Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Last Mission by Lisa Childs is the finale to the Hotshot Heroes series. Those who like the characters will be saddened that they will not be able to read any more stories about them.
In this one the hero is Mack McRonney, retired from military Special Ops. After his brother and sister were targeted by the saboteur, he decides to go undercover to find the culprit, working for the Hot Shots. Also, trying to find the antagonist is State Trooper Wynona Wells, who feels she has something to prove to the townspeople. Both are equally distrustful of each other and suspect that each might be a person of interest.
To keep an eye on each other, both decide to reluctantly work together, and neither is happy about the sparks of attraction that affect them. They fight against them, but ultimately, their feelings are too strong to resist. However, each has baggage from their past, making it difficult to open their hearts. They grow closer and take each other off the suspect list after they are targeted, many times saving each other’s life.
The epilogue was an excellent wrap-up for the books and series. There are a lot of twists and red herrings, making the book mystery more enjoyable.
Elise Cooper: Is this the last book in the series?
Lisa Childs: Yes, this is the last book in the series. This branch of my Hotshot Heroes is done. Emotionally it was hard to say good-bye to the characters. I had in my head for a long time that the hero would be Mack, and the heroine would by Wynona for the finale. The series came about when my husband who used to work for the US Forest Service when in college went out with a Hot Shot team.
EC: How would you describe Mack?
LC: He is mysterious. No one knew what he did for a living. He is very independent and is used to working alone. He is a quick thinker, having been in dangerous situations before. Some of the other characters might think he is cocky, but I think he is confident because he always survived the dangerous military missions he undertook.
EC: How would you describe Wynona?
LC: She feels she has had to prove herself. Determined, fearless, lonely, persistent, self-reliant, and independent. Since she lost her parents, she feels adrift.
EC: What about the relationship between the two of them?
LC: There is a book quote, ‘she can trust Mack with her life, not just her heart.’ She can never figure Mack out; afraid he would leave to go on a mission and not come back. They distract each other and keep secrets. They have some trust issues. Wynona has not had the best of luck with her choices and those around her, so she does not trust her own judgement. Ever since his mom abandoned Mack and his siblings, he also has trouble trusting people to stick around. They both have the same type of conflict, which draws them together. She sees him as intriguing and infuriating. He sees her as fascinating and mystifying. She has built a wall because she is afraid of losing those she loves, especially after her parents died.
EC: What is the role of Mack’s sister, Sam?
LC: She is very similar to Wynona. They both are in careers with male egos who do not respect women for doing their jobs. Sam is very tough and independent. She is worried Wynona will get hurt by Mack because she does not think he will stick around.
EC: What is the role of Mack’s brother Trick?
LC: He is the younger sibling. He looked up to his brother, but he also was hurt by him. Even as he idolizes him, he is resentful of Mack for leaving.
EC: How would you describe the saboteur?
LC: He is frustrated for being overlooked. Does not feel as relevant. Resentful, angry, and has rage. He is out for revenge. The rage built as he kept doing things. He is arrogant in that he enjoys getting away with it. He is punishing everyone for not getting the respect he deserved.
EC: Next books?
LC: This year out in September will be The House by the Cemetery and out in September of next year will be Only the Dead Within, both part of the Grave Digger series.
I have a few coming out next year. In January will be A Match for the Sheriff, part of my cowboy series. In February there will be Hostage Security, a romantic suspense. In May the book out will be Personal Security, part of the bodyguard series.
EC: THANK YOU!!
