The Snowman Blog Tour & #Giveaway - guest post by Yolanda Renee

I'm excited to host the talented Yolanda Renee on my blog today. I love her books, and she helped me when I had a million questions about living in Alaska. It's where her mysteries are set too!

1. Setting: How do you bring out the most in your setting; and tension? 
   
   Alaska, at least to me is, in itself an exciting setting, but this time my antagonist uses the weather to create his horrific art. The Snowman, Stowy Jenkins, originally from West Virginia, hates Alaska and winter, but he decides to embrace circumstance. I not only describe the snowstorms before, and during his killings, I describe the weather in almost every chapter. With each new blizzard, the tension rises. 
   
   I also use real places, street, parks, and clubs. Although a few are fictional. However, when I lived in Alaska, the window of my bedroom looked out over 4^th Avenue and this description is quite accurate: 
   
   On Fourth Avenue, the busiest street in town, flashing neon signs crackled and whirred in the bitter cold, proclaiming the number of nudes dancing in each risqué establishment. Loud music streamed from the dark interiors of clubs almost in synch with the patrons weaving in and out. Bumper-to-bumper traffic crawled up and down the street as men, eager to blow their wad on booze, drugs, and loose women, searched for a place to park.
   
   
   2. Tension - How do you keep it taut throughout the plot?
   
   
   My goal in The Snowman, was to keep the story moving. Emotions run high, killings happen frequently, and Stowy becomes more and more sadistic as he tries to outdo himself with each murder or as he calls it, artistic expression. 
   
   Steven Quaid, newly promoted to detective, is determined and yet stymied by the Snowman’s changing MO (modis oprendi) killing habits. Racism and vengeance are also part of the equation and the ultimate question is, can this killer be caught?
   
   I think it meets the challenge as a page turner. I’m sure the readers will let me know.
   
   Thank you for hosting me for the The Snowman tour.
   
   
   Buy the book!
   
   
   It takes a true artist to pursue his victims in the art of seduction, and Stowy Jenkins is no exception, especially with blood as his medium. 
   
   Stowy Jenkins, aka, Stone, and as Alaskans refer to him, the Snowman, is a true artist. His muse, Gigi, is the ultimate inspiration for his painting. Her rejection inspires him to use a very unusual medium…blood.
   
   While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and multiple murders, the result.
   
   Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men and neither knows who will come out of it alive.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   About the Author: 
   
   At one time Alaska called to me, and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.
   
   Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two handsome sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure! 
   
   You can connect with me here:
   
   
   Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Email
   
   
   Giveaway!
   
   
   This tour-wide giveaway features both print and eBook copies of the four books in the Detective Quaid Series. The giveaway will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, June 6.
   
   The prizes include: 
   * Grand prize - Winner receives a print copy of all four books in the Detective Quaid Series (U.S. and Canada only).
   
   
   * First place - Winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
   
   
   * Second place - Winner will receive eBook copies of all four books in the Detective Quaid Series.
   
   
   * There will be 3 runner-up winners
   and each will win an eBook copy of THE SNOWMAN or one of the other books in the series (winner's choice). 
   
   To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.
   
   
   Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Yolanda on her month-long tour. You never know what you might find out.
   
   
   a Rafflecopter giveaway