Female Protagonist – Page 2 – Lit World Interviews

12 Questions with MHR Geer, author of ASSUMED.

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. A romance, financial, murder thriller. — 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 of Assumed. — 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).

Website: http://www.mhrgeer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086993291413
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhrgeerauthor

7 Questions with Michael Kaufman, author of The Last Resort (A Jen Lu Mystery).

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. A technothriller and dystopian fiction Jen Lu mystery. — 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.

Website: https://twitter.com/KaufmanWrites

Review of Joan He’s STRIKE THE ZITHER.

Title: Strike the Zither (Kingdom of Three, 1)
Author: Joan He
Print Length: 368
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: October 25, 2022
Language: English
Formats: eBook and Hardcover and Audible
Genres: Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult
Purchase links below. Audible also available

For signed copies visit Joan He’s site for outlets HERE.

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.

Review of Blue Flame: Book Two of the Daemon Collecting Series by Alison Levy.

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 Collector RACHEL WILDER, 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.

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Let Your Friends Know

First I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even if I don’t describe that fact justly in the following.

Let Your Friends Know

Let Your Friends Know