Blog Archives
The Search For The Mole
“The Bucharest Legacy” plunges former revolution hero Bill Hefflin into a dangerous web of corruption and duplicity as he races to uncover a double agent threatening Romania’s fragile post-revolution transformation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The search for the mole is a classic plot in espionage literature. I wanted to use it in a unique way, however, by tying it to the historical events that occurred after the fall of communism in Romania with the rise of the oligarchs. Oligarchs were created in most of the former communist countries, not just in Russia. Corruption of the transition from communism to democracy was at the core, which allowed the country’s most valuable assets to land into the hands of a few.
Can you share some insights into the creation of Bill Hefflin’s character and what aspects of his persona you think resonate most with readers?
As Flaubert said, “Madame Bovary, c’est moi.” (Madame Bovary is me.) Much of Bill Hefflin’s character is based on my own experiences, though I never was in the CIA. The events in Bucharest during the revolution and afterward are based on either first-hand knowledge or the descriptions of relatives and friends who lived through them.
The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns. How did you balance the need for suspense and surprise with the coherence and believability of the storyline?
I try to create the suspense organically, as I am writing. The act of writing produces new ideas and options on a daily, even hourly basis. That is the fun of writing fiction for me, the surprise I get as these ideas spring up from the writing itself, which I believe gives the work a more natural feel.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I love writing historical fiction and using the spy genre to delve into important subjects that interest me. The next novel will thus be the third in the Bill Hefflin series, this time having to do with Russia.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The CIA is rocked to its core when a KGB defector divulges that there is a KGB mole inside the Agency. They learn that the mole’s handler is a KGB agent known as Boris. CIA analyst Bill Hefflin recognizes that name—Boris is the code name of Hefflin’s longtime KGB asset. If the defector is correct, Hefflin realizes Boris must be a triple agent, and his supposed mole has been passing false intel to Hefflin and the CIA. What’s more, this makes Hefflin the prime suspect as the KGB mole inside the Agency.
Hefflin is given a chance to prove his innocence by returning to his city of birth, Bucharest, Romania, to find Boris and track down the identity of the mole. It’s been three years since the bloody revolution, and what he finds is a cauldron of spies, crooked politicians, and a country controlled by the underground and the new oligarchs, all of whom want to find Boris. But Hefflin has a secret that no one else knows—Boris has been dead for over a year.
Perfect for fans of John le CarrÉ and Brad Thor
While the novels in the Bill Hefflin Spy Thriller Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:
The Bucharest Dossier
The Bucharest Legacy
Understanding The Universe
“Pulstar I: The Swan Barely Remembers” follows an amnesiac astronomer who must piece together her forgotten past and navigate a technologically advanced world as she grapples with the ripple effects of choices she can no longer remember. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In a nutshell, the Pulstar trilogy is the result of a promise I made to a special person who is no longer on Earth. However, the long story would be this one:
During my teenage years, at my sister’s birthdays, a party guest talked about an intrinsic and mysterious subject. That’s where the idea for Pulstar came from. I felt I had to write about it somehow, heavily influenced by Blade Runner, The End of the Eternity, and 1984. I published the novels Astralvia I and Astralvia II in Spanish in early 2000. Afterward, I stopped writing and focused fully on my band Fractaler until 2012. Then, my country, Venezuela, became more chaotic than it already was. That contributed to the dissolution of my band and forced me to emigrate. While I attempted to start a family and lived in Europe, a tragedy in Venezuela forced me to return and stay there, isolated in an apartment all day long, writing and composing music all the time. Finally, I sold the apartment and returned to Europe, but in body, my mind was anchored in Pulstar and Astralvia—the fictional country where the story of Pulstar trilogy and its prequels take place.
Jeral Murh is a compelling character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Thank you for saying that.
The idea was to create a character who has always felt like an outcast, who has never fit in, and whose primary motivation is the study of the cosmos. For her, nothing can be more important than understanding the universe, even if the answers are shocking and disturbing and reveal how insignificant we are.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The central theme of the trilogy is how little we know about ourselves, about what is out there, about the meaning of our existence, if there is any real meaning at all. Pulstar I introduces the characters’ present, one that is commanded by past actions they don’t even imagine they did. However, sometimes remembering the past is frightening, and we may wish we didn’t remember it, especially if we don’t identify with what we were before anymore.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Thank you for asking.
Pulstar I is the core of the story, and the second and third parts are already in the editing stage—in English and Spanish. I always conceived this story as a trilogy, or as an enormous book split into three parts, although each is self-concluding somehow. The ending of Pulstar III has been one of my biggest driving forces to continue with this project. Nerve (also published) is a prequel to Pulstar I that you can read as a stand-alone novel. Then, there’s Marlenh, an erotic thriller taking place 30 years before the events of Pulstar I and Nerve. I plan to publish Marlenh in October of this year. It is currently in the Proofreading phase.
Another project I have to complete is the music for all these books; it’s quite advanced, though.
We’ll see. 😊
Author Links: Website | GoodReads | YouTube | Twitter
Our Favorite Childhood Memories
“Neo & Nubia: The Greatest Walk” follows three children on a magical journey into the depths of human history, where they engage in an exciting exploration of their ancestry. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When Oby and I were growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, our older brothers and sisters would create obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and trivia games for us. Those are some of our favorite childhood memories. We learned about the world, science, technology, history, and ourselves as we had fun playing.
How did you balance the educational aspects of the story with the need to keep it engaging and entertaining for children?
We began with the end in mind. We really want every child to understand that we have a common ancestor and to learn about the “great walk” that led our African ancestors to populate every continent. With that as the goal, we figured that the best messengers for that story would be kids just like the ones that will be reading these stories. So we wrote the story in a way that would ensure every child reading it would feel like another friend – joining in and experiencing the wonderful adventure right alongside Neo and Nubia.
Your characters are intriguing and fun to follow. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Great question, Neo, Nubia, & Emeka are super relatable kids. The three values that we’re communicating through their characters are: (1) Honor and enjoy your family and loved ones, (2) Have fun learning new things, and (3) Share your ideas and gifts with the world.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Our next book in the series is called Neo & Nubia: The First Words. The twins travel back in time to the invention of written language. From mixing their own ink to storytelling on cave walls, they learn that communication connects and builds community. The trio celebrate alongside our ancestors and “make their mark”. This experience spotlights the origin, patterns, and practice of symbolic writing, which is the science behind the 7,000+ languages across the globe that we all use today.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook Website
Cleverly written and beautifully illustrated with a trio of brilliant young kids who have to go back in time and witness some of the most important moments in human history to pass a series of important tests. It is designed to be a child’s first world history-focused picture book and their latest STEM read.
A brother and sister balance the challenges of middle school with traveling through time to save the world.
Neo and Nubia, and their schoolmate are sent back in time on a quest by their grandfather, whose health is declining, to secretly test if they have what it takes to replace him as griots to save all of the human knowledge from being lost. Equipped with their curiosity, clever antics, and ancient wisdom, they will outsmart an evil cabal that wants to erase history. If the trio is successful, they will be selected to become the next generation of griots, our “new guides.” The one catch is that time is running out, and they do not know that this adventure is both their greatest test and a dangerous trap. Neo & Nubia will explore the themes of friendship, courage, innovation, and power.
Neo & Nubia will cover the full span of human history from the first homo sapiens to the first Black and female vice president and Supreme Court justice of the United States.
This series is created by a global team of writers, illustrators, and animators from every branch of the African Diaspora.
Accept Differences And Be Kind
“Armitage and the Thunder Bean” follows a queen’s son, created for villainous tasks, challenges his fate and becomes the unexpected hero of his town in a darkly creative children’s story. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for the story came to me in a dream, like most of my ideas, I think my imagination works best when it is in such a relaxed state and trying to make sense of the day. I had been bullied at school myself, and looking a little alternative to most, this sense of restriction by society and others placed upon me, as well as the strong theme of acceptance and kindness really resonated with my own experiences growing up. The idea of rebelling against the stigma society places upon you represented by the queen in the story is really relevant to my own experiences in life but also i wanted strong relatable themes that would reach out to children and adults that do have to deal with abuse, bullying and any kind of restriction or rejection. Showing them there is light at the end of the tunnel and your situation does not define your character. I also wanted to educate and raise awareness to those who may not include those who are a little different, to accept differences and be kind.
The book has a distinct and unusual aesthetic, especially in terms of color palette. Can you talk about the process and intention behind creating this unique visual tone?
I wanted the tone to be set, to complement the text, which can be slightly sinister in a very childlike way. I think a darker colour pallette suited the tone of the story.It also suited the characters and the subtext within the story. it’s almost a children’s gothic book in my mind. the purple was contrasting the browns and greys to keep the illustrations bold and appeal to children. I love German expressionism and the illustrations do have a glimmer of this art movement within them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Acceptance of those who may look or seem unusual or a little different. Not judging a book by its cover. Some of the kindest people may look a little strange to the normal in society but that doesn’t mean anything in terms of who they are. Diversity of characters and of appearance was a big one. As well as encouraging children to be their true selves regardless of society’s standards of what is acceptable. As well as teaching kids not to prejudge others on their looks or appearance of their home life. Some children are not lucky enough to have loving homes, so if you see a child struggling, help them, be kind don’t make fun of them.
Can we expect to see more of Armitage’s adventures, and if so, what can you tell us about your plans?
Yes, Armitage is a series! I have at least another two books if not more, I’m currently illustrating the second book. You will find more ways Armitage overcomes his troubled situation and more good things start happening to the boy made out of odds and ends, this and that.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
Armitage, a little boy made by his mother to help her with her evil plans and dastardly deeds!
He wasnt created out of love and kindness like many of the children who live in the kingdom of Mount Cuttlemere, but out of bits and bobs, this and that and odds and ends.
But Armitage is nothing like his mother and longs to be loved and love others, he vows to sabotage the Queens wicked plans, potecting all the towns people, keeping the kingdom safe and peaceful. Hoping Queen Spite-thistle doesnt realise it was him!
The debut adventure in the series. Armitage and the thunder bean takes you on a journey of one of Queen Spite-thistle’s wicked plans and how Armitage will overcome it to save the town and the people he longs to be friends with in it.
Teaching children Just because you may look a little different doesn’t mean you heart is not great. A story exemplyfying to children, the greatness of kindness, empathy, sympathy and not judging a book by its cover. A book about accepting diversity.
What His True Nature Is
“Your Turn” is a gritty crime thriller that follows a former detective on a relentless pursuit of truth and justice, unearthing shocking secrets within his old department after a surprising release from imprisonment. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Great question. For starters, I want to say I wrote this book for Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2022. I liked the pressure of having a deadline to meet. So, I needed to write a story I knew would keep me interested.
Then, I knew I wanted the book to be enticing with a few short sentences. I pitched the original blurb to family, friends, and co-workers. I got a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs.” I work for a library, and those reactions aren’t typical, even with famous authors. Whenever I wrote it, I knew people would be interested in reading it.
With that in mind, I wanted to use Tennessee as a stage for the book. I was born and raised in Nashville. I knew local readers would appreciate the locations I chose in the book.
To the nuts and bolts of it, I am a Veteran of the United States Army, where I served as a Military Police Officer. I also have two degrees in Criminal Justice and am an avid watcher of fictional crime shows. I knew it would be easy to write about a genre I am familiar with. The book includes concepts I have seen or read about that I knew I could expand on. Like any good book or tv show, I wanted readers to want more once they finished the book. I believe I accomplished that.
Seven House is an intriguing character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Intriguing is a great way to describe House. Often, I find when we are too good at doing something we don’t believe we need any help. However, we rush to the aid of other people. In the book, we learned House did this a few times. Realizing some people are victims of circumstance and aren’t doing wrong just for the sake of doing wrong.
The circumstances around House’s conviction caused him to lose faith in the individuals he considered his friends. I want to show people what true friendship is and how some people never forget what you have done for them. While at times, he could be viewed as cold and heartless. However, we learned what his true nature is.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I showed what true friendship is. Also, how real friends never forget you or what you have done for them. I did not originally plan for this, but I am glad it happened.
From speaking to readers, different characters pulled them in. I wanted this to happen. Compassion is a human emotion that can cause you to look past the wrong someone may have caused you or the world around you. I’ve been asked “What’s next?” about some of the characters who I feel shouldn’t be receiving a positive reaction. Some of the characters can be thought-provoking. In your personal life, you may reconsider if wrong is really wrong.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on a few projects. The first is a short story covering House’s early time in prison. It will be free for subscribers to my newsletter.
Second, the next book is Faded. House is approached by someone from his past, uncovering something he didn’t know about himself. I’m still working on some of the details. I expect this book will be released Fall of 2024/ early 2025.
Third, I will be writing for Nanowrimo again. Once it gets closer to November, I will think about the subject and title.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
“What Does It Take To Make It?”
Making It in Country Music is a combination of a memoir and a guide to the country music business, providing readers with behind-the-scenes information and life lessons. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Any successful musician will tell you the most common question asked of them is, “What does it take to make it?” It’s no different for me. My (un)healthy coffee habit is financed in part by people asking to sit with me over a cup in Nashville or LA, or in any of the venues we play nationwide every year. Over one too many lattes, I decided to sit down and put all my advice in one place. I spend a lot of my time helping musicians make it to the next level in all sorts of ways.
The ever-evolving country music business that has been mostly confined to Nashville but is expanding rapidly, especially post-pandemic. In the book, we address the toll taken by the pandemic and what expectations and predictions we have found for the future of country musicians—which will apply to much of the entertainment industry.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I’ve worked hard to be able to pivot with the needs of the industry that keeps me busy even when I’m not on tour. I moved to Nashville about twenty-five years ago with my drums, a cat, and a vision, and I’ve made those dreams come true. For almost twenty years, I have played on some of the world’s biggest stages with country superstar Jason Aldean. But that’s only part of my experience. My deep involvement in the music business has really promoted a long career, not just the single aspect of being an “entertainer.” And that’s what I want to be able to share with anybody who wants to create a long-lasting mark in the industry. You have to be part of the community and do your part to maintain tradition, even while blazing new paths. We hope that this book will find those people who want to make their mark in country music and that it will provide guidance and reassurance that entertainment is still crucial to the nation’s psyche.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I wish someone had said, “Hey kid…it’s all about relationships!” I learned that in my later years, but my early years were all about one thing…practice! Human beings make the world turn and you just can’t have enough professional relationships.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
Many country music “how-to” books focus on the Nashville side of the business, and a good deal of them are aimed at songwriters or are memoirs of people who have been successful in different aspects of country music. This book is a true insider’s guide; there are many interesting facts and stories from other successful country musicians, and even from some up-and-coming artists, who can provide a sense of what things are like before you “make it.” But you can love this book even if you aren’t considering a career in music. If you are interested in country music and find the behind-the-scenes workings fascinating, you’ll love the details of all the different kinds of jobs in the industry and the tour of places and people who are important in the history of country music. Along with practical advice, I provide many of my own experiences to learn from, as well as stories, advice, and predictions from other well-known musicians and professionals in the country music industry. This is a behind-the-scenes book that’s fun to read, as well as informational.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter: @RichRedmond @jendellazanna | Facebook: richredmond, JenDellaZanna | Website: richredmond.com, jen-dellazanna.com
Any successful musician will tell you the most common question asked of them is, “What does it take to make it?” Rich Redmond is no different. He moved to Nashville more than twenty-five years ago with his drums, a cat, and a vision, and he’s made his dreams come true. Over one too many lattes, he decided to put all of his advice in one place.
Making It in Country Music is filled with practical advice, stories of how Redmond did it himself, and insights from a chorus of other musicians. This is the ultimate behind-the-scenes and fun-to-read book looking at the country music industry and music careers.
Redmond takes you on a tour of Nashville and many other country music meccas: from the massive stadiums to the honky-tonks and the wide variety of jobs that make the industry go. You’ll learn the various skill sets needed to become successful in the industry as well as predictions for the future of country music among many other things. There is no better guide to the country music business than Redmond with his unique blend of encouragement, detailed advice, humor, and experience.
We Are Going Through So Much
“Gather Seeds of Hope” is an anthology that immerses readers in a journey of self-empowerment and kindness, guiding them through life’s unpredictable cycles and affirming they are never alone. What personal experiences or philosophies inspired the themes in your work?
I think sometimes when the world feels so dismal and we are going through so much as a society, people can start to feel like they are all alone, and they find themselves in a bit of a bubble of self containment. The pandemic and shut downs definitely did not help to calm these feelings of isolation. I try to get the message through that we are all going through similar life experiences so people fell less alone in how they are feeling. The poem Have You Ever…definitely speaks to different life experiences that I have had, and the final two verses hit on this message that we are basically all in the same boat with going through similar things. That being said, not every poem is pulled from my own life experiences. The poem Gone definitely was, as it was intended to be about the night my father passed away suddenly in his sleep. But as I was writing it, it started to take on the direction of anyone passing away suddenly, not just based on my own father’s passing. I hope that anyone who has lost someone in this way can relate to the words of looking around and seeing all these person’s things, but they are not there, and how do you cope with this feeling of loss? So that definitely drew on my own personal experiences, as did The Scent of You, which was a supernatural experience I had regarding my Mom and the perfume she wore, and how I could smell it on occasion after she passed. But as far as other poems, honestly some of them are based in fiction, or characters that I made up in the poem. Regret is very much based on four fictional characters who tell the story of their own regretful experiences. The Dinner Party is another one where the narrator of the poem is trying to host a large dinner party and has to deal with all of the dietary requests, which gets overwhelming, so he or she moves onto the seating chart and gets into seating people by various political and religious beliefs, and so on. I have not dealt with that personally as I have never hosted a big dinner or event, but I know people who have, so I drew on that experience of witnessing them go through it and the stress of it all. In either case, whether it is my own personal experience or inspired by a fictional character or made-up experience, I try (hope!) to write it in a way where the reader finds him or herself shaking their head in agreement because they know exactly what I am trying to convey, and they have either witnessed it or experienced it in their own lives.
The book balances gentle tones with impactful messages and real-life examples; can you elaborate on how you strike this balance in your writing process?
Thank you for noticing that! I try to use real-life examples whenever I can because I think people can relate to it more if the author has experienced it, and I feel like experiencing something myself allows me to write about it more authentically. I use gentle tones because I think you can get your message across more powerfully if its relatable. A message doesn’t have to hit someone over the head for them to understand it. I use the term “kind reminder” a lot. I haven’t experienced everything personally, so sometimes I have to dig deep and put myself into a situation to imagine how it would feel or how the character in the poem would react or respond. The impactful messages usually come as a way to wrap it all up or allow the reader to take something from the poem or the prose with them. The poem Darkness was very much inspired by a friend’s suicide, but the reader was left with the message (kind reminder) about checking on friends and loved ones frequently to make sure they are okay.
Your use of metaphorical language, particularly in relation to Mother Nature, adds depth to your work. How do you view the relationship between nature and human emotion?
I believe nature and human emotion are like two sides of the same coin. I think nature, and in particular the weather and seasons can greatly impact our moods. Sometimes it seems as if the weather and our moods are in perfect sync. I wrote a little bit about that in the intro to the poem Lost and Found, about how I sometimes wake up in a crabby mood so I am happy to look out the window and see that Mother Nature feels the same way and has painted the sky a gloomy gray. But then if the weather changes, as it does in this poem, and the sun comes out, I feel slightly betrayed by nature, like I now need to change my mood to one that is more upbeat to match the now sunny day. Mother Nature has been a character in my Seasons series of poems, which have been featured in all of my books so far. In this book we have the poem Its Summertime Once Again, and Mother Nature is found sipping lemonade and fanning herself from the summer heat. I enjoy making Mother Nature an actual character in these poems because I think she mimics how so many of us feel during the different seasons. We always find her doing something that most of us do during the different seasons we experience. I think that nature has a great impact on our moods and our emotions and can definitely impact our day.
Your first book, “Scatter Seeds of Kindness,” introduced themes that are further developed in “Gather Seeds of Hope.” How did your vision for these themes evolve between the two books?
That kind of happened by accident. When I was writing “Scatter Seeds of Kindness”, I didn’t have a title for it until half way through the book when I noticed the emerging theme of kindness coming through in many of the poems. I did not expect a follow up to that book, but when I started writing “Gather Seeds of Hope” I noticed again a theme emerging but this time it was about hope with some kindness added in. They really do go together. It is hard to be hopeful if you are not a kind person, and vice versa (in my opinion) So quite accidentally, it ended up being a nice follow up and I do feel that the two pair nicely together.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
In Scatter Seeds of Kindness, the reader was encouraged to be kind to others and themselves. Gather Seeds of Hope continues that message but also encourages the reader to hold onto hope whenever they can and share it with others in need.
Balancing deep topics such as regret and death alongside lighthearted subjects, this collection is thought-provoking, empathetic, deeply personal, and told in a very relatable manner. You will laugh, smile, gasp in surprise, or perhaps shed a tear as you experience a range of emotions with the goal of always finding hope in every situation. Whether you are a poetry lover or new to the genre, something in this book will touch your soul and bring forth light into an often dark and challenging world.
The Perfect Hobby For Retired Assassins
“The Shady Oaks Division” follows a 45-year-old retired assassin whose quest for tranquility in early retirement is hindered by her dark past, idiosyncratic habits, and an unexpected romance. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One of my favorite genres of movies/books is action and suspense. Especially centered around assassins, whether going rogue (ahem, Bourne) or not. I just thought ‘what would retirement look like for a woman stepping down from a fast-paced life as an “asset” aka “assassin” to a sleepy suburb?’ and took it from there.
Jill is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Jill was such a fun character to write. It was so exciting to see how she developed over the pages. She had this sort of elegance about her, with her fancy clothing, etc., yet there was that edgy, lethal quality to her, simmering just below the surface that was difficult to suppress. Clearly residual from her past. You could tell she was trying to assimilate, but that proved to be more challenging than any of her previous “assignments”.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One theme that emerged as I was writing this book was that no matter what profession you may be retiring from (whether chasing down undesirables in remote locations or drafting legal documents for an M&A deal), there’s that transition period you go through as you settle into your new life. Once the dust settles and there’s no more commuting, no more stitching yourself up in the field, no more decisions to make aside from which tea you’ll be having that day or whether or not to do laundry on a Tuesday afternoon, it can be challenging to find purpose for some without the structure of work, since work, for so many of us, is what we do for the majority of our lives. That and birding really is the perfect hobby for retired assassins.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a suspense novel that centers around a woman waking up in a hospital setting, unable to move, speak or even remember who she is. Those around her keep trying to give her glimpses of her life, yet what they’re telling her is not matching up to what her dreams are indicating. I’m 21 chapters in and I still don’t know where the story is taking me! Can’t wait to see where it ends up. Most likely early 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram
The Shady Oaks Division follows Jill through the trials and tribulations of retirement as she struggles to fit into her new role. Her paranoia, fueled by her sharp instincts, threatens to upend her. But is it just paranoia? Or are they forgetting that her training and expertise are what made her their number-one asset to begin with? Will Jackson, the agent assigned to Jill, be able to keep her from disturbing the picturesque town she’s moved into? His own colorful past allows him to connect with her, and he works tirelessly to keep her on track. But will it be enough, or will it complicate matters further?
LITERARY TITAN 