Today I’d like to introduce you to fellow badass writer, Carmen Amato, and her infinitely badass female character, Detective Emilia Cruz. When I read CLIFF DIVER, the first book in the series, I knew Emilia was the kind of kickass female character I could root for. She’s strong, determined, and has to contend with the male-dominated, chauvinistic culture of the Acapulco Police Department. Talk about a proving ground!
Carmen herself has a list of impressive accomplishments, having worked for the CIA for over 30 years. Today, she’s offering readers a signed paperback of 43 MISSING (Detective Emilia Cruz mystery #6) and a signed mini poster. (See below for details. **US only).
Without further ado, here’s Carmen:
5 Reasons Why a Badass Female Character Should be Your New BFF
To celebrate D.V. Berkom’s new book, I’m giving away a signed copy of 43 MISSING, a Detective Emilia Cruz mystery set in Mexico, plus a Frida Kahlo quote mini-poster. 43 MISSING is based on a real 2014 unsolved crime. It takes some badass moves by Emilia to finally uncover the truth.
Besides Detective Emilia Cruz, there are some great badass women in literature these days. They are cops, private detectives, the random assassin looking for a career change (wink, wink). Their professional lives are full of murder and mayhem, their private lives are messy, and in book after book they leap off the page.
A Badass Character makes a great Best Friend. Here’s why.
1. Her filter is off
The Badass Character has a tongue sharp enough to perform brain surgery. Basically, she says all the things you wish you could, exactly when those words need to be said. No “Dang, wish I’d said that” self-recrimination because she said it already. In her outside voice.
2. She swipes on her mascara
A Badass Character is so cool she doesn’t even need it, but when she does, even her makeup runs at a higher RPM than the rest of us. No dabbing on powder or settling for a nude lip. She swipes on jet-black mascara and a slash of red lipstick and is ready to rock the crime world.
3. She doesn’t cry on your shoulder
Sure, the Badass Character has bad days, the occasional Wrong Man in her life, and economic downturns, especially if she’s a PI with an unsteady income. But crime keeps her too busy to be an emotional wet rag. No clogging your inbox with “why me” emotional spasms, sobbing on your shoulder or stealing your boyfriend.
4. Her car is probably better than yours
If she doesn’t wreck it by the end of the book, the Badass Character might drive a pretty cool car. Some big SUV that lets her go off-road to either avoid or capture the baddies. Or maybe a BMW convertible. You’d look pretty good in that. Riding shotgun, of course.
5. She’s a linear thinker
With all the challenges thrown in her way, the Badass Character knows how to think, which is a fairly precious commodity these days. In order to solve crimes and save her own skin, she has to reason, deduce, hypothesize, and even follow a trail of breadcrumbs. If she can solve crime, think what she could do with your problems.
So grab a book and meet your new BFF!
Fill out the form below to be entered to win a signed copy of 43 MISSING and a signed mini-poster (Limited to US entries. Your email address will only be used to notify you if you’ve won. I promise not to put you on a mailing list unless you specifically ask me to 🙂
***The drawing is now closed*** Congratulations Ruth! You’ve won a signed copy of 43 Missing by Carmen Amato! Carmen will be in contact with you shortly.
Mystery and thriller author Carmen Amato draws on her 30-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency to craft intrigue-filled crime fiction. Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal.
Starting with CLIFF DIVER, her Detective Emilia Cruz police series pits the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico’s cartels, corruption, and social inequality. Called “A thrilling series” by National Public Radio, the series was awarded the Poison Cup for Outstanding Series from CrimeMasters of America and has been optioned for television.
Catch the excitement with a free copy of the Detective Emilia Cruz Starter Library at carmenamato.net/starter-library.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorcarmenamato
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-amato
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/CarmenConnects
Thanks for having me. Would write more but am too busy swiping on a slash of red lipstick!
LOL. Thanks for being here, Carmen!
Nothing is more badass than a badass book…unless it is a badass book with a badass heroine! Your books sound GREAT.
They are definitely that. Thanks for stopping by, Ruth!
Gotta love a badass heroine! Sounds like an awesome series.
It is, Joanne! Thanks for stopping by!