Today I have guest author, Chrys Fey. Take it away, Chrys:
Growing up, I was afraid of tornados. Probably from watching Twister every single weekend. And watching Night of the Twisters a lot, too.
In Night of the Twisters, the character Dan slips a wood slate over the bathroom window before getting into shelter with his baby brother and his best friend. In A Fighting Chance, Amanda does the same thing. I obviously got this from the movie. (Hey, some things stick with us.)
When I was little, there were a lot of severe thunderstorms. Practically daily. Every spring and especially during the summer. And thanks to watching Twister so much, we worried about getting sucked into the sky. There’s a scene at the end of Twister when Jo and Bill use leather reins (or something like it) to wrap around a metal pole that goes deep into the ground, and they climb into them to hold on for dear life. My mom connected the metal hooks to rubber straps/bungees around these two posts in the middle of our house so we could slip under them if there ever was a tornado warning. And, of course, hold on for dear life.
Those two things gave me an idea for A Fighting Chance. Amanda, a smart woman, has a baby mattress crib in her closet with belts around it so she can hold the mattress in place over her back while she’s hunkering down in the bathtub. This is a great example of using what you know. ;)
Tornado Safety:
- Have a plan before a tornado is a threat. Designate where family and pets can gather in the event of a tornado warning.
- Have supplies in that area at all time, such as pet crates/carriers, a flashlight, a whistle or alarm (in case first-responders have to dig you out, you can help them find you), blankets, and anything to cover your head (pillows, a mattress, etc.)
- Go to a room without windows, on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, basement, storm cellar, center of the hallway).
- If you can, get underneath something sturdy, such as a table.
- Lay down or curl up at the bottom of a tub.
- Cover your body with a blanket or mattress. This is where a baby mattress comes in handy, especially in tight confines like a bathroom or closet. For a large mattress, you could flip it over you in the corner of a room.
- While it’s still safe, leave a mobile home and go into a nearby building.
- If you’re outside and unable to reach a safe building, lay flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands, or slip beneath a truck or other such vehicle that is elevated (higher off the ground).
- If you are driving, don’t try to outrun a tornado. Find the nearest building/sturdy shelter. Buckle up!
- Afterward, check for injuries. If you can, call loved ones immediately to let them know you’re okay.
For more tips on what to do before, during, and after a tornado, check out this article from the Red Cross.
Romantic-Suspense, 154 pages, Heat Rating: Hot
A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be read as a standalone.
Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he's worried the truth will frighten her away.
And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates, jeopardizing their happy ending.
Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and Amanda have a fighting chance?
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THE DISASTER CURSE
Author’s Note: I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance, and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow. Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*
*The Crime Before the Storm (prequel)
Hurricane Crimes (novella, #1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (free short, #2.5)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)
A Fighting Chance (spin-off, #6)
The Disaster Curse (short story, #7)
*Free exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.
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Prizes: Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2) eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a Volcanic Blast Scented Candle
Giveaway Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press.
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We've spent time in our center bathroom with a comforter. It's nice that we have smartphones and iPads now and can check the Weather Channel app to see what's happening.
ReplyDeleteExactly. That's how my heroine finds out about the tornado. An app alert. :)
DeleteI was scared of tornados from The Wizard of Oz. Congrats on your new book.
ReplyDeleteWhen we're kids, the Wizard of Oz tornado could certainly lead us to fear tornadoes.
DeleteThank you, Natalie!
While I live in a place where it is less likely a tornado will hit, they have and I know where I will go. Of all the natural disasters, hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, etc, for me, it's a toss up between a tornado and and an earthquake for fear factor, only because there is less chance of predicting their arrival. At least with blizzards and hurricanes there can be a lead up and time to prepare. Congratulations on A Fighting Chance!
ReplyDeleteI was skeptical about writing about a tornado for years because they scare me as well. They are very unpredictable.
DeleteThank you, Liza!
We have a bathroom us and the cats hide out in that has no windows.
ReplyDeleteSmart. Very smart.
DeleteThank you so much for having me on your blog, Lynda! Sorry I got the Red Cross article link to you too late. (Time difference)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I thought I commented this, but I don't see it now, so if two go up, one can get deleted. lol :P
Yep, I got the link at 1:45am. Such is the time difference. Have updated it now.
DeleteAnd you're welcome :)
Hard to imagine the power of a tornado - glad I haven't experienced one yet and hope that continues!
ReplyDeleteLoved the book!!
I hope that continues, too, Jemi. BTW, congrats on your new release!
DeleteThank you!!!
Hi Lynda and Chrys ... I'm 'terrified' of thunderstorms and lightning - and have never experienced a tornado - though seeing the tv clips - they look terrifying. Clever of you Chrys to wrap a story up into a tornado based crime ... good to read about - all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI love thunderstorms, but I don't tornadoes here in Australia
DeleteI like in earthquake country and have lived through several, but tornadoes both intrigue and scare me. Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteI've never experienced one. Think I'm glad of that ;)
DeleteDefinitely important to know what to do in different emergencies. I have had tornadoes touch down near where I have been and it was scary. Best of luck to Chrys.
ReplyDelete~Jess