Thank you, Alicia, for having me on your lovely blog. I’m thrilled to be here. Savage Deception is my new release. It is book 1 in a 5-book series (plus a short story prequel that was published in November). The Nickie Savage Series is a detective/mystery/romance and has been a complete blast to write.
And it’s a blast to read! Thank you for joining me, R.T. You know I adore your books and you 🙂 And I’m happy to have you as my guest. Our readers would like to know a little more about you…
Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?
Oh yes, Alicia. The Nickie Savage Series as a whole morphed from a previous series. Sometimes characters are demanding and an author has to let them lead the way. The Black Creek Series involves the Savage Deception hero, Duncan Reed’s, family. Book 1 in that series takes place when he is eight years old. His uncle moves back to upstate New York to learn to be a better father. He ends up falling in love and solving a murder. Duncan and his brother grow up in Book 2. And in book 3, he meets Detective Nickie Savage. Nickie is an incredible character to write. She’s strong. She’s weak. She’s determined, smart, dedicated and a complete train wreck. The Nickie Savage Series is a more of a detective/mystery romance than the Black Creek Series and thus far my readers have loved it. It has been compared to the Women’s Murder Club Series, the Stephanie Plum Series (really? I’m not that funny — just ask my teenagers), The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and most recently J.D. Robb’s In Death Series. I’m blown away and completely humbled. I have the best readers. They are truly what keep me writing as this crazy pace – 5 books published last year and 3 this year. Tidbit about the title? Nickie changed her name when she turned 18 years old from Nicole Monticello to Nickie Savage. At the age of 15, she escaped child sex trafficking captivity and changed her name in honor of the girls left behind. She devotes her life to her police work and occasionally assists the FBI in missing person cases.
It’s amazing that so many fabulous stories came from Black Creek Burning, which was an awesome book too.
What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do?
Seasons are what first come to mind when I read this question, Alicia. I live in Illinois and completely adore fall and winter. The colors, the crystals. Cozy fires and shoveling snow. I love every season, but fall and winter are the ones that most people don’t understand why I love.
I agree. Those are my favorite seasons, too. I live in Oklahoma and we don’t get enough winter, in my opinion. But most people think I’m crazy. 🙂
What’s your favorite book of all time and why?
My favorite book is Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. The characters are diverse and unconventional. The love story is completely believable and heartwarming, and the mystery kept me reading. I think I’ve read that one three times.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Savage Deception, Nickie Savage Series Book 1?
An escape. I wish for readers to forget where they are and find themselves tooling along beautiful upstate New York in the hearts and minds of Duncan Reed and Nickie Savage.
That’s why I love to read, for an escape. You did an excellent job of taking me away in Savage Deception.
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
A bad review, most certainly. I always appreciate when someone takes the time to leave an honest review, and I comment on each and every one. The last bad review I received was the one that compared my books to J.D. Robb. In honor of the reviewer, she was truly angry that there were similarities. My thoughts? J.D. Robb? Squeal!
Haha, yes, I suppose ‘bad’ review is subjective, right? I agree. The world is made up of all kinds of people with all kinds of opinions, I would be suspicious if everyone loved my work. (Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about that, :))
What is your favorite…
Movie–The Notebook/cliché, I know, but what a movie!
(Cliche or no, I adore that movie!!!)
Music-The Frey, Googoo Dolls, Uncle Kracker, Callie Colbert (how much room do I have?)
Place you’ve visited–Anna Maria Island, FL. I did a week-long writing research project on the island following sea turtle marine conservationists. A-ma-zing! Book 1 in the Island Escape Series should be out this year. So dang fun.
Place you’d like to visit-Alaska. Not exactly Florida and there are no sea turtles there, but I’ve heard such amazing things about the people and the beauty. I will make it there one day.
TV show-The Walking Dead … only when watched with my teenage son. We like to high five at the especially gory scenes.
Food–anything citrus-yum
Sports team–Southern Illinois University swim team-Go Salukis!
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Card games with family until wee hours in the morning.
Thank you for the interesting interview. Now for a glimpse into Savage Deception:
Busy juggling loan sharks and Amber Alerts, Detective Nickie Savage makes time when the FBI seeks her expertise with a child trafficking ring. But when Nickie discovers that the men running the ring are the same ones who abducted her as a young teen, the case gets personal.
Risking her badge, Nickie goes rogue. Luckily, she has Duncan Reed, along with his wire tapping and surveillance expertise. But Duncan also wants to take their relationship to the next level.
Now, Nickie must choose: break her own rules and risk her heart or forge ahead alone.
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1bdg2tp
Barnes and Noble link: http://bit.ly/1cLCrhp
Kobo link: http://bit.ly/1aDLwfw
iTunes link: http://bit.ly/16rmXxH
THE NICKIE SAVAGE SERIES, in order
Savage Echoes
Savage Deception
Savage Rendezvous
Savage Disclosure
Savage Betrayal
Savage Alliance
R.T. Wolfe website: http://www.rtwolfe.com
R.T.’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/RTWofle2012
R.T. on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RT_Wolfe
R.T.’s Pinterest Page: http://www.pinterest.com/RTWolfe
Author Alicia Dean 
Thank you for the kind words, Alicia. And for having me on your blog.
-R.T.
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It is my pleasure, R.T. You’re most welcome!
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Isn’t it great how one character always leads to another and another and another? I like your attitude about the reviews. Nice job!
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Those dang characters can mess up any outline! Thanks for stopping by, Margo.
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I love RT Wolfe and the complex mysteries she writes. Five books in and she’s still springing things on me I don’t expect! The comparisons people make to Nora/J.D. Robb are apt.
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Thank you, M.J. 🙂
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I love this interview and RT’s books. Curious if you’ve had enough winter yet. LOL
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Diane,
It’s January. I’m not counting down to spring yet. But I was one who shoveled my drive for 2 hours when the wind chill was -50. I belong in Alaska. haha
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Thanks for sharing about both series. Your research sounds great.
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I have lovely people in various occupations who generously serve as my go-to contacts for research. So dang fun!
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What a great interview, ladies! RT, I love hearing how the Savage Series blossomed from your Black Creek Series. I wish my writer mind worked that way. 🙂 Writing a series doesn’t come easily for me but I’m working on it. Savage Deception sounds like a great read! Best to you and here’s to many sales!
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Thank you, Darcy. I can’t imagine writing a single title. I talk too much. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
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Nickie Savage–what a great name. It tells me a lot about your character. I’m going to love these books–just as soon as I dig out a little time to read!
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Jannine,
Writer’s don’t have time to read! Ugh. 🙂 Nickie’s name comes from a long history she carries. She’s a great character to write. A complete train wreck. Love her!
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RT you want a turtle conservation? Go to the Cayman Islands. They have the most fabulous one in the world. Plus the beach is fantastic. Nice interview.
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The Cayman Islands sounds incredible. I’ve actually done very little traveling, but I’m young and there’s time! 🙂 The material I gained from Anna Marie Island Turtle Watch should be enough to carry me through my Island Escape Series. They were most generous.
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I also love the name, Nickie Savage. She’s a great character, too. You won’t regret checking out these books. I can’t speak for R.T., but I have not yet had enough winter. However, here in Edmond, Oklahoma, we have a high of 67. Tomorrow, the forecast is a high of 27. As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute. (Or something to that effect. :))
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-31 degree F windchill here this morning in central Illinois. I’m cozied up with my coffee at Panera, ready for a day of writing. 🙂
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Sounds like a great series. How in the world do you write so fast?
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Cheryel,
I cheated. Two of the books were basically written already. I’ll be lucky to get out 3 this year. 🙂
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I have the same question as Cheryel. Your output is phenomenal. I can’t write that fast, and I my kids are grown. And Alicia, you’re welcome to some of my Michigan winter!
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Michigan? Yikes. How long has it been since you’ve seen the pavement? 🙂 Nickie Savage is easy to write. The first book in my Island Escape Series took much longer. I’m off to work on Savage Rendezvous, book 2 in the Nickie Savage Series, right now. 🙂
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Really enjoyed this! 🙂 I knew a gal with the maiden name Savage. She married a guy named Powers. so she was Mrs. Savage-Powers. hah!
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Two power names (pun intended-heehee) … how awesome. Thank you for stopping by, Kara.
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Your Savage series sound great. Can’t wait to read them.
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I have to say I identified with the sea turtles in this fun interview. Currently in Hawaii–sea turtle heaven (only I am afraid of them, especially when swimming in the Pacific Ocean alongside the huge, reptilian creatures). I adore them from afar, though. It’s also great to read about evolving characters. Thanks, ladies!
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