Featured Interview With LJ Smith

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Scottish writer living in Perthshire. I was brought up in Broughty Ferry, a suburb of Dundee, but have lived in Perthshire for 25 years. I live with my husband, Ian, and have four stepdaughters. I enjoy gardening, cycling, going to the theatre and cinema, and meeting up with friends as often as possible. I am very lucky to live in a beautiful part of Scotland where enjoying the outdoors is easy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have enjoyed reading for as long as I can remember. My parents were very keen readers who took me and my sister to our local library every week. I did some writing during my student years but never tried to have anything published and once I was working full-time the idea of becoming a writer was shelved. I took early retirement in 2019 after a 34 year career in education to write seriously. My first novel, ‘Listen To Mother’, was published on 16.01.25 by Blossom Spring Publishing. I have completed a second novel, a family saga examining the power of the family to influence life choices, and am currently completing a third novel, a dystopian thriller.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a very broad taste in literature and it would be hard to say that one author or one book has influenced me. However, the books I enjoy most are those where the characters interest me and their actions drive the plot. I I had two choose four books to accompany me to a desert island they would be:
A Prayer for Owen Meaney; John Irving
Treasure Island: Robert Louis Stevenson
Burial Rites; Hannah Kent
Five Quarters of The Orange; Joanne Harris

Tell us a little about your latest book?
‘Listen To Mother’ is a psychological crime thriller. Lesley Hamilton is starting a new life in Florence when she discovers a dead neighbour. An inexplicable mistake she makes leads to her meeting Paolo Bianchi, an individual unaffected by the usual human emotions. His involvement in crime leaves him living in the shadowy fringes of society where the choices in his life have been made for him. The choices he now makes for himself lead to tragic consequences not just for him but also for all those whose lives he touches. As Paolo’s ordered life unravels, Gianfranco Valdi and his Caribinieri team must unpick the threads that lead to Paolo and his connections with organised crime.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

LJ Smith’s Website

LJ Smith Facebook Page

LJ Smith Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Nijas N

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Nijas N. I am a published author of amazon kdp and google play books. And i got the verified author tag from goodreads in 2024. I born in kollam, kerala, india. And now i am currently luving in my born place itself.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I just started writing i think i am 14 to 15 age years old. Firstly, I just started a writing through an app called poetiser and it was a something good app.And I wrote in it and so many poets appreciated me on my works and they encouraged me to write more.And I planned to combine these all good poems.And quotes to a book As a result , my first book was published. Firstly, I just researched for some of the genres which was suitable for me and I found that motivation and poetry is much better for me and I didn’t stop there. I am also thinking about spreading my thoughts and opinions to a story, novels and something like that.
Basically I write my books in a motivation way.That will help other people to think and change their bad perspective to anything.That’s my book, second book named Stupid thoughts.It was a book which will help you to eradicate the stupid thoughts from your mind.And I am working on these kinds of books.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Most probably every author and a writer influenced me in a one way or another way.Because in every author and writer.Who was something to say to the world?So that’s they say through their book, so that will help other writers.And others to empower there thoughts in ideas and much more. So basically every authors and writers influenced me. my favourite genre is motivation and poetry.And I am just writing on it. Inspiration , if I say about it.There are so many things to say that is, my inspiration is mainly from my own experiences and explorations.As a result of my explorations and I wrote some poems.Some notes about it and I combined.And I use it for my books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book was stupid thoughts , and that is something about motivational Content that will help you to eradicate Some stupid thoughts from your mind.I wrote that from after getting a inspiration from my friend who is suffering in her life due to the problem with her boyfriend and career. And there are some more upcoming works coming to you.That is, there is a book that will come in for July 14.The release will be on Amazon and Google Play Books.And that book is about 100 pages that will change your mind on something and that will allow you to think about something.
Now I Rote in english because it is a Universal language, but my native languages Malayalam.So I am deciding to write it on malayalam too so in my upcoming works.There are malayalam works also.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Nijas N’s Website

Featured Interview With Charlotte Waters

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am named after Charlotte Bronte , I visit Haworth on a regular basis and on my visits there is always something new to discover which inspires my writing. I was born and raised in Saddleworth in Then United Kingdom where I still live .
I have 3 rescued cats and a dog called Doris and over the years I have had many rescued animals too numerous to mention

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Apparently from the age of 18mnths I was reading The Times and Guardian newspaper, and where ever I went I always had a book in my hand.
I really enjoyed English Literature at school, I worked in care for a long time, but had to give up due to health reasons, and decided to have a go at creative writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors are JK Rowling, Marian Keyes. My favourite Genre is Middle Grade Children’s books, I am inspired by the Bronte sisters their writing and lives as the series of books I’m writing revolves around them

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Haworth’s Enchanted Chronicles is a magical middle-grade adventure that brings history to life . When the Bronte siblings Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell find themselves pulled into an enchanted version of their village, they discover that their own stories hold incredible power, but a dangerous force threatens both the real world , they must navigate a world of spells secrets and shadowy creatures to save everything they love

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Charlotte Waters Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Elizabeth Retter

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a retired elementary school teacher who has now become a children’s author of “The Adventures of Easton the Rescue Pet” book series. I was born and raised in Toronto where I live with my husband and two children. Our larger than life rescue dog, Easton has become my muse for the silly & engaging book series that I have created in order to shine a brighter light on the importance of rescuing animals. Before Easton we had a lovely Border Collie lab dog named Bauer who was a real sweetheart! As you can see, there is a hockey theme going on when choosing our pet’s names.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always loved reading books of all genres. When I was younger I loved writing songs. This artform is what exposed me to the idea of writing books. As you can see in my writing style, I still use a lot of rhyme and song within my stories. I find that this style really resonates with smaller children.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I absolutely love historical fiction and non-fiction. I am a bit of a history buff! Currently, I am really enjoying Kristen Hannah’s books. I find that I can get lost in the eras that her stories are set in. As a former elementary teacher, I also have a love of children’s picture books. Dr. Suess, Robert Munsch and Phoebe Gilman are a few children’s authors that I love. I was fortunate enough to see Robert Munsch’s author visit at my school. I loved his energy & enthusiasm. I try to create that same animated style during my interactive read aloud presentations.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Easton has always been a very mischievous & silly character, which has given me a lot of material to create this heartwarming book series! “The Dog in the Deli,” Easton’s first book, takes us on an adventure to the local deli where Easton-who learns that there is going to be a meat shortage due to the pandemic-takes matters into his own paws to stock up on what’s left of the meat. Easton’s family, the deli customers and workers have no idea what a ride they are in for! “Homeward Bound” is more of a sentimental story where we follow the Retter family’s journey to Pennsylvania, USA where they rescue Easton and bring him back to Toronto, Canada. As sweet & special as this story is, it is not without hijinx & humour! Which brings us to Easton’s third and latest book, “Puppy School Pandemonium.” Will Easton behave himself long enough to graduate puppy school? The challenge is on! Judging by Easton’s previous antics, the Retter family & Easton’s trainer have their work cut out for them! All of these tales are based on true stories which have young readers shaking their heads and wanting more! Elizabeth’s main goal is to teach children the importance of rescuing animals of all kinds. She successfully achieves this goal while also providing young readers with entertaining stories!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Elizabeth Retter’s Website

Elizabeth Retter Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Victor Acosta

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, surrounded by stories of resilience, heritage, and deep cultural traditions. My upbringing was filled with history—both personal and national—which later became the foundation for my writing. As a Dominican-American, my experiences navigating two cultures have deeply influenced my storytelling, particularly in Shadows Beneath the Shore, where themes of legacy, identity, and historical truths play a central role.

Now, I live in Orlando, Florida, a city that has allowed me to stay connected to both my Caribbean roots and a diverse literary and artistic community. Living here has given me the space to explore my writing while being surrounded by cultures from all over the world.

As for pets—while I don’t have one at the moment, I’ve always been a dog person! There’s something about their loyalty and energy that reminds me of the importance of companionship, both in life and in storytelling.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think my fascination with books truly began in my 10th-grade Spanish class with Mr. Parada when we read Don Quijote de la Mancha. I was around 15 years old, and for the first time, I found myself completely immersed in a story that was both humorous and deeply meaningful. The way Cervantes blended reality and imagination, questioning what is real and what is perception, left a lasting impression on me. That book opened my eyes to how powerful storytelling can be—not just as entertainment, but as a way to explore human nature, dreams, and struggles.

Despite my early love for reading, I didn’t start writing seriously until my late 30s. Life took me in different directions, but the stories were always there, waiting to be told. Eventually, I realized that I had a unique perspective and a deep connection to history and family legacy that needed to be put into words. That’s what led me to write Shadows Beneath the Shore—a novel that blends mystery, history, and personal identity in a way that feels both intimate and universal. Writing, for me, is not just about creating stories—it’s about uncovering the truths that shape us.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve been influenced by a mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and character-driven novels that explore deep themes of legacy, identity, and the weight of history. Some of the books and authors that have shaped my storytelling include:

Gabriel García Márquez (Cien años de soledad) – His masterful use of magical realism, multi-generational storytelling, and historical depth has been a major influence on my writing. The way he blends history and fiction to create something timeless is something I deeply admire.

Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quijote de la Mancha) – This novel taught me about the power of perception, the blurred lines between reality and fiction, and the strength of a character’s journey. Don Quijote’s relentless pursuit of his dreams, despite the world telling him otherwise, is something every writer can relate to.

Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits) – Her ability to weave history and magical realism into deeply personal family sagas has inspired my own approach to writing about lineage, memory, and the impact of the past on the present.

Julia Álvarez (In the Time of the Butterflies) – As a Dominican-American writer, I deeply admire her ability to bring Dominican history to life through powerful narratives. Her portrayal of the Mirabal sisters under Trujillo’s dictatorship has influenced my approach to writing about historical oppression and the resilience of those who lived through it.

Mario Vargas Llosa (The Feast of the Goat) – His depiction of political power, dictatorship, and the consequences of history has influenced my understanding of Trujillo’s impact on the Dominican Republic, which plays a role in Shadows Beneath the Shore.

Each of these authors has contributed to how I tell stories—blending history, mystery, and emotion to create narratives that feel immersive, meaningful, and unforgettable.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Shadows Beneath the Shore, a historical mystery novel inspired by real-life events, family history, and the hidden struggles of generations before me.

The story came from a mix of my personal experiences, the political and economic history of the Dominican Republic, and a desire to explore the weight of family secrets. Growing up, I heard stories about the challenges my grandparents and parents faced, especially regarding land, identity, and power structures. I started researching the history of mining, exile, and the dictatorship of Trujillo, and soon I realized there was an untold story waiting to be written.

I wanted to bring these elements together into a gripping, emotional, and suspenseful novel that would make readers question the past, explore their own histories, and immerse themselves in a journey of discovery and truth.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Victor Acosta’s Website

Victor Acosta Facebook Page

Victor Acosta Twitter Account