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Interview with Paul C.R. Monk, Author of Call of Freedom (The Huguenot Chronicles Book 4)

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Call of Freedom (The Huguenot Chronicles Book 4)?

The inspiration for my series came during a unique period of my life when I was living in Montauban, France. It was there that I stumbled upon a journal from the 17th century, which became the foundation of my story. The historical setting of Montauban, which hasn't changed much since that time, provided the perfect backdrop for my research. Despite being engrossed in my work as a scriptwriter, the story of Jacob and Jeanne stayed with me for 20 years, maturing over time. This allowed me to infuse the narrative with rich, on-site research from the actual locations featured in the book, such as Montauban and other key sites. During my travels, I had the privilege of speaking with local historians and experts, which helped ensure the historical accuracy of the details. While writing this latest edition to the series, I had the honour to correspond with a leading historian who kindly penned the foreword. My goal is to immerse readers in the world of Jacob and Jeanne Delpech, making them feel like they are truly part of that era, while keeping as close to the historical aspects as I possibly can. I am so glad that their journey in this culminating novel takes them to America.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Call of Freedom (The Huguenot Chronicles Book 4), what would they be?

While the book isn't centred on religion, the main characters are Huguenots, so psalms sung beautifully in French would be fitting as their theme music. These hymns reflect the cultural and historical context of the characters, adding depth to their experiences and struggles. However, on a more personal note, I find myself to be a bit of a romantic, and during the writing process, I often listened to Chopin. His music, with its emotional depth and delicate compositions, perfectly encapsulated the moods and nuances I wanted to convey in the story. That said, I also have a soft spot for rock music! The energy and passion of rock can be inspiring and invigorating, providing a different kind of creative boost. So, while psalms and classical pieces might set the scene for the characters, sometimes a good rock anthem is just what I need to get into the writing groove!

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I have a deep love for historical novels, enjoying works by authors such as Alexandre Dumas, Nora Lofts, Ken Follett, Edward Rutherfurd, Tracy Chevalier, and Hilary Mantel, who are some of my favorites. I've learned so much from them; their ability to weave intricate stories into rich historical settings is truly inspiring. However, my reading tastes are quite diverse. I enjoy everything from fantasy to psychological thrillers, and even memoirs that focus on self-discovery, such as "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Life of Pi." While historical fiction is my primary genre as a writer, I draw inspiration from a wide range of genres, which helps enrich my storytelling.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I don't have a single favorite scene; each one is crafted with the same passion and intent. My primary goal is to make every scene feel authentic and real, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters and their experiences. I want the main characters to feel like friends to the readers, individuals they genuinely care about.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I wouldn't say I have any particularly quirky habits, but I do have a few "writerly" necessities. For starters, I require a peaceful environment—no barking dogs, creaking doors, or mysterious noises from the neighbour's DIY attempts. While some writers thrive in the hustle and bustle of a café, I find I need solitude to connect fully with my characters. However, I do indulge in a few rituals: a perfectly brewed latte and a pain aux raisins, shared with my wife, are essential to my creative process. You could say they're my version of "writer's fuel," and they're the only distractions I'll happily accept!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I don't adhere to a specific motto, but my guiding principle is to always try my best and keep pushing forward. I believe that you only truly fail when you stop trying, so perseverance is key.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The message I'd like readers to take away is a reflection on the perseverance of the people who brought so much to their countries of adoption. Through my books, I aim to honour their legacy and encourage readers to remember and appreciate their contributions.

Paul C. R. Monk is the author of the new book Call of Freedom (The Huguenot Chronicles Book 4)

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Interview with JP Wilder, Author of The Crusader

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Crusader: The Complete Series (Books 1 to 4)?

The Crusader Series was born out of my love for historical fiction and epic fantasy. I’ve always been fascinated by the gritty and grand tales of medieval Europe. Add a dash of dark fantasy, and you get a rich, immersive world where faith, duty, and personal redemption play key roles. It's a blend of my obsession with history and my passion for exploring the human psyche during turbulent times.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Crusader: The Complete Series (Books 1 to 4), what would they be?

I have a bit of a Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac obsession, so for Edweene the Lych, "Sisters of the Moon" by Fleetwood Mac is perfect. It captures her mysterious and powerful nature. Aaron could have "Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits playing in the background, reflecting his loyalty and inner struggles.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genres to read are epic fantasy and gothic horror. I love diving into dark, atmospheric tales that pull you into their world. Reading in these genres helps me to create sometimes dark, complex characters and immersive settings that blend heroism, something we seemed to have lost in fiction, with gritty, and dark themes.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Let's get weird with my TBR pile! Every year, I re-read "Dracula" because you can never have too much of the Count. I'm also working through a mountain of pulp favorites like Conan, Lovecraft, and Poe. Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser are waiting for another visit, and one of these days, I'm going to tackle the last few books of the behemoth that is the Wheel of Time series. But, what I am really looking for are some indy or small press authors to support.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably impossible to say. I like the struggles between Aaron and Edweene in general--their relationship, Aaron's commitment to his faith, and the trouble and complexity that comes with their attachment to each other. From an action standpoint, one of my favorite scenes to write was Edweene's confrontation with the necromancer. The tension was palpable, the stakes were high, and the deep emotional undercurrents allowed me to really delve into her character's complexities and motivations.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Absolutely! As mentioned before, I'm a bit obsessed with Stevie Nicks, so I write to her darker, ethereal stuff. Her voice helps me escape where I am and enter some different, fantastic place. I don’t write in big blocks of time and often multitask between stories. Sometimes I write at work to escape whatever stressor I have at the moment, or during lunch. Writing is a constant draw for me, but it comes in bits and pieces. I can write large swaths of a story in a day, but it will be in little blocks, with cookies, coffee, and roast beef sandwiches in between.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

This is hard. I am not usually a "quotes to live by" person. But there is a line in Bram Stoker's "Dracula" from Van Helsing, when he is encouraging Jonathan, Arthur, Quincy and John, to go after the count with him, where he says: "But we are face to face with duty; and in such case must we shrink? For me, I say, no; but then I am old, and life, with his sunshine, his fair places, his song of birds, his music, and his love, lie far behind. You others are young. Some have seen sorrow; but there are fair days yet in store. What say you?" I think this idea of heroism in the face of darkness, there is risk, and sacrifice, but light will win out if we do our duty (in the moral sense) and face the darkness, is great. So much entertainment today is nihilistic. But hope in the face of challenge and risk is a better message. One can have a dark, gritty story, and not be resolved to misery in the end.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers remember the resilience and complexity of the characters. Their struggles with faith, identity, and redemption are central to the story. If readers can take away a sense of inspiration from the characters' journeys to persevere, adapt, and even evolve, when odds are set against them, or their faith and beliefs are challenged, I'd view that as a success.

JP Wilder is the author of the new book The Crusader: The Complete Series (Books 1 to 4)

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Interview with S.M. Warlow, Author of Prisoner

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Prisoner (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Book 3)?

Much like the previous entries in the Tales of the Phoenix Titan series, Prisoner is a very different book. Heritage was, at its core, an adventure. Invidious was a heist that evolved into a thriller. Prisoner is a mix of survival, action, and investigation, but it also touches on some dark themes that set it apart from the prior books. That being said, it's still set against the same epic sci-fi backdrop, but everything is a little more grim this time around. For me, this was about writing a story that would place our heroes in a challenging situation, advance the world-building, and provide some big dramatic moments while closing off certain open threads. I guess that was my core inspiration going into this book; I wanted it to feel like a bookend within the wider series and give the reader some closure and a little intrigue as to how it will all progress into volume 4 and beyond.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Prisoner (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Book 3), what would they be?

Like I said, Prisoner is a pretty dark and brooding read. I tried to explore themes of isolation, the morality of choices, betrayal, loss of faith, corruption, and escaping one's demons, so any music that goes with it would need to evoke those somewhat hopeless sentiments. Right now, I'm listening to a bunch of soundtracks while writing, so for that reason, I'll pick "The Night King" by Ramin Djawadi. It's an intense track that captures the gravity of significant actions and has an overall moody feel.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

While I love to write sci-fi, I'm more than happy to branch out into crime, fantasy, comedy, adventure, and all the rest. I've even recently dipped my toe into the cozy genre with Travis Baldree's Legends and Lattes (which is an incredibly well-written yarn). For me, if the characters and world are well-written and not one-dimensional, I'm quite open to exploring various genres.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm delighted to be reading my most anticipated book of 2024, The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey. I adored The Expanse and consider that series one of my biggest inspirations for prose. To say I was excited to get my hands on their new book would be an understatement! I then have a backlog of about 30 books on the TBR pile, including but not limited to: The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, Shogun by James Clavell, Dark Frontier by Matthew Harffy, and Falling by T.J. Newman. I've also been compelled to finally start Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Writing the final 25% of Prisoner was a real highlight for me. It's full of dramatic moments that were incredibly satisfying to get out of my head and down onto paper. There will be significant ramifications from these pivotal character moments that will go on to define future books in the series.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Generally, no... I don't believe so, anyway. At times, I've needed to rely on music to concentrate, and at other times, I've needed pure silence to get through those tough moments.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

So, I'll happily admit that this book was incredibly tough to write at times. There were some hard characters and scenes where I had to psych myself up to get in the zone and push through. During those times, I referred back to my modern get-through-writing handbook, About Writing by Gareth L. Powell. In that book, Powell offers a line of brutal advice, which for me is like motivation in liquid concentrate form: "Just write the f*cking thing."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Ultimately, I hope readers walk away feeling both satisfied with the journey and eager for what comes next. I hope they experience a deep and engaging story that not only wraps up significant arcs but also sets the stage for exciting new developments for future volumes.

S.M. Warlow is the author of the new book Prisoner (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Book 3)

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Interview with Stephen Deck, Author of Land of the Story Tellers

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Land of the Story Tellers?

I’ve been a writer since grade school. I began writing stories many years ago. A writer’s job is to write. It’s in our blood. When the count reached over 20 stories, it was then I formed the path to publish my book.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Land of the Story Tellers, what would they be?

As there are 24 stories in this collection, it would not be fair to the protagonists to select a single story.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre is always fiction. That’s my love in reading books and short stories.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Books on my night table: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. The Open Boat by Stephen Crane.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Scenes in my book are through the 24 stories. I love all the scenes, for I can become hundreds of characters in writing such a large collection of stories.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My habits of writing are set in stone and will never change: Write the first inspirations on white paper with a blue ink pen; run the drafts through my typewriter, where I can see the words forming in the striking of iron keys; complete the story inside my Mac computer in Pages.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Work hard, be thankful for your gifts, and turn off the television.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

They become a fan of short stories.

Stephen Deck is the author of the new book Land of the Story Tellers

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Interview with Hanna Hasl-Kelchner, Author of Seeking Fairness at Work

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Seeking Fairness at Work: Cracking the New Code of Greater Employee Engagement, Retention & Satisfaction?

Unlike other books about management and leadership, I wanted to honor the worker perspective on low employee engagement while also offering a more comprehensive, yet practical, framework executives, managers, and business owners could use to address engagement, retention, and employee satisfaction issues. Over the years, as a business strategist and attorney, frustrated employees shared their feelings of helplessness and anger with me many times about their organization’s willful blindness to management behaviors that torched their dignity, confidence, and psychological safety. I’ve witnessed the transformation of enthusiastic new hires into zombie employees reluctant to raise their hands out of fear of retaliation. And I’ve also seen how low employee engagement is a persistently stubborn problem globally.

According to Gallup's annual State of the Workplace surveys employee engagement rates fluctuate from year-to-year in the 30-something percent range. It means 70-something percent of employees were disengaged to some degree. That’s huge. If you were still in school and had only 30-something correct answers on a test you’d receive a failing grade. Management can do better. Since employees are never more gung-ho about work than on their first day at a new job, it occurred to me that phrasing the problem as “employee engagement” puts the onus on employees to shape up when in reality diminished engagement is a reaction to management’s use of power in the workplace.

As adults, we’ve been conditioned to believe that just because life isn’t fair the workplace doesn’t need to be fair either. That’s a myth. Fairness at work isn’t charity. It’s smart business. Think for a moment about trust. How much can you trust an individual or organization that isn’t fair? Exactly. Fairness matters in multiple ways.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Seeking Fairness at Work: Cracking the New Code of Greater Employee Engagement, Retention & Satisfaction, what would they be?

The theme from Mission Impossible.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Nonfiction business books.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The upcoming 3rd edition of Help Them Grow, or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Still Want.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Chapter 3: How Power Changes Everything was my favorite chapter to write.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I find inspiration to be the most difficult thing to schedule. I’ve been known to fire up my computer at 3 or 4 a.m. if an idea wakes me up, and then crawl back to bed once it’s saved.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

As Einstein once said, "We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

With more fairness at work, everyone wins.

Hanna Hasl-Kelchner, MBA, JD is the author of the new book Seeking Fairness at Work: Cracking the New Code of Greater Employee Engagement, Retention & Satisfaction

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Interview with Jenni Ogden, Author of Dancing with Dragons

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dancing with Dragons?

My inspiration for ‘Dancing with Dragons’ was a combination of seeing a photo of my granddaughter, then aged 14, caught by the lens of her mother’s camera in an arabesque as she danced in her blue bathing suit on a remote New Zealand beach. The second inspiration is my love of wild places and the sea, and concern for coral reefs especially, symbolized by the rare dancing weedy seadragons only found in the southern waters of Australia. (Watch this short David Attenborough video to see a pair dancing.) My granddaughter is now a professional contemporary ballet dancer (loving the freedom that gives her over classical ballet).

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Dancing with Dragons, what would they be?

Theme songs: The Swan Theme from Swan Lake, as Gaia, my 18-year-old protagonist was dancing to this when 11-year-old Jarrah, a lonely orphaned Aboriginal boy, first saw her… ‘He watched, enchanted, as she twirled and leapt and spun and glided back and forth across the sand where the low tide had left it hard and damp. She hovered and stopped, her bare right leg long and straight, its foot arched above her tippy toes, her back and left leg a curved new moon, balanced like a bowl in the blue, her left foot pointed and as high as her head. One arm was a swan’s neck reaching for the sky, the other a swan’s wing. But most beautiful of all was her face, eyes closed, worshipping the sun.’ (This description describes the photo of my granddaughter, exactly!)

The second theme music would be the Irish Jig, the joyful music that Seamus, the Irish rover who burst into their lives, danced to.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Accessible literary fiction and ‘Book Club’ fiction, especially about family (in the widest sense) and bringing up deep moral issues for the characters and readers to contemplate. These are also the stories I try to write. My big-selling, well-awarded novel “A Drop in the Ocean” set on a coral island, had very similar themes (finding a family and marine conservation) but the main characters were in their 40s and 50s.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am an avid reader of a wide cross-section of genres. On my TBR list now are ‘Playground’ by Richard Powers, ‘Sisters Under the Rising Sun’ by Heather Morris, and ‘Sweet Sorrow’ by David Nicholls.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

This is hard to answer; every scene must be important to the story and thus in some ways the favorite at the time. But I think my favorite scene would be Chapter 7, where Jarrah discovers Gaia dancing on the beach. Here I wanted to convey this lonely boy, with his club foot and his amazing sensory abilities, limping through the wild Australian bush and coming upon a fairy, dancing on the beach. It begins like this:

“The boy stood still, the tendons stretched tight along one side of his skinny neck. He listened. Music, coming and going like waves licking a shore, whispering, soaring, dancing. He’d never heard music like this before. Not like the loud beat of the insistent songs the other kids at the children’s home danced to; not like the hypnotic dirge of the didgeridoo Hannah sometimes let him and the other kids listen to on the special new CD player in the common room. Jarrah swayed side to side, his ears picking out the warm wind sighing high above him in the tops of the tall gum trees, the rustles of the tiny feet of lizards and insects in the dry leaves around his bare feet, the whistles and screeches and melodious calls of the birds darting like jewels through the bushes, the lull and swish of waves on a beach somewhere in front of him. The music wove in and out of all the familiar sounds, making his small body throb with a desire to dance.”

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Don’t have any. But I do a lot of my creative thinking while walking along (or lying on!) our deserted and stunningly beautiful beach.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I think it is simply “be kind” (to other living things and our planet).

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Here I will simply give you two of the ‘quotes’ I had in the novel:

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” ― Rumi

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” —Robert Swan

Jenni Ogden is the author of the new book Dancing with Dragons

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Interview with Michael Berk, Author of Mission 37

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Mission 37?

I enjoy history, historical fiction, and espionage thrillers. I have thought about writing a book for a long time so I finally decided to write a book in the espionage thriller genre with historical figures. As I am a physician, I decided to use the medical angle in the book as it is something that I am familiar with. I also have traveled to several of the countries in the book. I also thought that it would be a fun challenge.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I enjoy history, both fictional and nonfiction. I also like espionage thrillers from authors like Daniel Silva, Tom Clancy, Steve Berry, and John LeCarre.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Death in Cornwall by Daniel Silva; The Chaos Agent by Marc Greaney.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I enjoyed writing the scene where Monroe meets Winston Churchill. I have always admired Churchill and tried to imagine meeting him myself. I also liked writing the final scene at Lake Temagami, as I have spent many summers there.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

You can do or be anything you want.

Michael Berk is the author of the new book Mission 37

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Interview with AJ Lewis, Author of The Domain of the Moon

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Domain of the Moon?

In the series, the concept of honor is explored in different ways. One of the themes in The Domain of the Moon is Muhammad’s honorable marriage to Hurriya; one that presents a stark contrast to the marriage, under false pretenses, of Zainab to a crude corsair captain. Though the story is set over two hundred years ago, it resonates clearly with modern ideals.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love an epic adventure, whether it takes place in the present, past, or future. I guess that indicates a preference for escapism. In my early reading, Kenneth Robert’s Northwest Passage led me to read all of his work about colonial America. That led me to James Fenimore Cooper, and then to the series of colonial times by Alan Eckert.

I also like sci-fi when it illustrates truths about the present. As an example, I was captivated by the Empire Games series: Tales of the Merchant Princes Universe, by Charles Stross. But my fascination with the genre began with early Vonnegut, Jose Farmer, Roger Zelazny, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert, and the rest.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My list continues to grow. For the past twenty years, I’ve read an average of seventy novels each year. Next up will be Exiles by Cary Groner, The Lost Colony by Elina Shapiro, Fall Down Dead by Stephen Booth, Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson, and so many more.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I might answer that by stating stoically “the last scene” but that would be insincere. Instead, I can honestly say that I enjoy editing and rewriting, and editing and rewriting again and again; polishing a manuscript until it shines, and then only after hearing from beta readers and editors so that I can finish sentences, paragraphs, and chapters with confidence.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I find inspiration in water. While some people sing in the shower, I wait for insights into characters to fall on my head with drops of water. A quiet swimming pool serves the same function quite nicely.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

As many authors have said: I believe the aim of fiction is to describe the world, not to inform it. And the code I write by was articulated elegantly by D. L. Doctorow: "Facts are the images of history, just as images are the facts of fiction."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That’s simple! Remember to go out and buy the next book in the series. And that’s because the books keep getting better! Ha ha!

AJ Lewis is the author of the new book The Domain of the Moon

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Interview with John Borden, Author of Your Mindset is Your Reality

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Your Mindset is Your Reality?

Well, this book is about me, John Borden. And you may ask yourself, "Who TF is that, and why should I care?" And the answer to that is simple - I was just an average dude, caught up in a number of the soul-sucking endeavors of young adult culture. Alcohol, cocaine, sex, and immediate pleasure-seeking in any form controlled my life. But an experience with magic mushrooms showed me that I have a great deal more to offer the world, and I started to reform my life around the new vision for myself that I had created. Over the span of a month, I was able to address every aspect of my being and choose what should stay and what needed to go. By the end of my journey, I had become a completely different person.

I want to share my story because psilocybin carries an immense capacity to help mankind, but due to archaic laws and social stigma, society has not quite caught on yet. I want to help bring awareness to the positive potential contained within these little brown mushrooms, because I know there are a bunch of others out there who are just like I was - dealing with mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, PTSD or just struggling to find purpose in our immediate-gratification-obsessed world. Reading my story may provide the spark to develop some internal strength to address their shortcomings and grow stronger through a bit of hard work and maybe some help from mother nature.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I had not been a reader before my psilocybin experience, going over a decade between the last book I had read. But my new lease on life allowed me to decide how to dedicate my time and a large portion of that has gone to personal development readings. Books like “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck,” “You Are a Badass,” and “How to Win Friends and Influence People” are a few of my favorites.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The next titles on my list are “Read People Like a Book” by Patrick King and “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Mate.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the one detailing how I found a connection with the Creator for the first time. It is heartfelt, includes a fun story from my childhood that I had not considered for years, and ultimately was a major turning point in my life. I mean I found God! What can be more impactful than that?!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Well, not really a quirky habit, but I wrote a good amount of my book while hammocking by the water in downtown St Petersburg. Nothing like having some birds, squirrels, dolphins and manatees to keep you company and get those creative juices flowing!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The easy answer would be the title of the book - Your Mindset is Your Reality - but I’ll skip that and use one that has stuck with me for over a decade: Be where your feet are. It simply means to be present and attentive to the current moment. Focus on the now, and give your absolute best to whatever it is that you are currently striving towards!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

You, and you alone, are responsible for your life. You can choose to be who you want to be, strive towards any goal that fires you up, and see the world exactly as you want to see it. It all starts with taking responsibility for everything that happens in your life. The good, the bad, the ugly. Develop the mindset required to own responsibility and you will control your reality through intentional thought and action.

John Borden is the author of the new book Your Mindset is Your Reality

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | August 13

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including AJ Lewis, Michael Berk, and more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!