Inner Sanctum by Maggie Kavanagh Blog Tour, Character Interview, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner

Hi guys, we have Maggie Kavanagh visiting today with her latest release Inner Sanctum, we have a great post from Maggie where she interviews Nathan, she has a fantastic excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, we also have Prime’s review for you to check out so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum Cover

Inner Sanctum

(The Stonebridge Mysteries 02)
by

Maggie Kavanagh

Six months into a relationship, things have heated up between political blogger Sam Flynn and FBI special agent Nathan Walker. Though Sam is happy with Nathan and proud of his own sobriety, he’s anxious about what their future holds. Things are also heating up in Stonebridge, Connecticut, as a series of deadly fires puts the community on edge and eventually threatens Sam’s comatose brother. As Halloween approaches, fears rise that the arsonist will strike again.

When Sam encounters the main suspect, seventeen-year-old orphan Damon Blake, Sam’s not sure what to do. He knows obstruction might land him in jail, but he finds himself increasingly skeptical of Damon’s guilt. He takes matters into his own hands and investigates, but doing so means keeping Damon’s whereabouts a secret from Nathan and the police. Meanwhile, Nathan wonders what Sam is hiding and grapples with insecurities of his own. Sam wants to confide in Nathan, and Nathan wants to trust Sam, but they discover negotiating new love can be as dangerous as solving crime.

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner 1

Maggie’s Character Interview

Thank you so much to MM Good Book Reviews for hosting me today on the second week of my Inner Sanctum tour. For those of you who don’t know me or my books, Inner Sanctum is the second installation of the Stonebridge Mysteries series, and the sequel to Double Indemnity. These books follow the trajectory of one Sam and Nathan’s relationship, and should probably be read in order so you don’t lose the plot!

I thought it might be fun to spice things up a little at this stop and hear Nathan’s side of the story, since we only get Sam’s POV in the series. So without further ado, I give you a Rita Skeeter-esque character interview with Nathan Walker, our enigmatic FBI agent.

How’s it going with you and Sam?

N: *Clears throat* That’s a pretty personal question. But, ah—I would say it’s going very well. I—care about him—very much. He makes me angry sometimes, throwing himself into danger without a second thought, but I can’t imagine what my life would be now if he wasn’t in it. I don’t really want to imagine it, frankly.

How sweet. Sounds like you love him a lot.

N: I haven’t really talked to Sam about this yet, so I’d prefer not to make any declarations in public.

I’ll take that as a yes. How’s your sex life—spicy or sweet?

N: *Blushes* Jesus, what kind of interview is this?

You’re not into anything… kinky?

N: Can we please switch topics? It’s none of your damn business.

Hmm. Some people think you’re mysterious. What do you have to say about that?

N: I have no idea where people got that idea. Yes, I often work undercover, but in my regular day-to-day life, I’m not mysterious at all. Did you talk to Sam about me? He’s said something along those lines before, but I’ve never understood it. *frowns*

What’s the key to a good relationship?

N: Honesty and trust. I haven’t always been great with those things myself, but I’m working on it. For a long time, I wasn’t honest, and the consequences . . . well, I don’t think I’ll ever really forgive myself for what happened. But I like to think I’m getting better at being open. And Sam, well—let’s just say we’re going to have to have a long chat very soon.

Trouble in paradise?

N: No. At least—I hope not. He’s keeping something from me, though. I just know it.

Good luck with that.

N: Thanks. *crosses arms*

But sometimes you can be too honest with a partner. Right?

N: That’s true. Sam thinks I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I don’t. He named his blog after one of their songs. He thinks it’s really clever.  

What do you think makes you a good agent?

N: I don’t really like to compliment myself, but I know what makes a good agent in general. You have to be able to see the whole picture and not make any snap judgments. You need to weigh all of the evidence and keep a cool head. It’s very important not to trust someone just because you want to or get emotionally involved. But I do think it’s important to follow hunches and intuition too—you just can’t let those things influence you too much.

Tell us three things about you that no one else knows.

N: I cried the first time I shot someone. I hate spiders… and I want to get married again someday.

Well well well… do I hear wedding—

N: I’m NOT answering any more of your questions!

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner 2

Excerpt

When Sam woke, it wasn’t to his alarm, but to sirens.

“Shit.” He glanced at the clock. Only an hour had passed since he fell asleep. Another siren screeched past his apartment building. Not stopping to think, Sam threw on his clothes and shoes, grabbed his phone, and pocketed it as he ran out the door.

The street was filled with bleary-eyed onlookers. Fear and a strange sort of morbid excitement appeared on nearly every face.

“What’s going on?” Sam asked the closest body, who turned out to be the asshole from 512, his hot-water nemesis.

“What do you think, dumbfuck?” he said, cigarette hanging from his fleshy lips.

Without bothering to reply, Sam turned to another tenant from his building. She clasped her robe closed with one hand and looked startled when he spoke to her. “I don’t know. I always sleep with my window open, and the wind must have carried the smoke. Oh God. Can this be happening again?” Her eyes were wide and nervous.

Other interactions yielded similar results. No one seemed certain what they were doing out of bed, and most people were either in their pajamas or as hastily dressed as Sam. The night was blustery, and the air smelled like acrid smoke, but the location of the fire wasn’t immediately apparent. Once Sam got his bearings, he checked Twitter and discovered the fire had broken out about six blocks away, in a section of the neighborhood consisting mainly of single-family homes.

Sam made his way down the crowded sidewalk, toward the cross street, only to find it blocked by several emergency vehicles.

“Can’t go down there,” said a broad-shouldered police officer Sam didn’t recognize. He eyed Sam critically. “We’ve got a four alarm in progress and it’s dangerous. Streets are blocked off for pedestrians and anything but emergency access.” He puffed up his chest.

“I’m a reporter,” Sam said. “Has anyone been hurt?” He could see the glow of the fire lightening the sky with an orange haze, but it was far enough away that he couldn’t make out any details. The fire trucks were quiet, and in spite of the commotion of bodies on the street and the flash of emergency lights, the entire scene had a surreal, slow-motion feel. Sam wondered if he’d stumbled onto a film set.

“There’s nothing I can tell you, and I advise you to go home and get out of the way so we can do our jobs.”

Sam’s temper flared. “I’m not trying to stop you from doing your job, but this is my neighborhood. I have a right to know what’s going on.”

An ambulance rushed past seconds later, and Sam’s blood ran cold.

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner

About Maggie

Maggie Kavanagh author icon MKMaggie Kavanagh writes gay romances that explore flawed, human characters finding love. She went to graduate school for English literature and reads and writes voraciously, whenever she can get a moment alone. You can find her in the wee morning hours typing away with coffee at hand and cat in lap, happily embodying the romance writer cliché.

While she focuses mainly on contemporary romance, don’t be surprised if a historical or supernatural tale slips into the mix, as she’s always eager to discover different genres. More fiction is forthcoming soon, so stay tuned!

Author Social Media Links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum Cover

Giveaway!

There you have it! Thanks for stopping by today. Do you have any more questions for Nathan? Ask him below in the comments, and just maybe he’ll oblige… One random commenter will win an ebook copy of the Inner Sanctum.

Review

InnerSanctumLGTitle: Inner Sanctum

Series: The Stonebridge Mysteries, 02

Author: Maggie Kavanagh

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: Novel (200 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-63476-405-6

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14 Sept 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Six months into a relationship, things have heated up between political blogger Sam Flynn and FBI Special Agent Nathan Walker. Though Sam is happy with Nathan and proud of his own sobriety, he’s anxious about what their future holds. Things are heating up in Stonebridge, Connecticut, as a series of deadly fires puts the community on edge and eventually threatens Sam’s comatose brother. As Halloween approaches, fears rise that the arsonist will strike again.

When Sam encounters the main suspect, seventeen-year-old orphan Damon Blake, he’s not sure what to do. Obstruction might land him in jail, but he is increasingly skeptical of Damon’s guilt. He takes matters into his own hands and investigates, but doing so means keeping Damon’s whereabouts a secret from Nathan and the police. Meanwhile, Nathan wonders what Sam is hiding and grapples with insecurities of his own.

Sam wants to confide in Nathan, and Nathan wants to trust Sam, but they discover that negotiating new love can be as dangerous as solving crime.

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Review: Inner Sanctum is book 2 of Maggie Kavanagh’s series The Stonebridge Mysteries. If you have not read Double Indemnity I highly recommend reading it first so that you can understand much of the overarching plot and the all too important background on MCs Nathan and Sam.

First off, I need to say this is a wonderful continuation for couple Sam and Nathan. I love the fact that their relationship is not dictated by some sort of insta-look. Considering the events of the previous book, they have taken their time when it comes to being boyfriends and merging their lives together. That is one reason why this book is a joy to read.

Then there is Sam’s eternal optimism in the face of darkness and all the horrible crime that happens in the world around him. He is a sweet and honest man who wants to believe the best in people. But he is also very methodical and logical which is probably a part of his character being a journalist, or at least a successful blogger.

There isn’t a lot of Nathan featured heavily in this book but when he does he steals the spotlight. He has come a long way from where he left off in Double Indemnity and he seems real settled in his new-found love with Sam. He also steps in as the big, bad FBI agent we have come to know and love.

I loved every bit of this. I loved minor characters including Sam’s friends, Yuri and Michael, as well as troubled teen, Damon (I would really love to know more about his boyfriend). They were wonderful. Then there was also Nathan’s friend/colleague, Tony, who seems to have a lot going on behind the scenes. I would say of all the minor characters, Tony and Damon are the two that intrigue me the most.
I wasn’t expecting what happened in the last quarter of the book but

I loved every minute of the wonderfully written rollercoaster. Then after all the action we have a final bit of progression for the relationship between Sam and Nathan before we are left hanging (though it’s not a cliff hanger, I just can’t get enough of these guys).

And OMG – give me the next installment – stat!

Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner 1

Join Maggie during her Inner Sanctum Blog Tour at the following stops

Monday, September 14 – Carly’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, September 16 The Novel Approach
Friday, September 18 Diverse Reader
Monday, September 21 Prism Book Alliance
Tuesday, September 22 MM Good Book Reviews
Wednesday, September 23 Keysmash Blog
Thursday, September 24 Joyfully Jay
Friday, September 25 Sinfully Sexy
Maggie Kavanagh - Inner Sanctum FB Banner 2

17 thoughts on “Inner Sanctum by Maggie Kavanagh Blog Tour, Character Interview, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

    1. Nathan: Well, Corey, I’ve lived on the east coast and the west coast now. It might be nice to live abroad for a while, maybe spend some time in Rome. But I’d only want to go if Sam would come too.

  1. OK,my question is…is there something you’d like to change in your life right now? And if there is,what would that be?

    1. Nathan: Good question, and there’s only one thing I’d wish for: I’d like Sam’s brother, Tim, to recover from his coma. It would mean so much to Sam. I know it’s not likely, but that’s what I would change, if I could.

  2. Thank you Nathan for sharing with us 🙂 I do have a few questions for you:
    1) I was wondering do you and Sam have a song, or a song that makes you think of Sam?
    2) Are you a planner and have each staged of your life/career planned out or live day by day with certain goals in mind?
    3) Can you give any hints about the next story you are writing with Maggie and how much does Maggie lets you (and Sam) direct the story or do you give her the silent treatment (writers block) if you are not happy with anything?

    Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Inner Sanctum.

    1. Nathan: Sorry for the delayed reply… I’ve been undercover.
      To answer your first question, we don’t have an official song, but I think of Sam every time I hear “Like a Prayer” by Madonna. I caught him singing along in the shower once. Don’t ask him; he’ll deny it.
      Question two: I used to have my life planned out, but not anymore. I think that’s thanks to Sam as well.
      Three: Sam pretty much runs the show, I’m afraid.

      Thanks for the questions.

Comments are closed.