Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Mask - PART 1

How did I come up with the story?

Back in 2007, on the soap opera General Hospital, there was a storyline which involved a heist of a hotel.  And one of the masked gunman got locked inside of the hotel vault with one of the employees.  So that's where the inspiration came from. But other than the two people and the vault, that's where the similarities end. Because though I enjoyed the GH story, I felt the direction the show went with the storyline and characters was all wrong. Just my opinion I know, but it sparked my own creativity and encouraged me to write my own story and put it down on paper.


Why is it set in Philadelphia?

For many reasons. The first being, I love Philadelphia. I live in Southern New Jersey and I'm only about 30 minutes or less from Philly. Growing up a Philadelphia sports fan and going to the city, there's just always been something special about it. The second reason, in the state of Pennsylvania, it's legal to carry a licensed concealed firearm. So for obvious purposes within the story, it made sense to have it take place where this was possible. The third reason was because of the regional rail line, which became a big focal point of the story. The fourth, I'm familiar with the city and though I relied on Google for some things, others I already had knowledge of.
 

Why are some locations/landmarks real while others are fake?

For legal reasons aka covering my butt. While researching writing fiction, I found out that using specific places such as hotels and restaurants, a writer is better off creating a fake place because real places might not take too kindly to being used in a novel. Even in a positive light. So after I finished the book, I went back and changed a couple places just to be safe. For instance, the Promenade Hotel was originally the Four Seasons....the Origami House was originally Morimoto's.  And the Village Grill was originally X-Finity Live, which is located by the sports complexes in downtown Philly. County Hospital was originally The University of Pennsylvania Hospital.  And of course, the Bank of Philadelphia is NOT a real bank and wasn't based on any bank in particular, just a mix of many I have been inside of.

I honestly didn't want to change any names but thought it was smarter to do so.


Where did the main character's names come from?

Remi Catalano:   I've always liked the name Remi (usual spelling is Remy) but when I was younger a good friend of mine had a cat named Remy and when I began writing the story, the name popped into my head. The last name Catalano might be familiar to fans of the 1994-1995 TV show, My So-Called Life.  The object of the main character's affection was named Jordan Catalano, played by Oscar winner Jared Leto. And the name stuck with me.

Liam Matthews:  To be honest the name Liam just seemed to fit the character. Which might sound weird, but that's the reason.  His last name though pays homage to my son, who is named Matthew.


Why did I make Liam a naval architect?

Since the story takes place in Philadelphia, which has many naval shipyards, having him design ships made sense.  Because I always liked the idea of him being an architect but adding the naval aspect was more fun and unique. Plus because he chose not to become a lawyer like his parents, I wanted him to do something that was in a completely different field of work. I also enjoyed being able to use the shipyard location.


Stay Tuned for FAQ - Part 2!

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Remi Catalano

A 23 year-old petite, blonde, dark blue-eyed spitfire whose witty sarcasm and lively personality make her fun to be around.

The only child of Tony and Beth Catalano, Remi's life has been filled with love and support.  In fact, her family life is the complete opposite of Liam's.

Growing up in Bala Cynwyd (a suburb of Philadelphia) Remi's middle class world consisted of lots of friends and popularity.  Though not the best student, her grades were average.  More so because she just didn't apply herself and was more into the social aspect of school instead of the academics.  In high school, Homecoming Queen Remi was never lacking in the suitor department.  Far from shy and extremely confident, Remi could have dated any boy she wanted to.  That said, her tendency to seek out the bad boys trumped her good judgment.  An unfortunate trait that would carry on into her adulthood.

Never really sure of what she wanted to be when she grew up, Remi enrolled at the local community college...a couple times.  She'd start then quit and work various part-time jobs.  But nothing seem to click and she lacked the drive to find what was missing. So her parents allowed her to live at home and supported her financially, but they hoped she'd eventually become more ambitious and stand on her own two feet.  And her choice in boyfriends seriously displeased Tony and Beth.  Especially the last one, Kurt, who's currently serving time in prison for grand theft auto.

Remi's close circle of friends consists of Jenna, Melanie, and Abby.  Friends since grade school, all four were inseparable.  And it's Jenna, who worked at the Bank of Philadelphia, that suggested Remi apply for a teller position.  And to Remi's surprise, she was hired.  But who knew three weeks into the job she would find herself locked inside of the vault with a gun-toting masked man. And her life would never be the same!

Read more about Remi in BEHIND THE MASK.

Image: Eye Doctor Guide

Liam Matthews

Naval architect by day, bank robber/jewelry thief by night.

At 28 years-old, bluish-green eyed, Liam Matthews appears to have the perfect life. Tall, built, handsome, intelligent, just a few words to describe him.  But other words are used too, such as, cold, emotionless, bastard, and egotistical.

A product of wealthy and successful attorneys, Warren and Penelope Matthews, he's far from the prodigal son.  Years of being shipped off to boarding schools and feeling less than loved by his parents, hardened Liam.  Never quite living up to what his parents had expected of him, Liam did the ultimate betrayal in their eyes.  He chose not to follow in the family's footsteps of becoming a lawyer, instead Liam, who loved architecture and designing ships, decided to go that route.

Even after graduating high school with high honors and the recipient of a full ride to Cornell, his parents were still not pleased.  Instead, they practically disowned him, except in reality, he chose to walk away from them.  More so from his father, who couldn't hide his disappointment and disdain for his only child.

So after successfully completing college, Liam set out on his own without help from anyone.  He was immediately hired by the design firm, Braddock Associates and became one of, if not their best architect.  But even with an enviable salary and showered with numerous accolades, Liam craved something more.  So he and best friend, Chris decided to pull a few small time robberies.  Just for the thrill and to see if they could get away with it.  Which they soon found out, they were more than capable of hiding their identities and clever at avoiding arrest.

But as smoothly as their little illegal adventures went, it only took for one innocuous meeting with a British transplant named Charles, to change everything.  A ruthless man who sought to recruit an elite group of mercenaries.  Their mission:  to conquer highly profitable and dangerous heists.  Liam and Chris were instantly sucked into Charles' promises of riches and elusive adrenaline highs.  But after succeeding in a couple impressive jewelry heists, Liam began to question if working with Charles was the right move for him.  Though he couldn't deny the initial draw, Charles' appeal wore thin.  But unfortunately, not thin enough for Liam to stop doing jobs with him.

Which eventually leads to Mitchell Denton and the Bank of Philadelphia.  And then to that fateful Columbus Day, where Liam's loyalties will be put to the ultimate test.

Read more about Liam in BEHIND THE MASK.

Image:  Seatransport.com

Holiday Sale!

Behind the Mask is only $1.99.

This Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal continues until December 24th, 2014.

If you don't have a Kindle, click the following links to download a free Kindle App for Android and a free Kindle App for Apple products.

KINDLE COUNTDOWN DEAL!!!!!

Behind the Mask is going on SALE!

Amazon.com is running a Kindle Countdown Deal that will begin tomorrow...December 18th, 2014 at 6:00 AM.  Behind the Mask will be available for only a $1.99 until 11:00 PM on December 24th, 2014.

If you don't have a Kindle, click the following links to download a free Kindle App for Android and a free Kindle App for Apple products.

Behind the Mask - Book Synopsis

BEHIND THE MASK

What appears to be a typical bank robbery is anything but.  It’s Columbus Day in the city of Brotherly Love and when the Bank of Philadelphia is besieged by a group of masked mercenaries, it’s not cash they’re after, it’s five rare pink Argyle diamonds, that are housed inside a safety deposit box.  As the employees become unwitting hostages, things appear to run smoothly until one of the gunmen, 28 year-old Liam Matthews, unexpectedly gets locked inside of the vault with 23 year-old bank teller Remi Catalano.  During this time, she never sees his face or learns his name, but when an undeniable bond forms, Liam will make a fateful decision that will drastically alter the heist’s outcome.  In its aftermath, Remi will have no memory of what transpired while Liam, now a fugitive with the diamonds in his possession, chooses to hide in plain sight.  

Two months following the heist, the captor and his former hostage will inadvertently cross paths again, but without any recollection or having never seen his face, Remi has no idea that Liam is the man behind the mask.  And though he tries not to tempt fate, by initially avoiding her, curiosity along with unforeseen threats, make it next to impossible to distance himself.  But as Remi struggles to regain her memory of that day, Liam’s world begins to unravel.  

As each learns something surprising about the other, and about themselves in the process, in a twist of irony, just who ends up protecting who will ultimately define who they both really are. 

Available at Amazon.com