The Writer's Life eMagazine

🔥 New Historical Fiction Book! The Siren of Paris by David LeRoy #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-04-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

A soul seeking peace after his failures in finding love during World War II.

Journey through the dark, violent, and haunting landscape of World War II in Paris and beyond – Take on a harrowing tour through the depths of human depravity, exploring themes of love, loss, guilt, and redemption in this gripping historical tale.

Marc Tolbert, a young French-born man from a prominent American family, takes off to Paris for a fresh start after a breakup in 1939. Pursuing his dreams of attending a prestigious Parisian art school, he soon makes friends with some of history’s most notable figures, including Sylvia Beach and William Bullitt. Falling in love with an art model from one of his classes, he is blinded to the escalating violence around them as the war inches closer to the City of Lights.

What started as an adventure quickly becomes a nightmare as the war worsens, and Marc is faced with choices that will change his life forever.

When he finally faces the reality that he must leave Paris, fate deals him a cruel hand. Surviving the sinking of the RMS Lancastria, Marc is haunted by the deaths of his friends and the regret of not leaving sooner.

Returning to Paris, Marc is drawn into the resistance movement, risking everything to help those trapped behind enemy lines. But after being betrayed, he is captured and sent away to face the horrors of war and the guilt of his past mistakes.

The Siren of Paris is a powerful and emotional story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its compelling plot-driven narrative, vivid scenes, and intense action, this novel will transport you to the heart of war-torn Paris and leave you contemplating the weight of human choices and their impact on others. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, war stories, or symbolic themes, this novel will captivate and intrigue you from start to finish.

⤷The Siren of Paris is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genre: Magical Realism
Language:English
Pages: 352
Paperback ISBN: 978-0983966715

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“The soul of this book is found in LeRoy’s analysis of human nature through the main character. There really is nothing like a life-or-death situation that can split human nature so cleanly and show us what being human really means. The author shows us how a person can be completely changed from this experience, how in a few short years, in a few short moments, or even in a split second, everything can become drastically different. This book is suited for those with a love for history and those with a love for fiction alike. This novel brought tears to my eyes and left me with a more enlightened heart, so it is with absolute pleasure that I say The Siren of Paris is highly recommended.” – Boyu Huang, Allbooks Review Int.“I’ve just finished reading Siren of Paris by David LeRoy and it’s a story that will stay with me for a while. It has a complex, well developed plotline and presents the story in a tantalising way. I’ve read quite a few books set during the Second World War… this one especially gripped me.” – Dianne Ascroft Ascroft

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Thrilling Historical Novels

Dramatic Sagas

Paris During WWII

Psychological War Narratives

Brings Tears to Your Eyes

Love, Loss, Guilt, and Redemption

*****

Excerpt:

September, 1967—Saint-Nazaire, France

“May the Lord be with you,” the priest’s voice rang out to all gathered at Marc’s graveside. It was September 1967.

The cloaked man stood taller than all others gathered, self-luminous with the hood of his smock pulled over his head. In his right hand he held a staff with a round clock mounted on top.

Marc stood beyond the gathering, gazing back upon his grave. He saw his only sister, Elda, surrounded by all his other friends from France. The body of his soul beamed a reddish-golden light, as he anticipated the final moment he would leave in peace. He strained to see the face of the priest obscured from view under the hood.

“And also with you,” Marc whispered, looking toward the release from his life.

“Let us pray,” the priest said softly. With a rush, the first eleven souls appeared around him. They had come from the graveyards of Angoulins-sur-Mer, Les Fortes, Saint-Charles-de-Percy, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, Chatelaillon- Plage, Saint-Sever, Traize, Brest, Saint-Hilaire-de-Talmont and Saint Pancras. They wore drab olive-green uniforms, kit bags ready for war. They were soaked to the bone. Only a few had boots. The dial on the clock stopped as a moment of Marc’s life flashed before him.

“I no longer want to see you, Marc. It is finished. It's over,” Veronica stood shivering outside his dorm room. Winter, 1939. He dropped out of medical school after that. He decided to run. Marc’s soul turned a dark red. The pain came back, searing.

“O God, we pray you lead us to truth, deliver us all from violence, battle, and murder, and from dying suddenly and unprepared,” the priest said as he glanced up from under his hood, then down again before Marc could catch his face.

Twenty-two more souls gathered by the grave. They came from the graveyards of Bretignolles-sur-Mer, L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer, Port-Joinville, Les Sables-d’Olonne, Nantes Pont du Cens, Sainte Marie, Yves, Piriac-sur-Mer, Olonne-sur-Mer, Coulac and Charroux. Among the soldiers stood one woman dressed as a nurse, a Belgian boy and little girl, all with no name

Again, the clock stopped. Another memory surfaced.

“I can watch out for myself, you know. I am not small anymore. You should go,” Elda was only eight years old at the time. Marc could see she blamed herself. His soul constricted. The hands of the clock moved again. His light turned blue.

“O God, we pray for those who suffer in silence with guilt, and for those who suffer with shame, regret, and remorse.”

“I've seen enough,” Marc cried out to the priest. Thirty-three souls arrived from the graveyards of La Couarde-sur-Mer, La Turballe, Saint-Denis-D’oléron, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Olonnes, Bouin, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Aytré and Barbatre. The clock stopped.

“One-way ticket, first class, June 14, crossing on the Normandie, please.” Marc’s soul recoiled from this moment. He knew why he had left. The hands on the clock resumed. His light turned a dark purple.

“Please, let this go, it is just the past,” Marc called out to keeper of the clock. The staff remained steady.

“O God, our time is in your hands. Look upon us with favor as we, your servants, begin another year of life.”

Sixty-five souls appeared in a flash from the graveyards of Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, Château-d’Olonne, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Ile d’Yeu, Beauvoir-sur-Mer, Saint-Georges-D’oléron, Ars-en-Ré, La-Barre-de-Mont, Dolus, Saint-Trojan, L’Épine, La Plaine-sur-Mer, Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, L’Herbaudiere, and Le Clion-sur-Mer. Again Marc felt the weight of time pulling him backward.

“Happy birthday, young man. Better get a move on it. You have a ship to catch today,” his mother handed him his hat the morning he left for France. The words pierced him. She drank herself to death from worry in the spring of ’42.

“Why must you show me this? Is this my judgment?” he cried again. His light turned dark green. The clock bearer looked up briefly from under his hood. The clock began to move.

“O God, whose glory fills the whole of creation: Preserve and protect those who travel from every danger and bring them in safety to their journeys’ end,” the priest intoned.

233 souls, men, women, children and soldiers from the graveyards of Saint-Nazaire-sur-Charentes, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Prefailles and La Baule-Escoublac gathered around Marc. Time compressed. The clock slowed to a stop. Dread replaced fear.

“When you get to Paris, let Ambassador Bullitt know you are in town. He would be glad to see you. We were classmates back in college before the war.” His father pulled the car up to the French Line Pier. The image flickered before Marc in the fading light. His father never took art school seriously. The pain of these last words to him before a heart attack killed him in ’44 brought Marc to his knees. Two eyes peered from under the hood as Marc’s face twisted in anguish. The clock dial started to spin.

“O God, we pray for those who have died. May your love and light keep them eternally yours in peace and life without end.” Everyone who had gathered whispered a name. Marc swallowed hard. 370 souls gathered from the graveyards of La Bernerie-en-Retz and Pornic to join the other souls. The clock stopped.

“You should have left Paris, Marc, and never returned,” she said before the Gestapo officer read the charges. Marc groaned under the weight of this most painful moment, feeling regret and shame. His light turned dark as obsidian and the clock began to run.

“Make this stop. I have forgiven her,” he pleaded. The priest removed his hood and bared his face. Marc recognized him instantly: the betrayed priest he had known during the war. Yves.

“O God, the Father of all, who commanded us to love our enemies: Lead us both from hatred and revenge and, in your good time, enable us all, who are known unto you to stand before you in eternal peace,” the priest looked directly at Marc. The words ripped through him in shock waves, fracturing him on his side three times, and once down the middle. The clock stopped spinning. Marc noticed that the second hand now moved steadily forward with temporal time.

An unknown number rose from the sea, the beaches, and ditches to join the 859. Marc, overwhelmed, stared in disbelief at the priest’s face before him. With all his strength, he strained to whisper, “Why?”

“Why, you ask?" the priest voice thundered through the sky in a quick response. "Your marker reads ‘Known unto God!’ That is why,” Yves voice reverberated back to Marc, his face staring back in shock. “Those are souls who died without last rites, final confession, or do not even realize that they are dead, just waiting in limbo until they can be found,” Yves said, his voice booming and vibrating with a strange undulation as he raised his eyes towards the assembly that had gathered.

“I am the soul collector of the lost and forgotten of this war. This is my calling. Behold the assembly of those ‘Known Unto God,’” Yves said, his voice clear, natural and crisp. His form glowed as he raised his arms towards the assembly that rose high into the sky, looking back upon Marc and the Priest. He struck his staff once on the ground.

“I will not treat you any differently than I have any one of them who now lie in wait until the time arrives to stand before the Lord,” Yves said as he stood in the center of a Dodecagon of souls of number unknown. He rapped his staff a second time on the ground. Marc's eyes snapped into focus on the staff with a nausea of anticipation.

“The life review is to examine your conscience for sin and prepare for your final confession,” Yves said with a stoic glare. Marc glanced at the clock on the staff to read the time. Yves struck the staff a third time. A shockwave emerged from the clock traveling in all four directions. “The clock is now set," he said, "May the Lord Be with you.”

The clock reached June 18, 1939, eight thirty at night. A fear greater than the judgment of hell filled Marc, as he realized he would now watch his life during the war all over again.

***

June 18, 1939—East Bound Atlantic Ocean

The S.S. Normandie’s bow parted the sea as she carried her passengers toward France that Sunday. Marc dressed for dinner in his finest tuxedo. Before taking the last dinner at sea, he entered the chapel of the ship for his evening prayers.

“And may you, my Father in heaven, keep my family in your protection. I pray for my mother, Lynette, my father, Eldon, and my little sister, Elda. Amen,” Marc knelt alone in the chapel. He made the sign of the cross as he rose to leave for dinner.

– Excerpted from The Siren of Paris by David LeRoy, David Dribble Publishing, 2012. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

David LeRoy is an author and avid explorer of the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and art. His debut novel, The Siren of Paris, is a poignant work that emerged from personal family research he undertook in 2010 to locate missing persons of WWII.

LeRoy's fluency in French and two-year sojourn in France afforded him unique insights into the French culture he deftly weaves into his literary work. With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion, an MBA from California State University Sacramento, and an MSc. Applied Data Science from Paris, France, LeRoy is a polymath with diverse interests and an insatiable curiosity for knowledge.

He currently resides in California, where he continues to write and pursue his creative passions.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesirenofparis

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14760740-the-siren-of-paris?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=v6UbhLIMmb&rank=1

Sponsored By:

20 Questions with 'Fighter Pilot's Daughter' Mary Lawlor

2026-04-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's time to play 20 Questions! Today's guest is Mary Lawlor, author of the memoir, Fighter Pilot's Daughter. She is also the author of Public Native America (Rutgers Univ. Press 2006), and Recalling the Wild (Rutgers Univ. Press, 2000). Her short stories and essays have appeared in Big Bridge and Politics/Letters. She studied the American University in Paris and earned a Ph.D. from New York University. She divides her time between an old farmhouse in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a cabin in the mountains of southern Spain.

You can visit her website at https://www.marylawlor.net/ or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

~ Book Description ~

Fighter Pilot’s Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War tells the story of Mary Lawlor’s dramatic, roving life as a warrior’s child. A family biography and a young woman’s vision of the Cold War, Fighter Pilot’s Daughter narrates the more than many transfers the family made from Miami to California to Germany as the Cold War demanded. Each chapter describes the workings of this traveling household in a different place and time. The book’s climax takes us to Paris in May ’68, where Mary—until recently a dutiful military daughter—has joined the legendary student demonstrations against among other things, the Vietnam War. Meanwhile her father is flying missions out of Saigon for that very same war. Though they are on opposite sides of the political divide, a surprising reconciliation comes years later.

⤷Read sample here.

⤷Fighter Pilot’s Daughter is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Memoir
Sub-genre: Women in History / Military Leaders Biography
Language:English
Pages: 323
Paperback ISBN: 978-1442222007
Kindle ISBN: 978-1442222014
Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“Mary Lawlor's memoir, Fighter Pilot's Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War, is terrifically written. The experience of living in a military family is beautifully brought to life. This memoir shows the pressures on families in the sixties, the fears of the Cold War, and also the love that families had that helped them get through those times, with many ups and downs. It's a story that all of us who are old enough can relate to, whether we were involved or not. The book is so well written. Mary Lawlor shares a story that needs to be written, and she tells it very well.” ―The Jordan Rich Show

“Mary Lawlor, in her brilliantly realized memoir, articulates what accountants would call a soft cost, the cost that dependents of career military personnel pay, which is the feeling of never belonging to the specific piece of real estate called home. . . . [T]he real story is Lawlor and her father, who is ensconced despite their ongoing conflict in Lawlor’s pantheon of Catholic saints and Irish presidents, a perfect metaphor for coming of age at a time when rebelling was all about rebelling against the paternalistic society of Cold War America.” ―Stars and Stripes

20 Questions with Mary Lawlor

Are you a morning writer or a night writer?

I’m most definitely a morning writer. The best time is 5:30 am, before the sun comes up. It’s a magical, silent hour, and no one else is up but me. I love writing in the dark and the half-unconscious feeling that stays with me for the first hour. Images and ideas surface without restraint and, if I’m lucky, spill out onto the page. A cup of tea helps get the juices going. That

moment when the light starts creeping across the sky is inspiring too and makes me feel like there’s promise for the day, for my work, even if at the moment what comes out is random and murky.

Do you outline or are you a pantster?

I do both. Usually I start with an idea that slips into view from something I read or saw or heard. For most of my books, the generating idea stayed with me for months before I finally saw it was something I wanted to spend time writing about—my family history, a 12^th century English monk translating Arabic books in Spain, an 18^th century Irish woman who died in Andalusia. I’ll sketch out a situation, then a plot, then start writing. The plot always changes, so I’ll go back and change the outline as I go. The outline is really more of guide than a strict framework I make myself honor.

Which comes first – plot or character?

Character, always. It’s the person who inspires me. In the case of Fighter Pilot’s Daughter, it was actually my mother and her experience of living without a home until my father finally retired. She was always packing up our house or unpacking everything and making a new home for us. This happened every two years. Of course, as the story developed, my father became the central figure, since it was his career that determined so much and served as the plot of the memoir.

Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript?

Quiet! I used to like to listen to classical music, but as the pieces I liked became familiar—and new ones too—I would get distracted by the arrangements and the emotional effects of the movement. Now I keep it quiet as much as possible.

Favorite TV show?

It changes from season to season. At the moment my favorites are “Slow Horses” and “The Diplomat.” A while ago I was really taken by “River,” with Stellan Skarsgård and “Unforgotten,” with Nichola Walker. I like fast moving, difficult-to-follow-if-you’re-not-paying-attention dramas like these with well-developed characters and unusual situations.

Favorite type of music?

I live in Spain half the year and have become a fan of flamenco, of all things, especially Paco de Lucia, Pepe Habichuela, and Cameron de la Isla. I like good rock music from the 60s and 70s like The Doors, Cream, The Stones, Stevie Winwood, Jack Bruce, George Harrison, and John Lennon. I also like Max Richter, Dustin O’Halloran, Chilly Gonzales, Mozart and Beethoven.

Favorite craft besides writing?

I like cooking and photography (in my case not an art but more like a craft…). We travel a lot in Spain, and I like taking pictures of my little farm there. I also take a lot of photos of the beautiful countryside and the many gorgeous cities of Andalucía.

Do you play a musical instrument?

I used to play guitar and sing, but I gave up both years ago when writing started pulling at me and demanding all my time. When my father was stationed in Germany, I set off to college in Paris and before long was playing a lute I’d bought (really just a guitar with a melon-shaped back more than a real lute) in a café in Place Saint André des Arts in the left bank. That didn’t last long…

Single or married?

I’m married and happily so to John McClure, a professor of English at Rutgers University and author of several fine books, including Partial Faiths, a really smart look at contemporary American fiction.

Children or no?

I have a stepdaughter who’s been with me since she was a little girl. She’s all grown up now, and I try not to see her as still my baby! She’s a wonderful, super smart woman with stepdaughters of her own now.

Pets?

I don’t have any pets now, mostly because we travel a lot. I used to have two cats who I loved very much, Osa and Miel. They were sisters, although they were opposites in coloring: one was black tortoise and the other was white with brown and black patches. They were both characters, and I’m tempted to tell cat stories here, but will resist.

Favorite place to write?

I write in my study on the third floor of my house, where I’m far enough away from whatever’s going on downstairs to really be left alone. It’s a big room which takes up the entire floor. The windows look out on a big Norway spruce, the street, and the mountain in the distance. The floor is nice, finished pine boards, and I have amber lights over my desk and a bed on the other side of the room for resting.

Favorite restaurant?

There are two places near the square in our town, The Quadrant and The State Grill, where I like to go for breakfast with friends. Both have great food, are super casual, and have welcoming, easy-going atmospheres. We live close to New York City, so I also like to go there for dinner, especially to the Village, where for a long time I’ve loved the pizza and pasta at Arturo’s on Houston Street. I often work at a library I joined last year in New York.

Do you work outside the home?

They have study rooms where you’re really sealed off from everything and can concentrate really well. I’ll take the bus into the city and the subway to the library, then stay there for several hours before heading back home. I also travel a lot and take my laptop with me wherever I go. Early morning is good for writing anywhere, even in a hotel room when my husband’s sleeping.

What was the name of the last movie you saw?

I just saw “Operation Mincemeat” (2021), with Colin Firth and Kelly Macdonald. It’s an intriguing spy story set in WW II Britain. You have to pay close attention to the plot to follow it, but it’s a great story.

Favorite outdoor activity?

Walking! I walk a couple of miles most days. When the weather’s warm and there’s a beach nearby, my very favorite thing to do is swim. If I’m in shape, I can swim 40 laps at a time in an outdoor pool, but I’m happy to just dawdle around in the water too.

Pet peeve?

People double parking, not being able to find my phone, the pile of junk mail that comes every day.

Your goal in life?

To be a good person and see Fighter Pilot’s Daughter and my novel, The Translators, do well.

Your most exciting moment?

Meeting John. Then it was when the publisher’s accepted Fighter Pilot’s Daughter, and I knew it would see the light of day!

The love of your life?

John McClure!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Evan's Gift' Karen Charles #AuthorInterview @karenra2422968

2026-04-01T00:00:00.003-04:00

Today we welcome Karen Charles to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Karen is the author of the new children's book, Evan's Gift, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Karen Charles grew up in West Africa and traveled to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Her rich background and lifetime experiences are reflected in the depth of her writing. In her stories, she transforms real-life narratives into gripping fiction thrillers. Her novels intricately weave the threads of truth into a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and riveting storytelling. She is the author of two children’s books, “Freeman Earns a Bike” and “Evan’s Gifts,” and three thrillers based on true stories. “Fateful Connections” takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and “Blazing Upheaval” takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. “A Glimpse Too Far” offers all the mystery and heart-pounding suspense of a psychological thriller and is based on a true story.

Karen Charles has two businesses—a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she currently resides with her husband.

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com.

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

A New Dawn is a Evan's Gift is about a little boy who trades his dream of a new bike for compassion and discovers the greatest gift of all - helping others. Can you tell us more about this little boy?

Evan is an ordinary child with a very big heart. Like many kids, he wants something special, a new bike, and he’s been holding onto that dream with excitement. But what makes Evan remarkable is his ability to notice others. When he becomes aware of someone else’s need, he pauses, reflects, and makes a choice that comes from empathy rather than impulse. Evan represents the part of every child that is capable of kindness when given the space and encouragement to listen to their heart.

Who are the other characters in the book?

The other characters, roommates, classmates, and friends, are gentle but important guides in Evan’s journey. There are parents and dorm parents who model compassion and create a safe environment for reflection, and there is a child in need who quietly becomes the catalyst for Evan’s decision. Each character plays a role in helping children see how kindness often unfolds, not in dramatic ways, but through everyday moments and thoughtful choices.

What do you think sets Evan’s Gift apart from other books of the same genre?

What sets Evan’s Gift apart is its simplicity and emotional honesty. The story doesn’t preach or tell children what they should do. Instead, it invites them into Evan’s inner world and lets them experience the decision alongside him. The message of kindness emerges naturally through the story, making it relatable and authentic. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about noticing, caring, and choosing compassion in a real, human way.

Do you think writing children’s books is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Yes, in many ways it is. Children are incredibly perceptive, and they can sense when something isn’t genuine. Writing for them requires clarity, emotional truth, and restraint. You have to say more with fewer words and trust the reader to feel the meaning without overexplaining it. That balance, being simple without being simplistic, is both the challenge and the joy of writing for children.

Would you suggest having classrooms carry your book? How will it benefit the children?

Absolutely. Evan’s Gift fits beautifully into classroom settings because it naturally opens the door to meaningful conversations about empathy, kindness, and social-emotional learning. It encourages children to think about how their choices affect others and helps them develop emotional awareness. Teachers can use it as a read-aloud, a discussion starter, or part of SEL lessons focused on compassion, community, and character development.

What’s next for you?

I’m continuing to write stories that explore human connection, across both children’s and adult fiction. I’m especially interested in stories that help readers, young and old, pause, reflect, and see the world through a more compassionate lens. Evan’s Gift has opened a new and meaningful chapter for me, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, “Evan’s Gift” celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre:children’s fiction
Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
Age Range (years):5 – 12
Language:English
Pages: 48
Paperback ISBN:9798317824341
Publisher: BookBaby

Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“What a lovely story! This is a life lesson wrapped in an engaging and beautifully illustrated package geared toward readers 5 – 12. Charles opted to provide an abundance of sensory details for her readers, so the younger ages might need assistance from a parent if they are not fluent readers. Middle-grade readers ages 8 – 12 will appreciate the additional details. Knowing this is inspired by a true story makes it extra special. With stunning artwork by Roger Feldman, Evan’s Gift is sure to delight readers with its touching story and expressive illustrations.” – The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

“Even’s Gift is a story that your youngster is able to relate to the characters. The message will stick with your youngster for a longtime after they’ve read the story. This story can be used by teachers or parents to help open conversations. The words are perfect for emerging and middle grade readers. Kids and adults will love this book. I love the discussion questions and activity guide at the end of the book. If you are looking for a book with the following themes then this would be a good book to read” – The Blended Blog

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Copper Scroll' Nicholas Teeguarden #AuthorInterview

2026-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Nicholas Teeguarden to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Nicholas is the author of the new archaeological thriller, The Copper Scroll, and this interview is part of his Virtual Book Tour with Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Nicholas Teeguarden is the award-winning author of Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll, a biblical-archaeological thriller blending international suspense, ancient mystery, and faith-driven storytelling. His debut novel is a ChristLit Book of the Year Finalist, a Titan Gold Medal Winner, and has earned praise from readers for its gripping pace and moral depth. Nicholas hosts Teeguarden’s Writing Room, a weekly series chronicling his creative process and the ongoing development of the Masa Chronicles. He resides in Oklahoma and is currently working on the next book.

╰┈➤Visit Nick’s website at www.nickteeguarden.com.

Connect with him at the following social networks:

╰┈➤ X: https://twitter.com/nickteeguarden

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579248636306

╰┈➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickteeguarden

╰┈➤ BookBub: The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles (The Masa Chronicles Book 1) by Nicholas Teeguarden – BookBub

╰┈➤ Goodreads: Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden | Goodreads

╰┈➤ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF_TUwTK0lQI0eu6_6QEyYQ/

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full-time author?

I’m a husband, dad, and U.S. Army veteran who now writes faith‑infused thrillers from small‑town Oklahoma.

I’m not a full‑time author yet, but writing takes up a big part of my life alongside family and church; it’s where I process faith, questions, and some of what I carried home from deployment.

Can you tell us about The Copper Scroll?

The Copper Scroll is an archaeological thriller about Joshua “Masa” Bennett, an American veteran and grad student who travels to Jordan to study the most mysterious of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

What starts as a quest for academic glory turns into a dangerous chase from Qumran to Masada to Capernaum, as Joshua’s team uncovers artifacts that could reshape how people understand Jesus — and draws the attention of ISIS, modern Templars, Mossad, and church power brokers who all have something to lose.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Joshua “Masa” Bennett is driven by faith, trauma from his Army years, and his grandfather’s old stories about hidden treasures and scrolls; he’s brave, curious, and sometimes reckless.

Alongside him are Noa, a sharp and guarded Israeli researcher, and Amina, a determined Palestinian journalist; together with figures like Father Nance and Rabbi Cohen, they’re forced into fragile alliances across deep historical divides as the danger escalates.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

The Copper Scroll is set in the modern Middle East — Amman and the Jordan Museum, then into the Judean desert at Qumran, Masada, the Dead Sea, and Capernaum — anchored by Joshua’s start at the University of Arkansas.

I chose those locations because they’re the real landscapes of the Copper Scroll, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Gospels, and I wanted readers to feel like they were walking those sites themselves as the mystery unfolds.

How can people benefit from reading The Copper Scroll?

On the surface, readers get a fast‑paced treasure‑hunt thriller, but beneath that they’re invited to wrestle with the tension between faith and proof: what we do when new evidence presses on old beliefs.

I also hope it nudges people to see the Middle East — and the believers, skeptics, Israelis, Palestinians, and local communities who live there — as real neighbors with complex stories, not just as background to the nightly news.

Is The Copper Scroll your only book?

So far. The Copper Scroll is the first book in The Masa Chronicles, and I’m currently about halfway through book two.

What’s next for you?

Next up is the release of my new novel, The Boy from the Vines, planned for next month.

At the same time, I’m drafting the second Masa Chronicles novel, continuing Joshua’s journey as he deals with the fallout from The Copper Scroll and stumbles into a new set of historical and spiritual fault lines.

The Copper Scroll follows historian Joshua “Masa” Bennett as he journeys into the heart of the Middle East in an attempt to unlock the secrets hidden within the legendary Copper Scroll. Just as he begins making progress, disturbing warnings and shadowy sightings reveal that other powerful forces are also closing in: Templars, ISIS operatives, and government intelligence groups, each hiding their own motives for uncovering what the scroll may reveal.

Drawn deeper into a world of danger, deception, and spiritual tension, Masa must navigate hostile territory, shifting alliances, and a truth far more explosive than he ever imagined. As past and present violently intersect, he realizes the stakes extend far beyond archaeology, the secrets of the Copper Scroll could alter geopolitical power and shake the foundations of faith itself.

A blend of international suspense, ancient mystery, and truths long buried beneath history, The Copper Scroll delivers a gripping thriller for fans of Joel Rosenberg, Dan Brown, and archaeological adventure stories rooted in real-world intrigue.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Archaeological Thriller/Suspense/Action Adventure
Sub-genre: International Mystery & Crime
Pages: 230
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 979-8999106025
Publisher: Independent
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook & Kindle Unlimited

⤷Read sample here.

⤷The Copper Scroll is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles, authored by Nicholas Teeguarden, is extraordinary piece of literature that has made a significant impact on me. The last time I felt this level of excitement about a book was while reading the Bible for the first time, a bold comparison, but one that underscores the author’s exceptional God given talent!” – Louise Jane, CEO The Christlit Book Award

“The Copper Scroll is more of a quest for truth than a treasure hunt. I recommend this book to lovers of historical books with a bit of danger, and it put me in the mood to find out about Qumran myself.” – Mary Clarke for Readers Favorite

I’d recommend The Copper Scroll to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries wrapped in modern storytelling. If you like a blend of Indiana Jones energy with a more thoughtful, personal core, this book will hit the right notes. It would appeal to readers curious about archaeology, faith, or just a good chase story where the stakes feel both grand and intimate. It left me thoughtful, a little breathless, and eager to see where Masa’s journey goes next. -Literary Titan

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Ancient Secrets

Modern Thrills

Intriguing Historical Details

Secrets That Connect the Past With the Present

High-Stakes Quest

Keeps You Guessing

The Writer’s Life

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🔥 New Thriller Suspense Book! The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden @nickteeguarden #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-03-10T00:30:00.001-04:00

A lost scroll. A deadly secret. A race across the Middle East—where every clue could be fatal…

*****

Genre: Archaeological Thriller/Suspense/Action Adventure
Sub-genre: International Mystery & Crime
Pages: 230
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 979-8999106025
Publisher: Independent
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook & Kindle Unlimited

⤷Read sample here.

⤷The Copper Scroll is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Ancient Secrets

Modern Thrills

Intriguing Historical Details

Secrets That Connect the Past With the Present

High-Stakes Quest

Keeps You Guessing

Excerpt:

Joshua “Masa” Bennett hummed the Villines Trio’s familiar refrain, “I’m going all the way, I made up my mind…” as he drove toward the University of Arkansas. The song, a staple from his Lincoln church, bookended his commute, its quiet grace a lifeline since his Army days tromping biblical lands. No atheists in foxholes, they say, and Masa carried that faith into civilian life, fueling his master’s in archaeology. Today felt routine, just another class, but a spark flickered beneath it, a path to mysteries buried for centuries, secrets that could shake faith’s foundations. The lecture hall buzzed with late-afternoon chaos. High ceilings arched overhead, intricate moldings catching golden light through tall, narrow windows. Dust motes danced in the beams, stirred by restless students shifting in tiered rows of scarred desks with etched initials, coffee rings, and doodles of bored minds. Chalk dust bit the air, mingling with the musty scent of old books and the hum of flickering fluorescents. At the front, Professor Thaddeus Luke commanded the room, his wiry frame dwarfed by a blackboard scrawled with frantic chalk lines and gray hair flaring like a storm cloud as his voice boomed with passion.

Joshua sat near the back, his lean frame hunched over a desk that creaked under his weight. His leather backpack, a frayed relic from his grandfather’s desert-wandering days, slumped against his leg like a loyal dog. Dark hair fell into his eyes as he scribbled furiously in a notebook already thick with ink: sketches of jagged cave mouths, snatches of Hebrew script, arrows darting between wild theories. Around him, classmates slumped in their seats, some doodling aimlessly, others sneaking glances at their phones beneath the desks. A girl two rows ahead twisted a strand of blonde hair around her finger, whispering to her neighbor with a smirk. Joshua barely noticed. His world was the blackboard, the professor’s words, the tantalizing riddle unfolding before him.

Professor Luke’s chalk scratched against the board as he recited from the Copper Scroll, his tone reverent yet edged with excitement. “Item four: ‘In the cave of the pillar that is in the valley of Achor, which is near the house of the washer, dig three cubits: there are twenty-two talents of silver.’” He paused, turning to face the room, his eyes glinting behind wire-rimmed glasses. “Discovered in cave three at Qumran in 1952, this scroll stands apart from the Dead Sea manuscripts. Sixty-four locations, each a cryptic promise of treasure, not scripture, not prophecy, but a map. A cipher waiting to be cracked.”

– Excerpted from The Copper Scroll, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Visit Nick’s website at www.nickteeguarden.com.

Connect with him at the following social networks:

X: https://twitter.com/nickteeguarden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579248636306

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickteeguarden

BookBub: The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles (The Masa Chronicles Book 1) by Nicholas Teeguarden – BookBub

Goodreads: Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden | Goodreads

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF_TUwTK0lQI0eu6_6QEyYQ/

Sponsored By:

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'A New Dawn' Trina Spillman #AuthorInterview

2026-03-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Trina Spillman to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Trina is the author of the new political thriller/romance, A New Dawn, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Trina Spillman, who also writes under the pen name Selene Greenleaf, crafts both practical witchcraft guides and immersive works of fiction that span romance, magical realism, and contemporary thrillers. Splitting her creative life between Colorado’s mountain landscapes and a growing library of story ideas, she blends current events, folklore, plant magic, and real-world rituals to invite readers into transformative experiences. Under Selene Greenleaf, she’s the author of Witchcraft Essentials: A Modern-Day Guide to Spells, Herbs, and Crystals; Cupid’s Craft: Love Spells for Valentine’s Day; and her forthcoming Plant Magic Encyclopedia: Rituals & Remedies, resources designed to help modern practitioners weave intention and botanical wisdom into everyday life. Writing as Trina Spillman, she’s best known for her engaging fairy tale retellings. Upcoming projects include:

A New Dawn — a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press

Collateral Justice — the powerful sequel to A New Dawn, where a hidden alliance of the world’s elite blurs the line between justice and vengeance.

The Witches of Fablecastle— When a witch hunter’s mirror exposes her forbidden magic, Holly McCool flees through a portal to Fablecastle, only to learn she’s the one destined to stop him from tearing both worlds apart.

The Quantum Hitchhiker’s Guide to Escaping the Matrix — a witty, mind-bending manual on how to hack reality, rewrite your personal code, and manifest with humor, consciousness, and a touch of modern witchcraft.

Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words.

Trina’s latest book is A New Dawn.

Visit her website at https://authortrinaspillman.com.

Connect with her on social media at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortrinaspillman/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18389879.Trina_Spillman

A New Dawn is a political thriller and romance. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

Blending a genuine romance into a high-stakes political thriller was the greater challenge. I wanted the relationship between Ian and James to feel authentic and earned, not symbolic or performative. Too often, gay characters are reduced to stereotypes, either sidelined or flattened into tropes. I was very deliberate about writing them as capable, complex men whose relationship unfolds under pressure, with honesty ultimately prevailing. Making that emotional arc feel plausible within the unforgiving world of politics required careful balance.

Which of the characters from A New Dawn do you most closely identify with and why?

I see pieces of myself in several characters. There’s Alex, the sharp, fearless woman who understands how to dismantle a corrupt system from the inside. That kind of strategic courage is something I deeply admire. And then there’s Ian, an ordinary man suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances, with no roadmap and no preparation, yet rising to the moment anyway. Writing characters like these requires tapping into lived experiences of fear, resilience, and adaptability so readers can recognize themselves in the struggle.

What do you think sets A New Dawn apart from other books in the same genre?

The pacing and structure. I wrote the book cinematically, with momentum always at the forefront. I’m less interested in ornamental description and more focused on movement, consequence, and tension. The story unfolds visually and quickly, like a film, which keeps the reader engaged and mirrors the urgency of the political world the characters are navigating.

W Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

The downfall of the President and Vice President. Let’s just say there’s a moment involving wordplay between “dessert” and “desert” that delivers a very darkly satisfying payoff.

What season does your book take place?

Primarily summer, transitioning into fall and winter as the campaign intensifies.

What locations does your book take place in?

New Orleans and Washington, DC.

Do you think writing a political thriller with a romantic storyline is more complex than writing other genres?

I’ve always gravitated toward genre-blending. Combining genres adds complexity, but it also allows for deeper storytelling. It creates space to explore power, love, and truth from unexpected angles.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on The Witches of Fablecastle, a prequel that explores the historical persecution of women labeled as witches simply for refusing to conform. It introduces readers to the origins of Fablecastle and sets the foundation for the larger world. The story expands on themes of autonomy, fear, and resistance, and leads directly into The Fablecastle Chronicles, which is an award-winning novel available through major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A catastrophic explosion at a New Orleans convention hall critically injures presidential nominee James Sinclair and ignites a national crisis. Attorney Ian McCullough soon uncovers evidence tying the attack to Vice President Jay Buckley, who has orchestrated a false-flag EMP event to mimic a Chinese assault and destabilize the country for his own rise to power. With the economy collapsing, industries crippled, and global alliances shifting against the United States, Buckley intends to weaponize fear, chaos, and national confusion to consolidate control. Secret recordings obtained by Lee Chang confirm collusion between the administration, foreign officials, and powerful tech interests. The evidence is strong enough to expose the conspiracy if Ian can deliver it safely.

Determined to return to Washington, Ian turns to naval commander Sean Hennessey and asks for a plane. Their strained past reignites when Ian finally admits how deeply Sean’s emotional withdrawal wounded him, especially after concealing the deaths of Ian’s mother, brother, and sister-in-law. Despite the unresolved pain between them, Sean agrees to help. With presidential immunity shielding those in power and time working against him, Ian risks everything to expose the conspiracy, protect James, and prevent the nation from descending into manufactured chaos.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Political Thriller/Romance
Sub-genre: Conspiracy Thrillers
Language:English
Pages: 224
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 978-1509264698
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

⤷ A New Dawn is available at Amazon at https://a.co/d/7vJUkhy.

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Suspense

Romance

Betrayal

Political

High Stakes

Emotional

Page Turner

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Welcome Sign' Barbara Jean Weber #AuthorInterview

2026-03-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today we welcome Barbara Jean Weber to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Barbara is the author of the new YA fantasy novel, The Welcome Sign, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Barbara Jean Weber lives in Skagit County with her husband and two daughters, where she works as a speech and language therapist. Her novel, The Welcome Sign, was inspired when she was gifted a mermaid welcome sign. The more she studied the sign, the more her story evolved. She is currently an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Visit her website at https://www.barbarajeanweber.com/.

The Welcome Sign gives us magical characters and hidden magical realms. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The magical characters were probably the more challenging to write about. I wanted my characters to be unique, powerful but also relatable so I did a lot of work on crafting each of the characters with different personalities, powers, etc. Characters have many layers and can be very complex so finding the right balance for each of the characters personalities, how they fit together in the story, importance to the plot, etc was time consuming but also very gratifying.

Which of the characters from The Welcome Sign do you most closely identify with and why?

Each of the characters has something about them that I identify with but I also wrote my characters to be unique and different. If I had to choose one character, Molly is probably the character I most identify with. She owns a cat, we have 2 cats. She is very close with her mom. I was very close to my mom as well. Molly is intrigued and fascinated with magic and magical beings. I love fantasy stories and enjoy reading books or watching movies about magical beings, magic, realms of magic, etc. Molly is a good friend who is honest, kind and friendly. I believe that I also possess those character traits. We all have our faults and Molly isn't perfect but she is very relatable and interesting. She has struggles and insecurities common to most10 year olds, striving to be independent but also being close to her family. I have two kids who are also going through the struggles to be independent but still be close. I hope Molly will make audiences cheer for her success as she makes new magical friends, battles bad guys and helps save the magical realm.

What do you think sets The Welcome Sign apart from other books of the same genre?

The Welcome Sign is a unique story with an interesting origin and fun plot twists. The characters and magical powers are new and interesting. It's a fun, magical story for young-middle teen readers who enjoy hidden worlds of enchantment, magical powers, interesting characters, strong friendships, adventure and imaginative and emotionally engaging stories. The Welcome Sign is a balance between personal growth and magical adventure. It is full of good versus evil, intrigue and action. This book will delight and entertain readers who enjoy unique and magical characters, secrets to be revealed and discovering amazing new places. It is a page turner with lots of twists and turns. The Welcome Sign aligns with readers expectations for middle-grade fantasy. If you appreciate fun, adventure stories with lots of action, this book will be a fun one to read.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

I think something that will surprise you and readers is learning about the truth behind Molly's grandmothers disappearance and how far up her involvement goes within the magical realm. She has kept a lot of secrets from her family and the true shocking nature of her daily life and background is eventually revealed to Molly and her mom.

What season does your book take place?

The story takes place in the fall.

What location does your book take place?

At the beginning of the story Molly and her mom are living in Popular Bluff, Missouri but as the story unfolds the location changes to the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts on Cape Cod where the grandmother lives. As I was researching good locations for the book I read about Popular Bluff, Missouri and really liked the description of it being among the Ozark foothills, filled with spring-fed streams, having a national forest, peaceful lakes and lots of farmland. Just seemed like a nice, peaceful location for Molly and Angela's home. For the main part of the story, I knew I wanted a coastal location since the basis of the story involved mermaids. Also, my husband and I both love the coast and try to visit our Oregon and Washington coasts at least once a year. I visited Cape Cod years ago and loved the area. I had never been to Barnstable, Massachusetts but as I was researching the Cape Cod area, Barnstable sounded like the perfect small town, coastal feel for the grandmother's beachfront lifestyle.

Do you think writing a young adult fantasy is more complex than writing books of other genres?

I think it depends on the person. Most people will write about genres that interest them or that they have experience with reading. I have a big interest for fantasy books so writing in this genre came fairly easy for me as I have read a lot of books in that area. I would find it more complex to write books of other genre's such as a historical novel or a cook book, etc because that's not a format or genre that I have an interest in writing about. People will likely find it easier to write about things within their interest or things they are familiar with.

What’s next for you?

I am a full time speech language therapist so I will continue to work. As far as writing goes I have several projects in various stages. The Welcome Sign is supposed to be a series of 3 books. I have book 2 written but not published yet and book 3 is still in outline form so I am continuing to work and develop that into a finished piece. I am also working on finishing a fiction book (not related to The Welcome Sign) I started co-writing with my mom before she passed away. I also have an outline I am working on for another book (also not related to The Welcome Sign) called "The Cinderella Effect."

When 10-year-old Molly Parnell’s grandmother mysteriously disappears she and her mother travel to Cape Cod to take ownership of the house they inherited and find out answers about the sudden disappearance. But what they discover could be more dangerous and life changing than they ever imaged. Molly and her mother find a beautiful mermaid welcome sign in the attic and place it on the front door. Unusual things start to happen and they are flooded with visitors who claim they knew the grandmother. The true powers behind the mysterious sign are revealed as Molly learns her grandmother was part of a secret organization working to keep balance between the magical realm and the real world. The magical realms placed an invisible veil of secrecy over the world to hide their true identities from the human world but allowing them to live among them in secret. An angry rebel group of magical beings, tired of living in hiding is tearing down and destroying the magical cloaking fabric between the two worlds. If they are not stopped the magical realm will no longer be safe from the world. As Molly and her mom embark on a dangerous and magical adventure throughout the magical realms to help stop the rebels, she learns of her own magical powers and her strong family heritage connected to the welcome sign. Along the way, she teams up with new magical friends helping to keep the realm of magic safe from the eyes of the world and discovers that her grandmother was right all along. The world she thought she knew no longer exists, but an amazing world of magic woven into their world has always been hiding in plain sight.

Read sample here.

The Welcome Sign is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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🔥 New Children's Book! Evan's Gift by Karen Charles @karenra24229683 #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-02-17T00:00:00.003-05:00

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others.

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, "Evan's Gift" celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.

Genre:children's fiction
Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
Age Range (years):5 - 12
Language:English
Pages: 48
Paperback ISBN:9798317824341

Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.

About the Author

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com.

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sponsored By:

🔥 Hot New YA Fantasy! The Welcome Sign by Barbara Jean Weber #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-02-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

After finding a beautiful mermaid welcome sign, a young girl encounters a hidden and wondrous magical realm filled with magical characters, unlikely new friends and embarks on a dangerous quest to save the world from evil and restore the balance between the real world and the magical realm...

Genre: YA Fantasy
Sub-genre: Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism Fiction
Language: English
Pages: 218
Paperback ISBN: 979-8350987287

Read sample here.

The Welcome Sign is available at Amazon.

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

CRYSTAL PERKINS SLIPPED INTO HER OFFICE AND LOOKED carefully down the hallway. It was shortly after 8:00 p.m., and the office was dark and deserted. The only staff remaining was the cleaning crew. She threw one last look around the hallway and nervously shut the door quickly behind her. She glanced out the window, closed the blinds, and turned on the small desk lamp.

Crystal slumped down in her chair and unfolded the newspaper on her desk. She ran her hand anxiously through her short, curly black hair. She couldn’t believe all of this was happening so quickly. Things were totally out of control, and she didn’t know how they were going to fix them. Sighing deeply, she glanced at the article in bold print and reached for the phone. She continued to stare at the front page of the newspaper as she frantically dialed the numbers on the phone. In bold print on the first page of the newspaper were these words: “More Unusual Sightings of Strange Creatures: An Elaborate Hoax or Fact?”

“Warren, it’s Crystal. Have you seen the newspaper today? There have been more sightings!” Her voice was shaky and worried. “It’s getting too overwhelming!” She ran a hand across her forehead.

“Crystal! Calm down. I have my people looking into this right now on my end,” a deep voice replied. “Have you questioned the witnesses yet? Are their stories credible? Are you—” he asked with a concerned tone but stopped suddenly.

“Yes, of course I have investigated all of the local reports and followed up on all the new leads regarding the sightings! Besides, Warren, that is my job. Isn’t that why you put me in the position of investigative reporter in the first place? Plus, Warren, like you. I know the real story. She paused with a deep sigh. “But Warren, there are too many! I can’t keep up. Warren, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Crystal, do you hear that humming sound in the handset? I’m not sure this is a secure line! Quick, call me on the other line!” There was a click and the line instantly went dead. Crystal dug deep in her purse and pulled out a small pearl-colored compact. The circular device shimmered as she turned it in her hands. She quickly scanned the room to make sure she was alone. Flipping open the compact, Crystal dropped in five small glowing bead-like objects from a long, clear vial she had also removed from her purse. She breathed over them, and instantly they broke apart into smaller pieces. She pushed a button on the side of the compact, and the glowing objects began to melt and formed a glowing, watery substance. Crystal dipped her finger in, swirling it slowly in a clockwise direction. Slowly the glowing substance rose out of the compact in a funnel shape and expanded out to form a lighted, liquid screen about ten inches in length. Through a shimmery haze Warren’s face appeared in the watery screen. He spoke in a low voice.

“Is it safe to talk here?” he asked quietly. Crystal nodded. “Yeah, it’s late. There shouldn’t be anyone else here. Everyone has gone home. I think the only people that are here now are the cleaning crew.”

“We must be absolutely sure! There is too much at stake here. I think your office phone may be bugged. We can’t speak on the regular line anymore, understand?” Warren warned. “As my number one investigative reporter, YOU are in charge of making the witness’s stories sound ridiculous, and it’s your job to discredit the reports inthe papers. Under no circumstances can we let the real story get out. EVER! It’s important that we keep the truth hidden. I’ve got others strategically placed in these roles around the world doing the very same jobs. Don’t make me think I picked the wrong person for this job, Crystal!”

Crystal nodded. “You did pick the right person for the job. You know Warren, it’s getting harder to cover this up.” Crystal ran a hand slowly across her forehead and through her hair. “Wait, Warren,” she stammered. Hearing a noise in the hall, Crystal stood up and approached the door. “Warren, hold on. I heard something.” She listened quietly, cracked open the door, and peered into the darkened hallway. The light from her office made dark shadows dance along the walls as she opened the door. Silently and unseen, a tall, slender figure slid the toe of his shoe into the dark shadows, pulled his body tighter against the wall, and held his breath. Crystal glanced around, and when she was convinced no one was there, she closed the door quietly. “I’m losing my mind, Warren. I’m sure I just heard footsteps in the hallway.”

“Calm down! Don’t be so jumpy, Crystal. You’ve got to hold it together! It was probably just the cleaners. Now is not the time to lose it. You’ve got to keep your head clear,” Warren stated authoritatively.

“Warren, there’s something else. I think I’m being followed. I swear I keep seeing the same car—”

Warren cut her off with, “Don’t panic. I’ll get someone over there for your protection and to keep an eye on you. They should be there in the morning. Just stay focused and on task. We can’t let this get out of control, understand? We won’t let anything happen to you!”

“Our paper wants to run a similar article as what the witnesses are saying,” she whispered. “And Warren, I’m looking at a press release that they want sent out as soon as possible. The witnesses sound very credible this time . . . I’m having a hard time covering this up. Warren, what do we do? There are too many sightings. More and more are coming in every week, and I’m running out of creative ways to cover them up! We need to get this stopped RIGHT NOW! I need some serious help from your end!” Crystal stammered nervously.

“I know! I know,” Warren nodded. “We’re doing all we can over here. We’re trying to find out who’s responsible so we can stop them. You just keep doing the best you can. We’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Whatever you do . . . Keep the secret hidden. It’s imperative that we continue to keep this under control. We’ve been able to keep this hidden for a long time, and I’m not about to let the secret loose now. We must keep covering this up! And we need to do it quickly! We’ll talk in a few days. Warren out!”

The liquid screen started swirling slowly, gradually picking up speed and ultimately dissolving back into a sparkling funnel shape and descending into the compact. All that was left in the compact were several glowing bead-like objects. Crystal held the compact out and blew at the objects. The bead-like objects instantly disintegrated into a fine powder and were swept away without a trace. Crystal snapped the compact shut, shoving it back in her purse. This wasn’t going to be easy. Warren had given her the tough job of keeping their identify safe. Although there had been sporadic incidents here and there, their secret had been kept safe for nearly three centuries.

Why was it getting harder now while she was the investigative reporter? Things were skyrocketing out of control at a rate faster than she could handle.

Crystal had known Warren Tracer ever since she was a little girl. He was a dear family friend. They had all been true believers, and when Crystal was old enough to know the secret, she was brought into the circle of trust. As she grew older, she had seen more of Warren and learned about his unbelievable secret. Warren Tracer hadn’t always been Warren Tracer. His original name was Whalen Marks, and although he was not a magical being, he possessed great magical powers.

In his younger years, he and her father had been with the Special Forces for the military. During a particularly secretive mission, a trap had been set, and the mission had gone terribly wrong. Everyone had been reported dead. However, the real events of the mission had never been revealed.

All Crystal knew was that Warren, her father, and several of the men had made an amazing discovery on that day. The mission had indeed gone horribly wrong, but several of the Special Forces men had been rescued. Crystal suspected that Warren and his men had made contact with beings of the magical realm. Warren rarely spoke of the events of that day, but she knew better than anyone that Warren was a true believer. Something remarkable had happened to him and his men, but no one knew exactly what that was. Just that it was remarkable and life changing.

Warren had eventually changed his identity, becoming Warren Tracer, and begun working undercover for the magical realm. When her father died several years later, Warren had stepped in as a replacement. He had been family from the beginning, so to accept him as a father figure wasn’t difficult.

Eventually, Crystal had been approached to work for Warren in helping keep their secret safe. There was nothing more in the world that Crystal wanted than to help out her new friends. She’d jumped at the chance to work undercover at the newspaper and keep Warren up to speed on all the local sightings. It was a dream come true. Warren and the others didn’t disappoint her, and she loved her job. She had been working with the newspaper for over eleven years now, but of late, she was finding it harder and harder to hide the truth.

Crystal hoped Warren would find those that were responsible for the tears in the fabric and stop them. They would need a lot of help if they were going to keep the secret safe this time. As she sighed heavily and slumped back in her chair, she caught a quick glimpse of movement to her side. Startled, Crystal looked up suddenly. There had been more noises that she was sure weren’t made by the cleaning crew. In a flash Crystal stood up, knocking her chair to the floor. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, two tall, shadowy figures flung open the door, bolted from her office, and were joined by a third in the hallway. They had heard everything. In the wrong hands, the information that she’d conveyed to Warren could prove very dangerous. As she grabbed for the compact in a frantic panic, the three figures dashed from the building at an astonishingly fast speed and vanished without a trace silently into the night.

– Excerpted from The Welcome Sign by Barbara Jean Weber, BookBaby, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Visit her website at https://www.barbarajeanweber.com/.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Mercy's Peril' Virginia Barlow #AuthorInterview

2026-02-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

Today we welcome Virginia Barlow to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Virginia is the author of the new historical western romance from The Wild Rose Press, Mercy's Peril, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Virginia Barlow has been a dreamer her whole life. She loves reading, traveling, and roses. She will dive headfirst into any romance she can get her hands on in any genre. Although her first love is Regency Romance and always will be. Something about the era calls to her soul like a siren’s song rising from the depths.

She writes richly layered historical romance infused with intrigue, drawing readers into worlds of aristocratic scandal, hidden bargains, dangerous desire, and women who refuse to remain pawns in other people’s games. Her heroines are intelligent, resilient, and quietly defiant; her heroes carry honor, guilt, and a capacity for devotion that cuts deep. Beneath the silk gowns and rigid rules of society, Virginia’s stories explore freedom, longing, and the cost of choosing one’s own heart.

Known for her sensual yet elegant prose, Virginia favors emotional tension over excess, intimate moments over spectacle, and romance that simmers before it ignites. Her work often weaves together family secrets, shadowed power brokers, and high-stakes love, where a single kiss can be as dangerous as a duel.

The most important thing in Virginia’s life is her family, and spending time with them. When she is not bouncing a grandbaby in her arms or handing out popsicles, she is writing and dreaming up her next story. Virginia has published sixteen romance novels with another two on the way and has half a dozen more circling inside her head, eager to make their debut.

Her latest book, Mercy’s Peril, is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Visit her website at www.virginia-barlow.com.

Connect with her on these social networks:

Mercy’s Peril offers Civil War drama and historical western romance. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The Civil War elements were the most challenging, without question. Writing romance allows me to lean into emotion, intimacy, and connection, but weaving in the weight of war required a different kind of responsibility. I wanted to honor the trauma, loss, and moral complexity of the era without overwhelming the love story. Balancing authentic historical pain with hope and healing was delicate and deeply meaningful.

Which of the characters from Mercy’s Peril do you most closely identify with and why?

I identify most with Mercy. Her resilience, her determination to protect those she loves, and her refusal to let her past define her future resonate with me on a very personal level. Mercy carries quiet strength. The kind that grows from endurance rather than bravado, and I think many women will recognize pieces of themselves in her journey.

What do you think sets Mercy’s Peril apart from other books of the same genre?

At its heart, Mercy’s Peril is not just a romance. It’s a story about survival, secrets, and the cost of loyalty. The emotional stakes run just as high as the romantic ones. I weave mystery, danger, and layered backstories into the love story, so readers aren’t just watching two people fall in love. They’re uncovering truths, facing consequences, and watching wounded souls learn to trust again.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Without spoiling anything, I’ll say this: a revelation comes to light that completely redefines what one of the main characters thought they knew about their family, and their own past. It’s the kind of moment that makes you stop, reread the page, and whisper, Wait… what? It changes everything moving forward.

What season does your book take place?

The story unfolds primarily in winter and into early spring. I love that transitional season, when the air shifts, tensions rise, and change feels inevitable. It mirrors the emotional arc of the characters beautifully.

What location does your book take place?

Mercy’s Peril is set primarily in post-Civil-War New York and Richmond, Virginia. These locations allowed me to explore both the physical and emotional aftermath of the war, from rebuilding lives to confronting long-buried secrets. The contrast between the two settings adds depth and texture to the story.

Do you think writing a historical western romance is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Absolutely. You’re not just telling a love story. You are stepping into another world entirely. Every detail matters: language, customs, social rules, and historical accuracy. At the same time, you have to make the characters feel modern in their emotional truth so readers can connect with them. It’s a beautiful challenge, but it demands both research and heart.

What’s next for you?

I’m continuing to build out the world of the Calhan Brides series, diving deeper into interconnected stories, secrets, and romances. Each book reveals more about the larger tapestry of the family and their pasts. I am always dreaming up new historical worlds. because once you fall in love with writing history and romance together, it’s impossible to stop.

When Mercy Jackson slips into Calhan Shipping under cover of darkness, she expects to steal a secret and disappear. What she doesn’t expect is Connor Calhan, a man as dangerous as he is relentless. Mercy has one mission: to expose a killer, protect her family, and vanish before anyone uncovers her true identity. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the lies become, and the more drawn she is to the man who stands in her way. Connor is determined to unmask The Phantom, a traitor hiding in plain sight. But Mercy’s arrival threatens everything. Her secrets run deep, and her presence stirs a past Connor cannot outrun.

Mercy’s Peril is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

If you like:

Historical Romance

Civil War Drama

︎ Enemies to Lovers

Happily Ever After

You’ll love this book!

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Artsy Rambler' Evy Journey #AuthorInterview

2026-02-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

Today we welcome Evy Journey to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Evy is the author of the new nonfiction/art/travel book, Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Evy Journey writes. Stories. Blogs (three sites). Cross-genre novels. She’s also a wannabe artist, and a flâneuse (an ambler).

Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D. University of Illinois) initially to help her understand herself and Dostoevsky. Now, she spins tales about nuanced multicultural characters negotiating separate realities. She believes in love and its many faces.

Just as she has crossed genres in writing fiction, she has also crossed cultures, having lived and traveled in various cities in different countries. Find her thoughts on travel, art, and food at Artsy Rambler.

She has one ungranted wish: to live in Paris where art is everywhere and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She visits and stays a few months when she can.

Evy’s latest book is Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond.

Visit her website at https://evyjourney.net.

Connect with her on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evictoriajourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveonalimb2

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evy-journey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14845365.Evy_Journey

The Arrangement offers French travel, impressionism and the transformative power of art. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The art—from gothic cathedrals to Picasso’s Guernica (a cubist painting) and understanding what they mean to me and the world around us.

Which part of Artsy Rambler was the most fun to write about?

The socializing—much of which was spontaneous. It was fun and enlightening to meet the “natives.”

What do you think sets Artsy Rambler apart from other books of the same genre?

The concept embodied in Mindful Journeys. This is not your typical travelogue, nor a recounting of sights seen from the usual “tourist gaze.” It also includes wandering off the beaten path and allowing yourself to get lost in a place to discover something new to you.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

We all have different life histories so what might make your “mouth drop” might be different. Anyway, for me, there were several—there’s always something unexpected and surprising when you venture into a different culture. One such experience in Paris was my first time going into a cheese shop with hundreds of different kinds of cheeses. And being invited to press a round of cheese to see how soft it was. At home, it’s hands-off for most edible merchandise unless you’re buying it. Also, in that shop, sellers dressed in white “lab coats.”

Do you think writing a nonfiction about art and travel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

It’s not. For me, anyway. I did research about places and events for the fiction I’ve written. Sometimes quite extensively; for instance, in The Shade Under the Mango Tree, I read a lot, even interviewed someone about living in Cambodia and surviving the Khmer Rouge genocide. I had taken a few art and art history classes in the past that helped in writing Artsy Rambler. One thing I like about writing a book is I always learn something new.

What’s next for you?

Quite likely, back to fiction.

Experience the transformative power of art when you see the rich and vibrant city of Paris through the eyes of a mindful artsy traveler. From the light-inspired grandeur of Gothic cathedrals and the fresh beauty of Impressionism, sinuous forms that speak to our innate sense of beauty, and the rare library that helps one define oneself; to the role of French cuisine and cultural events in shaping the city’s uniqueness, this collection of essays will take you on a journey of discovery and self-reflection.

Amidst the charm and allure of Paris and its art, questions arise and conflicts are explored. Can art truly enrich our understanding of life? Can it help extricate us from constantly waging wars? And how does a urinal become a symbol of controversy that challenges our conception of art?

If you enjoyed “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway, this thought-provoking and sometimes meditative collection of essays will unveil the beauty and complexity of the world around you by unleashing the power of art as you satisfy your wanderlust.

Read sample here.

Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond is available at Amazon.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Arrangement' S.D. Lettie #AuthorInterview

2026-02-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome S.D. Lettie to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! S.D. is the author of the new adult romantic suspense, The Arrangement, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Bestselling author Kathleen Shoop, PhD writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and more. You can find Kathleen in person at various venues. She’s on the board of the Kerr Memorial Museum, teaches at writing/reader conferences, co-coordinates Mindful Writers Retreats and writing conferences, and gives talks at various book clubs, libraries, and historical societies.

Visit her website at www.kshoop.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok and Goodreads.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

The Arrangement offers forced engagement, buried truths and politics. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

Definitely the buried truths. I could go down a whole rabbit hole with that. Book One has a lot of twists, and I wanted each one to add real depth to the story. Imagine being in Emilia’s shoes - you grow up in the D.C. political circuit, you know how the game works, and you think nothing can shock you. And then BAM… twist. And just when the reader thinks they’ve settled in, I throw another one at them. It’s the part that was the most challenging to write, but also the most fun. Even if readers end up yelling at me for it.

Which of the characters from The Arrangement do you most closely identify with and why?

The obvious answer is Emilia, but honestly, the character I relate to the most is Thalia. She’s basically my inner voice on the page. She’s crass in the most authentic way, she doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and she says the things most people only think. She’s that ride-or-die best friend every woman deserves.

What do you think sets The Arrangement apart from other books of the same genre?

Honestly? The politics. I’m a huge espionage/CIA/FBI nerd, so setting the story in D.C. felt like playing in my dream sandbox. My husband grew up there, and when we visited, I was obsessed - not just with the history but with the sense that every aspect of the city is built on secrets.

What makes The Arrangement different is how grounded it is. The university may not exist by name, but elite private schools like it definitely do. And the characters feel real because they’re dealing with things we actually see in the news: political scandals, corruption, powerful families, organized crime. I didn’t invent a fantasy world; I built something that could absolutely happen. Readers can put themselves in Emilia’s shoes - or Thalia’s, or Nikolai’s - because the stakes feel real.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Veronica Langford - Emilia’s mother - has a moment in the book that I think will catch readers off guard. It shouldn’t be shocking given what we already know about her, but for Emilia, it’s a punch to the gut. It’s one of those scenes where a lot of things finally click into place for her… and not in a good way.

What season does your book take place?

It takes place at the end of summer going into fall. The story is set in modern day and follows Emilia through her senior year at Bancroft University.

What location does your book take place?

Primarily Washington D.C., with some scenes set in Virginia.

Do you think writing a romantic suspense is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Yes and no. Romantic suspense can be more complicated because my book is a slow burn, and a lot of romance readers want things to kick off fast - kissing, touching, all of it. But that’s not my style.

I like the long game. I think it feels more real. Most relationships don’t go from zero to a hundred overnight, and I wanted Emilia and Nikolai’s dynamic to grow naturally. If someone picks up my book hoping the FMC and MMC are jumping into bed by chapter one, they’re going to be disappointed.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually - book two definitely has room for more heat - but book one is about setting the stage. It covers about three months of Emilia’s senior year, so the pacing reflects that.

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m working on Book 2 of the Bancroft University Chronicles duet, which should be out in April 2026. A lot of people have asked if the side characters will get their own books, and honestly, I love that idea, so it’s a real possibility. Emilia and Niko’s story might end, but the world doesn’t have to.

And on top of that, I’ve started outlining a brand-new series in a totally different romance genre. So yes, more books are coming!

You know that guy you fell for at sixteen—the one who vanished without explanation, leaving behind enough damage to last years? Now imagine being forced into an engagement with him because your parents decided you’re more useful as leverage than as a daughter.

And the part he forgot to mention? He’s heir to a Bratva empire with blood on its hands.

That’s Emilia’s life. Her future is not her own, and her fiancé, Nikolai Volkov, is a man whose silence is more dangerous than his words. Their past is a wound. Their engagement is a threat. And what grows between them is something neither of them should let happen.

The Arrangement is a dark, slow-burn story of buried truths, political corruption, and a connection that pulls two damaged people toward a collision neither may survive unscathed.

Read sample.

The Arrangement is available at Amazon.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality' John Beilharz #AuthorInterview

2026-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome John Beilharz to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! John is the author of the new nonfiction memoir, Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

As a Ph.D. in psychology, John Beilharz has had an illustrious career in various fields. From practicing as a therapist to teaching at a junior college, he eventually founded his successful marketing and advertising firm. Yet, despite his success in these endeavors, John has always been drawn to the art of storytelling.

Through his memoirs, John shares his life experiences in a poignant and captivating way. This collection of short stories is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring resilience of the human soul.

His latest book is Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality.

You can visit his website at https://jbadvertising.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/John-Beilharz-Author/61573799214000/.

Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process. How did you come up with the idea to write your book?

I’ve always loved telling stories drawn from my own life experiences. Over the years, friends and loved ones repeatedly encouraged me to write them down as a memoir. It took time and I’m grateful I kept journals, but eventually everything came together. Writing Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality was a deeply meaningful experience. It brought both closure and a flood of warm memories, allowing me to revisit and make sense of an important chapter of my life.

Can you give us a short excerpt?

Darkness started coming on quickly, and with every stitch of darkness came more anxiety. I admitted to myself that I didn't like this at all. I wished I could go to sleep and just wake up with the bright sun on my face. Well! It wasn't going that way. Sitting against a tree beside the fire, my mind wandered everywhere. I tried to calm myself down and stay in the moment in peace, but damn if I could do it.

After several hours of being wide awake, I heard noises in the forest. Animals were walking around, and I heard one snort. I heard some splashing and slurping down by the creek, and it dawned on me that I had set up a camp right on the animal path that went to the creek for watering. These nocturnal animals probably were pissed that they had to walk around me, and I didn't blame them. I heard some rather large animals moving within a couple feet of me and wondered if they were a bear or a boar.

I was so nervous I did not want to leave the fire to even take a pee. I was paralyzed. I stoked the fire as it felt like my only friend and protector. As the flames grew, they projected light onto the surrounding forest. Instantly, I heard a rather large stomp and looked up behind me, and I swear I saw a large hairy leg walk by. Now I was convinced that Big Foot was up there watching me. I could feel him penetrating my thoughts. I was so scared that I went into a dream-like trance. It was so real and in the moment.

What part of the book was the most fun to write?

The part of the book I most enjoyed writing and also found the most painful to revisit was my time in a Mexican jail. As I wrote, everything came rushing back: the sounds, the smells, the constant, unnerving tension. Yet within that darkness, I also remembered the beauty of the angels who appeared when I needed them most and helped release me from the grip of that insanity.

What’s one fact about your book that would surprise people?

One fact that would surprise many readers is just how close I came to spending years in a Mexican federal prison. It’s sobering to realize that, if not for an angel who intervened at exactly the right moment, I might still be there all these years later.

What other books are you working on and when will they be published?

I am currently completing my second book, a science fiction novel, titled,” Belief Trap, a thought-provoking exploration of a community at the intersection of mysticism, human connection, and the quest for transcendence. Set in a fictional town rooted in deep spiritual traditions, the story follows Mark and his circle of friends, known as the Seers, who have the unique ability to cross into a dimension called Omnia. Omnia is a realm of pure love and interconnected consciousness, where individual egos fade away and all souls communicate as one.

As Mark and the Seers help guide others from their world into Omnia, the narrative delves into themes of faith, betrayal, and the human yearning for a deeper sense of purpose. Conflicts arise as rival religious groups and government misunderstand Omnia’s message, and the community must find ways to convey the true essence of empathy and love. The story weaves personal struggles with a broader spiritual journey, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the possibility of a world where unity triumphs over division.

Finally, is there a message you’re trying to get across with your book?

The message of the book is simple but hard-earned: we all have dreams, but the path to them is often far more difficult than we expect. What matters most isn’t always whether the dream comes true exactly as we imagined, but who we become in the process of chasing it. The struggle, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt shape us in ways success alone never could. This book is about honoring that journey—and finding meaning even when the dream comes at a cost.

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Cinder Bella' Kathleen Shoop #AuthorInterview

2025-12-11T09:19:00.008-05:00

Today we welcome Kathleen Shoop to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Kathleen is the author of the new historical fiction, Cinder Bella, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Visit her website at www.kshoop.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok and Goodreads.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full time author?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was kid, but I didn’t write my first novel until I had finished my PhD dissertation and my mind was freed up for a bit of fun! That was around 1998 and I’ve been writing novels ever since. Having kids, being diagnosed with MS, and my husband, Bill’s, travel for work schedule shifted my professional life from academia to writing from home. My first book, The Last Letter, launched in 2011 and 20+ books have followed. I do write full time but I also teach workshops, classes, have co-coordinated the PennWriters Conference and Mindful Writers Retreats, and more. I try to keep writing at the center of my work life but it’s important to layer in other aspects of the creative world for lots of reasons!

Can you tell us about Cinder Bella?

Cinder Bella is the third holiday book I wrote and it is such a fun one. Set in 1893 during the bank collapses, financial panic, and eight month Gilded Age Depression (okay, that set up isn’t “fun”…) this novel brings to life the goodness that emerges at the holidays even when people are at their lowest. It features found family, a sweet romance, and draws from some real life oddities that were common in America at the time. It evolved from a tiny story about a young woman who saves a man’s life and he repays her by letting her live in his barn. He owns an estate and Bella Darling is ecstatic to take him up on his offer. Once I’d written the little version showing how Bella rescued Mr. Westminster, the characters kept returning to my mind, demanding to have their story more fully told.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Here’s a little insight into the two main characters:

Bella Darling never had anything.

Bartholomew Baines lost everything.

Together they create a Christmas to remember.

While Bartholomew’s character is drawn from a bit of a Scrooge archetype, he develops into so much more. Likewise, though there are threads of the classic Cinderella in Bella’s character, she does not require a man to rescue her. Both are wounded but resilient and each brings something to the larger group of people who end up staying at the estate during the Christmas holidays. All of the squatters are down on their luck in one way or another and as ensemble casts do, each brings limitations and gifts that create conflict, a little chaos, and loads of magic.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

Cinder Bella is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in an area called Shadyside. At one point Pittsburgh had more millionaires that anywhere in the country including New York. With the steel, iron, glass, and engineering industries centered in Pittsburgh, money was found and lost daily. In 1893 there weren’t banking and stock market guardrails built into our financial systems and people could lose everything they owned easily. And there weren’t credit cards or insured checking and savings accounts to count on when things turned bad. Most people could not sustain their lifestyle if a crisis occured. So, this story, is perfectly set within the opulance of a Shadyside estate (Maple Grove) where a millionaire and his family live. Though, for most of the story they are overseas running from their financial difficulties and so the empty house is homebase for Bella and the crew who end up staying there when their boarding house burns down. For Bella, she has a knack for getting spent hens to lay eggs that make the most wonderful foods people have ever tasted, even mending struggling marriages. Everyone in town has to have them and she sells them at market. Drawing from one of the odd things I dug up about that time period, Bella writes messages, empties some eggs, and puts messages into the shells, hoping to draw the attention of the perfect person to create a life with.

People did this — sent messages across the country in eggs! One girl did this and asked for a dolly for Christmas and the reciever of the special egg sent her one! So fun little things like this play into the story and the magic the characters make while living together. So while there are elements of Bella that call to mind the classic Cinderella, she is a commanding force in her life, looking for love, but not necessarily a life of luxury.

How can people benefit from reading Cinder Bella?

It’s a warm, humorous, story that brings all the best of the holiday season to the page. There are trials and sad points of course, but it’s a reminder that building a life is so much more than aquiring money — though resources are important — the magic of the Christmas season goes far beyond material gifts.

Is Cinder Bella your only book?

Cinder Bella is book 3 in the ’Tis the Season Collection (a mix of contemporary and historical fiction and all are standalones). I’ve written over 20 books and some are embeded in larger series but I always try to write them so they can be read in any order. Boxing Day is also a Christmas story that is set in the town of Donora which is the thread that ties the Donora Story Collection together (can be read in any order). And there’s a collection of tiny holiday stories in a book called Holly and the Christmas Tree — perfect for reading a little bit each night while sipping wine or hot chocolate.

Thank you so much for this interview, Kathleen. What’s next for you?

My latest big book (weedy historical fiction to savor!) is at the copy editor so when January hits, I’ll be back at that one. It’s called Imperial Girl and it’s set in St. Petersburg, Russia 1909–1917. Mila is studying ballet at the Imperial Ballet School and she’s tremendously talented, but of course that’s not enough to pave an easy path through life.

Where to purchase the book:

https://books.apple.com/us/author/kathleen-shoop/id550901410

https://www.mysterylovers.com

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Kathleen%20Shoop%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=kathleen+shoop&fcadultcontentallowed=true&fclanguages=en&ssid=FVqbKr2gsrXalk0bOmHGF&sid=fcefd769-7e03-4420-846f-a1cf5501b412

Where to find Kathleen:

http://kshoop.com (newsletter sign up!)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057696591811

https://www.instagram.com/kathleenshoop

She never had anything.

He lost everything.

Together they create a Christmas to remember.

December, 1893–Shadyside, Pennsylvania

Bella Darling lives in a cozy barn at Maple Grove, an estate owned by industrialist Archibald Westminster. The Westminster family is stranded overseas and have sent word to relieve all employees of their duties except Margaret, the pregnant maid, James the butler, and Bella. Content with borrowed books and a toasty home festooned with pine boughs and cinnamon sticks, she coaxes the old hens to lay eggs–extraordinary eggs. Bella yearns for just one thing—someone to share her life with. Always inventive, she has a plan for that. She just needs the right egg into the hands of the right man.

Bartholomew Baines, a Harvard-educated banker, is reeling in the aftermath of his bank’s collapse. With his friends and fiancé ostracizing him for what he thought was an act of generosity, he is penniless and alone. A kind woman welcomes him into her boarding house under conditions that he reluctantly accepts. Completely undone by his current, lowly position, and by the motley crew of fellow boarders who view him as one of them, Bartholomew wrestles with how to rebuild.

With the special eggs as the impetus, the first meeting between Bella and Bartholomew gives each the wrong idea about the other. And when the boarding house burns down a week before Christmas it’s Bella who is there to lend a hand. She, Margaret, and James invite the homeless group to stay at the estate through the holidays. But as Christmas draws closer, eviction papers arrive. Maple Grove is being foreclosed upon. Can Bella work her magic and save their Christmas? Is the growing attraction between Bella and Bartholomew enough for them to see past their differences?

Read a sample.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Christmas in Newfoundland 3' Mike Martin #AuthorInterview

2025-12-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Mike Martin to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Mike is the author of the new holiday mystery, Christmas in Newfoundland 3, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 16 books in this light mystery series with the publication of Friends are Forever.

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the year award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

His latest book is Christmas in Newfoundland 3: Sgt. Windflower Holiday Tales.

Visit Mike’s website at www.sgtwindflowermysteries.com. Connect with him at X and Facebook.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full time author?

I am almost a full-time writer. I still do a little communications consulting and ghost write an occasional speech, but my primary role is as a writer. Almost exclusively as a fiction writer, although I also write poetry on a regular basis

Can you tell us about your latest book, Christmas in Newfoundland 3?

Christmas in Newfoundland 3 is a way to show how much Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas. It’s a great way to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of any years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

As noted above the stories are from the main character in the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. He is a Mountie, an RCMP officer stationed in the small coastal community of Grand Bank, Newfoundland. There are special appearances by his wife Sheila, their adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard, Windflower’s sidekick, and his family make several spotlight appearances.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

It is set in the small communities of Grand Bank, Marystown and Ramea, Newfoundland, on the easternmost tip of Canada. This is the main setting for all of the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

How can people benefit from reading Christmas in Newfoundland 3?

Here’s what one Goodreads reviewer said about the book:

Old Christmas traditions are honored, new traditions are made, and childhood memories and stories are shared. Holiday spirit and generosity are high, with celebrations, decorations, parades and other special events with joyful children and of course remembering those less fortunate.

You should feel good, happy and ready to celebrate Christmas.

Is Christmas in Newfoundland 3 your only book?

There are 16 books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series and 3 other Christmas themed books.

Thank you so much for this interview, Mike. What’s next for you?

Book 17 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series is being editing and will be out in the world in Spring 2026.

Where to purchase the book:

https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Newfoundland-Windflower-Holiday-Tales/dp/1990896340/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hSTICrjHovqYgEX0vW4ubkf70Z7PG59L_qiS8nR1uJbGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.8hO9u0-MzL-62qtJQa0kbLZ1ocGI9v2IvQ7advOPbnY&qid=1761660936&sr=1-1

Where to find Mike:

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

http://www.x.com/mike54martin

Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas and we’re happy to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of many years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers.

Christmas is a time to celebrate but it is also a time to reminisce and remember. We hope that it will bring back pleasant memories for you and your family to share at Christmas and throughout the year. Come celebrate Christmas in Newfoundland with Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

Read sample here.

Christmas in Newfoundland is available at Amazon.

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Book Video Trailer: Fighter Pilot's Daughter by Mary Lawlor #memoir #booktrailer

2025-12-04T09:38:00.001-05:00

What are book video teasers? Glad you asked! Book Video Teasers are made free of charge by Pump Up Your Book when you purchase a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus virtual book tour to promote your book. Click here to find out more but before you do that, catch our latest book teaser for the book, Fighter Pilot's Daughter by Mary Lawlor!

Inside the Book

Title: Fighter Pilot's Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War

Author: Mary Lawlor

Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield

Publication Date: August 22, 2013

Pages: 323

Genre: Memoir

Fighter Pilot’s Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War tells the story of Mary Lawlor’s dramatic, roving life as a warrior’s child. A family biography and a young woman’s vision of the Cold War, Fighter Pilot’s Daughter narrates the more than many transfers the family made from Miami to California to Germany as the Cold War demanded. Each chapter describes the workings of this traveling household in a different place and time. The book’s climax takes us to Paris in May ’68, where Mary—until recently a dutiful military daughter—has joined the legendary student demonstrations against among other things, the Vietnam War. Meanwhile her father is flying missions out of Saigon for that very same war. Though they are on opposite sides of the political divide, a surprising reconciliation comes years later.

Read sample here.

Fighter Pilot’s Daughter is available at Amazon.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'NightBorn' Theresa Cheung #AuthorInterview

2025-12-03T09:01:00.004-05:00

Today we welcome Theresa Cheung to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Theresa is the author of the new paranormal thriller, NightBorn, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Theresa Cheung is an internationally bestselling author and public speaker. She has been writing about spirituality, dreams and the paranormal for the past 25 years, and was listed by Watkins Mind Body and Spirit magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in 2023. She has a degree in Theology and English from Kings College, Cambridge University, frequently collaborating with leading scientists and neuroscientists researching consciousness.

Theresa is regularly featured in national newspapers and magazines, and she is a frequent radio, podcast and television guest and ITV: This Morning’s regular dream decoding expert. She hosts her own popular spiritual podcast called White Shores and weekly live UK Health Radio Show: The Healing Power of Your Dreams.

Her latest book is the paranormal thriller, NightBorn, available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

You can visit her website at www.theresacheung.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram or Goodreads.

NightBorn offers dream interpretations, the paranormal, and is quite the tear-jerker. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The emotional depth of NightBorn was by far the most challenging to capture. While dream interpretation and the paranormal are second nature to me, delving into raw human emotion the kind that makes readers ache, cry, and heal demanded absolute vulnerability. Writing those scenes required me to open my own wounds, but that honesty, I believe, is what gives NightBorn its beating and dreaming heart.

Which of the characters from NightBorn do you most closely identify with and why?

I connect most deeply with the protagonist, who straddles two worlds - the seen and the unseen and is fascinated by Jungian dream interpretation. Like her, I’ve spent much of my life exploring the delicate threshold between science and spirituality, logic and mystery. She embodies the part of me that’s endlessly curious but also haunted by what lies beyond understanding.

What do you think sets NightBorn apart from other books of the same genre?

NightBorn blends the mystical and the emotional in a way that’s both intellectually stimulating and profoundly moving. It’s not just a paranormal thriller - it’s a story about integration, personal and collective transformation, and the unseen threads that bind us to one another. Readers don’t just read NightBorn; they feel it, dream it, and often find pieces of themselves reflected in its pages. Many people have messaged me to say they are waking up with clearer and wilder dream recall on their mind and that is the reason I wrote it. It is not just a thriller or page turner but a crash course in dream decoding when you are wide awake.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Let’s just say there’s a pivotal scene where a dream isn’t just a dream and the truth that emerges changes everything the characters (and the reader) thought they knew about identity, life, death, and destiny.

What season does your book take place?

I leave that decision to the readers but in hindsight and if it becomes a movie (yes, I dream big:)I would want NightBorn unfolds in autumn the season of letting go, transformation, and haunting beauty. The falling leaves mirror the emotional shedding each character must undergo to uncover what truly matters.

What location does your book take place?

The story is set in Florida but there is also a portion of it set in the dark alleys of central London - covent garden. The setting and US/UK location is a key part of the plot with the setting mirroring the plot and the transformation of the characters.

Do you think writing a paranormal thriller is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Absolutely. Writing a paranormal thriller means balancing suspense, emotion, and the unseen. It’s a dance between the rational and the mysterious, you must keep readers grounded while lifting them into the extraordinary. The challenge lies in making the unbelievable feel utterly believable.

What’s next for you?

I’m a s serial writer and have several non fiction books to write in the area of dreams and spiritual awakening but my heart is in the planning stage of my next novel - a story that continues to explore the liminal spaces between dreams and reality, science and spirit, love and loss. Expect something that will challenge perceptions, stir emotions, and, like NightBorn, linger in your soul long after you’ve turned the final page.

What if the line between your waking life and your darkest dreams disappeared forever?

Alice Sinclair, a driven psychology professor, is about to find out. When thousands of people begin experiencing terrifying, vivid nightmares … all centered around her, Alice’s quiet academic life is shattered. Haunted by the question of why she’s become the subject of these shared dreams, Alice embarks on a desperate search for answers, uncovering a chilling secret: someone – or something – hungry for global power has discovered a way to manipulate consciousness itself. The world is fast becoming a playground for those in control of the dreaming mind. In a heart-stopping race against time, Alice must navigate a treacherous web of deception, where nothing – and no one – can be trusted, not even herself.

Read a sample.

NightBorn is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The House of Gold' Joni Parker | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-11-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

Today we welcome Joni Parker to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Joni is the author of the scifi fantasy, The House of Gold, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Joni Parker’s story reads like a cross-continental odyssey with grit at every turn. Born in the heart of Chicago, she was just eight when her family uprooted to Japan so her father could chase a dream most wouldn’t dare—becoming a professional golfer. He made it. And when the dust settled, they landed in Phoenix, Arizona, where Joni carved her own path.

After high school, she didn’t just serve—she committed. Twenty-two years in the U.S. Navy, followed by seven more in federal civil service, Joni built a career on discipline, resilience, and a no-nonsense drive to get things done.

Now retired in Tucson, Arizona, she’s traded uniforms for imagination, channeling her fire into writing, devouring books, and catching the sunrise like it’s a daily ritual of renewal. Her stories reflect the same edge she’s lived with—bold, unflinching, and full of heart.

Her most recent book is the science fantasy, The House of Gold (Book 4 in the Golden Harvest Series).

Visit her website at http://www.joni-parker.com or connect with her on Facebook, Goodreads and Bluesky.

The House of Gold: Book 4 in the Golden Harvest series offers you magic, betrayal and elves. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

I found betrayal to be the most challenging because I’m not that sort of person. I think people should treat each other with kindness. Betrayal is usually an intentional act.

Which of the characters from The House of Gold: Book 4 in the Golden Harvest series do you most closely identify with and why?

The main character, Alex, is my alter ego. I just wish I could be more like her.

What do you think sets The House of Gold apart from other books of the same genre?

It combines two worlds—the world of the mortals on Earth and the Elves on Eledon.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

I don’t know about your mouth, but mine dropped when Alex found the tunnels under Moonbase were filled with gold knots, harvested from Eledon. She thought the Mentors, the Elf guides, had collected them and taken them home, but here they were under the Star Elf base on the moon.

Who is your favorite author?

I have several favorite authors—Suzanne Collins, Martha Wells, James Rollins, and Louise Penny.

Do you think writing a science fantasy is more complex than writing books of other genres?

I don’t know because I haven’t tried writing any other genre.

What’s next for you?

I have another series in mind, but the idea is coming slowly. I think it’ll be a while before I can get going on it.

She’s done playing by the rules.

Lady Alexin Dumwalt—Alex to those who know better—just got booted from her mortal-world job. Her response? Return to Eledon, reclaim her title as Keeper of the Keys, and dive headfirst into a mission that reeks of politics and secrets.

Her task: escort Lord Quasar of the Star Elves to Nimbus. Her reality: arrested at Moonbase, locked up by a power-hungry Lord Governor, and caught in a prison break that exposes a gold-smuggling operation buried beneath the surface.

The gold? Stolen from Eledon. The ship? Not what it seems. The Fire Elves? Gone—taken by someone who wasn’t supposed to be watching.

Now Alex is under guard, headed to Nimbus, and neck-deep in a conspiracy that could shatter the fragile balance between Elf factions. She’s got questions, she’s got enemies, and she’s got zero patience for anyone standing in her way.

Magic. Betrayal. One Elf with nothing left to lose.

Read sample.

The House of Gold is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Voice I Couldn't Ignore' Johanna Frank | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-11-11T08:26:00.002-05:00

Today we welcome Johanna Frank to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Johanna is the author of the Christian nonfiction, The Voice I Couldn't Ignore, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Johanna Frank is a Canadian author based in Southern Ontario, where she lives with her husband, and delights in time with her children and grandchildren. Her award-winning A Lifeline Fantasy Series includes The Gatekeeper’s Descendants (Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Medalist), Jophiel’s Secret (Winner of the 2023 General Market Suspense Fiction Award and the Christian Speculative Fiction Award), and Here Lyeth (finalist for The Word Guild’s 2025 Christian Speculative Award).

In addition, Johanna has introduced a creative memoir, a deeply personal work that explores God’s abundant mystery and healing.

Known for her lyrical, imaginative style rich in symbolism and spiritual depth, she invites readers into otherworldly adventures and real-life reflections that illuminate belonging, faith, and the unseen.

“Frank, one of Canada’s emerging authors in spiritual fantasy, walks a fine line between general fantasy and faith-based fiction. Her work aims to innovate and transcend traditional boundaries, catering to a hungry market of curious readers who don’t want to be preached to but are open to exploring spiritual themes through fantasy.” – Sheri Hoyte, Reader Views

Her latest book is the powerful Christian nonfiction, The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore.

Connect with Johanna at Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and BookBub.

Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process. Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning? When did you come up with the idea to write your book?

Thank you for asking! I actually talk a bit about that in the Letter to Readers at the beginning of the book. In short, this story has been a long time coming—well over a decade, really. It took that long to make sense of a series of unusual experiences that have shaped my life, many of which, I believe, show God’s incredible sense of mystery.

The prologue draws from pieces of an ancestor’s trauma that were passed down through family stories, while the main part of the book—told in first person—comes from my own encounters with haunting visions, vivid dreams, and deep personal loss. Pulling it all together was my way of trying to understand those moments and, in the process, find meaning, faith, and healing.

Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I made the decision five years ago when my first manuscript was completed to self-publish. My company name is Marrow Publishing and now has four titles to its credit. Quality control is absolutely critical and I have been keen to ensure quality and professionalism has been met at every step of the way.

Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?

Yes I do. And it seems a cover must not only attract and pull in potential readers, it must speak to the genre audience as well. It is trickier than one might expect.

How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—and also one of the most freeing. Writing about loss, especially the loss of a child, isn’t something you just decide to do one day. For me, it started as a way to make sense of grief, to find where God was in the middle of it all. There were days I couldn’t write a single word, and other days when the words just poured out like a release.

If I could offer any advice, it would be this: don’t rush the process. Let your heart lead, and give yourself permission to pause when it gets too heavy. Keep prayer and reflection close; they’ll guide you when logic can’t. And remember, it’s okay if your story takes years to find its shape—mine certainly did.

What other books are you working on and when will they be published?

My prior three novels fall into the speculative fiction category, perfect for adults and young adults alike. I am so honoured and pleased to say they have each won writing awards. Here Lyeth, published in 2024; The Gatekeeper’s Descendants, published in 2021; and Jophiel’s Secret, published in 2022.

My next book, which has also been circulating in my heart and mind, will be another speculative fiction novel. At least that is what I plan – one never truly knows what their tomorrows will bring about!

What’s one fact about your book that would surprise people?

I believe the hauntings of an ancestral trauma that leaked into my own life is one of the unique experiences I share in this novel, The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore.

Finally, what message are you trying to get across with your book?

God still communicates today and in many, many ways he seeks to reach us – we simply need to be keen to watch and listen.

Thank you again for this interview! Do you have any final words?

I want to thank YOU and your audience for this interview, for taking precious moments out of your day to read!

The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore—a work of creative nonfiction, a story when God forewarned, held and healed.

In a vision, God told Hanna he was taking her child. Seven years later, he did.

This story leads the reader through an ancestral prophecy, profound visions, and a mother’s journey through symbolisms in the Holy Land. It shares how she guided her teenage daughter through a devastating diagnosis while wrestling with God, and reveals her spiritual rebuilding of an unshakable house of faith in the aftermath of loss.

Read sample.

The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'A Quarterback for Christmas' Linda West | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-11-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Linda West to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Linda is the author of the new holiday romance, A Quarterback for Christmas, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Linda West is a best-selling Amazon author in fiction and non-fiction. She lives in the snowy wonderland of upstate New York with her husband and magical cat.

Her latest book is the holiday romance, A Quarterback for Christmas. You can visit her website at http://www.morningmayan.com.

A Quarterback for Christmas offers you Christmas magic, a talking cat and second chances. Which of these was the most intense for you to write?

Intense – none! Joyful is more the word I used. The most joyful were the cats because they are funny. But which scenes made me smile to write were the dinners between Nash and Eden.

Which of the characters from A Quarterback for Christmas do you most closely identify with and why?

Eden for sure. We are both restaurant owners and create our own recipes with love. Plus, I have Wolfgang at home

What do you think sets A Quarterback for Christmas apart from other books of the same genre?

Buffalo as a setting is a joy for a perfect winter holiday small town love story. Plus, the ‘city of neighborly love’ has the most ardent beloved fan base in all of NFL football. It also happens to be my hometown

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Well – Nash is super handsome…

Who is your favorite author?

JK Rowlings, Margret Miller

Do you think writing a Christmas romance is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Yes!! Christmas must always have hope and a little magic.

What’s next for you?

I have a cozy mystery series I need to attend to – as in my fans keeps wondering where the next one is. Which makes me happy AND busy.

He’s Buffalo’s hometown hero. She’s the one who got away. When fate and a little Christmas magic bring them back together, love might just score the biggest comeback of all.

When Buffalo’s hometown quarterback Nash Jordan gets traded back just before Christmas, his career—and his heart—are both on thin ice. A lingering injury threatens his future, until help arrives in the most unexpected form: Eden Landers, the woman he never stopped loving.

Eden’s a talented chef with a hint of magic in her kitchen, and healing others is what she does best. But moving into Nash’s guest house to help him recover stirs up more than old memories. Between snowstorms, laughter, and late-night meals, love begins to simmer again.

Can they trust each other enough for a second chance? Or will fear and fame keep them apart once more?

Heartwarming, wholesome, and full of Christmas cheer, A Quarterback for Christmas is a cozy holiday romance about love, forgiveness, and finding your way home.

Read sample here.

A Quarterback for Christmas is available at Amazon.

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20 Questions with 'Soul Matters' Yolonda Tonette Sanders

2025-10-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

It's time to play 20 Questions! Today's guest is Yolonda Tonette Sanders, author of the contemporary Christian fiction, Soul Matters. Yolonda is a storyteller at heart with a passion for both words and people. She is the co-founder of the Faith and Fellowship Book Festival and the author of numerous works, including novels, poetry, short stories, and academic publications. Her writing blends authenticity, emotional depth, and spiritual insight, often drawing from her own journey of faith and resilience.

Yolonda earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University and is certified in emotional intelligence. She enjoys teaching, mentoring, consulting, and helping others discover their own voices through writing. When she’s not creating or consulting, you’ll likely find her spending time with her husband or enjoying heartfelt moments with loved ones.

Her latest book is the contemporary Christian fiction, Soul Matters.

You can visit her website at www.yoproductions.net .

Watch her YouTube channel!

Connect with her at X, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.

~ Book Description ~

With a successful husband, a fulfilling teaching career, and a baby on the way, Wendy Phillips seems to have it all. She’s certain God is on her side. After all, the woman she’s become wouldn’t exist without the strength of her close-knit family or her own determination to be a model daughter, sister, and wife.

But one phone call shatters Wendy’s illusion of perfection, turning her carefully crafted life upside down. Suddenly, everything she believed about herself, her family, and her faith is called into question.

As her marriage crumbles and her faith wavers, Wendy finds herself needing more support than she ever imagined. Her journey to healing will require a sister’s unexpected strength, a mother’s surprising honesty, and a truth Wendy never saw coming.

Now only God’s grace can help her confront the pain she didn’t expect and discover the soul-deep freedom she never dreamed possible.

Soul Matters is available at Amazon and Walmart.

20 Questions with Yolonda Tonette Sanders

Are you a morning writer or a night writer? I prefer mornings when my brain is fresh. However, when I have a goal, I can write day or night, regardless of the time.
Do you outline or are you a pantser? A little of both. When I first start a story, I just write—fully in pantser mode. When I reach about 8–10 chapters, I’ll create a light outline and continue to refine it as I write.
Which comes first – plot or character? Usually, the plot. I tend to have a general idea of the story first, and the characters help me fill in the blanks.
Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript? It doesn’t matter. When I’m in my writing zone, there’s nothing that will stop me from making progress.
Favorite TV show? Monk. It went off-air in 2009, but I still watch re-runs to this very day!
Favorite type of music? Gospel, 90s/2000s R&B
Favorite craft besides writing? Playing pool and maybe exercising.
Do you play a musical instrument? Nope!
Single or married? Joyfully married!
Children or no? Yes! Two adult children by birth. Many others by love.
Pets? Yes, one very spoiled miniature pinscher.
Favorite place to write? At my annual women’s weekend writing retreat.
Favorite restaurant? At the moment, Olive Garden.
Do you work outside the home? Not in the traditional sense of a full-time job. I’m an adjunct professor of organizational leadership and sociology.
What was the name of the last movie you saw? Drop
Favorite outdoor activity? Walking and attempting to run
Pet peeve? Being stuck on a text thread with people I don’t know.
Your goal in life? To live in such a way that there’s no question about my love for the Lord or my family.
Your most exciting moment? One exciting moment was successfully passing my dissertation defense!
The love of your life? David Sanders, Jr.!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Essence of Bliss' Emily Astillberry | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-10-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Emily Astillberry to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Emily is the author of the new paranormal romance, The Essence of Bliss, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Emily Astillberry is an author and RSPCA Inspector from Norfolk, England. She has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics from York University and has been investigating animal cruelty and neglect and rescuing sick and injured animals for 20 years. In her day job, Emily deals with very difficult and often emotional situations and meets all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Her career provides some of the inspiration for themes and characters that can be found in her fictional work.

At home, in a very old cottage in the country, Emily has a husband, 5 children, a dog, a cat, an axolotl, 2 giant African land snails and a varying number of rescue hens, so finding time to write can be a challenge. She is happiest outdoors, growing fruit and vegetables in the garden, walking the dog and family holidays usually involve walking up mountains in summer, skiing down them in winter and sleeping in a tent whenever possible.

Emily loves spending time with her large, noisy, chaotic family, cooking meals for friends and playing board games. She always has at least one book on the go and has always dreamed of writing her own novel. She now dreams of writing more.

Visit her website at https://emilyastillberry.com.

You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

The Essence of Bliss is her latest book.

The Essence of Bliss offers romance, magic and the paranormal. Which of these was the most fun for you to write?

The thing about writing magic is that you’re not constrained by conventional rules of existence, which means that your imagination has more freedom to explore and experiment. I loved creating the magic that binds and separates different characters in the book and playing around with the way in which they are able to experience and manipulate emotional energy. The initial concept took on a life of its own, evolving and growing as I wrote. I found the process freeing and immensely enjoyable. The magical element of The Essence of Bliss is subtle but it permeates every aspect of Isabel’s life, every interaction and every relationship. Her magic defines her even though she begins the story, unaware of the potential of her own power.

Which of the characters from The Essence of Bliss do you most closely identify with and why?

All of the characters in The Essence of Bliss are entirely fictional but I think that it would be impossible for any author not to draw on their own life, their own experiences and their own personality when creating their fictional world. Isabel is not based on me but we share certain elements of character and I definitely had my immediate family in mind when I wrote some of the Bliss family scenes and the relationship between Isabel and her family, especially her sister, and especially during their family Christmas.

What do you think sets The Essence of Bliss apart from other books of the same genre?

I hope that the understated nature of the magical element of The Essence of Bliss neatly blends reality with otherworldliness, creating a setting and characters that people can relate to, at the same time as allowing them to lose themselves in fantasy. To say that it is an emotional read is an understatement. The entire concept is based around emotional energy as a tangible phenomenon, only perceived by a select few who are otherwise unremarkably human. These people, real people, can experience other people’s emotions as well as manipulate emotional energy. My hope is that readers will be transported into the world that I have created and yet they will come away from the book, wondering. After all, it’s not exactly that much of a leap, and if it isn’t entirely unbelievable, what if it isn’t entirely fictional?

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

20 years ago, a young girl with a gift, a power over emotional energy, that she didn’t understand, accidentally stumbled across a terrified old lady at the end of her life. The young girl gave the lady peace in her final moments, instinctually understanding and sharing her deepest fears, easing her mind and releasing her soul.

Who is your favorite paranormal romance or speculative fiction author?

I love everything ever written by Diana Gabaldon. I’ve been in love with her Outlander series since I was 16 years old and am consistently swept away by the epic nature of her story, which spans centuries and continents, her vivid, incredible characters and her splash of almost believable magic.

Do you think writing a speculative fiction/paranormal romance novel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

No, I don’t. I suppose that every genre is complex in different ways and authors most often choose to write in a style or on a topic that they are passionate about. I am in awe of the amount of time and research that goes into so many works of fiction and love it when I feel more intelligent after reading a novel, nearly as much as when I am thoroughly transported into a fantasy future or alternate universe full of fairies and monsters.

What’s next for you?

I’m probably a little over halfway through The Essence of Insanity, the slightly darker but equally emotive sequel to The Essence of Bliss. After that, I’m not sure. I have ideas for a prequel, as well as multiple other novels in the series and completely unrelated projects that I would love to tackle if I get the opportunity to try.

Isabel Bliss is a reception class teacher. She experiences other people’s emotions and can influence how they feel but she doesn’t truly understand her gift and has been encouraged, by her mum, to hide it from others. She often feels lost and alone.

When a child in her class experiences chronic distress that only she can perceive, Isabel uses her ability to relieve his suffering, but his situation continues to worsen. Eventually she is forced to take matters into her own hands, escorting him home where she finds horrific signs of abuse. She saves his mum’s life and his father is arrested for the brutal torture he has inflicted upon his family.

A wealthy family moves to town and Isabel meets the two sons. She recoils from Daniel, who is hateful, rude and emotionally deficient but is inexorably drawn to Scott, who awakens something magical, deep inside her. They are like her. They are fluencers and have the ability to sense, read and willfully manipulate emotional energies. Isabel confronts her mum and uncovers hurtful lies and deceit within her own family.

She falls deeply in love and ultimately discovers the untold potential of her gift and the passion and power that dwells within.

Read a sample here.

The Essence of Bliss is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches' Kayleigh Kavanagh | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-10-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Kayleigh Kavanagh to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Kayleigh is the author of the new historical paranormal fantasy, One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches, and The Writer's Life is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy the interview!

Kayleigh Kavanagh is a disabled writer from the North-West of England. Growing up in the area, she learnt a lot about the Pendle Witches and launched her debut novel around their life story. Her main writing genres are fantasy and romance, but she loves stories in all formats and genres. Kayleigh hopes to one day be able to share the many ideas dancing around in her head with the world.

Her latest book is the historical fantasy, One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches.

You can visit her on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads and Tiktok.

One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches offers you paranormal, witchy and historical. Which of these was the most intense for you to write?

The fight scene was difficult, largely because it was spiritual, and yet I needed physical description to make it make sense. Plus, I didn’t want it to be repetitive. There was a lot of pausing and revising words while trying to explain what I meant and which could be easily pictured in the reader's mind.

Which of the characters from One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches do you most closely identify with and why?

Demdike is old and done with just about everything, which I feel on a spiritual level. Though probably Claire, since the need to balance so many plates and protect what's important to you is a universal experience.

What do you think sets One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches apart from other books of the same genre?

I could say it’s the reincarnation, which doesn’t seem to be a huge theme in the historical fiction genre. Though really, I think it’s the characters and how they relate to each other. There’s just something magical about how they came together.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

“We remember when god was a woman”.

Who is your favorite author?

I can’t pick a favourite food, movie, TV show, colour, or drink, so I can’t really answer this question. However, I can say there are many amazing authors in the world, and I hope to keep finding more in the future.

Do you think writing a historical paranormal novel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

I think every genre has its issues, but as long as you have a good storyline and have written it well, the reader will engage.

What’s next for you?

To keep writing and complete the many stories stored on my hard drive.

I’m also working on turning my books into audiobooks. One is already available, “Secrets of Olde: The Hades Interview.” The first Pendle story, “Whispers of the Pendle Witches,” is currently in production, and this one should hopefully soon follow.

Demdike and Chattox, famed witches of Pendle Forest, might be dead, but they’re not gone. Bound to their bloodline, they’ve spent the past two and a half centuries watching over their descendants, waiting for when they’ll be needed.

When 14 year old Yana comes into her psychic abilities and inherits the ‘eyes of the Chattox family’, she can see the long-dead witches, as well as an encroaching evil. But even with this foreknowledge, she’s trapped by marriage interviews and being unable to see her own future, and more importantly, whoever her future husband will be.

Demdike’s healing gifts are alive and working in Claire, a mid-30s midwife well renowned for her skills and holding her tongue. The Secrets of Pendle are safe with her and her midwives. However, when surgeons looking to make standardisation the norm encroach on her territory, she soon realises how, even a respected woman is vulnerable in a patriarchal system.

The two descendants must come together to protect the ones they love from an ancient evil, all whilst balancing their lives and the cruelties of being a woman in a man’s world. Set in late 1800s NW England, this book has all the elements of the area: strong, hardy people, atmospheric horror and days as unpredictable as the weather.

One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches is available at Amazon.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Monsterland' Michael Okon | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-10-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Michael Okon to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Michael is the author of the new action adventure, Monsterland and The Writer's Life is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy the interview!

MICHAEL OKON is a best-selling author and award-winning screenwriter whose compelling storytelling spans paranormal, horror, thriller, action-adventure, and self-help genres. With a BA in English and an MBA in Business and Finance from Long Island University, Michael merges his creative passion with entrepreneurial spirit to craft unforgettable narratives across his novels and screenplays.

Born into a family of avid writers and readers, Michael’s passion for storytelling runs deep—writing isn’t just something he does; it’s who he is. Ever since he first watched The Goonies as a kid, Michael has been captivated by the power of adventure, compelling characters, and the ability of stories to entertain and inspire. Whether crafting monster theme parks or penning insightful guidance in self-help, his goal remains the same: to create narratives that stick with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, a horrendous golfer, and a sucker for esoteric & self-help books. He lives on Long Island’s North Shore with his wife and children.

His latest book is Monsterland.

Connect with Michael on X and Instagram.

Monsterland offers you action, adventure and monsters. Which of these was the most intense for you to write?

I loved writing all aspects of action, adventure and monsters. Writing the actual rides were the most intense because I had to create them, and actually destroy them. Super fun!

Which of the characters from Monsterland do you most closely identify with and why?

All the teens are a part of me. Wyatt, Melvin, Howard Drucker – they are a part of my subconscious, fears I had when I was growing up all manifesting on the page.

What do you think sets Monsterland apart from other books of the same genre?

Monsterland is a mish-mash genre. YA, horror, and fantasy. It’s a monster theme park so it takes all those basic elements and puts it into one place.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

The zombie we are following throughout the book isn’t just a typical zombie. There is a deep and thematic meaning behind his presence.

Who is your favorite author?

Michael Crichton.

Do you think writing an action adventure novel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Action-adventure thrives on forward motion. You need to constantly balance high-intensity scenes (chases, battles, escapes) with quieter moments for character reflection and emotional depth. If the pacing slips – too slow, and readers get bored…two fast, and they don’t connect to the characters. By contract, a slower-burn genre like lit fiction has more leeway for extended internal reflection or description.

What’s next for you?

I’m putting the finishing touches on Monsterland Above – the 4^th and final book of the Monsterland saga.

Wyatt Baldwin’s senior year is not going well. His parents divorced, and then his dad mysteriously died. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter Wright, either. An ongoing debate with his best friends, Melvin and Howard Drucker, over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can interact with vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by werewolves on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires, and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Read a sample here.

Monsterland is available at Amazon.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Monsterland!

“… brings his buoyant mix of terror and humor to a tale of three major monsters of classic horror … his take on zombies, werewolves, and vampires is rooted in warmly likeably characters … the adventure ramps up to an enjoyably gore-soaked finale … full of both mayhem and heart.”

—Kirkus Review

“… toys with our preconceptions of scary creatures in his delightfully entertaining novel … part satire, part coming-of-age story, part genre gore-fest, Monsterland is smart, campy fun … peppers the narrative with real-life significance … a talented and clever enough writer to imbue his characters with real emotion … it is this deepening of the plot that elevates Monsterland above standard monster fare … the novel will prove an entertaining and thought-provoking read for both teenagers and adults.” —Scott Neuffer, Foreword Reviews

“Michael Okon’s MONSTERLAND is a fun and highly entertaining romp through the territory of all my favorite scary movies when I was a kid.” — Kevin J Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series

“Teen themes blended with a bevy of monsters makes this a fast-paced, fun read: The Breakfast Club meets The Walking Dead.” – BlueInk Review

“Original, riveting, and terrifically entertaining, “Monsterland” is a very highly recommended read for all fantasy enthusiasts and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Fantasy Fiction collections.” – Midwest Book Review

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Shape of the Sun' Paula Omokhomion | Author Interview | #AuthorInterview

2025-09-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Paula Omokhomion to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Paula is the author of the new literary fiction, Shape of the Sun and is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Paula Omokhomion is a Master of Public Policy student at the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, though she’s fairly certain that won’t be forever. She holds a B.S. in Public Health Nutrition from UNC Chapel Hill, where she also minored in Creative Writing (Fiction) and graduated with highest honors for her 120-page thesis novella, New Age Taffeta.

Paula developed her skills and love for writing fiction in a very, very interesting Nigerian boarding school, where the lack of television meant she had to invent entertainment for everyone else. She loves reading manhwa, watching Indian TV dramas, listening to music, and writing short stories.When not doing any of those or in the classroom handling R code, she’s refining her LinkedIn or taking Instagram selfies.
She lives in California with her family, including her two fellow triplets, and is currently dreaming of a future PhD in public health—and maybe another novel.

Visit her website or connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome to The Writer's Life, Paula! Shape of the Sun offers family drama, the high stakes of inheritance and romance. Which of these was the most intense for you to write?

I believe it was the family drama. It can be intense writing about something that is not a first experience, and at the same time I had to make sure that the family and inheritance drama is believable and not cliche. I didn’t want the characters involved to be greedy for the sake of greedy and so on; I needed them to be fully fleshed out with motivations and backgrounds that people can relate to. So, I had to put in a lot of work writing and getting feedback to the point that it felt visceral when reading.

Which of the characters from Shape of the Sun do you most closely identify with and why?

I identify most with the female lead, Manmeet. She’s someone who is well-educated and putting in a lot of effort to do good things to others; she is strong but at the same time, doesn’t expect bad things to come her way. I also think she feels more than she lets on, even though she lets on a lot, and she (might) get disappointed and be upset. Manmeet is very human and serves as a strong anchor for other characters she is in scene with, and that’s someone I hope I am right now and will continue to be.

What do you think sets Shape of the Sun apart from other books of the same genre?

I think it’s distinct because it serves well as romance but the romance is a vehicle for deeper issues in the novel such as dynastic rot and elitism masquerading as class contempt. It’s really love as unraveling and allows us to see how the character behaves in spite of it, not because of it like other books in the genre. Furthermore, the villain is also not written off as a villain that just does bad things; in this book, the villain is not good, but the reader is in close contact with many scenes that reflect why he is the way he is, even those that depict questionable treatment from the lead character. And I did not write to glorify the lead, rather it felt like I am a stage for people to watch the characters and judge for themselves. The villain also has no feelings for the female lead, as I do not like triangles.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

The lead had actually conspired to have his sister be married to someone who he deemed as weak so she can be safe but not a threat to his inheritance agenda. And whenever things go wrong in her marriage, he blocked out this memory because it contains guilt. It was deliberate to have him not recall this at all and be surprised, only to reveal later that he planned this because of a certain thing she did to him years ago….

Who is your favorite author?

Chimmanda Ngozi-Adichie. Her writing has soul and actually inspires the work I wrote for my undergraduate thesis.

Do you think writing a contemporary romance novel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

No, I don’t think its more complex, than say writing historical romance. I am working on the latter for something and it involve pinterest boards to cue things. Contemporary is easier in the setting aspect because these are backgrounds you know, but you also need to fill in their lives aside the plot, so they feel full and complete.

What’s next for you?

School and revising my debut novel, Aurora.

In a world where novels defy conventions and heroes defy expectations, Shape of the Sun dares to ask: What if the one at the center isn’t kind? What if no one is misunderstood? What does it mean to be the hero or the villain?

Beware: this is not a love story. The author just likes meta-fiction a bit too much.
Rajkumar ‘Raj’ Reddy is top-tier Male Lead material. And a freaking DRAMA KING.

He is a gorgeous, disgustingly rich, and ultra-confident Child Abuse Pediatrician. He’s also emotionally finished, a narcissist, and a scammer all but in name.

But what did it matter if he was soulless or morally bankrupt? Why should anyone care that he married someone only because of their money?

He was the Male Lead, right? Since when were Male Leads ever held accountable?

And then he falls in love. Utterly useless. Very, very unnecessary. Annoyingly delicious for someone as self-aware as he is.

Raj knows he’s in love. He knows it every second he smiles when she talks to him or says good morning Rajkumar, in that sweet voice he dreams about more often lately.

So now, our Male Lead is on a mission to GET OUT OF LOVE.

This relationship holds too many green flags!

Painful. Also doesn’t allow him to be hypocritical for more than three seconds. Horrid, really.

And in the background is the Reddy family. It’s not an easy home. It’s never been easy with all that power and wealth involved. There’s too much scheming and engineering in one place.

There’s an overlooked half-brother that literally descended from hell, a sweet twin sister that has more than her fair share of buried grudges to Raj (and vice versa), and a patriarch that might be loving father and enabler all rolled into one.

There are traumas that our Male Lead wants to never remember.

You see that’s the thing about Romance with Accountability. It can be sweet. It can be deadly.

Will our Male Lead manage to protect his secrets and secure the inheritance, or will his deepening emotions force him to confront his inner demons? Can greed truly give way to love? Or is that just something we only see in the movies?

Will he finally go to therapy?

A gripping tale of love, family, the high stakes of inheritance, and the journey to self – Shape of the Sun explores what happens with leads in a world where the rest are left to silence.

Read a sample here.

Shape of the Sun is available at Amazon, Kobo and Apple Books.

The Writer’s Life

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