Blog Archives
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?
The Shady Oaks Division
In L.M. Coppa’s captivating novel, The Shady Oaks Division, we are introduced to Jill, an intriguing protagonist grappling with the unforeseen trials of early retirement. However, this is not your conventional tale of a retiree finding new hobbies or traveling the world; Jill, at the tender age of 45, is departing from a highly unusual career – that of a trained assassin.
From the outset, Coppa expertly ensnares readers into Jill’s unique existence, which is far from ordinary even in her supposed tranquil retirement. Imagine what you might do in the wee hours of a sleepless night; Jill opts for an unconventional choice, tiptoeing into her neighbours’ house to listen to the rhythmic symphony of their snores and subtly adjust their family photographs.
A defining strength of the novel is the decision to center around an inherently flawed protagonist. With Jill, Coppa gifts us an idiosyncratic character who showcases a somewhat dismissive approach to safety and displays a rebellious streak often associated with adolescence. This compelling blend of traits can make her challenging to admire, yet irresistibly fascinating to follow.
The narrative employs a clever, seamless oscillation between present happenings and past events. Coppa skillfully illuminates the traumatic history that shaped Jill, providing just the right measure of detail to instigate understanding without veering into the territory of the gratuitous. However, the novel could benefit from some restraint in the depiction of mundane events.
Coppa’s portrayal of dialogue shines for its authenticity and effective contribution to plot progression. Overall, the book maintains an enticing pace, perfectly balancing action and intrigue to hold the reader captive until an unpredicted conclusion. The Shady Oaks Division, in essence, is an invigorating amalgam of drama, suspense, and an unconventional romance, distinguished by a protagonist whose very flaws make her all the more compelling.
Pages: 369 | ASIN: B0C6FPDMBD
LITERARY TITAN 