Process. Francesca Lia Block is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the award-winning Weetzie Bat series. Her writing has been called "transcendent" by The New York Times, and her books have been included in "best of" lists compiled by Time magazine and NPR. In this long-anticipated guide, Block offers an intimate glimpse of an artist at work and a detailed guide to help readers channel their own experiences and creative energy. Sharing visceral insights and powerful exercises, she gently guides us down the write-to-heal path, revealing at each turn the intrinsic value of channeling our experiences onto the page. Paul talks with K.J. Howe about her newest Kidnap-and-Ransom Thriller Skyjack. She is a Thriller and Barry Award nominee, and she has won several writing awards, including three Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellent in Mystery and Suspense. While honing her fiction skills, KJ worked as a medical, health, and fitness writer. She then became involved with the International Thriller Writers as the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the organization’s annual conference held every July in New York City. In preparation for writing The Freedom Broker series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives.

Zoe Hewitt talks with KJ Howe about her book, "SKYJACK." International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to land on a deserted airstrip in the Libyan desert. On the ground, Thea comes face-to-face with a former nemesis, a Sicilian don who wants something, or someone, on that plane. Her old foe imprisons her in the hangar and takes to the air with the boys and the passengers still aboard, mysteriously demanding that Thea use the resources of [...]

Zoe Hewitt talks with KJ Howe about her book, "SKYJACK." International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to land on a deserted airstrip in the Libyan desert. On the ground, Thea comes face-to-face with a former nemesis, a Sicilian don who wants something, or someone, on that plane. Her old foe imprisons her in the hangar and takes to the air with the boys and the passengers still aboard, mysteriously demanding that Thea use the resources of [...] The post SKYJACK by KJ Howe | Book Circle Online appeared first on Book Circle Online.

Author KJ Howe is back with another book in the Thea Paris thriller series. Skyjack, the sequel to The Freedom Broker, is an action-adventure series where the main character, a hostage rescuer and seriously tough lady, also happens to live with type 1 diabetes. **A few minor audio issues with this show. Stacey sounds like she's inside a tin can at times! Apologies, should be fixed for next week** Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group We find out why Howe decided to focus on diabetes for this series; she has a background in medical writing but doesn't have type 1 herself. She also shares tips for aspiring writers and talks about her annual Thriller Fest in New York - this year, George RR Martin is making an appearance.  In our Know Better segment, a new push to hear more stories from women of color with diabetes with the social media account WOCDiabetes on Twitter and Instagram Our community connection this week is Christine Fallabel. She got our attention with a column she wrote about not wanting to be anyone’s diabetes hero as well as talking about her marriage to someone without type 1. Christine is also the American Diabetes Association’s Director of State Government Affairs and Advocacy for the Mountain Region, covering 9 states. ----- 2:30 Stacey welcome and talks about travel with Benny. He seems to think it's okay to throw all his diabetes gear on the luggage conveyor belt. 6:30 Interview with KJ Howe, author of Skyjack 30:00 Know Better Segment: WOCDiabetes expained 33:00 Community Connection interview with Christine Fallabel 56:00 Stacey talks about meeting George RR Martin during a Convention Q&A (read her write-up here) ----- Sign up for our newsletter here Get the App and listen to Diabetes Connections wherever you go! Click here for iPhone      Click here for Android     

Rob Leininger, Charles Salzberg and K.J. Howe will be our guests on today's show. K.J. Howe "Skyjack": International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to land on a deserted airstrip in the Libyan desert. On the ground, Thea comes face-to-face with a former nemesis, a Sicilian don who wants something, or someone, on that plane. Her old foe imprisons her in the hangar and takes to the air with the boys and the passengers still aboard, mysteriously demanding that Thea use the resources of Quantum International to hijack a truckload of Syrian refugees bound for Budapest. He makes it clear he will return the passengers only when the truck and its contents are in his possession. Thea, Rif, and the Quantum team must race against the clock to discover the don's true motives before any harm comes to the two boys and their fellow passengers. Revealing a deadly conspiracy that connects the dark postwar legacy of World War II to the present, this case will bring all parties to an explosive conclusion that will decide the fate of millions across Europe and the Middle East.

Rob Leininger, Charles Salzberg and K.J. Howe will be our guests on today's show. K.J. Howe "Skyjack": International kidnap expert Thea Paris is escorting two former child soldiers on a plane from an orphanage in Kanzi, Africa, to adoptive parents in London when the Boeing Business Jet is hijacked and forced to land on a deserted airstrip in the Libyan desert.  On the ground, Thea comes face-to-face with a former nemesis, a Sicilian don who wants something, or someone, on that plane. Her old foe imprisons her in the hangar and takes to the air with the boys and the passengers still aboard, mysteriously demanding that Thea use the resources of Quantum International to hijack a truckload of Syrian refugees bound for Budapest. He makes it clear he will return the passengers only when the truck and its contents are in his possession.  Thea, Rif, and the Quantum team must race against the clock to discover the don's true motives before any harm comes to the two boys and their fellow passengers. Revealing a deadly conspiracy that connects the dark postwar legacy of World War II to the present, this case will bring all parties to an explosive conclusion that will decide the fate of millions across Europe and the Middle East.

KJ Howe was born in Toronto, Canada, but spent much of her early years in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean. While abroad, she read every book she could find, which triggered in her a desire to create her own stories. She attended Salzburg International Preparatory School, Neuchâtel Junior College, and Albert College before earning a Specialists Degree in Business from the University of Toronto. KJ found success in the corporate world, but her passion for travel, adventure, and stories drew her back to school where she earned a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She also won several writing awards, including three Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. In preparation for writing THE FREEDOM BROKER series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives. KJ lives in Toronto, but is still very much a world traveler.  Matt Coyle is the best-selling author of the Rick Cahill crime novels. His first book, YESTERDAY'S ECHO, won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, The San Diego Book Award for Best Mystery, the IBPA Ben Franklin Silver Award for Best New Voice in Fiction, and was a Macavity finalist for Best First Novel. The second, NIGHT TREMORS, was a finalist for the Anthony, Shamus, and Lefty Awards. The third Rick Cahill crime novel, DARK FISSURES, was a finalist for the Macavity and Lefty Awards. BLOOD TRUTH, is a finalist for the 2018 Lefty Award for Best Mystery. WRONG LIGHT, the 5th Rick Cahill crime novel come out in December, 2018. Matt lives in San Diego  with his Yellow Lab, Angus.  This is a trademarked copyrighted podcast solely owned by the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network LLC.

Two great interviews this week on Arm Cast: Dead Sexy Podcast with great host Armand Rosamilia.   Stephen Page is part Shawnee and part Apache. His books of poetry include The Timbre of Sand (1999) and Still Dandelions (2004). He graduated from Palomar College, Columbia University (with honors), and Bennington College. He received a Jess Cloud Memorial Prize for Poetry, a Writer-in-Residence with stipend from the Montana Artists Refuge, a full Writer Fellowship from the Vermont Studio Center, an Imagination Grant from Cleveland State University, and an Arvon Foundation Ltd. Grant. His book reviews are published regularly in the Buenos Aires Herald and on Fox Chase Review. He also writes short stories, novels, screen plays. He has taught literature, ESL, and film studies. He loves family, spontaneous road trips, and throwing his cellphone into a large body of water.   KJ Howe is the executive director of Thrillerfest, the annual conference for the International Thriller Writers. KJ has been immersed in the world of kidnap and ransom for the last four years in preparation for THE FREEDOM BROKER series showcasing elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris.   This week's episode sponsored by Subculture Corsets & Clothing

Hey there word nerds! Today I’m pleased to have K.J. Howe on the show. K.J. is the executive director of Thrillerfest, the annual conference of International Thriller Writers. This is one of my favorite genre conferences and I look forward to it every year. Today I'm talking to Daphne du Maurier Award winner, K.J. Howe about her debut thriller, The Freedom Broker and how to craft a strong female lead in this genre. We also talk about why it's important to give even the most heroic characters a flaw or personal obstacle and for the first time ever on this show, I share a behind-the-scenes look at a personal obstacle I have in my own life. This was such an honest and deep conversation and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed interviewing K.J. Howe. In this episode K.J. and I discuss: Some of the challenges of writing a strong female character. How do you walk that line between over-masculinizing her or making her seem like a “token” character in a male-dominated world? Giving your characters limitations that help them feel more realistic on the page. Weaknesses, flaws, and the ability to recognize the limits of their power are important aspects of your characters that keep them from tipping over the edge into indestructible superhero territory. Weaving invisible disabilities into stories. Creating characters who are real, who struggle with real health and mental health issues, but who are not defined by their disabilities. The dynamics and tension between characters and how to bring their relationships to life for the reader. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. About the Author K.J. Howe is the executive director of Thrillerfest, the annual conference of International Thriller Writers. A three-time Daphne du Maurier Award winner, she completed her MA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University. She is an avid traveler who has raced camels in Jordan, surfed in Hawaii, and dove with the great whites in South Africa. She became fascinated by the kidnap and ransom (K&R) world after meeting Peter Moore, a British computer consultant who became the longest-held hostage in Iraq and the only person to survive of the five men who were taken that day. The Freedom Broker is her debut novel. The Freedom Broker There are twenty-five elite kidnap and ransom (K&R) specialists in the world. Only one is a woman: Thea Paris. And she's the best in the business.Twenty years ago, a terrified young boy was abducted in the middle of the night by masked intruders while his sister watched, paralyzed with fear. Returned after a harrowing nine months with his captors, Thea's brother has never been the same.This life-shattering experience drove Thea to become what she is today: a world-class freedom broker. Most hostage-recovery work is done at the negotiation table, but when diplomacy fails, Thea leads Quantum Security International's black-ops team on highly sensitive rescue missions to political hot spots around the globe.Her childhood nightmare resurfaces when her oil magnate father, Christos Paris, is snatched from his yacht off Santorini on his sixtieth birthday, days away from the biggest deal of his career. The brutal kidnappers left the entire crew slaughtered in their wake, but strangely, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests-just obscure and foreboding texts written in Latin sent from burner phones.Knowing the survival window for kidnap victims is small, Thea throws herself into the most urgent and challenging rescue mission of her life-but will she be able to prevent this kidnapping from destroying her family for good? For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/143

KJ Howe is joining us to talk about her debut thriller "The Freedom Broker" "The Freedom Broker": There are twenty-five elite kidnap and ransom (K&R) specialists in the world. Only one is a woman: Thea Paris. And she's the best in the business. Twenty years ago, a terrified young boy was abducted in the middle of the night by masked intruders while his sister watched, paralyzed with fear. Returned after a harrowing nine months with his captors, Thea's brother has never been the same. This life-shattering experience drove Thea to become what she is today: a world-class freedom broker. Most hostage-recovery work is done at the negotiation table, but when diplomacy fails, Thea leads Quantum Security International's black-ops team on highly sensitive rescue missions to political hot spots around the globe. Her childhood nightmare resurfaces when her oil magnate father, Christos Paris, is snatched from his yacht off Santorini on his sixtieth birthday, days away from the biggest deal of his career. The brutal kidnappers left the entire crew slaughtered in their wake, but strangely, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests-just obscure and foreboding texts written in Latin sent from burner phones. Knowing the survival window for kidnap victims is small, Thea throws herself into the most urgent and challenging rescue mission of her life-but will she be able to prevent this kidnapping from destroying her family for good?

KJ Howe is joining us to talk about her debut thriller "The Freedom Broker" "The Freedom Broker": There are twenty-five elite kidnap and ransom (K&R) specialists in the world. Only one is a woman: Thea Paris. And she's the best in the business. Twenty years ago, a terrified young boy was abducted in the middle of the night by masked intruders while his sister watched, paralyzed with fear. Returned after a harrowing nine months with his captors, Thea's brother has never been the same. This life-shattering experience drove Thea to become what she is today: a world-class freedom broker. Most hostage-recovery work is done at the negotiation table, but when diplomacy fails, Thea leads Quantum Security International's black-ops team on highly sensitive rescue missions to political hot spots around the globe. Her childhood nightmare resurfaces when her oil magnate father, Christos Paris, is snatched from his yacht off Santorini on his sixtieth birthday, days away from the biggest deal of his career. The brutal kidnappers left the entire crew slaughtered in their wake, but strangely, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests-just obscure and foreboding texts written in Latin sent from burner phones. Knowing the survival window for kidnap victims is small, Thea throws herself into the most urgent and challenging rescue mission of her life-but will she be able to prevent this kidnapping from destroying her family for good?

Next Steps with Jenny Milchman and the ITW present best-selling author Elizabeth Heiter and debut novelist KJ Howe.  Critically acclaimed and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy's shooting range. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She's a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America. KJ HOWE worked as a medical, health, and fitness writer. She then became involved with the International Thriller Writers as the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the organization’s annual conference held every July in New York City. In preparation for writing THE FREEDOM BROKER series, which focuses on elite kidnap negotiator Thea Paris, KJ spent extensive time researching the dark world of kidnapping. She has interviewed former hostages, negotiators, hostage reintegration experts, special forces operatives, and K&R insurance executives.  HOST JENNY MILCHMAN is the Mary Higgins Clark award-winning author of suspenseful thrillers set in upstate New York. She is a member of the board of ITW. This is a copyrighted podcast solely owned by the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network LLC. Tweet @authorsontheair