I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young boy learning to hone his unique magical abilities must stop a powerful evil witch on Halloween Night before the human world is forever changed in author Ryan Cowan’s novel “Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal.”
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The Synopsis
Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn’t like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone – and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it’s up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time?
Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Pre-Teen Fiction, Ebook (Bronze) 2019
The Review
A truly engaging and magical read, author Ryan Cowan has crafted a masterful tale of magic, mythology, and wonder in this brand new fantasy-driven children’s book. The story really shines through in this tale, giving readers new mythology between the world of magic and the world of humanity that brings all of the supernatural and magical creatures of lore into the forefront.
Rather than having a human falling into the world of magic and crafting a tale of discovery, the author does a great job of exploring a cast of characters well versed in the world of magic. What really stood out however was the author’s ability to create a narrative that highlighted the in-class relationship between a teacher and a student as the teacher attempts to impart knowledge that will help the student grow into the roles they were meant to be in life.
The Verdict
This was a fast-paced, easy to read tale of supernatural entities, a clash between evil witches and good witches, and the impact magic has on two worlds as a rising witch discovers his unique abilities while a seasoned witch must find a way to stop an impending apocalypse. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of author Ryan Cowan’s “Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal” today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Ryan Cowan grew up in a small town called Middleport, Ohio. He currently lives in Hawthorne, CA. As a teacher with almost 20 years of experience, Ryan has taught all grades from K-6th. He currently works as an assistant principal for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal is his first children’s book. A magical story with complex themes, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal highlights the difficulties of teaching while also chronicling the important problem solving relationship between a teacher and his student. A sequel is currently in the works.
Ryan has degrees and/or credentials in education from the following universities: Marshall University (BFA Music Theory), UCLA (M.Ed. Urban Education), California State University Los Angeles (Multiple Subject Teaching Credential), and California State University Dominguez Hills (Administrative Services Credential).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A shocking twist on the classic forbidden love theme comes with a dangerous new threat and science gone wrong in author Chris Stevenson’s novel “The Beast Of Wheeler Ridge”.
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The Synopsis
Wolf girl gone feral…
A DNA experiment gone horribly wrong…
A beast who will stop at nothing.
Seth Anson, a lovelorn forest ranger, never thought that he would shoot the first eligible woman he met after his divorce. Nor did he think that he would fall in love with her after nursing her back to health. But he certainly isn’t prepared to find out that she is the result of a DNA cloning experiment gone horribly wrong and, is in fact, a hybrid human/wolf.
It all comes to a head atop Devils Tower Wyoming.
The Beast of Wheeler Ridge examines the lurid morality issues that are dealt with in The Island of Doctor Moreau, while exploring the theme of forbidden love as can be found in Beauty and the Beast, only with the gender rolls reversed.
Contains mild language and suggestive themes
The Review
A fantastic blend of science fiction and horror thriller, author Christ Stevenson has brought to life a one of a kind reimagining of the classic werewolf tale. Exploring the horrors of genetic experimentation gone wrong, the author does a great job of finding a natural balance between the horror elements of the story with the romance and character growth of the cast of characters.
It was refreshing to get such a unique take on the werewolf genre, exploring ancient creatures from a long-forgotten age being brought back by science, and evolving from there. The idea of restoring lost creatures back into modern society and the experiments pushing past boundaries to see human and animal hybrids becoming a reality made for a unique twist on the genre, making the story easy to engage with.
The Verdict
An evenly paced, action-fueled, and tense romantic sci-fi thriller, author Chris Stevenson delivers a powerful story in “The Beast Of Wheeler Ridge”. Discovering the meaning behind what makes someone a monster and what makes them “human” blends with the forbidden love theme in a remarkable tale that will keep readers invested throughout. Be sure to grab your copies today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Check out my blog GUERRILLA WARFARE FOR WRITERS (SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS):
Introduction Been writing for 32 years, publishing novels, non-fiction books, radio horror plays, short stories, reviews, interviews, poetry and thousands of non-fiction automotive articles. I’m on my third agent, and have had 10 books and twenty-two short stories published, beginning in 1988. Writing Credits and History BOOK CREDITS: Auto Repair Shams and Scams (Forward–Ralph Nader), 1990, Price Stern & Sloan, Los Angeles–226 pages, non-fiction, consumer warning book. Garage Sale Mania, 1988, Betterway Publications, Crozet, Virginia–190 pages, non-fiction book—1988. Word Wars, a SF novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—May, 2007. Once Upon a Goddess, a Fantasy novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—January, 2008 Planet Janitor—Custodian of the Stars, a SF novel sold to Engage Books, May 2009 Gate Walker, a Paranormal Fantasy, sold Lyrical Press—January, 2009. The Wolfen Strain, a fantasy thriller sold to LBF Books, February 2009
The Girll They Sold to the Moon, Intrigue Books
Blackmailed Bride to Melange Satin Romance. Screamcatcher: Web World by Melange Books.
Interests Hiking, paleontology, Ufos, cryptozoology, bigfoot, astronomy, lake monsters, ancient Egypt, archeology, geology
Favorite Movies Blade Runner, Time Cop, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Logun’s Run, Transformers, The Time Machine, Kickass
Favorite Music REM, Abbaa, When in Rome, Steve Miller Band, SF and fantasy soundtracks.
Favorite Books Icerigger, Virgin Planet, Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Lord of the Flies, Black Marble, Close Encounters, The Island, Black Marble, Dune, Riverworld, The Mote In God’s eye
How many books have I published? 10 to date, with three out on agent subs, and five more in the wings ready to go.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman tells her story of being a middle aged divorcee and discovering her true self in the midst of a passionate love story in author Ray Smith’s novel, “The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen”.
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The Synopsis
“You’ve seen the woman in the photo. The woman screaming . . .”
So begins the story of Molly Valle, who at forty-eight thinks she knows all that life has to offer a single, middle-aged woman—namely, men’s dismissal and disrespect. But when handsome activist John Pressman arrives in her Mississippi hometown, he challenges her self-doubt along with nearly everything else in her world. Soon, Molly discovers a strength and beauty she never knew she had—and a love so powerful, it can overcome the most tragic of consequences.
The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen is a love story, an adventure novel, and a self-realization journey. It reignites the truth that many women—and men—have unconsciously extinguished: you are special and worthy of love, and it’s never too late to make your dreams come true.
The Review
This is a wonderfully written and relevant novel in today’s age, as readers are taken through a romance set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement. The author has created a cast of characters that are memorable and worth investing in, and really captures the essence of that era.
The author excels at two things in this novel. The first being their amazing writing skills in bringing descriptive imagery to life and making the novel feel alive on the page. The second would be the author’s ability to transcribe the atmosphere and culture around the civil rights era and the revelations it often left about those surrounding us at that time.
The Verdict
A true page-turner, author Ray Smith has created a fast-paced read that will immediately grab the reader’s attention and creating a tension-filled atmosphere with this romance blooming before the reader’s eye caught in the center of it all. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, and everything in between, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys drama, romance, and the backdrop of the civil rights movement. Be sure to get your copy today!
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young man discovers he is connected to a whole new world around him and faces untold danger in author Matt Sconce’s modern-day fantasy, “Stormbreaker”.
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The Synopsis
Young Mackinsi Wrighton has always been a dreamer. After he accidentally uncovers a hidden world around him, he discovers he is a Stormbreaker… A warrior of light destined to face an ancient evil called, Destroyer.
Possessing supernatural powers and weapons he has no idea how to use, Mackinsi must unite the other Stormbreakers against Destroyer’s fiends before Destroyer pulls our dimension into a relic of evil called the Heartstone.
Along his quest, Mackinsi will find love, loss, and adventure as well as a secret that will shake the very foundation of reality itself.
From sword fights on the skyscrapers of New York City to the underwater grottos of prophecy, Stormbreaker will take you on an action-packed thrill ride of imagination and modern day magic and leave you breathless.
Described as a combination of The Matrix, Constantine and the Lord of the Rings, Stormbreaker is a modern fantasy brimming with originality.
The Review
From the audiobook’s first pages the author and narrator deliver a tense filled, heart-pounding scene that sets the tone for the modern day fantasy thriller. The book never lets up on the intensity of the plot as the protagonist experiences a swirl of wonder and horror as his world flips upside down.
The story was rich with character development and world building mythology that really sucks the reader into the narrative immediately. The protagonist is relatable and gives readers a typical yet rememberable origin of the young man in the midst of trying to find himself and in the process discovers how important he is.
The Verdict
Well written, well read and an evenly paced read, author Matt Sconce’s “Stormbreaker” is the perfect first book in what deserves to be a fantastic fantasy series. The narrator captures the emotions and character interactions perfectly in the audiobook, and the story will keep reader hanging on the narrator’s every word as the story heads towards its epic conclusion. Be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man on the run finds himself and a ragtag group of people the only line of defense in a plot of revenge between a local cattle baron and a local judge in the Old West town of Mimosa in author Linda Thackeray’s “The Hanging (#1) – A Mimosa Tales Adventure”.
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The Synopsis
Welcome to Mimosa.
Struggling to survive in the savage land of the Territory, Mimosa is beset by dangers common to the harsh realities of the Old West.
When former gunslinger turned marshal, Kris Jensen arrives in town with his band of misfits, it is up to them to defend Mimosa from greedy land barons, outlaws and Indians angered by broken treaties.
It is an unlikely place to find salvation, but that is precisely what Kris and his men discover in Mimosa.
When local cattle baron William Cahill swears revenge on Judge Evan Davis for the execution of his nephew, it sets off a deadly plan of vengeance against the judge and those he loves.
It is up to Kris and his misfits to keep Holly Davis, the beautiful editor of the Mimosa Mirror, from harm before Cahill can put a noose around her neck.
The Review
An adventurous, gripping western tale, author Linda Thackeray has perfectly captured the setting and tone of the Old West and the fight for survival that came to those who ventured out into those territories. The complex nature of protagonist Kris Jensen makes for a compelling story, as his instinct to flee from an impossible situation with no hope of escape conflicts with his sense of duty to lead the band of misfits he finds himself paired with and the choice to save innocent lives, including Holly Davis.
The author demonstrates a perfect understanding of the narrative and genre by creating a setting that becomes just as much of a central character to the story as Kris Jensen or any of the other characters. The gripping story really shone through in this book, making for a gripping Western that didn’t waste time in capturing the reader’s attention.
The Verdict
A fast-paced, action-packed, and driven narrative, author Linda Thackeray’s “The Hanging”, the first book in the Mimosa Tales Adventure series, is a must-read novel. Filled with great world-building, a great cast of characters and a firm handle on the genre overall, this is a great read for anyone who loves a good Western adventure. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Born in a village in Malaysia and delivered by underpaid midwife, and Ann, an irritable new mother (who wouldn’t be after 48 hours in labour?), X was named by a deranged grandmother with too much creativity for her own good. Once out of her pain-induced stupor, Ann decided to give her new daughter a proper middle name to avoid the risk of being put into a home later in life.
And so, she was called Linda.
Linda was an unremarkable child, save a few notable incidents, the discovery that a pot lid is not a substitute for Wonder Woman’s tiara (five stitches), four-year old don’t need to shave (no stitches but lots of toilet paper) and utility truck drivers are not necessarily qualified operators of their vehicles (seventy stitches).
At eight, Linda received religious enlightenment when she saw Star Wars at the Odeon Theatre and hence began her writing career.
For many years, the cages of various pets in the Thackeray household were littered with pages from Linda’s scribblings. Subjects usually ranged from whatever science fiction show was on television or at the movies. There was lots of Star Wars.
At 17, Linda moved to Sydney, Australia and was disappointed it was not occupied by Paul Hogan types with big knives and croc skin jackets but pot-bellied blokes with zinc cream and terry towel hats. Linda’s father (also known as that bloke who buys me stuff to piss mum off when she’s mad at him) settled in the town of Young, a community of 6000 people with no movie theatre.
Linda survived this period in the wilderness by raising kangaroos and writing original works but eventually got saddled down with the necessities of life and though she continued to write, work came first. Work, HBO, comic books and rent. It’s a kaleidoscope.
Even the kangaroos left out of boredom.
In 2014, Linda decided to start writing seriously again. Mostly because Australia’s strict gun laws make it very difficult to ‘go postal’ in the workplace. Moving to Woy Woy, which is Aboriginal for ‘Big Water’, she’s dipped her toes into the Indie pool and found she needs a pedicure. Her books are labours of love and championed by her friends on Facebook.
Eventually Creativia Publishers, appalled by Linda’s inability to conduct any marketing, offered to publish her books out of sheer exasperation.
Supported by two cats named Newt and Humphrey, she spends her days trying to write novels while having unclean thoughts about Michael Fassbender and Jason Statham, sometimes together.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Desire and danger lurk as a seasoned fire rescue crew member Linc finds the younger brother of his late best friend Jacob joining the crew, stirring up old feelings despite a promise never to pursue anything that he made to Jacob’s brother years earlier in author Annabeth Albert’s “Burn Zone”.
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The Synopsis
Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…
Smoke jumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems.
Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smoke jumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring—is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants.
Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, never mind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob.
The Review
This is definitely an emotional, steamy, and engaging read for those who like passionate LGBTQ romance reads with a hint of action, drama, and intensity. The character development and ongoing struggle of the characters felt relatable.
From Linc’s growing desire and a mixture of guilt combining with his own identity within the fire rescue crew community he had been engaged with for years to Jacob’s desire to honor his brother’s legacy and finally earn the respect of his family and the people his brother and Linc had worked with for years, the struggles of these two’s lives when combined with the intense romance brewing between them made for a compelling read.
The Verdict
A gripping evenly paced read, author Annabeth Albert’s “Burn Zone”, the first in the Hotshots series, is a must-read for any fans of the LGBTQ romance/contemporary genre. A fantastic setting and heart-pounding look into the world of fire rescue crews, the story of these two men, and the journey they go on together is something readers will not be able to put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.
BURN ZONE is the first book in the Hotshots series. What three words best describe BURN ZONE?
Danger, heat, and loyalty! All three words apply on multiple levels here!
What is Linc’s most surprising quality?
His tenderness. Linc’s deep and abiding loyalty is what people notice first with him, but it’s his private tenderness with Jacob that surprised (and delighted!!!) me the most with him.
What quality do you love most about Jacob?
Jacob is fearless and tenacious. He knows what he wants and he goes for it, full tilt, whether that thing is his older brother’s best friend, Linc, or smoke jumping.
BURN ZONE is full of amazing tropes: age difference, grumpy & the sunshine one, older brother’s best friend, rookie/experienced expert, and hurt/comfort. Which trope was the most fun to write for Linc and Jacob’s story?
I knew going into this that this was going to be a deeper examination of best friend’s little brother trope. I did best friend’s brother with At Attention (Out of Uniform, book #2), but the stakes were lower than they are here as far as the familial relationship. I wanted the characters to have to really grapple with some big feelings. And those feelings give rise to some of my favorite hurt/comfort scenes that I’ve done. All the tropes play together to make this one of my favorite books I’ve done—I loved watching my initial idea of angsty brother’s best friend evolve and grow with the other tropes.
What would you like readers to take away from reading Linc and Jacob’s story?
Sometimes the heart knows what it wants and won’t stop until it gets its way. Linc and Jacob are meant to be, even in face of opposition and adversity. Their relationship is ill-advised—they work together, Linc’s his mentor, and he’s Jacob’s older brother’s best friend. On paper, they are terrible for each other, but in actuality, they are perfect for each other, the missing half to the other’s heart. They’ve been in love, in a way, for years and years, and all that longing pays off in explosive chemistry. I think what I want readers to take away from this story is “Trust your heart. The rest will follow.” If you trust in your heart, then all the obstacles can be tackled, one by one.
Who was your favorite secondary character to write in BURN ZONE?
Garrick! He gets book 2, HIGH HEAT, coming to you in July from me and Carina Press! I can’t WAIT for you to meet Garrick and Rain!
Where did the inspiration for the Hotshots series come from?
I wanted to do a Central Oregon series, and after spending time in the region on family trips, I was fascinated by how much of the summer season is dominated by wildfire risk. After writing Rough Terrain (Out of Uniform, book #7), I really, really wanted to do more parachute-loving characters, and what’s better than one hero who likes to jump out of planes? Two! And a whole team of them! I wanted to return to the team feeling from Out of Uniform with a close-knit fire community in a part of the country that I truly love.
Writing about smoke jumpers in Oregon must have resulted in some interesting research for the Hotshots series. What’s the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned so far?
So much amazing research! One thing that I loved finding out about was how smoke jumpers repair a lot of their own gear. They are responsible for repairing and maintaining their equipment and a lot of time that means sewing and other highly dexterous tasks that you might not associate with rough-and-ready firefighters.
BURN ZONE and the Hotshots series returns to the ‘band of brothers’ feel readers loved in your Out of Uniform Series. What do you love about writing the ‘band of brothers’ feel into your books?
I love loyal groups bound by more than just friendship or family. I love people brought together by a shared passion for serving their community. I love putting them in the sort of life-and-death situations that our real life frontline heroes face. Loyalty to each other goes far beyond a job. It’s a calling, and sometimes it results in sacrifices. I like to honor that hard work and sacrifice in my books and pay tribute to these heroic vocations. It’s inspiring and also fascinating, examining the community created by people brought together to serve the greater good.
HIGH HEAT, the second Hotshots book comes out this summer. What can readers expect from Garrick’s story?
I loved every single thing about writing BURN ZONE, but Garrick was one of my favorite parts. He’s a foil for both Linc and Jacob, and he’s the sort of freewheeling, easy spirit that absolutely embodies the smoke jumping community. But what happens when that job, that community is threatened by an injury beyond your control? Garrick’s book was a chance for me to delve deep into what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. But it’s also a tremendously fun book. There’s a dog in need of a home, a kinky new younger neighbor, a hot tub, and shenanigans aplenty as Garrick and his co-hero Rain, discover what truly makes a home. With the whole series, you can expect fire drama in the background and lots of adrenaline pumping, but also deep, meaningful feelings and warm, squishy endings.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I am an author and foreign correspondent and my work for the BBC over the past thirty years has taken me to crises all over the world. I wrote my first book, when the great military publisher William Armstrong from Macmillan asked me to write about a conflict between China and the United Stated. Dragon Strike: The Millennium War was published in 1997 and became a best seller. I now write thrillers. The latest is the second in the Rake Ozenna series, Man on Edge set on the Norway-Russian border described by Charles Cumming as ‘a page-turning spy thriller with the atmosphere of a Cold War classic’ and San Francisco Review of Books as being ‘gripping, addictive and successful at every level. Man on Edge was also a New York Post Best Books choice.
What inspired you to write your book?
I see huge potential in the character of Rake Ozenna. He comes from the exceptionally remote island of Little Diomede on the US-Russian border and is torn between his own tight-knit community and culture the wider more complex world. The great Nelson de Mille described Rake as ‘smart and tough, and we’re glad to have him on our side. Library Journal’s review spoke of a ‘hard-as-nails hero’ and Shots Crime the Thriller said ‘Rake Ozenna is proving to be one of the more believable characters in a crowded field.’ Rake has a kick-ass on and off girlfriend with trauma surgeon Carrie Walker and two other key characters from the corridors of power becoming loved by readers.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I would love them to see Man on Edge as an international adventure story from which they get an insight into the modern world of espionage.
What drew you into this particular genre?
As a foreign correspondent, I switched between reporting from the highest levels of government to the poorest and most vulnerable. I try to bring these contrasts into my story-telling and the thriller is the natural home genre.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I would sit down with Ruslan Yumatov the antagonist and ask him why he thinks his high profile acts of catastrophic destruction will make the world a better place. Is he right or is he deluded?
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I haven’t yet identified a clear front runner. Face Book may have the most impact. Others swear by Instagram. And Goodreads is meant to work well. On pure sales’ platforms, Amazon is streaks ahead. It’s important to be out there, like Woody Allen says ninety-per cent of success is just turning up.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Read the competition in your genre. Don’t show drafts to friends or family. Get a professional to work on it first. Work out your publicity and marketing.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I deliver the third Rake Ozenna thriller Man on Fire in May and in June an expanded and revised version of my latest non-fiction Asian Waters: The Struggle over the Indo-Pacific the Challenge to American Power. I am also looking at doing a non-fiction on the future of Europe.
Humphrey Hawksley’s brand-new international thriller series begins in paperback in October 2019 with MAN ON ICE a knuckle-whitening drama set on the remote and wild US-Russian border. In early, 2020 comes the nail-biting MAN ON EDGE set on the Norway-Russian border followed in 2021 by MAN ON FIRE whose location is yet to disclosed. Rake Ozenna, a native of Little Diomede island in Alaska is the series hero. Each thriller includes trauma surgeon, Dr Carrie Walker, American intelligence contractor, Harry Lucas, and his ex-wife, British businesswoman and diplomat, Stephanie Lucas.
Humphrey’s thrillers have been widely praised. Steve Berry describes ‘authentic settings, non-stop action’ from MAN ON ICE. Lee Child speaks of SECURITY BREACH as ‘high stakes, high octane’ and Alan Furst as a ‘hard-driving, a good taut thriller’ — right back to the first future history thriller DRAGON STRIKE: THE MILLENNIUM WAR which Steve Coonts hailed as ‘ominous and insightful.’
His recent non-fiction ASIAN WATERS: THE STRUGGLE OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE STRATEGY OF CHINESE EXPANSION has been acclaimed on every continent by those at the heart of global decision-making, such as Indian cabinet minister, Hardeep Puri; the last governor of Hong Kong Baron Lord Patten of Barnes; and Dr Wu Shicun, President of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies. China’s rise is a fast developing story, and Humphrey is currently working on an updated edition which is due out in June 2020.
Humphrey’s work as a BBC foreign correspondent has taken him all over the world with postings in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Delhi and Colombo. He has contributed to ABC, National Public Radio and other networks in the United States and global publication of his work includes the Financial Times, New York Times, Yale Global, Nikkei Asian Review and others.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I love writing because I have loved reading since an early age. When I was 19, I told my dad that a great book is like a roller coaster with its twists and turns. And I realized I wanted to try to create a roller coaster like that for others. So I did. And my first effort was really, really bad. 😀 Which is also why it’s still in my basement.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
This one—The Line Between and its sequel, A Single Light, were inspired by headlines. Specifically, a news story I came across about a reindeer carcass that thawed in the permafrost and was infected with anthrax and got an entire nearby village sick. What I didn’t know then, as I wrote this pandemic story about a hotspot in Washington, edicts to stay home, cancelled flights… is that so much of this would play out in real life a short year later.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
One of hope—that love will always inspire us to overcome any obstacle. Normally, I would say, “a great escape from reality” but…
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I just love thrillers, the way they keep you turning pages, wondering what happens next. I love keeping readers reading past bedtime.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d love to just hang out with Julie, who is the surrogate mother to the heroine, Wynter, and pick her brain on life. She’s such a no-nonsense, take-no-guff kind of woman.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’d say probably Facebook, especially as it’s where I’ve been doing my Facebook live readings every night at 9 Eastern since March 20 during quarantine. (Join me! I’ll be on live for as long as we’re all stuck at home. 🙂 www.facebook.com/AuthorToscaLee
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write what you love. And get to know your readers. It’s a great privilege for your stories to become a part of their lives.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times, IndieBound, and Amazon bestselling author of twelve novels including THE LINE BETWEEN, THE PROGENY, FIRSTBORN, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, ISCARIOT, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and been optioned for TV and film. A notorious night-owl, she loves movies, playing football with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband.
You can find Tosca at ToscaLee.com, on social media, or hanging around the snack table. A SINGLE LIGHT, the highly-anticipated sequel to THE LINE BETWEEN, releases September 2019 and is available for preorder now.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Hey! I am a 31 yr old Canadian from the prairies. I got into writing through living life, which sounds a bit odd. I had a lot happen in a short period of time, I moved out to Africa, had a cancer scare and dealt with some serious mental illness. Writing my stories and sharing not only was a healing tool but a tool to connect with others.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
LIFE! it is beautiful, messy and 100% relatable when it’s shared. We are never alone, yet the feeling and fear of being alone is something we all have in common. Exploring being alone and diving deep into healing myself through all this became an inspiration to share my story and attempt to connect to others.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
To Chin up tits out no matter what. What?? This is what I mean, stand up tall, hold your head held high, proud and confident, even if you don’t feel that way. That small dedication to holding yourself up in the toughest of times will carry you through life and enable you to find so many small joys in the midst of chaos.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I just write, then we find a genre to throw it into. Although, when I started to write, my goal was the figure out who would be the ‘perfect person to tell my story to’ and I built what that person looked like, acted like, likes and dislikes etc. Then when I started to write, I always went back to that person – would it align with them? It helps keep my writing from going into a million directions at the same time.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
One of the best things about writing about things I’ve gone through is that I’ve already sat down with the main characters from my books, as they’re real people in my life. We’ve talked about certain situations and how they played out. Their perspective on a scenario was vastly different from my memory of the same event. It was a whole new level of self-discovery and how my brain locked certain items out to protect it.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I personally love IG, it gives me a platform to connect with people from all over the world and from different areas of interest. Sometimes I want to share and I don’t have the words, so a photo of a video will do. When I do have words IG gives me the space I need to share a golden nugget or two. Spreading the positivity and the motto Chin up Tits Out was easy on IG to do and I thoroughly enjoy using it too.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Don’t give up. People ask “how does it feel to be an author, for real” – my answer is “no different from you”. I had a story and all I did was make an effort to put it on paper. Once it’s on paper, take it from there. The only roadblock you will come across that has the power to stop you – is yourself. Don’t get in your own way, you are your biggest advocate, biggest fan and most importantly your own biggest hype man. If you believe in yourself, it is doable and will be 100% totally worth it. Also if you need a kick of positivity; reach out to anyone in the author community – we know how you feel, we know your struggles, your battles and your inner wars. Extend an olive branch and we will be sure to step up and throw some positive vibes your way.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
4 words – Love My Lady Bits! I am in the middle of performing 100 interviews of women around the world who suffer from an incurable and untreatable condition called endometriosis. It affects 1 in 10 women globally and it is not common knowledge. I was lucky enough to get a diagnosis within 2 yrs of experiencing extreme daily pain, nausea and bloating. The average diagnosis is 7 yrs, women are being silenced by this disease. So in true Chin Up Tits Out fashion, I am collecting horror stories and finding power through the pain. I am helping find voices to millions of women who have been silenced for decades. It will be a trilogy, I am gearing for the first book to be released in March 2021.
