An Interview with Kristina Fox

Kristina Fox is a fitness enthusiast, personal trainer, and now a mystery author bringing her love for suspense to the page. Drawing inspiration from her background in the fitness industry, Kristina crafts thrilling, small-town crime stories with fierce female protagonists.

When she’s not writing, you can find her lifting weights, training clients, or enjoying coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions. Time Under Tension is the first book in her suspense series, combining high-intensity fitness culture with gripping mystery and unexpected twists.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Writing a novel has been on my bucket list for many years. I’ve been a reader since the age of three and love diving into stories headfirst to see where they’ll take me. I wanted to create an adventure that my readers would enjoy.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I thought of the title before I knew what the book would be about. Time Under Tension is a gym term, and I knew my book would be set in the fitness world from the beginning. Plus, what’s better than the tension we feel when reading a good mystery?

Describe your dream book cover.

My dream book cover draws my ideal reader right into the pages of the book. It would be the kind of book cover that you couldn’t take your eyes off of. You’d have to buy it right there and then.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

The scenes in the book go from casual lunch dates to finding a body to Spartan race burpees. I would love to have some motivational songs such as “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, and “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Songs that you’d want to boogey with Kelsey to would probably be anything from Phil Collins to Huey Lewis to No Doubt to Nirvana. I also love violin and cello for the dramatic scenes in the book.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

Because writing is such a brain-wrenching process, I enjoy books that I can sit down and relax to. Books that tickle my mind include those from Freida McFadden and Harlan Coben. I am amazed at how they put thrillers together so cleanly.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I love being a personal trainer. It’s where my main character, Kelsey, was born. I also love kids and have been a daycare worker and owner. My most interesting job was that of a debt collector. We had a fun group of employees at that job.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I read so much since I was a kid and thought, “I can create a story like this. I see what he/she did to create doubt and twists and turns.” Over the years, I have enjoyed many authors’ works, but after watching Harlan Coben’s BBC Maestro class, I told myself I would finally do it. I would write a book.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I rented a house for a weekend in Fiddletown, California. It was in the middle of nowhere, and I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere that quiet in my life. It was amazing! I would love to go back to that house again.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I love the sticky note outlining process, so I usually get my Sharpies, Post-Its, a notebook, and a pencil out before starting my creative process. On a day-to-day basis, it’s just me and my laptop on the couch.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I just want people to enjoy the twists and turns along the way whether they’re realistic or not. I’d like them to walk away still thinking about my story, its characters, and what would or could happen next. My perfect reader wants a book to crawl under the blankets with on a cold day with a cup of hot cocoa.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.