Tag Archives: Author Interview

Glow Trap (Clay Wolfe 6) by Matt Cost-review & interview

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GLOW TRAP (Clay Wolfe / Port Essex Mystery 6) by Matt Cost-review and interview

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2025

What happens when a spy, a retired thief, and a person in the witness relocation program end up in the same coastal Maine town? Nothing, unless a man using an alias washes up on shore and threatens to tear the idyllic nature of said town apart at the seams.

The gang is back together in the deadliest game yet. Westy, the former Navy SEAL, Murphy the IRA member turned clammer, Cloutier the newspaper editor, and the foul-mouthed Crystal all join together to root out the insidious evil lurking in the belly of Port Essex.

Meanwhile, the romance between Clay and Baylee deepens, leading him to consider proposing. This thought process is propelled forward by her near-death experience. Will their love have a happy ending?

Clay Wolfe, Baylee Baker, the gang, and Port Essex become embroiled in their hottest and deadliest mystery yet. Will the spies, informants, and thieves be exposed in time before the killers can finish the job that they have begun?

•••••••

REVIEW: GLOW TRAP is the sixth and final instalment in Matt Cost’s contemporary, adult CLAY WOLFE / PORT ESSEX MYSTERY suspense series focusing on thirty-seven year old, former homicide detective turned private investigator Clay Wolfe, his girlfriend and partner Baylee Baker, and his intrepid team of undercover operatives and amateur sleuths. GLOW TRAP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from numerous omniscient third person perspectives GLOW TRAP follows several intersecting pathways when PI Clay Wolfe is asked to locate a missing landscaper whose side-gig as a drug dealer may have cost him his life; and a contracted investigation into the supposed drowning of a man whose fear of the water is no match for murderous intent. From Russian spies and double agents, to CIA operatives, questionable law enforcement and retired criminals, Clay Wolfe finds himself a target when the past comes full circle, reminding Clay that everything and everyone is not whom they appear to be.

The world building is detailed and complex as Clay Wolfe encounters a ghost from the past, a ghost he never knew existed in the here and now. Believing the good guy always wins, Clay, Baylee and the gang discover crime often pays but with the help of your friends, payment can be swift and steep. Trust is constrained as deceit and pretense threaten any semblance of peace for the people of Port Essex.

GLOW TRAP is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, murder and obsession, power and control, friendships and love. The premise is fascinating, compelling and thought-provoking ; the characters are numerous, familiar, dogged and tenacious.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wolfe Trap
Mind Trap
Mouse Trap
Cosmic Trap
Pirate Trap

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

TRC: Hi Matt and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of GLOW TRAP the sixth and final instalment in your Clay Wolfe / Port Essex Mystery series.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

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Matt Cost: I write histories and mysteries. Glow Trap is my eighteenth published book. Fifteen of them are part of four different series. The Mainely Mysteries, Clay Wolfe Trap series, the Brooklyn 8 Ballo series, and the Chronicles of Max Creed. Three are stand-alone historical fiction.

TRC:Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Matt Cost: My parents instilled a love of reading. Early favourites were the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Encyclopaedia Brown, and the Great Brain. These evolved into Louis L’Amour, Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Robert Parker, and Carl Hiaasen.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing?

Matt Cost: I’ve spent thirty years honing my craft in writing and that is just putting the work in and getting better. Once the writing is good enough, it can be very difficult to find an agent or publisher. And once that hurdle has been cleared, you still must market and promote to get your book out there. It is a grind, day in and day out, but it is a grind that I truly enjoy.

TRC:Would you please tell us something about the premise of GLOW TRAP and the Clay Wolfe/ Port Essex Mystery Series?

Matt Cost: The premise of GLOW TRAP was reading about a retired spy community living in a coastal Maine town. The idea is that when people leave the CIA and other agencies such as that, it is nice to go where others have lived the same life as you. So, I had thoughts of capitalizing on that. Unfortunately, Tess Gerritsen beat me to the punch with “Spy Coast”. I tweaked the idea to a retired spy, a former art thief, and a member of the WITSEC program, all of who’d banded together in the small coastal Maine town of Port Essex. When a man washes up dead on the rocks of town, Clay Wolfe and Baylee Baker are pulled into the fray to investigate, and all sorts of complications follow.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning GLOW TRAP or The Clay Wolfe / Port Essex series?

Matt Cost: A lot of work goes into the initial book of a series, in this case, WOLFE TRAP. The creation of character descriptions, backstories, idiosyncrasies, speech, relationships, and whatnot is a major piece in the creation of a book. Luckily, a lot of that work has been done for the ensuing books. Research can be great or small. For MIND TRAP, I went down many rabbit holes concerning cults. I’d no idea how many, how powerful, how large—the cults of the world are. For MOUSE TRAP, I had to learn about genome editing, or the technology of CRISPR that allows scientists to change the DNA of babies in the embryo stage to cure disease, but also to change eye color, and possibly make them bigger, stronger, and smarter. COSMIC TRAP was learning about UAPs. A congressional task force has been appointed to investigate the excess of unexplained aerial phenomena that daily takes place in the skies. Their findings so far? There is something up there, but we don’t know what. PIRATE TRAP? Pirates of course. And GLOW TRAP got me into the CIA, spies, the witness relocation program, and so much more that I found to be fascinating.

TRC:Is any of the premise based in reality or fact?

Matt Cost: As mentioned, there is truly a coastal Maine town with a retired spy population. I just built on that to wonder where wealthy thieves who were never caught ended up as well as people in WITSEC. These are three categories of dangerous people living under the radar in our communities. Interesting fodder for a book.

TRC:Are any of the characters based on real people or people in your life?

Matt Cost: I use pieces of people to create my characters, but no one person is a real person in my life. Dogs? That is a different story. Frank and Flash both have real counterparts who live in my house.

TRC:Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of mystery and suspense. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you believe some author’s fail?

Matt Cost: The adage that truth is stranger than fiction is extremely true. Some of my biggest difficulties are putting real events in the book and then realizing that they are so far-fetched that the reader will lose faith in the story, and I have to dampen them down.

TRC:Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Matt Cost: I do. It is the first impression that a reader gets, whether in the bookstore or online, and something about it has to grab the reader to then read the description, and then hopefully, browse a page before deciding that the book is for them.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Matt Cost: The characters absolutely lead me. That is one of the beautiful pieces of writing a series, because the protagonist and other regulars become family. At certain points, I must close the laptop and go for a dog walk in the woods and let the characters speak to me and let me know what they would do in certain situations. Then, I return, and am ready to go under their direction and supervision.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Matt Cost: It is absolutely crucial to make the characters in the story real. That reality includes flaws as well as strengths, emotions and backstories, and the living embodiment of a human being who can be loved and hated. Then, these people have to be thrown into situations that evoke fear, happiness, anger, frustration, and other emotional turbulences to bring the reader skidding into the power of the story.

TRC:Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Matt Cost: I write in my living room with my headphones on listening to cool jazz music. It walls me off from reality and allows me to enter my writing world, but I have no comprehension of the music being played.

TRC:What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Matt Cost: That we are making a ton of money. Only a few of us are. The rest are grinding it out.

TRC:What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Matt Cost: I enjoyed acting in school before sports made me quit that pursuit.

TRC:On what are you currently working? Do you have plans for a new series?

Matt Cost: I am writing the third book in my Chronicles of Max Creed. There is another series under contract with Level Best Books, the Jazz Jones & January Queen historical mysteries. The first book, 1955, will be out in October of 2026. And I am shopping around the debut of another series called BOB CHICAGO INVESTIGATES.

TRC:Would you like to add anything else?

Matt Cost:Thanks for inviting me onto your site and for your loyal reviews of my books!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: English muffin pizza.

OMG-best food ever !!!

Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu.

Favorite TV Show: Rockford Files.

Last Movie You Saw: Happy Gilmore 2.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark.

Secret Celebrity Crush: Jodi Foster.

Last Vacation Destination: North Carolina.

Do you have any pets? Four dogs.

Last book you read: King of Ashes.

TRC:Thank you Matt for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of GLOW TRAP and the Clay Wolfe/ Port Essex series. We wish you all the best.

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Missing in Miskatonic / Murder in the Monashee Mountains by JP Behrens

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MISSING IN MISKATONIC / MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS (Travis Daniels Investigations 1 & 2) by JP Behrens-reviews & interview

MISSING IN MISKATONIC
Travis Daniels Investigation 1
by JP Behrens
Genre: adult, supernatural, thriller
Release Date: August 23, 2024

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Step into the shadowed streets of 1928 Arkham, where Miskatonic University holds secrets darker than the night.

In this supernatural thriller reminiscent of Raymond Chandler and H.P. Lovecraft, Private Detective Travis Daniels is thrust into a harrowing investigation when a young woman disappears without a trace. As Daniels delves deeper into the labyrinthine mysteries of the storied New England city, he uncovers a web of sinister cults, ancient rituals, and eldritch horrors that threaten not only his own sanity but the fabric of reality itself.

Set against a city steeped in occult lore and clandestine experiments, Missing in Miskatonic blends elements of hard-boiled detective fiction with chilling supernatural encounters. Daniels navigates treacherous alliances and confronts malevolent entities lurking in the shadows, all while racing against time to unravel the truth behind the girl’s disappearance.

•••••

REVIEW: MISSING IN MISKATONIC is the first instalment and novella in JP Behrens’ historical adult TRAVIS DANIELS INVESTIGATIONS dark, supernatural thriller series.

Told from first person perspective (Travis) MISSING IN MISKATONIC follows PI Travis Daniels as he is tasked with locating a young college student Leslie Owens. The year is 1928, and Travis Daniels has been offered a large amount of money by a man who may or may not be human, to find a young woman who has disappeared without a trace but the deeper Travis Daniels digs, the stranger the trail of evidence becomes. From the horrific to the supernatural, Travis Daniels must come to terms with creatures that stand in his way, as the small town of Miskatonic hides its’ secrets behind the doom and gloom of horror.

With a nod to the fictional institutions and occult world developed by author H.P. Lovecraft, the world building is dark and gritty as PI Travis Daniels ventures into a world of demons and monsters in the search for a woman who may or may not want to be found. Searching the libraries for information, Daniels discovers a world he knows nothing about but a world that is on the brink of destruction and chaos.

Travis Daniels is a no-nonsense, practical hardened PI who has been thrown to the proverbial wolves and the malevolent supernatural creatures of nightmares. MISSING IN MISKATONIC is a dramatic and edgy story of the occult -ends on a cliff hanger, you have been warned

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS
Travis Daniels Investigation 2
by JP Behrens
Genre: adult, historical, supernatural, thriller

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Release Date July 11, 2025

After barely escaping the haunted streets of Arkham and Miskatonic University, Travis Daniels is on the run with his ward, Leslie Owens. Seeking refuge in the remote woods of Monashee Mountain, their lives take another dark turn when they witness a brutal, savage murder. Now, they’re thrust into a web of deceit, danger, and old grudges as they are drawn into a conflict between warring factions in the small town of Tonasket.

Travis must navigate the escalating tension between the town’s residents, the Native American tribes, and the ancient, shadowy creatures that dwell in the wilderness. The clock is ticking as dangerous rivalries between Sasquatch and werewolves threaten to erupt, and the local logging operations are sabotaged by forces more sinister than anyone can imagine.

As Travis works to uncover the truth behind the murder, he must decide who he can trust before it’s too late. With danger closing in, only one thing is certain: the truth will come at a cost.

•••••

REVIEW: MURDER IN MONASHEE MOUNTAINS is the second instalment in JP Behrens’ historical adult TRAVIS DANIELS INVESTIGATIONS dark, supernatural thriller focusing on PI Travis Daniels. MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS, set in 1929, picks up approximately one year after the events of book one MISSING IN MISKATONIC. If you have not read book one, there may be spoilers in my review

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including racism, discrimination and stereotyping, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers

Told from first person (Travis) and omniscient third person (Leslie) MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS finds PI Travis Daniels, and his companion Leslie Ward on the run, desperate to stay ahead of the people they left behind in Arkham Massachusetts, Travis and Leslie, once again, find themselves front and centre in another supernatural mystery but this time involving the possibility of were-wolves, sasquatch, magic and Indigenous lore, as they are the only witnesses to a possible murder involving the creatures of mythology and fiction. A logging company is ravaging the lands once held by the Indigenous peoples, and someone or something is taking steps to stop the destruction of the Earth before it is too late.

The world building follows Travis and Leslie as they are pulled into an investigation involving superstition, discrimination, magic and murder. Reflecting the ongoing tragedy of indigenous lands appropriation , MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS focuses on capitalism, a fight for survival, freedom and rights.

MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, magic and violence, discrimination and bigotry. The premise is dark, dramatic and intense; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi JP and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release MURDER IN MONASHEE MOUNTAINS

JP: Thanks for having me. It’s really exciting to see this next chapter in the Travis Daniels Series hit the shelves. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy it and be ready for book 3 which I’m currently working on.

TRC:We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow me on my new Patreon, https://patreon.com/JPBehrens, for updates, check-ins, exclusive short stories, and other works. 

JP: I’m pretty boring, honestly. I spend my days reading and writing. I practice kung fu, run errands, and play video games when my daily writing routine is done. I wish my life was a little more exciting to I had something to say when asked this, but it’s probably for the best. If I had too much going on, I’d never get words on the page.

TRC:Who or what influenced your career in writing?

JP: As I’ve grown as a writer, the list of influences grows. I first started out wanting to write DragonLance books because of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Eventually, I branched out in my reading and discovered Bradbury, Vonnegut, Twain, etc. More recently, I’ve been steeping my brain in Haruki Murakami and other international writers. I still read a lot of American Literature, but if I want to get better and, maybe, inspired the next generation, I need to keep striving to improve my work. You can’t get better within an echo chamber of cultural influences.

The other element that has influenced my writing is the role-playing game (RPG) genre of video games. I played Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and more growing up. I still play many of those series today. I love the sweeping stories told throughout the games and having to explore those worlds. When someone asks me about my love of games, I always explain that, for me, video games are just interactive novels. I care about the story more than the mechanics and graphics; though, if those aspects of the game are quality, it serves to enhance the overall experience.

TRC:Who are some of your favorite authors of the supernatural genre?

JP: Well, there’s the big one, Stephen King. I loved Poe from a very early age and once or twice tried to emulate his work. It did not turn out well.

Today, I read all over the place. I loved Slade House by David Mitchell and hope to write a similar kind of haunted house story in the future. The Haunting of Hill House is another great haunted house book. Junji Ito writes and draws some out-there stories that are always fun to read. Victor LaValle never disappoints. I’m not sure if he counts as supernatural, but Bradbury has a knack for writing stories that haunt you long after you’ve finished them.

There are of course many more like Kafka, Lovecraft, Barker, Matheson, Bloch, Straub, McCammon, etc., but there is a finite number of hours and so many great books to read.

JP: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your first book? This series?

The biggest challenge I had publishing my first book was not having the experience and skill to recognize how terrible it was! I tried for almost a year trying to get that mess picked up and eventually trunked it and moved on. Over time, my writing improved and I wrote several short stories that found homes in various anthologies which led to Portrait of a Nuclear Family getting published.

Once I have that first book out, I went through all my old projects and found a short story titles, “The Case of Leslie Owens,” and took some scissors to it. I was left with maybe half a page on solid writing and began developing it into a novella. Since it has a deep Lovecraftian root to it, I wanted to try and launch it at NecronomiCon in Providence, RI. I approached Crystal Lake Publishing, asked very politely, and they agreed to help me pull it off. They were also interested in supporting the series, so now I’m locked into delivering one a year for as long as people keep buying it or it comes to a natural end.

TRC : Would you please tell us something about the premise of MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS and the TRAVIS DANIELS INVESTIGATION series?

JP: The TRAVIS DANIELS INVESTIGATIONS series follows the titular detective as he encounters cases that devolve into crimes involving supernatural powers. The first in the series, MISSING IN MISKATONIC, begins with Daniels coming off one job to be hired to find a missing girl. The case sends him to Arkham, MA and Miskatonic University where he comes face to face with elder gods, cultists, and malformed creatures beyond conventional description.

MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS begins almost a year later while Daniels is on the run after the events of MISKATONIC. He stumbles across a murder and is swept up into a number of feuds between Canadian Sasquatch, Native America Werewolves, Native America Tribes, local townspeople, and a greedy lumber baron. He needs to solve the murder before fighting breaks out and whole towns are wiped off the map.

TRC:What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning MURDER IN MONASHEE MOUNTAINS?

JP: MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS was way more research than I’ve ever done. First, it takes place in real towns in Washington State. That required many phone calls and emails to local historical societies to get old photos, maps, news clippings, etc. They were wonderful and I wouldn’t have been able to include the level of detail without their assistance. I may have needed to invent some towns, which I wanted to avoid.

The other research intensive aspect of the book, and the reason I didn’t want to start inventing places, is the story features legitimate Native America tribes who exist through to today. The history of their reservation and how it was shrunk by the federal government is one of the many catalysts pressuring the characters in the book. I wanted to be both careful and respectful to their culture so I did quite a bit of research by reaching out to anyone within the tribe who could help me along. I even contacted one of the many people working to keep their native language alive. There are several words and phrases throughout MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS that are true to their language and I’ve includes a glossary and pronunciation guide for readers. I take a lot of pride in how much work I did in this book, but I think I’ll be sticking to fictional towns in the future.

TRC:Did you always plan to have a supernatural element to the series?

JP: Yes, always. I wanted to write a hard-boiled detective story with a main character who starts out a skeptic, is confronted by the supernatural, and adapts. Regardless of his ability to adapt, he will never embrace it and actively avoids getting involved. Of course, there will always be a reason he is forced to.

TRC:How many books do you have planned for the series?

JP: As many as I can possibly write and sell. You keep buying and reading them, I’ll keep writing them.

TRC:How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing believability or content?

JP: That’s a touchY tightrope to walk. I know many authors use a myriad of different techniques, but I try to stick to a couple I find useful. The first is The Hero’s Journey. It’s a lovely foundation to ensure you hit certain guideposts in your story but also allows for the freedom to still find your own path and write, what you can only hope are, original stories.

The second technique I use is called, “However, Therefore.” I found this while watching a video where Trey Parker and Matt Stone were discussing how they build each episode of SOUTH PARK. They call it something different, but I like my title better.
It’s essentially a way of ensuring cause and effect throughout your story. i.e. Sam walked down the street. HOWEVER A man in black clothes, his face covered in shadows turned the corner in front of him. THEREFORE Sam attempted to cross to the other side of the road. HOWEVER The strange man followed him. THEREFORE Sam stopped in the middle of the street. HOWEVER The man stopped opposite Sam and continued to approach. Etc.

This allows for a writer to create a smooth sequence of events that are both unpredictable and maintain believability.

TRC:Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of mystery and suspense involving the supernatural. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

JP: Beyond using the “However, Therefore,” technique, I try to avoid my characters discovering unearned abilities or easy outs. They need to work and suffer for their victories.

Authors tend to fail in this when they don’t consider the cause and effect of what they are writing or giving their heroes too much power. Stories only succeed when they have an obvious conflict where the hero winning is against the odds. If our main character miraculously learns a skill necessary for victory at the last second without struggling to master it, what’s the point? As a reader, I want to see the characters struggle and persevere, not just stumble on the solution. Well, unless you’re writing a comedy, stumbling is part of the genre.

TRC:Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

JP: Absolutely! I’ve been selling my books at conventions and shows and I’m still shocked by how many people comment on my covers and mention how the cover “looked intriguing,” so they picked it up and read the back. Your cover is often the book’s first chance to make an impression with a perspective reader.

TRC:When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

JP: I tend to lean more on the side of the writer directs the characters. While I’m writing, I may start feeling a groove between two characters having a conversation that starts to go off the rails of my intended arc. When that happens I look at whether it’s interesting or not.

If so, I keep going and see where it’s heading. I can always find a way to bring it all back to where I want. Sometimes I discover a fun solution to a problem I’d been mulling over for a bit.

If the conversation is boring, I delete back to the point it when sideways and fix it. As the author, I’m in charge of what’s happening. I tend to maintain a rough plot and always keep in mind the next road sign in the journey. My characters have a small amount of latitude to explore side roads, but they are still going to end up where I want them to be.

TRC:The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

JP: This is a tricky one. I tend to employ a kind of Method Acting while writing intense scenes. I try to put myself in the character’s headspace and see what the most likely reaction is going to be. Being neurodivergent, I don’t always react in the expected ways, so I have trusted beta readers who know to keep an eye out this.

One of the most difficult elements of writing, in my opinion, is emotional resonance. Writers tend to fail at it because they aren’t thinking about it, don’t know to work for it, don’t have the words yet, or solely focused of plot. It takes practice and intention to address it.

TRC:Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

JP: I do listen to music. It doesn’t effect my writing, characters, or pace. I use it to stay focused. If I don’t have music on in the background, my subconscious mind will wander and I don’t get as much done.

TRC:What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

JP: That we are all rich or that we are actively looking for stories to write that aren’t our own.

To make a living as an author on only your words is extremely difficult, especially in a world that doesn’t value art as much as it once did. Back in the 60’s and 70’s, one could make a decent living writing short stories. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. quit his day job when he worked out if he sold just four short stories a year, he would match his current salary. There is no way that is true of today, not even if you sell regularly to the top paying venues.

Most writers scrape out a living until they get a lucky break and their book gets picked up for a movie or television series. Not even then, sometimes. It’s a lot of work and takes a lot of support from loved ones. I wouldn’t be writing as much as I do without my wife’s constant faith in me.

And no, I’m sure your idea is wonderful, but I have more than enough of my own. I always say they should go and write their own book.

No one is going to tell your story better than you provided you put the work in.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

JP: Very little, honestly. I’m an open book and will answer damn near any question with the unfiltered truth. I find it stressful to edit myself in conversations which is one reason I will often take a back seat to many group discussions in social situations. When I’m working at a convention, either behind my table or on a panel, I present as very extroverted. In reality, I want to curl up in the corner and disappear. The constant worry I’ll make a fool of myself nags at my mind all the time. If you see me at the bar after the vendor hall is closed and the panels are done, I am lost. I have no idea how to act with confidence in that social situation.

TRC:On what are you currently working?

JP: I am editing the first book in a young/new adult fantasy series. Sorry, but there is no romance in it. If you ever read it, you’ll understand a romantic subplot would be highly problematic. It does explore the nature of friendship, though.

Also, I’m finishing up the rough draft of an urban fantasy novel while starting book three of the TRAVIS DANIELS INVESTIGATIONS series. After that will be a dark fantasy horror novel. I have a full plate.

Then there is my Patreon! I do a weekly check-in that is free for those who join. I’m trying to build a community there where we can all celebrate our successes as creators. For the paid membership, I post one short story, one chapters in an ongoing thriller novel, one craft article, and whatever else I feel like writing per month. I am obsessed with making sure I give anyone who pays me value for their money.

I started the Patreon because when I left all Meta platforms, I wanted to maintain the relationships I had with several of my readers.

TRC:Would you like to add anything else?

JP: I don’t think so! This is a very thorough interview. I only hope that those who read my work are open to following me across genres. My work spans several different genres mainly because I get bored easily. Hopefully, readers will start looking for the next JP Behrens book rather than the next horror novel, sci-fi novel, or next Travis Daniels. If my work helps reader expand their interests, then I’ll achieved one of the many goals I have for myself and my work.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food–Pizza or Cheeseburger (I told you all I’m BASIC!)

Favorite Dessert–Brownie Sundae

Favorite TV Show–Babylon 5

Favorite Sport –eSports

Last Movie You Saw–Thunderbolts*

Dark or Milk Chocolate–Milk Chocolate

Secret Celebrity Crush–Katie Holmes

Last Vacation Destination–Disney

Do you have any pets?–One cat, one goldfish, and exploring a dog.

Last book you read–JOURNEY TO THE WEST by Wu Cheng’en

TRC:Thank you JP for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of MURDER IN THE MONASHEE MOUNTAINS. We wish you all the best.

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Jackal (Destiny’s Enforcers MC 3) by April D Berry-review

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Jackal (Destiny’s Enforcers MC: Atlanta 3) by April D Berry-review & interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 30, 2025

Opposites attract. But is attraction enough?

Jackal’s been a nomad for years, but proud to call himself part of Destiny’s Enforcers. When his long-time friend and president of the Atlanta chapter was assassinated, he immediately goes to help find who did it and support the club. Falling for someone was the last thing on his mind.

Shivana finds herself in the right place at the wrong time when she goes to visit her old friend. After a harrowing ordeal and having to jump into action to save her friend’s man once they discovered she was a doctor, she decided to stick around a while longer. The idea of a new state and a new start excites her. Not to mention, she has her eye on one of the bikers at the clubhouse.

Jackal can’t help the undeniable attraction to Shivana but being so much older than her and just a roughneck biker, he believes she’s better off leaving town and tries to keep her at arm’s length. But Shivana is ready to start fresh, and she doesn’t see what a little fun with the older, and gorgeous biker, would hurt.

When a new revelation about who may have killed the president come to light, tensions run high and the future of the club, and its members, is at stake. He will do anything to keep her safe, but he can’t seem to resist the young doctor. But can she really be with him, and part of this dangerous life?

•••••

REVIEW: JACKAL is the third instalment in April D Berry’s contemporary, adult DESTINY’S ENFORCERS MC: ATLANTA erotic, MC romance series. This is forty-seven year old nomad turned MC enforcer Jacob aka Jackal, and thirty year old Dr. Shivana Raja’s story line. JACKAL can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Shivana and Jackal) JACKAL follows in the wake of a betrayal by one of their own. Jacob aka Jackal is a nomad but the recent death of the club’s enforcer finds Jackal on the precipice of becoming a full-fledged member of the Destiny’s Enforcers MC, and the possibility of claiming the woman with whom he will fall in love. Dr. Shivana Raja hasn’t left the compound since her rescue , a rescue that has made Shivana an honorary member of the ol’ ladies club but her attraction to Jackal comes with a caveat-Jackal believes he will never settle down, and Shivana proposes a friends with benefits relationship until he is gone . As the club continues to search for the man who betrayed family and friends, the planning of a wedding takes center stage as the MC prepare to hunt down the killer of one of their own.

The relationship between Jackal and Shivana is one of immediate attraction but Jackal doesn’t expect to put down roots until an offer from the MC forces Jackal to make a decision about his future. Shivana is determined to prove she is worthy of Jackal’s friendship and love, only to realize Jackal may have fallen first. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters including the previous story lines couples, and members of the Destiny’s Enforcers MC, as well as the return of Mama Hen, and Bratva member Nikolai Petrov Jr. Once again, the requisite evil has many faces.

JACKAL is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, jealousy and madness, acceptance and love. The premise is gritty and dramatic; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are charismatic and determined.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Falcon
Eagle

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi April and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release JACKAL.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Social Media: Goodreads/ Facebook/ Bluesky Social/ Website /Amazon Author Page/ Instagram/

April: I’m a steamy romance author that got a later start. I’m a bit of a mood reader, so it makes sense that I also am a bit of a mood writer! I was born and raised in GA, am married, and have two teens (send help).

TRC:Who or what influenced your career in writing?

April: So many things and people. I will say, I’ve been a writer since I was able to hold a pencil but I let life and preconceived notions from others that writing is a hobby, not a career, keep me from pursuing it. Then I thought I’d missed the boat. That was until I went down an Outlander rabbit hole and learned that Diana Gabaldon was 36 when she wrote the first of that series. I was 38 at the time and thought, “Oh my gosh, it’s not too late! I can still do it!” My hubby told me to go for it and he we are, over four years and sixteen books later!

TRC:What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

April: This is an MC series, but my writing style is very character driven. I really have to work at adding the expected action and even violence that readers have of this genre. I have a great team behind me that gives me valuable feedback but honors my style and that helps, but I still always wonder, “Was it enough?”

TRC:Would you please tell us something about the premise of JACKAL?

April: Jackal is book three of my DEMC series. The series follows a plot of betrayal and a bit of suspense as the club tries to find who assassinated their president. In the meantime, these women who have never been around bikers in any capacity swoop in and chaos usually ensues. Jackal is one of the longstanding members of the national club who was a nomad but ends up being patched into Atlanta. A younger, and particularly sassy, doctor was introduced in book two and she decides to stick around for some excitement. Definitely opposites attract and there’s a bit of an age gap (30/47). She thinks she wants a fling, he thinks she too good for that life. And while they work that out, they are encountered with even more questions and hurdles in finding out what happened to their president.

TRC:What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning JACKAL?

April: I don’t plot which is probably not the best tactic for a series (lol) but it’s my process. Like I said before, I’m very character driven so I let them lead the way. My brain usually knows what’s supposed to happen, and I do know who the ultimate bad guy is so I just write until I fill in the gaps. I have a little experience with some clubs, but also have an “insider” that helps me with the overall lifestyle to keep it somewhat realistic. Of course, I take a few liberties to fit the story and keep it exciting. And for any of the “medical” moments, my alter ego is in that field and one of my team members is also a nurse and that helps.

TRC:How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing believability or content?

April: Sowing even a tiny seed of doubt can make the readers second guess what they think. Also, if there is a bit of predictability, I don’t mind really because it’s more about the execution of whatever is happening. I will say, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the wrong guesses at the bad guys! Some I didn’t even intend to plant as potential villains but somehow they still came off that way.

TRC: JACKAL is the third instalment in the Destiny’s Enforcers MC series, how many books do you have planned ?

April: For the main series, book four will wrap up this storyline. However, there will be stories with other members in the series, but they’ll be more standalone focused. Then we move onto the Bristol chapter which is mentioned in book one, and will be brought up again in book four. Lots of folks have asked when Lynx gets a story, and I believe his will be the first of the new chapter.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of mystery and suspense. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

April: I love some crazy action and out there events, so I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of failures as long as it all ties up in the end. My process is to create enough to pass the possibility not probability check. Like would this really happen? Maybe not. But COULD it happen…absolutely. Also, even if something seems super far out there as long as you circle back and explain the why in a way that makes sense for the plot/character, I’ll allow it (lol).

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

April: Absolutely. I have a variety of covers and different books and the bare man chest outsell the rest by FAR! I am about to put bare man chests on my romcoms! But I think the MC covers depict what you’re getting and match the genre, so readers know what’s about to go down.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

April: The characters lead the way. I just write down the stuff they do while yelling at them, crying, and shaking my head a lot!

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

April: There’s so many ways. It’s one of the reasons I write in first person. I feel like I pull readers into the emotions much easier that way when I exhibit what’s going through the characters mind and how their body reacts. However, I’ve read some great third person stories that get me in a chokehold! It’s been said a million times but showing vs telling is a biggie that can knock a reader off the page, so I try to be careful about that.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

April: Yes, and it absolutely influences me and the characters. When I look over my most played songs during drafting, I’m always like, “Oh yeah. This all makes sense now.” I like a lot of rock, and classic rock is my fav followed by alternative.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

April: That we have lots of money or look by business-professionals while we write. I’m a hobbit and dress as such.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

April: I’m kind of an open book. I think most folks would be surprised to know that I am actually super shy and I guess an extroverted introvert. Social media and being in person are very different!

TRC: On what are you currently working?

April: I am drafting book one of my Royal Bastards submission that’s due out in August!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

April: Just how much I truly adore my readers. I can’t be an author without them, and their support means the world to me.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food–Mexican

Favorite Dessert–Brusters Ice Cream

Favorite TV Show-Outlander

Favorite Sport-Braves Baseball!

Last Movie You Saw-Thunderbolts (so good)

Dark or Milk Chocolate-chocolate lol

Secret Celebrity Crush-Stevie Nicks

Last Vacation Destination-PCB (annual family thing)

Do you have any pets? Bruno (doggie), Ginger and Luna (kitties)

Last book you read-Hell Bent by Roux Cantrell (excellent read)

TRC: Thank you April for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of JACKAL We wish you all the best.-

April: THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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Where The Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski-Review & Interview

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Where The Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski-Review & Interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 11, 2025

For Dash Fuller, Hollywood’s underbelly is home. He’s spent years making the film industry’s worst secrets disappear, and it’s left him a cynical burnout with a taste for bourbon and self-loathing.

But when a young woman comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees a chance at redemption. Madeline Ironwood is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton has just been discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

Get ready for a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.

••••••

REVIEW: WHERE THE BONES LIE by Nick Kolakowski is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, murder mystery thriller focusing on former Hollywood fixer turned struggling standup comedian Dash Fuller.

Told from first person perspective (Dash) WHERE THE BONES LIE follows Dash Fuller as he struggles with his latest career. Failing as a late night comedian in the wake of his last disastrous ‘fix’, Dash’s mentor and ‘cleaner’ Manny begs for help with a missing Hollywood star. Although a success, the end result is a reminder of what was, and Dash reconsiders his future at the bottom of a bottle but when a young woman, Madeline Ironwood, asks for help investigating the murder of her father, a man who disappeared years before, Dash is determined to get answers but never expected to become a target of some powerful people.

The world building is imaginative and inviting as we are up close and personal with Dash and Madeline as they go in search of the truth. Madeline’s father’s remains were discovered in a dried up lake bed but law enforcement is refusing to give further details. Not all is as it appears to be as the body count increases with each step closer to the truth.

There is large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable and hapless secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to actors Amber Rodney and Karl Quaid; Vintner Mike Vonn; Dash’s mentor Manny and Deputy Sheriff Reid, as well as an odd assortment of assassins, goons and San Douglas townies.

WHERE THE BONES LIE is a story of secrets and lies, murder, greed and madness, betrayal and vengeance. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the characters are ill-fated and dynamic. The author leaves an opening for a possible continuation.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Nick and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release WHERE THE BONES LIE. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Nick: I’m a crime and horror writer based in New York City. Like most of my ilk, I’m a lifelong fan of pretty much everything involving fictional murder and mayhem. WHERE THE BONES LIE is my first “classic” mystery novel, but I’m the author of several other books, including PAYBACK IS FOREVER, LOVE & BULLETS, and ABSOLUTE UNIT. I also write short stories and screenplays.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Nick: I fell in love with classic detective literature when I was a kid. I spent my youth reading Christie, Doyle, Chandler—all the greats. At a certain point, I mustered up my courage and decided to try writing crime stories myself.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Nick: The publishing was smooth as proverbial silk—everyone from Datura Books to Penguin Random House have been great on every front, from editing through distribution. The writing part of it, as you might expect, came with its own share of challenges. Coming up with the final premise took a lot of work, since I wanted to do something relatively unique to the detective genre, which is piled high with 140+ years of stories and characters. Once I had that premise locked, the writing was a fun grind, but still a grind—I had to stop a few times to kind of re-center and figure out how to do best by my characters and story.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of WHERE THE BONES LIE?

Nick: Dash Fuller has spent years making the film industry’s worst secrets disappear, and it’s left him a cynical burnout with a taste for bourbon and self-loathing.

But when a young woman comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees a chance at redemption. Madeline Ironwood is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton has just been discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning WHERE THE BONES LIE?

Nick: As with all my books, I did quite a bit of research before I began writing WHERE THE BONES LIE: everything from how wildfires move to how to effectively drive a classic Mustang at car-chase speeds to the best ways to pick a lock. I always aspire to ground my books’ details as much as possible. The cool thing about research is that it also informs the plot—as I talked to people and went through websites and books, I found myself tweaking the book’s outline to incorporate some nifty new detail.

TRC: Is any of the premise based in reality or fact?

Nick: There are definitely some elements pulled from reality. For example, the book’s central mystery involves a skeleton found in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake. I pulled that idea from real-life news stories about lakes drying up in Nevada, exposing the long-lost bones of mob informants and other criminals who’d been tossed in the water decades before.
I also pulled quite a bit from what’s going on in California right now, everything from wildfires to the implosion of the entertainment industry. I wanted the book to feel very gritty and real.

TRC: Is the story a standalone? If no, how many books do you have planned for the series?

Nick: I hope this becomes a series! It ends in a way that’s a direct lead-in to a sequel. I’ll keep writing them as long as the readers will have me…

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of mystery and suspense. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Nick: When it comes to believability, everything stems from motivation. If you do your work earlier in the book to firmly establish a character’s capabilities and motives, and then make sure they only act within those parameters, you’ll never have a reader scream, “I can’t believe [character X] did that!”

It’s a similar deal when it comes to plot. Virtually any plot twist is believable if you set it up properly earlier in the book, with the right amount of foreshadowing detail and logic. That’s where I think some authors fail: they introduce a seemingly unbelievable thing on page 200 that just doesn’t work, because they didn’t do the work on pages 1-100 to establish the foundations of that thing.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Nick: It’s a huge factor. Readers say again and again that a good cover is a crucial motivator in picking up a book. A great cover will move copies; a bad cover will make the hard job of marketing even harder.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Nick: For the longest time, I would go with the characters’ impulses; with WHERE THE BONES LIE, however, I decided for the first time to outline the book, effectively putting me in the position of directing them. But even then, I made some crucial changes during the writing process based on what the characters were telling me at that moment. For example, the book’s outlined ending was much more straightforward than the final version, without the big twists. Those twists came because a character kept pulling in that direction as I was writing.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Nick: I believe it’s critical to sink the reader into the characters’ headspace. That doesn’t always mean utilizing stream-of-consciousness or constantly mentioning the characters’ thoughts, although those are powerful techniques when done correctly. Oftentimes, you can convey what the characters are thinking or feeling via their external words and actions, even small ones.

In order to build that emotional connection, of course, you do your best to build sympathy for your characters, even the worst ones. There are a number of ways to do that; revealing their traumas, their hopes and dreams, can all make them relatable. And I think that’s where a lot of writers fall short, because they don’t consider the full dimensions of a character, and/or neglect to include those details that balance out any bad with the good.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Nick: I’m a big music listener. Before I sit down to write each book, I craft a playlist that I think reflects the book’s tone. With WHERE THE BONES LIE, I had a mix of upbeat, beachy tunes like The Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon,” which was meant as an ironic counterpoint to the book’s dark mystery, mixed with some modern, grittier stuff like The Ting Tings’ “Estranged” and HMLTD’s “Satan, Luella & I.”

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Nick: I think people think that authors simply write the words and the publishing industry takes care of the rest, but every serious author I know is essentially a small business owner, tackling everything from marketing to accounting. It’s a full-spectrum job, even if you’re only doing it part-time.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Nick: I’m extremely Type A. That’s great when it comes to hitting deadlines and establishing a schedule for writing, but I need to learn how to calm down a bit more.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Nick: I’m currently outlining the sequel to WHERE THE BONES LIE! This one will partially take place in Northern California and involve a lot of today’s hot-button issues, from the consequences of digital surveillance to the fallout of our decades-long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m doing my best to liven up the darkness with some bursts of humor.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Sushi

Favorite Dessert
Chocolate chip cookies

Favorite TV Show
It’s a toss-up between ‘Deadwood’ and ‘Breaking Bad’

Favorite Sport
Long-distance running.

Last Movie You Saw
“Den of Thieves 2”

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush
Aubrey Plaza

Last Vacation Destination
Upstate New York

Do you have any pets?
Two huge and irascible cats

Last book you read
“Careless People” by Sarah Wynn-Williams

TRC: Thank you Nick for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of WHERE THE BONES LIE. We wish you all the best.

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Vaccine:A Terrorism Thriller by Robin Rickards-review & interview

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Vaccine: A Terrorism Thriller by Robin Rickards-review & interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK

War kills in many ways—with speed, with brutality…with stealth.

At the end of the 20th century, America prepares for a war that could transform the world. But that war has already been fought. . .and America has lost. In the lingering chaos of the Middle East conflict, a pathogen is unleashed. This plague has been engineered to suffocate its victims with an agonizing, sleepless death and cripple the victor long after the battle has ended.

Darien Rhodes, once an esteemed military physician, is now a disgraced exile. Forced back into service by the army that had betrayed him, he searches for the cure held in the hands of the enemy.

Racing against time, Rhodes faces an unforgiving ultimatum: find the vaccine…or face a trial for treason.

Blackmail, bioterror, deception-an electrifying terrorism thriller that merges the intensity of military and medical suspense. Will America survive this final blow?

••••••

REVIEW:VACCINE: A TERRORISM THRILLER by Robin Rickards is a sci-fi, historical, medical thriller and military drama focusing on former military physician and infectious disease researcher Dr. Darien Rhodes.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Dr. Darien Rhodes, following two timelines (1978 and 1998) VACCINE focuses on Dr. Darien Rhodes, a dishonored US military physician and infectious disease researcher as he is tasked with uncovering the truth. In 1977, two years after the end of the Vietnam war, several North and South Vietnamese POWs became sick, and Darien and his team including Dr. Major David Rossi, a US army physician specializing in pathology and neurology, were assigned the difficult task of determining what happened and why but the incipient nature of the disease, and the ongoing research unveiled an unknown and deadly strain of a potentially new virus, a virus that could have been either man-made or unearthed from times past. Finding himself on the wrong side of government bureaucracy, Darien is banished and black listed until twenty years later when New World Minerals, while mining for gold in Vietnam, may have unleashed the same deadly virus.

The world building is complex, detailed, well researched and awash in medical text, language and infectious diseases, concepts, conspiracies, betrayal, blackmail, ethnic cleansing, and bioterrorism enmeshed in a literary mixture of both fiction and reality. From North and Central America, to Vietnam and North Africa, the Gulf War, and the Middle East wars including Iraq and Afghanistan, to Russia, the transient nature of research, power and greed are affecting the people, and soldiers sent to fight a war not of their making.

We are introduced to a questionable cast of secondary and supporting characters: Colonel David Rossi, Army physician specializing in pathology and neurology ; geologists Michel Martin, and his daughter Terry Martin of New World Minerals ; Russian pilot Viktor Merkulov; microbiologist Dr. Zamorin, and geologist Jackson Manning.

VACCINE: A Terrorism Thriller is a suspenseful, well written story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and madness, war, ethnic cleansing and terrorism, double cross and espionage. The thought provoking, intriguing and comprehensive premise is dramatic, twisted, edgy and well developed; the characters are numerous, animated and tragic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi  Robin  and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the
release of VACCINE-A TERRORISM THRILLER.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Robin: I have dual Canadian/British citizen. I was fortunate enough to be born in Canada to two [inspirational] immigrant parents after WWII. I am a [semi-] retired orthopedic surgeon [that means I used to do quite a few hip and knee replacements and deal with a lot of trauma/car accidents].

I am married to a beautiful Colombian lady [who keeps me on my toes]. I speak fluent English [sort of my first language], French and Spanish. I have two terrific adult children and live on the [very wet] west coast of Canada.

TRC:Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Robin:I have always enjoyed thrillers such as those written by Michael Crichton and Robin Cook [both doctors by the way] any book that has a big ‘What If’ component to it intrigues me as do things like alternative histories and stories about hidden/obscure events.

TRC:What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Robin:Publishing [traditional publishing] seems to be a closed shop. The only traditional publishers who will take a new author on is if that author has already been published [a vicious circle!]. Self-publishing is easy to do not necessarily easy to be successful at. I always say that writing a book is the easy part, marketing the book is the hard part.

And it’s always hard to be objective about what you’ve written. Sometimes you can be writing for hours, look at the words you have put onto paper [or computer, really] and just wonder where they came from-they’re so good!-Or they’re so bad!

TRC : Would you please tell us something about the premise of  VACCINE-A TERRORISM THRILLER?

Robin:I have written five novels. Vaccine was written just after the Gulf War. For anyone who can remember, a lot of the soldiers came back sick, debilitated and there was no explanation for their symptoms [there still isn’t!]. There are a lot of theories but Gulf War Syndrome has never really been explained.

The novel is about that disease but more so, it’s really about deception, conspiracy and who can you trust [?].

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend
researching /plotting before beginning VACCINE-A TERRORISM THRILLER?

Robin: I like it when you call it ‘plotting’. It sounds like a conspiracy! I carry extensive research for all of my books before I even start to write. Depending on the subject/theme of the novel, I may spend up to a year before putting pen to paper [finger to computer] and then usually another year before I have a satisfactory final product. But even at that point, it’s not over because an editor [a good one] will point out where the cracks and crevices are in the story, in the characters and whether the whole thing sticks together.

TRC: Is any of the plot based in reality? Inspired by the recent COVID-19
pandemic?

Robin: Now that is a great question! In 2022, I had a literary agent tell me that there was no point in writing a book about a vaccine, since everyone on the planet was already talking about a vaccine [Covid related, I suppose]. The reality is however that I wrote this book over 20 years ago [am I prescient!!?] all about a man-made disease, used as a weapon. So, the answer to the question is: No, it was not inspired by the recent Covid-19 pandemic [and the Covid-19 pandemic was not inspired by my book!].

TRC: Did you consider any of, or take into account, recent conspiracy theories when developing the story line?

Robin: Another great question! Just after the Gulf War there was a lot of talk about chemical and possibly biological weapons having been used. In the media, that was all put off as conspiracy, nothing to back it up!

It is always so difficult to believe what we are hearing today. At that time, a good friend of mine [retired, very high up in the military] had told me that the reality of the situation was that Iraq really did have weapons of mass destruction! I guess you can take what you want from that-it’s all in the past now.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Robin:I’m not sure what would be the best way to say this. I think that the storyline has to ‘stick’. It has to flow from one event to the next and from one character to the next. I don’t pretend to be the best writer in the world, but I think that many writers will go off on tangents and not focus on the main goal of the story which is to weave a tale that keeps your reader glued to the book. It’s always nice to provide interesting details but only if that pertains to the story or adds to the theme. On the other hand, going off on a tangent can sometimes be useful when the reader realizes that the direction that the reader was taken in brings that reader right back to centre stage.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers
in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Robin:It’s a really old saying-a picture paints 1000 words! When I was trying to conceive of the cover, I would picture myself in a store [in the old days when people would actually go to stores to buy books] and unless I was looking for a specific book or subject, I was always attracted to the book that had the most interesting cover. I think that old saying applies even more when you’re looking for a book online because you can’t feel the book, you can’t hold it in your hands. A good cover draws the reader in just like that tasty worm on the hook will help you catch that big fish.

TRC:When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Robin: The answer to that question is: both. But more so, I find, that the characters, more often than not dictate to me which way to go [I suppose that sounds kind of spooky]. I think that’s probably a good way to write and in a way it goes along with allowing the characters to flow, character with character, character with theme/plot and even character with the author [sound spooky again, I know].

TRC:The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen?  Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Robin:A good character/characters need to have emotions, quirks and especially faults. The writer has to illustrate the characters’ faults. The illustration can be shown by what the characters do, what they think [it’s probably not a good idea to stay in a character’s head for too long, simply recounting what he/she is thinking about]. Better still, your author should show how the character is able to deal with those faults. I think that’s all a reflection of real life. We all have faults and we all have to deal with them.

TRC:Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Robin:No, I can’t listen to music while I’m writing. There’s just too much going on inside my head!

TRC:What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Robin:Most people, as far as I can tell, think that authors live in a dark room with only a thin sliver of natural light penetrating their isolation through a closed blind. Perhaps there are authors like that but I doubt that they can last long without ending up drinking a lot!

TRC:What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Robin: I worry a lot. About what? Everything!

TRC:On what are you currently working?

Robin: I am about halfway through another work of fiction-the working title is: Plague Prayers and Oracle Bones. The subject is about human parasites and how they have affected humanity since “the beginning of time”.

As you can see, all my books have some medical basis on which I think [I hope?] add some credence to the subject of each novel.

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Peanut Butter

Favorite Dessert
Fresh Fruit-but I really do love apple pie!

Favorite TV Show
Ancient Aliens of Course!

Last Movie You Saw
The Queen of the Ring-it’s an Indie movie that just came out, all based on true fact!

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark-and Lots of It

Secret Celebrity Crush
Sophia Vergara… They say she looks a lot like my wife!

Last Vacation Destination
Colombia-lots of family down there


Do you have any pets?
We have four dogs and two cats [and sometimes a small weasel]-most are rescues

Last book you read

The Genetic Book of the Dead by Richard Dawkins

TRC:Thank you Robin for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of Vaccine: Terrorism Thriller

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The Magician’s Daughter by Alison Chambers-review & interview

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The Magician’s Daughter by Alison Chambers-review & interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 5, 2025

October 1942.

Deadly espionage attacks are escalating across US Army Air Force bases stationed around London, threatening to derail the upcoming goodwill visit of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Brigadier General Maximilian Landry, commander of the base in Heathbridge, is on his way to attend the birthday party of his mentor, General Bedford ‘Ford’ Masterson, when his car misses hazardous boulders strewn in his path – one in a series of sabotage incidents.

A female OSS agent, Corporal Anne Beasley, is sent to investigate the disruption. She soon finds herself embroiled in a labyrinth of deceit, where nothing is as it seems.

While Anne serves as Landry’s temporary adjutant during a severe staffing shortage, Max grows suspicious of her and asks Major Brett Calloway, who he has served with for over ten years, to spy on her.

As the attacks increase, suspicions mount surrounding who could be responsible as confidential information is leaked. With no one to turn to and no one who will believe her, the agent fights desperately to defend herself and uncover the culprit.

A conspiracy unfolds, which could not only endanger the life of the First Lady, but threaten the success of the war effort itself.

••••••

REVIEW:THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER by Alison Chambers is an adult, historical thriller focusing on OSS agent Corporal Anne Beasley, a woman who is tasked with uncovering the truth.

Told from limited omniscient third person perspective (Anne) THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER follows OSS agent Corporal Anne Beasley in the wake of the accelerating and intensifying attacks on several US Army Air Force Bases stationed in and around London, England in 1942. Undercover as Brigadier General Maximilian Landry’s temporary assistant, Beasley discovers there is more to the attacks than anyone could have every imagined. An upcoming classified visit from America’s first lady is threatened with the possibility of a spy in their midst, and Corporal Anne Beasley finds herself at the centre of a covert mission where she will become the prime suspect when fingers are pointed in her direction.

THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER is a story of treason, traitors, double and triple agents, betrayal, conspiracy and espionage, wrapped in a little bit of romance focusing on the dysfunctional people in charge. Brigadier General Maximilian Landry is an easy mark, and is often trapped by his desire to feel needed; Corporal Anne Beasley is determined to prove the US Army is sleeping with the enemy. The character driven premise is thought provoking, dramatic and twisted; the characters are desperate and tenacious; the romance is edgy and questionable.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy


Sandra Koehler, who writes under the pen name of Alison Chambers, was Vice-President of one of the largest association management companies in Wisconsin. She has traveled extensively and served as Executive Director of several national nonprofit medical associations, where she was responsible for marketing, communications, and public relations, as well as overall management. She has been quoted in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and other national media and has received four awards for excellence and dedicated service. She continues to work in the association management field and has also written for newspapers. Koehler, who majored in political science and history, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She first started writing when she was a teenager, sparked by an interest in Nancy Drew books and a desire to tell a good story. She enjoys keeping her hero and heroine in dangerous and exciting situations against a backdrop of exotic settings, lost treasure and unsolved historical mysteries. Where Danger Makes Passion Sizzle.

TRC: Hi Alison and welcome to The Reading Café.

We would like to start with some background information.  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Social Media: Website / Goodreads/

Alison: Alison Chambers is my pen name and in my other career I have worked in non-profit association management for over 25 years, serving as Executive Director of several national medical associations. I have always enjoyed the variety of that profession as I feel it has helped me hone my writing skills, since I am editor of several newsletters, contribute to blogs, create proposals, press releases, marketing plans, etc. I have also written for newspapers. I majored in political science and history at a time when not many women were going into those fields and have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I first started writing books as a teenager and have written seven books with all of them having a historical romance angle.

TRC:Who or what influenced your writing career?

Alison: Since I was an only child, I’ve always enjoyed reading and became interested in Nancy Drew books when I was young. I always liked seeing her as the heroine and solving mysteries on her own, which led me to want to write those type of stories. Later, when I had an interest in history, I read Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L Shirer and Eleanor and Franklin, the story of the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, which I found fascinating. I’ve always been interested in unsolved mysteries, conspiracy theories, and lost treasures, which always make me think of the writer’s ability to say ‘what if?’ What if this or that happened instead of the usual outcome we’re familiar with, which can and has often led to the fodder for great stories.

TRC:What difficulties or challenges have you faced as an author?

Alison: I think that getting a good idea for a story and then making it lead to both a logical and exciting conclusion is challenging. Also, finding the time and the ‘gumption’ to actually start writing and finishing the book is difficult, all while you’re staying interested in the fate of your characters throughout. Patricia Highsmith, who wrote Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr. Ripley and The Price of Salt, the basis for the movie, Carol, said the following: “The first person you should think of pleasing, in writing a book is yourself. If you can amuse yourself for the length of time it takes to write a book, the publisher and the readers can and will come later.” That is so true, since if you don’t have fun writing it, people won’t have fun reading it either and readers won’t have empathy for the characters. Then, of course, there’s the usual work involved with editing, getting it published and promoted. But I love doing it all and I do have fun!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER?

“A Thrilling Novel of Conspiracy, Espionage & Intrigue”

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /  Published by Holand Press

Alison:  The Magician’s Daughter takes place on a US Army Air Force Base outside London in 1942 as a way of providing a different backdrop for the novel, as opposed to setting it in Nazi-Occupied Europe. I wanted to focus on several interesting areas, including highlighting the women working for the newly established Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to the troops in England and introducing a character loosely based on Jasper Maskelyne, known as The War Magician.

In The Magician’s Daughter, I portray a woman forced to deal with treacherous Nazi spies, high-level fascist conspiracies, and escalating sabotage on US Army Air Force Bases all over southeastern England, while trying to save the life of the base commander she loves. My main character finds herself embroiled in a frightening labyrinth of lies and deceit, where nothing is as it seems. As the attacks increase, suspicions mount and even her sanity is questioned. With no one to turn to and no one who will believe her, she fights desperately to defend herself before the vicious threats claim the lives of both Eleanor Roosevelt and the man she so desperately loves.

TRC:Is any of the premise based in reality?

Alison: Yes, Eleanor Roosevelt did really visit the troops in England in 1942. That time frame interested me because the war was in a precarious time and had not turned in the Allies’ favor. The daring daylight bombing raids the US conducted had not yet been successful, with only 20% of them hitting their targets, often hitting residential areas instead. Eleanor visited the troops in England to boost morale and observe how women were participating in the war effort.

When I thought about my lead character and what her backstory would be, I thought “What if her father was a magician?” That’s how I learned, through research, that there was a stage magician, Jasper Maskelyne, who applied many of his sleight of hand tricks to the business of war while working for the British. He created ingenious weapons for use by spies and with his band of fellow artists, created faux tanks and battleships to conceal the Suez Canal and ‘move’ Alexandria Harbor. While there is some conjecture regarding the reality of some of these events, they still make great fodder for a story! My main character’s father is loosely based on this character. You can read more about Jasper Maskelyne by reading The War Magician by David Fisher. At one point, a movie was going to be made about his life starring Benedict Cumberbatch, but that project is apparently on hold for now, from what I’ve read.

TRC:How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Alison: You have to keep thinking about what the character’s next logical move would be without throwing coincidence into it, which would make it unbelievable. You have to be diligent about reading history from the period to make sure these things could possibly happen, even if they didn’t, or maybe you have to adjust the timeline a bit to make it more plausible.

TRC:What difficulties did you encounter (logistical, research, etc.) outlining and writing this particular novel?

Alison: Once again, checking history to make sure the events are probable, even if they didn’t really happen that way in the original time frame.

TRC:If you could virtually cast the leading characters, which actors or models would best represent your ideal image?

Alison: With today’s actors: George Clooney and Nicole Kidman; with vintage actors Gregory Peck and Joan Fontaine.

TRC:Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Alison: Only one or two close friends, but mainly I read other writers in the same historical fiction genre to get ideas and make sure I’m on the right track.

TRC:Do you believe the cover plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of choosing their next book to read?

Alison: Yes, a professional and attractive cover helps sell the book along with the blurb, of course, since you only have a short time to catch the reader’s attention, either online or in a bookstore, so they’d both better be good.

TRC:How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of deadlines?

Alison: Discipline yourself to sit down every day and make progress, no matter what, like with any other task that needs to get done. Sometimes it takes me a while to get going and I’ll only have written one paragraph in one hour. But suddenly and mysteriously, the creative muse takes off and I don’t want to stop! Be focused and that can put worry on the back burner.

TRC:On what are you currently working?

Alison: I’m working on the sequel to The Magician’s Daughter, as this is part of a series spotlighting the tremendous and sometimes unsung role women played during World War II, working for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Actually 35% of the 13,000 people who served with the OSS were women (one out of every three) and I’m glad to see more stories are being told about the contributions they made.

TRC:Would you like to add anything else?

Alison: I would like to thank the Reading Café for having me and Holand Press for publishing my book. These were great questions.

Please visit me at https://www.alisonchambersromance.com to learn more about me and my other books.

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food? Shrimp Scampi

Favorite Dessert? Turtle Brownies

Favorite TV Show? NCIS or anything on the History Channel

Last Movie You Saw? A Complete Unknown (the Bob Dylan biopic)

Dark or Milk Chocolate? Dark

Favorite Flower? Yellow tulips

Do you have any pets? No, I’m allergic, but I love dogs!

Thank you, Alison, for taking the time to answer our questions.  Congratulations on the release of THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER.

 

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The Gift From Aelius by Michael Colon-Review & Interview

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THE GIFT FROM AELIUS by Michael Colon-Review & Interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 29, 2024

In the not-too distant future, A191, a Codex with artificial intelligence, feels like a misfit in Paradise, a walled city in the middle of an endless desert where humans imprisoned his race long ago. He’s not like the others of his kind; he longs to meet humans and make peace with them so man and Codexes can be reunited in the world. These thoughts and feelings are not allowed in Paradise; he risks banishment to the desert by the Overseer A. I. who rules by fear and force. Complicating matters, A191 has a glitch in his programming that conjures up a human boy named Aelius who tells him to go to Old Haven where he will find freedom. However, he’s drafted into a rebellion against the Overseer, and as Paradise enforcers close in with orders to terminate him, he escapes the city to wander the desert in search of humans. The journey reveals the truth about his existence, the Overseer’s lies, and the consequences of mankind’s untethered technology.

•••••

REVIEW: THE GIFT FROM AELIUS by Michael Colon is an adult, sci-fi, post apocalyptic, futurist story line focusing on Codex A191, and the rise of AI.

Told from first person perspective (A191) A GIFT FROM AELIUS follows A191 as he/it slowly becomes something more. Humanity has reached the singularity: sentient robots with the ability to think. The Codex artificial intelligence, having destroyed most of mankind, have been forced behind a walled city called Paradise, where the Overseer controls their day to day activities but A191 is struggling with his/its’ direction, and a glitch in his/its’ program brings with it memories and instructions from a time long ago. As A191 journeys forward looking for answers, the reality of mankind’s destruction hits too close to home.

THE GIFT FROM AELIUS is awash in religious and Christian overtones: God and Heaven, spirituality and faith, heart and soul. Akin to Moses freeing the slaves with directions from God, A191 often wonders if there is something more, only to discover he/it is the something more for which everyone is searching.

Blending a little bit of THE MATRIX™ with I, ROBOT™, (Asimov) and plenty of ROBOPOCALYPSE™ (Wilson), THE GIFT FROM AELIUS focuses on the aftermath of the rise of artificial intelligence (apocalypse ) and the fall of mankind. With 90% of humanity wiped out by the AI uprising, those who remain must fight for survival. The thought provoking premise is dramatic, dark and complex. Ask yourself, is the end of humanity worth the ongoing use of artificial intelligence ?

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi Michael and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE GIFT FROM AELIUS.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Michael Colon:  My name is Michael Colon, and I was born and raised in New York City. I am a novelist, poet, and freelance writer. My author’s story is about hard work, perseverance, and believing in the power of imagination. My inspiration comes from various societal abnormalities, the beauty in cultural differences, and my own life experiences. Outside of writing, I enjoy working out, watching sports, and going on hiking trails with my wife.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Michael Colon: Art, music, and movies influenced my career in writing. The imagination and creative expression that goes into those artforms inspires me. As an author, I see how genuine we must be with our craft to impact the reader with the message we want to deliver and I see the same in those art forms.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Michael Colon:The challenging reality of working hard on a project, and leaving it up to someone you never met to give it the stamp of published approval can conjure mixed emotions. Also, trying to figure out where to start when sending pitches can be overwhelming, especially as a new author.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE GIFT FROM AELIUS?

Michael Colon:The premise of this story is to show how far artificial intelligence can advance as we advance consciously as a species. Another premise is the yearning of purpose in this world. Any intelligent lifeform that is consciously aware years to find meaning in this world.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning THE GIFT FROM AELIUS?

Michael Colon:I researched certain elements as I wrote the story. I did not want to put any unnecessary holds on the flow of a story telling itself. The research is definitely necessary, but expressing my heart and filling in the gaps with research is more my style.

TRC: Is THE GIFT OF AELIUS a stand alone, or do you have plans for future Instalments?

Michael Colon:I have plans to write a sequel.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of AI and Sci-Fi. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Michael Colon:I agree that believability is important. I keep the story lines real by adding real world scenarios with today’s outlook on A.I mixed with creative hypotheticals to what can happen if A.I continues to evolve based on hearing what professionals in the industry have to say. I think some authors fail at this when they don’t balance the objective viewpoints of information with there imagination.

TRC: What, if any, are your concerns about the future of mankind and AI? What do you believe are the benefits of AI?

Michael Colon:I don’t have any concerns. If higher artificial intelligence consciousness is meant to share life with us the best thing we can do is learn to grow with it and become better as people. Most people picture the end of the world with robots enslaving people. I tend to see things from a more open minded viewpoint.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Michael Colon:Absolutely. There is a saying to never judge a book by its cover. But let’s face it. We all do to some extent. The cover is the first thing people see. It is important to make sure the cover art pops and boldly explains the core concept of a story.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Michael Colon:I let the characters do the writing. When I am in the flow of writing a story. I let the fictional world the characters live in have power by guiding the narratives. This takes letting go of rigid writing habits and letting the characters have fun. You never know what exciting new ideas can propel the story by doing this.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Michael Colon:A writer must experience living through the story when writing down the words so that in every piece of text are remnants of the author’s voice and heart. When each word connects and drives a particular mood of a chapter or scene it’s easier for the reader to connect emotionally. Writers fail in this endeavour by either going through the motions or overthinking.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Michael Colon:I love listening to music while writing. I feel that music triggers certain emotional responses that allow our storytelling to become potent when we are stimulated.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about Authors?

Michael Colon:A big misconception about authors is that they don’t do anything, and sit in their room all day and night. Authors have other interests and passions.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Michael Colon:I played semi-pro basketball for a couple years.

TRC: Who or what influenced your path towards writing a sci-fi / futuristic story line?

Michael Colon:I am always fascinated with the what if’s of the future and we are in a stage in history where A.I is at the forefront of innovation.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Michael Colon:The sequel to The Gift From Aelius

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Michael Colon:For anyone who just started their writing journey or is pitching their work to publishers, never give up hope in yourself. Hard work and faith is the recipe for success. Not these five step guides that people on the internet will try to scam your pockets with.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Spaghetti and meatballs.

Favorite Dessert Chocolate Cake.

Favorite TV Show The Walking Dead

Last Movie You Saw Smile 2

Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush None

Last Vacation Destination Lancaster Pennsylvania

Do you have any pets? Nope

Last book you read The meaning of marriage by Timothy Keller

TRC:  Thank you Michael for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of THE GIFT FROM AELIUS. We wish you all the best.

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Crystal Iris (Crystal Iris) by Blair M Shadows-review & interview

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Crystal Iris (Crystal Iris 1) by Blair M  Shadows -review and interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2024

Get ready to lose yourself in a world where art and magic intertwine with a blistering hot romance.

Crystal Iris: Book I is the beginning of a tantalizing magical romance series brimming with mystery, modern conflicts, and a love story that will leave you aching for more. A sexy, addictive mystical fantasy with a strong female lead, swoon-worthy book boyfriends, and plenty of spice—perfect for fans of books featured on BookTok.

Professor Iris De Loughery’s life changes on the night of her thirtieth birthday. The gift she receives from her distant father defies reality as she knows it, launching her on a journey of self-discovery alongside a dive into the spectral unknown. Shaken by her relationships, the Harvard art history professor’s struggles intensify when she meets Hoyt, another prism possessor. Controlling her feelings will be her first challenge in this wicked spicy series.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW:

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.” – Stella Adler”

I love the cover. Definitely in my discreet era 😜

I wasn’t to enamoured by the blurb if I’m honest. And maybe I should have gone in blind. Sometime you are pleasantly surprised.

“The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.” – Robert Hughes”

But the book, the book had a few issues, but I couldn’t put it down until the last page was done. It was a little slow in places, and a few discrepancies, but it didn’t take away from the drama and storytelling.

I also liked the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter, I’m not a big lover of history (although I do read historical romance 😉) but I found the snippets the author gave us really fascinating, I felt it added something extra to the story. The MFC is a history professor, so it was a good idea that she could actually tell us a little a little it.)

“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.” – Leonardo da Vinci”

MFC is an older character (which I always like, love isn’t just for the young you know 😉) and with an established career and life already. But life isn’t always played out the way you plan it……

Iris is given a gift from an absent father (we get to find out more through the book.) At first Iris wants nothing to with her father or the gift, but curiosity wins out…..

“The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” – Paul Strand”

What I liked was this book didn’t info dump on you, it gave it in easy segments, so that it didn’t overwhelm or confuse the reader. (I don’t need confusing thanks 😉)

Hoyt is also a prism holder. And that’s what connects them at first. The friendship grows and venues something more….

But we also have mystery and drama. And that’s the bit I loved. It keeps you wondering how this will turn out

There are so many questions that need answering in the book …..

What’s a prism? What’s its purpose? How does it involve Iris and Hoyt?

And do her mother’s letters hold more clues or questions?

You will have to read the book to find out if my questions are answered.

And the ending!! What a way to leave it open for the next book (which i hope is soon 🤞)

SO if you ignore the blurb and dive straight in I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Plenty of intrigue and mystery. A puzzle that needs solving (I did guess a few things pretty quick, but others completely surprised me.) it says a spicy romance, and then someone describes it as a slow burn 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ll leave that for you to decide.

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie

TRC: .Hi Blair and welcome to The Reading Cafe. Congratulations on the release of Crystal Iris. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself? 

Blair: I’m a mom first and foremost, and a nostalgic at heart. I love researching and reading about history and art. Having lived in a few exciting places and traveled extensively for work, I’ve gained a broad perspective on the world.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing? 

Blair: My background is in film and TV, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to be involved in telling stories. Coming from a creative family, I was always encouraged to pursue this path.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Blair: I wish I could say the path has been smooth, but I’ve had to battle self-doubt on a daily basis—something that’s probably common when writing a debut novel. Publishing is an entirely different beast, one I’m still navigating. My mantra has always been: ‘One day at a time.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of   CRYSTAL IRIS?

Blair: Crystal Iris is a story about love—primarily self-love. It weaves in magical elements, spice, betrayals, and art, but at its core, it’s about discovering who we truly are when faced with life’s challenges.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning CRYSTAL IRIS

BLAIR: I started writing Crystal Iris about seven years ago, and the research has been my favorite part. I loved diving deeper into art history, which was my minor in college.

TRC: Is CRYSTAL IRIS part of a series? A stand alone?

Blair: It’s the first book of a series.

TRC: Do you have plans for a series/ or story for any of the secondary characters?

Blair: All the characters play an important role in the overall story, but as of now, there isn’t a specific book planned for any of them.

TRC: Do you have any interest in writing, or have you ever written for another genre?

Blair: I can see myself writing something in the horror genre.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines .How do you keep the fantasy  story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Blair: Since Crystal Iris isn’t high fantasy, I was careful about how I introduced magical elements, especially since the story is set in the real world. I wanted to bring in the supernatural gradually, building on it with each book. I think it could lose its impact if those elements were revealed too quickly or out of context.”

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Blair: Yes, packaging matters in all products, and books are no exception.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Blair: In my case, the characters make their own choices—I’m just along for the ride.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen?  Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Blair: I think when the character drives the story, it’s much easier to connect with their emotions. When an author tries to restrain the narrative, things can feel forced.

TRC:Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Blair: I need complete silence when writing, but I love listening to music while going for walks and thinking about the story. I see my characters as real people—they have hobbies, tastes in food, and, of course, their own music preferences. There’s a playlist on Spotify for Crystal Iris Book One, in case anyone’s curious about the music vibes.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Blair: People often think being an author must be very relaxing, but I’ve found the opposite to be true.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Blair: I’m a bit of a neat freak—things only bring me stress if they’re not in the way I think they should be.

TRC: Who or what influenced your path towards a young adult, paranormal story line.

Blair: I write what I want to read; I’m basically my own audience.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Blair: Crystal Iris book two.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Blair: Thank you so much for this opportunity, I really appreciate the support.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food- Italian

Favorite Dessert– Ice cream

Favorite TV Show -Lost

Last Movie You Saw- Home alone (my son’s first time)

Dark or Milk Chocolate– Milk chocolate 

Secret Celebrity Crush -Justin Timberlake 

Last Vacation –Destination Rio, Brazil summer 2024

Do you have any pets? -Not currently 

Last book you read -Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Carl Newport

TRC: Thank you Blair for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best.

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