origin story

Jul

2020

Behind the Books | Striking Distance: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

[Original version of Striking Distance]

Whenever I start writing a new character or series, an origin story starts to grow in my mind as the character starts to flesh out, to explain aspects of their personality, skill set, reactions to particular situations, etc. When I decided to start writing this self-made, reluctant problem-solver for hire, Kira Brightwell, in her first novel, Split Decision, I knew I had a couple of big questions to answer.

Why would anyone think to hire Kira–a young woman with no formal training or police connections–to help with an abduction case? Why would Kira be motivated to take a lead role in that kind of situation?

Yes, by the start of Split Decision, Kira has spent three years training in MMA. So that makes her a badass, but hardly a crime expert.

…But what if she had a personal experience involving abduction? What if that event revealed skills and tenacity Kira never fully realized she had, and shaped her life going forward in ways she could never imagine? Continue reading →

Jul

2020

Free Fiction Feature | Striking Distance: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

Kira Brightwell stands at a crossroads. Her college days lie behind her, but her future remains a mystery, waiting to be solved.

A job already awaits her at her father’s office—the easy, parent-approved option. But Kira wants something different. Something more. She needs to get away to figure out what.

Except Kira’s future hangs in the balance in more ways than one…

In the crime-filled cases of the Kira Brightwell series, “Striking Distance” focuses on the event that changes Kira’s life forever, and sets her on the path to becoming an infamous problem-solver for hire.

Now, you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story by award-winning author Jacquelyn Smith (originally published under the pen name Kat Irwin) also comes in ebook and paperback format—both on its own, and as part of the First Blood Kira Brightwell Collection.

You can find “Striking Distance” at your preferred online retailer here, or buy it direct from the author. You can find retailer links to the First Blood Kira Brightwell Collection here, or buy it direct from the author.

Striking Distance: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

Jacquelyn Smith

(Originally published as Kat Irwin.)

This story will be available for free for one month only. If you missed this one, check out the current Free Fiction Feature here. Continue reading →