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Counter Point
Heath's Point Suspense book 1
by Marji Laine
Someone wants to complete the final assignment of a murdered hit man.
Her dad's gone, her diner's closing, and her car's in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose ... except her life. And a madman, bent on revenge, is determined to take that, as well. Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death-threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.
Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and hearing of the deaths of several godly people, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.
How can a small-town girl survive when ultimate power wants her dead?
Her dad's gone, her diner's closing, and her car's in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose ... except her life. And a madman, bent on revenge, is determined to take that, as well. Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death-threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.
Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and hearing of the deaths of several godly people, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.
How can a small-town girl survive when ultimate power wants her dead?
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Character Interview with Cathleen McPherson
from Counter Point by Marji Laine
#1. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
Oh, dear. Well, there’s not much to tell, really. My name is Cathleen McPherson, but everyone calls me Cat. Well, except my mom and my boyfriend … ex-boyfriend. They’re both gone now. My mom passed away when I was eleven. Ray, my high school sweetheart is a missionary. I have no idea where. He didn’t share that information with me or anyone as far as I know. I don’t have any other family. My dad, Mac, passed away a few weeks ago. Thankfully, I’ve been helping out at a bed-n-breakfast by the lake. The owners, Ellis and Myra Stone, invited me to stay with them after his death.
Oh, dear. Well, there’s not much to tell, really. My name is Cathleen McPherson, but everyone calls me Cat. Well, except my mom and my boyfriend … ex-boyfriend. They’re both gone now. My mom passed away when I was eleven. Ray, my high school sweetheart is a missionary. I have no idea where. He didn’t share that information with me or anyone as far as I know. I don’t have any other family. My dad, Mac, passed away a few weeks ago. Thankfully, I’ve been helping out at a bed-n-breakfast by the lake. The owners, Ellis and Myra Stone, invited me to stay with them after his death.
#2. What is the ONE thing you just CAN'T do without?
My dad’s diner. “Mac’s” has been my safe place since my mom died. I love the work, the people, even the dish washing. I don’t know what I’d do if the place ever went out of business. Not only does the place constitute my livelihood, but it’s the only legacy my parents left behind.
My dad’s diner. “Mac’s” has been my safe place since my mom died. I love the work, the people, even the dish washing. I don’t know what I’d do if the place ever went out of business. Not only does the place constitute my livelihood, but it’s the only legacy my parents left behind.
#3. What do you most fear?
Being alone. I love people and feeling needed and involved. I’m so thankful for Mac’s and for the Stones and their Sunrise Inn. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have people to be with, a place to be, and something to do.
Being alone. I love people and feeling needed and involved. I’m so thankful for Mac’s and for the Stones and their Sunrise Inn. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have people to be with, a place to be, and something to do.
#4. What is your greatest strength and your greatest flaw?
Hmmm. My greatest strength … that’s hard to say. I could tell you my dad’s greatest strength. He was so amazing at making people feel at home. He had a way of engaging perfect strangers and end up sharing the Gospel with them. That’s how his “Sunset Dinners” for the homeless in our town started out. If I have a strength, I hope it’s determination to keep Dad’s dinners going for those who are having a hard time.
But my flaw is pretty simple. I can’t even pray out loud, let alone share my faith with anyone. That’s probably why Ray, my ex-boyfriend, went into his mission field without me. We were supposed to go together. At least that’s what we decided on our last Christmas together.
Hmmm. My greatest strength … that’s hard to say. I could tell you my dad’s greatest strength. He was so amazing at making people feel at home. He had a way of engaging perfect strangers and end up sharing the Gospel with them. That’s how his “Sunset Dinners” for the homeless in our town started out. If I have a strength, I hope it’s determination to keep Dad’s dinners going for those who are having a hard time.
But my flaw is pretty simple. I can’t even pray out loud, let alone share my faith with anyone. That’s probably why Ray, my ex-boyfriend, went into his mission field without me. We were supposed to go together. At least that’s what we decided on our last Christmas together.
#5. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
That one’s easy. I wish I were with Ray, right now, married and serving together, wherever he’s stationed. Although his leaving without talking to me about his change of mind pretty much gives me a clear indication of his opinion of me. And if I had been on the mission field, the loss of my dad would have been even harder
That one’s easy. I wish I were with Ray, right now, married and serving together, wherever he’s stationed. Although his leaving without talking to me about his change of mind pretty much gives me a clear indication of his opinion of me. And if I had been on the mission field, the loss of my dad would have been even harder
#6. What do you hope that people will learn from your story?
I think my story is all about control and power. I don’t have either, by the way. In fact, I’m teetering with the prospect of losing everything. Even my life. That sounds so ridiculously dramatic, but folks have been trying to convince me of the danger.
I think my story is all about control and power. I don’t have either, by the way. In fact, I’m teetering with the prospect of losing everything. Even my life. That sounds so ridiculously dramatic, but folks have been trying to convince me of the danger.
#7. What is the most important thing to you?
Like I said, my mom and dad’s legacy – both the diner and the Sunset Dinners. I know I’ll never be the evangelist of my father, and I’ll never have the business ability or creativity of my mom, but I want more than anything to salvage the two things that were the most important to them.
Like I said, my mom and dad’s legacy – both the diner and the Sunset Dinners. I know I’ll never be the evangelist of my father, and I’ll never have the business ability or creativity of my mom, but I want more than anything to salvage the two things that were the most important to them.
Bonus. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
The truth is, I don’t really feel qualified to … well … give advice … to anyone. But I can see the mistakes I’ve made, like making assumptions. I assumed that my dad would always be with me. I guess, I simply floated along and expected everything to keep chugging along the same way it always had. So, my advice to readers would be to not expect anything bad, but to fully enjoy everything that’s good.
The truth is, I don’t really feel qualified to … well … give advice … to anyone. But I can see the mistakes I’ve made, like making assumptions. I assumed that my dad would always be with me. I guess, I simply floated along and expected everything to keep chugging along the same way it always had. So, my advice to readers would be to not expect anything bad, but to fully enjoy everything that’s good.
Thanks so much for letting me join you!
 Marji Laine | Schooled by experts such as Perry Mason, Jessica Fletcher, and Dr. Mark Sloan, Marji Laine writes the mysteries she craves with a touch of romance and a thread of faith. Her series are made up of stand-alone stories with satisfying endings where justice prevails. She sets most of her books in and around the Dallas area, where she has lived all of her life, or in the small towns of East Texas that she adores. A homeschooling mom of four, she loves to discuss possible book scenarios with her daughters. Their conversations have even been known to alarm waiters and store clerks. At which point, one of her girls will roll her eyes and say, "My mom's an author." That pretty much explains the way her mind works. |
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