Blog Archives
Love, Power, War, and Corruption
The Wall follows a smuggler living in the middle of a civil war who has been separated from his fiancee and will do whatever it takes to be reunited with her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It seems every year, our country is becoming more and more divided. I wanted to use The Wall as an analogy for that, and what would happen if you were on one side and your soul-mate was on the other? It also explores love, power, war, and corruption between two completely different societies divided by The Wall.
What do you think were some of the defining moments in Asher’s development?
I think when Asher finally discovers the truth about his parents and that shakes him from Zion’s robust grip where he has been living in opulence. Also when he is finally able to forgive his Uncle as well as himself for the bombing that killed innocents.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore what would happen to humanity if man had the power only God was meant to wield and how absolute power corrupts. Also, what would be the downfalls of being able to live forever? What would be the cost? Just because we have a second chance does that merit wasting the first one? What does this say about human nature? Some other themes explored are: can love not only survive war but also societal differences that exist on the different sides of The Wall?
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is book 1 of a planned trilogy. Book 2 and 3 are being worked on now with the hopes of a release date sometime next year. Book 2 takes place ten years later from where book 1 left off. Sarai leads Zion West as Prime Servant. Asher commands its army against the growing threats of Zion East’s burgeoning military as Renatus’s power continues to grow. But when Renatus finds out Asher and Sarai’s son has the same disorder as his “wounded prince,” he kidnaps him for his LifeCell in an effort to resurrect his own son. As Sarai tries to hang on to power, Asher does everything in his power to save their son.
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It’s 2099, and the former United States of America is in the midst of another civil war. In the wake of a revolutionary technology that grants people a second chance at life, an impenetrable wall divides the prosperous nation of Zion from the slums of MiddleLand. Stuck inside the wall and desperate to reunite with his fiancée, contraband smuggler Asher is hell-bent on finding a way out.
When his uncle offers him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Asher is faced with an impossible task: impersonate a talented Zion soldier and risk his life in the Canonization, a brutal gladiator duel against a champion who never loses. But defeating an unbeatable opponent and reuniting with his one true love is only the beginning. Asher thought the second life policy was outlawed. But the truth is far more sinister, and he soon finds himself caught up in the middle of a terrifying rebellion that will decide the fate of both sides of the Wall.
As an explosive and futuristic sci-fi adventure that artfully weaves together high-octane action and heart-stopping romance, The Wall presents an unforgettable YA dystopia that’s perfect for fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, and Dune.
The Definition of Love
Everlasting Charli explores a young woman’s journey through love, friendship, and personal growth amidst the chaotic yet heartwarming environment of a local fish restaurant embroiled in unexpected crises. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Everlasting Charli is one of five books that make up my series, The Past Life Library, each journal giving a glimpse into four of my past and one of my current lifetimes. Charli is the part of me that was looking for a confirmation bias on the definition of love.
Charli’s character is intriguing and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Charli comes from a family of physical and intellectual nomads who roam the earth seeking truths and sharing them in an everlasting effort to make the world a “better place.” And thus, almost an adult, she finds herself alone and must somehow find a version of love so pure and so similar to that of her own family, so she can believe that she was and is, truly loved. Her aversion to change is most likely a socially more acceptable version of her blatantly controlling nature.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Love and if indeed love for the planet translates to love of the lifeforms who inhabit it. Is it possible that many explosions of anger or warfare are, or were, initially (maybe centuries ago) ignited by a sole intention of some act of “good” but have somehow collided. For example, that of the quintessential love triangle. Is anyone wrong? Shadowing that, though, are the inner truths of Charli in the form of both her journal and the accompanying music album of thoughts/songs/poetry. Here she can perceive herself for the authentically selfish person that she is, gently persuading her that perhaps we are not always so genuinely “good” or that any act can be perceived in any way, no matter the intention, including love.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Infinite Aisa is next in the series and has just been published – with the accompanying soundtracks. The fourth book, Forever Raphaella, will be launching in November, 2023.
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Everlasting Charli intertwines questions of environmentalism, trust and true or half-true love. Is it possible to love everybody? And what of animals or planet Earth? The book also asks the readers to think about the nature of competition, and what exactly is that thread inside of us that wants to win.
The related music album, found on all major streaming platforms, includes 3 instrumental tracks for you to make your own songs with.
Books Should Be Fun to Read
I Saw What I Saw follows a sharp crime reporter who finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery that the police don’t want to solve. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
First, my wife is Nigerian and we have two boys together. I was really impacted by the call for criminal justice reform in America, especially after the tragic death of George Floyd. I wanted to say something about this injustice without being preachy. I really feel like books should be fun to read, so I wanted to craft a tale that talked about a tough issue but injected a lot of over-the-top humor. Second, I am a journalist by trade that wrote creatively in High School and College. I needed to write creatively again and tap into that part of who I am again.
Sheila Sammartino is an interesting and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
As I noted, I am a journalist, so I gave her my profession. I wanted to write about something I really know about. In terms of her character development and traits, I wanted her to be likeable and relatable and still have quirks. I hope the reader will leave the book both rooting for and laughing with Sheila. I wanted to create a group of unique people that you long to follow and see what mayhem they are getting themselves into next.
The mystery at the heart of this novel was intriguing. Did you plan it beforehand or did the mystery develop organically while writing?
Both actually. I had the murder clearly defined in my head and I knew who the murderer was going to be and how Sheila was going to figure it out in the end. Going into writing the book I had a sense of who the other suspects would be and who the supporting characters would be, but elements of the journey evolved organically as I fleshed out the full story. It was a truly creative process that I really enjoyed.
This is book one in A Harmony Neighborhood Cozy Mystery series. What can readers expect in book two?
The reader can expect a lot more romance and humor. The romance between Reggie and Sheila is just getting started and there are a lot more twists and turns to come. The reader can also expect more social commentary combined with the comic hijinks. These characters are going to grow and evolve in fun ways that hopefully keep the reader engaged and wondering what happens next.
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The small town of Harmony’s number one Internet sensation is crime reporter turned blogger, Sheila Sammartino. Inquisitive, self-conscious and often clumsy in an oddly endearing way, everything is going great for Sheila until she stumbles into a murder mystery, and not as a reporter!
She witnesses a newcomer to the neighborhood, Arthur Jones, murdered in the alley next to Harry’s Bagel Shop. The police are quick to call it a mugging gone wrong, but Sheila saw what she saw. With the help of her outspoken former college roommate and her classically handsome new next-door neighbor, this trio take it upon themselves to get all the answers the police refuse to look for. Who was Arthur Jones after all? And who would want to kill him?
