Featured Interview With Mark Shaiken
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Mark lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver, Colorado. He hails from Queens, New York; New Hyde Park, New York; New Haven, Connecticut; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Topeka, Kansas; Manhattan, Kansas; Wamego, Kansas; Houston, Texas; Havertown, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; and Fairway, Kansas. He schooled at Haverford College and Washburn University, and practiced commercial bankruptcy law for several decades before moving on in 2019 to his other endeavors. He is the author of “And . . Just Like That – essays on a life before, during, and after the law” and his new book, “Fresh Start,” a legal mystery. Connect with Mark at http://markshaikenauthor.com
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved reading as a kid. I started writing when I was in grade school and really enjoyed the process. It was hard to write during my years as a bankruptcy attorney as there was simply little time to dedicate to the process, but I did write two bankruptcy law books during my career.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Michael Connelly (any Harry Bosch book); David Balcucci; Ernest Hemingway. They all share several important characteristics: economy of words; great stories; rich characters. All critical in my view to the writing and creative process.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Fresh Start is a legal thriller starring Josephina Jillian Jones, 3J, an African American bankruptcy attorney at a large law firm in Kansas City, Missouri. The book is told in the third person and from the perspective of 3J’s real estate developer client – Quincy Witherman. Witherman hides assets from everyone, and thereby commits and felony. His banker – Stacy Milnes is a gruff, difficult person who must decide if she is willing to commit a felony to catch a felon. The book also takes place in revolutionary war America (in a 1798 debtor’s prison in Philadelphia), New York City, and London. The book trailer is here: https://youtu.be/FbYGqLqJDxI
A free first chapter can be downloaded on my website below. As well, the book is free for Kindle Unlimited members.
Fresh Start’s book blurb is as follows:
A secret family legacy becomes a ticking time bomb …
Skyscraper developer, Quincy Witherman, has continued his family’s two-hundred-year practice of hiding assets in Switzerland. Now, needing protection from his creditors, he hires bankruptcy lawyer Josephina Jillian Jones – 3J – but fails to disclose the Swiss assets to 3J, his bankers, the IRS, and the bankruptcy court … all felonies. 3J knows in her gut that something is wrong. So does Witherman’s banker, Stacy Milnes.
Will anyone catch Witherman?
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Mark Shaiken Facebook Page