Guest Blogger Kim Howe

Please note: Author Kim Howe is one of the finalists in the Dorchester American Title contest.


American Title Quest

Quest stories have stood the test of time. The Odyssey involves the search for Ithica, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is a classic quest tale where good triumphs over evil, and David Morrell’s upcoming novel Scavenger involves the pursuit of a hundred-year-old time capsule. These novels appeal to the universal theme that we are all searching for something—like love, success, happiness, or a mysterious scroll!

Most of us are on a quest in our daily lives—it could be something as simple as taking off those extra pounds we adopted during the holidays or as complicated as discovering our dreams. Quests are what drive us to get up in the morning, down enough caffeine to be productive, and launch into our tasks. In the last few months, I’ve been on a quest for the American Title, the literary equivalent of American Idol. My suspense novel, ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS, was chosen as one of ten finalists battling for the honor of becoming the American Title III winner.

Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times BOOKReview Magazine teamed up to create a contest for unpublished writers. Each month, small sections of the finalists’ novels have been showcased and critiqued by three judges modeled on Paula, Randy, and the infamous Simon Cowell. And these comments can be rather, well—scathing. My sniper heroine Kenya Alexikova needed her flak jacket to ward off the hollow-tipped zingers aimed at ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS.

The contest encourages readers to support their favorite novel via e-mail votes. Each month, the two contestants with the lowest number of votes are eliminated from the contest until the winner collects a publishing contract from Dorchester. We’re down to the final four and the tension is mounting. Using her camouflage skills, Kenya has avoided a fatal blow so far, but she could sure use back-up (the dream team would include Rambo, Reacher, and Rain!).

ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS stemmed from a desire to do a twist on the Cain and Abel story. This time, brother and sister are pitted against each other. The book blurb could read:

One shot, one kill is the sniper motto. But when the time came to execute her orders, U.S. Army sniper Kenya Alexikova failed to fire. At first, the mission seemed routine—stalk and terminate a faceless predator, code-named Afanasi, a man who thrived in Russia’s underworld. When she stared through the scope, Kenya reeled from shock. The face in the crosshairs was her estranged brother’s and the hesitation cost her partner’s life. Discharged from the Army and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Kenya plunged into a self-imposed exile in St. Lucia. Three years later, the past comes calling in the form of CIA recruiter Jack Travis with a mission Kenya can’t refuse—after all, she’s on a quest for redemption.

I’m fortunate my personal story isn’t quite as dramatic as Kenya’s. Words have been my passion since I first read See Spot Run in nursery school. An eclectic education followed, as I was shuttled across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean due to my father’s work. Books were my sanctuary, an escape from the pressure of being the new kid.

After graduating from University of Toronto with a Specialist Degree in Labor Management Relations, I tried the business world—but the creative pull to write was irresistible. I work as a medical writer, an excellent training ground for research and answers to countless Jeopardy questions. Determined to make my dream of becoming a novelist a reality, I pursued every writing course available. In fact, I’ve just graduated from Seton Hill University with Master’s Degree in Writing Popular Fiction. I’ve signed with agent Evan Marshall and I’m working hard to find a home in the publishing world. And that leads me back to my quest…the American Title III Contest.
Voting for the final four runs from January 22-February 4, so all friendly operatives are encouraged to drop by http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle.php to cast your vote. If it’s more convenient for you, please just send an e-mail to webmaster@romantictimes.com with ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS in the subject line. I’d really appreciate your support!

As a fun aside, I’m doing a “Kill Me Off” draw this month. To be the lucky (???) winner, send me an e-mail through my website www.kjhowe.com including the phrase “Kill Me Off” and your name. At the end of this voting period, I’ll draw the name of the person whose namesake will meet an untimely demise in my next novel. And, no, you cannot nominate your boss or mother-in-law. 

The next round of the ATIII contest includes dialogue scenes and here is what my characters have to say about that!

Dialogue Scene:

“What are you after?” Kenya asked.
“I’m a psychologist with the CIA. My specialty is persuasion.” He winked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She could see he’d be good at his job.
Jack stroked the stubble shadowing his cheeks. “Your file states you spent seven years as an Army Intel sniper. Unusual occupation for a woman. What made you get into that field, anyway?”
“The glamour.”
“Very funny. What was it really like?”
“It was great. Food’s crap, pay’s lousy, and you’re surrounded by chauvinist jerks. What more could a girl ask for?” Her heart pulverized her ribs. Years of repressed emotion bubbled to the surface.
“Jeez, lady, you sure have an interesting take on Army life. Given your past, the job I’m offering would be a cakewalk. You have the deep diving expertise, and I just witnessed how well you can defend yourself.”
“What’s the job?”
Jack leaned toward her. “I need to retrieve the contents of a Russian satellite from the ocean floor.”
“Hasn’t anyone told you the Cold War is over?” she asked.
“Like I haven’t heard that one before. Look, there’s information inside the satellite we believe is crucial to national security.”
“So bring in the Navy,” she said. “With their equipment, they shouldn’t have any trouble recovering whatever you’re after.”
“My superiors don’t want this salvage on the books. When the analysts searched for a solution, your name popped up.”
“Well, unpop it,” she said, knowing deep down the danger tempted her. Like Sleeping Beauty awakened by a kiss, the serious action of the morning had aroused her desire to live on the edge. Maybe the opportunity to spar with Jack had something to do with it as well.


Natalie, thank you for inviting me to join The Readers Room. It has been an absolute pleasure.