Leaning into his experience as a preeminent international lawyer, Born weaves an exciting tale that spans Africa, the Middle East and Europe in a relentless pursuit of WWII Nazi intel that will enthrall the reader from the first page.
The File
Enter Sara West, a tenacious botany graduate student on a scientific expedition in the heart of the African jungle. During her research, she stumbles upon a cache of WWII Nazi files in the wreck of a German bomber hidden deep within the jungle. Those hidden files reveal the location of a multibillion-dollar war chest, secretly deposited by the Nazis in numbered Swiss bank accounts at the end of WWII.
But Sara isn’t the only one interested in the war chest. Former KGB agent Ivan Petronov and Franklin Kerrington III, deputy director of the CIA, both have deeply personal reasons for acquiring the files Sara has found.
With two dangerous men — and their teams of hit men — on her trail, will Sara be able to escape the jungle alive?
The File by Gary Born Release date March 28, 2323
6 QUESTIONS WITH GARY BORN
How did having a background in international law shape the planning and execution of this novel?
One of the central themes of the novel involves secret Swiss bank accounts, holding Nazi deposits from World War II. My practice in international law has involved both Swiss bank accounts and WWII assets, which provided vital background for this aspect of the thriller.
You tackle a lot of settings throughout the book, how do you do research to write about different settings and countries? Do you pull from your own personal travel experiences?
I have traveled almost everywhere in the world, for both work and pleasure. I drew on hikes in Uganda and Congo, on road trips in the Sahara, travels in Italy and many weeks in Zurich for the settings in the book. It is never easy to capture the heart and soul of a place in a few sentences, but these travels helped me along the way.
“A thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing thriller with a captivating young, beautiful American botanist at the center of the fast paced action. Rooting for Sara West as she evades a Russian assassination team through the dense jungles of central Africa – her expedition experience and wits her only weapons in a race to safety - will keep you up past your bedtime. Can Sara trust CIA operative Jeb Fisher or will the likable, attractive American also betray her trust? This well written adventure will take Sara from the rainforests of central Africa to the shores of north Africa and on to the cobbled streets of Europe as she struggles to identify friend from foe. Is it all a trap? The suspense will keep you guessing and eagerly awaiting a sequel…..”– Gina Haspel, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Sara is a 28 year old graduate student, why did you decide to write a main character with significantly different life experiences then your own?
Sara’s experience isn’t that different from mine, in some important ways. I spent time in the Ruwenzori mountains — without killers on my trail, to be sure — when I was Sara’s age. And I have a daughter who is also from Sara’s generation. I think the character has some of both my daughter and myself in her.
Did you conduct any kind of research to help write the book?
I spent time researching Nazi warplanes and Tempelhof; walked the streets of Zurich, imagining chase scenes; spent a few days in Lucca and the surrounding area, developing Jeb and Sara’s time there. I also researched what FSS and FSB operatives would and wouldn’t have been good at — thoughts that I passed along to Sara for her use.
What do you hope the readers take away from your book?
Many things, but especially Sara’s determination and resilience, even when nothing seemed possible. Her objectivity and resourcefulness. The complexity of Sara and Jeb’s relationship, as it unfolds. Sara’s reactions to her father’s death and fiance’s betrayal. The different forms of malice and evil that Petronov and Kerrington personified, and Sara’s responses to that.
“A taut globe-trotting thriller, as American and Russian intelligence operatives race to hunt down the discoverer of a long-buried secret, told with eloquence and ruthless efficiency.” – George Nolfi, screenwriter, “The Bourne Ultimatum”
What projects are you working on next?
Another thriller — “The Priest” — a former Mafia enforcer is posted abroad after giving up his life of mayhem and becoming a priest; by chance, he befriends a former high-ranking general, whose deathbed confession and will sends the priest in search of documents that would reshape the map of Asia, while chased by intelligence services intent on stopping the priest in his tracks.
The File by Gary Born will be available March 28, 2323.
Author Bio:
About the Author
Gary Born is widely regarded as the world’s preeminent authority on international commercial arbitration and international litigation. He has been ranked for more than 20 years as one of the world’s leading international arbitration advocates and authors. “The File” is his debut novel.
Hope and Fortune by Marissa Bañez gives a lost little girl an adventure with a message. As Esperanza must continue through the forest she’s become lost in she meets 12 fairies who teach her lessons each of us could take to heart fora better us and a better world.
First, the art in the book is beautiful. Not in an overly artistic manner but one that should appeal to a younger reader but also give a bit of nostalgia to an adult that might be reading the story to a child. I got the feel of watching certain shows with my own son, when he was little. (Not so little any longer.)
The chosen fairies, each with a certain quality for a better person are appropriate and the fairies are inclusive of all types and parts of society we don’t normally see in the vast majority of children’s books.
The rhyming scheme of the text is fun but also educational. Larger words are used at times but once one gets the first word, then they can easily figure out the second rhyme.
I give Hope and Fortune a 4 out of 5 stars.
You may find Hope and Fortuneby Marissa Bañez at just about every online outlet including:
A first-generation immigrant to the U.S. from the Philippines, Marissa Bañez is a graduate of Princeton University and a lawyer licensed to practice in New York, California and New Jersey. She has published legal articles for the prestigious New York Law Journal and the American Bar Association, but her true passion for writing lies in her children’s stories. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Her childhood was filled with many original stories and puppet shows made up entirely by her mom. In her free time, Marissa likes to travel, design and make clothes, cook, binge-watch Star Trek shows and Korean dramas, and occasionally strum a guitar.
She is currently working on her second book, Hues and Harmony (How the Singing Rainbow Butterfly Got Her
Colors), a story about mixed or multiracial children, self-discovery, and respect for others as told through the
life and adventures of a caterpillar. It is scheduled for publication on July 20, 2023.
Sylvia Wilson, a bar owner in St. Louis, Missouri, arrives at work to discover the body of an ex-police officer in her locked bar. The police focus on her as their primary suspect, so she decides to launch her own investigation into the dead man and his accomplices. But when the killer sends her clear messages that she and her loved ones are on his radar, she knows it’s just a matter of time before someone ends up dead.
On the Sly! by Wendy Koenig
11 Questions with Wendy Koenig
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
Most people have great stories in their pasts. I borrow ideas from those and mix them up a bit. Also, the news fills in the blanks pretty well.
There are many mystery books out there. What makes yours different?
My main character is a kick-ass woman with no special education or training. She just doesn’t stop.
How did you do research for your book?
I grew up about an hour from St. Louis, so I just took a trip home. Kicked around the city a bit to let the feel of it flow through me.
If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
I think Karen Gillan would make a great Sylvia. She’s funny, uber smart, and tough as nails.
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?
This book was completely different when I first wrote it. When I finished, I just didn’t like it, so I started cutting, rearranging and adding. Love the final edition. It took about a year longer than I like, though.
What advice would you give budding writers?
Don’t stop. Don’t even take a long break. Momentum is hard to pick up again. Write what your heart tells you, but make sure you finish what you start.
What genre do you write and why?
Mystery and some science fiction. I love mysteries, but I grew up on SF.
Which authors inspired you to write?
Lee Child, Robert A Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Michael Connelly, Vonda McIntyre, Brandon Sanderson, Kathy Reichs.
What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
I joined the US Air Force right out of high school.
Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
Neil Diamond. What a voice!!!
What is your next project?
I’m rewriting the next book in the series and scribbling occasional paragraphs for the third. I also have a science fiction book on the go.
You may purchase On The Sly: A Sylvia Wilson Mystery at Amazon.
Wendy Koenig
About the Author
Wendy Koenig is a published author living in New Brunswick, Canada. Her first piece to be printed was a short children’s fiction, Jet’s Stormy Adventure, serialized in The Illinois Horse Network. She attended University of Iowa, honing her craft in their famed summer workshops and writing programs. Since that time, she has published and co-authored numerous books and has won several international awards.
A child who loses her way seeks help from 12 multi-cultural and multi-generational fairies, who give her practical life advice to get on the right track.
Trying to possess its beauty, Esperanza chases after a butterfly, which inevitably leaves her behind, lost and scared. Then, she meets 12 Fortune Fairies. Among them is the Fortune Fairy of Beauty, who talks about the beautiful butterfly that flew away and comforts Esperanza by saying: “Beauty is not what you see with your eyes but with your heart.” The other Fortune Fairies likewise give Esperanza words to live by to discover her true path.
Hope and Fortune is a children’s book with positive and frank messages about empowerment and self-discovery, designed to stay with a child well beyond childhood.
Hope and Fortune by Marissa Bañez cover.
The 10 Questions
1. What would be your one sentence elevator pitch of what your book is about?
Hope and Fortune is a beautifully illustrated children’s book featuring
multicultural, multiracial, multigender and multigenerational fairies of various shapes
and sizes who give practical life advice to a lost little girl and get her on the right path.
2. What book/author/movie/tv show/song might a potential reader compare your book to in order to get an idea of its feel and why ?
The honest answer is I don’t know. I didn’t take inspiration for my book from any
other book, author, movie or song . . . at least not consciously.
Plus, my book is a relatively short children’s book that most likely would be read
at bedtime, which should be a quiet time without the need for music or other distraction
in the background. I’d want the child to focus on the story and appreciate the beautiful
illustrations without thinking about how it compares to other books, movies or shows.
That all said, in coming up with the Fortune Fairy of Beauty, I was inspired by a
Star Trek, The Next Generation episode in which certain aliens evolved from their
corporeal states into beings of pure energy. I didn’t feel comfortable depicting the
concept of beauty through physical attributes of a human because beauty is a
subjective ideal. So, I illustrated beauty as a life force radiating light and positive energy
from a heart to correlate with what the fairy says: “Beauty is not what you see with eyes
but with your heart.”
3. Why did you choose this topic for your book?
When my daughter was little, I wrote original children’s stories and created
puppet shows from the stories.
One of the stories from those days is the precursor to Hope and Fortune called
The Lost Foal. For my daughter’s 7 th birthday, I wanted to put on a show for her and her
friends at her party. She wanted a story about cowgirls, fairies, and her little stuffed
horse. I came up with a story entitled, The Lost Foal. In The Lost Foal, the stuffed
horse was the one that got lost in the forest and encountered “cowgirl fairies” played by
my daughter and her guests, each of whom wore fairy wings and pink cowboy hats and
gave the horse life advice to get it back on the right track.
Fast forward 16 years later to the pandemic and lockdown in 2020. I felt bad for
my daughter, her peers and those younger, all of whom faced unprecedented
uncertainties in life. Many of them were really lost. I then took The Lost Foal,
modernized it with a diverse cast of characters, and created a message that I hope will
resonate not only with the very young but also with those less so who may feel
rudderless and lost – in however way you want to define and contextualize those terms
– at some point in their lives.
4. What led to your choosing the setting for your book?
I always imagined – rightly or wrongly – that fairies lived in wooded areas, so I
created the world called the Fabled Fairy Forest.
I think more important than the overall setting for the book is how I depicted each
character’s setting within the forest. In writing and illustrating Hope and Fortune, I
learned that numbers, colors, and animals represent or symbolize certain ideals and
principles that dovetail nicely with what I wanted to say in the book. I then incorporated
a lot of that symbolism to make the story as multifaceted as possible. I explain all this in
greater detail in a document I created called the “Backstory of and Guide to Hope and
Fortune,” a copy of which I’m attaching for your background information. Another
blogger in this tour will be writing more about the symbolism that I used in the book.
5. How did you come up with the title of your book and what is its significance?
I finalized this book during the pandemic when everything was so bleak and
dreary. I wanted to put something out in the universe that was uplifting and conveyed
positivity.
Esperanza is my daughter’s middle name, and she is my muse for all my stories.
The protagonist in the book is named after her. Esperanza is also the Spanish word for
“hope.”
I also wanted to pay homage to my late mom, who along with my dad brought my 9 siblings and me to this country from the mountain province of the Philippines with
literally nothing more than the hope that we would all have a better life here. She is
depicted as the Fortune Fairy of Hope.
As for the “Fortune” part of the title, when I wrote the book, I wanted a nice
alliteration with the word “fairy” that has an optimistic feeling. My fairies were
dispensing life advice intended to bring good fortune to Esperanza in her path in life.
Hence, the Fortune Fairies came to life.
6. How has your own experience influenced your writing?
If you’re asking how my life experience/career influenced how I write, writing is
my favorite part of the job as a lawyer. Being a lawyer has made me confident in my
general writing and editing skills.
Children’s illustrated books usually have a limit of 1000-1500 words. It’s often a
challenge to get complex messages and concepts across with that limitation. But, as a
litigator, it’s my job to tell a client’s story in a concise and relatable way. From that
perspective, my experience as a lawyer positively influenced the way that I wrote about
the various principles or ideals discussed by the Fortune Fairies.
If, on the other hand, you’re asking how my general life experience influenced
what I write, I’ve found that as a mom, talking to one’s own kids about certain things can
be very difficult to start, much less sustain. As one reviewer has pointed out, this book
is “a great discussion aid” on topics that deal with self-esteem, self-discovery and self-
acceptance.
I’m also a very “visual” person, with some artistic leanings. I believe that artistic
expressions are simply different forms of storytelling. So, as more fully describe in the
attached backstory and guide, I intentionally curated the illustrations in Hope and
Fortune to supplement the fewer-than-1000 words I used to create a multi-faceted story.
7. What will connect the reader to the story?
The story had universal appeal. For example, in December, I did a reading of
Hope and Fortune at a local library in New York City. After I read the book, a 7-year-old
boy took a copy of the book to read to himself. He then followed me around until he had
my full attention to tell me how much he loved the book and that now he wants to write a
book someday too. Even though the book is about a little girl with a Spanish name and
fairies, the story still resonated with a little Asian boy – which is more than I could’ve
hoped for. How wonderful to be able to touch the hearts and minds of young children
with just a few words and illustrations.
And not only the young. Many grown-ups have told me they wish they had this
book when they were growing up. Also, several early readers have stated in their
reviews that this book should be read by adults as well as kids.
In addition to the story itself, the illustrations add another path through which the
reader could connect to the book. Many people have expressed their gratitude to me
personally for creating such a diverse cast of characters because they could see
themselves and their children represented in the book. When I say “representation,” I’m
not just talking about non-White people. Two incidents brought this home to me
recently.
The first incident involved an early reader of the book who has a little boy to
whom she read the book. She then wrote that the little boy “loves” the book, partly
because the Fortune Fairy of Innocence and Wonder looks like him – a beautiful blond,
blue-eyed boy. That’s precisely the type of reaction and narrative I wanted to create
with the Fortune Fairy of Innocence and Wonder.
Unfortunately, the second incident is far from uplifting but nonetheless
demonstrates the obvious need for diverse representation in children’s books. This is
what happened when I advertised my reading of Hope and Fortune at a local library on
a public page on Facebook:
She deliberately chose to ignore my conciliatory tone and further challenged:
“that doesn’t look like a white fairy.” What is a white fairy supposed to look like?!? Her
combativeness and willful refusal to acknowledge that non-White characters can – and
should – exist in children’s books is exactly why representation matters. In Hope and
Fortune, both Whites and non-Whites are represented. Everyone is exposed to the idea
that people that may look different from us may have something valid to say and
contribute for the betterment of humanity.
8. Did you have difficulty deciding your book was ready to publish?
Not really. I lived with the concept since my daughter was young and it just took
a little tweaking before I submitted it for publication.
9. What genre(s) and reader ages would your work fit best?
Children’s illustrated books, ages 5-10, although as I’ve said, I’ve often been told
that adults should read the book and learn from it as well. Sub-genres include diversity,
multiculturalism, self-esteem and self-reliance, social themes of values and virtues, fairy
tales.
10. What’s your next project idea?
I’m currently putting the finishing touches to my second book, Hues and Harmony
– How the Rainbow Butterfly Got Her Colors. It’s about multiraciality, empowerment,
self-acceptance and belonging as told through the life and adventures of a singing
caterpillar. I use common shapes, primary colors, and basic chemistry concepts to
convey my message.
Like Hope and Fortune, Hues and Harmony is a re-write of story and puppet
show from my daughter’s childhood entitled The Singing Rainbow Butterfly. At that
time, I created the puppet caterpillar in the story out of round silver pot scrubbers held
together by a wire, string, and popsicle sticks, not to mention a prayer. I think I still have
that caterpillar somewhere and intend to use it when I do public readings for Hues and
Harmony.
Esperanza and the Fortune Fairies from Hope and Fortune make a cameo – yet
important – appearance in Hues and Harmony, but it’s not a sequel.
I am using the same illustrator, and the dialogue/songs are also in rhyme so it will
have the same look, feel, and sound as Hope and Fortune. I’m happy with how Hope
and Fortune turned out and I want Hues and Harmony, as well as any other subsequent
books, to have the same quality.
Hues and Harmony is scheduled for official release on July 20, 2023.
You may find Hope and Fortuneby Marissa Bañez at just about every online outlet including:
A first-generation immigrant to the U.S. from the Philippines, Marissa Bañez is a graduate of Princeton University and a lawyer licensed to practice in New York, California and New Jersey. She has published legal articles for the prestigious New York Law Journal and the American Bar Association, but her true passion for writing lies in her children’s stories. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Her childhood was filled with many original stories and puppet shows made up entirely by her mom. In her free time, Marissa likes to travel, design and make clothes, cook, binge-watch Star Trek shows and Korean dramas, and occasionally strum a guitar.
She is currently working on her second book, Hues and Harmony (How the Singing Rainbow Butterfly Got Her
Colors), a story about mixed or multiracial children, self-discovery, and respect for others as told through the
life and adventures of a caterpillar. It is scheduled for publication on July 20, 2023.
When her friend Sandy asks for help, Anne Wilson leaves her small, lonely life in Miami for the picturesque island of Saint Martin. But as soon as she arrives, Sandy is murdered, and her death exposes lies: an alias, a secret past, stolen money. Suspected of murder and trapped on the island, Anne is shocked when a cryptic message arrives:
Find the money. Take it and run.
She follows Sandy’s trail of obscure clues, desperate for proof of her innocence and must decide if she can trust the two men who offer help-the dark, mysterious Brit or the American with a wide grin and a pickup truck. When memories resurface-dark truths she’d rather leave buried and forgotten, her past becomes intertwined with her present.
Her only way forward is to face her own secrets.
Assumed by MHR Geer.
Which was the hardest character to write?
Anne. Have you ever disliked someone the first time you met them, but then as you got to know them you realized they were just shy and perhaps quite sad? That’s how it felt to write Anne. I
didn’t approve of her choices, but chapter after chapter she showed such strength, and I
warmed to her.
Your book is set in Saint Martin, an island in the Caribbean. Have you ever been there?
Yes. (sigh) Such a beautiful place. I want to go back.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I’m a bookkeeper by day. It’s the opposite of creative writing.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve always journaled, but I began writing novels about nine years ago – which is about the time
my first marriage fell apart. Huh, I never made that connection before. Whew. That’s a
breakthrough of sorts, isn’t it?
What is your next project?
Book 2: Accused. Anne’s story continues! It will be released in 2023.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. But the one comment that stands out is when
an Amazon reviewer said that Anne (my main character) was so REAL. That was amazing to
hear.
How are you similar to or different from your lead character?
We are very different, but we do have a couple things in common. She works in accounting like I
do, and we’ve both suffered significant loss – the kind of loss that you never really recover from.
Writing her character was so interesting because she dealt with her loss so differently than I did.
Favorite travel spot?
Kansas City. Such a friendly place. It always inspires creativity. I love the Nelson-Atkins
museum and City Market on the weekends. Also, there’s a place in Westport Plaza that makes
the best Matcha ever. Don’t get me started on the barbeque…yum.
Any hobbies?
So many hobbies. Knitting mostly, but I enjoy loads of crafts, jewelry and macrame. I want to try
pottery, but my yarn takes up too much space. I simply don’t have room in my life for clay. Yet.
What TV series are you currently binge watching?
A while ago, season 1 of Silent Witness popped up as a recommendation on my BritBox. It
should have come with a disclaimer like “Don’t watch this unless you’re prepared to commit
several months to it.” Sheeshers. I just finished Season 25. I don’t regret a thing. Well. Maybe I
regret some of the popcorn.
Tell us about your longest friendship.
Marie. We met in college because our boyfriends were roommates, and we both instantly had a
“you’re my person” moment. I live in California, and she lives on the East Coast, so we meet
annually in random cities in the middle of the country to hang out. She’s still my person after all
this time.
What is the strangest way you've become friends with someone?
One of my friendships started during the darkest period in my life. We were at a youth football
practice that my ex-husband was coaching. I can’t even remember why, but I had to move my
chair, and someone I barely knew carried it for me. That’s it. She carried my chair. It was a tiny
thing, but the gesture meant the world to me. And we’ve been close friends ever since.
MHR Geer.
Author Bio:
MHR Geer was born in California but grew up in the Midwest. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara to study Physics. After school, she moved to Ventura, CA and started a small bookkeeping business. She lives with her two sons and her unicorn husband (because he's a magical creature).
Margaret Atwood meets Raymond Chandler meets Greta Thunberg: Jen Lu is back on the case when the death of a lawyer sparks an even more intriguing mystery in Michael Kaufman’s second book in the thrilling series.
It’s March 2034, six months after D.C. police detective Jen Lu and Chandler, her sentient bio-computer and wannabe tough guy implanted in her brain, cracked the mystery of Eden. The climate crisis is hitting harder than ever: a mega-hurricane has devastated the eco-system and waves of refugees pour into Washington, D.C.
Environmental lawyer and media darling Patty Garcia dies in a bizarre accident on a golf course. Of the seven billion people on the planet, only Jen thinks she was murdered. After all, Garcia just won a court case for massive climate change reparations to be paid out by oil, gas, and coal companies. Jen is warned off, but she and Chandler start digging. Signs point to Garcia’s abusive ex, a former oil giant, but soon Jen turns up more suspects who have an even greater motive for committing murder
Soon Jen is in the crosshairs of those who will ensure the truth never comes to light, no matter the cost. She has to move quickly before she becomes next on the killer’s list.
The Last Resort by Michael Kaufman.
“[An] outstanding series launch…Exceptional worldbuilding is complemented by sympathetic characters and suspenseful plot twists. Kaufman is a writer to watch.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
This is the second book in your Jen Lu series. How soon after finishing the first book did you know you wanted to continue Jen’s story?
The minute I read the first reviews. I knew I’d taken a risk writing a mystery that bent genres and that delved into political themes, but only when I started hearing from readers did I realize how much my approach — page-turning, serious themes yet fun to read — was something I wanted to continue doing.
You have decades of experience working with the United Nations, NGOs and various government officials and educators. How have you used this expertise to write about some complex topics like climate change and the intricacies of the oil and gas industry?
I’ve worked directly with presidents and prime ministers. I could answer that this has given me insights into the workings of political power. But here’s my real answer: We all need stories. Not only to entertain but to make sense of our lives. Right now, there is no more important issue than the quickly emerging climate crisis and the utter culpability of the oil, gas and coal industries in destroying our future.
“The Last Resort” has a secondary theme of men’s violence against women. How does this fit into the story?
It’s a critical theme in itself. Across the country and around the world, there is a rash of violence against women: in our homes, at work, at places of learning and on the streets. Engaging men as allies with women to end this violence has been my life’s work.
“An engrossing thriller set in a fascinatingly plausible near future, ‘The Last Exit’ centres on a human-AI partnership that’s as believable as it’s moving.” — Emma Donoghue, New York Times bestselling author of “Room”
There are a variety of politically charged themes throughout the book. What would you say to people who are looking for a fiction book that “isn’t political”?
First of all, “The Last Resort,” is entertainment. It’s fun; it’s exciting. My goal isn’t to educate — I leave that to my nonfiction books. At the same time, every moment of our lives is shaped by political realities, and that is nowhere more true than with the climate crisis. I believe that some of the most powerful stories ever written weave in the political and social realities of the day. Imagine if Tolstoy had left out the war part; his great novel would have read like a Netflix costume drama.
Speaking of politics, there are a lot of tough themes the book touches on, but the series’s tone overall is ultimately one of hope (surrounded with humor). Why did you choose to go this route?
The last thing readers need is another grim dystopia. I believe strongly in the human capacity to change, not simply at the individual level but our ability to imagine and then to create a better world. Faced with the existential realities of the climate crisis, we need that vision of hope and change more than ever. Shouldn’t fiction that digs into the tough issues we face today and in years ahead bring us up rather than bring us down?
What do you hope readers gain from the book?
Gain? I hope they gain some absolutely entertaining moments. I hope they can’t put it down. But I also hope it allows them to imagine a future that is certainly full of challenges but also possibilities for positive change.
Is there another Jen Lu book in the works? Are you working on any other projects?
Yes, there will be a sequel. I’m also at work on a traditional thriller as well as a literary novel and a screenplay. Plus, of course, I continue my advisory role with various U.N. agencies, governments, NGOs and companies. That said, I can’t wait to hang out again with Jen Lu and Chandler, her computer implant and wannabe tough guy.
“ ‘The Last Exit’ hits hard. Fast action — a melding of the mental and physical — keeps this smart futuristic thriller racing, and its contemporary implications keep the reader thinking.” —Thomas Perry, bestselling author of “A Small Town”
Author Bio:
MICHAEL KAUFMAN has worked for decades engaging men to support women’s rights and positively transform the lives of men. He is the co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. He volunteers as a senior fellow at Promundo (Washington, D.C.) and has worked in 50 countries with the United Nations, governments, NGOs and educators. He advised the French government in 2019 as a member of its G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council.
He is the author of numerous nonfiction and fiction works, and was awarded the Canadian Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His most recent nonfiction book is “The Time Has Come.” He’s also written “Why Men Must Join the Gender Equality Revolution” (2019) and his first Jen Lu novel“The Last Exit.” His books and articles have been translated into 14 languages. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, having lived in Durham, North Carolina, and now living in Toronto, Canada, he is married and has a daughter and a son. For more information, please visit michaelkaufman.com.
For signed copies visit Joan He’s site for outletsHERE.
A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.
The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.
But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged―while Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one―and not all of them are human.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for an honest review.
First I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even if I don’t describe that fact justly in the following.
It was difficult to write a review without spoilers but I did my best. (I really wanted to reveal things because I enjoyed it a lot.)
The book is a a blend of historical, fantasy, sword and sorcery. Although mostly written with young adults as characters, and perhaps as the general target audience, I enjoyed it and didn’t need to put ages to them.
I’m going to geek about history for a moment but don’t necessarily look at this as strictly a historical fiction book, or even fantasy book.
I am a big history person. I studied history in college. Became a history teacher, and even wrote a historical fiction novel. So when I had the opportunity to review author JOAN HE’s latest work, STRIKE THE ZITHER, I jumped at it. And I am not disappointed. Combining historical elements with fantasy, the story moves quickly and I didn’t want to put it down. In fact, I stopped watching Netflix and read the book through the night until I finished. And did I have some surprises to experience.
Now the review.
CHARACTER
The reader will find unique characters and voices. Although some serve similar purposes, as they must in a story like this, they do have their own personalities that make them stand apart from the rest of the cast.
One thing to keep in mind is this re-imagining of the Three Kingdoms is a matriarchal society. Those in power are women and normally their primary advisors and supporters are the same.
The main character of the book is an 18 year old woman called ZEPHYR. a highly intelligent strategist whose only purpose in life is to keep XIN REN alive and bring her success. No matter what she must do to achieve this goal. She’s small and weak of body and does not take action as a warrior and this is seen as more of a hindrance than an asset by many of those serving Xin Ren. But they all secretly realize that without her brain, they would be dead before the time this story even begins.
Zephyr is often at odds with Xin Ren’s SWORNSISTERS CLOUD and LOTUS. Two fierce warriors. More mature in mind is the GENERAL TOURMALINE who does give Zephyr her support and acknowledgement of the young strategist’s skill.
Not everyone is a friend or supporter of Xin Ren.
PRIME MINISTRESS MIASMA considers Xin Ren a rival since the two are closest to the EMPRESS XIN BAO. Mirasma wishes to do away with her rival. There is a young governor of the Southlands and Xin Ren’s uncle who is governor of the Westlands.
Finally there is CROW, a strategist for Miasma that causes many problems for Zephyr’s strategies and plans for Xin Ren and the future of the Empire.
There are some surprising characters that hit our protagonist hard emotionally but there are also some who are simply surprising in their determination and focus on a goal.
WORLD-BUILDING
JOEN HE’s world gives a nice look at what conflicts within China’s history might look like and the intricacies of how people work together within a group although they don’t agree with each other, except for their loyalty to their leader.
The reader will enjoy the structure the country is given with their own distinct geographical characteristics that give the various people their personalities.
The matriarchal system isn’t all that noticeable to this reader. Yes, it’s there and at first I did see it, but after a few pages, it was simply part of the story and didn’t make a difference in my thinking.
The fantasy aspect of the story is hinted at for a while, but when it seriously shows up it hits you in the face… for a moment. It’s well done, and a good surprise. It explains a lot of things. Then I quickly fell back into the story.
There is one part of the fantasy part that is kind of odd but I think it is more because it’s more how a Chinese myth would go as opposed to the more mundane western ideas.
THEMES
Good v Evil or it could be the perception of the reader as to what is good for the Empire being done in a harsh/evil way. Or is this version of good really good at all.
Redemption: Zephyr’s journey is an obvious one as the book goes along, but there are others we see as well.
Courage and Perseverance: This is evident not only with warriors but with weaker ones standing up and taking chances for their leaders.
Revenge: A theme that runs through any story of war and discord but is used as an excuse by some but as truth by others.
DISLIKES
I can’t say there is anything I didn’t like about the book. And that’s rare. Maybe the only thing might be that book two isn’t here yet?
LIKES
The main characters are excellent and realistic for the time and the story.
Using an ancient setting is more difficult than people might think when reimagining history while including fantasy. Joan: He does it well.
I enjoyed the surprise aspects of the story that added complexity. Complexity can slow a book’s story but in this case I didn’t want to put it down until I finished.
CONCLUSION
Strike the Zither is a must read for fans of HISTORICAL FICTION and who are okay with a little FANTASY. I say little fantasy because I don’t see it as too overt. You’ll need to read it for that to make sense. There is ACTION and BATTLES. SUBTERFUGE. SURPRISE ROMANCE angles. The ending sets up for the next book. And done just right to make it easy to wait for the next book but still wanting you to wish it were here already. I would make sure you follow Joan He to see when the next one comes out… as a reminder.
RATING SYSTEM
3=Good and meets what I hope a book should be. A success.
4=Better than expected, didn’t put it down, enjoyable. Would easily recommend to others. THIS IS A GREAT RATING FROM ME.
5=Knocks me out. Would read it over and over again. RARE FROM ME.
A 4.1 STARS out of 5 based on…
Realistic Characters/Character Development based on genre: 4
World Building: 4
Believability based on genre and intent: 4
Flow/Readability/Clarity: 4
Overall Enjoyment: 4.5
About the author
Joan He was born and raised in Philadelphia but still will, on occasion, lose her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that storytelling was her favorite form of expression. She studied Psychology and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Pennsylvania and currently writes in Chicago. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We’re Meant to Find, Descendant of the Crane, and Strike the Zither, the first book in the Kingdom of Three duology.
Title: Blue Flame: Book Two of the Daemon Collecting Series
Author: Alison Levy
Print Length: 415
Publisher: SparkPress
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Language: English
Formats: eBook and Paperback (At various outlets including Amazon and B&N.)
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Purchase links below. Audible also available
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for an honest review.
Author Alison Levy creates a universe/world called Nota, that is parallel to our own in which everything here exists there but with a twist of Fantasy and Science Fiction being a reality. It is a bit more layered than that with other dimensions playing havoc with Nota. One very young character tries to protect his mother from an enemy only he can see. Another tries to reclaim his life, while another character desires to learn about a culture from another dimension. All this occurs while trying to solve Daemon glitches that threaten the Nota universe/dimension.
CHARACTER
The main characters are varied and unique to each other. No two share the same role or personality, which carries over into their speech. I like this trait in writing characters because the reader can tell who is speaking or thinking at times without being given the individual’s name. Particular favorites for some will likely be the ARCANAN (another dimension but human) Daemon CollectorRACHELWILDER, pronounced RAH-kel. Rachel is blunt with her words and doesn’t fully get newly realized gatekeeper NOTAN (Think our Earth, but a bit different.) LEDA MORELY’s fascination with Arcanan culture. Leda works in a museum and has language skills. Rachel is teaching Leda how to be a gatekeeper, who is responsible for notifying Arcana if a deadly defective CHAOS DAEMON breaches the gate from his prison dimension. Other favorites would be BACH, a seer of sorts who can see the future of people around him as long as he is not too entangled with them. Bach is trying to put his life back together after a rough time and begins taking care of a dog, which is almost like therapy for him. NAJI is a young boy trying to protect his mother from a DJINN that only he can see. Then there is AZRAQ, a Djinn who was enslaved thousands of years ago.
WORLD-BUILDING ALISON LEVY has created a world with many layers to explore and of which I look forward to learning more. At one point in the story, Rachel Wilde attempts to explain the reality of how the various dimensions work and the number there are. Very well done. As for the Nota dimension, you get good sensory descriptions, at times, and good emotional responses. There are supporting characters that contribute to expanding the world and explain why some of the main characters are the way they are.
THEMES Good v Evil
Redemption
Courage and Perseverance
Revenge
Worldview Sharing – The comparison of dimensional cultures and the inclusion of cultures and religions we know into the explanation of how certain characters and elements came to be in the story are well done. The sharing of the differences in what is important in the Arcanan dimension compared to the Notan makes for quite an insightful and thought-provoking read but all in a Fantasy and a vague Science Fiction way.
DISLIKES
I think there could’ve been more physical descriptions of some of the main characters early in the story, although in a way without those descriptions, the reader can put in place what they see and later on in the story might be surprised, or not, to the reality.
The Djinni gave quick chapters dedicated to their thoughts but at first, you don’t know which is which or even that there are two different characters… at least I didn’t pick on it early. The left side is one and the right side is another. Once knowing this, it is easier to make sense of it. The creation of small pocket dimensions, such as the one where Rachel’s temporary home while a Daemon Collector is in, could be explained better.
LIKES
The main characters are excellent, likeable, and relatable. Some of the supporting characters are good, but of course you aren’t supposed to like them all.
The overall concept of the story and world are well done.
The weaving of our worldviews, beliefs, and cultures into the story as a way for Notan’s to comprehend and cope with what’s happening to them was a good idea.
CONCLUSION Blue Flame is a good read that makes me want to read the first book and look forward to what happens in the next . It has more going on than you realize, with those goings-on being connected in ways you don’t see coming. You become invested in the futures of the characters.
RATING SYSTEM 3=Good and meets what I hope a book should be. A success. 4=Better than expected, didn’t put it down, enjoyable. Would easily recommend to others. THIS IS A GREAT RATING FROM ME. 5=Knocks me out. Would read it over and over again. RARE FROM ME.
A 3.8 of 5 STAR RATING based on…
Realistic Characters/Character Development based on genre: 4
World Building: 3.5
Believability based on genre and intent: 4
Flow/Readability/Clarity: 3.5
Overall Enjoyment: 4
About the author
Alison Levy lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. When she is not writing or doing mom things, she crochets, gardens, walks her collies, and works on home improvement projects.
Her books feature female characters who are strong but flawed, making them more relatable. They stay rooted in everyday life while world-building in their fictional cultures. Intolerance of differences has become widespread in recent years. Gatekeeper encourages readers to look beyond what they consider normal and see through foreign eyes, a message that I hope will appeal to many in today’s climate.
Author Bio:
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