From: Tai Randolph
To Whom It May Concern:

This is an open letter to the reading public of the Atlanta metro area, the city of Savannah, and other persons who have heard about my recent experiences at the Civil War Expo and who wish to comment on such, whether in the form of a news article, opinion piece, random blog, newsgroup posting, or presumptuous chatter in line at the grocery store:

1. Despite what you may have read, I am not foolhardy. Or reckless. Or irresponsible. I will admit to impulsive, perhaps even prone to misadventure, but I do have a strong self of self-preservation and resent any suggestion that I’m hellbent on destruction of myself and others.
2. It is not my fault that my life for the past year has included more than my fair share of mayhem, murder and all manner of criminal nefariousness. However, when trouble comes rolling into the yard, I do what any sensible Southern woman would do in such circumstances — I roll up my sleeves and take care of things. This is not a character flaw (nor is it a psychological shortcoming, despite what my brother the therapist says).
3. Yes, Trey is — and I’m quoting here — a heartthrob extraordinaire. A hunk. A total dreamboat. He is also my boyfriend. Mine. It is not appropriate to inquire after his phone number. It is even less appropriate to slip your digits in his pocket or stick mash notes on the windshield of his Ferrari. I own a gun shop, remember? Don’t make me use it.
4. The whole hoop skirt thing? I don’t want to talk about it.
5. For that matter, I don’t want to talk about the fire, the stabbing, the shooting, the other shooting, the latest shooting, any shooting, the restraining order, the FBI investigation, the strangling, the dead guy, the other dead guy, or the whereabouts of the Civil-War-Artifact-That-Shall-Not-be-Named.
6. I will, however, talk about the python. I really liked the python. I still visit occasionally (she likes to have her head rubbed).
7. Detective Dan Garrity of the Atlanta PD is a friend, not a source, and has violated not one law/rule/ethical boundary in his dealings with me, no matter how much I’ve begged/pleaded/cajoled/bribed/etc. So stop pestering him.
8. You should probably stop running up and taking pictures of Trey. I admit, he’s easy on the lens, but he’s former SWAT, usually armed, and about two crooked neurons away from going full-on Krav Maga, so ambushing him in a parking garage and sticking a camera in his face is definitely ill-advised.
9. If you really want to know the scoop, just ask. I’m easy to find — come down to Dexter’s Gun’s and More in Kennesaw, an hour north of Downtown. We can talk circa-1860s firearms, Confederate swordfighting etiquette, Low Country ghosts, and the importance of wearing hand-stitched underwear on the battlefield. There’s usually strong coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And if Trey just happens to be hanging around being his usual Armani self . . . well, I don’t mind if you look. Just keep your hands to yourself, okay?

Tina is giving away one (1) copy of any book from her “Tai Randolph” mystery series, your choice. Contest open to US residents only and ends March 15. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Book will be shipped directly from the author.

Meet the author
Tina Whittle’s first novel — The Dangerous Edge of Things, published by Poisoned Pen Press — debuted to starred reviews in Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal. Continuing with Darker Than Any Shadow, this Atlanta-based series features gun shop owner Tai Randolph and corporate security agent Trey Seaver. The third book — BLOOD, ASH AND BONE — premiered in March 2013. You can find the author online at her official website