I love writing trilogies with connected heroines, so I hope you will not only enjoy this book but the two Alaska Wild novels to come, Under the Alaskan Ice and Edge of the Alaskan Cliff, which will feature Megan and Suzanne Collister.
I never had a sister—wish I did, however much I love my brothers—and the idea of having an identical twin sister really intrigued me. When I stumbled on the concept of vanishing twin syndrome online at www.wombtwin.com, I found yet another fascinating possibility of twindom.
Unlike many suspense authors, I always begin with a setting that will work for a frightening story. I look for some place that is unique, beautiful and challenging for my characters. I had originally thought to set this novel in backwoods Michigan, with which I was very familiar, but both my agent and editor suggested I take that “wilderness/deep forest” setting to a whole new level by using Alaska.
That idea suited me perfectly as my husband and I had enjoyed a trip to “the Great Alone” state, and I had written an earlier Alaskan romantic suspense novel called Down River. Besides the vastness and natural beauty we saw on our trip, I was totally intrigued by the bold, unique people. In a way, the wilds of Alaska are “the last American frontier.” I remember speaking with a young woman who was going to marry a man she had not known long and move to “the woods.” “I’m glad,” she said, “we will have electricity next year and running water not long after that.” (!) On the other hand, Anchorage is a huge, dynamic and busy city so the state has great contrasts.
I was also intrigued by a book by Tom Brown, Jr., who teaches tracking skills. I read both The Science and Art of Tracking and Field Guild to Wilderness Survival. His information is not only fascinating but useful, even for someone who usually takes walks in city parks.
Delving into information about Alex’s love of making natural beauty products was fun, too, especially 101 Easy Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health & Home by Jan Berry.
I also owe a lot to a vet tech whom I interviewed—Emily Pickard—who is very knowledgeable and loves her career. I had no clue about a vet tech’s training and specialties; I thought “a vet assistant” was just someone who helped out, but techs are so much more. Emily was generous with her time and advice.
Also, thanks to friend and writer Patricia Matthews (who writes mysteries as Olivia Matthews) for her information about the career of videographers. Her husband is a videographer for various sporting events nationwide. Without their information, I would probably have been back in the “film” universe. Ryker—glad he was innocent!—thanks the Matthewses, too.
The other piece of the background/research puzzle was learning about search and rescue, or SAR, although that knowledge will come into play more in the next Alaska Wild novel. Thanks to former SAR team member Martin Roy Hill for sharing his expertise in a class I took online. SAR rescues are not focused on missing persons but on lost persons. (Missing persons entails a criminal element—someone kidnapped or a criminal intentionally hiding. Lost implies someone who has wandered away—no crime involved—though these lines can blur in an emergency or when a child is involved.)
Thanks also to my friend Sally Pickard for arranging my vet tech interview. Also to longtime writer friend Susan Elizabeth Phillips for info on Naperville, Illinois. And, as ever, to my husband, Don, for proofreading. Always thanks to my guides through my rom/sus novel writing career, editor Emily Ohanjanians and agent Annelise Robey.
I hope you will look for books two and three in the Alaska Wild trilogy, featuring Meg and Suze, though Alex and Quinn will be around, too.
Please visit me at my website at www.KarenHarperAuthor.com or my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor.
Karen Harper
July 2019