Michaela Sanchez is the sleuth in the “Michaela Sanchez” thriller. One of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions. So, let’s get to know Michaela.

What is your full name?
Michaela Sanchez. My brother calls me Mike. I was Michaela Wright before I married Deon. He’s pretty traditional so I took his last name.

How old are you?
I’m 34.

What is your profession?
I recently completed training to be a Border Patrol agent and I’m only beginning to go solo. I started my career as a Tucson cop, but after Deon and I had kids, I gave that up because the danger worried Deon. I volunteered with the Arizona Rangers. That gig was too mild for me and after I nearly sabotaged my marriage just to feel some excitement, we decided it was better for everyone if I worked at something that made me feel vital.

Do you have a significant other?
I’ve mentioned Deon. He’s the only one in his family born in the United States. The rest of his family was deported to Mexico when he was a teen and he stayed here.

What is their name and profession?
Against all the odds, Deon worked hard, put himself through college and law school. He’s a corporate attorney here in Tucson and makes enough money we live pretty comfortably.

Do you have any children?
I’ve got two amazing, talented, and brilliant daughters. Sami is 11 and just leaving childhood behind. She’s sunny and goofy. Josie *big sigh* is 14. I’m really proud of her because she’s got strength and determination. I’m really frustrated with her because she’s got strength and determination and right now, she seems to have pitted all of her talents against me.

Do you have any siblings?
*Sigh, again* Siblings. My older brother, Chris, raised me. He used to be Border Patrol, but now he’s back in law school following his dreams. My sister, Ann, runs a non-profit for immigrant services. When I was an AZ Ranger, I sort of played referee between them. Now that I’m BP, my sister acts like I’m the enemy. But Chris, Ann, and I are tight. We’ve been through a lot together.

Are your parents nearby?
My parents died in a car crash when I was 12. The wreck left Ann with limited use of her legs. It’s what led to Chris quitting law school to raise me. It’s something I’ll probably never get over since my parents were rushing me to the hospital when it happened.

Who is your best friend?
Deon. Ann. Chris. Josie. Sami. Between work and my family, there’s not much room left in my life.

Do you have any pets?
See above!

What town do you live in?
I’m one of those rare creatures: a Tucson native, born and raised. Most people here came from someplace else.

Would you say you live in a small town or a big city?
Tucson metro area is just over 1 million people. But, I swear, sometimes it feels like a small town. It’s spread out from the foothills of the Catalina mountains to the rugged deserts that stretch down to the border.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
We live in a nice suburb in northern Tucson. It’s pretty standard with good schools and homes just starting to have mature landscapes. I love our home, but that’s because Deon and I bought it when the neighborhood and our marriage were both new. It’s the only home our daughters know. I’m thinking we ought to build a little casita in the backyard by the pool for Ann. I don’t know how I’d ever convince her to move here, even if it’s for her own good.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
That would be poolside. There are times I’m convinced the only reason we survive Tucson’s summers is because of the pool.

Favorite meal and dessert?
Without hesitation my favorite food is a Sonoran hotdog. It’s kind of Tucson’s official food. You take a hotdog, wrap it in bacon, smother is with peppers, beans, chipotle, and stuff it into a special bun that’s a little bit sweet. It’s desert magic. After a Sonoran dog with a side of chips and guac, who has room for desert?

Do you have any hobbies?
I used to play softball and hike a lot. Now, I schlep my kids to their games and hiking has been replaced with patrolling the desert. That’s one of the reasons I love my job so much, though. I get to spend a lot of time outside, hiking the mountains and experiencing all the best and worst the desert has to offer.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
I’m looking forward to taking vacations sometime. For now, most of our time away is spent in central Mexico visiting Deon’s extended family. But I dream of white sand beaches and refreshing umbrella drinks. Maybe someday.

What music do you listen to?
I enjoy just about anything except country. One of the agents I trained with blasted country from his phone and every time I hear it, I think of Brody. It makes my blood boil.

Do you have a favorite book?
My brother, Chris, and I both love mysteries and thrillers. We pass books back and forth. Right now we’re on a Rachel Howzell Hall kick.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
I know it sounds cheesy and lame, but until recently, we always had family Sunday dinner. Chris, Ann and Fritz, her husband, Deon, me, Josie and Sami. We alternated houses. Even when we were at odds, those times kept me grounded and filled my heart. Now Fritz is in jail, Ann is barely speaking to me, Chris is always studying, and my hours at the BP are crazy. I miss our family dinners.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
*** If You’re Going Through Hell, Keep Going ***

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
The crazy thing about Border Patrol is that agents patrol solo most of the time. I’m one of the oldest agents out here and one of the greenest. Luke, a twenty-something, graduated with me at the academy and I love working with him. He’s got a tender heart and I’m not sure he’s going to make it out here. Liz Hinkin has been at this a long time. She’s younger than me, but has a lot of experience and good head on her shoulders. Steve Brody is a jerk. Racist, sexist, mean. Except he’s got a soft spot for kids and babies—go figure.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
There is no typical day on Border Patrol. When nothing is happening, some agents may spend their time parked under a mesquite tree watching Netflix and others might drive obscure roads or hike known smuggling routes. At any moment all hell could break loose with drug smugglers, human traffickers, foreign terrorists from any number of hostile countries sneaking in, or groups of undocumented people trying to cross the border for a better life. Or, like what happened to me recently, you come across a dead humanitarian aid worker. An agent has to be ready for anything.

The Desert’s Share is the second book in the “Michaela Sanchez” Southwest Crime thriller series, released June 30, 2020.

A MURDERED AID WORKER. A POLITICAL FIRESTORM. AND A KILLER ON THE LOOSE.

When rookie agent Michaela Sanchez receives a tip from her sister that someone has gone missing in the Tucson desert, she thinks she’s searching for a lost immigrant. What she finds is the murdered defendant of a high-profile local trial.

Lacy Hollander was a humanitarian aid worker, on trial for harboring felons after she sheltered illegal border crossers. When a conflict erupts with a local vigilante group, her murder ignites a political firestorm.

Concerned about her sister’s involvement, and taking heat at home from her activist daughter, Michaela takes it upon herself to investigate.

But repeated run-ins with the commander of the vigilante group and a series of escalating threats against aid workers make one thing clear. . .

. . .the violence hasn’t ended with Lacy’s death.

There is a killer on the loose.

And Michaela must untangle the mystery before he strikes again. . .

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About the author
Shannon Baker writes mysteries about strong women in the iconic landscapes of the American West, from the Colorado Rockies to the Nebraska prairies, to the deserts of southern Arizona. The Desert Behind Me, a dark suspense set in Tucson won the 2019 New Mexico/Arizona Book Award. Echoes in the Sand and The Desert’s Share are recently releases in the Michaela Sanchez Arizona Crime series. Visit Shannon’s website at shannon-baker.com.

All comments are welcomed.