You Inspire Me

At Mysteristas today I'm talking about friends--and yes, even strangers--who inspire me:

http://mysteristas.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/you-inspire-me/

Meet My Character

Mystery writer Kait Carson, who writes a series set in one of my favorite places on earth--Key West--asked me to continue the "Meet My Character Blog Tour."  Visit Kait at kaitcarson.com to meet her character.  

Meanwhile, I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite characters, Nell Letterly, super mom and martial artist.  When I write about Nell, I am being Sue Star.  

Is she fictional or historical? 

Nell is definitely fictional, but she's a creation from my own experience as a martial artist.  

When and where is the story set?

Today.  Boulder, Colorado.  Nell and her teenage daughter live in a small apartment above a down-and-out karate studio located in a part of town called The Hill, which is near a large university.  

What should we know about her?

Nell's university husband ran off to the Caribbean with most of their savings and a long-haired honey.  Left alone with the mortgage and raising the daughter who thinks the raising is all done, Nell finds work as a karate instructor.  She's come a long way, baby.  

What is the main conflict. What messes up her life?

In Nell's second adventure, Murder with Altitude, she tangles with attitude issues, in the name of powerful, established families, and also a local developer trying to control buy up all of Boulder.  

What is the personal goal of the character?

Nell's goal is always to find the killer before the killer finds her or other members of her family!

Are there other books in this series?

Murder in the Dojo is the first book in the series. 

Murder with Altitude is the current release.  

Murder for a Cash Crop is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2015.  

Thanks so much, Kait, for inviting me to participate!