Monique is a new addition to the Scribbler.
Please join me in welcoming her to the blog.
She has kindly accepted my invitation to be our guest this week.
Read on my friends.
Monique
Ferguson is a crime fiction author who blends fast-paced storytelling with rich
character
development.
The Blake & Turner series follows journalist Sienna Blake and RCMP detective
Megan Turner as they tackle dangerous cases, uncover dark secrets, and push the
boundaries of justice. Monique strives to craft stories that offer readers both
thrilling suspense and complex emotional depth. When I’m not writing, I enjoys
cooking, spending time with my family and relaxing with a glass of wine or
coffee with friends.
Title: Blake & Turner: Trafficked Secrets
Synopsis:
In the shadowy world of wealth, power, and betrayal,
Sienna Blake finds herself entangled in a
deadly
conspiracy that cuts closer to home than she ever imagined. A wealthy socialite
living a life of privilege, Sienna’s world shatters when a murder occurs at an
exclusive event. As her suspicions grow, she begins to uncover dark secrets
lurking beneath the surface of her carefully curated life—secrets that lead her
down a dangerous path.
Enter
Megan Turner, a by-the-book RCMP officer with a military background and a sharp
eye for justice. New in town, Megan crosses paths with Sienna, quickly
realizing that this case is far more complex than it seems. But when these two
fiercely independent women clash over their vastly different methods, the
tension between them becomes palpable.
Can
Sienna and Megan set aside their differences to uncover the truth, or will the
very forces that bind them to this conspiracy tear them apart? As the stakes
rise and the body count grows, they’ll need each other more than they realize.
In a
high-stakes game of survival, loyalty, and deception, Sienna and Megan must
rely on each other as they face their final showdown. But in a world where no
one is what they seem, can they trust each other enough to make it out alive?
The Story Behind the Story:
I’ve
always been drawn to crime fiction—it’s something my late mother and I had in
common. I remember sitting with her, watching Dateline, Law
& Order, and similar shows, trying to guess who the “bad guy”
was. But for me, it wasn’t just about solving the case—I was fascinated by the
psychology behind it. What makes someone snap? Why do people behave the way
they do? That intrigue has never left me.
Beyond
the thrill of the chase, I’ve always been drawn to crime fiction that explores
the emotional and psychological toll on those seeking justice. That’s what led
me to create Blake &
Turner. Their story came to me organically—I loved the idea of
strong women, but not necessarily in the way we traditionally see them.
Strength comes in different forms. Some women are into beauty and fitness,
while others fit the more stereotypical “tough” mold. With Sienna Blake and
Megan Turner, I wanted to show that strength isn’t one-size-fits-all. They’re
entirely different people—different ages, backgrounds, and marital statuses.
And yet, they complement each other in ways I never expected.
Writing
them has been an amazing experience. They feel so real to me that sometimes
I’ll have an idea for a scene, but then I’ll stop and think, Sienna would never do that,
or Megan wouldn’t react that
way. It’s fascinating how much they’ve taken on lives of their own.
I feel more like a facilitator than a creator at this point.
Trafficked
Secrets, the first book in the series, was born from
something that kept nagging at me. I’d been seeing more and more stories in the
news about young women disappearing. I started keeping track of them, and my
gut kept telling me something wasn’t right. Some of these women reappeared,
while others vanished without a trace. My overactive imagination ran with it—what if they were being trafficked?
That unsettling thought became the foundation for Trafficked Secrets.
The
second book, Cost of Silence,
stirred up some controversy. I’ve had to apologize to friends and readers who
struggled with it, but I’ll let you figure out why. It’s a book that pushes
boundaries, and I stand by it.
I
know this is a bold statement, but I’ll just say it—I want to be the Canadian James Patterson.
If life has taught me anything, it’s why
not? Right?
Monique: Most of my writing happens in my
office—it’s my little creative bubble, cozy and comfortable, where I feel the
most inspired. But honestly, I’ll write anywhere if an idea hits. I always keep
my phone close because inspiration never waits for a convenient time. Whether
it’s a book idea or a single line for a scene, I have to write it down before
it disappears into the void of forgotten thoughts. I also love writing at my
favorite local coffee shop, just hanging out, watching people, and soaking in
their mannerisms. There’s something about observing real human behavior that’s
endlessly inspiring.
I
have to admit—I’m a bit of a neat freak when it comes to my writing space. My
brain already feels like a chaotic crime board most days, so I need a clean,
organized environment to work. Maybe that’s why I love my office so much. I
have a big whiteboard (or as I like to call it, my "murder board"),
where I map out all the important details for my stories.
As
for my go-to drink? Well, I know it’s a total writer cliché, but I love
coffee—strong, dark, and absolutely necessary. But after a long writing
session, especially if I’ve been deep in the trenches of editing (which is my
least favorite part of the process), I reward myself with a nice glass of wine.
It helps take the sting out of all those rewrites!
An Excerpt:
The
evening air carried a crisp chill as Sienna Blake sat at her vanity, preparing
for yet another political event. Her husband, Andrew, had a habit of
overcommitting them to such functions. As a prosecutor for the Commonwealth of
Silver Creek, these events were vital stepping stones in Andrew's career—though
they often felt more like obligations than occasions.
Though
Sienna was a stay-at-home wife and mother, her children—Ethan, 16, and Lily,
14—rarely needed her except for rides or money. She was grateful that they were
both intelligent and excelled in school. Sienna had once aspired to be a
journalist, and she had completed three years toward her bachelor’s degree
before Ethan was born. She finished her degree the following year, a decision
strongly encouraged by her parents. While Sienna knew she could return to the
workforce, she was very happy to stay at home for now. She planned to reenter
the job market once her children were older. Sienna wanted to provide her kids
with the stability she had missed during her own childhood. Although her home
with her parents was stable, her father, a retired judge, and her mother, a
socialite, were rarely home, leaving her primarily in the care of nannies.
“Hi
sweetie, are you ready?” Andrew asked, walking into the room as Sienna sat at
her vanity. “Wow, you just look outstanding!” he added, his eyes lighting up as
he took in the sight of his wife.
Sienna,
always strikingly beautiful with her blonde hair and green eyes, applied the
final touches to her red lipstick. She stood up and smiled, admiring the way
her red satin dress hugged her figure, with its low-cut back revealing a hint
of her lower back. Though she knew she was attractive, she often felt that her
looks were the least interesting aspect of who she was.
Thank
you for being our guest, Monique. We wish you continued success with your
writing.
And
a special thank you to all our visitors and readers.
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