Interview with Nikki Boyd (+ a chance to win a copy of Pursued!)

In celebration of the release of Pursued, book three in the best-selling Nikki Boyd Files, here is an interview with Nikki about her work and family.

I recently caught up with Special Agent Nikki Boyd inside her parents’ Nashville restaurant. Dozens of vintage guitars and retro signs hung on the reclaimed wood walls. One of Nashville’s up and coming artists crooned over the sound system. But I wasn’t there for a meal or for the music. I was there to learn how the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s newest task force was making waves across the state.

“I appreciate your meeting with me.” I shot her a smile, hoping to put her at ease. “I believe it’s important that the public realizes the impact of the missing person task force you’re working on.”

“I don’t normally do interviews, but you’re welcome.” She took a sip of her iced tea. “What people need to know is that for every statistic there is a real person who’s gone, leaving friends and family to face the crisis. Those left behind need someone with experience and resources to step in and find that loved one. That’s where we come in.”

I’d read through the statistics. The majority of children who went missing were endangered runaways, with one in five of those victims of child sex trafficking. Ten percent were family abductions. Only one percent were nonfamily abductions. But I could see in Nikki’s face that it had never been about the numbers.

“This job you do,” I continued, “bringing missing people home. You’re not just in it for a paycheck, are you? It’s personal to you.”

Nikki’s hand automatically grasped a small locket hanging around her neck, a nerve clearly struck. “Just over a decade ago, my sixteen-year-old sister Sarah vanished on her way home from school.”

A silence hovered between us, interrupted only by the music. I’d read the news articles behind Sarah’s story. Over a decade had passed and no body had ever been found. 

I didn’t want to intrude, but I needed to know more. “I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through. The not knowing.”

“We believe she was taken by what the media calls The Angel Abductor. He stalks his victims before abducting and killing them. The only thing he leaves behind is a Polaroid of the girl. Six girls and he’s never been caught.”

“Do you think there’s still a chance of finding your sister alive?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Nikki caught my gaze. “But after all these years of searching, what my family longs for most is closure. Which is why I won’t ever stop looking for her.”

I glanced at the clock, knowing my time was almost up. “I do have one more question. I heard rumors when I was down at the precinct that there’s a man in your life.”

I caught the blush that swept her cheeks. “I thought we were here about my job.”

“We are, but everyone loves a good romance and a happy ending.”

Nikki’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “There is someone. And yes, I think there’ll be a happy ending with this one.”

You can read the first chapter of Pursued here!

To win a digital copy of Pursued (or book one, Vendetta if you haven't read the series) leave a comment below with a way for me to contact you. I will draw one winner on April 12th.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over thirteen years working as missionaries in Africa. When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website.