Tag: thriller novel

Interview with Author Chris Saper

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve been a nonfiction writer my entire adult life – first as a health care strategic planner/hospital administrator – then as a portrait painting instructor (4 books, 4DVDs). Writing fiction is entirely new.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

A. Why write fiction? I’ve read about 50 novels a year for decades, 95% of which are fiction. I have always marveled at how authors can come up with such complicated plots, characters, and weave them together so that a terrific story results. With non-fiction, the goal is to remove all ambiguity – but ambiguity is at the very heart of good fiction. So, I loved the idea of trying it out and it is more fun than I’ve had in quite a while. 

B. Why write this story? I write about the things that I care about, what makes me angry – injustice, corruption and governments that fail to function for their citizens. I also write about things that frighten me. So I guess you could say it helps me grapple with things I can’t control.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

 I set Collateral Carnage in the near future, and my themes are a warning, really. We all need to be paying much more attention to big issues, rather than the small-issue chum we are constantly fed.  Citizens United/dark money is and will continue to be the one of the greatest threats to democracy. The greed that sets armies of lobbyists in play to control public policy serves its shareholders long before its patients, and drug companies are among the worst. Specifically, Collateral Carnage grew out of the many scandals and tragedies surrounding the VA and its treatment of vets, especially those with PTSD.  And that’s how it all started.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Thrillers? Refer back to my 95% comment – it’s what I love to read.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d first chat with Dr Vivian Jaffe: “How did you remain so complacent for so long? Why?” She’s a minor character in the book, but quite complex in her behavior and arc. Her motivations are conflicted and I would like her to explain her decisions. (She will in the sequel 😊 )

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Since my book has only been out a short while, I am using the platforms I’ve built through my art career to introduce and hopefully migrate my interested people to engage on my author-related sites. I am active on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I have added an author business page to FB, developed a separate website, http://www.chrissaperauthor.com and newsletter. I think though, that if new authors aren’t active on social media, just choose one or two to explore. I only am comfortable with all of these social platforms because I’ve using them for so long – but you don’t need to do them all or you risk spending way too much time being distracted.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Get as much education about the process as possible! Getting a book into a reader’s hands is an enormous undertaking – and writing the thing is just the start. Take a course (or a lot of them). Have your manuscript professionally edited – developmental/content editors first, then you need copy editors and likely a proofreader. You need an excellent cover and engaging blurb. You need to budget for your book – from what I’ve read, plan on about $5K to self-publish. If you plan to traditionally publish, plan on months or years of query/editing/printing/distribution, and then another unknown number of months or even years to repay your advance before you actually earn a penny (my bias showing here). Most of all, though, be willing to listen to your editors and your readers, so it’s important to check ego at the door.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

New books? Yes, two in process. First is a sequel to Collateral Carnage and I’m about 4K words into it right now. The other is a much larger undertaking so that one is now in research mode. I plan to finish the sequel before writing the next manuscript. 

Links: http://www.chrissaperauthor.com 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Collateral-Carnage-Money-Politics-Pharma-ebook/dp/B07TSL17GT/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrissaperauthor/?modal=admin_todo_tour 

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chrissaper/boards/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-saper-6847565/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYWU2nm1FKs 

Collateral Carnage Review
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Death by Design by John Graves Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A dangerous and deadly assassin is tasked with the most violent attack on humanity the world has ever seen, and only a handful of people stand in her way in author John Graves action packed thriller, “Death by Design”. 

The Synopsis 

Navy Seal. Mossad agent. I am the Storm!

CEO of the world’s most exclusive executive protection agency, Tracker is now on her most dangerous mission ever attempted—exterminate mankind!

Tracker has been retained by a cabal of five extreme environmentalists to solve the climate change equation. They paid her $20 billion for 20 years for a final solution.

Humans are the enemy of the planet. They are the scourge of all species. They have destroyed much of Planet Earth’s wealth. There is little hope for the future. Only Tracker can solve the impossible equation. Only Tracker has the funds, the resources, and the will.

Pitted against her are Jake and Colonel Soliz, the best of the best within the CDC; Dr. Bake and her daughter Sally, who are brilliant CASPR, AI, and nano research scientists; and Mantis, Tracker’s equal and nemesis.

Which team will succeed? Who can eliminate the most successful killer of all time? Will humanity survive? Who will win? Read this page turner, Death by Design, for the thrilling answers!

The Review

One of the most unique and original thrillers of 2019! A whirlwind adventure that starts off with a bang as the CDC faces utter destruction, and leaves the world reeling as world leaders become so embroiled in retaliation and discovering who is responsible, that the real threat is just getting started. The author’s use of equal storytelling between assassin Tracker and the small team of people tasked with stopping the plot to destroy humanity forever keeps the reader engaged throughout the entire narrative. 

Rarely is an action-thriller able to delve more into the mindset and actions of the villain or antagonist than the protagonists. From the book’s first pages the reader is torn between the haunting origins of the character to the vicious and disturbing violence the assassin displays throughout the novel, keeping the readers emotions invested and torn asunder at every turn. 

The novel does a great job of showcasing humanity’s impact on the world, and the way some of humanity’s inherent cruelty impacts the rest of the world and their mindset about the way the world works. It also goes far and beyond what a typical dystopian thriller does, taking a scientific and methodical approach to how a trained and ruthless killer would go about systematically eliminating the human race. 

The Verdict

This is one of the top action/bio-thrillers of the year! Creative, engaging and top-notch characterization help bring this story to life in unexpected ways, and the book’s end leaves readers hanging on the edge of their seat as it takes a complete turn and leaves the reader wanting more. If this novel is any indication, this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Tracker or the author themselves, so be sure to grab your copy of “Death by Design” by John Graves today and dive into the chaotic and messed up world of Tracker now!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

John has traveled extensively, with more than 80 countries’ stamps in his passport. His avocation is adventure. He has sailed to Hawaii several times as well as across the Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He has trekked the Andes, the Sahara, the Taklamakan, the Serengeti, and the Namib.

In his previous career, John was a chef.

Death by Design, a Thriller by John Graves

A Single Light (The Line Between #2) by Tosca Lee Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In one of the years most anticipated reads yet, a young woman who survived the initial outbreak of a deadly virus and the grim machinations of the cult she was raised in finds herself in the fight for her life in author Tosca Lee’s novel, “A Single Light”. 

The Synopsis

In this gripping sequel to The Line Between, which New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava calls “everything you want in a thriller,” cult escapee Wynter Roth and ex-soldier Chase Miller emerge from their bunker to find a country ravaged by disease, and Wynter is the only one who can save it.

Six months after vanishing into an underground silo with sixty others, Wynter and Chase emerge to find the area abandoned. There is no sign of Noah and the rest of the group that was supposed to greet them when they emerged—the same people Wynter was counting on to help her locate the IV antibiotics her gravely ill friend, Julie, needs in order to live.

As the clock ticks down on Julie’s life, Wynter and Chase embark on a desperate search for medicine and answers. But what they find is not a nation on the cusp of recovery thanks to the promising new vaccine Wynter herself had a hand in creating, but one decimated by disease. What happened while they were underground?

With food and water in limited supply and their own survival in question, Chase and Wynter must venture further and further from the silo. Aided by an enigmatic mute named Otto, they come face-to-face with a society radically changed by global pandemic, where communities scrabble to survive under rogue leaders and cities are war zones. As hope fades by the hour and Wynter learns the terrible truth of the last six months, she is called upon once again to help save the nation she no longer recognizes—a place so dark she’s no longer sure it can even survive.

Fast-paced and taut, A Single Light is a breathless thriller of nonstop suspense about the risks of living in a world outside the safe confines of our closely-held beliefs and the relationships and lives that inspire us. 

The Review

This novel does an amazing job of doubling down on the action, mystery, suspense and dystopian like settings of the first novel. A world on the brink of becoming one similar to Stephen King’s “The Stand”, the author has created a fantastic balance between the inner emotional turmoil of a young woman who survived the impossible with the high stakes of a nation torn apart and options limited when the life of a loved one is at risk. 

The novel explores many different facets of the world created in the first novel. Starting with the days spent underground in the bunker and the grim turns the survivors go through during that time, to shocking revelations that threaten to tear apart Wynter’s relationship with a person she’s grown close to and finally the dark world that has transformed during their time underground, this novel is rich with both character development and setting that will engage readers in every page. 

The author successfully introduces new characters and antagonists throughout the novel that feel natural and does a great job of not repeating the same formula of the first novel. While the first novel focused on the emergence of the disease and Wynter’s history with the cult she escaped, the second novel is more about the ramifications of both of those things, both physically and psychologically, on this impactful, strong and often relatable protagonist. 

The Verdict

This is a great read that kick starts the upcoming fall must reads lists for readers and bloggers everywhere. A book filled with emotional shocks, twists and turns galore and amazing character growth, this is a novel readers of the thriller genre will not want to miss. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “A Single Light” by Tosca Lee today!

Rating: 10/10

The Line Between Review
The Progeny Review
Firstborn Review

About the Author

“Superior storytelling.”

-Publishers Weekly

“One of the most gifted novelists writing today.”

-Steven James, bestselling author

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.

For book release news and giveaways, join Tosca Lee’s Nocturnal Cafe: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/…

Collateral Carnage: Money. Politics. Big Pharma. What could go wrong? By Chris Saper Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A conspiracy thriller like no other takes center stage surrounding corporate espionage, cover ups, and a terrifying new treatment for US Veterans suffering from PTSD, with shocking results, in author Chris Saper’s novel “Collateral Carnage: Money. Politics. Big Pharma. What Could Go Wrong?”. 

The Synopsis

Money. Politics. Big Pharma. What could go wrong?As PTSD therapist Claire Wilheit is about to learn, a whole helluva lot. A chance after-hours encounter with a fellow therapist reveals falsified patient files and thrusts Claire into a conspiracy poised to revolutionize treatment for US veterans now and for future generations, with deadly collateral damage.Trapped in an avalanche of events over which she has no control, Claire is locked into a race against time in preventing the sweeping, irreversible and fatally flawed policies that Congress is about to set into play.Collateral Carnage is Chris Saper’s debut novel, a gripping thriller set in a future near enough to be all too terrifying.

The Review

From the book’s first pages the stage is set for a massive cover up, as files are discovered having been tampered with and one therapist’s day off turns into a life altering journey as she becomes part of a massive conspiracy involving several of her patients, (along with others), and discovers the lengths they are willing to go to in order to make money and cover up their actions. 

What really sold this story however was not just the action and suspense, but the very human element of the protagonists, especially Claire. The integration of the family drama Claire begins the story in and integrating the shocking turn of events Claire goes through, the characters driving this narrative home feel more personal and relatable than most espionage/conspiracy thrillers these days. What also set this story apart was the blend of this human element with the scary future that could always become a reality that the author integrates, using curfews within neighborhoods and privatizing organizations to patrol the streets apart from the police, making the world feel like it is on the brink of becoming a privatized police state. 

The Verdict

This was a massively entertaining, engaging and fun read. Fans of the great Tom Clancy will be on the edge of their seat throughout this fantastic novel. The fusion of conspiracy thriller with family drama and ordinary people thrust into dark tales of corruption and life threatening action like no other, author Chris Saper has done a wonderful job of reigniting this genre for the modern reader. With a shocking twist ending that leaves the door open, readers can only hope to see more of Claire and author Chris Saper in the future. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “Collateral Carnage” today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Chris Saper is a portrait painter, teacher and author. 

Author of North Light Book’s, Painting Beautiful Skin Tones with Color & Light and For Love or Money: A Business Handbook for Portrait Painters, Mostly Monochrome.

Saper has also been published in The Best of Portrait Painting, American Artist Magazine, Artist’s Magazine, Pastel Journal, and Pastel Artist International and International Artist Magazines. 

Her work is also featured in 

North Light Books’ Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing; and

Drawing & Painting People: The Essential Guide, 

Strokes of Genius 2: The Best of Light and Shadow.

Saper has two instructional DVDs available: “Painting Oil Portraits in Warm Light”, and “Capturing the Beauty of Monochrome Oil Portraits”, both available through North Light Books’ www.artistsnetwork.com.

Since becoming a faculty member of the Portrait Society of America in 2006, Chris has participated at the PSA’s annual meeting, “The Art of the Portrait”, in the capacity of demonstrator, panelist on topics of interest, portfolio critiques, and book signings. In the fall of 2007, Chris conducted a demo and workshop for the Society’s Academy, held at the San Francisco Academy of Art University.

Saper is a contributor to John Howard Sanden’s World of Portrait Painting, writing a regular column, “Portraiture and the Pursuit of Excellence.”

In addition to her full-time commissioned portrait practice, Saper is an active speaker, demonstrator and instructor, teaching regularly at both the Scottsdale Artists’ School and at the Mountain Artists’ Guild in Prescott AZ.

Chris Saper has studied with noted portraitists including Bettina Steinke, Burton Silverman, Harley Brown, William Whitaker, Daniel Greene, Phil Beck and Dan Gerhartz. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration.

The Code Hunters – A Nicholas Foxe Adventure by Jackson Coppley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A shocking discovery leads to a massive hunt to decipher a tablet that could change the world and leads to an action-packed thriller like no other in author Jackson Coppley’s “The Code Hunters – A Nicholas Foxe Adventure”. 

The Synopsis

Get Ready for Action and Adventure! 

Meet Nicholas Foxe and his team of code hunters…

• In Afghanistan, a young boy stumbles into a fierce firefight. 

• An Army Ranger makes a snap decision that sets in motion events beyond his imagination.

• In New Mexico, caver Tom Littleton discovers a 10,000-year-old coded tablet far too advanced for ancient people to have created it.

• In Boston, Rachael Friedman, a leading physics professor, unlocks a key to the mysterious code.

• And in Italy, a violin maker and his autistic daughter show the way to a secret chamber where a medieval scholar has locked away more clues.

Wealthy adventurer Nicholas Foxe leads this unlikely team to solve the mystery of the code. But dark forces threaten to destroy The Tablet and the people who know about it…

• The Televangelist who intends to profit from his “religious” interpretation of The Tablet.

• A Washington Senator who secretly serves a powerful constituent.

• The mysterious Texan who foresees extraordinary wealth by owning The Tablet.

• A Bombmaker in Queens who serves the latest in destructive products.

The Code Hunters is a Thriller for the reader who:

• Wants the Adventure of Indiana Jones,

• Likes the pace and puzzles of The Da Vinci Code,

• Or just enjoys a Mystery Page-Turner. 

The Review

My first reaction as a reader is…wow. Just a fantastic collection of action, adventure and thrills that delve into so many different genres and facets of the story that it immediately draws readers in. From the introduction of the mystery discovered in caverns by cavers to the people brought together by Nicholas Foxe to decipher the mysterious discovery and the people trying to exploit or profit from it, the author does an amazing job of creating a cast of characters readers will either love or hate. 

What really stuck out to me as a reader was the various moving parts of the novel thanks to the wide array of characters the author brought into the narrative. The way readers are given a look into the mindset and actions of each character really set up the shocking action scenes and built up the importance of the discoveries to be had. The use of a slow burn to build up the suspense early on before revealing the discoveries was an inspired choice of writing style, and created an engaging read that is not to be missed.

The Verdict

This is a brilliant thriller that really gets the mind working and the heart pumping. A lengthy read to be sure, the novel does an amazing job of keeping the reader interested and creates a cast of characters readers will thoroughly enjoy reading about and becoming invested in throughout this story. It’s a must read action/adventure and thriller that captures the spirit of classic mysteries, blending a mix of Indiana Jones style action and history with a The Historian thrill. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of “The Code Hunters” by Jackson Coppley today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Jackson Coppley, a consummate storyteller, illuminates in his writing what happens when technology intersects with human behavior and emotion. Coppley weaves his stories from a sophisticated knowledge of technology and an understanding of human behavior. Coppley’s resume includes a dynamic career with leading world communications and technology companies, and the launching of what the press called “a revolutionary software program” during the rise of personal computing. As a world traveler, Coppley developed an interest in and an understanding of cultural differences and nuances which play an important role in his stories. His YouTube video on the Hmong people of Vietnam, as an example of how he investigates other cultures, received thousands of hits. It is this sensitivity about human behavior combined with the understanding of the potential of technology that brings to his writing a glimpse of what is yet to come.

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/jcoppley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jcoppley

Website: www.JacksonCoppley.com

A Shattered Lens: A Detective Preach Everson Novel by Layton Green Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A tragic murder brings the past hurtling at detective Preach Everson in author Layton Green’s novel “A Shattered Lens”. 

The Synopsis

A detective investigates the murder of a teenage golden boy that has rocked a small town–and the chief suspect is the victim’s mother.

Annalise Stephens Blue is a Creekville high school student with plans to become a world-famous filmmaker. As she begins filming an exposé of the town called Night Lives, she uncovers more than she bargained for: on the very first night of filming, she stumbles upon a murder in the woods, and flees the scene steps ahead of the killer.

Detective Joe “Preach” Everson is called to investigate the murder. The victim, David Stratton, is the town’s golden boy and high school quarterback. A modern version of what Preach used to be. Not only that, the boy’s mother is Claire Lourdis, a beautiful divorcée who Preach fell for in high school. She is also the main suspect in her son’s murder.

Despite the cloud of suspicion hanging over her, old feelings resurface between Claire and Preach, straining the detective’s relationship with his girlfriend Ari, a prosecutor in nearby Durham. As Preach delves into the secrets lurking beneath the surface of the town and searches for a missing girl who may have witnessed the crime, he must put his own feelings aside and pursue the answer to a terrible question: is a mother capable of murdering her own child? 

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The Review

For anyone who fell in love with the first book in this series, one of the first things readers will notice about this incredible sequel is how personal the story feels in comparison to the first story. Rather than tracking a growing serial killer, the story focuses on the unsettling death of a high school student, and showcases the struggle an investigator feels in a small town setting when the victim’s mother is not only someone Preach knew, but once had deep feelings for. Exploring the personal struggles of the detective and the hardships of finding the motive for the crime makes this a truly engaging story.

On top of the murder mystery angle of the narrative, it was fascinating to explore modern day criminal organizations and shady dealings that go on in rural or small town American cities. Showcasing a growing criminal element in this small town and seeing the chaos and corruption threatening the lives of a young girl who becomes an unwilling witness to a heinous crime, the author does a fantastic job of making this story relatable and more emotionally investing than even the first book, which is not an easy feat for anyone who loved book one in the Preach Everson series. 

The Verdict

This is a phenomenal murder mystery series that continues to both entertain and engage readers on a personal and emotional level. With relatable characters that instantly draw the reader into the story and a truly gripping murder mystery that will draw readers into many different directions until the shocking revelation at the books end, this is a novel that deserves your attention. Be sure to grab your copy of “A Shattered Lens” by Layton Green today. 

Rating: 10/10

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Written in blood review
Interview with author layton green

About the Author

Layton is a bestselling author who writes across multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy. He is the author of the popular Dominic Grey series, as well as other works of fiction. His novels have topped numerous lists (including a #2 overall Amazon bestseller) and have been nominated for major awards, including two finalists for an International Thriller Writers award. Layton is also the co-editor of International Thrills, the online magazine of ITW (International Thriller Writers).

In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview). He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there. Currently based in Durham, North Carolina, Layton has traveled to more than sixty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map.

www.laytongreen.com

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Interview with Author Bernard Schaffer

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

     I’ve written for as long as I could remember. It probably comes from a deeply embedded love of story. At some point you want the story to keep going, or to have different ideas about a story that you want to explore on your own. From there, you find your own stories to tell. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book series?

     I spent six years as an indie author and publisher. There’s a lot of freedom in that. I explored whatever genre I felt like. Eventually it felt like I’d achieved everything I could as an indie author and I wanted to try my hand at traditional mainstream publishing. 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your books?

     Honestly I don’t write to spread messages or themes. There is no hidden agenda in my work. That being said, any good piece of art can be enjoyed on multiple levels. The casual reader will be entertained by a good story. The ones who want to go deeper will find more to it. I’ve always been a fan of layers and subtext, but that is not for me to point out. They will find it if they look. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

     It’s my wheelhouse. I’m a twenty-year police officer and still a full-time detective. This genre allows me to focus on writing without having to stop and look up certain procedures or terms or do research like I would in others. The background information is baked into my brain. It opens the track up wide. 

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book series, what would you ask them and why?

     I already know what they’d say. They say it in my head. Anything I don’t know is something I’m waiting to find out later. 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

     Any of the normal sites will do. It’s all in your approach. I keep it casual and post the things I enjoy. I’m not trying to gain new readers via social media. If people read my work and enjoy it enough to seek me out on social media, I’m glad to get to know them. I hope they like hearing about boxing and Star Wars, because that’s pretty much what I talk about on there. 

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

     The basic advice is fairly simple. Real authors finish. I see too many aspiring writers pining over unfinished manuscripts. Too many workshopping first chapters. Too many worried about agents and publishers and everything that isn’t important yet. Finish your book. Set it aside. Rewrite the entire thing. Have it edited by someone who doesn’t mind hurting you. Make it something worthy of standing on the bookshelves next to the people you admire. Until you finish and have a completed book, you haven’t done it. If you haven’t done it, forget everything else and go do it. Once you’ve done it, go do it again. 

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8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

    THE THIEF OF ALL LIGHT paperback arrives this summer. Then, AN UNSETTLED GRAVE, the second Santero and Rein book, comes out July 2019 in hardcover, audio and eBook. BLOOD ANGEL comes out the summer of 2020. What I’m working on now will come out sometime after that. In the traditional world, books are published a year or so after they’ve been written. It gives me plenty of time to plan for the future. 

About the Author

Bernard Schaffer is the author of the Santero and Rein Thriller Series from Kensington Publications. 

Prior to that, he published multiple titles in a variety of genres as an independent author. Schaffer is the father of two children and a full-time police detective in Southeastern PA.

Visit him @BernardSchaffer or www.bernardschaffer.com.

THE THIEF OF ALL LIGHT: A Santero and Rein Thriller 1 (Available Now)AN

UNSETTLED GRAVE: A Santero and Rein Thriller 2 (Summer 2019, Available for Pre-Order)

BLOOD ANGEL: A Santero and Rein Thriller 3 (Summer, 2020)

Social Media Links

Bernard Schaffer’s Facebook Author Page

Bernard Schaffer’s Goodreads Page

Bernard Schaffer’s BookBub Page

Website: www.BernardSchaffer.com

Instagram @BernardSchaffer

Twitter: @BernardSchaffer

Interview with Author Layton Green

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Interviews1 Comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I decided to write my first novel simply to get a handle on some things in my life, and explore them through writing them down in story form. Before that, I had never written anything creative besides a Choose Your Own Adventure in third grade and a few poems. I did not expect to become a novelist. But during the process of writing that first book, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

This series (Preach Everson) has been greatly inspired by living in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. It’s a fascinating blend of old and new, urban and rural. I think it’s indicative of the modern era in which we live, especially the political and social divisions plaguing America. Add to that, of course, my love of writing mysteries and suspense and brooding, intelligent detectives.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Of the sweet sad rhythms, commonality, travails, and spiritual longing of human existence. Not to be pretentious or anything–ha!

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Mystery/suspense is a genre which I love and feel drawn to write. I’m not sure why! It’s a great way to explore human nature, though, as conflict and questions of good and evil are naturally built in.

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Read every good book you can get your hands on, write as much as possible, and hire the best editor money can buy.

7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m working on the second novel in the soon-to-be-released Unknown Nine Trilogy – details coming soon!

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Written In Blood Review

About the Author

Layton is a bestselling author who writes across multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy. He is the author of the popular Dominic Grey series, as well as other works of fiction. His novels have topped numerous lists (including a #2 overall Amazon bestseller) and have been nominated for major awards, including two finalists for an International Thriller Writers award. Layton is also the co-editor of International Thrills, the online magazine of ITW (International Thriller Writers).

In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview). He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there. Currently based in Durham, North Carolina, Layton has traveled to more than sixty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map.

www.laytongreen.com

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An Unsettled Grave (A Santero and Rein Thriller #2) by Bernard Schaffer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

After hunting down a demented killer, a newly appointed detective finds herself delving into a decades old cold case filled with haunting secrets, and discovers a shocking connection to her mentor in author Bernard Schaffer’s novel, “An Unsettled Grave”. Here is the synopsis.

The Synopsis

In this brilliantly chilling follow-up to The Thief of All Light, veteran police officer Bernard Schaffer digs deep into the past–and the haunted psyches of the detectives who search for truth . . . at any cost.

“There’s a thousand scavengers in these woods.”

Before being promoted to detective, Carrie Santero was given a rare glimpse into the mind of a killer. Through her mentor, Jacob Rein–a seasoned manhunter whose gift for plumbing the depths of madness nearly drove him over the brink–she was able to help capture one of the most depraved serial killers in the country. Now, the discovery of a small human foot buried in the Pennsylvania woods will lead her to a decades-old cold case–and the darkest secrets of her mentor’s youth.

“Nobody trusts an animal that tries to eat its own kind.”

Thirty years ago, a young girl went missing. A police officer was murdered. Another committed suicide. The lives of everyone involved would never be the same. For three agonizing decades, Jacob Rein has yearned for the truth. But when Detective Carrie Santero begins digging up new evidence, she discovers some answers come with shattering consequences.

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The Review

This is the perfect follow up to the series began in The Thief of All Light. Author Bernard Schaffer continues to bring his expertise in the field of criminal investigation to bring a sense of realism and relatability to the genre, while still providing an engaging and entertaining thriller like no other. Detective Santero shines through in this story, providing a more confident and seasoned investigative mind to the case while still showing her honest and no nonsense personality that allows her to showcase her strength as a protagonist in this tale.

Yet it is the shocking connection to seasoned detective and Carrie’s mentor Rein that makes this story shine, as readers are given a rare glimpse into the history of Jacob Rein and the events that made him into the brilliant detective that he is. A case from his past highlights the events that led to his descent into darkness, swimming amongst the monsters of this world in order to capture them. Jumping between the past and the present makes this story feel more personal and intimate of a story than the first book, cementing the protagonists Santero and Rein as true thriller heroes that are here to stay.

The Verdict

This is a must read summer 2019 thriller. With the book’s release due in July of 2019, the fans who fell in love with Santero and Rein will be thrilled to watch this story unfold. Filled with heart and emotion, humor and brutal honesty, and a story that feels both cinematic and real all at once, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves the thriller genre, and leaves readers eager for a third book in this exciting and developing series. If you haven’t yet, pre-order your copy now or grab your copy of An Unsettled Grave by Bernard Schaffer on July 30th, 2019. 

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Bernard Schaffer is the author of the Santero and Rein Thriller Series from Kensington Publications. 

Prior to that, he published multiple titles in a variety of genres as an independent author. Schaffer is the father of two children and a full-time police detective in Southeastern PA.

Visit him @BernardSchaffer or www.bernardschaffer.com.

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Social Media Links

Bernard Schaffer’s Facebook Author Page 

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Website: www.BernardSchaffer.com

Instagram @BernardSchaffer

Twitter: @BernardSchaffer