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A Sense of Murder (Road Mage 1) by Sam Robb-review & interview

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A Sense of Murder (Road Mage 1) by Sam Robb-review & interview

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 11, 2026

In a far-flung corner of the worlds-spanning Empire, Ser Kellan tor Iaestus is a Highwayman, sworn to keep the peace in the rugged Outlands. Armed with a revolver from a forgotten war and a hidden Talent to see truth, he is an agent of justice and peace in a wild land… so long as he keeps his talent hidden, lest he be pressed into the service of the Empire.

When Prospero, an Imperial Magus, arrives in the Outlands hunting for a magical truth-teller, Kellan is assigned as his guide. Certain he can keep his Talent concealed and maintain his freedom, Kellan escorts the magus on his journey. All goes well until a string of seemingly unrelated murders exposes demons, dark powers, and a warlock weaving cruel designs in the shadows. As Kellan and Prospero investigate, they follow a thread that leads from the Outlands to the city of Victar de Reya, links whores and politicians, and takes them from fine restaurants to piratical celebrations.

Saddled with a suspicious young seer and facing demons clawing at them from the Unreal, the two must work together to unravel the warlock’s conspiracy before he kills again. But can Kellan locate the killer without exposing his own power, and surrendering the independence he’s fought so hard to protect?

Duty demands truth. Survival demands secrecy. Kellan can’t have it both ways… and time is running out.

•••••

REVIEW:A Sense of Murder Road Mage by Sam Robb is a gripping dark fantasy mystery that blends noir detective vibes with imperial fantasy and supernatural horror.

I picked this up expecting a solid genre read and came away impressed by how well it weaves its threads together.

Ser Kellan tor Iaestus, is a Highwayman in the rugged Outlands with a hidden Talent for seeing truth. He’s armed with a revolver from a forgotten war and determined to protect his independence in a vast Empire that would conscript him if his abilities came to light. Kellan’s internal conflict between duty, survival, and secrecy drives much of the tension, and it had me gripped from the time I opened my kindle, until I finished the book. 😊

When Imperial Magus Prospero arrives hunting a magical truth teller, Kellan gets pulled in as his guide.

What starts as a reluctant escort job quickly spirals into a complex investigation involving seemingly unrelated murders, demons from the Unreal, dark powers, and a shadowy warlock.

The story moves from wild Outlands to the city of Victar de Reya, mixing gritty frontier justice with urban intrigue that links whores, politicians, fine dining, and piratical celebrations.

I especially enjoyed the “nobledark” tone evil feels genuinely patient, persuasive, and terrifying, while faith, sacrifice, and moral struggle emerge naturally through the characters without feeling preachy.

The world building spares no details, a worlds spanning Empire where magic is law, guns and steel deliver justice, and threats from beyond are a reality. The addition of a suspicious young seer adds another layer of suspicion and alliance building. Action sequences with demons and investigations keep the pace brisk. But what I liked most was dynamics between Kellan and Prospero as they navigate trust, secrets, and escalating danger.

It’s not just a whodunit, the conspiracy builds with real stakes, and the supernatural elements heighten the dread without overshadowing the human (and political) drama.

If you enjoy fantasy mysteries with revolver wielding lawmen, demonic threats, and a protagonist torn between justice and self preservation, this delivers all that.

It’s the first in what feels like a promising series (Road Mage), and it left me wanting more of Kellan’s world and adventures.

A strong recommend for fans of dark fantasy with detective elements, think a fantasy infused blend of grit and otherworldly peril.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next volume.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie 🦋

TRC: Hi Sam and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of A SENSE OF MURDER

Sam: Thank you!

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

Follow: Website / Facebook / Amazon Author/ X/ Goodreads / Instagram

Sam: I’m just this guy from Pittsburgh, you know?

There’s a little more to that, of course. I grew up here, and went to college at Carnegie Mellon University, where the Navy paid for me to get a degree in metallurgical engineering and materials science. Then I graduated, went into the Navy, and never touched metallurgy again.

I spent a few years in the Navy as an officer on a deck ship (the USS WABASH, AOR-5) and decided that managing people wasn’t for me. So once I got out, I found a job as a computer programmer. I’ve since had loads of fun (and frustration) trying to teach rocks to think.

Along the way I fell in love with and married the best lady ever; adopted three girls; bought the farm (literally); ran for President (also literally); and finally, decided to pursue what I’ve always done and try my hand at writing.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Sam: My dad. It sounds trite, I know, but he was a voracious reader, and among other things, he loved science fiction and fantasy. Thanks to him, I grew up reading Asimov, Simak, Niven, Kuttner, and just about every other SF/F author you can imagine.

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

Sam: Time! Like a lot of writers, I have a day job that pays the bills. On top of that, I also work with Raconteur Press, a Texas publisher that does anthologies, novels, and boy’s books. When all that’s done, I’ve got to find the time and energy to write.

Oddly enough, I’ve found that even if I have a lot going on, taking the time to drive or walk helps my creative process. Neither are terribly mentally taxing, so my brain has the chance to shift gears and reset. So taking some time to run errands or go for a stroll does more to help me create than sitting there staring at a blank page.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of A SENSE OF MURDER?

Sam: There’s a lot woven into the books, but the basic idea is that it’s a magical buddy-cop story. Kellan is a kind of wild-west lawman with a magical talent for seeing the truth that he’s kept hidden from the Empire, because they conscript people like him into their service. When he discovers a rogue warlock’s pet demon had been killing children, he ends up having to work with Prospero, an Imperial whose job is to hunt down people who hide their Talents from the Empire. People like Kellan.

Truth matters to Kellan, but so does justice for the dead. There’s plenty of twists and turns. This story has everything: Murder. Mystery. Demons. Angels. Secrets. Faith. Sacrifice. More murder. Prayer. Magic. Blind seers. Crime! Diplomacy! ROMANS! ZOMBIES! PIRATES!

Come for the murder, stay for the mayhem.

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

Sam: I am, in a very real way, a pantser. I have a couple of big plot points that I know I need to hit. Beginning, middle, end, a few things along the way. Other than that, I let the characters lead. Sometimes I am very, very surprised at where they want to go.

That doesn’t mean I wing everything, though. I ended up doing lots of research into things that you honestly wouldn’t think of as important. The Empire is a vast magical and technological entity; it spans not just worlds, but different realities across the Weave of the multiverse. A big core of it are lost Roman legions, so there’s a lot of “what would an alternate Rome look like after two thousand years?” kind of questions. What languages might be spoken? How would they have influenced each other? What would that mean for culture? How would people be named? What kind of governments might arise? How would faith and Christianity develop in a setting where literal angels and demons were creatures people could encounter? How did Rome relate to far-flung nations that are essentially vassal states – and how would that work in the Empire?

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

Sam: I plan to write at least three centered around Kellan and Prospero. After that, we’ll see. I intentionally created a vast universe so I could play around in it and have fun telling cool stories.

TRC: Would you label the ROAD MAGE series fantasy? Paranormal? Sci-fiction? Or a combination of all three?

Sam: Definitely fantasy. The Weave winds its way through all of reality; the way people can perceive and manipulate it gives rise to magic. There’s an element of technology as well , though. The Empire has recently introduced electricity, steam power, and such to Kellan’s world, and there are strong hints that Imperial technology is even more advanced than that. Magic and technology tend to fluctuate across the worlds of the Weave, and what’s easy in one world may be difficult in another – or completely impossible.

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

Sam: Your world may be big and beautiful and gorgeous. You might spend weeks figuring out the relationship between magic and finance. People might even be fascinated by it.

But they don’t fall in love with your worldbuilding. One person in a million falls in love with Middle Earth because of the Silmarillion. The rest of us only care about the world because we fell in love with Bilbo and Frodo and Sam and Aragorn and Boromir first. And one of the reasons you fall in love with characters like that is because when you see the world through their eyes, you believe in them. They make sense.

Sure, build an incredible world. But don’t forget to drop in amazing characters who have hopes and dreams and big fears and little worries and habits and histories and likes and hates, all in a messy jumble. People recognize themselves in there. That is what they connect with.

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?

Sam: Absolutely. Your book cover is advertising. It tells your potential reader things about what’s inside. Genre, for one; tone and subject matter, for another. The cover for A Sense of Murder shows a roman, a very obvious wizard, and the ghost of a dead woman hovering over the ground. Magical Roman Murder. If any of those trip your trigger, you’ll likely stop and try and figure out what the books’ about… which means the cover did it’s job.

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

Sam: I have a very firm grip of some stories. I know the characters, they were crafted for a specific purpose. They’re going to do what I tell them.

That’s mostly in short stories. Longer stories and novels are different. Once you create these personas and they start bouncing off of each other, you get this kind of Brownian motion where you know in general how things are going to go, but not specifically. There’s one scene in A Sense of Murder where Kellan absolutely surprised me. Without intending it, I put him in a situation where it made complete sense for him to step up and take charge. I hadn’t planned on that. Once he was moving that way, though, Prospero let him, because he was exhausted from… things that had just happened. 🙂

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?

Sam: Your readers have to care about your characters. Which really isn’t helpful, is it? We know that! We already talked about that in believability. The question is how do you do it? How do you make someone care about Sam Smorkle the goblin?

You already know how to do it. You’ve been reading stories that do it your whole life. There’s well-known tropes that do exactly what you want. There’s an entire book writing methodology that starts with it (Save the Cat!) It’s about building that connection and either creating empathy or antipathy. Love or hate. Strong emotions. Someone pushes Sam Smorkle around? You feel bad for him, you hate the bully, bingo! Sam Smorkle kicks a dog? You feel bad for the pup, you hate Sam.

I think where writers fail is knowing that these tropes exist, and thinking, “Well, I’m going to be original.” Unless you’re incredibly skilled, no, you’re not. Those tropes are like architectural components. You don’t look at a house and say, “Well, I’m innovative, so I’m not going to have any structural support beams.” If you do that, you end up with a pile of rubble. No, you put the beams in. You might decorate them or hide them or maybe even call attention to them, but you put them in because they hold up the house. And you use the tropes because the help you tell the story.

Don’t tell people they should love poor Sam Smorkle, or that they should hate them. Have Sam show them he’s lovable or despicable, and let it go from there.

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

Sam: Oh, absolutely! I’ve published playlists for A Sense of Murder as well as several lists for the Jethro Tull inspired anthologies my wife and I produced (Minstrels in the Galaxy, Tales from the Wood, and Stories in the Key of Tull). I’m building a playlist for the sequel to ASAM right now. It’s very, very heavy on Appalachian-inspired folk, gothic country, and dark country.

So yes, music is a big part of writing. I love listening to it through the day, ramping up to writing. It helps inspire ideas – the endpiece of ASAM, and Nissa’s arc in that book, has deep roots in “Cry, Little Sister”. Other songs inspire characters or get attached to characters. There’s a line in “Closer to Fine” that is one character’s story arc in a nutshell, for example. Every time I hear it, I think of them; and that helps bring back all the thoughts about how I want their storyline to go. So the songs both serve as inspiration, anchor, and reminder.

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

Sam: That you can make a living doing it. Some can, and good on ‘em for that. For the rest of us, it’s an important part of our lives – we tell stories because we can’t not tell stories! – but it’s likely never going to be the biggest part of our lives.

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

Sam: I won a pickle-juice drinking contest as a walk-on contestant and had a chance to become the Mayor of Picklesburgh. Alas, in the final show-down, my brine-quaffing skills were not up to the task. That title went to a gentleman who could slam back a quart of pickle juice faster than you could say “What the heck is he drinking?”

TRC:On what are you currently working?

Sam: I’m working on a Runes, the sequel to Sigils, my urban fantasy novel set in Pittsburgh. After that I’ll be getting back to Kellan and his story.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Hot sausage

Favorite Dessert – Oakmont Bakery almond torte cake

Favorite TV Show – M.A.S.H. (Yes, I’m old)

Favorite Sport – football… but only when the Steelers are playing. Or the Browns are losing. I’m not picky.

Last Movie You Saw – Nefarious

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Chocolate. I’m not a savage.

Secret Celebrity Crush – Jamie Lee Curtis

Last Vacation Destination – Cape Hatteras

Do you have any pets? – Four cats, one dog. We also once had a tree frog that followed us home from Cape Hatteras.

Last book you read – Twelve Months

TRC:Thank you Sam for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of your new book.

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The Rise of Lazarus/ The Brotherhood of Barnabas by BW Jackson

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The Rise of Lazarus/ The Brotherhood of Barnabas (The Rise of Lazarus 1 & 2) by BW Jackson-reviews and interview

THE RISE OF LAZARUS
The Rise of Lazarus #1
by BW Jackson
Genre: adult, mystery, thriller, secret society

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

Release Date: February 4, 2025

A gripping tale with a simple moral: hope for the future is steeped in knowledge of the past.

Aaron, an indifferent but brilliant student at a small college in New England, is led step by step into a mysterious cave of history. Over the course of several weeks, and through several rounds of storytelling, Aaron learns the fascinating and impossible narrative of a Holocaust survivor named Lazarus from his college professor, Professor Freeman, and his colorful grandfather, Grandpa Moshe.

In the end, Aaron discovers that the story of this intriguing Lazarus figure is much more personal than he ever could have imagined.

••••••

REVIEW:I picked up The Rise of Lazarus on a whim, (I’m trying new genres) honestly, the title alone hooked me, with its biblical echo of resurrection layered over what promised to be a modern mystery.

What I got was something far better, a gripping, story that feels like sitting in on late night conversations with people who’ve lived through history’s sharpest edges. By the end, I was genuinely moved, and wanted the next book straight away.

The story centers on Aaron, a college kid in New England who gets pulled, almost against his will, into a web of storytelling that spans decades, continents, and centuries.

Through his professor and his grandfather Moshe, Aaron hears the “impossible” tale of Lazarus, a Holocaust survivor whose life refuses to stay neatly in the past.

The tale unfolds in these almost fireside style rounds of stories, each one peeling back another layer, each one leaving you itching to turn the page and uncover more.

The reveal is slow, but it builds and builds, and I couldn’t put it down until it was done. We aren’t aware of what’s legend, of what’s memory, and what’s about to happen right now!

Professor Freeman and Grandfather Moshe were great additions to the story, I loved his grandfather, he was funny. I could hear his voice in my head, equal parts mischief and wisdom. 😝

And Lazarus himself… well, without spoiling anything, the way his story intertwines with Aaron’s personal life is the kind of twist that makes you sit back and whisper “no way” when it clicks. 🤐

The book moves between the quiet college campus and the sweeping, sometimes harrowing backdrop of European history, secret societies, and survival against impossible odds!

At just under 200 pages, it’s a quick but immersive read, I finished it in two sittings (work and real life intrude!) and immediately wanted the next installment (Book Two, The Brotherhood of Barnabas, is already calling my name).

Would definitely recommend especially if you’re the historical reader, mixing a little fact with fiction.

Can’t wait to see where Aaron’s journey goes next.

Reviewed by Julie🦋

_______

THE BROTHERHOOD OF BARNABAS
The Rise of Lazarus #2
by BW Jackson
Genre: adult, mystery, thriller, secret society

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

Release Date: February 4, 2025

In The Brotherhood of Barnabas, Book Two of The Rise of Lazarus, Aaron wanders even deeper into the hidden workings of the society of Lazarus. But just when Professor Freeman begins to uncover another eerie mystery, he suddenly goes missing, leaving Aaron and Grandpa Moshe and Miriam on a desperate mission to track him down.

Along the way, they encounter the ancient origins of the Brotherhood of Barnabas and the rise of an enemy organization known as the Crimson Ribbon. Dubious clues lure them into a precarious adventure to the Old World, amidst the living history of Lazarus and Tabitha. But their quest is upended when a secret from the past is resurrected, challenging everything they thought they knew about the legend of Lazarus.

•••••••

REVIEW:The Brotherhood of Barnabas delivers a solid follow up that deepens the mystery while keeping the pages turning. I was able to pick up the second book right after the first one, so I could keep everything fresh in my mind…..

Picking up from the first book, Aaron dives further into the shadowy society surrounding Lazarus. And just when they think they have a breakthrough, the professor disappears (kidnapped?)

Aaron, along with his grandfather start a frantic search. Without the professor they seem stuck!

Crimson Ribbon is the society that wants to keep this all a secret, and will do what it can to keep Aaron quiet. The Crimson Ribbon send Aaron on a tense journey to the Old World, where past secrets collide with the present in surprising ways! 😮

What I enjoyed most was the mixing of contemporary characters with historical and legendary elements, and the cliffhanger style chapter endings made it hard to put down.

That said, the pacing occasionally slows (too much info? 🤷🏻‍♀️) with the ancient lore and secret societies, and some plot threads rely on convenient clues. It works best if you’ve read Book 1, as it continues directly from there.

It was a good book, I don’t think as good as the first, and I’m hoping we don’t have to wait too long for book three. 🤞

If you like mystery/adventure stories with historical/religious undertones and a touch of the eerie, it’s worth picking up.

I’m curious to see where Book 3 takes things!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

 

TRC:  Hi  BW and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE
RISE OF LAZARUS and THE BROTHERHOOD OF BARNABUS

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

I’m a proud native of Syracuse. I’m one of twelve children born to an American mother
and an English father. I’m a dual citizen of the United States and Great Britain.

I’ve been writing novels and short stories for almost twenty years, ever since I
graduated from college. Three years ago, I finally found a publisher for my first
novel, The Rise of Lazarus. It’s been a long road. Of course, when you start, you
believe you’re going to have immediate success. In hindsight, I can see that the long
road is a rite of passage.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

BW:  Without a doubt, my family influenced me most. I was fortunate to grow up in a
household that valued books and ideas. My parents and my older siblings—as the
eleventh born, I had ten of them—read to me all through childhood. We didn’t have a
lot, but our bookshelves were always overstocked and we had stacks of books in every
room. To want to write books seemed like the most natural thing in the world. I assumed
everyone wanted to write books.

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

BW:  I was extremely naïve when I first started writing. I thought all you had to do was write
the book, as if publishers were just waiting around for you to hand them a manuscript,
the way you hand in a paper in college. I had no clue how much time and work and
prospecting it would take, outside of the writing and editing.

For years and years, I sent out manuscripts all over the place, and I had no real reason
to keep trying. Then, out of nowhere, I caught a break. I sent something to a retired
professor, someone I didn’t know at all. He appreciated my work and generously offered
to put me in touch with an agent. Within a few months, I went from no prospects to a
contract.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE RISE OF LAZARUS
and THE BROTHERHOOD OF BARNABUS?

BW:  The premise occurred to me about ten years ago. I was reflecting on the story of
Lazarus and wondered, if Lazarus already died, why should he die again? What has he
been up to the last two thousand years? That idea led to a short story about a lazy
college student named Aaron and his professor, which became the basis for the novel.

In the series, Aaron learns about this fascinating character from his professor, and then
from his grandfather. That is his introduction to a vast world of little-known history,
including an obscure secret society known as the Brotherhood of Barnabas.

When you take a nibble of history, you suddenly start to realize how much there is, and
how rich it is. That’s what happens to Aaron, albeit in slightly more spectacular fashion.
But one of my big hopes for the series is that it will inspire young people to dig a little
deeper into history.

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

I like to start with a vague plotline and basic research. I’ve found that the more plotting I
do prior to writing, the more daunting the project becomes. Almost always, my books
take a different direction from my initial conception. If I get too far ahead, the excitement
of discovery goes out of it.

TRC:  How many books do you have planned for THE RISE OF LAZARUS series?

BW:  Three books for sure. The third book will be out in the next year or so. After that, we’ll
see. Aaron starts out the series as a passive main character. He’s young, and he’s
really just learning from his elders. That’s intentional. I wanted to model that, without
being too heavy-handed. However, I’d like to see Aaron grow into a true main character,
maybe even a hero. I think he has the potential.

TRC:  Does religion or spirituality play a role (Minor or Major) in the series?

BW:  That’s a great question, and a tricky one, in a way. Religion plays a major role in the
series, without a doubt. The series has a clear biblical foundation. At the same time, all
the books can be read either from a more spiritual perspective or from a more academic
perspective. My father, who had an immeasurable influence on my writing and thinking,
was a history professor and then became a pastor. Those two strains run through the
books.

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?

BW:  Oddly enough, I’d say believability is in the boring stuff. You establish trust through
mundane details. If your portrayal of the ordinary sets off alarms, readers will never take the plunge with you into the extraordinary. Readers will reward you for the tedious work
of consistency and plausible dialogue. You have to build up that credit with them.  

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?

BW:  Fair or not, the cover image plays a huge role. At this point, with the evolution of the
internet and social media, images have probably eclipsed words as the chief form of
basic communication. How many images do we flip through on a daily basis? Without
knowing it, we’ve all became extremely adept at judging books by their covers, so to
speak.

I had various artsy-fartsy ideas for my first book cover. I love all the depictions of
Lazarus in painting. In the end, I had to remember that the point of the cover was to
present an image that could, in an instant, create curiosity and accurately tell readers
what they were getting themselves into. A Giotto fresco or a Rembrandt etching was not
going to do that, as much as I loved looking at them.

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

BW:  If the writing is good, the characters are in charge. Otherwise, the puppet strings are
visible everywhere. It takes a lot of care to make sure your characters are fully formed,
including spending time with them outside of the writing. Once they take shape, you
oppose them at your own peril.

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?

BW:  The key, as a writer, is experiencing the emotions along with your characters. If you’re
not experiencing them, how can you expect a reader to experience them? My wife can
always tell when I’m deep into a story because I start to get a distant stare. I’m living
half the time in this other world.

In my opinion, writers fail when they try to force a character or a plotline into a story.
Readers can sniff it out. A valid critique of my work may be that I don’t have a wide
array of characters. But I’d rather write the characters I know convincingly—that’s hard
enough as it is—than try to complete some imaginary checklist of characters.

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

BW:  I rarely listen to music while writing, and generally only if I’m attempting to block out
noise, in which case I’ll put on classical music. I find music distracting.

My wife is a soprano, and so I at least try when I can, out of respect for the artform, to
listen to music when I listen to music. That’s not meant to be snooty! If you turn the
tables, I wouldn’t want someone, for instance, to read one of my books while watching
television.

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

BW:  An author dashes off brilliant lines in the morning and then goes off to carouse with
intellectuals and other socialites.

No.

The daily life of an author is extremely boring. Most people wouldn’t want to be a writer
for a day, or even a few hours. You sit at a desk, wringing the words out, and you’re not
allowed to leave until you’re done. And what you have when you’re done is mostly
garbage, which you’ll eventually have to sift through, painstakingly. You’re never
satisfied. But if you’re a writer, this is what you love.

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

BW:  I am an unofficial member of the Syracuse China Turn-Over Club, which means I
constantly turn over dishes and mugs to check if they are Syracuse China. I would love
to get an official invitation someday. The process is mysterious.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

BW:  I’m currently working on The Cave of Cleopas, book three of the Lazarus series. I’m in
the middle of rewriting some of the final chapters, and I’m excited with how things have
opened up. It’s very satisfying when you begin to see what you’ve written with clear
eyes, and know where changes are needed. For me, that tends to be a long process.

Otherwise, I’m always writing short stories or scribbling poetry or jotting down notes for
other manuscripts. I have a folder of novels I regularly circle back around to.

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

BW:  I want to thank you again. The world of books is in flux, and has become more and
more fragmented, but the type of work you’re doing at The Reading Café is what helps
hold us all together.

I also hope people will take a chance on the Lazarus series. In my early twenties, I
worked in Washington for a few years. One simple rule for politicians is that you need to
ask people to vote for you. You can’t just present yourself and your positions and cross
your fingers that they’ll vote for you. I’m finding the same is true in publishing. And so, even though it makes me uncomfortable, I ask you, if you’re reading this: Will you
please buy my books?

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food

Cheese

Favorite Dessert

Wafer Cake

Favorite TV Show

Jeopardy

Favorite Sport

Soccer

Last Movie You Saw

My Dinner with Andre

Dark or Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

Secret Celebrity Crush

Marion Cotillard

Last Vacation Destination

London

Do you have any pets?

Not at the moment. I grew up with a standard poodle and I aspire to have a standard
poodle. I’m a one breed man.

Last book you read

Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote

TRC:  Thank you  BW for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on
the release of your new books.

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Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan-review & interview

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Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan-review & interview

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 1, 2026

Talia Danvers is an engineer for a high-end dating app who hasn’t managed to code her own love life. Then she reconnects with Townsend Fuller: the one who got away.

Or, more accurately, the one who left her for someone else. But Townsend swears he’s a changed man, and Talia wants to believe him. Even if he is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Amanda Reade, the same woman who broke them up in the first place.

In cases like these, it’s always the boyfriend. That’s what Amanda’s sister Kaitlyn thinks. So does Talia’s colleague Meera Ratnam—and she’ll risk everything to convince Talia that she’s making a deadly mistake.

Then Talia starts receiving menacing texts from Amanda. Suddenly, no one knows what to believe. Is Townsend guilty? Is Amanda alive? Or is someone playing games?

Featuring unreliable narrators and written with acid wit and creeping unease, Yours Always is a mind-bending tale of dangerous love.

••••

REVIEW: I picked up Yours Always because the blurb sounded really good, a brilliant dating app engineer who can’t seem to debug her own romantic disasters reconnects with the ex who shattered her heart, only for him to be the main suspect in his current girlfriend’s disappearance. 😮 Add in creepy texts from the “missing” woman, friends warning her she’s making a fatal mistake…. I was all in.

Talia Danvers is smart, sarcastic, and so logically wired from her tech job that you almost believe she can “code” her way through this mess. Reading as she desperately wants to believe Townsend has changed, despite every red flag waving in her face, was equal parts frustrating and heartbreaking.

I found myself yelling at the pages more than once, “Girl, run!”

Townsend himself is charming in that polished, privileged way that makes you question everything he says. Is he reformed? Is he dangerous? Or is something far more twisted at play?

What really had me hooked was the creeping dread mixed with sharp, biting humor. The writing has this edge that had me snorting at Talia’s inner monologue one minute and getting chills the next.

The texts from Amanda!? They ratcheted up the tension beautifully, sudden, menacing, and impossible to ignore. I loved how the story toys with who you can trust…. Talia’s colleague Meera, who’s willing to risk it all to protect her, Amanda’s sister Kaitlyn, convinced it’s always the boyfriend, even Talia herself starts to feel… slippery.
It’s a mind bending ride that plays with obsession, second chances, and the stories we tell ourselves to justify dangerous love.

If you’re craving a psychological thriller that’s clever, witty, and deeply unsettling rather than outright gory, this one delivers. It’s the kind of book that lingers making you side eye your own exes and wonder how well you really know anyone.

Bottom line: Yours Always is a thriller about love, lies, and the terrifying blur between them. Perfect for fans of smart suspense (with a tech twist) and a few twists thrown in.

It was a good read, though a couple of threads felt a touch convenient in the final act!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

TRC: Hi Corinne and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release YOURS ALWAYS.

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

Corinne: In addition to being an author, I’m the senior news editor at Cosmopolitan, as well as the mom of two girls: a one-year-old and a three-year-old. I’m also a former collegiate dancer, a former spin instructor, and a forever book lover.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Corinne: From the time I was five years old, I was telling my parents I wanted to be an author when I grew up—and thanks to their constant encouragement, I became one!

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

Corinne: Balancing multiple POVs is always a challenge, but with YOURS ALWAYS, I was especially challenged writing from the perspective of a man (and not a particularly nice one) for the first time. The other biggest challenge: keeping my timeline straight.

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

Corinne: YOURS ALWAYS is about a dating app engineer who gets back together with her ex…only to realize that he’s the prime suspect in the disappearance of the woman who broke them up in the first place.

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

Corinne: In addition to plotting out the order of events before I started drafting, I spent a good amount of time researching life in Austin, startup culture, and machine learning.

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

Corinne: It’s hard to find a balance between shocking and simply inexplicable. I use my trusted beta readers (aka my parents, my husbands, and a few willing friends) to do a gut check, and they’ll usually tell me if a twist asks them to suspend too much disbelief.

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 authors fail?

Corinne: I believe that—with a successful thriller novel—you can read it through a second time and say, Ah, yes. There are the breadcrumbs I missed. But if you do a reread and still don’t feel that the “big reveal” is earned, it’s possible that believability was sacrificed for the shock factor.

TRC: Does the ‘unreliable’ narrator add or detract from believability?

Corinne: I personally love an unreliable narrator. That said, even if you can’t believe what a narrator is telling you as a reader, you should be able to believe that the real story will eventually come to light.

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?

Corinne: Absolutely. I often pick up books based on compelling cover art alone (especially if it includes a great blurb from an author I already know and trust).

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

Corinne: Even if I start writing with the intention of directing my characters, it often happens that, as my characters develop on the page, they eventually take over the direction of the 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?

Corinne: For me, there is a lot of power in specificity. Even if you can’t relate to the exact experience of the characters, you can still be drawn into their world through the use of specific, tangible details. Likewise, moral ambiguity is important to me. As much as I love an unlikeable character, I do feel that it’s hard to get on board with a character who is irredeemably bad.

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

Corinne: Call me weird, but I never listen to music while writing. I find it too distracting. I do, however, love light background noise. My favorite place to write is in a cafe, where I’m aware of some conversation and soft music but able to tune it out.

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

Corinne: That good writers are simply innately gifted. That may be true for some, but for me, my writing is a craft that I’ve studied and worked to improve for years (and something that I will always continue to hone).

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

Corinne: One of my hottest takes: I struggle with ebooks. I just don’t enjoy them as much. It’s a physical book or bust for me.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Corinne: I can’t say too much, but I can say this about my next book: It’s about motherhood, and it’s dark.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Corinne: Something I’ll always believe: the best writers are the ones who read as often (if not more than) they write.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food:Meatballs

Favorite Dessert:Any chocolate-based ice cream

Favorite TV Show:Girls

Favorite Sport :Anything that happens during the Olympics

Last Movie You Saw:Sinners

Dark or Milk Chocolate:All chocolate is good chocolate (but if I had to choose: dark)

Secret Celebrity Crush:Jason Momoa

Last Vacation Destination:Tokyo

Do you have any pets?:I lost my beloved dog of nine years, Jack, last summer and still think about him every day.

Last book you read:Once More From the Top by Emily Layden

TRC: Thank you Corinne for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of YOURS ALWAYS. We wish you all the best.

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ReInception (ReInception 1) by Sarena Straus-review and interview

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ReInception (ReInception 1) by Sarena Straus-review and 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

A corporation’s immensely popular technology can rewire your brain to rid you of any bad habits or unwanted impulses in 2126 New York City. The government is using ReInception in a supposed attempt to rid society of criminal behavior one brain at a time. But when a college student and a government-labeled terrorist discover the truth behind what’s happening in people’s head, they are ready to risk their lives to preserve their free will and the future of society.

••••••

REVIEW: ReINCEPTION is the first instalment in Sarena Straus’ new-adult, futuristic, post apocalyptic , speculative, science-fiction story line set one-hundred years into the future,in the wake of an horrific earthquake and flood that destroyed much of North America. This is twenty year old Leanndrea, and eighteen year old Ward’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Ward and Lea) including testimonials and reports, ReINCEPTION focuses on the power of government, and the control of its’ people in the wake of the unlawful use of a mind altering procedure known as ReINCEPTION. Once touted to help rid humanity of criminals and mental illness, ReINCEPTION is now being used by the wealthy to control their children for all manners of reasons but there is a segment of society considers outliers, both HighQ and LowQ who are fundamentally in opposition, and the people of the below (proles) must fight to survive.

The world building is detailed and complex as the reader is pulled into a post apocalyptic world of communication implants and trackers, them vs us, population control for the wealthy segment of society, and imposed slavery on those without the benefit of money or help.

Leanndrea grew up never knowing the truth behind the use of ReINCEPTION, and as such, finds herself pulled into a world she never knew existed. Although she watched some of her friends receive modifications, others were forced for non-compliance, as a way to control that which was perceived as ‘other’. Meeting ‘Ward’ revealed the reality of what was and what had never been, and in doing so, Ward would introduce Lea to The Originals, and where the secrets and lies would reveal.

ReINCEPTION is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional societies under government control, acceptance and a need to reveal the truth. The thought provoking premise is action packed, intriguing, immersive and haunting; the characters are desperate, determined and edgy. ReINCEPTION ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Sarena and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of REINCEPTION and DEINCEPTION

Sarena: Thank you so much!!!

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

Sarena:I am a science fiction novelist and attorney living in the Hudson Valley, NY with my husband, two teenagers, two labradors and my awesome barn cat. When I’m not writing or lawyering, I love traveling off the beaten path, especially to scuba dive! I’ve been certified since I was 18 and have logged over 500 dives.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Sarena: I never thought I would be a writer, although I’ve always been involved in the arts. I studied opera in high school and college and I was an art history major and studio art minor in college. Becoming an attorney totally took me by surprise. My first job out of law school was as a child abuse and sex crimes prosecutor. At that time, I started writing for catharsis. That turned into a non-fiction book called “Bronx DA: True Stories from the Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Unit.” Once I had the writing bug, I never stopped.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your stories?

Sarena: My biggest challenge is carving out the time and space to write. I work full time as a lawyer and have two high school students (although my daughter heads to college in the fall!) It can be hard to juggle it all. If I don’t wake up early and write before the rest of the house is awake and the work day has started, I often don’t get in my words for that day.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of REINCEPTION /DEINCEPTION?

Sarena: The ReInception trilogy is set 100 years in the future where we have the technology to instantly eliminate unwanted humans behaviors. In book one, ReInception, college student Leandrea Justus teams up with government-alleged terrorist Ward to uncover the truth about what ReInception is really doing when it’s in people’s heads.

In Book 2, DeInception, Ward and Lea have to survive the fallout of their rebellion.

Book 3, MassInception, will be out in October!

TRC: How would you describe the style of science fiction as it pertains to RECINCEPTION /DEINCEPTION? Speculative? Near Future? Post Apocalyptic? Dystopian? Or somewhere in between?

Sarena: It’s for sure a sci fi genre blender. It’s squarely near future science fiction and speculative. Some would define it as dystopic, but I think it’s a frighteningly plausible future. A lot of what I predicted is becoming reality far faster than I imagined.

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

Sarena: Keeping track of all of character and threads got more complicated with each book. Book one I mostly pantsed. Book 2 was plotted at a high level and book 3 has been very carefully laid out. In terms of research, each book explores the future setting and technology more deeply. Book one exposes you to the tech at a high level and then I delve deeper with each novel. I ended up having to do some pretty deep research into several kinds of advances, such as medical technology, architecture, weapons, climate change—to build a credible and comprehensive exploration of what things might be like in 100 years.

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

Sarena: It’s a trilogy. The final book will be out in October of this year!

TRC: Will the same characters be central in each successive instalment, or a new leading character as the focus of each book?

Sarena: The same characters are central, but the scope expands with each book. Book one is from a single POV of Leandrea. Book 2 is dual POV of Lea and Ward. Book 3 is a multi-POV narrative as several of the characters in the first two books come into their own. Each character has their own story arc and a major role to play in stopping ReInception before we face another world war.

TRC: Can each instalment be read as a stand alone or are they all interconnected?

Sarena: You can read them as a stand alone, but this is much better read as a series. I give the reader enough to follow what happened previously in books 2 and 3, but you don’t get the full experience unless you read them in order.

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

Sarena: This goes back to your earlier question about research. I did a ton of research into technology and environment and thought carefully about population and politics. Book one is centered in New York so I started by imagining how New York, faced with climate change, would adapt with the limitations of its current infrastructure. How will the city look in 100 years? What will still be there and what will be gone or replaced? Who will live there? What will they look like? How will they speak? In book two, I imagined another place with no such constraints—a seastead built completely from scratch. What would a city on the sea with none of the limitations of existing infrastructure or politics be like?

Also, probably because I’m an attorney, I thought a lot about legal structure and systems and how they lag behind what is happening in the present. How will we legislate for a world-altering technology with such profound power for good or evil?

Authors fail by not doing adequate research. You have to constantly be reading about current events and technology advances. If you don’t know what we are working on now, how can you imagine what it will be like in the future?

What I find most interesting is how many near future science fiction authors have similar predictions and how fast those predictions come true. That speaks to the fact that most of us are doing the hard work of researching before we world-build, but also that we are writing credible stories.

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?

Sarena: We definitely judge books by the cover. On the one hand, it makes me a little sad the so many book covers have become so formulaic. These days you can tell just by looking if a book is Rom-Com (cartoony), Romantasy (ivy and swords), Sci Fi (portals), Dystopia (crumbling infrastructure), Domestic Suspense (dark house on a dark street with lit windows), etc. I miss creativity in cover art. On the other hand, most people stick to reading in certain genres. There’s so much content out there that it’s nice to be able to tell just by looking at a cover whether you might like the book. I read across genres, so I wouldn’t mind a little more mystery and confusion in the selection process!

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

Sarena: I think you are asking if my stories are plot driven or character driven. ReInception is somewhere in the middle. The characters are definitely compelled to act by things happening in the world around them, but they also have a ton of agency. Agency is so important in character development. If they are just reacting to the world around them and not learning and growing from their experiences, they aren’t very interesting.

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?

Sarena: The biggest traps I see sci fi and fantasy writers fall into is data dumping, exposition and no knowing what to leave off of the page. Earlier, you asked about research and credible world-building. Most of the times I’ve seen writers fall short, it’s not because of their world building. Most of the world building is spectacular—writers are so clear about what their worlds look like, how they became that way, what systems guide their world, for fantasy, how the magic works. The trap they fall into is understanding that just because it’s critical that they know all of that, it doesn’t mean the reader has to know everything. What you leave off the page is just as important as what you put on it. When beta reading, especially for new writers (and especially with fantasy), I see a lot of pages and pages of exposition and data dumping in order to build the world. This is the surest way to lose a reader. You have to put your reader in the world, with your character and seeing the world through the character’s eyes. You don’t have to tell the reader everything and you don’t have to reveal it all upfront. The world building can happen organically and slowly as the character(s) move through the world.

The character’s emotions follow from there. Putting aside the showing versus telling, if you are in the place and experiencing it with the character and through their eyes, you start articulating the emotions that go along with it. Once you’ve done all of that, then you can get down to whether you have the right balance between showing and telling.

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

Sarena: This is going to be such a sad answer, but I listen to white noise. Music and lyrics while I’m writing are extremely distracting to me. I also have a very hard time filtering out surrounding activity and conversation so if I’m writing anywhere when anyone else is around, I have to put on white noise so my ears aren’t picking up words. Music helps me when I’m in the imagining process. I do my best pre-writing and problem-solving when I run and listen to music. Then, my mind can wander and the music and lyrics inspire me. By the time I sit down to write, I often have most of the work done in my head, but when I’m actually there in front of the computer, white noise it is.

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

Sarena: That writing is a “hobby.” It’s not. It’s a full time job and for many of us, it’s on top of another full time job. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they want to write a book, but most never do. Having an idea is the smallest part of the puzzle.Writing a book takes hundreds of hours and writing a good one can take thousands. I spend as much time working on my writing as I do being a lawyer—maybe more because not only do I have to write the book, I have to figure out how to get it published, market it, sell it, travel to promote it. It’s a massive undertaking and it is NOT a hobby (hear that IRS?)

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

Sarena: In high school and college I was a body builder and opera singer. Also, I have photographic memory but only for dirty jokes.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sarena: I’m finishing second-round edits of the final book in the ReInception trilogy, MassInception. It will go to my editor this week! Next, I’m working on a series of stand-alone domestic suspense novels all set in the same town, but with different MCs. I’m deciding between two concepts I have pretty well outlined. The first book in that world is complete and with my agent.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Sarena: I think that was pretty comprehensive!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Artichokes

Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu

Favorite TV Show: I don’t have one.

Last Movie You Saw: Iron Lung

Dark or Milk Chocolate: DARK!!!

Secret Celebrity Crush : This week? Maybe Travis Fimmel – I’m rewatching Vikings.

Last Vacation Destination: Virgin Gorda

Do you have any pets?: Two Labradors – Julia (black lab) and Nova (yellow lab). And Bandit is my kick ass barn cat.

Last book you read: “The Searcher” by Tana French

TRC: Thank you Sarena for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of REINCEPTION and DEINCEPTION

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The Last Loyalist by Kathryn K. Murphy-review & interview

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The Last Loyalist by Kathryn K. Murphy-review & interview

NEED LINKS 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 22, 2026

A lost soldier from the past. A modern woman with everything to lose. A love powerful enough to defy the centuries.

Public defender Melanie Reyes never expected her newest client to look like he’d stepped out of a Revolutionary War portrait. But Nathaniel Harrington isn’t just old-fashioned, he’s the very same British Redcoat who vanished without a trace in 1776.

He shouldn’t exist. Yet his haunted honor, razor-sharp wit, and unshakable loyalty pull Mel closer with every heartbeat. Nathaniel is a man out of time, and she’s the only one who can help him survive this new world.

But passion comes at a cost. To love him means risking her career, her reputation, and the life she’s fought so hard to build. And for Nathaniel, torn between the duty he left behind and the woman who’s captured his heart, it means proving he can be the kind of partner she deserves in a century not his own.

••••••••

REVIEW: The premise is classic fish out of water … a British Redcoat from 1776 suddenly appearing in the present day, defended by a dedicated public defender, Melanie Reyes.

The contrast between Nathaniel’s rigid 18th century honor, loyalty, and wit against Mel’s contemporary life (career pressures, reputation risks) sets up delicious tension.

I love how the blurb emphasizes the internal conflict, Nathaniel grappling with duty to a lost cause versus building a life (and love) in a new era, while Mel risks everything she’s built. It’s that push/pull, that I love, combined with steamy passion, and the romance. 😜

I loved the author’s other stories, (like the Firemark series with its immortal twists or the Sisters in Sirens small-town magic), and this one has to be one of my favourites, with its steamy contemporary romance and light fantasy/paranormal elements.

The time travel element adds that “touch of magic” with the found family vibes, and a satisfying HEA where love truly rewrites history. “Sigh” 🥰

I loved Nathaniel, how he took to this new world with all of its wonders. Always the gentleman, except when he wasn’t 😜

It took me a few pages to warm up to Mel, but I grew to love her. And Abuelita, she was such a character 💜

The standalone makes it a perfect read. And I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re into books like Outlander (for the historical/modern clash of course 😜)but want something shorter, steamier, and more focused on a single couple’s journey, then this book should hit that spot.

The Revolutionary War setting brings a fresh angle (British loyalist perspective rather than the usual Scottish Highlander) and although not a big historical fan, I do love a good historical romance 🥰 this made a nice change.

Overall, it promised to be an engrossing, sexy escape with strong characters and high emotional payoff. And it gave that to me and more.

So if you’re looking for a read with romance, intense chemistry, historical flavor, and a century spanning love story, then look no further.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

TRC:  Hi Kathryn and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release THE LAST LOYALIST.

Kathryn: Thank you! I’m so excited to be here!

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

Kathryn: Of course! I have always loved reading and writing romance, but before I became an author, I was a history teacher who taught middle school early American history. I hope readers of The Last Loyalist will enjoy the historical references throughout!

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Kathryn:I pick up influence from everywhere. I love to learn new things and people-watch, so sometimes I’ll overhear something in an airport and think about what they said and how, so I’ll file it away until the right moment. Style-wise, I’ve always appreciated stories that are romantic but grounded in reality, with women facing everyday stakes, while something incredible is happening in their lives. I think the idea of a character meeting a really handsome time traveler, only to worry that she doesn’t have any food in the fridge and has to go to work tomorrow, is really powerful because it’s romantic, fantastical, and relatable.

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

Kathryn:I wrote this story originally in 2017, but wasn’t able to get it to where I was satisfied with the result. Originally, Nathaniel was from the Civil War, and Mel was from Baltimore. In fact, that original version is still complete and on my computer. I had moved on to other stories when I was encouraged to give it another look and rewrote it entirely.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE LAST LOYALIST

Kathryn:The Last Loyalist is a time-travel romance in which a British soldier travels forward in time and is arrested in a New York City park when his colleague fires on a police officer. He’s assigned a public defender who takes him under her wing after his release, and they fall in love.

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

Kathryn:That’s a great question, and I’m going to do a poor job answering it because it came in phases. For any book I write, I do a lot of research whether it’s about boats, fire departments or places in New England, Louisiana, Montana, or New York. I really like to learn knew things and whether or not all of it ends up on the page, I think this creates depth which is a strength of my stories.

For The Last Loyalist, I felt like I started from a strong place. I have an undergraduate degree in history, and I worked as a costumed interpreter at a museum in Virginia on the weekends in college before becoming a history teacher for 12 years, so all of that gave me a lot of background to work from. Also, my husband is a film and television director who specializes in American military history, so I’ve been fortunate to have a different baseline than most people. In fact, The Last Loyalist original started as an idea my husband had for a screenplay that he wrote, but never pursued. With the first draft, I visited the Maryland locations for the story and read two books as research on what was to be Civil War cavalry, only to shelve it. When I revisited nine years later, I dove back into research, which led to a delightful sidequest: understanding the British Army during the American Revolution, including rank, and the crossing on a British Man-O-War. It was something new, since much of my time had been spent studying and explaining the Continental Army. Regarding Nathaniel’s character, I would say the most research I did was actually for his time in prison, which I wanted to be authentic and grounded in reality, given what could happen in this scenario. With Mel’s character, I really wanted to understand the world of law, and spent much of my time researching not only the legal code in New York, but also what a day would look like for a public defender, so her depth of character would ring true.

TRC: Does the premise rely heavily on historical fact? How do you blend historical fact with fiction without affecting the historical timeline?

Kathryn: I wanted The Last Loyalist to be a commentary on how far our day-to-day lives have come from the Revolutionary Era, so I imagined what our world would feel like for a British nobleman from that time. In doing so, I wanted to make his experience as accurate as possible so we could get a clearer sense of the world he came from before meeting Melanie. While Nathaneial Harrington did not exist, his regiment did at that battle and even camped at what is now Van Cortlandt Park. I find this strategy of placing someone adjacent to history very effective.

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

Kathryn:I recently took Dan Brown’s Masterclass, and one thing he said really stood out to me, which was, “We know the beginning, and we know the ending. Your job as the author is to get from point A to point B in the most interesting way possible.” While they are navigating all the twists and turns of a plot, I try to immerse my characters in the world around them, which is why you’ll see them eating or in their homes, which is something often omitted in fast-paced stories. Another thing I like to keep in mind is that the character has to get themselves out of this mess or reach the final end, so they have to use the tools they already have or overcome what’s been holding them back. This approach puts the creativity on the character. As the reader, we get to see how they handle it in a believable way because we’re on that journey with them as it unfolds.

TRC: Do you have plans for a series and ongoing time-travel?

Kathryn:I have so many ideas for more historical romances and time-travel, and I’d love to do a series! It’ll be interesting to see which one makes it to the page first.

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?

Kathryn:I think it’s easy to want it to work out and help the character along. I once heard James Patterson say, “People will go easy on the villain, but not the hero. They don’t get any shortcuts.” It’s true, and part of the appeal. The villain gets to have infinite money, a secret escape hatch to a secretly fueled helicopter that just happens to be taking off at just the right moment, but the hero has a paper clip and a pack of gum and we love to watch them figure it out. Letting the characters have their moment to shine and work through it is some of the best storytelling out there.

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?

Kathryn:Yes, I do believe that covers play an important role in setting reader expectations for the story. If they see a dog on the cover, they expect a dog, and will be let down if one never shows. Same thing with dragons, men, women, and settings. Not only do covers speak to the content, but they also speak to how complete and polished the story inside will be. With so many wonderful stories to choose from and more demands on their time, readers can afford to be discerning with their time and money.

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

Kathryn: For me, I typically have a broad idea of the story first, and the characters reveal who they are as the story unfolds. I’ve found that this is the opposite of many other authors, who have ideas for characters and let them choose where they want to go, which builds the story.

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?

Kathryn:I can’t remember where it comes from, but some of the best advice II’veever heard is the bigger the emotion, the smaller you go, because in stressful, high-intensity moments, the human mind closes in on details as it tries to absorb and process information. Less can be more in a lot of cases. Also, controlling when information is shared with the reader is an often-overlooked tool. When a reader has a piece of information four chapters before it becomes relevant in that intense moment, they too experience that feeling of connection, like piecing together a puzzle.

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

Kathryn:I have listened to the same study music for all of my books since 2018. It is a gentle new age type of meditation music with alpha and beta waves. Now, when I hear it, II’vetrained myself to be able to get back into writing much faster.

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

Kathryn:That it is easy, and pays well.

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

Kathryn:I make up stories when playing with my son. Some of his toys have a character arc and background that have continued to evolve for over seven years.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Kathryn:I’m currently working on a new series that is a modern quest for love. My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets When Harry Met Sally in the DC metro area.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kathryn:I’d love for everyone to keep in touch with me by subscribing to my newsletter, where I share updates from my life and stories every month. They can sign up at my website, www.KathrynKMurphy.com.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Seafood and cheeseburgers

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Lava cake, apple pie à la mode, or key lime pie

Favorite TV Show: The Golden Girls and Barefoot Contessa

Favorite Sport: Football, Baseball, and Hockey

Last Movie You Saw: Zootopia 2

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate all the way, especially with fruit or nuts

Secret Celebrity Crush: Henry Cavill

Last Vacation Destination: Disney Cruise!

Do you have any pets? One rescued, feral cat, Princess, who now lives the life of luxury. Also, we recently adopted four chickens, which has been a lot of fun.

Last book you read: Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

TRC: Thank you Kathryn for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of THE LAST LOYALIST. We wish you all the best.

Kathryn: Thank you so much for all you do and for this opportunity!

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The One Who Ghosted Me by Erica Devon-review & interview

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The One Who Ghosted Me (Fontaine 1) by Erica Devon-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 15, 2026

She never knew the reason he disappeared. He regrets ever letting her go. When a lost love becomes a fake boyfriend, will sparks reignite?

Rainmere, Washington. In this close-knit Pacific Northwest town, Amelia Preston refuses to give up control. With people counting on her at home, the romantically gun-shy young widow stays focused on turning her contract job into a full-time career. But her opportunity to land a position with benefits comes under threat when she learns the new project lead is the guy who swept her off her feet five years ago… and then vanished.

Jonathan Fontaine longs to make things right. Still shouldering a mountain of guilt over the woman he let slip away, the outdoorsy geologist hopes the next three months of working side-by-side will end in forgiveness. So when she needs help avoiding her friends’ unwanted matchmaking, he steps out of his carefully constructed personal life and offers himself up as a fake boyfriend.

Insisting on strict boundaries to avoid getting burned again, a nervous Amelia softens her rules in the face of their undeniable chemistry. But though Jonathan might be hearing wedding bells, he doesn’t know how to break free from family duty and embrace his own happiness.

Is this an all-too-common repeat heartbreak, or a rare second chance at true love?

••••••

REVIEW:THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME is the first instalment in Erica Devon’s contemporary, adult FONTAINE romance series. This is geologist Jonathan Fontaine, and designer Amelia Preston’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspective (Amelia and Jonathan) using present day, text messages and journal entries from the past THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME focuses on the second chance relationship between Jonathan Fontaine and Amelia Preston. Approximately five years earlier, Jonathan and Amelia were college sweethearts but Jonathan ghosted our heroine without a goodbye. Fast forward to present day, geologist Jonathan has been assigned temporarily to the Seattle office, where he will come face to face with the woman whose heart he destroyed. Working side by side, Jonathan begins a slow seduction of the woman he loves but Jonathan’s past refuses to backdown, and our couple, will once again, face the possibility of years apart.

The world building is slow and methodical; detailed and complex as we are pulled into the world of business mergers and vengeance. Jonathan finds himself at a crossroads regarding his career or a life with Amelia, while Amelia can’t get past another perceived betrayal from everyone involved.

The relationship between Amelia and Jonathan is one of second chances but one still predicated upon personal secrets and perceived betrayal. As Jonathan and Amelia work together both personally and professionally, someone else is determined to pull them down. The $ex scenes are limited and mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Amelia’s friends Melanie, and Audra, as well as Amelia’s mother Rachel; Jonathan’s best friend, contractor Drew Slater, Jonathan’s brother Brandon and estranged sister Jessica, and their mother Charlotte; co-workers Gavin and Patricia; and Jonathan’s ex Paige Whitlow.

THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The slow building premise is detailed, dramatic and edgy; the rekindling romance is seductive; the characters are determined and desperate.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi Erica and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME.

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

Follow: Facebook/ Goodreads/ Website/ The Reading Cafe/

Erica: I spent 20 years as a geologist and computer scientist in the energy industry before becoming a romance author—what a career pivot! I’ve always wanted to write fiction, and I thought it would be a great hobby. Then I decided to turn my hobby into a second career, which is both exciting and sometimes a little scary.

When I’m not totally engrossed in writing, you’ll find me hiking Colorado mountain trails or binge-watching K-dramas, which taught me how to balance emotional depth with humor and hope—something my scientific training definitely didn’t cover.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Erica:  I first fell in love with reading in grade school. I’d read anything I could get my hands on, but I particularly enjoyed adventure books. My love of romance stories started when I raided my mother’s bookshelf as a teenager and discovered sweeping multi-generational romance sagas. Those epic stories hooked me for life.

After 20 years in the science and world, shifting gears to write fiction was a huge adjustment. I spent several years working on the craft of “story” and “building characters and worlds”. During that time I attended workshops and classes for writers, read books on craft, and attended writing conferences to learn as much as I could. Those teachers provided me with the romance writing foundation I needed.

And over the last few years, I’ve been watching numerous Korean Dramas, mostly romance and fantasy ones. The journey began because I love a good romance show, but it turns out that K-dramas are a super interesting study in storytelling. This is because the structure of the shows is so tight—nothing extra, no fluff, and packed with emotion and story depth. These shows helped me learn even more about pacing, timing of romance beats, and ways to appeal to reader trope and emotional expectations.

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

Erica:  Honestly, the biggest challenge I had was carving out enough time to write, especially when I first sat down to begin this book. Day to day life and family health issues took a lot of my time and needed my attention. When those things lessened, I found the time to devote to my writing and finish the book.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME?

Erica:  At its heart, this is a story about what happens when the person who broke your heart walks back into your life and you have to work with him.

Amelia Preston is a geologist trying to secure a permanent position with a timber company in Washington State. She’s worked so hard to get where she is, supporting her mom and building a life after losing her husband. Then her company merges with another firm, and suddenly she’s paired on a project with Jonathan Fontaine—the guy who ghosted her five years ago after what she thought was an amazing relationship. No explanation, no closure, just… gone.

Now they’re stuck together evaluating properties and doing fieldwork, and all those old feelings—anger, hurt, confusion, and yeah, that chemistry—come flooding back. Jonathan wants a chance to explain what really happened, but Amelia’s not sure she can trust him again. And honestly? She’s not sure she can trust herself not to fall for him all over again.

There’s also this subplot I loved writing. Amelia’s renovating a beautiful old estate, and she discovers journals from a pioneer woman who came to the Seattle area in the 1850s. The woman’s experiences with love and loss end up offering Amelia unexpected wisdom as she navigates her own second chance.

Ultimately, it’s about forgiveness. Forgiving others, forgiving yourself, and believing that love can find you again even after you’ve been hurt.

TRC:  What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME?

Erica:  I spent about three months plotting and researching before I started writing THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME. I really enjoy plotting and researching, so I don’t scrimp on that part of the process. And for this book, there’s the historical story of Rebecca and Thomas Jewel, told through old journal entries. While their story is fictional, I needed enough historical facts from pioneer life in the mid 1800’s to make it feel believable. I ended up doing a fair amount of research while I was writing the story to flesh out and refine those details.

I also had to research different types of corporate mergers, and why some merger agreements might fail. It was an enlightening bit of reading for me.

For the setting research, I visited the Lake Sammammish area in Washington, located just east of Seattle. This area was the inspiration for the fictional town of Rainmere and Cedarvale Lake in THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME. Spending a few days immersed in hiking the cool trails through towering pine forests, driving through the local towns, and observing the flora and fauna at the lake was an invaluable experience for crafting the book’s setting.

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

Erica:  I think readers are looking for a blend of “familiar but fresh”, which means familiar plot and scene tropes, familiar character tropes, but with fresh nuances, fresh twists, and fresh character trait mixes. If there are basic components to the plot that are recognizable to the reader (romance beats, the happily ever after ending, familiar tropes, etc.) then encountering fresh twists becomes a pleasant surprise for them.

When I’m in the planning/outlining stages for a story, I pick the “familiar” parts first to ground a story to meet reader expectations, and then I start to weave in ideas that might make the plot or characters feel different and fresh to my plot outline and character profiles.

I also try to make the setting feel like another character, which helps make the story feel different, even though the setting isn’t specifically a part of the plot.

TRC: THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME is the first installment in the Fontaine series, how many books do you have planned ? Can each book be read as a stand alone?

Erica:My current plan is for 4 books in the series. Each book can definitely be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, though there are deep interconnections between the characters and the overarching storyline that readers would gain more satisfaction from reading them sequentially.

There are a few hints of mystique, very subtle notes of fantasy elements in The One Who Ghosted Me. Those hints are low-key enough that a typical contemporary romance reader might not think too much about them. But those are seeds that will germinate, grow stronger, and escalate with each book, as we move through the series. Stay tuned!

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?

Erica:  This is great question! A reader’s “willing suspension of disbelief” only goes so far, and each reader has their own calibration as to what they will believe, as well as their own set of experiences that they draw on for reference.

I’ve found that when my editors or beta readers flag an element in my story as not being believable—maybe it’s a character’s action, or something a character says, or some external event—it usually means that I haven’t effectively set the stage in the pages prior. In other words, needing more hints or breadcrumbs dropped earlier in the story to make the element believable. I don’t know if this is the most common way that authors fail to maintain believability, but this is what happens for me.

So then I go back and lay the breadcrumbs and fill in the gaps to make the element more believable. It’s a very fine line, because a writer doesn’t want to give away too much in foreshadowing, either!

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?

Erica: Yes, absolutely. The cover image is the first impression a reader gets of a book. It’s equivalent to the thumbnail photo for a streaming movie or tv show. The image needs to scream the genre and it will set the tone for what the readers expect to find inside. If a reader looks at a cover and thinks “not for me” or “not my genre”, they will immediately move on to something else and won’t bother clicking to read the description. Game over, lol.

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

Erica:  For me, I mostly direct the writing. I go into story-planning having a plot in mind and some character traits I want to work with, though I find that as the plot evolves in my head I often have to add more character traits or modify the traits in order to round out my characters. Then as I write the story, those characters mostly act the way I expect them to, but sometimes not! In those instances, I try not to be too much of a slave to my initial outline and character profiles.

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?

There are a lot of things that feed into how well an author pulls a reader into the experience. I believe it starts with giving the reader reasons to care about the characters, giving the reader an immediate connection. There are many ways to show things happening in the protagonist’s life to create this connection. For example, I once heard a lecture about “losing the golden monkey”.

Unfortunately, I don’t recall the exact workshop class where I first heard this concept, but the example goes something like this … in the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Arc, archaeologist Indiana Jones risks his retrieve a golden idol from a booby-trapped cave. Exhausted and triumphant, he emerges from the cave only to have the idol stolen from him by competitors. The whole scene is very memorable, and we (the viewers) immediately feel empathy and a connection to him losing his hard earned prize!

There are plenty of techniques to keep a reader engaged throughout the story (chapter ending hooks, deep POV, etc), but if a reader doesn’t care about a character after the first few chapters, they will move on to the next book.

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

Erica:  I can’t listen to music with words and write at the same time. If I try, I get distracted by the words. Apparently my brain only has 1 channel for processing language—2 streams are not compatible! I have found that listening to instrumentals helps deepen my focus, so I do often listen to soothing ambient audio tracks. It doesn’t affect my storyline direction or characters, but it improves the number of words I write per day and makes it a more enjoyable experience for me.

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

Erica:  I don’t know how most people view authors, but for me I had this vision of the tortured author who writes as a means of reconciling their deep emotions … getting it all out on the page. And some authors are. But I think a lot of us just like to tell stories and like to create worlds for others to enjoy. I write because I love creating moments that make readers smile, swoon, and believe in happy endings.

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

Erica: I’m a compulsive plotter. Before I write a single scene, I have color-coded spreadsheets, character relationship maps, and detailed chapter breakdowns. My writing friends ask for my templates—it’s how my scientist brain approaches creativity.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Erica:  I’m now working on the next book in the Fontaine Series. Book 2 is about Melanie and Brandon—a by-the-book corporate lawyer and a go-with-the-flow nonprofit CEO—who get drafted to help solve a wedding venue emergency with only three weeks’ notice. They could not be more different in how they approach problems, which makes for some entertaining clashes as they visit potential venues across Washington. But underneath all that friction, they’re starting to see past their preconceptions. It’s enemies-to-lovers, and I’m having a lot of fun writing their dynamic and making the venue settings come to life.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Erica: Thank you so much for having me! If readers enjoyed THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME, I’d love for them to connect with me on my website (www.ericadevon.net) where they can sign up for my newsletter and get bonus content. And if they loved Amelia and Jonathan’s story, leaving a review really helps other readers discover the book. Happy reading!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Breakfast in general, but especially waffles and bacon

Favorite Dessert: Blondies (with nuts)

Favorite TV Show: So many to choose from!

Favorite Historical/Action Drama = Outlander

Favorite Romance/Fantasy K-Drama = Destined with You

Favorite Comedy Series = Big Bang Theory

Favorite Sport:Not really a sports fan

Last Movie You Saw: Wicked: For Good

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark!

Secret Celebrity Crush: Kim Ro-Woon (“Destined with You” and “The King’s Affection”)

Last Vacation Destination: Bryce National Park in Utah

Do you have any pets?: I have a terrific cat named Cleo.

Last book you read: The Book of Two Ways, by Jodi Picoult

Thank you Erica for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of THE ONE WHO GHOSTED ME We wish you all the best.

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Death by Misadventure by Daniel Kowalski-review & interview

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Death by Misadventure by Daniel Kowalski-review & interview

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29, 2026

Newly divorced, Detective Jennifer is one bad decision from rock bottom. Her next case? A prominent attorney gunned down in his garage.

The case grazes high finance and even higher egos, from a cutthroat airline to a neighbor with secrets and a fixer who smiles like a shark. As leads thin, Jennifer’s drinking thickens—and a chance reunion with an old flame becomes a reckless affair that slides her straight into danger.

Lawsuits and a second suspicious death soon follow. With a PI shadowing her, Jennifer’s badge and freedom are suddenly on the line. To save herself she’ll have to outmaneuver a predator and choose the one ally she can trust, before the evidence turns her into the perfect patsy.

••••••

REVIEW:DEATH BY MISADVENTURE by Daniel Kowalski is a contemporary, adult, noir, police thriller focusing on forty-two year old police Detective Jennifer Aguilera.

Told from third person perspective DEATH BY MISADVENTURE follows Detective Jennifer Aguilera as she investigates the murder of a prominent attorney. Hard drinking, heavy smoking Jennifer Aguilera is in the process of divorcing her husband but meeting an old high school friend finds Jennifer indulging in an affair that is about to get messy. As Jennifer and her partner Detective Mark Hauser begin to piece together the events leading up to the murder of attorney Martin Barrows, our heroine finds herself embroiled with a man whose secrets threaten our heroine’s future. Corporate take over, lawsuits, private investigators and an affair all lead Jennifer and Hauser in search of the truth, a truth that is more fiction than reality.

The world building is detailed and focuses on Jennifer’s spiraling personal life, and the hunt for a killer. Estranged from her husband and daughter, and struggles with a recent case find Jennifer self-medicating with alcohol, an issue that threatens not only her job but friendships as well. As the murder investigation takes on a life of its’ own, not all is as it appears to be, and Detective Jennifer Aguilera is caught in the mire that is now her life.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Jennifer’s partner Detective Mark Hauser, PI Roy Ciangetti, Jennifer’s ex-husband Doug, former classmate and new love interest Tom Schmidt. The requisite evil has many faces but I quickly deduced the ‘guilty’ party.

DEATH BY MISADVENTURE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, murder and greed, power and control. The thought provoking premise is gritty, intriguing, dramatic and edgy but there was more telling than showing. The characters are desperate, determined and flawed. The epilogue felt a little rushed, I was hoping for a little more reflection and detail. I am hoping the author has plans for a series focusing on Detective Jennifer Aguilera and her partner Mark Hauser.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi Dan and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations of the release of DEATH BY MISADVENTURE.

Dan: Thank you.

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

Social Media: Website/ Facebook/

Dan:I originally come from a film and TV background and worked in the industry during my twenties mostly as a lighting technician but I also directed a few small projects. In my thirties I took an opportunity to live overseas and what was supposed to be a few years ended up being a decade.

During that period, I began to focus on writing as it’s a way to tell a story and you can do it all on your own with the only cost being time. I was and still am primarily focused on writing screenplays and have a few original scripts in my personal library with some optioned by Hollywood production companies.

TRC:  What or who influenced your career in writing?

Dan:My interest in writing began during middle school. I had caught ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ on TV and was blown away by it. I started downloading screenplays from the internet and bought a few books about writing. I also started reading Stephen King’s novels since many movies were adapted from them. I do think that Shawshank Redemption the movie is way better than the book. Same goes for ‘Stand by Me’ which is based off his novella ‘The Body’.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about DEATH BY MISADVENTURE?

Dan:‘Death by Misadventure’ was originally a screenplay I wrote. My goal for that was to take the film noir trope of a femme fatale and twist it into a modern story where the main character is a woman and the toxic person manipulating her is a man she had romantic desires for. Sort of like ‘Body Heat’ or ‘Double Indemnity’ with the genders reserved.

This script didn’t sell but it did get me a manager. Last year I decided to revisit it by adapting it as a novel. My previous two novels ‘Suicide Bridge’ and ‘Family Feud’ were similar cases.

TRC: Is this book a standalone or do you have plans for a series?

Dan:It’s a standalone story but Detective Jennifer Aguilera could always return for a new case and adventure.

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

Dan:That’s a great question. I’m a big fan of outlining before I start writing a draft and I get pretty extensive with it. First, I write a treatment that follows an multi act structure. Because my background is screenwriting, each act turn needs to be a plot twist that sets the story in a new direction. Then I break that into a chapter-by-chapter outline.

Some writers find extensive outlining to be helpful while others find it restrictive and would rather free flow. For me, when being free flow I often paint myself into a corner and I also think my pacing becomes too slow. With the outline I know where to go and have a good idea of how long it should take.

And sometimes when the story becomes alive when writing the draft, the outline needs to change because the characters make different choices than what the plot wanted.

But writing is often rewriting so the most important thing for an author to do is to fill pages. You can always go back to make changes.

TRC: Are any of the events in DEATH BY MISADVENTURE based in reality or true crime ?

Dan:It’s a complete work of fiction.

TRC: Have you encountered any difficulties or problems publishing your novels?

Dan:With Amazon, anyone can publish a novel if they put in the work. Getting people to read it is another story. Marketing is a very hard process but it’s a grind and everyday an author should put something on their to do list to help get people aware of their novel.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers when selecting a new book or author?

Dan:Absolutely. The cover is the first impression and this is what will catch readers’ eyes.

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

Dan:Maybe that we are lonelily people. I’m more of an introvert but you need to experience life in order to write something dynamic that people resonate with. You can’t do that spending your entire days indoors without talking to other people.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Dan:For novels I am finishing up a crime thriller called ‘Our Thing’ about a dishonorably charged vet who comes to New York and ends up getting involved with organized crime. This one is being set up to be a series.

For scripts, I have a couple action/thrillers from last year to publish before sending out. I’m also working on a coming od age original adventure story about two friends in 1999 who go on a multi continental journey so that they could ring in the New Year at three different places.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Dan:Thank you for this interview. For all the aspiring authors out there, remember that writers write so sit down and do it. Even if you aren’t feeling inspired, something will come to you.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Too many to pick one favorite but a good burger with a beer always hits the spot.

Favorite Dessert: Malva pudding

Favorite TV Show: Probably The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, or Better Call Saul. I also love Bosch. All of these are shows that I enjoy rewatching.

Last Movie you saw: Eden. Really great movie directed by Ron Howard that I didn’t hear of until it was on Netflix.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Favorite Flower: I usually go with my wife to buy them so I defer to her judgement and knowledge

Last Vacation Destination: Hawaii

TRC: Thank you Dan for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of DEATH BY MISADVENTURE

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Where’s Your Karma 1-4 by Mark Nistor-reviews & interview

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Where’s Your Karma 1-4 by Mark Nistor-reviews & interview

CHALLENGING KARMA
(Where’s Your Karma 1)
by Mark Nistor
Genre: adult, contemporary, police, thriller

ebook only 99¢-> Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 1, 2024

A harmless inquiry by Declan ignites a multi-state crime spree. “Aren’t these challenges boring? We should try something new.”

Oscar eases forward, stating, “The ultimate crime.”

Rich beyond imagination, the four friends find the freedom they covet. Freedom from predictable lives has never cost this much. The murderous game they create turns against them with unforeseen outcomes. Of the four, Oscar Lloyd’s past conquests are unmatched. Detectives Ray Rix and newcomer Castor Jain try deciphering cryptic letters the rich men send as a game requirement.

Unknown to the detectives, the original four, and a network of innocent accomplices, there’s a second game of death lurking nearby. Changes in Oscar’s life keep him distracted. A distraction he has wanted his whole life, but it causes him to never recognize he is core to both game outcomes being a success. Secondary cryptic letters keep law enforcement confused until a simple question during a reporter’s scrum opens the door.

The games converge with differing intentions. The vigilante strives to make ‘Challenging Karma’ worth the chances taken. Law enforcement has the same goal of death but wants the state to administer the sentence.

Three parties, all qualify as protagonists or antagonists, seek death. Who gets a second chance at living a best life? And who is the mastermind behind the vigilante’s game?

••••••

REVIEW: CHALLENGING KARMA is the first instalment in Mark Nistor’s contemporary, adult WHERE’S YOUR KARMA, psychological police thriller.

Told from several third person perspectives , following numerous intersecting paths CHALLENGING KARMA focuses on a consummate game of murder. Four wealthy businessmen known as the four Cornerstones are bored, and the ultimate high blends murder with intrigue in an abstract game of winner takes all, a game predicated upon four letters, four innocuous clues, a local politician, corruption, vengeance, ketamine and the high of the kill. As LA Detective Ray Rix works diligently to solve the crime, similarities to a past case emerge; bodies amass, as the game becomes more daring and deadly, a serial killer bent on vengeance lies in wait, staking out his next pawn-the perfect killer, the perfect murder.

The world building is complex, detailed, somewhat confusing at times, and meticulous in its’ presentation. As the paths converge, a pattern emerges, a suspect drawn, and the ultimate game of cat and mouse ends The clues are cryptic; the characters are dubious and unethical; the search for the truth never reveals the reality of a new player in the game.

CHALLENGING KARMA is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, wealth and madness. The premise is comprehensive, multi-layered and intriguing; the character are diverse, unconventional and determined.

______

SURVIVING KARMA
(Where’s Your Karma 2)
by Mark Nistor
Genre: adult, contemporary, police, thriller

ebook only. $1.99 -> Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 8, 2024

So, day one after release from a wrongful murder conviction. Now what?

Pin joins forces with a criminal mastermind to execute his revenge needs. While Police Officers disappear, solo agendas cause fractures in their bond.

Use of informants to gain advantages rises to three groups when detectives join the maverick team mates. Once these troublesome informants jump from one handler to another, Pin deviates from the planned revenge.

One such jumper offers detectives a mixed bag of secrets. Identities come out of hiding, causing extreme consequences when mistakes become beacons of light.

However, one deadly underestimation of a person’s character alters the universe forever.

•••••••

REVIEW: SURVIVING KARMA is the second instalment in Mark Nistor’s contemporary, adult WHERE’S YOUR KARMA psychological police thriller. SURVIVING KARMA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for backstory and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order.

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

Told from several third person perspectives SURVIVING KARMA focuses on the hunt for a killer. Someone is targeting members of the LAPD. A new informant who specializes in computer gaming is the only person able to trace the movements and possible motive but with his wife on protection duty, detective Ray Rix finds himself on a solo journey that may cost him his life. Someone else may be aiding the unknown suspect, someone who is getting close to the LAPD.

Once again, the world building is detailed but easy to follow as vengeance is the ultimate motive for a perceived betrayal by the LAPD. As real life imitates art, the reality of the situation can be viewed behind a gaming console for the world to see, until they no longer are able.

The diverse secondary and supporting characters are energetic and desperate, determined and dogged. From officers, informants and FBI Agents, family, witnesses and gangbangers, the tenacity of a desperate man threatens the lives of the LAPD, vengeance against an officer for destroying his life.

SURVIVING KARMA is a dark, gritty and dramatic story of betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, obsession and delusion, friendships and survival that is reminiscent of the television series The Wire™ with the action, characters, and story telling.

________

INHERITING KARMA
(Where’s Your Karma 3)
by Mark Nistor
Genre: adult, contemporary, police, thriller

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 19, 2025

One oversight is all it took to turn hunters against him. Legal documents record his real name as Wilson O’Reilly instead of Forrest Clay, but his involvement with Ricky Topin going rogue brightens the already dual personality spotlight. Two criminal accomplices vie for attention over the one true love Wilson has ever experienced, a cop.

Once word spread of his link to Topin’s murderous rage, hiding in plain sight no longer became a possibility. Or just maybe? A boss to one, partner to another, and enemy to the third person, O’Reilly weaves his circumstances toward a solution. Although for him to walk the streets again, past friends may die, organizations receive new leadership, and cops become targets.

Although fluid, the first seed planted is to use his onetime lovers, position against her. A simple warning of an assassination attempt piques interest until the offspring of a former gangster ‘Inherits Karma’ from his father. One kill shot setting the stage for O’Reilly to regain the blessings of freedom.

Stuck in quicksand, law enforcement takes the case, international. Thrilling mind games culminate in a three-minute window, where survival becomes a scene of chaos.

••••••

REVIEW: INHERITING KARMA is the third instalment in Mark Nistor’s contemporary, adult WHERE’S YOUR KARMA psychological, police thriller. INHERITING KARMA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for backstory and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from various third person perspectives, following a number of intersecting pathways INHERITING KARMA follows in the wake of several murders, and the shooting of another police officer, all connected by a common thread linked back to Ricky Topin’s murder spree (Surviving Karma 2), and the revelation about mad man disguised as a determined journalist who is taking aim, one betrayal at a time. The need for revenge is strong, and a previous killing rampage was but the precipice upon which to build a cause.

The world building is, once again, complex and multi-layered with gang bangers, street slang and double talk constantly going round and round, and a host of characters with aliases, dual identities, nicknames, and a determination to take control. As the police continue to look for an assassin who hides behind the anonymity of his work, everyone becomes a target for sins of the past, and the prevailing theories become more convoluted and dark, including the possibility of a second shooter.

There is another large , diverse and extensive cast of colorful and often questionable secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in the previous instalments. From members of the LAPD , FBI to informants, gang bangers, rock stars, drug dealers, politicians, and wanna-bes, the atypical and disparate collection of players is wide ranging and often requires a spreadsheet to keep track.

INHERITING KARMA is a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, murder and mayhem. The premise is dark, gritty, dramatic with a colorful and embellished descriptive presentation and delivery. The characters are diverse, animated and often unconventional. INHERITING KARMA ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned

______

RECIPROCATING KARMA
(Where’s Your Karma 4)
by Mark Nistor
Genre: adult, contemporary, police, thriller

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 November 10, 2025

Two parties; each with similar targets, but differing ideas for delivering consequences to those who hide under the law’s banner.

Karma has found new proxies to hunt for thirst quenching payback. Anything less than twelve deliveries designates one hunter’s failure. While the second hunter feeds off the twelve to find a killer’s roadmap. Intentional meetings provide opportunity. One such meeting brings with it a twelve-event plan.

Tag teaming during preparations, a vigilante starts a solo adventure toward finding participants to fulfill the ‘Twelve Sins of Retribution.’ Oscar Lloyd, long since being removed from Karma’s stable of hunters, fathered the initial sinner. His deeds created revenge seeking sinner, Ricky Topin.

Topin’s own sins, more momentous but still a failed quest for payback, resulted in his Karma stable banishment? Karma’s newest vigilante hunter parallels a third quest with a high-profile case.

Under the radar of distracted detectives, the plan appears as genius. Until a family member of a Topin victim arrives in Los Angeles for another of those intentional, meet and greets.

The need for revenge double dips into the vigilante’s pool of the yet to be punished, guilty accomplices.

Two sets of hunters roam the dark streets of the cement jungle, ‘Reciprocating Karma’ along the way. When the standoff occurs, which side remains in the Karma stable?

••••••

REVIEW: RECIPROCATING KARMA is the fourth instalment in Mark Nistor’s contemporary, adult WHERE’S YOUR KARMA psychological police thriller focusing on the investigations of the LAPD. RECIPROCATING KARMA should not be read as a stand alone as the events of the current timeline are as of a direct result of the previous three instalments .

Told from several third person perspectives RECIPROCATING KARMA focuses on the need for vengeance in the wake of several murders committed by Ricky Topin (Challenging Karma), a felon released in the wake new evidence that purportedly proved he was not responsible for a previous crime. A list of twelve sins, a series of bombings directed at the LAPD, the murder and assassination of several people connected to the original killer, all culminate in the wake of the arrival of a new player; a journalist who is not; and a family determined to uncover the truth.

Once again, the world building is complex, elaborate and slowly unfolds until the ultimate climax and a twist to the story. From law enforcement attorneys, gang bangers, journalists, families, friends, and a pair of deficient podcasters, the story unfolds to reveal a convoluted, gnarled and bumpy path towards resolution and reveal. Double speak is prevalent, street slang and innuendo are callously yet cautiously thrown about.

Again, there is a large and diverse cast of colorful, questionable and determined secondary and supporting characters many of whom have differing theories, dedicated ideas about the who and why, but not all are looking for the same result or verdict.

RECIPROCATING KARMA is a riveting, detailed and intricately woven tale of revenge and murder, power and control, family and conviction. The premise is dark, gritty and dramatic; the characters are numerous, determined, and dynamic.

Copies supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi Mark, and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of ‘RECIPROCATING KARMA’ book four in your ‘Where’s Your Karma?’ series.

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

Social Media: Goodreads /Website/ Instagram/

Mark: A born and raised Canadian. I’ve lived most of my 56 years in Saskatchewan. I’ve also lived in the Lower Mainland area of Vancouver. While in Vancouver, I learned I don’t like large cities.

The first time my imagination found ink was in a Video, Television, Production course. My intent started as a behind-the-scenes type professional. However, my first script blew the instructor out of the water. That cursed me as he deemed me an oddball because I didn’t write, edit, direct shows, or organize my sets based on what I thought he wanted. A month in, and I directed every second class.

The first draft of ‘Challenging Karma’ started as a two-page script for an upcoming movie. I believe I called it “A Cop’s Duty!” A midterm exam was to adapt any prior script into a ten-page short story for submission. Thirty years later I finished it, thinking it’d be a onetime, keep my promise experience.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Mark: I always loved being around the adults to hear stories of their growing-up days. Now kids may stay with adults, but in the seventies, I remember as long as I sat close to a particular uncle I could watch.

Their stories could have been exaggerated. But the way they spoke with such detail, and held their listeners in anticipation—that’s what lit the fire to my storytelling.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter in writing and publishing your stories?

Mark: Since finishing ‘Challenging Karma’ I’ve learned so much about the entire industry. Going in, I expected the actual writing to be the toughest part. I now find that to be the least stressful part. Editing, marketing, designing, begging for a sliver of recognition is a real eye-opener.

TRC: Please tell us something about the premise of ‘RECIPROCATING KARMA’

Mark: Epiphanies play a huge role in the development of my stories. I started writing the third book, ‘Inheriting Karma’ but realized while writing a chapter that this would be a unique storyline for a new book. Since ‘Challenging Karma’ I guess I can say I write two books at once.

In ‘Reciprocating Karma’ detectives Ray Rix and Castor Jain work the ‘Inheriting Karma’ case without knowing a second killer lurks. Because the timelines are parallel, the detectives’ distraction opens the door for other characters to investigate the ‘Reciprocating Karma’ crimes.

‘Reciprocating Karma’ is unique as a debate starter. Like an 80s movie, Christmas-themed or not?

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

Mark: I’m sure my editor is sick of me asking, but I know my story too well. I’m not sure if enough information exists for readers to know why a certain character is in the story. If anything, I have a better understanding of the hardships the people living on LA’s Skid Row face.

I’ve researched everything from police call signs to destroyed buildings in the Northridge earthquake. In ‘Reciprocating Karma’ people may recognize street names. Specifics of martial arts fighting. A struggling reporter’s lifestyle. Problems faced when traveling the open seas. Or a seldom-used tactic to free a criminal from charges.

I research based on comments the reader may say: I’ve done that, or I’ve been there, or that’s so true.

TRC: Is any of the premises/series based in reality or fact?

Mark: In theory, no. But the theme of karma itself opens the door to my stories mimicking reality. Boiled down, a person could connect the four books with ease. A serial killer discovered. An innocent convicted because of his proximity to the dead. A secondary criminal organization takes advantage of the wrongful conviction. And finally, a separate person turns vigilante seeking revenge for the dead.

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

Mark: I’m not putting a limit on numbers. I guess it ends when the inside voice stops yelling at me about new storylines. There’re so many karma events, this series could keep growing after I’ve left this planet.

Will the same characters be central in each successive installment, or a new leading character as the focus of each book?

Mark: Characters come and go throughout my stories. I believe this keeps the theme fresh. Books three and four are examples of this premise. Characters cross over but only play a key role in one book.

TRC: Can each installment be read as a standalone, or are they all interconnected?

Mark: Now the wannabe politician arrives.

I’ve asked my editor the same question. Both our answers are similar. If the reader understands going in that the book is part of a series with events of the past taking place, yes, they’re standalone.

But to understand the entire theme of karma and its future repercussions, the first book provides key information. Especially in future releases where I go back in time to before the serial killer strikes.

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

Mark: I believe storytellers in the age before the internet, faced a tougher time in giving their stories a realistic feel. I can’t speak too much about why authors fail, but I know for me I write based on where I got my start. Writing for television production. I write as if I’m telling a local news story. All fiction comes from the imagination of the writer, but as mentioned earlier, adding a bird, or street location that is known provides a revelation opportunity.

I feel readers read everything, including current event news articles. Serial killers, overturned convictions, the mafia, and revenge killers exist all over the internet. Throw in karma and chaos erupts.

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?

Mark: I do. Covers are a puzzle piece to beckon a reader, intriguing them enough to explore inside.

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

Mark: The characters guide the story. I use a lot of characters to make the story more realistic. As in life, random events affect people differently. A simple dog barking might send someone into the fetal position while drawing another’s glance. Adaptive characters keep the suspense alive.

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?

Mark: I think this is a struggle that every writer hopes to conquer. My first struggles were because I knew every detail. I couldn’t understand how the reader didn’t know why a character hated the word deserve.

That is until a professional editor slapped the smile of pride off my face. The Super Bowl was live. I opened the edited document, seeing more-red on my computer than Chiefs on the field.

My wife would say I laugh when she or others cry during certain movies. I didn’t see how a person knowing it’s fake still cries. I’m proud to say I’ve written a storyline that has now made people cry. My stories include strong women, so having one such woman crumble to the unimaginable, forces a reaction from the reader.

The reader needs to see the possibility or say to themselves, I can see Glen going into hysterics because he thinks he’s dying from poison.

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

Mark: No! However, my musical tastes supply a lot of character traits. Since I’ve started writing more stories, I’ve noticed myself being more of a people watcher. Not in a creepy way, but I’ll see someone’s laugh and I’ll try to describe it. Or someone with a limp, I’ll make up the story behind the limp.

I’ve had family members say they can’t see family traits in my characters. That is until I remind them of Glen’s stained shirt, Francois’ kitchen creations, or Ray’s not buying anything new for himself.

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

Mark: That we are all famous, with bulging bank accounts. Speaking for myself, success comes from having people like you (Sandy) acknowledge my stories. I’ll never be rich, but my primary goal is leaving a legacy for my daughter. Something for her to be proud of. Selling one book makes it real for me.

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

Mark: If a cat, I would have three of my nine lives left.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Mark: Promo for ‘Reciprocating Karma’ I’m halfway through a first draft for book five (name for now ‘Creating Karma’) and ten chapters into number six (leaning toward ‘Hibernating Karma’)

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Mark: To your readers, I’m always open to hearing how karma touches lives. Reach out at marknistor.com; who knows, maybe the forehead dent from stepping on a rake finds a chapter?

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food—Salad with a side of Steak & Potatoes.

Favorite Dessert—Cherry Pie.

Favorite TV Show—Jack Bauer in 24.

Last Movie You Saw—Wonder.

Dark or Milk Chocolate—Milk Chocolate.

Secret Celebrity Crush—Haven’t seen her forever but Diane Lane.

Last Vacation Destination—Las Vegas.

Do you have any pets? Dog lover! Actually, I lost my buddy Milo last year. He is the inspiration behind Castor’s dog, Mud. Our new boy ‘Louie’ is quite the handful.

Last book you’ve read—Maybe music is a bigger influence; Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach bio.

TRC: Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of ‘RECIPROCATING KARMA’ we wish you all the best.

Mark: Thank you, Sandy, and The Reading Café for the opportunity to share my comfort zone explosion.

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