Fireline follows a resourceful convict who joins a prison firefighting crew to seek out vengeance on the man who got away with murdering his brother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The real world! Some time ago, I learned that about 30% of the personnel who take on wildfires in California are inmates in a special correctional program. It struck me as a compelling contrast: convicted criminals doing a task we associate with heroes. With this theme at the heart of it, I built a story about brotherhood, revenge, and the possibility of redemption.

What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

I enjoyed writing Mark Hallenbeck, Mason’s CalFire captain, because he was inspired by Marines I knew during and after my time in the service. Even though he’s got a gruff exterior, he’s goodhearted and takes care of his people. Josh Ortiz, Mason’s partner in crime, was also a lot of fun to write. He’s a jokester with hidden intellectual and emotional depths. By far the most challenging character to write for was Mason, the protagonist. To create a convict on a revenge kick who was not only sympathetic but also had a strong arc required going deeper than I ever had as a writer.

I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?

Thank you! I appreciate that. Action scenes are tough to get right, and I think the key is realizing less is more. I owe much of the success of these scenes to my developmental editor, Carly Hayward of Book Light Editorial, who was a huge help in whittling them down.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

This is the first in the series, and the sequel, Outlaw, will be released Fall 2024. I’m excited to share it with readers! Outlaw will continue Mason Jones’s journey with a suspenseful exploration of reckoning and forgiveness, and it’ll do it in a way that I think readers of Fireline won’t expect but will definitely enjoy.

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