Today, Alex is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological suspense novels. Her Maggie O’Dell series, comprised of A Perfect Evil, Split Second, The Soul Catcher, At the Stroke of Madness, A Necessary Evil, Exposed, Black Friday, Damaged and Hotwire along with her stand-alone novels, One False Move and Whitewash, have been widely praised by critics and fans. They have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Her books have been published in twenty-six countries and have hit the bestseller lists in Australia, Germany, Poland, Italy and the UK.
One False Move was selected as Nebraska’s 2006 One Book One Nebraska. In 2007 Alex was awarded the Mari Sandoz Award by the Nebraska Library Association. Whitewash made January Magazine’s list of best thrillers for 2007. Exposed, Black Friday and Hotwire received starred reviews by Publishers Weekly.
She also has co-authored two short stories in the anthologies: First Thrills, edited by Lee Child (After Dark, co-authored with Deb Carlin) and Florida Heat Wave, edited by Michael Lister. A Breath of Hot Air, co-authored with Patricia Bremmer is now on KINDLE and NOOK.
Alex writes full-time and lives in Omaha, Nebraska and Pensacola, Florida. She is a member of International Thrillers Writers. Become a V.I.R. Member (Very Important Reader) at Alex's website: http://www.alexkava.com to win prizes or follow her on Facebook at Facebook/AlexKava.books
Questions for Alex Kava
What is your favorite indulgence, treat, reward?
Reading thrillers. I know that might sound odd, but for a long time I didn’t allow myself to read fiction, especially other thrillers, while I was writing.
I read constantly for research: on-line articles, magazines, newspapers, instruction manuals, loads of non-fiction books and even food labels. (Yes, for HOTWIRE I became obsessed with reading food packages). But I didn’t always allow myself to read fiction, only because I was more interested in finding out what happened in the book I’m reading instead of the one I was writing. Now, I allow myself a chapter or two or three before bedtime each night.
Do you watch TV and if so, what do you watch?
People always seem surprised that I don’t watch CSI, Law & Order, or Criminal Minds. After spending the day with killers and the evidence to catch them, I’m usually looking for something to make me laugh. I watch THE OFFICE, MODERN FAMILY, PARKS & RECREATION, and THE MIDDLE. Those are my favorites.
I also watch HELL’S KITCHEN, MASTER CHEF, PROPERTY VIRGINS with Sandra Rinomato, re-runs of THE X-FILES and of course, I love watching college football. When I’m looking for something a bit more thought provoking I go to cable news. I confess I’m a bit of a news junkie.
Is there something you can share that readers might not already know about you?
Both my parents were children of Polish immigrants. I grew up surrounded by all sorts of Polish traditions like having borscht on Easter morning and dancing the polka at weddings.
My dad played violin in the Kava Orchestra. He was a farmer and a welder by trade, but what a musical talent he was. He could pick up almost any instrument, listen to a song once--maybe twice on rare occasion and play it beautifully without being able to read a single note. I don’t have anywhere near his musical talent but back in my younger days I did win a few singing contests and actually sang at several of my friends’ weddings.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In six grade. Mrs. Powers read to us after lunch every day. Wonderful stories like HARRIET THE SPY and CHARLIE THE LONESOME COUGAR. Listening to how Harriet wrote all sorts of things in her notebook was probably when I first realized I wanted to be a writer.
What inspires your muse?
Silence. A clear mind and a clear schedule with no appointments, errands or business that needs to be attended to. However, the best inspiration still appears to be that magical thing called “a deadline.”
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Up until eighth grade I really wanted to be a veterinarian. Then someone told me I’d also have to put animals to sleep. Being a vet quickly dropped off my list.
Do you ever scare yourself?
Always. I like to tell my readers that I don’t need to know what their individual fears are, I just need to know how to trigger them . . . over and over again.
Who is FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell?
I never intended to write a series, so I feel like I’ve been getting to know Maggie O’Dell right along side my readers. I confess it’s been challenging and sometimes a bit annoying, but mostly it’s been a fun journey.
Maggie O’Dell is an expert FBI profiler. Recently I realized that Maggie’s biggest flaw is probably one of the things I admire most about her. She does what she believes is the right thing, despite the consequences and despite the risks including her own physical harm. Sometimes she bends – even breaks – the rules. I suppose you could say she’s stubbornly independent, but I prefer to call her brave.