Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Faye Hall

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an Australian author of Steamy Historical Romantic Suspense eBooks.

I live in Queensland, Australia where I was raised with my husband and 5 children.

I have had 16 books published with Venus Press, Red Sage and Beachwalk Press but due to each of these publishers closing their doors I am exploring the world of indie publishing via my family run company 4th Avenue Press.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I use to tell stories to my mum in the car and as soon as I could write, she encouraged me to write them down. I started writing poetry at about 10 and went into novels about 15.

I started reading comic books at a young age and was reading full novels by the age of 12.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors are Amanda Quick and Agatha Christie and they are who inspired me to start writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Carnal Transgression is inspired by my great grandfather who was an Irish policeman who immigrated to Australia.

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Featured Interview With Mia Vasquez

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Mia Vasquez started her journey when she was a tiny infant. She originally only wanted to be a dancer in ballet-like many little girls try out. She would never have guessed her journey would take her to be a triple threat and she continues to try new things and grow as a person and also be known internationally. She won a few pageants till the age of three. It was then at three she started ballet. Then by the age of five as she started to watch television she noticed she did not just wish to be a little girl in pink she wanted to be on film. She wanted to be in the movies. She then had her parents role her in acting school. The stage, however, did not call to her like the T.V did and this made her very unhappy but she used that to discover things she could do at the stage she loves and learned to be grateful for what she was given through that lesson would take time. When she was in middle school, she began to write something she loves but would not actually go anywhere till adulthood. She became focused on singing and drawing. Then by sixteen, she would have several choir awards and plays under her belt. It was then she would discover her love of costumes because she was the only student to dare to try them. She had taken her mother’s sewing items since she was five and learned from watching her and her aunt. She became curious about it at thirteen but would not actually get her hands into the thread and glitter till her high school play. This year would be very busy for her because she even starts modeling. In her adulthood, she gets a degree in theatre, the arts, costuming, and make-up. It would then lead her to the president of the conventions in Texas. She would then begin to be an event coordinator and learn marketing. This made her then be led to go back to school for a Bachelor’s in Business Market and the second one in Science. There is far too much to cover her whole life but now she has been taken under the wing of KMP to both work with and also grow under. This makes her very happy and grateful because when you are a triple threat you want to be able to link and connect with like minds. She works with people of different levels because she believes no matter one’s skills set you can always learn from others.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started to notice I loved books from a very young age. I struggled to read due to my learning disability, but I went to my school library every day in my sense kinder garden and would bring as many books as they let my little hands get ahold of. I lacked a lot of friends so books and my pets were my best friends and my escape from the harshness of fellow students. They allowed me to hope that there is good in the world and heroes.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I primarily read fantasy, but my favorite authors are as follows: George Orwell, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer, and George R. R. Martin. The four of them inspire me the most though the list is long. Though I did have the privilege to meet James A. Owen and he gave me some excellent advice that I intend to take to heart he has been added to my list as number five as someone who inspires me in the author world and as an artist.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Forgotten Babylon. It is a book that takes from the few myths we are able to know and tries its best to tell a story of text that is lost to the world. The gods live in paradise in the garden of Eden where Anu Is the king of the gods and Urus is the queen. Anu’s daughter, the goddess Ninsun, has returned to Eden with her infant son Gilmos, who was fathered by a human being, King Lugalbanda. Anu forbids the child entrance Into Eden because no child with human blood may enter Eden, even though Gilmos is a demigod. Anu offers to speak with Enlil, the god of chaos, about Gilmos marrying Enlil’s daughter Inu so that his “god blood” can be restored since two demigods can make a full-blood god. The price to be paid for this to happen Is that Ninsun must give up her Immortality. She agrees to do so. On the seventh birthday of Gilmos, his father, King Lugalbanda dies in a battle. Three years later, his mother, Ninsun, also dies. Arwen, the youngest of the fay (fairies) and a treasured gift Anu gave to Urus, would be sent by Anu and Urus to care for Gilmos on her twentieth birthday.

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Featured Interview With Disha Dubey

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a passionate writer who loves everything about books, from writing to making the cover design. I live in Firozabad ( The city of glass) in India. No, I don’t own any pets but I have several squirrel, who comes to have their bread at my place.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Around ten years ago. Before that I used to read comics but then I started reading Novels and fiction booked my heart for life.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Jon Krakauer, Nicholas Sparks, Leo Tolstoy and Sophie Kinsella

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The story revolves around a young boy named Sidharth, who just got admission in his dream college when he thought he was completely useless. His family accompanied him to his new life towards his post graduation. There he met his two roommates, who turned out to be weird and unbearable but ended up being best of friends. He was busy coping with his new life when his eyes fell on ‘her’.
Yes, her! The woman of his dreams and our heroine of the book, Shambhavi. A woman in her late twenties, who used to work in the library of the same college, Sidharth was in. If you are thinking that our hero would get his lady without any struggle then you are sadly mistaken.
No love story becomes a worthy read without some twists and turns with the main leads of the novel. The problem took place when Sidharth found out from another fellow batchmate and younger sister of Shambhavi that our heroine doesn’t believe in being happy ever after.
When Sidharth dug a little deeper, he found out about Shambhavi’s first marriage and how awful her ex husband was. Due to him, She lost her belief in love. Shambhavi confronted Sidharth and asked him what he wanted from her, He with a smile said just ‘A cup of coffee’.
Sidharth remained persistent but not in a creepy way. All he wanted was coffee and to know the reason behind Shambhavi’s sad eyes. In the end, he did succeed but to know that, read the story! With numerous funny hostel and college moments, the story is fun to read. It will end up making you laugh and in love with all the characters.

Featured Interview With Yann Opsitch

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Paris France. I am the author of several works in French, including “Paroles du Christ sur la Montagne”, “La Sagesse et l’Adversité”, My most recent book in English “Dialogues on Revelation with John the apostle » was published in the United States in July 2022 by Sulis International Press (Keledei Publications).
My wife Rita and I live presently in Texas and part of the year in France.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At the age of 14 when in boarding school with nothing to do on most week ends but read, mainly Victor Hugo, Balzac, Jean Giono. Started writing at 23.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
French : Victor Hugo (including the poetry)
Jean Giono
Marcel Proust
English American writers on social issues.
Jom McGuiggan (theology)

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I travel in the past and have conversations with John the Apostle, himself exiled on Patmos under Roman emperor Vespasian.
The book contains 21 chapters, including “Fear Not,” “The Son of Man,” “A Door to Heaven,” “The Great Tribulation,” “The Mark of the Beast,” “Armageddon,” and “The Water of Life.”

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Yann Opsitch’s Website

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Featured Interview With Chris Riley

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a husband, father, special education teacher, and writer. I was raised in San Diego, went to college at Humboldt State, and now live in the Sacramento area, vowing one day to move back to the Pacific Northwest. Currently, I do not have any pets. But my family and I were blessed to have two wonderful guinea pigs — Peanut Butter and Buddy — both of which recently moved on to the great hayfield in the sky. We miss them terribly.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I got hooked into books in the 8th grade, for about a solid year, reading mostly military history. Then I sidetracked with martial arts and drumming up until my last year in college, when I discovered the Dragonlance Chronicles. It’s been off an on since then, reading all sorts of genres. I got started writing about twelve years ago. I began with short stories, and within a few months, got my first acceptance letter. I’ve had over 100 stories published since, as well as two novels. Although a lonely endeavor, writing can be quite addictive.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Favorite authors and inspirations go hand-in-hand. My list is quite large, but here are some of my all time favorites: J. R. R. Tolkien, Tim O’Brien, Dan Simmons, Stephen Hunter, Louis L’Amour, James Rollins, and George Martin. I read a lot of small press publications as well, particularly in the weird fiction genre, and some of my favorites within are Robert Shearman, V.H. Leslie, Richard Gavin, and D. P. Watt. Khanh Ha is a very elegant writer. Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD is the most poignant novel I’ve read, while Hemingway’s THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA is the most satisfying. But if I had to pick just one writer I could read forever more, my vote would easily go to John Steinbeck.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, titled THE BROKEN PINES, was a story I wrote a few years back, just after the publication of my debut novel, THE SINKING OF THE ANGIE PIPER. The inspiration for the novel came to me one day, as I was reminiscing about a time, years ago, when I worked with a young boy who had “lost” his ability to speak–he was suffering from a condition known as Traumatic Mutism. Something about that event stuck with me, all these years, such that I found a place for it in my story.
So that was the basis for my novel, in as much as I knew one of my characters would be a boy suffering from Traumatic Mutism. But what I had to figure out was all the rest. I needed more of a problem to solve, and that came with who this boy’s father was. Adding to the perplexity, I was watching Sons of Anarchy at the time, so of course, I just had to imbed the whole biker culture into the story. Which ironically opened the door to another element of my life, one that pertained to Humboldt County. Specifically speaking, the growing of marijuana, an endeavor I had nothing to do with (in all its forms), but nobody can live behind the Redwood Curtain for 12 years and not learn something.

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Chris Riley’s Website

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Featured Interview With Mary Ojile

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m an Author, a blogger, an entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Marigold Butterfly. I like to read, write and be in nature, and I have a passion for helping children. Growing up in Nigeria, I would raid my fathers library of book and read in my spare time. This prompted me to start writing my own stories at the age of 7. I get my inspiration for my books from the dreams I have.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination for writing started at the age of Seven. As an introvert, I would often raid my fathers library of book and read in my spare time. Soon enough I realised I wanted to write my own stories with my own happy endings. Wanting a happy ending is what inspired me to start writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read books by Judith Mcnaught.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Book synopsis:

What do you do when faced with the unavoidable reality of losing someone you love?

Marael is an Angel in the Kingdom of Heaven who looks down and sees the sufferings of the children of Earth. She is compelled to offer help and asks her Father to allow her to be reborn as a human so she can spread love to the children. He grants her request but it comes at a price… and a test!

As a human that carries the energy signature of Heaven, Marael faces challenges with human foes, but she also finds love that comes with a twist.

Experience how a high-ranking Angel who has known nothing but the comforts of the Heavenly Kingdom endures through the trails and tribulations of life as a human, and witness how she manoeuvres through the difficulties humans face… especially LOVE.

This is a work of fiction inspired by true events.

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Featured Interview With Arin Kumar Shukla FRAS

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born on 25th October 2005 in the small town of Rewa. Then my family moved to Bhopal. I belong to a very pro-knowledge environment because my father is a professor. So all that debating and storytelling has been part of my life since early age.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m a avid reader since early age. Even today if you enter my room, its more like a library than bedroom. Books are literally world for me. My writing career was a result of Covid-19 pandemic. During lockdown, I was at home with nothing to do. So I started reading more and writing more. At first I wrote some articles, essays and poems. Gradually my interest in writing increased, and that is when I decided to write my first book. Then there was no looking behind.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
At first, I was only interested in reading fiction. But my interest in Social Sciences got me close to non-fiction. I enjoy reading mythology, history, political books, and also thriller novels. Ruskin Bond and Devdutt Patnaik have been my favorite authors to read.
I think what inspires me most to write is reading. When I read something, I have my own opinion and interpretation of a particular topic. What better way can be other than writing to express my ideas?

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled “Lost Warriors”. It’s in two parts. The concept of this book is to bring back the unsung warriors of India in front of a new generation audience. The first part is about ancient and medieval heroes. The second book is about significant leaders of the Indian independence struggle. This year when India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence, it is important to give tribute and remember those who sacrificed themselves for this day.

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Featured Interview With Nicola Matthews

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Loughton, a suburb of London. The house I was brought up in was first built as a monastery in the 14th century. It was spooky but such fun for a kid. It was all rather bohemian; my family were all actors; my mother was stunning and a fabulous hostess. She was the star in my father’s firmament. I was the youngest of four and went into the theatre, not because of passion, but because I was terrible at school and it seemed the easy path. I married an actor, of course, and now have a wonderful family. We live on a beautiful sea inlet called Hamford Water, on the North Essex coast. We don’t have pets anymore because our dog cost us so much; she swallowed stones for fun and had to have them removed!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was late to writing because I was late to reading. I am dyslexic, which wasn’t discovered until I was in my 40’s. I have always loved story in any form; in the theatre, where I worked for some years and in the sculpture I developed at art school. I was in my mid 40’s by then. I only discovered a love for writing when compiling my diseration. My tutor said he thought hypothesis was rubbish but the writing was excellent! Spell check and the self belief that I began to develop at university changed my life. When opportunity arose I started attending writing workshops. I haven’t looked back.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am ashamed to say that I have no favourite author, but many books that I love. To name a few: Godrick by Fredrick Beuchner, Midwinter by Fiona Melrose, Painter of Souls by Philip Kazan and more recently, Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. Each one draws you in to the story of thier protagonist and immerses you in thier world. I take inspiration from each one; Beuchner’s ability with language, Melrose’ characters, Kazan’s ability to paint a picture and Nelson… his way of writing is so brave, he breaks all conventions and in so doing draws you in. Generally I tend to read historical novels because of the richness that the past often offers and there is always something to learn.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Kitty Canham, my debut novel, is based on real events that took place in our little English backwater. She was born in 1720 to Yeoman farmers. At twenty five she married, but dissapeared two years later. I cannot say how she reappeared, that would be too much of a spoiler. I was surprise how the fiction unfolded after I asked myself one little question, ‘Why didn’t she marry until she was twenty five?’ And so I began to write a story that took eighteen months to complete. It begins in late summer as the season is changing. Little does Kitty know how her life is changing with it. This is the story of a woman who fights to make her way in a world which is pitted against a such a woman. Sometimes she succeeds and sometimes she fails as the tide of convension and the difficulties of the age, pull her into thier wake. She travels through loves, tragedies and the vagaries of London society, before she finds her happiness, but it is not without great cost. The moral dilemma she faces all but destroys her and her happiness is short lived, but somehow, the love she has known goes on.

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Featured Interview With Jessica Butler

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in New Jersey but have lived in Pennsylvania since graduating college in 2006. I reside there with my husband, 3 year old daughter and our sassy cat, Barnaby.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child and was able to take out my own stack of books at the library. I dabbled in writing in school but didn’t consider it professionally until 2020. Due to the pandemic, I was put on a leave from my current 9-5 job and instead at home 24/7 with my then 10 month old child. While she took 3 hour glorious naps each day I used that time to go to my creative place. The characters poured out of me and thus began my first novel, Sweet Pear.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Sally Thorne, Jennifer Weiner, Lisa Jewell, etc. I love a good mix of romance and mystery which is probably why I gravitated to writing in that genre as well! I’m inspired by strong women who are “perfectly flawed.”

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My Book Sweet Pear is about a woman named Elle Elverson, a mostly happily married, successful writer who wakes up one morning with a man other than her husband, Ryan laying next to her. The kicker is she knows who this man is. It’s none other than the one who broke her heart and soul whom she hasn’t spoken to in many years. Her ex-boyfriend: Josh Wilson.

With the help of her best friend, Gwen, she’s on a mission to recover the missing pieces of what happened, what life she’s entered and whom does she really desire to be in it.

Is the grass really greener on the other side or is it simply artificial?

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Featured Interview With Brittany Eldridge

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Brittany Eldridge is a self-published author and has written articles for many platforms such as the Better Because Project and Made of Millions Foundation.

She currently has seven self-published books. She’s a survivor of family dysfunction and trauma.

She was raised in NH and took dance lessons throughout her younger years.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved to read and started reading at a 5th grade level in second grade. I wrote my first self-published book October of 2019.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult, Cheryl Strayed

I love reading self-help, spirituality, memoirs and newer romance.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Butterfly That Didn’t Quit, is a children’s book about how it’s okay to be different.

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Brittany Eldridge’s Website

Featured Interview With Yann Opsitch

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Yann was born and raised in Paris France. He is the author of several works in French, including “Paroles du Christ sur la Montagne”, “La Sagesse et l’Adversité”, His most recent book in English “Dialogues on Revelation with John the apostle » was published in the United States in July 2022 by Sulis International Press (Keledei Publications).
He and his wife Rita live presently in Abilene Texas and part of the year in France.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At the age of 14 when in boarding school with nothing to do on most week ends but read, mainly Victor Hugo, Balzac, Jean Giono.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Victor Hugo (including the poetry)
Jean Giono
Marcel Proust
American writers on social issues.
Jim McGuiggan (theology)

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Hundred Years Marathon

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Yann Opsitch’s Website

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Featured Interview With Len Handeland

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Massachusetts and lived in Europe (specifically Berlin, Germany) and upstate New York (in both Elmira and Ithaca). My late father was a decorated World War II and Vietnam veteran who was a Sargent Major in the army. He made the military his career. As a result of his enlistment and being deployed to many different locations, we moved around quite a bit. Eventually, my father retired from the army, and we settled in the town of Nashua, New Hampshire. Once I graduated high school, I moved to Manhattan with a short, successful career in modeling while attending FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) to study design and fashion illustration. Later I went into the hair industry and became a highly successful and sought-after Hairstylist and Hair salon owner (with one salon in San Francisco’s Union Square and two salons up in the town of Sonoma, in the Wine Country.)

My husband and I moved to Palm Springs a year and a half ago after experiencing the harrowing Northbay fires in 2017, where we evacuated our home at 2:15 in the morning and were out of our house for nearly two weeks, not knowing whether we would have a home to return to. We love living in Palm Springs and not having the threat of wildfires looming over us.

We have two tuxedo cats named Felix and Felicia. They are siblings.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with reading and writing began at a very early age. Naturally, I read all of Dr. Seuss’s books as a child, and as I grew older, I became obsessed with reading Stephen King novels, Dean Koontz, and the late Anne Rice’s brilliant vampire chronicle books. As I became an adult and retired from hair to become a full-time author, I was drawn to writing fiction, specifically horror, whether that be vampires, ghosts, or gruesome murder crime dramas.

I started writing during my adolescence and kept a journal

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, the late Anne Rice, and Clive Barker. My favorite genre is horror, which is what I tend to write about as well.

My first book, “The Darkest Gift,” is a vampire paranormal romance novel set in Paris in the 17th and 18th centuries and Haiti and New Orleans in the 1980s. The late Anne Rice heavily influenced the writing style of my vampire book, which, unlike her vampire books, also includes paranormal activity and same-sex couples who are less ambiguous about their sexual identity and desires.
My second book “Requiem for Miriam” has been described by some readers as being compared to the writings reminiscent of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment and the writings of Mary Higgins Clark.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The latest book I’m writing is “Transplant,” which is the story of a young woman, Elizabeth Bennington, her privileged upbringing in Charlestown (outside of Boston), her loving and supportive parents, Harold and Betty, and how Elizabeth meets the man of her dreams after attempting suicide as a teenager filled with hopelessness, anxiety, and depression. Elizabeth’s father was a banker, and her mother a homemaker. Harold leaves the bank and establishes Bennington Enterprises and promises his daughter that once she’s old enough and has completed her studies, she will be welcomed by her father and join him at the firm, where she will ultimately assume the CEO position of Bennington Enterprises in Boston. Elizabeth seems to be a model child, an honor roll student, and a star athlete on her high school volleyball team. One major obstacle interferes and threatens all that is precious to the young adult and her parents. Elizabeth has dealt with a debilitating health issue since she was a small child. She was diagnosed with congenital heart problems and symptoms which ranged from dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and fainting spells, all brought on by stress, excitement, or any strenuous physical activity, especially during her tenure in her high school’s volleyball team. The young child becomes severely depressed and is sent to see a psychiatrist who prescribes antidepressants and other mood-altering medications, which does nothing for her health-related condition. As Elizabeth matures into a young woman, her health issues continue to worsen, as does her depression. Elizabeth’s grades plummet in school, she drops out of the volleyball team, becomes socially awkward, and in essence, an outcast by her peers. Seeing no other way out of her spiraling depression, she attempts suicide and almost succeeds in taking her own life. With the advice of her attending psychiatrist, Elizabeth is institutionalized for one year. She is closely monitored and given weekly sessions to deal with her anxiety and depression. Elizabeth makes progress during these sessions and is eventually allowed to leave the mental hospital under the care of her parents, Harold and Betty. She is given a new drug that appears to regulate her very irregular heartbeats and, at least temporarily, appears to have healed her condition. Her grades in high school excel once more, and she becomes an honor roll student with her depression and suicidal thoughts behind her. A year later, Elizabeth graduates from high school and furthers her education by attending the University of Boston, majoring in business management and earning an MBA; and meets the man of her dreams, Matthew Spengler; the couple later gets married. Elizabeth’s health through the birth of the couple’s daughter deteriorates to the point where Elizabeth must undergo a heart transplant. Unbeknownst to anyone is that the organ came from a serial killer who seems to have possessed his former heart altering Elizabeth’s personality and ultimately leading her to violence and mayhem with a tragic ending.

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Len Handeland’s Website

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Featured Interview With Keri Cooper

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Keri Cooper and I am a holistic psychotherapist in North Jersey. Raised in New Jersey, I am a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania. In addition to having four children, I have chickens who enjoy free ranging in my yard.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When I was young, I loved reading “Nancy Drew,” “Sweet Valley Twins” and “The Babysitters Club.” In elementary school, I could read for hours and hours. I started writing my book, “Mental Health Uncensored: 10 Foundations Every Parent Needs to Know” during COVID as I saw the mental health crisis happening with children and the need to get information to parents on how to help.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I primarily read non-fiction and mostly regarding psychology and self-help. At this point in my life, I enjoy reading to further my knowledge.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Mental Health Uncensored” explores both physical and mental foundations parents need to incorporate into their children’s lives. Most parents are overlooking how issues of dehydration and poor sleep — to name a few — are making it harder for children to have optimal mental health. Proper sleep habits such as no electronics in the bedroom and consistent sleep times in order to combat over-tired children are discussed at length.

“Mental Health Uncensored” highlights mental foundations including how important it is for parents to have boundaries with their children. Parents need to let children be responsible for their actions and not “save” them constantly. Children learning to work through small struggles and learning to do things on their own is what will ultimately develop self confidence in children. These foundations along with others create healthy mental health habits for life.

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Featured Interview With Betty Adams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Betty Adams lives in a particularly damp and remote corner of the Pacific Northwest and like a hobbit enjoys visitors so long as she knows them in advance and knows when they are coming. She was born sometime last century and will likely die sometime this century. She works winters on a small organic research farm when not writing and spends most of her time herding eccentric genius scientists (she is absolutely certain cats would be easier) with the help of her Great Pyrenees mix. Summers she spends nomadically wandering the Pacific Northwest in search of material for her stories and a regular paycheck for a biology major (she is reasonably certain those are on the Endangered Species List). She has several works published in the National Park Internal Database which may or may not be classified documents.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote my first book, and fell in love with reading, in the thrid grade under the tutalage of one Mr. McCoy.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
George MacDonald the grandfather of both SciFi and Fantasy. If Mary Shelly gave SciFi its body MacDonald gave it its soul.
I like to read a bit of everything as long as the narrative is good.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Humans are Weird: We Took a Vote” looks at what life might be like after the glamour of first contact wears off and our little green friends acutally have to deal with …us.

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Featured Interview With Fiona Forsyth

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in the south of England and now live in the north – a big deal for the UK, where the North/South divide is alive and kicking. I’ve never regretted my move up here though – I had a great job in the wonderful city of Manchester, even if it rained all the time. (My American friends tell me it’s like Seattle)
I have a strong background in Classics – Greek, Latin, and ancient history – having studied the subject at Oxford and taught it for many years. That first Greek myth you read can lead to great things. I love the twisty, sneaky politics of Rome, the way they were constantly plotting, the ruthlessness of Julius Cicero, the magnificence of Cicero’s oratory, the stupidity of Mark Antony. Rome has everything a novelist could ask for, and there are so many shadows cast by Rome on our own world.
I am otherwise a pretty ordinary person, a three-cat lady with a family, neighbors and friends. I read voraciously, cannot cook for toffee and get great satisfaction if a tomato appears on my single tomato plant.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was six when my teacher gave me Theseus and the Minotaur to read and it all led from there. I also loved all the kids’ adventure stories that were popular when I was young, and had to ask special permission from the Librarian to be allowed to borrow the Sherlock Homes stories. So a mixture of the ancient world and mystery is not very surprising!
I wrote my first story when I was five. It was about a little girl and a witch and a cat. They all liked each other, apparently, but nothing happened. I hope I have improved in my plotting since then.
Throughout my teaching of the Romans, I kept thinking, “This would make the start of a good book!” And in my fifties, I began writing the novels based on those ideas. It is never too late to write.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The author I go back to time after time is Terry Pratchett, because he always makes me laugh. He doesn’t just juggle with the English language, he makes fireworks out of words.
I am a big fan of historical fiction and mystery, so Roman mysteries such as those written by John Maddox Robert’s and Steven Saylor are big favourites. I have to acknowledge their influence on my determination to write about the Romans.
But the writers who influenced me most are the historical writers of my childhood – Geoffrey Trease and Rosemary Sutcliff. They introduced me to the people of the past, and made me realize that history really matters, if we are to learn and develop as human beings. We cannot afford to ignore history or pretend that we are “better” than the people we read about. History tells us “Keep trying”.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Blood and Shadows” is the third in a trilogy of mysteries following a real Roman, Lucius Sestius Quirinalis. It was written to explore the effect of war on the people of my books, in particular the horrible civil war battle of Philippi. So many men died and were injured, it must have had a huge impact on Rome and Italy. I also wanted to explore the period when two men, Octavian and Mark Antony, were jockeying for power, and everyone must have know that it would all lead to yet another war. No wonder, once Octavian won, Rome was prepared to accept his rule: everyone must have been exhausted and desperate for peace.
I will also admit that I cried a lot while writing this book! The characters had got under my skin, and I knew that as it was the third of the Sestius trilogy I was going to have to relinquish them. I had to keep telling myself to be sensible, to think of them as just characters in a book, but it didn’t work.

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Featured Interview With robert j. emery

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island, but now reside in Florida. My on pet is my wonderful wife.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I began writing short stories in my early teens. I don’t remember why, I just enjoyed writing, mostly one or two page short stories about what was happening back then in my life. Call me crazy. As the years went on, I began writing longer stories. Here I am all these years later have ten books published, both fiction and nonfiction.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read a lot of memoirs – Walter Cronkite’s is one of my favorites, and there are many, many more.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
America: Standing Strong is a nonfiction about what American’s have endured in the past 6-7 years, and how we can get past it and move the country forward. It took a lot of research to bring together well-know voices of reason that I use through the book. The idea for the book became an instant obsession when I decided it had to be written. I spent 14 months of research and writing and released it in E-book, Audiobook, Paperback & Hardcover to cover all the bases. I’ve recently received a great review from Kirkus Reviews that was very gratifying.

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Featured Interview With VC Williams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a native, second-generation Arizonan and history enthusiast. I left Arizona after finishing high school but returned several years ago to be closer to my folks. I’m a dog lover but I now include cats after a feral cat arrived at my door and wouldn’t go away. Since I love to travel I have no pets now, but look forward to the day when a pet will be part of my life. I live high in the mountains and enjoy four mild seasons. I lived in the Phoenix area for many years and count myself among the stout-hearted souls who have endured the blazing heat of the Arizona desert and survived. As I said, we love to travel and have been blessed to have seen many places around the world. We also have a small Class C RV that affords us entre to the endless scenic wonders of the USA.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was about five when my older sister taught me to read. Reading was my first passion and I’ve been reading constantly since then. I love all kinds of books. I remember while in the Fifth grade I read every biography in our little school library. I managed to be home from school, sick for a week, which conveniently allowed me to finish Gone With The Wind. After reading The Diary of Anne Frank when I was about 12 or 13, I decided I had to start keeping my own diary. I kept a diary off and on for many years, even into adulthood. I wrote an article published in the local newspaper when I was still in the Sixth grade. I have always loved writing and maybe even prefer writing to talking. I’ve written company newsletters, policies and procedures, employment manuals, grants, and quarterly and annual reports. Turning to fiction took some adjusting, but now the words just flow out of my head and I hope it reads as well as it feels.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of Historical Fiction, such as Marie Benedict, Tracey Chevalier, Shana Abe, and Tracey Enerson Wood. I love Jane Austin and am so sorry for her early death. There are not nearly enough books by Austen. I even read books where Jane was the heroine in mysteries! I also love biography and have consumed the heavy work of David McCullough and William Manchester among others. I have to say that I got hooked on cozy mysteries, which can be deliciously addictive, but also read Patterson, Grisham, and Connelly. The works of Louisa May Allcott and Jane Austin are my inspiration. I love the words, I love the family dynamics and I love the happy endings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Walking In Deep Sand is my first novel. This story was inspired by true events, events that are a cup of my husband’s childhood memories and two cups of my imagination after interviewing former US Foreign Service Officers and their wives and children. It is about Cynthia Jones, a headstrong, passionate woman born ahead of her time. She longs for a life full of meaning, independence, and adventure. She thinks she can find that in post-WWII France and sails away to attend college at the University in Grenoble. When her carefully laid career plans fall apart, she impulsively marries a fellow student, Geoff Stuart, a handsome Navy Vet who adores her. But instead of adventure, she finds herself the mother of two unwanted sons and keeping house for Geoff who goes off to work each day to experience life among consequential people. Her resentment builds until her unhappiness almost ruins her marriage.
When the family is finally posted to 1959 Cambodia with the US Foreign Service, Cynthia is ecstatic. She thoughtlessly shoves her sons into the care of the household help and races to make up for lost time. She signs up for flying lessons from a raffish Frenchman, Marius Gardinier, and chooses to ignore the warnings of his criminal past. She is passionate about flying and soon becomes a skilled, sought-after pilot, flying into jungle locations, including the recently rediscovered Angkor Wat. She flys Geoff and his co-workers into dangerous hunting spots, landing at dirt strips hacked from the jungle. She believes her life is complete when the Ambassador asks her to fly supplies and personnel to a remote jungle hospital founded by humanitarian Dr. Thomas Dooley. She basks in the resulting prestige and praise.
In the meantime, she is becoming more entangled with Marius and she begins to lie to Geoff about her many trips away from home. But she continues to act the part of the faithful FSO wife and attentive mother, even as the other FSO wives whisper about her continual absences.
She plans exotic safaris with Geoff, family driving vacations through Vietnam, and camping trips to pristine, secluded beaches. But she is happiest when she is alone in her plane, flying free.
After an unhappy home leave trip, when Geoff’s suspicions result in unwarranted rage with his oldest son, Cynthia begins to feel the tension and anxiety her actions have caused.
Cynthia makes a decision that she thinks will fix everything, but it backfires and her relationship with Marius takes a terrifying turn. For the first time in her life, she feels helpless and afraid. She realizes that her self-absorbed deceit has put those she thought unimportant at risk. Enveloped in a dark cloud of her own making, she must learn how to turn it all around. She has always taken the easy, convenient path without a thought for others. Can she learn to pursue a different path? Will Geoff ever trust her again or will he send her away? Can her children forgive her? If it takes the rest of her life, Cynthia is determined to try.

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Featured Interview With J.J. Matthews

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in East London but lived most of my life in the Lakes District of North-Western England. I moved back and forth between the north and south numerous times before settling in the North for the final years of my teen decade and the starting years of my adulthood. Once I finished university, I decided to go on a new adventure further into Europe and have been living in the Netherlands for the past five years.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote my first ever creative piece sometime before I was ten years old. Granted, it was a short and rather primitive piece considering it was for a school project, but I am certain that it was that project that triggered my love of literature and fiction. After this project, I specifically remember my class having to read and study Kensuke’s Kingdom, by Michael Morpurgo. This was the first book I read that I wanted to read privately. It was enthralling to say the least. After that, I became more interested in general fiction. I remember reading Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird, at the surprise of my local librarian. I didn’t start writing in earnest until 2015, when I realised I had many ideas but needed a way to let them out. I started by posting horror short stories on the creepypasta website and eventually worked my way up over the years to the full novel I have written and released earlier this year.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors right now are Stuart MacBride and Stephen King. I’ve always been a fan of Stephen King, particularly when I read Misery, but Stuart MacBride is a more recent discovery. I like a variety of different genres but my top favourites are fantasy, horror, scifi and gritty noir crime. Though I do admit I love a good mystery thriller as well.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Rise of the Old Gods is a book set in a multitude of fictional worlds, inhabited by a general population of creatures known collectively as Enders. It is their belief that they are destined to bring about the end of all existence and return everything back to the times of only the void. In this book, the young Warlock Mortius Maleos joins the school that raises young Enders, the Pendle Institute of Magic, where he must learn all about his species, his people and his powers. During his education, he learns a lot more than he bargained for as he learns about his family and of an eldritch threat that is being summoned back into the material plane to usher in the Apocalypse.

This book involves a deeply intricate and concisely crafted magic system with emphasis on incantation and rituals involving ingredients and sigil signs. It also contains a sparse and vast world with numerous other worlds built in between along with interactions between the magical and the human world. In this book there are a variety of different species, all with their own home worlds, cultures, religions, customs, features and much more. All of them either correlate alongside or are inspired by various myths, legends and folklore.

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