I am Nico. Laurel Beacham calls me silly names like her “gorgeous geek” and “secret weapon”—she does not think I know these things, but I do. It is okay. I know there is respect in her teasing. It is true I have pulled her attractive body out of many tight situations. Mio Dio! The woman charges headlong into every job, focused only on returning with whatever work of art has . . . poof! . . . vanished. Her day’s work is tracking the thieves with an instinct incomparabile, while my day is spent attempting to keep her in sight with a GPS tracker and a hope she has not misled me again in what she plans to do.
You see, she tends to lie by omission. It is a challenge.
Yes, she is bella e intelligente . . . I mean beautiful and smart . . . but she can do very stupido things because she has great passion for art. I understand passion. I am Italian, whereas Laurel is American and stubborn. It is my job to make sure she has the necessary tools each time to recover her objective.
Unlike Laurel, I do not like the fieldwork. I like quiet hours to work on the gadgets and specially designed packages I must have ready even before Laurel knows she needs them. She doesn’t always appreciate my gifts. A month ago, when I gave her some specially developed glasses she called them “nerd wear.” Yes, she has a great appreciation for appearances, but that is to be expected with the pitfalls she has had to overcome in her life.
I watch her be frivolous and too carefree with her money one moment, and the next she is like a tigress protecting me and her assistant Cassie from the yelling of our boss Max. Someday, I tell her Max does not scare me. I think she already knows, but it is her strong heart that jumps up to strike down anything she sees as bullying.
She must be protected from herself, for she does not know when to back off sometimes. In that regard, I have an ally in Jack Hawkes, as he also tries to keep her from running headlong into any disaster to grab the art objective. However, he also does stupido things himself, so I keep him digitally tracked as well. For his own good, naturalmente.
This newest job led our team to Florence, Italy, which should have been happy for me since it is close to my home, but there is too much danger to relax and enjoy the surroundings. I am tangled in quite a tight situation by the end. Laurel and Jack as well. Dead bodies, forgeries, exquisite masterpieces… It is all a day’s work for us. As long as we can get the work of art away before a bullet finds us instead.
If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with smart characters, lots of twists and turns, and exciting world-class settings, pick up a copy of our latest adventure Marked Masters. I promise you will get more than a few surprises as Laurel and Jack reluctantly team up again to pursue an even greater risk to the art world than in their previous job. All while I keep the peace and pull them both out of the fire another time or three. The two are so evenly matched they cannot see they should trust each other more and fight less. But I will be there to make sure things are less rocky. That is my job. That is my day’s work. It is a challenge to keep them alive, believe me.
You can read more about Nico, Laurel, Jack and Cassie in Marked Masters, the second book in the “Bodies of Art” Mysteries series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. The first book in the series is Counterfeit Conspiracies.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 25 for the chance to win a copy of Mark Masters. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Ritter Ames is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Organized Mysteries series and the Bodies of Art Mysteries series, both published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. When she’s not writing or brainstorming new mysteries Ritter is usually trying to get her favorite yellow lab to stay out of the pond, or keep her grouchy black cat from trying to give the dog away on Freecycle. Ritter would love to live on a boat and write from far flung locations around the globe, but the dog would constantly have to be fished from the water, and her husband and cat would just complain endlessly about the dog’s smell, so staying on land seems to be the only good option to keep her sanity and not get sidetracked from writing.
Ritter tries to blog regularly at www.ritterames.com and subscribe there to get the latest news about upcoming releases, and inside scoops on her characters and series. Marked Masters and all of Ritter’s other books are currently available in print and all ebook formats through any online bookseller.
I am curious and want to read this book. I will add it to my TBR list. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of the book.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Good to hear that, Jen 🙂 thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing
A little more of a thriller than your usual reads, I think.
Good call, Gram! It is a faster paced series, but the blood stays at cozy levels 🙂
This sounds fantastic! And winning a copy? Che bello! (I think that’s right, isn’t it?)
Love your enthusiasm, Amreade! Glad you like it (yeah, I think it’s beautiful too) 🙂
This really does sound like a great read.
Thanks for thinking so, Libby. Good luck in the giveaway!
A captivating and enthralling novel. Thanks.
What a nice thing to read in the morning, Ellie! Thank you!
Thank so much, Libby! Good luck in the drawing 🙂
Sounds like a fun read. thanks.
Glad it sounds interesting, Mary. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I got a copy of Counterfeit Conspiracies and immediately wanted more! So happy you have a second book out now! Hope you’re working on a third! Would love a copy of Marked Masters! I have been following Gemma Halliday’s site and have gotten some great reads and that is how I found you!
Merry, I’m so happy to hear that. Yes, the third book is already started–I tend to keep going after I finish one book, so I have a good handle on the next one before I take a break to meet an Organized Mystery deadline. But the next Organized Mystery is due about now, so once I finish up revisions I’m going to get back into Laurel’s world. Right now Book #3 is at about the 30% range as far as completed goes. LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
I began following Gemma Halliday’s site after purchasing a few books from her publishing Company. What an incredible find! And that is how I found you and Counterfeit Conspiracies! So Happy you have published your second and can’t wait to read it! Winning a copy would be a super Bonus! Ritter, I hope you are brainstorming your third! Thank you for the fun!
Thanks so much for saying that, northstarvance! I enjoy writing this series so much, so I love to hear when readers like it too. Yes, as I mentioned above, I’m already past the brainstorming stage, and have a good portion of the next book completed. But I have to turn in the next Organized Mystery first 🙂 Good luck on the giveaway!
Sounds like an exciting read. I want to get to know Nico better! Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Sally, Nico’s one of my favorites, too 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
This sounds like a great series to add to my ever-growing list.
I know what your mean about that list, rochf. Thanks so much for stopping by today 🙂
Thanks so very much for providing us an insight into the mind of Nico. It’s nice to hear a little about someone other than the main character. Looking forward to have the opportunity to read more.
Thanks, Robin. I let Cassie take her spin in the spotlight when I was here for Counterfeit Conspiracies last year, and though he shrugged it off at the time I think Nico has been a little grumpy about it ever since. LOL!
Would love to win Marked Masters. Thank you!
Good luck, MaryAnn! 🙂
Enjoyed the first book in this series and would love to add this one.
Hey, Ruth, thanks for stopping by, and so glad you’re in the giveaway 🙂 Good luck!
Well, of course, Nico hits the nail on the head!
Definitely, Kathleen! You cannot fault the gorgeous geek! LOL!
Don’t need to enter the contest part — I have a copy already — and in BOTH books Nico has been my favorite. Maybe it is the geek, maybe it’s the heritage….he is just a hoot and a half! And he does like the spotlight, just on his own terms!
You’re exactly right, Gale. Nico knows how to set his boundaries. LOL! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Love the chance to read this
Good luck in the giveaway, ladyjanel 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today.
I have the first one and haven’t got a chance to start it yet…will some one give me some more hours in the day? LOL
Thanks for the chance to win this one.
I hear ya, Debbie. If we could just have 28 instead of 24 hours, I might be able to catch up on the books I have in my TBR pile too! Thanks so much for stopping by today. Good luck!
I have a friend that highly recommends Ritter Ames’ books. I loved Nico’s interview, so this will go on my wish list.
Joan, please tell your friend thank you very much. Love hearing when others like my books and tell their friends 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
This book sounds really good. I haven’t read any books by this author, but I would love to. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I’m glad it sounds interesting to you, Anita 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks so much for stopping by today.
I think I’ll enjoy the supporting characters in this book as much as the many character. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks, Sue. Yes, that’s one of the things I love most about writing–I enjoy everyone I “write dialogue for.” LOL! Thanks so much for dropping by, and good luck in the giveaway!
Adore Nico! This interview gives a great glimpse into Lauren. LOVE both books and look forward to the next, but I am also dying to get my hand on the next Organized book, so I will just keep reading everything I can about the books to get my fix. lol
Thanks, Jeanie. I promise I’m writing as fast as I can (Oh, and I promise that there is more Keith in Organized for S’more Death). This is just the most fun a person can have making a living! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today!
This review is great and makes me want to read the book even more! Thank you for a terrific review and contest!
Thanks for stopping by, and for saying that Betty 🙂 Love being able to give a voice to the other characters in the series. Good luck in the giveaway!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. So excited Book 2 is ready and am thrilled to hear Book 3 is in the works. Thanks for the chance to win.
Linda, it is so nice for you to stop by and cheer my characters on that way. Thank you! Yes, the second book was released earlier this month, and I hope to get back to the next book as soon as I get my newest Organized Mystery finished and to the editor. 🙂
Awesome
Thank you, Anita. Glad you could drop by tonight 🙂
count me in for this giveaway, please!!!
thank you!!!
You’re in, Cyn! Hey, it rhymes 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by, and good luck in the drawing!
I really enjoy Ritter Ames’s books. Thank you for the chance to win
Hi, Candace, thanks so much for stopping by. That’s so nice of you to say, too. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have never read anything by this writer but I would love to—thanks for the chance!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sheila. Good luck in the drawing 🙂
hi ritter- ellen waving madly — i think there is a little spark starting between nico and cassie – what do you think ????? have a grand day my friend
Hi, Ellen *waving madly back* You may be right, but we’ll have to wait to see 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and making my day brighter!
This sounds very interesting. Thanks for the peek into the lives of NIco and Laurel. I need to read the first book in the series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck in the drawing, Mary, and thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
You have just pushed me to read this book. Now I’m moving it up a notch on my pile.
Ah, Dru, that’s so sweet. Thanks for the consideration, because I know you probably have an even more wonderfully tall TBR file than all the rest of us 🙂
I love a good mystery.
Glad you stopped by then, Karen. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’ve become a fan since I got one of the Organized books. Sign me up for this giveaway. Ames is a hoot.
Judy, thanks so much for saying that. The next Organized book will be Organized for S’more Death and Meg gets Kate to go camping–and mayhem ensues. Lol! Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks for dropping by 🙂
All this info has really peaked my interest. Would love to win & read.
Fingers crossed.. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Ritter for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.