Meet the Hero by Tim Smith

In this case the hero is former CIA operative, Nick Seven, the fictional creation of award winning, best selling author Tim Smith. Don’t miss this unique “character interview” as Nick speaks out about his life, his adventures and the man who created him.

This month, I’d like to share something different I did as part of the promotion for my latest Nick Seven thriller “Out of the Shadows.” I was asked to submit a character interview (not the easiest thing to write). I was given a list of questions, and here it is—a one-on-one with Nick Seven, the former CIA spook and hero of 8 award-winning romantic adventures.

        1: First off, tell us who you are and what role you play in the novel.

A:  My name is Nick Seven, and I’m the central character in this series of books. I currently reside in Key Largo, Florida, and I’m originally from Ohio. I was in the CIA for a dozen years after serving in military intelligence, and I worked around the world as an undercover operative. Even though I had the reputation of being the go-to guy who got results, I left some years ago after suffering a personal tragedy, which I seldom talk about because it still bothers me. I’m trying to live under the radar with Felicia, my former co-worker and lover from Barbados. No matter how hard I try to avoid it, something always comes up to drag us back into the world of intrigue. What’s that they say about karma being a bitch?

         2: Share with us your hobbies and interests, and why you enjoy them.

A:  I enjoy boating, parasailing, gambling, fishing for local fresh catch, gourmet cuisine, listening to jazz, and sipping Scotch while watching the most beautiful sunsets in the world. After leaving government service, I acquired a bar and restaurant on the Gulf in Key Largo. Some of my best times are spent on the deck, taking in the scenery with Felicia sitting by my side. Becoming the owner of that club is an interesting story in itself. As I mentioned, I like to gamble, and I seldom lose at poker or Blackjack. The guy who formerly owned the establishment was a professional gambler and one night, I challenged him to a high-stakes poker game, with the deed on the table. I beat him with a royal flush. Shortly after, Felicia came back into my life, decided to stay with me instead of returning to Barbados, and here we are.  

3. Tell us how you feel about being in a novel, and if you are happy with how your author presented you to readers.

A:  I’ve always been a private person, and sometimes I’m not sure I like being used as the basis for an adventure story. There are some parts of my past that I’d rather keep in cold storage, and my author never checks with me before using one of them as part of a plot. This Smith guy has presented me pretty well, I guess, considering the number of things we can’t discuss. Since I’ve always wanted to be the hero, it’s kind of flattering to read about my exploits. I suppose the nice thing about this arrangement is that I’ll retain my current age and physical condition forever. If you look back, James Bond, Phillip Marlowe and Mike Hammer never aged. I don’t recall reading a story where Hammer complained about arthritis, and I never heard Bond say “I’m getting too old for this shit.” Marlowe gripes continually about being a tired middle-aged gumshoe who drinks too much, but that’s part of his charm.

4. If your author was to create another novel with you in mind, give us a quick blurb of what it would be about. And be sure to give the title.

Nick: This current adventure is the eighth book to feature me, and I’m not sure how many more we can do. I would like to see one where we’re away from the Keys in an exotic forbidden setting, like Cuba, and maybe call it “Havana Nights.” I could get involved with someone from the past that I have a score to settle with. We actually did a variation on that with book five in the series, “Catch and Release,” but the focus was on Felicia in that one. I was tired and thought she should carry the load for once, so we pulled something from her past career in the CIA and I got to assist her. It was actually fun, taking second chair for a change. Since the conclusion to the caper brought Felicia some closure for something that had been secretly bothering her for years, it was worth it.    

5. Which character in the novel do you like the most, and why?

Nick:  Obviously, I like Felicia, my live-in lover and light of my life. She completes me, we have great times together, and she’s sex on two feet. In addition to that, she’s tough and never hesitates to tell me when I’m out of line. I like that quality because it keeps me grounded. Doing love scenes with her is fun, because we genuinely care about each other. In each book we feature a likeable character in a sidekick capacity, usually someone I have history with. This time, it’s a grumpy ex-patriate Irish gunrunner named Happy Jack O’Halloran, who now runs a charter fishing service in the Keys. I encountered him when I worked in England and turned him into an informant in exchange for a new life in the States. He’s a very colorful character and his presence adds to the Keys atmosphere.      

6. Which character in the novel do you dislike the most, and why?

Nick:  I’d have to say the primary villain, a French con artist and weapons smuggler named Marco St. Julian. I’ve encountered him before, and he shows up in my world for no apparent reason. Coincidentally, some bad things have been happening in the Keys around the time of his arrival. My past experiences with Marco remind me that he’s charming and ruthless. I describe him as “equal parts Cary Grant and Jack the Ripper.” In spite of that, he and I have always had sort of a mutual respect thing going, not counting the fact that we play on different teams. His sudden appearance reminds me that he has spent his life avoiding punishment for his crimes. I thought this was a good time to end that lucky streak.   

7. Tell us why we should read the featured novel and what we will find most intriguing about you.

Nick: “Out of the Shadows” is a quick-paced action thriller, lighthearted and breezy, set in an exotic locale with great characters, realistic atmosphere, and subtle romantic elements. What I think you’ll find most intriguing about me is my sense of humor and my willingness to do the right thing while maintaining the balance of a normal life. I think you’ll also enjoy the action Felicia and I get into, and the characters we encounter along the way.    

 More about "Out of the Shadows"

“In the laidback ease of the Florida Keys, Nick Seven has carved out a life far removed from the intrigue that once defined his life in the CIA. He runs his trendy club on the Gulf, keeps a low profile, and enjoys the tropical setting with Felicia, his Barbadian lover and former co-worker.

After he sees a woman being killed at a resort, Nick finds himself thrust into an investigation where there is no corpse and no evidence of a crime. The police are busy with a string of high-profile home burglaries and don’t have time to look for his imaginary victim, so it’s up to Nick to investigate.

Then French con artist Marco St. Julian unexpectedly surfaces from Nick’s past. Are the incidents related? And what part does the wealthy young trophy wife of a convicted financial scammer play in all of this? Throw in a career-hungry FBI agent, a mysterious Cuban crook and an ex-patriate Irish gunrunner, and it’s more than just another day at the beach.”

Book Excerpt:

Nick’s parasail ride was nearing its conclusion, and he felt himself descending as the boat slowed. Gary worked the crank, reeling in the tether line to bring Nick back to the flat landing area at the rear of the boat. He stretched his legs straight in front of him in preparation, then made a perfect landing on his butt. Gary quickly gathered up the parasail while Nick shrugged off the harness and scooted forward.

“Have a good time up there?” Felicia asked in her West Indies accent.

Nick ran his fingers through his hair. “Very relaxing, yet stimulating.”

“Whatever makes you happy, hon.”

In a few minutes they were underway, heading back to the dock outside the Sunset Resort. The small white sandy beach, one of the few in the Upper Keys, was half-filled with sun worshipers occupying chaise lounges and kids splashing in the warm water. Felicia positioned herself next to Nick, then held the camera in front of them to take a couple of selfies with the three-story hotel in the background.

After the boat was docked, Nick took out his wallet and gave Gary a ten-dollar tip. Nick and Felicia deboarded and walked along the dock to the beach, heading for the parking lot.

Felicia took a deep breath. “Beautiful day. I love it when the sky’s clear. Not too hot, either.”

“Making you homesick?”

“Maybe a little. Back home, I used to hit the beach nearly every day before I went to work.” She leaned in close and lowered her voice a notch. “Some days, I’d visit the clothing-optional one.”

Nick chuckled. “I always knew you were a closet exhibitionist.”

“Hey, if you’ve got it, you shouldn’t keep it hidden.”

He ran a lusty scan of her shapely bronzed frame, highlighted by a white mesh string bikini. “You’ve definitely got it.”

He stopped when they reached a railing that separated the beach from the sidewalk. Nick took the camera and stepped back a few feet.

“Give me a good pose,” he said.

Felicia leaned against the railing and rested her right arm on it. “You want casual or touristy?”

“Sex. Raw, uninhibited, can’t-wait-to-tear-that-bikini-off-with-my-teeth sex.”

Felicia laughed. “I can’t give you that with all these people around.”

“Improvise.”

Felicia struck a pose with one leg bent slightly inward to show off her toned thigh, while giving him the sultriest look in her arsenal. After Nick took two shots, she requested a close-up. He zoomed in on her upper torso and face. Felicia brought her free hand up then raised her middle finger, while giving him a coy look.

Nick laughed. “Beautiful! That shows the real you.”

They walked to Nick’s Mustang convertible in the parking lot. He lowered the top for the drive home. After crossing U.S. 1, he merged with the northbound traffic on the other side of the median. The blowing wind felt good, offsetting the sultry Keys humidity of early Spring.

“What do you think about when you’re sailin’ up there?” Felicia asked.

Nick took a moment to compose a response. “Mainly how lucky I feel having you here.”

She rested her hand on his bare knee and gave it a squeeze. “You’re sweet. I feel pretty damn lucky, too.”

Nick gave her a sideways glance. “I don’t think you’ve ever said that before.”

“Then that’s my bad. I think back to the day a few years ago when you asked me to stay here with you instead of goin’ home after that op was finished. I thought we just got to enjoy each other for a little while and my time in your life was over. You kinda surprised me when you made your indecent proposal.”

“Indecent proposal?”

“Askin’ me to shack up with you without offerin’ me a ring.”

He laughed. “Would that make you feel like an honest woman?”

“Not really necessary because I’m not that insecure. There are a lot of reasons why I’m glad I stayed here. It reminds me of home, there’s a lot to do, and we have fun together.” She hesitated. “And I have to admit, the sex is pretty damn terrific.”

Nick sighed. “You’re telling me.”

Visit Tim's website at: www.allauthor.com/author/timsmith