Blog Archives
Are They All Heartless
Blood in the Medicine Bowl is a riveting story exploring the consequences of poaching and kidnapping. What was the inspiration for your story?
My story has its origins in my desire to do something concrete to protect the poaching of wild animals, specifically in the context of South Africa. There has been a very tragic demise of the rhino population due to the greed of criminal syndicates. The more I read and heard about it, the more distressed I became. I wanted to write about this tragedy, but I realized that this ongoing story of plunder, smuggling and greed was well-covered in the worldwide news media. I wanted to go deeper than the news articles and television reports, I really wanted to penetrate the thinking of the criminals involved. I asked myself a question: Are they all heartless, greedy and savage gangsters? Or are some just uninformed traders who view elephant ivory and rhino horn as I would see a fillet of salmon on my dinner plate? So, I began my research into rhino-horn poaching. I realized that I empathize strongly with game rangers, conservationists and police. I came up with a list of possible characters that would be necessary to make this kind of story work. I found that I needed game rangers, detectives, poachers, crime-syndicate kings and even diamond smugglers. I wanted to focus on South Africa, but I also needed to include characters and events in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
The characters in the story are interesting and well-developed. What are some of the driving ideas behind your characters’ development?
If you are writing a crime story, it is crucial to have lovable crime-fighting heroes. So I developed a game ranger who had an almost fatherly, human affection for his animals. Next I fashioned two more characters. These were two steely detectives who are dead set on success in their careers. These detectives are passionate about their jobs and work relentlessly to put crime-kings behind bars. As my story has its heroes, so its villains are equally vital. I spent a lot of time crafting these characters, in a way that readers would despise their wickedness but also marvel at their prosperity and trickery.
What are some of the themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
For me justice is a really key issue. For wildlife and environmental lovers, it is heart- wrenching to read our daily news reports about the smuggling of animal parts and destruction of habitats. We want to hear of successful breakthroughs against the perpetrators. For the game rangers and activists who work hard everyday to protect and conserve species and environments, I want them to see victories. Another important theme is about redemption for the bad guys. Yes, most people want to see justice, but equally I want to hear that criminals see the error of their ways then turn around and become reformed. Does religion play a part? My novel explores this too.
What is the next book you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book is a children’s book for learners at Elementary School, Grades 1 -4. I am co-authoring this book, Arnie and the Space Rock, with Joshua Adams. We are expecting it to be published by December 2021. This book is an endearing story that will appeal both to children and adults as a modern moral fable. I believe that this book’s USP (unique selling point) is that it combines a good story with environmental education. It is written in the context of global warming, climate change, environmental destruction and various other stresses on our planet.
Author Links: Good Tree Fruit Media | Facebook
Blood In The Medicine Bowl Book Review
Into Their Imaginary Games
The Heath Cousins and the Ruby Lantern follows a precocious child on a precarious quest to return a precious jewel. What were some sources that informed this story’s development?
This is Book 4 in the series. Addie B. and her cousins are introduced in Book 1, The Moonstone Cave. It is summer time and they are visiting their grandfather after the death of their grandmother Winnie who they were all very close to. Since Addie B. grew up in England and since I am a huge Anglophile, I wanted to follow that thread in the future books. So in Book 2, Kingsgate Bridge, the cousins come visit her in her English village during Christmas time. In Book 3, they are vacationing together in North Carolina when they find a gateway to the Crystal Canyon. In Book 4, I took Addie B. and the cousins back to London so I could incorporate some of London’s famous places in it. I love the British Museum and wanted to include that in Book 4. I love introducing different cultures into my books (I grew up in Asia) and so I wanted to include China Town in it somehow.
I love the mystery of jewels and crystals, their alledged “powers”, and I thought wouldn’t it be cool to include gems and names of gems throughout the books. Many of the characters are named after gemstones: Gemma, Jadira (jade), Daiyu (black jade), Saphira (book 1), etc. The stones they wear and the adventures they go through bring out the talents and gifts that they already have. Addie B. already loves languages, Bodi loves animals and so on.
The characters in the book were fun to follow. What were some ideas that guided their development?
The main characters are based on my two sons and their cousins when they were young. Addie B. is based on my niece Rebecca, who is wicked smart and was often stand-offish with the boys and loved to read. But the boys could always coax her into their imaginary games! They loved playing outside and pretending to be in a different world. I started Book 1 at that point, (fifteen years ago!) but I didn’t finish it until a few years ago. Of course they are grown now, but there are many second round of cousins that I continue to draw inspiration from and that help shape my characters.
It was important to me that their grandmother Winnie was of Native American heritage (Book 1) and that Jack had those physical characteristics. When they first meet Gemma, she reminds them of their grandmother Winnie. (I wrote this part because my grandmother had just passed away at the time and my kids and niece and nephew had been quite close to her. Rebecca especially shared a birthday and name with my grandmother.) Both of my boys are of Native American and Hispanic heritage and I wanted to reflect that as well. Its important to me to have diverse characters so more kids can have someone to relate to. Mai Li and several Asian themes play a big part in the Ruby Lantern as you know, and since I grew up in Asia, I wanted to share some of those themes in the book.
The Garden of Choice is an imaginative place. How did you come about the idea for this place and how did it change as you wrote?
When I wrote Book 1 and introduced the Garden of Choice, I didn’t have plans to write any others. But then, ideas for the next book started coming and I thought, why don’t the cousins find out that the Garden of Choice is only a small part of this magical world and that there are many different gateways to it? So I gradually added more details in each book (in Book 2 I added a Story Arch that showed a history of some of the characters and the names of some of the gateways). Book 3, the Crystal Canyon, shows them a whole map of a land named Ambra (meaning Amber) with the Garden of Choice as only a part of that. (I always loved maps in books!) Of course, all of these were influenced by my favorite books and series such as The Chronicles of Narnia and when my kids were young, I loved reading The Magic Treehouse to them. I write the kind of stories that I loved reading when I was young.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on two books right now. One is Book 5, (and probably the last) of the Heath Cousins – The Silver Statue. I’m not sure when it will be out. Maybe Christmas? It also starts out in London but Addie B. must begin her journey alone. Book 5 wraps up some of the cousins’ adventures and introduces new characters who could be main characters in any future Heath Cousins series.
The other book I have been working on for a while is kind of a love letter to Thailand where I grew up. It is called “Under the Golden Raintree”. It is about a young Thai girl named Lily who lives in a Northern village in the mountains. She has a handicapped hand and is not able to help her father farm or her mother to sew beads on bracelets. She is often bullied by the kids in the village. But one day, “under the golden raintree”, she meets a baby white elephant who she names Rambu. Rambu makes Lily feel loved and gives her confidence in herself. She must keep Rambu a secret, however, because white elephants are considered sacred and Lily must protect him from others who would want to capture him and send him away to the King’s Palace. Anyway, its a blend of my memories growing up there and some “myths” that are very much a part of the Thai culture. I love the story, and I hope to finish it up soon.
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A Most Fraught And Perilous Time
Elmer & Virginia tells the personal and emotional story of your parents through a collection of letters they wrote one another during World War II. Why was this an important book for you to write?
These letters sat mostly untouched and unopened for the better part of half a century. When I began reading them after the deaths of my parents, I realized what a treasure they were. Their writing and story-telling skills were superb, and they vividly brought to life their experiences and their era, as they grew up during a most fraught and perilous time. I couldn’t let them stay hidden from the world.
Was there anything that you learned about your parents that was surprising when you read their letters?
I always knew what basically honest and decent people they were, from observing and being raised by them. But these letters brought out their kindness, their goodness, their integrity, and their courage. And it was a wonderful experience to “meet” them as young people and not as “your parents.”
Were there any letters that nearly made it into the collection but didn’t?
Oh yes. There were many that fell by the wayside for considerations of brevity and focus. Also passages about family matters, that would be of little interest to the general reader, were cast aside. And in a few cases there were letters our family just didn’t want to share.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your parents’ story?
This book really illustrates the incredibly brave responses of ordinary people to extraordinary events. And it shows that –really – there are no such things as ‘ordinary’ people. The book also shines a bright light on a lost form of communication – words written on paper and preserved for posterity.
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Speaking One’s Truth
Emma is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Emma is the epitome of the saying “Women are like tea bags – you have no idea how strong they are until you put them in hot water.” In the early pages of the novel, Emma is literally dying under the exorbitant suppression of her spirit. At times she believes death to be better than living the future that has been planned out for her. Her rebellious nature and need for freedom she’s been taught are both sinful and unlawful, and she honestly believes something is wrong with her because she cannot submit and simply do what she’s told.
Emma has a lot to lose in this new America if she continues to rebel, with many of her actions putting at risk of execution if she’s caught. Yet her desire for truth, freedom and autonomy outweighs her fears. When she realizes the lies she and the rest of the nation are being told by her father, the government and the new national church, it only spurs her on to determine the truth for herself. Although terrified, she persists in her search for knowledge, and that knowledge forces her to act.
The novel is also a cautionary tale that warns of what will happen if our increasingly divisive culture carries on this ill-fated path. In recent years, our population has become more and more split on financial, ideological and political ideologies. Discourse is becoming more and more intolerant between different groups, with a frightening increase in the “-isms” that only serve to push us further apart. We are rapidly becoming a nation of hate and suspicion, two mindsets that will only lead to the unraveling of our nation. If we want to prevent our nation from becoming what’s written in The Governor’s Daughter, now is the time for us to draw together before it’s too late.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The biggest theme of this novel is the importance of voice and speaking one’s truth. I wrote this novel after watching the Kavanaugh Senate confirmation hearings, and in particular, the testimony of Dr. Ford. For many women, watching her come forward only to have her testimony thoroughly disregarded was an enraging ordeal. Especially for women who have also suffered sexual assault, the injustice of his appointment was devastating. Like Dr. Ford, when I was much younger, I suffered greatly after a sexual assault. When I came forward, I was talked out of pressing charges being told no one would believe me. I was so frightened of things becoming worse that I let them silence me. I will forever regret not coming forward when I found out later how the man who assaulted me went on to victimize other women.
When watching the hearings, I was angry that women all over the world were still getting the same ridiculous message I was told nearly 30 years ago. I worried about the young women watching this who might be thinking what’s the point of coming forward if someone as credible as Dr. Ford’s testimony means nothing? If I’m ever assaulted, who is going to believe me if no one believes her? I felt like in one afternoon, all of the gains made in the #metoo movement were flushed down the toilet.
So, when I began writing, I wanted to write a story where the actions of one woman, even one as initially powerless and broken as Emma, manages to not only pull herself together, but comes to truly believe her voice is important. Her actions are important. The desires she has and what she wants out of life are important because she is important. This theme is pervasive in the upcoming novels as well, where characters from all sorts of backgrounds use their words and actions to make a positive change in their world.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The Prodigal Daughter is the second novel in the four-book Daughters of the New American Revolution series. It picks up right where The Governor’s Daughter left off and continues Emma’s thrilling story. It is scheduled to be released in December 2021.
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Nineteen year-old Emma Bellamy is not a “good girl.”
She’s sick of the men who treat her like property, the endless Purity Protocols to which she must conform, and the brutal consequences when she inevitably fails. With a recalcitrant mind and headstrong nature, Emma continually questions the policies of the White Nationalist government, the suffocating patriarchy of a corrupt Universal Church and her uber-powerful father, the revered Governor. When she determines that everything she’s been taught to believe is based on lies, Emma disobeys in the most ruinous way yet – she sets out to find the truth for herself.
And she doesn’t give a damn if that makes her a “bad girl.”
In a clandestine journey beyond the razor-wire topped walls of the Premier City, Emma is faced with the reality of what ninety-eight percent of the population faces. Extreme poverty. Disease. Unchecked police violence. Civil war in the 20s leveled cities and killed millions, leaving the masses broken, dispirited and unable to ever again threaten the Committee’s reign. In her travels, Emma finds a few brave souls who dare to resist, risking everything to live their lives by their own rules. Now she must choose. Does she doom herself to an unfulfilled but privileged life? Or does she risk everything for a chance at a future filled with purpose, passion and freedom?
It All Came Together
If The Mountain Were Smooth follows a troubled young woman who finds herself in the middle of a far reaching scandal where she’s forced to make hard decisions. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
While the vast majority of the novel is pure fiction, elements of the story are very much based in reality. This, I believe, adds an element of realism and believability to “If the Mountain Were Smooth.” I thought to myself, What if things in this situation had gone a different way? and What if this person had been more of a jerk than they actually were? and What if this person had gotten caught? It was certainly a lot of extrapolations and “what ifs,” but I believe it all came together quite nicely in the end.
Gabriella is a compelling and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
Gabriella’s character was inspired by a compilitation of several ideas: one’s character is an ever-evolving theme, no one is perfect, working through one’s problems is often more thrilling than physical violence and much, much more. Oftentimes, an author will place themselves too much in the main character, creating an idealized protagonist whose main flaw is that they “care too much for other people” or “are too heroic to let anyone down.” While this often makes for a very compelling and successful narrative (think Harry Potter), I wanted a more “human” main character who adults and young adults could relate to through her flaws. I also find gratuitous violence annoying, although strategic elements of violence can be quite potent. Fred Rogers, the man behind the childhood television show Mr. Rogers, said in a testimony to the Senate Committee on Communications in 1969, “I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we can do a great service for mental health. I think that it’s much more dramatic that two men could be working out their feelings of anger than showing something of gunfire.” 52 years later, the entertainment industry still hasn’t listened to Rogers’s advice. I hope my novel shows how Gabby’s fight to overcome the demons inside her are more dramatic, realistic and important than any physical violence could be.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I very much hoped to explore the topic of overcoming personal trials and tribulations. I focused part one of the novel on Gabby’s mental development, as well as overcoming the loss of her confusing, whirlwind romantic relationship. The burgeoning romance was meant not to be a replacement for her past relationship, but an addition to her already-fulfilled life in the absence of it. I also wanted to address the issues of mental health and overcoming trauma. Part two of the novel was mainly focused on the theme of civil rights and the gay rights era we are currently experiencing in this country. I hope those who read the book will have at least a small idea of how important it was to me to say that we are all equal and important, regardless of our race, sexual orientation or sex.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Great question! I have written a non-fiction book on French romantic art, which I have published as soon as possible. It was reviewed by my favorite professor from college, Dr. Susan Scott. I wrote it in order to get my degree in Art History and, now that it’s completed with citations and proper formatting and editing, I think it’s worthy of publication. I also am working on another novel, which I won’t give too many details about. Let’s just say, it may be based on a popular Disney princess!
Author Links: Facebook | GoodReads | Website
Their True Purpose
Swords Of Deception follows a woman on a mission to track down a rogue council member but her journey reveals dark secrets about the Council of Witches. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
To show at what length people go to hide their true purpose and misuse of power.
Ellemar is a character that was fun to follow and well developed. What were some challenges you felt were important to defining her character in the story?
To find the right timing when Ellemar loses herself in her anger and how she learned throughout the story to be more reasonable. Then finding the right moments how Ason patiently tries to help her, making it as believable as possible. Because Ellemar mostly relies on him but he wants her to think for herself. Stepping only in if she loses herself in her anger again.
With beta readers and my editor, it took us a while until everyone was happy with the outcome. So lots of changes had to be made, leading to some frustrating moments.
What were some sources that informed the development of the world and lore in your book?
The world I have created in my Black Eyed Witch series was still fresh. So it made it easy to write it with a different story, powers and characters.
This is book one in your Sword of Deception series. What can readers expect in book two?
That Ellemar will be mentally challenged. That’s all I will say as otherwise it will spoil a big moment betas and my editor didn’t see coming. One beta said she cried during that scene.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
But her mission is nearly halted before it even begins because the Council of Witches prohibits members from killing, even if justified. Given the gravity of Celeana’s crime, the Council bends this rule and approves Ellemar’s mission.
Searching for Celeana takes Ellemar to a royal ship, a Forgotten Forest, and a secret island. Along the journey, she begins hearing stories that suggest Celeana’s horrendous act may actually have been justified. Is Ellemar chasing the wrong enemy? Has the Council been harboring secrets from its members? Getting the answers right is critical. The peace of the entire kingdom is at stake.
No Easy Answers
Through the Waters and the Wild follows a discontented man who finds renewed purpose through his grandfathers letters. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Conor Finnegan was introduced in my first novel, Arc of the Comet, which followed his evolution from a confident young man with great promise through personal and professional frustrations that left him timid and unsure. By the novel’s close, Conor had just begun to recognize the failings of character that led to a deep-seated depression. He had also realized that the questions of purpose, time and place that we all must ultimately address had no easy answers. I felt his story needed to go forward as he wrestled with these realizations.
At the same time, I recalled stories of my own grandfather’s separation from his native land for reasons that, in the end, were not terribly different from Conor’s own angst. I saw a parallel between the two, and thought it might be appropriate to tie them together around themes of exile and redemption, themes that are universal enough to span the generations.
Conor and Liam are intriguing and well developed characters. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
From the beginning, Conor Finnegan embodied noble characteristics – intelligence, passion, a well defined social conscience, and a readiness to engage with those around him. But at the same time he also possessed the serious flaws of hubris and inflexibility which compromised the application of his strengths. As such, I believe he represents the challenges we all face as individuals, regardless of our strengths and weaknesses. All of us must find a balance that allows us to develop our own passions, and our own purposes, while answering the timeless questions, Where shall I go now? What shall I do?
Liam Finnegan is a simpler character, and so an effective contrast, especially as his story unfolds through the swirl of the Irish Civil War. He responds instinctively and intuitively, discontent with the circumstances of what he sees as a pointless existence, but listening to his inner voices which constitute a highly refined sense of integrity. In so doing, he establishes a strength of character that Conor draws upon in his own struggle to identify his purpose and place.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As noted, the book revolves around the themes of exile and redemption, framed through the central questions – Where shall I go now? What shall I do? Each of us, whether we acknowledge it or not, must ask ourselves these questions, the answers to which define purpose, identity and self.
Because we’re constantly in motion, constantly evolving, any resolution is temporary. In my mind, what matters is not the answers to these questions, but the asking of them. When we fail to ask them of ourselves, we stagnate, fester and ultimate lose a bit of our soul. We ask these questions to stay alive.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I believe Conor Finnegan’s story reached closure at the end of Through the Waters and the Wild. I’m currently developing a completely new character to continue the investigation and reflection of place and purpose. This new character will be more negative than positive, more failure than success, bitter and alienated. I’m hoping this provides a new perspective on these questions, one that may in fact underscore the need to ask them regardless of where we stand as we pose them. I’m hopeful that this work will be done within the next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Women of Courage
Hope in Liverpool follows a dejected young woman who finds renewed hope in a handsome stranger that provides the prospect of a better life. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My Women of Courage series is a set of standalone stories, all of which I try to find a courageous female as the lead. In all my books in this series I would like to inspire or encourage. Hope in Liverpool is about showing that although we can go through extremely sad things in life, if we look towards hope we can be pulled out of the mire.
Each book has a unique place and time in history. I decided on Liverpool in 1958 because my mum has told me of what life was like for her back then. This isn’t her story at all, but the things like the dance hall she went to and meeting boyfriends at the pictures came from her stories.
Hope is an intriguing character that was well developed. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I have suffered from depression in the past, and pulling yourself up out of the black pit (because nobody else can do this for you) was a very hard thing to manage. Desmond Tutu’s quote – ‘hope is being able to see that there is light, despite all the darkness’ means so much to me, and this quote was the inspiration behind this story.
Hope’s character, therefore, needed to go through dark places to be able to appreciate the light when she found it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme of this book is hope, I touch on forgiveness a tiny bit because I believe unforgiveness can hold us in the dark.
I also don’t think everyone ends up with a fairytale romance marriage, however, that doesn’t mean they are unhappy, so another theme is that not all marriages may be like Cinderella and Prince Charming, however, they can be full of love and kindness.
I try in each of my books to bring the settings to life, I do extensive research on how people lived, what they wore etc before I start any of my books, so besides making sure the characters were believable I always want to ensure the setting is just right, so the last theme would be Liverpool how it was in 1958.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the last book in this series. Although it is about a very courageous young woman, it is in lots of ways different to the other four, which is why I have given it a different style of book cover and title to the others. It is called Brianna Trefae and is set in England in 1667. Brianna is a woman of such faith that when she prays for people they are healed, unfortunately, this quickly gets her labeled as a witch, and brings her to the attention of the Witch Finder General. This will be the longest book in the series. I have already started researching what life was like after the civil war and other things. I am hoping it will be released in September 2022, but his is the book that has caught my heart the most and I won’t rush it so Sep is only my aim.
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Can an alliance of convenience heal two broken hearts?
Liverpool, 1958. Hope Bennett longs to feel safe and wanted. Loyal to an alcoholic mother who gambles away all her hard-earned wages, she’s devastated by the announcement her family is moving and she’s not to follow. But her despondent plan to fling herself off the ferry and succumb to the freezing River Mersey is interrupted by a handsome older man.
John Walker expects to live out the rest of his days drowning in grief, isolated and lonely after the loss of his childhood sweetheart. When he spots a young woman in distress he is immediately drawn to help her.
Can the fragile dream of a better life out of the slums provide the security and companionship they both crave?
Hope in Liverpool is a deeply emotional foray into historical women’s fiction. If you like compellingly complex characters, light humor woven through heart-wrenching drama, and gripping romantic overtones, then you’ll adore T N Traynor’s poignant story.
LITERARY TITAN 