Nick Donahue first appeared in Nick Of Time and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Nick.

What is your name?
Nicholas Donahue. Most people call me Nick.

How old are you?
I’m forty-one but according to my mother, I often act like I’m twelve.

What is your profession?
Professional Blackjack player.

Do you have a significant other?
Oh boy, do I!

What is her name and profession?
My partner in life and love is Marina DiPietro. She’s a professional private investigator, formerly with MI6 of British Intelligence.

Any children?
No. Fatherhood might be a stretch for me, although my mother keeps asking.

Do you have any siblings?
My brother, Alex. He’s a wonderful pal who’s gotten me into and out of a few jams in the last year.

Do your parents live near you?
They live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where I grew up. I make my home in London, England, where it’s easier to travel to European casinos to try my luck at my favorite game of chance, Blackjack.

Who is your best friend?
Nigel Phillips. Ostensibly a big wig in The City, London’s financial community, Nigel is also connected to the British Intelligence Services.

Cats, dogs or other pets?
Nope. Since I travel so much, I’m not at home enough to take care of a pet.

What town do you live in?
I live with Marina in London.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I own the first floor of a restored Victorian on a small street in Kensington.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
The easy chair in front of the bay window where I can peer out to see if any of the bad guys, or pit bosses are casing the neighborhood.

Favorite meal and dessert?
A thick juicy steak with a pile of French fries. I’m not really a dessert kind of guy. I’d rather have an after-dinner brandy.

Favorite hobby?
Umm. I’d have to say helping Marina with her cases. It can be dangerous, but also very exciting.

Favorite color?
Black, as in the bespoke tuxedo I wear for an evening at a high-end casino. I like to finish it off with a dashing red bow tie.

Favorite author?
Ian Fleming. I’ve wanted to be a spy since I read his books when I was a kid. Now that I’m working with Marina, the dream has sort of come true. “Donahue. Nick Donahue.” Has a nice to ring to it, doesn’t it?

Favorite vacation spot?
Barcelona, Spain. The Ramblas stretches from the center of town to the sea and is always full of life. There’s also the incredible Sagrada Familia Basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi who began the construction over one hundred thirty-five years ago.

Favorite sports team?
Recently, through a case, I became involved with Thoroughbred horse racing. Not a team sport, unless you count the pack of horses that compete against each other. Still, I was on the winning team as we defeated the terrorists who were trying to kill our client’s prize racehorse.

Movies or Live Theater?
Since I’m mostly in London, I go to the theater often. There’s always some new drama or musical I want to see.

Are you a morning or a night person?
Definitely a night person.

Amateur or professional and whom do you work with?
I’m an amateur but I like to think I act very professionally when I’m working with Marina. Since she often tells me to “Behave, Nick.” she might disagree. Sometimes, I call on Nigel Phillips for a little extra help. He’s very discreet and does have those extremely good connections.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
When I’m in London, my day begins around noon. In the early afternoon, I often stop by the offices of DiPietro and Company to see if Marina needs my help with anything. If she doesn’t, and isn’t swamped with work, we’ll head out to a neighborhood restaurant for lunch. Later, I’ll return home and catch up on emails and the news. About ten o’clock, I’ll change into my tuxedo and make my way to one of the London casinos for a game of Blackjack. If I’m working with Marina, all bets are off and it’s non-stop until we solve the case.

Out of Time is the second book in the “Nick Donahue” adventure series, released November 25, 2019.

It was supposed to be a simple and quick assignment for Marina DiPietro and Nick Donahue. Help Marina’s client, Adnan bin Haddad, protect his fabulous racehorse, Devil Wind, from human predators who threaten the stallion with death if millions aren’t paid in “protection money.” Just guard the horse and catch the predators before they strike. If you’re lucky.

Turns out, the threat against the horse is just the opening move to get into bin Haddad’s science lab and steal his latest invention. Now Nick must stop the perpetrators, ISIS, from getting their hands on the ultimate weapon of war—a tool of unimaginable terror, a cloaking device, that could tear the world apart.

Then events spiral out of control. The daughter of bin Haddad’s closest friend and employee, is kidnapped, Marina is kidnapped, and Nick becomes enmeshed in a web of betrayal and deceit. ISIS is determined to have the cloaking device, and Nick has to use all the cunning, skill, and subterfuge he’s acquired as a gambler to discover the “tell” that will help him turn the predators into prey.

And, there’s no time to lose.

Purchase Link
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About the author
Cathi Stoler’s Urban Thriller, Bar None, features Corner Lounge bar owner, Jude Dillane. A sequel, Last Call, will be published in 2020. Her series, with Blackjack player, Nick Donahue, includes Out Of Time and Nick Of Time. She is a three-time finalist & winner of the 2015 Derringer for Best Short Story, “The Kaluki Kings of Queens”. Cathi is a member of Sisters in Crime NY, Mystery Writers of America & International Thriller Writers.

Visit Cathi’s website at cathistoler.com.

All comments are welcomed.