Blog Archives
Flipping the Script
Protective Instinct follows a self-absorbed, international bestselling author who refuses to write the biography of the infamous, mob-connected man and winds up in a deadly situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always been fascinated by the seemingly aloof persona of many bestselling authors. Some appear to be elevated to a higher plane than the rest of us. I wanted to create a self-absorbed writer who was insulated by his core entourage and shake up his perfectly managed and privileged existence, forcing him out of his comfy life in a jarring way. How would he react to a life-threatening situation without his team taking care of him? Would he step up or fold? What if he had to rely on the last person on earth he would expect? I have always disliked stereotypes of women characters. Females who are strong, independent, and self-reliant are often portrayed as abrasive, pushy, and overly competitive, while women who are kind and cheerful are portrayed as weak and reliant on men. I wanted to flip the script and the assumptions. My female protagonist would be perky, good-natured, and authentically herself. Someone who a judgmental author would easily underestimate, her mettle not overtly visible. Who would save who when the bullets start flying? The rural south and the Smokey Mountains added another challenge to the author’s discomfort.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
One of the most important aspects of an enjoyable story is character development. If the readers don’t care about the characters or understand who they are, how can they be invested in the outcome of the story? I want the reader to get to know the characters; their motivations, their fears, their strengths, flaws, pain, insecurities, and what brings them happiness. I want them to be authentic and relatable. This doesn’t happen all at once. As a writer, I can’t just tell the reader who the characters are. The reader needs to get to know them for themselves in an organic way and truly believe it, as it is slowly revealed in each scene through actions, emotional reactions, character interactions, and through crisp and natural dialogue. Even the minor characters are important and must contribute to the plot or the character development. For example, a brief conversation at a diner can reveal a lot about the protagonists by their interaction. Asking for a New York strip in a rural diner with a daily special of fried pork chops and turnip greens, tells you a lot about the out of touch rich guy. The smirk on the sassy server’s face as she does a little self-satisfied jig all the way back to the kitchen tells you a lot about her. I try not to waste any opportunity.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
As a reader, I love plot twists and surprises. If I can figure out what’s going to happen in the first few chapters, what’s the point. I want the unexpected, but I also want it to make sense. My story builds with a series of turning points, conflicts, emotional moments, or revelations. Some are dramatic, some subtle. It allows opportunities for my characters to grow and the readers to learn more about them. Twists can take the story in a new direction, cause roadblocks, or present a surprising reveal with emotive results. All these moments help to further develop the growth and complexity of my characters and the plot. It can add truth and understanding to the story.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am currently halfway through a new thriller that I hope to have completed by early spring 2025. It is another fast-paced story with complex characters and a twisty plot. I will also be working on the third book to my YA series, The Jailer’s Daughter Mysteries, which I hope to be finished by fall of 2025.
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Sebastian (Bash) Bartoli is an international bestselling crime novelist. Maximillian (Max) Fontana, who is reputed to have ties to organized white-collar crime, has insisted Bash write his biography. Concerned for his safety, Bash’s friend/agent devises an elaborate plan for him to disappear to a secluded location on Guntersville Lake in Alabama. Being accustomed to having his comfortable life managed, Bash is irritated by the inconvenience of having to deal with his own affairs, not to mention the danger it might pose if he is discovered.
Morgan Skylar is a good-natured and unfiltered, southern kindergarten teacher. She is much more comfortable eating potato chips with Cheez Whiz and Louisiana Hot Sauce than champagne and caviar. After the death of her overly protective grandfather (Pops) who raised her in rural Georgia, she takes time off to grieve, ending up in a cottage next door to Bash. When mechanical issues arise, she seeks help from the renter in the main house. Bash is annoyed that his secluded hideout is apparently not so secret. Begrudgingly, he offers her assistance. This is where Morgan and Bash’s worlds collide. When suited, armed men show up at the lake house, Morgan’s trained survival skills take over, and she secures their escape by boat as bullets fly.
Morgan offers to provide a temporary sanctuary to Bash in her Pops’ remote Appalachian cabin. Upon arrival, she discovers a letter from Pops revealing his dangerous past that may now be coming for her. As the unwitting targets of dangerous men, Bash and Morgan fight to stay a step ahead of their pursuers, while seeking answers. Bonds are tested. Trusts are broken. Alliances formed. Agendas hidden.
Protective Instinct
Joy York’s Protective Instinct stands out with its sharp and captivating storytelling. The narrative pulls readers into a whirlwind of suspense and action, where each plot twist defies prediction, keeping them breathlessly turning pages. Every scene pulses with energy, expertly crafted to leave readers on edge, immersed in an atmosphere brimming with danger and intrigue.
The characters shine in their complexity. Morgan Skylar, a tough and resourceful kindergarten teacher with survival instincts hidden beneath her seemingly innocent demeanor, brings a dynamic and relatable strength to the story. Sebastian “Bash” Bartoli, the self-absorbed crime fiction writer, must grapple with his own shortcomings as he’s thrust into peril far removed from his life of privilege and literary fame. Their evolving relationship adds an emotional layer to the tension, especially as they’re forced to rely on each other when the bullets start flying. York’s deft characterization extends even to the secondary players like the powerful Fontana family, whose tangled web of secrets keeps the stakes high and the reader guessing. The chemistry between Morgan and Bash is palpable, growing convincingly amidst the chaos. Their journey from mistrust to mutual reliance, underscored by hints of romance, is seamlessly woven into the thrilling plot.
Protective Instinct moves far beyond the average suspense thriller; it’s a masterful blend of high-stakes drama, unexpected revelations, and deeply engaging characters. York delivers a story that hits every mark for fans of thrillers infused with emotional depth and relentless action. If you crave suspense laced with intensity and character-driven surprises, Joy York’s novel is a must-read.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B0CPDQ8MCL
Irresistible Bond
Irresistible Bond (Central Florida Stories) by Victoria Saccenti is a captivating contemporary M/F/M romance that weaves together love, intrigue, and the emotional complexities of trauma and healing. Storm Canales, now working for the DEA, leaves behind her childhood friends Marcus and Barrington Laurier. But after a mission is compromised by a mole within the agency, Storm is captured by a Colombian drug cartel. When she returns to Florida, haunted by her time in captivity, Marcus and Barrington are determined to help her heal. But the question lingers—will she let them?
The dynamic of long-standing friendship evolving into romance is one of my favorite tropes, and Saccenti explores it beautifully here. The bond between Storm, Marcus, and Barrington, rooted in years of shared history, is palpable and makes the emotional journey even more satisfying. The moments of teasing banter between the characters add a much-needed lightness, balancing the darker elements of Storm’s harrowing experience. After five years apart, it was refreshing to see how these characters still had new things to discover about each other, despite their deep connection. I also appreciated the elements of intrigue that ran throughout the plot. The twists added a layer of suspense that kept me engaged.
There were a few pacing issues that slowed down the narrative for me, particularly in Chapter 2. The lengthy exposition about what had happened in Marcus and Barrington’s lives over the past five years felt like it disrupted the flow of the story. I would have preferred to see more of these details unfold naturally rather than through long descriptions. Additionally, the alternating points of view between Storm, Marcus, and Barrington worked well overall, but there were moments where details about one character were conveyed through another’s perspective, which could have been handled more effectively.
Irresistible Bond is a heartfelt, engaging story of love, friendship, and resilience. The emotional depth and strong connection between the characters make it a worthwhile read for romance fans with a touch of intrigue.
Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0CZ7NFYBV
Isabel
Isabel by E. L. Schoeman is an intricate tapestry of love, destiny, and the fight against societal norms. The story follows Isabel, a strong-willed young woman who defies the constraints placed upon her by a rigid society. Her journey is marked by her passionate relationships with Mathew, Charlie, and a host of other vivid characters, as she navigates through love, loss, and the haunting specter of fate. The novel weaves a rich narrative filled with historical depth and emotional complexity, inviting readers into a world where the boundaries between right and wrong, love and duty, are constantly challenged.
The prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the atmospheric settings and the inner turmoil of the characters. The description of the prison where Isabel finds herself is chillingly vivid, encapsulating her despair and the oppressive environment around her. This kind of descriptive power is prevalent throughout the book, making it a truly sensory experience. The characters are another highlight. Isabel herself is a compelling protagonist whose determination and resilience make her a figure to root for. Her interactions with Mathew and Charlie, especially, are charged with tension and emotional depth. Mathew’s mysterious and often dark persona contrasts sharply with Charlie’s steadfast loyalty, creating a dynamic that keeps readers engaged. The dialogue between characters, such as the philosophical exchanges about fate and societal constraints between Isabel and Charlie, adds layers of meaning to the narrative. While sections of the story offer deep insights into the characters’ psyches, adding rich layers to the narrative, they encourage readers to savor the depth of the characters. The shifts between past and present create a complex and engaging timeline, inviting readers to pay close attention and fully immerse themselves in the story’s progression.
Isabel is a richly crafted novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong emotional core and complex characters. Its poetic prose and the moral questions it raises make it a thought-provoking read. I would highly recommend it to fans of character-driven stories and those who appreciate a blend of romance, history, and introspection.
Pages: 315 | ASIN : B0BTKJ848N
Go Where The Story Takes You
Sunwalkers follows a teenage vampire being raised by human parents who meets another vampire like her and wants to learn about his world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always loved vampire books and movies but in them vampires always just existed. I wanted to delve into the origins of vampires and how they came to be.
Lilly has only ever known the human world, and now has a chance to learn about her Sunwalker side but struggles with what this means. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I think we’ve all felt different at some point in our life or on the outside. We all have different strengths and weakness but there is a place for everyone. Lilly’s differences may be a little extreme, but she still has to work through them, figuring out who she is and where she belongs, just like we all do.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
This is the only series I wrote a basic outline for. But as I wrote new ideas came to me and some characters took different paths then I had originally planned. Sometimes you have to go where the story takes you.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
It’s hard to share too much without going into spoilers. But in the following two books Lilly has to take a good look at the world and what she hopes it can be. She has to decide what she can do to help precipitate change while dealing with sabotage and deceit from within her community.
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Lilly is a sunwalker—a vampire born from human parents, able to walk in the daylight. She lives life as human, hiding her true identity from all those around her.
One evening, she comes to the rescue of her best friend, Lex, as a vampire is about to make a meal out of her. Lilly is drawn to him, despite her desire to loathe him for almost murdering Lex, as he is the first of her kind she has ever met.
As the vampire, Tread, begins to open Lilly’s eyes to a world she has never known, Lilly must decide where she belongs. After she is betrayed by the person she loves most, Lilly is forced to submerge herself entirely in the vampire world, only to discover that Tread has a secret so shocking it could destroy them all.
The Missing Piece
The Folklorist follows a woman starting a job in the New England Folklife Museum with a boss who undermines her at every turn who discovers valuable information in an old family diary. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Several years ago I watched a PBS documentary on the New England Vampire Panic. I’d never heard of it before, but I found it fascinating. I knew I wanted to write a novel about it. At first, I thought it would be set entirely in the 19th century, but as I turned over possible plots in my mind, I always felt as though something was missing. I kept musing about it off and on for years. Then, after I’d read several novels with dual timelines, I realized that was the missing piece. Since vampires belong to folklore, I decided that having the main character be a folklorist was appropriate as well as something a little different. I chose 1973 because the early 70s saw a rise in interest in the occult. It was also a time when women were making great strides in the workplace but also dealing with a lot of pushback because of it.
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
In both timelines there are characters who feel constrained by societal ideas regarding the role of women. Lizzy, in the 1830s timeline, has little interest in the domestic arts and would much rather be working with her father and brother doing the heavier farm work but isn’t allowed to. Charlotte, in 1973, is able to obtain a position with the American Folklife Museum as a first step in building her career, but she is constantly subverted by her sexist boss and even told by other women that she really should be looking for a husband.
There is also the challenge of living in a highly interdependent society for the 1830s characters. It worked well until something broke the bonds between people who depended upon one another for survival. Then, it became a burden and something of a nightmare for Mary and her family.
Finally, there is the challenge of a secret for Jerusha as she is the only person in the family and, for that matter, in Birch Falls from whom something important is being kept, something that has a tremendous impact on her life, but doesn’t know what it is and no one will tell her.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I had to do more research than usual for this book because two timelines were involved. That meant researching everyday life in the 1830s and 1973. I do remember 1973, but I was 9 years old so my perspective is different from Charlotte’s. Also, I’d forgotten a lot. It was a fun trip down memory lane. I also had to find out what a folklorist would know, what kind of education Charlotte would have had, and what sort of employment she could get with her degree. I read a lot of books on the study of folklore which were fascinating. I even branched out into reading books on anthropology as there is a strong connection between the two.
I devoured books on rural life in 1830s New England. Trips to the Massachusetts living history museum, Old Sturbridge Village, were perfect for understanding and imagining the 1830s setting. Best of all, I am very close friends with Tom Kelleher, historian and curator at Old Sturbridge Village. Tom read every chapter as it was written to check for historical accuracy. His help was so invaluable that I dedicated the book to him.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m writing two books right now. One is tentatively titled All in the Furry Family. It will be the second book in the Cat Tales series (the first book, All the Furs and Feathers won a Literary Titan Gold Award.) The other is a standalone fantasy tentatively titled The Winter House.
Additionally, I’m immersed in research for my next historical novel which follows Erin’s Children, the sequel to my debut novel, Kelegeen. Like Erin’s Children, this one will be set in Worcester, Massachusetts and follow the lives of the Irish immigrants first encountered in Kelegeen. In the new book (no tentative title yet), the American Civil War has just broken out, so I’m deep into researching war history, especially the exploits of the regiments sent by Worcester.
I hope that All in the Furry Family will be out before the end of 2024, but I can’t project about release dates for the others.
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One by one Jerusha Kendall’s siblings fall victim to consumption, the scourge of the 19th century. Devastated by the loss of her children, Jerusha’s mother Mary is horrified over the outlandish folk remedy proposed by her dearest friend, Lavinia. Unable to divert the people of Birch Falls from carrying out Lavinia’s ghastly plan, Mary succeeds only in convincing them never to let Jerusha find out what they’ve done. But Jerusha knows a secret is being kept from her, and she is determined to uncover it.
1973 Middlebury, Vermont
Newly-minted folklorist Charlotte Lajoie accepts the position of Assistant Director at the New England Folklife Museum, the perfect first step in her career. But her sexist boss uses her to hide his incompetence and steal her ideas. Charlotte’s misery at work is assuaged only by a gift from her grandmother – the diary of their ancestor, Jerusha Kendall. Fascinated, Charlotte suspects that her family may have been involved in the 19th century’s New England Vampire Panic. Her discoveries could prove to be a goldmine for her career but only if she can outwit her jealous boss and pacify a vengeful ghost.
Sunwalker (Sunwalker Trilogy Book 1)
Sunwalkers by S.T. Sanchez unveils a captivating narrative, weaving a tale nestled within the rich tapestry of a post-apocalyptic world where the enigmatic unknown looms large. The protagonist, Lilly, is not your typical teenager navigating through the ruins of a shattered world. Concealed beneath her ostensibly mundane existence lies a secret that shapes her very essence: she is a vampire, born of human parents, a secret intricately kept by her determined mother, who has ventured to significant lengths to nurture and teach her human ways.
As Lilly ambles through her adolescence parallel to her peers, an encounter with another Sunwalker – a handsome vampire – steers her life onto an unforeseen path. Laden, with questions yet shrouded with fear derived from the knowledge that vampires pose a formidable threat, Lilly remains hesitant to let him into her world. His potent curiosity about her, coupled with a dangerous allure, propels him to initiate a dialogue. Readers are left on the precipice of intrigue – will Lilly open her world to him despite the lurking fears for the safety of her loved ones?
The concept of Sunwalkers is impeccably imaginative and refreshingly novel. The origination of vampires in this desolate world distinguishes itself starkly from familiar narratives and presents a fresh idea – the birth of a vampire from human parents, a plot twist that notably enhances the storyline. This innovative concept has kindled my curiosity regarding subsequent books and the unfolding of possible new themes.
Lilly emerges as a compelling character, encapsulating a blend of natural curiosity and compassion throughout the narrative. Lex, her best friend, brings a vibrant and supportive dynamic to the story, characterized by her confidence, outspokenness, and fierce protectiveness of Lilly. Tread, meanwhile, contributes a fascinating layer to the story with his swift and positive character development, offering a refreshing pace contrasted against other narratives. Elaine’s character navigates through unexpected terrains of motherhood, presenting astonishing actions towards Lilly that left me stunned, albeit with a tinge of disconcert.
The storyline seamlessly weaves together its components, interlacing shocking moments with an enthralling narrative pull that beckons the reader into its depths from the opening chapter. Sunwalkers is a fervent recommendation for readers intrigued by a narrative that explores the genesis of vampires from humans, born through a fascinating genetic mutation, offering a truly unique conceptual perspective.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B071VDSTS7
Guardian
Guardian: Into the Light of Day, by J L Meredith, is about an alien who takes a human’s body to bring her back to life. In this new body, this alien took on the human’s name, Elizabeth, and energy, but since she isn’t genuinely human, she lives on. Over eight centuries, she has worked to save lives without revealing her identity. This changes when an asteroid is about to hit Earth. Elizabeth stops it, but the explosion sends her crashing back down with meteorites. Caught on video, Elizabeth loses her anonymity. In the turmoil of this and the meteorites, meta-humans emerge, there’s a media frenzy, and one politician seeks to take advantage. Among this, a more significant threat emerges, one that wants to use Elizabeth to destroy Earth.
I enjoyed that it wasn’t just a superhero comic book. While Elizabeth wasn’t truly human, she was relatable. As a doctor, she wanted to keep people safe and save their lives, but she didn’t want to be in the spotlight.
Meredith did a great job of making Elizabeth strong and courageous. But he also gave her a couple of enemies that weren’t easy for her to overcome. However, her heart and willingness to help really brought her to life.
Guardian into the Light of Day, by J L Meredith, provides readers with a great story, a great protagonist, and some nail-biting moments. This action and adventure superhero novel will keep readers engaged from the start and even give them a bit of romance without going over the top.
Pages: 522 | ASIN : B09ML7V944
LITERARY TITAN 