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 Marin Montgomery, Willow Rose, John Etzil, John Grisham, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!
What can you tell us about your new release, Urgent Justice?
Urgent Justice is the 4th book in the Jack Lamburt Vigilante Justice series. It's number 2.5, the .5's indicating novella length. Sheriff Lamburt needs to go on a road trip to investigate a missing teenager, and the only person that can help him ID the person of interest is a feisty ninety plus year old lady, the Grande Dame of the Red Barn, Frances. Man is she a handful!
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I've always loved reading mystery and action adventure stories but I'd never written anything until I was 55. I decided that I couldn't just retire in 10 years and sit around so I'd better find something that I liked doing. Writing was the first thing that came to mind, it offered everything that I was looking for: independence, make my own schedule, I could work from anywhere, etc. I didn't let the fact that I'd never written a word of fiction deter me.
What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?
Deliverance, Jaws, The Davinci Code, The Godfather, Murder on The Orient Express
Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
James Patterson, and one of the questions that I would ask him is how he structures his work with other writers.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
Asking the "What if..." questions
What is a typical day like for you?
I'm up at 5, make some coffee, and start writing right away. Since I own my own photography business I only have about an hour a day to write, then it's off to the Y for a workout and onto my real job. I can usually get a few hours of writing in on the weekends too.
What scene in Urgent Justice was your favorite to write?
The kidnapping scene where Jack must retrieve a weapon during the car ride. I love putting my characters in uncomfortable/impossible situations and figuring out a way for them to make it through them. Plus it has some good humor.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
An overall philosophy that we all have the ability to achieve what we want. Nothing to it, but to do it!
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Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Jo Watson, Meghan March, Kristen Callihan, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!
What can you tell us about your new release, Third World: Remnants?
Third World takes place far in the future, after the human race was nearly destroyed by a race of sentient synthetic parasites known as Revenants. Humans were forced to leave Earth and settle in a system of new worlds light years away from home. Years turn into centuries and human kind has all but forgotten their origins and the Revenants. For millennia, the two races have lived apart, until now. Remnants is the second book in this series, so the characters and the world have been introduced; that gives me a chance to dive a little deeper, both into the characters as well as into the world itself. I wanted to take a closer look into the history, culture, and motivations of the Revenants. Robots vs humans is a common theme in science fiction, but I wanted to make it more complicated. Revenants aren't mindless killing robots, but a new species with their own culture, art, and way of life. That said, this is still an adventure story, so there's plenty of action and witty dialog to keep things moving.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I've been a book-aholic since before I can remember, devouring every book I could get my hands on. So I think a part of me always wanted to be an author. But, for a long time, I bought into the idea that being an author was a pipe-dream. Something that was inaccessible for "normal people." It wasn't until college that I gave it any serious consideration at all. I actually wasn't even an English major at the beginning of my college career (because what can you do with an English degree anyway, right?). But I was lucky enough to take a required English class from an incredible professor that changed my mind about the degree and helped me to reawaken my passion for English and writing. I've been hooked ever since.
What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?
Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
I'd invite JK Rowling. And I'd ask her why she killed off Sirius Black, and why she did it the way she did.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
I've always thought of books as a whole universe you can carry around with you in your pocket. I love the idea of crafting worlds and creating characters that become real for people. In some ways, the characters in my stories have become like friends to me, and they help me to examine and deal with life and what it means to be human.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up early (around 5:30 or 6:00) because that's the best time for me to do my writing. Not only is it one of the few calm moments I have (I have a one-year-old), but it feels good to accomplish something meaningful before breakfast. After that I get myself ready, and help my wife to get our son up and ready for the day. Then off to work I go. I'm a trainer and curriculum developer. I create and train classes for business professionals, from new hire classes to leadership development. It's a fun job that keeps me working on a lot of different projects. One day I might spend most the day writing, another I may be filming videos, designing graphics, or in front of a class training students. After work, I spend time running around and playing with the family, which may be one of the most rewarding parts of the day. After the kid's asleep, I work out, then my wife and I get some quality time alone, which may mean talking together, watching a movie, or when we're really feeling wild and crazy, going to be early.
What scene in Third World: Remnants was your favorite to write?
I like action as much as the next guy, but my books focus on characters and relationships. As such, dialog is one of my favorite things to write. Without giving too much away, Jim (the main character) receives a life-altering revelation near the end of the first book in the series. He spends much of Remnants trying to figure out how to deal with this new information and what it could mean for his relationship with his friends. Because of his indecision, he doesn't tell them about it. There comes a point in the story when Nadya, one of his closest friends (and maybe more) finds out what he was hiding before he has the chance to tell her. It's a powerful scene that propels Jim's character forward, forcing him to decide who he wants and needs to be. It was a difficult scene to write (I think I re-wrote it at least four times), but I loved what it did for Jim's character and it made the ending of the book that much more satisfying.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
"I'm an adventurer, looking for treasure." - Paulo Cohelo, The Alchemist. There's a part in The Alchemist where the main character, Santiago, sells all he has to chase after his dream, only to lose it all in a instant. After despairing for a moment, Santiago decides that he can either go through life as a victim, jaded and bitter, or he can choose to be an adventurer, looking for treasure. After all, adventurers face more than their share of pitfalls. Life isn't perfect for anyone, and all of us will have to make that choice at one point, if we haven't already. I choose to be an adventurer, looking for treasure.
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Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Richard Easter, Mindy Tarquini, Jean Thompson, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!
Set off on an adventure to new worlds this week! This selection of new science fiction and fantasy books will surely please! Science Fiction fans should be excited about the latest from bestselling authors JL Norman, Ellen Stellar, Michael Anderle, Julie Hyzy, and more. If Fantasy is what your library needs, you’ll be able to pick up the latest from Judith Berens, Lisa Edmonds, Betsy Dornbusch, and more. Enjoy your new science fiction and fantasy books. Happy reading!
Are you an avid reader of Young Adult books? This week you are in luck! With all of these new novels, you’re bound to find a new favorite book to add to your reading list. This week includes new novels from bestselling authors Sarah J. Maas, Virginia Boecker, Jennifer Yv, and many more. Enjoy your new young adult books. Happy reading!
What can you tell us about your new release, Girl Next Door?
Girl Next Door is serial killer thriller/mystery based on a true story.
I spent a lot of time researching this killer’s mind. I watched and read interviews with an infamous serial killer and it scared me how cold and calculated he was. How he knew he was insane and was aware of what he did, but also how easy it was for him to get close to the police and trick them. Not to mention how he believed there were many more like him out there who just haven’t been caught or turned themselves in. Makes you want to lock your doors.
What books are currently on your night stand?
“What a girl needs from her Mom” by Cheri Fuller. I have two girls entering puberty and need all the advice I can get.
I am also currently reading “Bestseller” by Susan May. It’s really good.
Who is your favorite fictional character from literature?
As a child I was (and still am) madly in love with Atreyu from The Never-Ending Story. It’s my favorite book of all time and I re-read it often.
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
Jesus. Why not? I have a lot of questions.
Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?
In the ocean, surfing. Every time waves are good you’ll find me out there. It’s where I get most ideas too. When I am relaxed and just having fun.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a writer or an actress. I also had a phase when I wanted to be a singer, but I can’t carry a tune.
What scene in Girl Next Door was your favorite to write?
The one where the real killer is revealed. It’s so loaded with emotions and surprises. I truly enjoyed writing both this scene and the rest of the book. It gave me the chills though. Since a lot of it actually happened.
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Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new novels from Melineh Petrosian, Kobe Bryant, Roger Daltrey and more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!
What can you tell us about your new release, Cover Stories?
Cover Stories is a book for everyone who enjoys music and literature. I guess it’s what people would now call a “mash up”. I’ve taken 8 classic songs, from artists such as David Bowie (Space Oddity), The Beatles (Dear Prudence) and The Stones (Sympathy For The Devil) and “remixed” them as short stories. So you get to hear Major Tom’s story from Space Oddity, for example. Who he was, how he became an Astronaut (or rather, a “Starman”) and why he doesn’t seem too bothered about being lost in space. Then there’s The Rolling Stones’ devil - why exactly does he need some sympathy? I get “under the hood” of the songs, as it were and fill in the details. It’s as close to reading music as you’ll get.
Who are your literary heroes working today? Why do you admire them?
I have to say, I’ve been a fan of Stephen King since I was a teenager and still am. He has such an identifiable style, like hearing Hendrix play, or Bowie sing. You just know you’re in a King novel, even without seeing the spine of the book. I’d love my writing style to be as recognizable, so that’s why I admire him.
What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?
They tend to be factual / music books actually, although I keep revisiting Orwell’s “1984” as with every passing year, that becomes less like fiction and more scarily like fact. So, in no particular order;
“1984”
“England’s Dreaming” Jon Savage. Another book I go back to every few years. This takes you right into the world of The Sex Pistols and Punk Rock from a guy who was there. None better book about that whole time, both musically and socio-politically.
“The Last Party” - John Harris. Fast forward from punk 20 years and you get this, the finest dissection of mid ’90’s “Cool Britannia” - takes me back every time and I read this at least once a year.
“The Shining” - Stephen King. Masterpiece, nothing more to add!
“No-One Here Gets Out Alive”- Danny Sugerman. Into the dark heart of Jim Morrisson and The Doors from a writer who became their manager at the age of 16, or something stupid.
What's on your writing desk?
My writing desk is my lap, with a laptop. So, in the interests of privacy, I shall not describe any further.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
Going from a blank page to a whole book, with characters, situations and worlds that never existed into they make their way into black and white (and color in your head!)
What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?
My wife and daughter. Obvious answer, yes, but sometimes things are obvious because they are obvious, if that makes any sense in a zen kind of way. Music, too, naturally.
What scene in Cover Stories was your favorite to write?
I have to say, it’s all the devil’s speeches in “Sympathy For The Devil”. Many other writers have had fun with that character. I wasn’t the first, and I won’t be the last. Specifically, where Satan meets Jesus. You know that scene in “Heat” where De Niro and Pacino meet? That’s what I had in mind.
Richard Easter is the author of the new book Cover Stories.
Connect with Richard:
Author Website
Twitter
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