Tag: fiction

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Meet the Author: The Adventures of Henry the Field Mouse by Josephine Coker

Today we travel to the Cotswolds by way of the Pacific Northwest of the United States to chat with Jo Coker and Sue Dockstader about how a rural upbringing, the second world war, a florist, Hong Kong, a community mediator, the South China Sea, airmail pages, wellie-clad walks, Cotswolds Radio, and knitted mice come together as part of Jo and Sue’s past and current lives.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

This author interview will be a little different, as my 87-year-old Mum and I are a publishing team! We are thrilled to share our unusual route to fame and fortune- and yes, we are still working on the fortune part! My mother, author Jo Coker, lives in the beautiful Cotswolds in the west of England, while I am living in the fabulous Pacific Northwest of the US. I’ll let her tell her story here, but as her editor/publisher/struggling social media maven, I may chip in with a few comments here and there…

Jo: I’m a grandmother of 3 globe-trotting grandkids and coming late to the world of publishing. My grandchildren live in America, England and Germany, and their adventurous lives are quite a contrast to my quiet, rural upbringing in the English countryside during the second world war. After getting married, I moved to a small market and worked for many years as a florist and teacher of flower arranging and am still an avid gardener.

A few years ago, my daughter surprised me by publishing the wildlife tales I wrote for her children. She transformed my scrappy typed pages into the delightful book titled The Adventures of Henry the Field Mouse. I wrote the stories to stay connected with my grandchildren and inspire them with a love of the English countryside when they moved overseas. It was a shock to be presented with a fully illustrated book 20 years later, but I am thoroughly enjoying becoming a published author in my 80s!

Sue – I am a “recovering” British and Hong Kong lawyer who left the UK on an adventure in 1986 and haven’t lived there since! I currently work with nonprofits to resolve their communications struggles, volunteer as a community mediator, and write magazine articles. Over the years, I’ve worked on a variety of book projects with several different authors and am thrilled to have finally realized my bucket list wish of publishing Mum’s stories.

In which genre do you write?

Jo: I write children’s stories about the English countryside. My original motivation was to be sure my grandchildren would know something about where their grandma lived while enjoying the view of the South China Sea from their 14th floor apartment in Hong Kong.

I did not plan my writing to be intentionally educational but wanted all the wildlife animals to be as authentic as possible. So, they are not wearing clothes and sitting around drinking tea- but diving in the river for water iris and digging for insects in the compost pile!

The main character is an amiable field mouse called Henry who encounters other mice and numerous wildlife characters as they explore their garden surroundings. I thought it would be fun for them to venture beyond the safety of the garden, so devised a way for them to “hitch a ride” in various vehicles by squeezing in past the brake pedals and hiding under the seats!

How many published books do you have?

Jo: Three! The first two books are based on the original stories I sent my grandchildren. I still can’t believe my daughter kept those flimsy airmail pages for 20 years! Once we saw how the fabulous illustrator, Barbara Richards, had brought my countryside tales to life, I was persuaded to dream up a few more adventures for Henry and his pals.

So, at 85, I started writing again! I feel like I finally got into my stride in the third book, introducing a new animal for Henry to befriend in each chapter.

Sue: Although we’ve all become more aware of the importance of ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ it seems my Mum was a “woke Grandma” when she was creating Henry! He meets all kinds of different animals who don’t look like him or live in the same kind of home, but after a few cautious enquiries he always manages to make friends. These innocent tales of hedgehogs and horses, water voles and moles, and town and country mice are a delightful way for little ones to learn about acceptance.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author’s flame?

Jo: When my grandchildren moved to Hong Kong, I really wanted them to know something about where I lived. I also remembered how exciting it was to get letters as a child. So, I would send letters off to them at regular intervals, including a chapter about Henry climbing the churchyard wall, or falling into a muddy river, or discovering the delights of waking up on a snowy morning. All very alien concepts to my well-travelled grandkids. And it worked! They loved their summer visits to England, which always included lots of wellie-clad walks along the hedgerows gathering twigs, feathers, and snail shells to create a beloved “nature table.”

What is your favorite season and why?

Sue: My turn! Although I think Mum and I agree on this one- Spring! We both love flowers and enjoy that energizing sense of renewal as you watch brave snowdrops emerging through the frosty ground! Knowing that the days are slowly getting longer, and the gloom of winter will soon be over- yes, long dark wintery days are something the UK and the PNW have in common.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?

Jo: That reading in church for years (and reading to my grandchildren, of course) was excellent training for reading on the radio! My local radio station, Cotswolds Radio, asked me to read a couple of stories for them to share during one of their “junior DJ” programs. Apparently, I did a good job and I returned to the studio numerous times to record all three books which they broadcast on their afternoon Storytime show. It was a little intimidating to speak into the microphone, among all the technology, reading to no one, but I was thrilled that even at my ripe old age I was ready and able to learn something new.

Sue: Mum’s constant optimism and encouragement have also been great motivators for me to try lots of new things. I have never been very tech savvy, so building a website for Henry, battling Mailchimp and overcoming the challenge of adding Mum’s recorded stories to the website have all been surprising achievements, prompted by her writing.

What is the most enjoyable aspect you’ve found through writing?

Jo: Apart from the connection with my grandchildren, it has been lovely to receive scribbled notes and relayed messages from some of Henry’s young fans. Before Book 2 came out, I heard from a friend that her grandchild insisted I should be told that it’s “urgent” that I “hurry up and get the next book published.” Of course, I make sure these young supporters always get their copies “hot off the press.”

Another unforeseen benefit of writing these books has been the deepening connection with my daughter, Sue. Our book production and marketing discussions during the past two years of lockdown have been an absolute joy and lifesaver for me. Sue and I have not been able to see each other for over two years, so having this project to work on has been a wonderful way to stay connected. We have enjoyed endless hilarious phone calls where we have discussed marketing strategies and she has tried to explain the machinations of Facebook and Instagram- truly wonderful highlights in a time when we could have been stuck with conversations about the weather and COVID.

Share an interesting or funny story from your childhood.

Jo: I was the eldest of three sisters growing up in a small village. My parents were kind hardworking folk who started their working life at an early age and did not really see the value of a good education- especially for a girl. When I was offered a place at the local grammar school, a big step up from the less academic secondary modern school, they declined the offer. They had no concept of how much I would have enjoyed and benefited from a more academic education, but worried about the extra expense and how they would struggle to offer that opportunity to all three daughters.

Fortunately, I was able to go to college as an adult where I studied adult education and floristry, which helped me develop a second career as a florist later in life.

I only wish my parents could see me now, in my 80’s, a published author and “star” of the local radio station – a little smarter than they realized perhaps?

What are you currently working on?

Jo: I’m always having ideas for new stories involving different animals, we’ll see if another book emerges. I wonder if Henry could stowaway on a ferry and find his way to my grandchild in Germany?

When I’m not learning about book promotion, I keep busy in my garden and knitting for local charities. I’ve been knitting teddy bears and blankets for years, and recently adapted a pattern so I could create some adorable mice. At a local craft fair, I had one of the knitted Henry lookalikes peeping out of a pocket and found that children loved the idea of having their own special friend to look after. I think I may have sold more knitted mice than books that day!

Tell us about your most recent book.

In the final book of the series The Adventures of Henry the Field Mouse, Henry and his tiny friends embark on more adventures beyond their garden home meeting a squirrel, a fox, a mole, a donkey, a rabbit, and a harvest mouse along the way. Sometimes they are scurrying beneath the hedgerows and other times they embark on daring rides in the car of the family from the big house. They even manage to hide in a bus so they can join the village ladies on an outing to a local stately home. Once again, the illustrations are beautiful and will transport the imaginations of little adventurers beyond the garden into the woods, fields, churchyard, and beyond. It was great fun to dig into my own memories of seaside trips, small town railway stations and fairs on the village green to provide Henry with even more opportunities to explore the English countryside and make a few new wildlife friends.

It was wonderful to have you both on MTA! The Henry the Field Mouse books sound like wonderful books that I would have loved to read to my kids when they were younger! I am touched and inspired by how these books came to be. Thank you for sharing with the MTA audience. Wishing you both all the best! – Camilla

Where to purchase the book?

The book is available from a number of retailers local to Mum’s home in the Cotswolds: The Black Cat Café, the Post Office and the Cotswolds Pharmacy all in Northleach; Beatons Tearooms and Bookshop in Morton in Marsh and Borzoi Bookshop in Stow on the Wold.

We also have an Etsy store, and are always happy to pop a book in the post straight from the boxes in Mum’s garage!

Connect with Jo and Sue:

www.adventuresofhenryfieldmouse.com

www.etsy.com/shop/HenryFieldMouse

www.instagram.com/henryfieldmouse

To hear Jo reading her stories:

https://www.adventuresofhenryfieldmouse.com/storytime

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Book Shelf: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

Gripping adventure traveling between worlds, covering and uncovering secrets, with strong characters. I loved, loved, loved this story. I kept imagining it as a movie, with the scenes of the book playing out as movie scenes. It’s a fantastically written story that pulled me in and captivated my attention.

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Meet the Author: Beneath the Fear by Sheila Rawlings

Today we travel to South London to chat with Sheila Rawlings about how graphic designing, being an avid reader, crime investigation, an overactive imagination, writing in the dining room, destroyed plans, James Bond, going for walks, Formula One, a choppy boat trip, Stieg Larsson, and breaking into a celebrity’s house come together as part of Sheila’s past and current life.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Sheila Rawlings, and I am a trained graphic designer and self-published author. Having spent 33 years working for a weekly magazine publisher, I now spend my well-earned retirement writing novels in South London, where I live with my husband Martin – to whom I have been married for nearly 46 years. Apparently, my long service medal is in the post.

Having been an avid reader since childhood, I must have read hundreds of books over the years, all of which not only contributed to my love of writing stories but also greatly helped to improve my writing style. Unfortunately, as I’m reluctant to part with my growing book collection, it means I’m now running out of space to house them. Fortunately, since the arrival of Kindle, I now mostly download e-books, as they’re easier to carry around – much to the relief of my husband, who was beginning to think he was living in a library.

In which genre do you write?

My preferred genre is psychological thrillers. As I watch a lot of TV dramas and have always enjoyed a good thriller, it’s a genre I feel most comfortable with. However, having attended a ‘crime investigation procedure for authors’ course just before the pandemic, I decided to introduce a crime element to both my latest thriller, and the one I’m currently writing.

How many published books do you have?

I’m still relatively new to writing, so I’ve only published two novels so far. However, I’ve just finished the first draft of my next novel, so hopefully it won’t be long before those two are joined by a third.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author flame?

I suppose the seeds of becoming a writer started to take root when I was a child, as, due to an overactive imagination that needed an outlet, I was an avid book reader. With no electronic devices or computer games to distract me, I could always be found curled up somewhere with my nose in a book; partly as a way of escaping my annoying little brother’s tantrums – of which there were many – and partly to drown out the arguments that often occurred between my father and my maternal grandmother, who lived with us. Unfortunately, having been a prisoner of war during World War 2, my father had acquired a quick temper and little patience – which my grandmother regularly managed to put to the test. Therefore, immersing myself in a good book was the only way to escape the chaos of my everyday surroundings.

However, as my parents regarded writing stories as just a hobby, when I eventually left school, I was encouraged to train for a ‘proper’ job … as they termed it. So, I became a graphic designer instead.

I did start to write a novel several years prior to my retirement. However, as anyone in publishing knows, there is no such thing as regular hours. So, I only got as far as the first two chapters before constant work commitments rendered it impossible to finish. Added to this, my husband had unfortunately developed clinical depression, which meant I suddenly found myself trying to cope with a difficult home life, while at the same time doing a demanding and full-time job. Therefore, it wasn’t until 2013 that I eventually managed to finish the story and publish my first novel.

What does your ideal writing space look like?

In my mind, my ideal writing space would be a large, dedicated study where I could shut myself away with all my many books; a room that would also have enough wall space to hang up a large white board where I could plot out my novels. However, back in the real world, as I live in a small, two-bedroom terrace house with very little storage space – let alone a spare room to convert into a study – the reality of the situation is I’m restricted to using the dining room instead. Unfortunately, with no lock on the door, it’s difficult to avoid interruptions – or constant offers of a cup of tea. As it’s also the only room we have for entertaining, it means packing all my things into a large plastic box every time we have guests staying. Fortunately – and I never thought I’d hear myself saying this – thanks to Covid, visitors have been a rare occurance.

What are you currently reading?

As I write regular monthly book reviews on my website, it means I usually manage to read at least one book a month. Currently, I’m in between books, having just read the excellent novel ‘One Step Behind’ by Lauren North. It’s a gripping and tense psychological thriller, about a woman whose life is systematically being ruined by a stalker. If you’re looking for a good read, I can highly recommend it.

Where did the idea for your most recent book come from?

During my husband’s long struggle with depression, one unavoidable fact became abundantly clear. Nothing in life is guaranteed. No matter how well we plan our future – or how much control we think we have over it – at the end of the day we’re all at the mercy of fate. As I knew only too well how devastating it was to suddenly have all your carefully made plans destroyed in the blink of an eye, I decided to use that experience as the underlying theme for my latest novel.

I started by asking myself a question. What traumatic event would be guaranteed to not only tear a person’s life apart but also be impossible to recover from? My answer was simple: to suddenly lose someone you loved in tragic circumstances, with no warning or time to prepare for it. Realising the premise would make for an explosive start to my novel, I then placed my main protagonist in exactly that position, creating a scenario where her husband is fatally shot during an unexpected bank robbery, leaving her not only traumatised but also a prime witness to his murder.

They say novelists are either ‘plotters’ or ‘pantsers’. Well, I’m definitely a ‘plotter’. I had my beginning, and, because of my love of Cornwall, I was pretty sure the rugged Cornish coastline – with its secluded and atmospheric coves – would be the ideal setting for a dramatic end to the story. Together with a rough idea of how all the characters would come together to facilitate that ending, all that remained was to piece together the story like a jigsaw puzzle. As writing a novel is an organic process, it took several drafts before the story was finally completed to my satisfaction, by which time – with the help of an excellent editor – it had changed dramatically from its original conception.

What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of it?

As I’m a great film lover and passionate cinema goer, there are several films I would gladly watch repeatedly … and quite often do. For sheer escapism, a James Bond film will always hit the spot – especially the ones with Daniel Craig, who brings a refreshingly gritty edge to the character. As I mentioned before, I’m also partial to a good thriller and can easily watch Stieg Larsson’s ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy multiple times. Having read the books, I consider him a brilliant thriller writer, whose novels have made excellent movies – although I far prefer the Swedish versions to the American ones. Nobody does crime thrillers quite like the Scandinavians.

What do you do when not writing or marketing your books?

I sometimes wish there were more hours in a day, as writing a novel can be an all-consuming activity. You get so involved that time seems to evaporate into the ether. However, although it’s hard to tear myself away from the computer, I do have other interests in my life. For instance, as well as reading books, I love going to the cinema or the theatre. I’m also a great fan of motor racing – especially Formula One. As a lover of good coffee, I often start the day in one of our excellent, local independent cafés. We have several nearby, so I’m spoilt for choice. Since the pandemic struck, it’s been tough for small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, so I’ve tried to support as many local ones as possible. Truth is, I would miss the coffee shops if they disappeared. Lockdown was bad enough.

I know it’s trendy to spend time in a gym these days but, as far as I’m concerned, pumping iron is best left to the young. However, I do enjoy walking. I find spending time in the fresh air – and I use the term loosely, as I live in London – clears my head and gives me time to think through any ideas I might have for my current projects. Fortunately, we have several parks and gardens within walking distance, so at least I can pretend to be in the country. Walking also helps keep my poor aging joints moving, so I endeavour to walk every day – although on cold days it can be hard to leave the warmth of the house.

What is the most enjoyable aspect you’ve found through writing?

That’s an easy question to answer. For me, there’s no better way to escape all the difficulties of life than to immerse myself in a fictional world of my own imagination. There’s something really satisfying about creating characters, giving them different personalities, then placing them in a challenging situation to see how they each deal with it. It’s amazing how they can surprise you. It’s also a good way of releasing the hidden adventurer that lies within, as you can use your characters to act out scenarios you would never have the courage to do yourself in real life.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve done or experienced to help create a scene.

In my second novel, my main protagonist is taken on a boat trip off the Cornish coast. I had little experience of motorboats when I planned the scene, nor had I ever been out on a rough sea. Therefore, while I was on a location trip to Cornwall, my husband and I decided to join one of the local boat trips to Seal Island, which lay just off the coast of St Ives. It was mid-September, so the holiday season was virtually over. As the weather had also started to deteriorate, when we arrived at the quay, we discovered we were the only passengers for that day. However, instead of cancelling the trip – which we fully expected him to do – to our surprise the owner said he was quite happy to take just the two of us. As a result, not only was the sea as choppy as I had envisaged for my character, but I also got to enact the scene for future reference. The finished description in the book is therefore exactly how I experienced it.

Share a funny story from your childhood.

My father was a milkman, and as a child I used to help him deliver the milk at weekends and during the school holidays. Although she wasn’t one of his customers, Bernard Braden’s daughter lived in one of the streets on my dad’s milk round. At the time, Bernard Braden was a well-known TV presenter and chat show host, and we often saw him and his wife, Barbara Kelly – an actress and TV panellist – visiting her.

One Saturday, having accidentally locked herself out of her house, his daughter stopped my dad and asked if I could climb in through her kitchen window and open the front door for her. Not expecting to be locked out, she had fortunately left the window slightly open. However, it was too small for an adult to climb through. As I was only 12 years old at the time and slim, I was therefore the obvious candidate. It was a bit precarious, as the window was above the kitchen counter. So, I not only had to negotiate my way over the counter, but I also had to avoid breaking any of the crockery she had left on it. Finally succeeding and dropping to the floor, I then made my way down the hallway to open the front door. When I returned to school the following Monday, I took great pride in telling all my friends that I had spent the weekend breaking into a celebrity’s house.

Tell us about your most recent book.

My most recent book is ‘Beneath the Fear’. It’s a psychological crime thriller which centres around Samantha Copeland, a young woman who, having planned her life down to the finest detail, suddenly has it cruelly torn apart when she witnesses her husband’s murder during an unexpected bank robbery.

Although the police believe she has vital information to help them catch her husband’s killer, Sam is so traumatised by the experience that her mind refuses to recall the details of that day, having buried them deep within her subconscious. Desperate to get justice for her husband, she eventually decides to retreat to an isolated village on the Cornish coast, where she hopes the peace and quiet will heal her fragile state of mind and help her to finally face her fears.

Unfortunately, fate isn’t finished with her yet, and she soon discovers that the police are not the only ones keen to find out what she knows. However, unlike the police, they are determined to stop her sharing it.

It was wonderful to have you on MTA, Sheila. I very much enjoyed learning more about you and your books. Wishing you all the best, with much success! – Camilla

Where can we purchase the book?

‘Beneath the Fear’ can be purchased in paperback and e-book formats through Amazon or ordered as a paperback through any local bookshop. It can also be ordered online through Waterstones. The ISBN number is: 978-1-9196103-0-6 and the link is: https://www.waterstones.com/book/beneath-the-fear/sheila-rawlings/9781919610306

Book Blurb for ‘Beneath the Fear’:

Spoilt and indulged since childhood, Samantha Copeland believes bad things only happen to other people. However, after witnessing her husband’s murder during a bank robbery in Oxford, that illusion is cruelly shattered.

Traumatised by the experience, Sam eventually retreats to the Cornish coast, where she hopes to heal her fragile state of mind. Unfortunately, instead of the peace she so desperately craves, she soon finds her vulnerability tested to breaking point by a series of unnerving and unexplained incidents. However, after meeting her enigmatic neighbour, Tony Walker, and local handyman, Nathan Scott, Sam soon discovers these are the least of her problems. The worst is yet to come.

Connect with Sheila:

Website: www.sheilarawlings.com

Twitter: @SheilaRawlings

Facebook: SheilaRawlingsAuthor

Instagram: thrill_writer

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Book Shelf: Autumn Sky by Helen Pryke

Autumn Sky by Helen Pryke

This is a short story that I’m sure resonates with many people. Written as fiction, based on the true life experiences of Pryke. Definitely may be triggering for anyone who has been in a controlling, gaslighting, or abusive relationship. Yet, perhaps enlightening to those who’ve not experienced this in their own lives. It’s a pretty quick read, and Pryke’s writing style is lovely. Give it a go, and share with those in your life who may need to “hear” the story’s message.

To see Helen’s MTA interview, go here …

Meet the Author: The Healer’s Betrayal by Helen Pryke

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

A gripping story that begins in 1714 France, traveling throughout the world, landing in 2014 New York, and ending in 2016 London. I absolutely loved this book, the characters, having a hard time putting the book down. In 1714 when Adeline Larue was faced with being forced to live a life she did not want to live, she made a grave mistake. She lives the effect of this mistake for three hundred years until one day in 2014 New York, everything changes. Absolutely enjoyable read!

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

“Disclosure: This website is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

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Meet the Author: The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn

Today we travel to Denver, Colorado to chat with Rob Samborn about how Venice, the Doge’s Palace, Cloud Atlas, playing the guitar, selling leather jackets, skydiving, lying about his age, and living on Mars come together as part of Rob’s past and present life.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a native New Yorker, I’ve lived in Los Angeles for twenty years, and now live in Denver with my wife, daughter and dog. In addition to being a novelist, I’m a screenwriter, entrepreneur and avid traveler. I’ve been to forty countries, lived in five of them (including Italy) and studied nine languages. I’m a restless spirit and can’t remember the last time I was bored. I am on a quest to explore the intricacies of our world and try my hand at a multitude of crafts. I’m also an accomplished artist and musician, as well as a budding furniture maker.

In which genre do you write? 

I write across genres since that’s the toughest to sell! In all seriousness, it’s what I love, I naturally gravitate toward cross-genre books, TV shows and movies, and I write what I’d like to read.

Tell us about your most recent book, and where we can purchase the book.

My most recent book, THE PRISONER OF PARADISE, is a commercial thriller blended with historical fiction and magical realism. It’s about a man on the brink of insanity who traverses present-day and Renaissance Venice to save his soul mate from a most unusual purgatory. It’s available at all major booksellers, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F8RYG2M

What outdoor activity haven’t you tried, but would like to try?

Skydiving, without question. My wife and I had booked a skydiving experience outside of San Diego, California, but unfortunately it rained that day (one of the few rainy days they get), so it was canceled. Since then, we had a child so I’m reluctant to try a life-risking activity. But I plan on doing it one day!

Where did the idea for your most recent book come from?

I’ve been to Venice three times and I’ve found inspiration for different story ideas around every corner. It’s such a unique place – beautiful and mysterious. I was inspired to write The Prisoner of Paradise on my second trip to Venice, after seeing other paintings by Jacopo Tintoretto, located in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

His paintings are so lifelike and imbue so much emotion, I couldn’t help but wonder who the models were. As the idea for a book about souls trapped in a painting germinated, I researched Tintoretto’s work and discovered his masterpiece, Il Paradiso, located in the Doge’s Palace.

In a glance, I knew it was the perfect painting. As I researched the room it was located in, along with the building and the history of the complex and the painting, the idea unfolded before my eyes. I visited the Doge’s Palace and Paradise on my third trip to Venice.

What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?

Cloud Atlas. I find this movie to be remarkable in every sense possible and hugely inspirational and influential. Strangely, it’s very polarizing, as is the book, by David Mitchell. People either love it or detest it. I am very much in the “it’s one of the greatest movies ever made” camp.

Can you play a musical instrument?

Yes. I can play guitar and a little bass. I also sing. In fact, I was in a band one summer in Florence, Italy. It was me and two friends. I played guitar and sang, one friend played bongos, and one friend played clarinet. We were a folksy alternative rock/comedy act. By day, we sold leather jackets in the market and passed out flyers for our show. By night, we played in a few bars where we had set gigs. It was the best summer of my life. My first trip to Venice was that summer.

Can you share an interesting story from your childhood.

When I was six, my parents sent me to sleepaway camp for a month. I have a six-year-old now and the idea of sending her away for even a week is unfathomable. But, I had an amazing time and even had to lie about my age to make sure I didn’t get sent home. One day, a counselor was looking through some papers and asked me what year I was born. I had to do some quick math!

If mars or another planet was livable, would you accept a one way ticket there? why or why not?

Yes. It would be immensely difficult to leave my friends and family forever, but being that type of pioneer, the first in human history, is too great an opportunity to pass up. Not to mention, I’d have quite a bit of time to write!

It was great learning more about you Rob, and a pleasure to have be a part of MTA. Wishing you much success with future writings and all of your endeavors. – Camilla

Blurb:

The world’s largest oil painting. A 400-year-old murder. A disembodied whisper: “Amore mio.” My love.

Nick and Julia O’Connor’s dream trip to Venice collapses when a haunting voice reaches out to Nick from Tintoretto’s Paradise, a monumental depiction of Heaven. Convinced his delusions are the result of a concussion, Julia insists her husband see a doctor, though Nick is adamant the voice was real.

Blacking out in the museum, Nick flashes back to a life as a 16th century Venetian peasant swordsman. He recalls precisely who the voice belongs to: Isabella Scalfini, a married aristocrat he was tasked to seduce but with whom he instead found true love. A love stolen from them hundreds of years prior.

She implores Nick to liberate her from a powerful order of religious vigilantes who judge and sentence souls to the canvas for eternity. Releasing Isabella also means unleashing thousands of other imprisoned souls, all of which the order claims are evil.

As infatuation with a possible hallucination clouds his commitment to a present-day wife, Nick’s past self takes over. Wracked with guilt, he can no longer allow Isabella to remain tormented, despite the consequences. He must right an age-old wrong – destroy the painting and free his soul mate. But the order will eradicate anyone who threatens their ethereal prison and their control over Venice.

Where to buy the book:

Connect with Rob:

Website: https://robsamborn.com/
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobSamborn
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RobSambornAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robsamborn/

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Meet the Author: Shadow Pursuit by Alistair Birch

Today we travel to Oxfordshire, England to chat with Alistair Birch about how a dramatic social circle change, cooking, happy dancing, puzzles, paying it forward, the Liverpool Rock and Roll marathon, Barney Rubble, the Forest of Dean, the river Wye, and a simple picnic come together as part of Alistair’s current and past life.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Alistair, and I’m a British author from Oxfordshire in England where I live with my second wife and stepson. I like to write thrillers, though I have been known to write comedy and rhymes, the sillier the better. I try to take a relaxed approach to life where humour and kindness are prominent. We aren’t allowed pets where we live, though we are allowed regular visits from George dog who we adore. I enjoy cooking and running long distance, though all the food I consume means I don’t run too fast.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author’s flame?

I only got the writing bug in the last few years though I’ve always had a love of making up rhymes. At school, I didn’t really write, and I wouldn’t say that my skills with English language were all that good. This will probably have you scratching your head, thinking, why now? Simply, I am in a new and happier marriage and over the last 8 or so years I have changed my social circle dramatically. A few years ago, I felt frustrated and anxious that I didn’t know anyone in my local town despite having lived here for a few years. As though I’d flicked a switch, I decided to do something about the situation, which I did with surprising enthusiasm. Now I run marathons and I write books and I’m incredibly lucky to know some amazing people who are now life friends. I also have a desire to be better tomorrow than I am today.

What is your favorite time of day and why?

If it is a weekday and I have been out all day at my day job, then assuming she is home, my favourite time is 5:30pm when I walk in to see my wife. My head and heart always do a little happy dance when I see her at the end of a working day.

Have you ever had any Do It Yourself disasters?

Absolutely. I worked in a college and took advice from the on-site electrician ‘Rocket’ Ron. All I needed to do was drill a hole through a thick wall from a caretaker’s room through to a storeroom next door so I could wire up a phone socket. The sensible thing would be to drill low down at the skirting board height and feed the cable straight into the back of the box. Unfortunately, I took Ron’s advice. Picture if you will, me, aged around 20, standing on top of a ladder, drilling through a fifteen-inch wall. The heavy drill was above my head, and I could only grip it from one end as there wasn’t a second handle grip. I got more and more tired as the drill bit inched through the concrete. Suddenly my wrist knocked a button which put the drill onto an automatic always on setting. My grip slipped and the entire drill spun at high speed with me no longer holding it. Within a few seconds the lead wrapped itself around the tool which yanked it from the power socket, all the while I stood white as a sheet atop the ladder.

What is the most enjoyable aspect you’ve found through writing?

There are two things. I only loosely plot my books, so I have a start and an end, and a few characters figured out, but that is about it. I am what is known as a ‘Pantser’ as I write by the seat of my pants. My day job is in IT and I have a very logical brain. I am good at picturing things, and I enjoy puzzles. So, the first thing I enjoy is working things out as I go. Sometimes I may find myself a little stuck and that is when I  can form it as a challenge. The second thing I am proud of is I had help to improve when I started out and now, I have newbie authors approaching me for advice. I love paying kindness forward.

What is the most inspiring thing that has ever happened to you?

Another easy one for me to answer. I ran my first full marathon, by signing up just one week earlier, and with little training. It was the Liverpool Rock and Roll marathon and I had been chatting with a virtual friend called Rob. I’d never met him, though we knew each other from a Facebook group and on our messenger conversations I knew he was running this event and he was anxious about it.

He was running for charity, and he told me his medication was making him dizzy. I called him and after a conversation with my wife we booked me onto the race so I could run it with him. We had little money, and needed to pay for travel, the race, food, and accommodation, but it felt like the right thing to do. On race day we ran from Liverpool waterfront up around Everton and Liverpool football grounds, with Rob doing great but going too fast. I kept up but I kept telling him to slow down. After 8 miles Rob stopped with horrible shin pain. We slowed and managed to get to 12 miles when his race was done. At his request I carried on and completed the 26.2 miles. That wasn’t Rob’s day, but he did complete a full marathon the following year.

If you were trapped in a cartoon world from your childhood, which one would you choose and why?

I would answer with The Flintstones. As a kid in primary school and some of secondary, I was given the nickname ‘Barney.’ Simply I looked and acted a bit like Barney Rubble, including the silly voice.

Describe the perfect solo date you’d take yourself on … where, time of day, weather, place, etc.

I love the peace and tranquillity of nature. I love mountains, rivers, lakes, the sea. I grew up in Gloucestershire so a walk in the Forest of Dean, along the river Wye is hard to beat, or maybe climbing the Malvern Hills in the middle of the day. A gentle breeze to take the edge off a warm sun, with a few cumulus clouds across a bright blue sky. To eat, just a simple picnic, bread, cheese, chutney, a little fruit and a bottle of water.

What are you currently working on?

I am almost between projects. I have just finished a draft manuscript for a new standalone psychological thriller which I started in July. This is set in a school, mainly in the early 1980’s. I need to get some beta feedback and submit this one, but friends have read chapters all the way through the writing process, and I have done basic edits as I went along. I am already happy with it. While I think about a little polish on this one, I may write a 1940’s wartime thriller. I have a friend I’d like to collaborate with on this one, so I’ve started those conversations.

Tell us about your most recent book.

My debut thriller, ‘Shadow Pursuit,’ hit the shelves on 18th October 2021. I took a piece of artwork called ‘The Great Bear’ as inspiration. Google it, and you will see it is an unusual map. For me as a thriller writer that offered an opportunity to hide secret information in plain sight. There are good guys in the security services, bad guys plotting terrible stuff and innocents caught up in between. Within each chapter I took the point of view of a character and went with it. So sometimes the reader is in the head of a bad guy and sometimes good. I tried to cram loads of fast paced action in and I left some threads hanging which I pick up in the sequel. I submitted the sequel to Dark Edge Press in the summer.

It was wonderful having you on MTA, Alistair. Wishing you much success with your books, and all you pursue! – Camilla

Blurb:

Samir El-Mudarini is deep undercover investigating a human trafficking syndicate when he is murdered.

Eva Merriman, a Metropolitan Police detective, is reassigned to the manhunt for El-Mudarini’s killer.

Sam Keplar wakes to an emergency call, sending him on a quest to save his brother.

Eva and Sam are brought together by the actions of a shadowy organisation that has slipped through the cracks of British society. And it is up to them to prevent the worst act of terror London might ever see while fighting for their own survival.

Publication date: 18th October 2021
Title: Shadow Pursuit
Author: Alistair Birch
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 258

Where can we purchase the book?

The book can be bought from Amazon, but it is also available in UK bookshops like Waterstones Etc. as well as Kobo, Nook, Apple and Google Books.

Connect with Alistair:

Alistair Birch Author

https://www.facebook.com/alistairbirchauthor

 

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Book Shelf: The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan Le

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan Le

This story gripped me from the beginning! A futuristic tale of the destruction that occurs from ignoring climate issues for too long. I enjoyed getting to know the two strong female characters who are sisters, being a part of the love they share for one another. I certainly was not able to “figure it out” until reading it as it happened. I love these types of books, this one included! GREAT story!!

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Meet the Author: The Light in the Trees by Jeff Van Valer

Today we travel to Fishers, Indiana in the United States to chat with Jeff Van Valer about how neurology, the U.S. Postmaster, Bill Clinton, Raiders of the Lost Ark, marathons, a flooded kitchen, American Pie, shame, mountain biking, and Mars come together as part of Jeff’s current and younger life.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Greetings. My name is Jeff Van Valer. I’m a novelist Camilla has so graciously allowed to participate in MeetingtheAuthors. I live in Fishers, Indiana, USA and work as a neurologist.

In which genre do you write?

Thriller, mainly. My fiction catalog (two books, but we have to start somewhere, right?) is made up of a duet of books, soon to be a trio. I want them to fit into the Psychological Thriller genre, because they attempt to fool–but never lie to–the reader.

My first is The Light in the Trees and is a coming-of-age story. Many automatically substitute Young-Adult genre for coming-of-age, but I don’t. The Light in the Trees isn’t a first-person-present-tense story told by a twelve-year-old. The story is of a middle-aged man’s, decades-old secret of escalating summer-camp mischief that turned deadly. He grew up quickly that summer. Hence the coming of age designation.

How many published books do you have?

Three. Two novels: The Light in the Trees and White Birch Graffiti.

One nonfiction book, The Devil’s Tricycle (it’s because, in my real job as a neurologist and sleep-medicine specialist, I’ve grown tired of talking to every migraine patient about the tricks our minds play on us–and our migraines–as we choose too much caffeine and can’t get enough sleep).

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author’s flame?

For anyone still reading, you’ll notice a connection between The Light in the Trees and my own summer-camp experience. In the ’80s, at what is now known as the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, I wrote a hell of a lot of letters and my cabinmates didn’t.

In high school, I put to paper–while in class, of course–a lot of dreams I’d had. In college, my dad asked me about an $11 check I’d written to the “U.S. Postmaster.” That’s when he realized I’d been buying $0.22 stamps, fifty at a time.

In graduate school, a physical chemistry test looming overhead, I bought a copy of John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief instead of studying and began more prolific, regular reading. Ideas for “big-boy” stories came after that.

Where did the idea for your most recent book come from?

Bill Clinton. When he was the governor of Arkansas and running for president. Sometime in spring, 1992, when I saw this young, charming guy playing saxophone on Arsenio Hall, I knew he was going to win the election.

At the time, I was in graduate school and no-longer able to return to my staff position at camp. While almost physically ill with sadness, I had Interlochen on the brain as I watched Mr. Clinton play his sax. Soon, I thought, “Even this electable feller must have a skeleton in the closet.” Turns out he had two. Their names were Jennifer Flowers and Paula Jones. When the media got a hold of them, there was no burying the stories.

But what if the candidate had but one such skeleton, and just eight other, 42-year-old men knew the candidate’s secret? If they all lived in different states, their only connection being that they’d been cabinmates at a Michigan camp thirty years before, could the campaign machine take care of it before it reached the media? That’s what became White Birch Graffiti. The Light in the Trees takes place one summer thirty years previously, when those boys were summer at camp.

What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?

This list is lengthy. Ready to fall asleep? Here we go… Nah. Let me just list the first two that pop into my head. These are tied for first among my all-time-favorite movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Shawshank Redemption. But there are at least dozens of movies which, when I’m running channels on T.V., will cause me to drop everything and watch.

Can you play a musical instrument?

Drums.

What songs hit you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear them?

“American Pie,” by Don McLean. I wasn’t anywhere close to being alive when that plane crashed in 1959, so this song hits me for another reason. It was playing one spring day between innings at a college baseball game when my instincts told me I was losing my first love to another guy.

What is your favorite time of day and why?

Morning. It’s quiet, and the coffee tastes good. I’m mentally sharp, and no one invades my zone of creativity.

Have you ever had any Do It Yourself disasters?

Oh, sure. I once replaced my garbage disposal. As the dishwasher ran that night, it flooded my kitchen.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?

The depths of my own shame.

What is the most inspiring thing that has ever happened to you?

My kids. When my first was born, I discovered how profoundly important I needed to be. For my second, same thing.

You are about to speak publicly to a group and read from your latest book. What song do you listen to before speaking?

“Subdivisions” by Rush. If you’re a Rush fan, you’ll understand. If you’re not, the mere mention of the band has probably just caused you to click past this interview.

Badly explain your hobby.

I sit on an uncomfortable wedge that tries to separate my pelvis. My feet move in unending circles, I gravitate toward dirt, rocks, stumps, and roots, trying to go fast, then wonder what a breaking bone sounds like.

List 3 interesting facts about yourself.

I’ve run two marathons.
When I was 29, I spent three hours riding my road bike and talking to the guy who inspired the movie, Breaking Away.
I’m 5’10” tall, and I have friends the same height. People call them tall and they call me short. Irritating.

What’s the clumsiest thing you’ve done?

This past summer, I screwed up a drop on my mountain bike and went over the bars.

At this stage in your life, what advice would your young self give to your more mature self?

Identify what makes you happy and go for it. There is no greater legacy to leave your kids.

What’s the last movie you watched and why did you choose to watch it?

No Time to Die, the latest James Bond installment. Because Daniel Craig is my favorite James Bond.

If Mars or another planet was livable, would you accept a one way ticket there?

Sometimes I would, but most of the time, I think I need to try my best with what’s here on Earth.

Do you believe things happen for a reason?

I don’t. “Fate is just the weight of circumstances.” (Rush lyric from “Roll the Bones.”) We respond to opportunities (if we recognize them) and build our futures on them. We’re not passively living a pre-written script.

If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?

Why are you so loyal to me? What can I do to be that loyal to you? How do you remain so 100% present?

Describe the perfect solo date you’d take yourself on … where, time of day, weather, place, etc.

A warm, sunny day in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wake up, coffee, pancakes-eggs-and-bacon breakfast, ride my mountain bike all day on any number and skill-level of trails, return for dinner and a beer, then roll gently around town in a cooling breeze, and head back to the Airbnb when I’m tired.

Sincere thanks to you for reading, and thanks, Camilla, for the opportunity.

It was great learning more about you, and having you on MTA, Jeff! Wishing you all the best and much success with your books! – Camilla

Where to find Jeff’s books:

amazon.com/author/jeffvanvaler

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Book Shelf: Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved by Toni Morrison

I’m late to the game with reading this one. Yet, glad I did. Actually, in the beginning I found it difficult to continue reading, nearly setting the book aside, thinking it wasn’t right for me. I kept going though, and so happy I did. A beautiful, heartbreaking story with genuine characters, villains stirring the blood to boiling point, rounded with the solid love of a mother. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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