Alias

When I met Mandi a couple of months ago at the meet and greet. We got lost and wasted 15 minutes at the wrong place. My story differs from Mandi’s at this point. Mandi said I finally got her to the right place. Little did she know that I was the one who got her lost in the first place. I have a reputation of immediately getting lost once I enter a building. For some reason I always go the wrong direction. Poor Mandi had no idea what she was in for when she hooked up with me. Through all the chaos, we did have a good laugh and instantly hit it off. This beautiful, smart, energetic, woman is one of a kind. We seemed to connect immediately. Besides the meet and greet, we worked together at a book signing at Confetti books. This is where I met her husband and her magical daughter. What a beautiful child she is. I can’t wait to meet her other children. She already seems like family.
We are planning two more book signings. She is really going to get her fill of me.
I have a full time job. I am writing my second book and I don’t have much time to read any more like I used to. However, I took the time to read Mandi’s novel, ‘The Alias’. This book was phenomenal. It was a real page turner.
I was tempted so many times to cheat and read the end, so I would understand Kale’s actions. No Mandi, I was good and decided not to peek. I just enjoyed the suspense of all the twists and turns and I loved the ending.
I couldn’t put this book down.
Mandi has done such a masterful job writing ‘The Alias’. I sincerely can’t wait for her next book to come out.
I would like to introduce everyone to Mandi; her answers explain a lot as to why her writing is so remarkable.





1- Who thought of the name of the book ‘The Alias’?

My publisher. I had originally titled the book “As the Shadows Fade”, but when they pitched the name “Alias”, I loved it!

2- Did you always have a vivid imagination?

Yes! When I was a child I was diagnosed with ADHD. This wasn’t an easy thing to live with. I was often in trouble and I spent most of my school days in special-education classes. I daydreamed all the time. I craved adventure, and more often-than-not, my teacher or parents could find me hiding in a corner talking to myself, because I even had imaginary friends. My mind was constantly racing…popping up with new ideas and thoughts all the time. I never thought that one day my ADHD would actually work to my advantage. But to this day, my imagination and ability to day dream has become one of my greatest strengths.

3- Have you ever been a waitress?

No, but in truth, I’ve wanted to give it a shot. I like interacting with people, but I’m clumsy and forgetful. I don’t think I’d make a good waitress.

4- Did you ever meet anyone who was in an abusive marriage like Jacey?

My story ideas usually come from a conglomeration of different events that touch my life. At the time, a close friend was pursuing a divorce where she had suffered some spousal abuse. I was struck by the amount of strength it would take to leave behind such a marriage and the amount of courage needed to build a new life. One of the main themes in The Alias is domestic violence. Jacey, the protagonist, is attempting to build a new life for her son after leaving behind an abusive and controlling husband. One reviewer said, “Having had some spousal abuse myself, the author handled the topic with a maturity I appreciated.” I’ve really tried to portray that quiet strength in this novel.

5- In the book, Blaze was a very endearing child. Did he remind you of one of your children?

Yes. I think Blaze is at an age where he is trying to be grown, yet he still feels so vulnerable. When creating Blaze, I could picture my boys at that age, and I did infuse a bit of my boys’ personality into that character.

6- What kind of mischief did you get into as a youngster?

Haha…I could write an entire book based on my escapades as a child. I was in trouble constantly. One of my favorite memories, however, happened when I was nine. At the time my family was stationed in Germany with the Army. I loved to visit the castles and palaces that were close by. My sister and I made friends with a local German girl who lived in one of the older castles with her family. They worked as the caretakers. She couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak German, so we communicated through our own weird version of sign language, but it worked. One day while visiting the castle, we ventured together to the dungeon. We had plans to turn off the lights and scare my sister, but when my partner in crime turned off the lights, it was I who was scared. I took off and managed to get myself turned around in that huge castle. I ended up in a room where they kept the former royal’s ashes. I was surrounded by urns, and I remember crying. My mom found me moments later, but I was certain the ghosts of the former kings and queens were going to haunt me. I was terrified for days!

7- What type of movies do you like to watch?

I love sweet movies like Anne of Green Gables and Seasons of The Heart. Sometimes I’ll watch suspense, but sweet movies are what I prefer.

8- I know you are working on another book. Can you tell me about it?

I am currently in the process of editing a crime thriller that takes place in Seattle, Washington. Tarrin Grace has just come through a very difficult divorce, and just when things are beginning to look up, her young daughter, Lexie, is witness to a heinous murder. Suffering from a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, Lexie is unable to recall details of the crime or the murderer. However, the killer remembers her, and Tarrin must risk all she has to protect her family.