Welcome friends! Today, Staci Troilo is back with her latest release, Password. She’s got a great behind-the-scenes glimpse of the fictional bar she created for use in the story (how can you not love a place called One Ugly Mug?).
I’m always jazzed when Staci has a new book, because I know I’ll get to disappear into the pages of a riveting tale. Password is no exception. You can read my complete 5-star review on Amazon, but I’ll leave you with this snippet of my impressions:
“The twists and turns in this novel really surprised me. Not only do we get two great lead characters who experience plenty of romantic ups and downs, but the story is chock full of suspense, and a mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the end.”
And now, here’s Staci with . . .
Welcome to One Ugly Mug
Thanks for inviting me here today, Mae. I appreciate having a chance to talk to your readers about my new novel. Hi, everybody!
You remember how pretty much every Cheers episode had a scene showing Norm walk in.
He says, “Hey, everybody.”
And they all say, “Norm!” in return.
It is, after all, the place where everybody knows his name.
Keep that image in mind. Now, make the bar a little darker, a little edgier. Dangerous enough that families don’t stop in for the chicken wings but clean enough that feet don’t stick to the floor and the bathrooms don’t look like crime scenes. Imagine many of the patrons are affiliated with the government, but they’re not postal worker Cliff Clavin types. Rather, they’re current and former special forces types.
You’re picturing One Ugly Mug.
This fictional bar, set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the local hangout for the guys of Nightforce Security and their military buddies who sometimes come to town to visit.
The waitresses wear whatever they like. Most choose jeans or shorts and button-downs or t-shirts. Even the youngest, flirtiest of them doesn’t wear Hooters-style clothes, but you can be darn sure no one would dare proposition a waitress who chose to. Bouncers aren’t necessary at One Ugly Mug. The patrons take care of each other. And if it happens to be a slow day, the bartender has it covered.
What’s his story, you ask? Well, we’ll learn more about him as the series goes on. He’s only in the periphery in Password. Not named, not even referred to. But we know he’s there… someone has to mix the drinks. He’s a mysterious and compelling guy. I’m looking forward to digging into his background.
When the Nightforce guys get antsy, they can play pool or shoot darts. There’s never a live band, never karaoke (God forbid), but there is the occasional rendition of a song belted out by a too-tipsy barfly. The retro jukebox in the corner is regularly fed quarters. Classic rock is pretty much the only choice. Rap is only allowed if the guys are celebrating the end of a mission or if the bartender has the day off. (For the record, that doesn’t happen often.) Because the guys respect him so much, they never play rap at One Ugly Mug when he’s there. Well, it’s part respect and part the fact that the most recent rap track put in the jukebox was the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right”. In fact, no songs, rap or otherwise, have been added since the bar opened in the 1980s.
There are private booths, semi-private tables, and of course there are always stools where a patron can belly up to the bar. The lighting is dim, the banter is smart, and it’s a good thing One Ugly Mug is so compelling. Why? Because it’s going to be a frequent location in the Nightforce Security series.
Blurb:
Some passwords protect more than just secrets.
Danny Caruso was glad to be back in the United States, back to his regular job. Back to his comfortable routine of all work and no play. But when his friend Mac asks a favor of him, he can’t refuse. He owes the guy everything. So he accepts the job, even though it means a twenty-four/seven protection detail guarding a particularly exacerbating—and beautiful—woman.
Braelyn Edwards is careful to stay out of the spotlight, preferring to hide in the background and skip the trappings of a vibrant social life. But her privacy is threatened when there’s an attempt on her life and a bodyguard is foisted on her. Compounding problems? He doesn’t just want to protect her. He wants to investigate every detail of her life, starting with her top-secret job.
Danny casts his sights on Charlie Park, her coworker, her partner… the one man who knows all Braelyn’s secrets. She’s frustrated by the distrust until she realizes jealousy fuels Danny’s suspicions as much as instinct and proof. One of them is right about Charlie—but by the time they figure it out, it may be too late to save their relationship. And Braelyn’s life.
Password is the first story in the Nightforce Security Series. A sequel is already in the works. The next installment will be a novella released in March as part of Susan Stoker’s Special Forces Kindle World. So if this series interests you, you won’t have long to wait.
Author Bio
Staci Troilo writes because she has hundreds of stories in her head. She publishes because people told her she should share them. She’s a multi-genre author whose love for writing is only surpassed by her love for family and friends, and that relationship-centric focus is featured in her work.
Connect with Staci on Social Media:
Web | Blog | Newsletter | Facebook Group | Twitter | Facebook | Other Social Media Links
I enjoyed Password and can’t wait for the novella. And who wouldn’t love a bar called “One Ugly Mug”.
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Thanks, Michele!
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I thought Password was awesome too, Michelle, and am delighted to know it’s just the start of a series. And One Ugly Mug is a great name. I loved the way Staci described it today in her post.
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Thanks, Mae. 🙂
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Love the Bars name! Great set up for the story…i look forward to reading this with all intriguing blurbs:)
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Thank you, Denise. 🙂 I appreciate that.
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It’s a great book, Denise. You’re sure to enjoy it!
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Gosh, Mae. What an introduction. {blushing}
Thanks for hosting me today. I appreciate it!
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My pleasure, as always. And that intro is well-deserved. You always have me eagerly swiping pages on my Kindle 🙂
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That’s the nicest thing you could say to me!
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🙂
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Mae, lovely to see Staci on your blog with her new book, Password, I’m with you, how can one not love the name of the bar – it’s inspired!! Staci, wow, a great introduction to the bar and you paint such a complete image o it, it’s as if I’ve visited the bar myself! A fantastic location and this gives a real feel for your book. Good luck with your promotional work! xx
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Thanks, Annika. I really enjoy that location, and I’m glad my interest in it came through in the post.
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I loved the image Staci painted of One Ugly Mug today. I feel like I need to tell my friends here in PA about this great new bar 🙂
Thanks for popping in to cheer Staci on, Annika!
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Loved reading more about One Ugly Mug. And I agree with you, Mae, this is a great book! Staci, you’ve got another winner here and I look forward to more of the series.
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Thank you, Joan. That means a lot to me.
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I’m with you on all counts, Joan. It’s nice to know we’ll be seeing more of One Ugly Mug as the series continues, and Staci has a winner with Password!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for sharing!
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My pleasure! Michael
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Thank you, Michael!
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Hi Mae. This sounds exciting. Bets to Traci. Hugs!
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Thanks, Teagan!
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Thanks for popping in today, Teagan, and checking out the post. Hope you’re having a fab day!
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Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow.
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Love the idea of this recurring setting that almost becomes a character itself.
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Thanks, Craig. I’ve already started exploring it more in the sequel, and I’m enjoying my visit there.
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Oooh. Fun to know.
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I love when an author can spin a setting like that, and when it becomes recurring, it develops into familiar, welcome territory.
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This is a bar I could hang out in – and I love the name!
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Thanks, Teri. That’s just what I wanted to hear!
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I’m visualizing it on a front-end license plate, LOL!
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1UGLYMG
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See? Perfect! 😀
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Nicely done…good luck.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Wonderful to have you drop by and check out the post!
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I love the description of the bar and can picture it perfectly. The book sounds thrilling! Congrats to Staci and thanks for the introduction to the book, Mae.
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Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
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My pleasure, Diana. Between the characters, settings and twisty-turvy plot, Password is an excellent read. I’m happy to share it here today!
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Congrats Staci. I love bodyguard books and really enjoyed the post.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Thank you, Sherry!
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Sherry, this is a fabulous book, I highly recommend. If you get a chance to check it out, I have a feeling you’re sure to fall in love with it 🙂
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This story certainly tickles my fancy, love spec ops books. How did you come up with that name for the bar, it’s awesome?
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Thanks, Jacquie. Naming places is a lot easier for me than naming people. I just started thinking about drinking-related terms (bottles, mugs, shots, etc) and the phrase popped into my head. It worked on so many levels for me, so I ran with it.
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It’s awesome!
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Thank you!
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I think you’d love the book, Jacquie. Staci has another winner with this one.
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Winner winner chicken dinner, Staci. Thanks to Mae for hosting. Also thanks, Mae for your clever comment on my early Tuesday post. After I pulled it down I could not answer.
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Thank you, John!
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😀
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I wondered why that one showed up when it did, John 🙂
And thanks for visiting Staci. I absolutely agree she has a winner with this one!
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Was a neglected publish date. I thought I had put in the next day but I guess I didn’t.
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I’ve been there, done that! 🙂
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No wine involved either.
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We’ve all done it. Wine or not.
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Love the blurb!
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It’s one entertaining novel. Thank you for visiting and commenting!
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You are welcome Mae. 🙂
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Thanks, Janna!
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You are welcome Staci. 🙂
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A wonderful post about Staci’s new book, Mae. It really does sound excellent.
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Thanks, Robbie. I had fun writing about One Ugly Mug. Wish I could visit it in person!
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Thanks for checking out the post, Robbie. Password is an excellent read!
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I have this book on my Kindle. Can’t wait to check it out! Love the name of the bar. 🙂
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Thank you, Jan. Much appreciated!
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You’re sure to enjoy it, Jan! I loved the characters and the twists in the story…and you can’t beat the name of that bar, LOL!
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OMG, this sounds so intriguing! I haven’t finished all the Medici Protectorate yet, but I might have to slip this one in line. And great bar name! Good luck with the new release, Staci!
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Aw, thanks, Julie. I appreciate that!
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Definitely a good one, Julie, although I loved the Medici Protectorate series every bit as much. Staci has a knack for creating characters I fall in love with.
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{blushing}
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Love the bar AND love the book cover!
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Thank you, Billy Ray. I have to admit, this is one of my favorite covers. I’m glad you like it. (Glad you like One Ugly Mug, too.)
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♥
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Glad you could pop in and join the party, Billy Ray! Thanks for checking out Staci’s new release!
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Congratulations, Stacy! On my TBR. The story sounds riveting, and what a great bar name! Excellent post to introduce your book.
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Thank you so much, Flossie. I’m glad you like the sound of it and I appreciate the support.
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It’s a wonderful read, Flossie. And who wouldn’t want to hang out at a bar called One Ugly Mug, LOL? Thanks for visiting today!
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Yes, that is a great bar name!
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Love the name, Staci. I’m quite sure I’d enjoy this place, too. Such a great idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks, Mae, for hosting and the warm welcome, as always.
Cheers to you both! 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. I wish we could all visit One Ugly Mug. It does sound like a fun place to hang out.
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Thanks, Natalie. I always enjoy hosting other authors, especially when I am so fond of their work. Thanks for visiting today and have a fabulous weekend! 🙂
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