Mitch Malone Mondays: Terry Ambrose's Roxy Tanner

Mitch Malone here to find the inside story for my exclusive on those who scam others for a living. I’m talking about con artists. Those who can make any outrageous lie sound like a good deal and part people with their hard earned cash. I’ve got a line on one who might be a little hesitant to come forward. From my research and sources, there is a woman named Roxy Tanner who has the skills and experience to make a good source. She is featured in LICENSE TO LIE by Terry Ambrose. Her story is unique and I will have to use all my skills as a reporter to get the goods.  Let’s get started. Roxy Tanner. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed today. Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?

Roxy: Sure Mitch, my childhood was shaped by an event that took place when I was eight. My mom tossed a fake Rolex in the garbage and told me the watch was stolen. She implied that she was worried she might get in trouble if anyone found out she’d purchased stolen goods and, since I was eight and precocious, I assumed the worst. I knew “trouble” was an adult code word, at least in our house, for jail. The minute Mom said that word, I knew I just couldn’t let that happen.

The writer-types you’ve interviewed sure like to wax on about plotters and pantsers, well, even at eight, I was a doer. I took charge and stole the watch from the trash and sold it to a guy in a suit. That’s when I learned my first lesson about reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance, like spy work? What do you mean?

Roxy: It means I’m not talking about that incident anymore. It’s too painful and I had to work through it in LICENSE TO LIE.

One of life’s defining moments, huh? Okay, I get it. Let’s move on. So you always had an ability to, shall we say, put a shine on the truth?

Roxy: Truth can be such a vague concept, Mitch. As a reporter, I’m sure you’ve had occasion to make some of those you’ve interviewed sound smarter or funnier. Right? Maybe you left out a nugget here or there—we’re both in the same game. My stakes might just be a little higher than yours.

I’m not sure I like what you are saying. I’m an honest reporter. I don’t shade the truth. I get the goods, the whole story. Maybe we should change subjects. Family is important to you. You would go to great lengths to protect someone close to you. Tell me how your father got into a fix?

Roxy: My dad was always interested in what I did from the time I was little. When he retired, he started spending an inordinate amount of time following my new business. Dad made the mistake of letting his emotions take hold and got drunk when he saw how big my business was getting. I had $5 million in the bank and I guess that worried him. He got drunk and started talking to some guy in a bar and the next thing I know, he’s been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.

 

Is that when you asked for help? I’ve been trying to get an interview with this do-gooder who helps people. His name is Skip Cosgrove. You’ve had some experience with him. I’ve been hearing rumors about you two. Are you changing sides of the law?

Roxy: There you go again spouting platitudes. I mean, really, Mitch, “sides of the law?” You and Skip would get along great because he does that quite a bit too. He’s all, you know, “that’s not right, Roxy” or “that’s against the law, Roxy.” Maybe you two should pal around or get drunk. Just don’t go making up things for me to say, I’ve got a red belt in karate and a black belt in tongue lashing. So tread lightly.

 

Whoa. Don’t shoot the messenger, err questioner. You are a bit testy when it comes to Mr. Cosgrove. Anything going on between you two?

Roxy: What is this, high school? You really expect me to kiss—or not—and tell? Skip and I have our ups and downs, so to speak. We didn’t get off to a very good start, but we’re sorting things out. Besides, I’m definitely not a girl that likes to spoil the surprise. Get my drift, Mitch?

Okay, I get the message.  No need to threaten.  You are one tough lady. I think this interview is over. To find out more about Roxy and Skip, check out Terry Ambrose’ s website at  terryambrose.com

Web: terryambrose.com

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More About LICENSE TO LIE:

With $5 million and their lives on the line, can a determined criminologist and a beautiful con artist learn to trust each other?  Or themselves? Roxy Tanner lies for a living. Skip Cosgrove uncovers the lies others tell. Now they have twelve hours to meet a ransom demand or her father will die. When Roxy reveals she has the money, Skip is sure of one thing: his way-too-attractive client is lying to him. As events unfold, these two loners discover that for those living on the edge, trust is a luxury they can’t afford. There’s only one thing left for them to do. Never trust a soul…even your own.

 "License to Lie is fast and well written, almost sure to satisfy discerning readers of thrillers.  There’s a verve to Ambrose’s language and the story moves with assurance, defying easy predictions.  Bravo to this writer.  I hope there’s more to come."

—T. Jefferson Parker, Author of The Jaguar and The Border Lords

Terry Ambrose started out skip tracing and collecting money from deadbeats and quickly learned that liars come from all walks of life. He never actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with tow trucks and a penchant for working in the dark to “help” when negotiations failed. A resident of Southern California, he loves spending time in Hawaii, especially on the Garden Island of Kauai, where he invents lies for others to read. His years of chasing deadbeats taught him many valuable life lessons such as—always keep your car in the garage.