Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. She writes Christian romantic suspense, combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at www.shareestover.com.
Visit Sharee Stover online
Untraceable Evidence
Someone’s after a deadly weapon…and only she can stop them. It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last.
- ISBN: 1335402837
- Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Interview with Sharee Stover
Sharee Stover is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. Today, she joins us to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Untraceable Evidence.
Welcome, Sharee. Congratulations on your new romantic suspense Untraceable Evidence. Your heroine Randee is an ATF agent who needs to protect Ace and his prototype weapon. But before we get too far, can you explain the acronym ATF?
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is within the Department of Justice. They protect communities from illegal use and trafficking of firearms, explosives, and they are active in the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. In Untraceable Evidence, the ATF recruits scientist Ace Steele to develop a top-secret 3D printer gun made entirely of plastic (including the bullets and without the mandatory metal components) and ATF Agent, Randee Jareau, is sent in undercover to protect the prototype Ghost and Ace from a militia who is working to steal the plans.
Who or what inspired your story idea?
I’m always learning and taking in possible story ideas. So, in a one-day Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives writing conference I attended, I took copious notes. The compilation of that conference and a lot of research birthed my three-book ATF Heroes series releasing in May, November, and the spring of 2021.
The idea for the first book in the series, Untraceable Evidence, came as a result of research regarding 3D printer guns. An article in USA Today was especially helpful as it specifically named ATF agents using the blueprint model posted online by Cody Wilson for a 3D printer gun. The ATF agents printed the gun parts with different grades of resin at varying degrees of cost and materials. Each print job took 10-18 hours so it isn’t a fast process. They found the cheaper materials resulted in the gun shattering easier. I guess the saying, you get what you pay for applies here. By increasing the grade of resin, they found the gun would hold after multiple firings. The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 specifically requires guns to have metal components because that makes them detectable via metal detectors. Believe it or not, reading the Act triggered (no pun intended) my thinking.
Your title, Untraceable Evidence, is intriguing and reminds me of a murder mystery with an undetectable poison where the plot is as much about the search for the poison as the search for the murderer. Do you read or watch those types of stories and shows?
My favorite television shows are always steeped in criminal forensics, mystery, and suspense. I especially like Forensic Files, the original CSI, and Criminal Minds.
How does the faith element play into the roles of your main characters?
Ace’s past is scarred by the untimely and violent death of his sister. He has lived under a cloud of guilt for not being able to save her. Along the way, somewhere in life, Ace adopted the idea that if he works hard enough, he will earn God’s forgiveness and love. Randee reminds Ace that God loves him as he is, and doesn’t expect perfect behavior.
While researching for Untraceable Evidence, did you discover anything that compelled you to add a subplot or change the main one?
Because 3D printer guns already exist, I had to add the unique element of removing all the metal components. So, I started by asking, what would happen if a completely plastic gun with no metal parts was developed? How easily would the weapon be transported, smuggled into schools, airports, court rooms, etc.? Using the information gleaned in my research, I also learned frangible ammunition or disintegrating bullets exist and leave no bullet casings. Putting the two together, Untraceable Evidence was created
What do you want readers to remember most after reading Untraceable Evidence?
The biggest message from Untraceable Evidence is included in the dedication that reads, “For the one exhausted from striving for perfection and approval, know this: you are accepted in the Beloved and His grace covers you.”
Have you ever wanted to design something for a 3-D printer, either for your personal life, or as giveaway for a book promotion?
Wouldn’t it be fun to create promotional items with a 3D printer? Unfortunately, I don’t own one so that isn’t an option for me at the moment. Maybe someday!
Where is your favorite writing location?
I am a creature of habit, so I prefer writing in my office where I have easy access to reference materials, plugins for my power cords, my chocolate stash for creativity, etc.
Did you say another book in the ATF Heroes series will be released in November?
Yes! The second book in the series is titled, Grave Christmas Danger and features returning characters from Untraceable Evidence.
_______________________
Welcome, Sharee. Congratulations on your new romantic suspense Untraceable Evidence. Your heroine Randee is an ATF agent who needs to protect Ace and his prototype weapon. But before we get too far, can you explain the acronym ATF?
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is within the Department of Justice. They protect communities from illegal use and trafficking of firearms, explosives, and they are active in the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. In Untraceable Evidence, the ATF recruits scientist Ace Steele to develop a top-secret 3D printer gun made entirely of plastic (including the bullets and without the mandatory metal components) and ATF Agent, Randee Jareau, is sent in undercover to protect the prototype Ghost and Ace from a militia who is working to steal the plans.
Who or what inspired your story idea?
I’m always learning and taking in possible story ideas. So, in a one-day Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives writing conference I attended, I took copious notes. The compilation of that conference and a lot of research birthed my three-book ATF Heroes series releasing in May, November, and the spring of 2021.
The idea for the first book in the series, Untraceable Evidence, came as a result of research regarding 3D printer guns. An article in USA Today was especially helpful as it specifically named ATF agents using the blueprint model posted online by Cody Wilson for a 3D printer gun. The ATF agents printed the gun parts with different grades of resin at varying degrees of cost and materials. Each print job took 10-18 hours so it isn’t a fast process. They found the cheaper materials resulted in the gun shattering easier. I guess the saying, you get what you pay for applies here. By increasing the grade of resin, they found the gun would hold after multiple firings. The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 specifically requires guns to have metal components because that makes them detectable via metal detectors. Believe it or not, reading the Act triggered (no pun intended) my thinking.
Your title, Untraceable Evidence, is intriguing and reminds me of a murder mystery with an undetectable poison where the plot is as much about the search for the poison as the search for the murderer. Do you read or watch those types of stories and shows?
My favorite television shows are always steeped in criminal forensics, mystery, and suspense. I especially like Forensic Files, the original CSI, and Criminal Minds.
How does the faith element play into the roles of your main characters?
Ace’s past is scarred by the untimely and violent death of his sister. He has lived under a cloud of guilt for not being able to save her. Along the way, somewhere in life, Ace adopted the idea that if he works hard enough, he will earn God’s forgiveness and love. Randee reminds Ace that God loves him as he is, and doesn’t expect perfect behavior.
While researching for Untraceable Evidence, did you discover anything that compelled you to add a subplot or change the main one?
Because 3D printer guns already exist, I had to add the unique element of removing all the metal components. So, I started by asking, what would happen if a completely plastic gun with no metal parts was developed? How easily would the weapon be transported, smuggled into schools, airports, court rooms, etc.? Using the information gleaned in my research, I also learned frangible ammunition or disintegrating bullets exist and leave no bullet casings. Putting the two together, Untraceable Evidence was created
What do you want readers to remember most after reading Untraceable Evidence?
The biggest message from Untraceable Evidence is included in the dedication that reads, “For the one exhausted from striving for perfection and approval, know this: you are accepted in the Beloved and His grace covers you.”
Have you ever wanted to design something for a 3-D printer, either for your personal life, or as giveaway for a book promotion?
Wouldn’t it be fun to create promotional items with a 3D printer? Unfortunately, I don’t own one so that isn’t an option for me at the moment. Maybe someday!
Where is your favorite writing location?
I am a creature of habit, so I prefer writing in my office where I have easy access to reference materials, plugins for my power cords, my chocolate stash for creativity, etc.
Did you say another book in the ATF Heroes series will be released in November?
Yes! The second book in the series is titled, Grave Christmas Danger and features returning characters from Untraceable Evidence.
_______________________
Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are woven under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yields fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details. Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience. Discover more at www.anitamaedraper.com and www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/
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