The Story Behind the Story with M. A. Ferguson of New Brunswick, Canada.

 

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.

Right now, I’m working on two more books: The Final Watch and Prime Obsession. And I’m also toying with the idea of launching a new series about a CSIS agent. Keeping my stories Canadian is incredibly important to me. With everything happening in the world, I want readers to see that Canada has just as much to offer as the U.S. when it comes to crime fiction. Canadian books can be just as thrilling, intense, and engaging.

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?

Website: Please go HERE

Buy her books HERE.

A question before you go Monique:

Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?

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.

 This is her newest novel, published this week - go HERE.

 

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.