Please share some of your background:
I worked for the NSA for 17 yrs (after being hired right out of high school). I worked in several fields and then lastly as a Computer Scientist at Ft. Meade, MD and also abroad for eight years between England and Germany. However, my first love was writing; I was an avid reader growing up (hooked on Nancy Drew Mysteries). I started writing my own stories when I was just 14 yrs old. I set my writing aspirations aside until after I left the NSA and a consulting business. I am currently working on my own spy thriller series. Along with other works.
When did you start reading Mitch Rapp?
I'm an oldie but a goodie, as they say. I started reading Vince Flynn's books when he first hit the spy thriller scene. Having been on the "inside," his books were very appealing/exciting for me. I was already a Daniel Silva, Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum fan, so Vince Flynn books fit right in with me and my thirst for all things "spy."
Which book is your favorite?
This is such a tough question. I, of course, love the ones he wrote the most and am now following up with the ones written by Kyle Mills. I'd have to say Kill Shot because that really struck a cord with me as I had just left my overseas position the year before and the Lockerbie tragedy hit close to home.
Do you have a favorite character and why?
Well, outside of Mitch Rapp, Dr. Irene Kennedy. I love strong female characters, and I believe it's important have a strong female character to have that interplay with a male operative (even if it were vice versa).
If you could be any character in Vince's novels, who would it be and why?
Irene Kennedy, of course! I would love to the be Director of the CIA and have the knowledge that the position holds. Also to be able to work with the heads of the other agencies, as well as POTUS, would be exciting.
Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Mitch Rapp, Vince or Kyle?
I would like to share an experience I had on a flight between Baltimore, MD and Palm Beach, FL many years ago. I got to talking with a guy that was sitting next to me on this particular flight. I don't remember the exact year, or his name now, but it was well before Vince Flynn's passing. He asked me what I did and I told him I was a writer and working on a spy thriller. I filled him in on my previous background with the NSA as well. He then told me that he was good friends with Vince Flynn. At first I was skeptical but as we conversed more, I was sure he was not making it up. The biggest thing I took away from our conversation however (and I've never forgotten) was that he asked me why I hadn't finished my novel yet. I really didn't have an answer, and so he asked "What are you afraid of failure or success?" I've never forgotten that and I always remember that when I'm writing even to this day. By the way, I told him I was not afraid of failure, for I know I can always accomplish what I put my mind to.
