What's Your Story: Sheila Berklund

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Background
Mother of 4 (32, 33, 46 & 47) and Grandmother of 4 (14, 15, 16, 18). Married for almost 35 years. (Thank you Lord!) Retired from 18 years as an Educational Assistant and 6 years as a postal clerk.

When did you start reading Vince?
My youngest son, Adam, found out he had ADD in high school, so he wasn't much of a reader, unless he had too. The summer after his freshman year in college, he was living at home working his summer job at Reeds Sunnyside Marina in Balsam Lake, WI. I noticed a book in his room. I asked him what he was reading. It was one of Vince's books. He said he met him when they put in his dock at his lake place. It impressed me. When I got an email from Once Upon a Crime bookstore, (the BEST little bookstore in the twin cities!) that Vince was doing a book signing, I went. As I got up to him, I stuck out my hand and said that I wanted to shake the hand of the author who got my son reading in the summer. Then I said he put in your dock at the lake. Vince said, "Oh, Adam." I was stunned that he knew his name just like that. He signed the book with the message, "Thanks for taking such good care of us, Adam." Sure made this Mother feel good. That made me a fan for life.

Do you have a favorite book?
That's like asking which one of your children is your favorite. I like them all.

Who is your favorite character?
Mike Nash. A protégé of Mitch Rapp would have to be a great character.

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp? 
I think of a person who is proud of his country and wants to do what's right.

If you could be any character in Vince's novels, who would it be and why?
His cleaning lady. :)

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Vince and his novels?
Please keep Vince's books in the public eye so he won't be forgotten. We, his fans, miss him a lot. He was a fine young man.