Kathryn Bywaters | Interview

Kathryn Bywaters is the author of The Past is Rising, which you can buy now. The sequel will be hitting shelves later this year, so now is the perfect time to give book one a try. You can read the first chapter on Kathryn's blog.

Before we get into the interview, here is a little more about the book:

The Past Is Rising is a compelling fantasy epic that revolves around the uprising of dark forces bent on wresting a kingdom from its rightful rulers. Several warriors will discover that their true destinies are to salvage their kingdom and defeat the rising evil.

At fourteen, Erik dreams of past glories. He was not alive when the False Kings marched against their nephew and laid siege to the city of Meraview. Now, perched on the outer wall, Erik imagines the two great armies battling on the plains outside the city. His excitement mounts as he spies a horse and rider racing to reach Meraview.

This lone messenger is Eve, cousin to the High King—and she brings troubling news. The False Kings, once again, are gaining power. When Eve leaves to spy on the False Kings, Erik and his friend Hobble follow her. Along the way, they will learn about lost regal bloodlines, battle against ancient magical forces, and make new allies in the fight against evil.

Sinister forces closely watch Erik and his new companions. Are these young people ready to face the return of the False Kings? Or will they simply be anonymous casualties in the coming war?

Interview

When did you first know you wanted to write a book?

One night when I was 10 years old, trying to sleep but being kept awake by a storm, I started to compose a poem in my head. When I finally had it right I jumped out of bed because I had to share it with my father. I loved the way it felt, making something that was mine. After that I wrote other poems and short stories. Then I started writing my first book, the prequel to The Past Is Rising, at age 12; I finished it at 17. My family had moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia and I think being exposed to a very foreign environment helped push my imagination to dream of new worlds.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a pantser for sure! I have no idea where the story is going until my fingers are typing the words. However, in life I would have to say I’m a little of both. I love lists and planning but would also never let a spur of the moment opportunity go to waste. I believe the Yiddish have it right with their adage, “Man plans, and God laughs.”

Have any of your characters been inspired by people that you know?

Aspects of some of the characters most definitely have been inspired by people I know. For example, the fiery strength of my sister can be seen in Ann. Situations and places in my life have also inspired moments throughout the book.

Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to other readers?

Lord of the Rings, I think, will always be my favorite. Umberto Eco’s Baudolino, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night's Dream are all masterpieces. If you are looking for a fun, easy read: Hunger Games, Harry Potter and lately I’ve really been liking Sarah Maas.

What is one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?

If it is what you truly love doing, do it. It’s hard work and very time consuming but so are most things worth doing in life. So, do what you love and it will all seem worth it.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

I’m more of a go to the park and lie on the grass or turn off the lights and light candles type of writer. As I write it’s like a movie starts playing in my head and sometimes I can’t write fast enough to keep up. Even if I had music on, once I started writing I don’t think I’d even hear it.

What inspired you to write fantasy?

Lord of the Rings and visiting palaces in Russia and castles in the South of France. The idea of kings and queens became real to me. I started imagining what it would be like if that was how the world was still governed. In the South of France there are legends of the Knights Templar and each castle has its own story. I think hearing about the tales of the Knights Templar and the Albigensian Crusade illuminated the good versus evil dichotomy – the struggle is real!

What type of research is involved in your writing?

At this point none, just imagination and inspiration but I do have some ideas for historical fiction that I would like to write.

If your book was being adapted for the screen, who would you want to play the leading role(s)?

Oh that’s a hard one! I’m not really an actor buff and don’t follow what’s going on in Hollywoord but I’ll give this a try…

Keira Knightley - Eve

Kristin Kreuk – Sarah

Emma Watson– Ann

Christopher Hemsworth – Aeron

Jesse Williams – Reddoc

A young Josh Hutcherson - Erik

Kill Shot~Susan Sleeman | Review

Title: Kill Shot (White Knights #2)
Author: Susan Sleeman
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 336 Pages
Release: February 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Review

When you begin a Susan Sleeman book, get ready for a thrilling ride! She hits the ground running with pulse-pounding excitement and continues throughout the book without giving you a chance to get off this powerful roller coaster ride of suspense.

Sleeman has created a great cast of characters for this book, her second in the White Knights series. These men and women are FBI agents who have all served in the military, and now they work to bring down criminals of the worst sort. The author keeps the reader invested in her characters from the first page, even the secondary ones.

There are two main characters, Olivia and Rick. Dr. Olivia Dobbs is a Christian therapist who counsels mainly ex or current military who suffer from PTSD. When her last patient is murdered nearly right in front of her eyes, the FBI team, White Knights, are called in. There is something indeed very ominous about this case or the regular police would have handled it. A serious threat to national security is in play here and the agents are in a race against time to track down the culprits before there are unimaginable consequences. Agent Rick Cannon, fighting demons of his own, is assigned to guard Dr. Dobbs because she is in the line of fire as well. He doesn't trust her and believes she is involved in this case.

Storm Front~Susan May Warren | Review

Title: Storm Front (Montana Rescue #5)
Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 336 Pages
Release: May 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Susan May Warren continues the story of Montana’s PEAK Rescue team members in “Storm Front,” which focuses on former chopper pilot Ty Remington and journalist Brette Arnold.

Ty is still struggling to find his role in life. He feels like he’s just the muscle and go-getter for PEAK, feeling deeply inadequate and inefficient. And he still struggles with the fact that the woman he fell madly in love with, Brette, has walked out of his life without one single look back.

But what he doesn’t realize is that Brette, who is currently working with a storm chasing group as a photographer and blogger, has had struggles of her own — devastating struggles that she feels she must face on her own.

When the two are brought together after a devastating tornado in Minnesota, can they put aside their fears and doubts to help friends — new and old — find missing loved ones? And can they come together in truth and honesty to build a relationship?

“Storm Front” is an action-packed, heart-thumping novel that quite simply is difficult to put down. With devastatingly powerful storms, missing people and search parties, it also includes toe-curling romance.
Once again Susan May Warren develops incredibly real and relatable characters — filled with doubts, fears, insecurities, hopes and lack of hope, and just about every other imaginable flaw. It deals with overcoming great loss, and she also does a brilliant job of not only providing an incredible story, but also teaching amazing lessons.

The main theme, as the title hints at, deals with weathering the storms of life, and how each of us chooses to weather those storms. She reminds us to “accept the storm and ride it out without a whimper”. “Storm Front” reminds us that we must look past the storm and find the sunshine, or the hope, in each situation.

And through Brette’s personal battles, this novel also hits on the topic of beauty, both inner and outer, and the difficulty in finding the beauty in ourselves.

This is the fifth book in a series, but could be read as a standalone, although I would highly recommend reading the rest of the books. However, I do feel Warren offers enough background if this is your first experience with the Montana Rescue series.

The Crooked Staircase~Dean Koontz | Review

Title: The Crooked Staircase (Jane Hawk #3)
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Thriller
Length: 462 Pages
Release: May 2018

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review

This third installment in the Jane Hawk series keeps the action amped up as Jane continues to hunt down members of the secret organization that is slowly overtaking the world with its control mechanism that turns even the most willful individuals into slaves. All it takes is a round of three injections and your mind is no longer yours. 

These books are frightening because they are realistic. It does not seem that far fetched to imagine a world where corrupt people with a little power have developed a way to control the population. This adds an eerie quality to the story, particularly when you end up in the head of one of these "adjusted" people and are privy to their reactions. 

There were a lot of heartbreaking moments within this installment. At this point, it's amazing that Jane can keep going. And the woman is only twenty-seven years old. Her well of hope seems to have an endless spring, and she is going to need it. 

One thing that I appreciate is that Koontz has written a strong woman, who is extremely capable, but doesn't make it so that she can take on fully grown men with ease. He shows her struggle to fight against men and women alike and it's often her training that gets her out of situations, which is always a good thing. She is not superhuman, but she is well trained and is fighting for the good of the world and her family. 

My main criticism of this series is that it seems never ending. There are already at least two more books announced and I don't see how the story can be wrapped up satisfactorily. If anyone can do it, Koontz can, but I'm eager to see the end of this journey. They are emotional rides and the end of this one has me sweating.