by Cherry Adair
Harrier Jump Jets: The Harrier, informally referred to as the Jump Jet, is a family of military jet aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) operations. Harriers and Blackhawks used for insertion and rescue operations.
Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk: The version used in the 1 May 2011 operation that killed Osama bin Laden, was a highly modified version of the UH-60L. Features include a modified tail section with extra blades on the tail rotor and other additions which significantly lowered noise levels from that of conventional UH-60s. It also has low-observable technology similar to that of F-117 that enabled it to evade Pakistan Air Force radars. The aircraft includes features like special high-tech materials, harsh angles, and flat surfaces, found only on sophisticated stealth jets.
T-FLAC Ground Command
Armoring Package:
360‐degree perimeter, high-quality multi-layer ballistic glass, reinforced door hinges and door supports, Suspension reinforced to accommodate the weight of the armoring, runflat devices installed in all wheels, heavy‐duty brakes, hd rims/ tires, armoring materials, siren/pa system, intercom system, emergency lights package, oxygen supply, fire suppression system.
Level 10 Protection:
80mm curved glass. The opaque is ballistic steel reinforced by German Twaron rubberized laminates. Silicon Carbide Ceramic tile armor, it weighs a third of 3/4″ steel plate. This armor defeats 7.62 Nato M993 (910 meters per second) tungsten core bullets. .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun, AK-47 Kalashnikov, the roof and floor are armored, also protects from heavy fragments thrown by improvised explosive devices (IED’s).
Tactical Vehicle:
Armour and Ballistic Levels: CEN B7 / STANAG 2 / NIJ‐IV, Engine: 350 hp / 600 lb ‐ ft torque, 8‐CYL, 4‐stroke Diesel with turbo charger, Transmission: 5‐speed automatic, dual range transfer case, Brakes: Heavy Duty Hydraulic, 4‐disc, Climate Control: Heater/ AC system, compressor driven.
Water Cannon - Characteristics:
Water tank: up to 10,000 Liter, single compartment, Stainless Steel, Water drafting pump, Water level gauge, Additive level gauge, Water pump: 500 gal/min, max pressure 250PSI @ 250gpm, Monitor: 320° Rotation, 135° Elevation (+45° to ‐90°), Programmable Pulse/Stream Jet Options, Proportioning system for additive/chemical, Monitor and pump control located in the cabin, Fire extinguishing nozzle system around the perimeter of the vehicle, 360‐degree perimeter of the driver/operator compartment, Engine bay armoring, Armoring of key mechanical components, Multi‐layer Ballistic glass, no spall, Removable wire mesh glass protection, External View Cameras providing 3600 field of view for operator, Siren/PA system, Emergency lights package, Removable wire mesh protection screens for the glass.
Armoured Bugatti:Armoured Bugatti: Pagani Zonda: Carbon Fiber
Cherry Adair Interview
Questions with New York Times & USA Today’s
Bestselling Author Cherry Adair
1. What is the best part of being a writer? What is the worst?
Best- The people I create can’t tell me “No!” lol I love writing the second (3rd, 4th, 5th lol) draft. For me, writing the first draft is like building a house half a brick at a time with one arm tied behind my back and a blindfold on! Slow and painful. Unfortunately at this stage of the process I have the attention span of a water newt, and can’t seem to sit still for more than 15 agonizing minutes at a time. But once the walls are up, I’m filled with gusto, and then I’m obsessive about getting all the finish work done. Once a decorator, always a decorator.
I love the process of polishing and rewriting. I love the minutia of the last tweak, that last spit polish before sending it off to my editor. I even love revisions from my editor, because that gives me yet another shot at making the book shine.
Worst- That first draft. Erk! Not my fav. And having to be disciplined. It’s hard on an Aries to plant her behind in that chair. I love to write, but sometimes the process of sitting down to write is painful.
2. Why do you write?
I can’t. . .not. If I didn’t get it all down on paper the voices in my head would mean I was crazy instead of creative.
3. Name one eye-opening thing you learned from your book research.
Snakes have two penises. (peni?) Not something that comes up in the normal course of conversation that often. (book: Dark Prism)
4. Do you have a favorite motto?
Two. I love Mark Twain’s: My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water. And Gary Player’s: -The harder you work, the luckier you get.
5. Do you have a favorite fictional hero? Favorite fictional heroine?
I’m pretty fickle. Whichever character I’m wring at the time is always my favorite. I must admit though that I do have a soft spot for Marc Savin (The Mercenary) because he was my first hero. We always remember our first. But currently I’m mad about Gideon Stark in GIDEON. He’s the brother of Zak Stark (HUSH) I couldn’t wait to see what really happened to him in the jungle when he and his brother separated after the kidnapping. And for much of the book, he doesn’t know who he is or how he ended up where he ended up. SO much fun to write. I love writing jungle books (HIDE & SEEK, NIGHT FALL, TROPICAL HEAT, HUSH AND GIDEON. So far. Lol)I love exotic locals because to me the location is as much a character as my people.
As for a heroine, I adored Teal Williams. She was such a great foil for Zane, I’ve never written a heroine who is shy before. It was fascinating to get into her skin and see how she ticked.
6. Which fictional character would you hang out with?
Any of my heroes.
7. What is one of your favorite book covers, your own or someone else’s?
I love the cover of UNDERTOW - Him- the watery colors- him- the shiny band with the title-him-the crashing waves- oh, yes, him.
8. What would readers be surprised to learn about you?
I’m pretty much an open book, so probably not much. I used to be an Interior Designer, I’m originally from Cape Town, South Africa. I love to read, enjoy playing in my garden (preferable after someone else has done the sweaty work) and can’t not write every day. Spare time? What spare time?!
9. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever learned by Googling your name?
I’m a stripper. A fruit. A rude connotation A blossom. And a bomb. lol
10. If you could go backward or forward in time which would you chose? Why?
Back, because I’d know what was coming next.
11. Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why? Hmm. Both. But if I had to chose one - voice. Even if a story is well written, if the voice is dull and draggy, the book will be a snooze.
12. I know this is a difficult question with there being so many amazing authors out there to choose from but who are some of the GOT-TO-HAVE authors in your TBR pile?
I used to read a book a day. Now I’m lucky if I have time to finish a book in a month! That’s the downside of doing what I do. I love being an author, but it’s left me no time to enjoy one of my greatest pleasures. Some of my fav authors in no particular order - Ann Stuart, Maggie Osborne, Linda Howard. . .and dozens of others.
13. Are there discussion guides available for your books? Also, do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Cherry: Yes, each book has a discussion guide available. Me, talk? Of course! (see above re: moderation)! I love talking with readers. The best way for you to get the discussion guides or arrange phone chats, or workshops is to contact me at [email protected]
14. You have so many awesome books out currently. How many have you published and when did you start your writing career?
A: I’ve published- hang on I have to count them. . . .43 I started writing long before I published. I wrote (and shredded) 17 books before The Mercenary came out in 1993
15. Since you live in the Northwest, where do you get your inspiration? Do you travel to the places in your books?
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A: I have traveled to many of the exotic locals in my books, but not all of them. I don’t like creepy-crawlies or not being anywhere near a shower or a flushing toilet! (and observant readers will notice that my heroines don’t like the same things)
16. What other type of research do you do in order to start a book? Esp with the Black ops elements in your T-FLAC series?
A: I do extensive research - it’s one of the most time consuming, and fun, aspects of writing for me. I’m lucky enough to have fans and friends in interesting places who fill me in on some of the local color first hand. When I’m doing research I try to find an expert in that field who is usually happy to answer all my question. Over the years I’ve made a lot of fascinating contacts because of my writing. (and a few very scary people, too!) I know several black ops guys who are incredibly monosyllabic in their answers, and it’s like pulling hens teeth to get any kind of direct information out them. But once they got what I was writing, and that not only didn’t I need to know troop movement in Iraq (or wherever, I really didn’t want to know classified Intel) they were great at giving me other interesting factoids to make my operatives fun and interesting.
I met an interesting Ph.D nuclear physicist who helped me with info in CHAMELEON. A Venezuelan “business man” who loves my books, and has offered to help me with whatever I need (Let’s leave it at that. Lol) Jacques Cousteau’s grandson, Fabien Cousteau (who is as yummy and delish as one of my heroes!) has helped with research for several of my books over the years. And I found a fascinating treasure hunter named Dr. Lubos Kordac who is helping me with details on salvaging for the Cutter Cay books. Over the course of 30 plus books I’ve collected a fascinating little black book filled with incredible and invaluable contacts. If I told you where I hide it I’d have to have one of my heroes (talk!!??) to you.
17. Is the T-FLAC series done now or will you continue those at some point?
A: I love my T-FLAC operatives, and yes, I will write them as long as readers love them as much as I do. My latest T-FLAC book is GIDEON, and I’m working very hard (OK obsessively!) on the two new trilogies which are not T-FLAC. (Although readers might see a familiar operative pop up where they least expect them.)
18. Do you have a favorite character you’ve written? Who gave you the most trouble?
A: I’m pretty fickle. Whichever character I’m wring at the time is always my favorite. I must admit though that I do have a soft spot for Marc Savin (The Mercenary) because he was my first hero. We always remember our first.
19. Who do you read? Favorite authors? Are you reading anything now?
A: I used to read a book a day. Now I’m lucky if I have time to finish a book in a month! That’s the downside of doing what I do. I love being an author, but it’s left me no time to enjoy one of my greatest pleasures. Some of my fave authors in no particular order - Ann Stuart, Maggie Osbourn, Linda Howard. . . and dozens of others.
20. I know you like to take walks, what else do you do in your spare time?
A: I don’t like to take walks!
21. Hollywood is calling!!! Who is playing the main characters in any one of your books?
A: The yummy and delicious Alex O’Loughlin (Hawaii Five-0) is my new TV crush. I’d pick him to play the role of Zane Cutter. (Book: UNDERTOW) (I’d pick him to play…with me.)
Cherry, please tell us where we can find you in cyber world. For desperate readers like me, we just have to know…
I have lots of fun with readers on my Facebook , and Twitter pages, and I love hearing from readers through my web site www.cherryadair.com (where you can see pictures of ALL my heroes, read excerpts from my books, and find my complete booklist.)
And if any readers would like a bookmark and/or personalized signed bookplate, they can send a SASE to Cherry Adair Free Stuff, P. O. Box 8591, Covington, Wa 98042.
Behind the Writing
Q&A INTERVIEW
New York Times & USA Today’s Bestselling Author Cherry Adair
Astrological sign: ARIES
On Writing and Reading…
I ALWAYS love to read.
What do you love most about being a writer?
The people I create can’t tell me “No!”
What do you like least about being a writer?
Having to be disciplined. It’s hard on an Aries to plant her behind in that chair.
Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?
My favorite location is always where my characters are at the moment. It could be a civilized condo in San Francisco, or the jungles of South America. As long as I can make one of them extremely uncomfortable there, I’m happy.
Which of the books you have written is your favorite?
Which ever book I’m working on right now.
What is your favorite title by another author?
Anything by Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Karen Roberds, Anne Stuart. . .
What are your five all-time favorite books (with authors)?
Aaaargh! Only FIVE????!
ATLAS SHRUGGED – AYN RAND
CHARIOT OF THE GODS - ERICH VON DANIKEN
FIVE SMOOTH STONES – ANN FAIRBANKS
GONE WITH THE WIND – MARGARET MITCHELL
THE WINDFLOWER – TOM AND SHARON CURTIS
What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?
Sit your butt in that chair and WRITE! Writers WRITE. And two? FINISH The Damn Book. So many writers stop at chapter three!
Briefly summarize how you began writing.
Long before I could read (or physically write, for that matter) I’d get pencil and paper and pretend to write a story. Then I’d ‘read’ the hieroglyphs to my mother. She was a very appreciative audience. I eventually learned how to write – although my handwriting still looks like hieroglyphics
As a romance writer, what are your greatest goals?
To write books that touch and entertain people. My favorite quote is from Mark Twain -My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.
Challenges?
You’re asking an Aries?! Challenge-smallenge.
What gives you the most satisfaction in your job?
Typing CHAPTER ONE and/or typing THE END
On Romance…
Describe the ultimate romantic meal.
Anything we can eat with our fingers. . .and share.
What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?
Gone With The Wind – I’ve seen it 104 times
What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?
Anything I know at least half the words to, I have a terrible voice, but I LOVE to sing.
What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?
For my birthday one year my darling husband gave me a long, slinky evening dress he’d picked out all by himself. It was a size TWO. I was size twelve at the time. I still have it (with no aspirations to ever fit into it. Lol)
How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?
Kiss often and s-l-o-w-l-y
What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?
Kiss often and s-l-o-w-l-y
Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?
Venice, Italy
What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day gift or experience? My honey bought me all sorts of lovely things to pamper myself. . .body lotion, my favorite perfume, corn plasters (?), more lotion, nail polish, perm rods (?) more lotion, nail file, more lotion, scented candles, more lotion. . . and a bottle of prune juice. Large. LOL I love that man.
All About Me…
Besides writing, what other talent would you most like to have? To be able to sing. My mother was an opera singer. How come I
can’t carry a tune in a bucket?
Who is someone you admire and why?
Oprah. She’s brash and brave and doesn’t take no for an answer. She does a tremendous amount of good for people on a very personal level. (and any woman who appears without make up in public deserves an award )
Do you have a good luck charm or superstition?
No. But I am an Aries and we tend to think we wear a magic cape
Share one of your favorite indulgences with us.
Snuggling under a blankie on a rainy day and reading.
What quality do you most admire in a man?
Everything that my husband has.
What is the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try?
Everything I’ve ever wanted to try, I’ve tried – of course that doesn’t mean everything I’ve tried has been successful. But that’s half the fun.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Thin.
What quote or personal saying do you live by? Who said it?
THE HARDER YOU WORK, THE LUCKIER YOU GET. I have no idea who said it (other than my brother
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I love to spend time with my husband,– doing. . anything
What do you think makes your writing unique?
My books are a little tongue-in-cheek, a little over the top. A lot larger than life action adventures. I love writing running-chasing-falling-down-wild monkey-sex-shooting-running-chasing-loving-wild monkey sex-happy endings. Maybe people love reading running-chasing-falling down-wild monkey sex-shooting-running-chasing-loving-wild monkey sex-happy endings?
