Book Recommendation - Fatal Domain

 

Steven James has long been among my favorites when it comes to suspense novels. With intense and intricate plot-lines, his characters race against the clock to save the world - of course that over-simplifies things. But his characters are always wonderful, there is always growth, intensity, and suspense. And I always feel smarter after reading his books. This one was no exception. Here's a bit about the book:

When the past scratches its way into the present, it can leave deep scars.

A series of cryptic clues leads Department of Defense redactor Travis Brock to suspect that a grim chapter from his past is not yet over. With the help of his eidetic memory and his newly formed team, he must unearth the truth and stop a terrorist group from stealing one of the military’s most highly guarded technological breakthroughs. With it, the group commit a daring act of espionage that could upend the work of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms and impact millions of people worldwide.

In a high-stakes story of action and intrigue that reaches from a refugee settlement in Uganda to the shores of the Potomac in Washington, DC, shattering secrets from the past will be revealed, loyalties tested, and intimate betrayals brought to light as Brock is forced to decide how to forgive what he cannot forget.

From a novelist that Publishers Weekly has called a “master storyteller” comes an intricate and taut thriller that will have you guessing until the final page.

As a subscriber to the author's newsletter, I received this Q&A about the book in his latest newsletter:

Your stories tend to feature cutting-edge technology in them. Is all of it real, or is some of it fictional?
In truth, a surprising amount of the tech is available. Of course, I took a novelist’s liberties to shape some of the tech for the story.

Do you train for the fight scenes you write?
I actually did train in some martial arts and close quarters combat to help with the fight scenes. I wish I was as adept at it as Adira is in the book.

One of the characters, a former Army Ranger, is now writing a cringy romance novel. What led you to make that choice for him? Can you give us an example of his bad writing?
I wanted him to have some contrast—he’s as tough-as-nails, but has this other side to him that you would never expect. As far as example, “She warmed at the thought of his hands around her waist, of his lips against hers. The soft pleasing pleasure of pleasant pressure of lip on lip on lip on lip. Heat flushed through her. She awaited his embrace, her mouth puckered and ready, as she longed to feel his arms wrap around her like two strong appendages jutting from his torso might do.” Eek.

Tell us a little about your writing process. I understand you don’t outline or plot anything out, but let the story unfold as you write it. How does that work?
As I write, I’m always asking myself what the character would naturally do, how I can make things worse, how I can write myself into a corner—and then how to get out of it in a way that readers will not anticipate. I trust the direction of the story and let it reveal itself to me as it unfolds. I also value narrative promises—trying always to fulfill them and make sure that they point in the right direction.

As tense as your story is, there are light moments scattered through it. How important is that for you?
It’s really vital. We all like to be entertained when we read. So, as long as the humor is natural to the story and authentic to the characters, I think it’s really an added benefit to the story.

You’re known for including twists in your stories. How do you come up with them?
I look for moments that are unexpected and also inevitable—so, they are logical and follow naturally from what precedes them, but also offer surprises to readers. I like every scene to have a touch of this; I also want the story as a whole to have an ending that readers won’t see coming, but will appreciate when they get there. That’s the pivot. That’s what I’m looking for.

In this story, the villains actually seem to have a good goal, one that could help humanity in the long-term. How hard was it to write the part of the heroes trying to stop them?
This dilemma was actually what led me into the story in the first place. I love to explore difficult questions in my stories and this was one that I just found extremely profound.

Do you draw from personal experience when you create your characters or scenes?
Hmm… I think that every character has aspects of our personality within them, and occasionally I will use moments from real life in my stories, but honestly, I try to focus more on what is honest to the story and authentic to the characters than tapping into my own experiences. I heard someone refer to is as “plagiarizing reality” and I never forgot that.

A lot of your story has to do with Department of Defense secrets. I understand that you have consulted with people in the Secret Service and the FBI, as well as former CIA, NSA, and Pentagon employees and law enforcement professionals in this story. What was that like?
I’m always honored to be able to speak to those who are experts in the fields that I write about. I’ve been privileged to meet some amazing people who serve our country. I only hope I that I’ve done them justice in the way I’ve used the information they’ve provided me with.

What’s the most important part of a story to you?
Two things come to mind—the pivots (think twists) and the payoff at the end of the story. Is the story honest about human nature and morality? What aspect of this story is desperate to be told or impossible to ignore? Does the story mean more than it says? Can we overhear an unforeseen truth? Is action imbued with deeper meaning? Is the takeaway unstated and yet unforgettable? If the story can check off some of those boxes, I’ll be thrilled.

Here's a bit about the author:

Steven James is a critically acclaimed author of eighteen novels and numerous nonfiction books that have sold more than 1 million copies. His books have won or been shortlisted for dozens of national and international awards. In addition, his stories and articles have appeared in more than eighty different publications, including the New York Times. He is also a popular keynote speaker and professional storyteller with a master’s degree in storytelling. 

James’ latest thriller, BROKER OF LIES, was released on April 11, 2023. The sequel, FATAL DOMAIN, will be released in 2024 but is available for pre-order now! The new series follows Travis Brock, a redactor for the Department of Defense who must attempt to unearth the truth of a personal tragedy while trying to stop a terrorist group from stealing one of the military’s most highly guarded technological breakthroughs.

Since 1996, James has appeared more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe, presenting his stories and teaching the principles of storytelling to writers, speakers, teachers, and leaders. He also hosts the weekly podcast The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed more than 150 of the world’s leading writers and storytellers. In 2020, he was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame for excellence in fiction writing. Publishers Weekly has called him “[a] master storyteller at the peak of his game.”

When he’s not writing or speaking, you may find him playing basketball or disc golf, or hiking near his home in the Appalachian Highlands of East Tennessee. He may or may not watch too many science fiction movies while eating bottomless bowls of chips and salsa. 

Fatal Domain releases April 9, 2024 wherever books are sold. For additional information, check out the following links:

Steven James' website: https://stevenjames.net/

Steven James' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/readstevenjames

My full 5-star review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6336802378

Book Recommendation - A Noble Scheme

 

When it comes to historical fiction, Roseanna M. White tops the charts of authors that I have to read. Her stories are filled with complex characters, great development, intriguing plots, great banter, solid faith elements and beautiful story arcs. A Noble Scheme is now one of my favorites of hers. Though it does not have as much light humor in it as some of her others, this dealt with greater spiritual depth and the full gamut of emotions. This is book 2 in The Imposters series and though the story stands alone, I do recommend reading book 1 first in order to get a feel for who The Imposters are and their dynamics. Here's a bit about this book:

1909

In the opulent and perilous world of high society’s most elite–and most dangerous–families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm’s members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren’t for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he’s ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy’s life and heal their hearts.

As part of the author's launch team, I was invited to do a Q&A with the author. Here's how that went:

1.  What was your inspiration for this story?

A dream, actually! This is the only series I can claim that about, LOL. I woke up one morning from this dream of an Edwardian-era group of private investigators called the Imposters. I knew siblings were involved…and a twist with other characters that I ended up using for Gemma and Graham. Of course, I can’t tell you what that is, but you’ll find out halfway through A Noble Scheme. =)

 

2. Which character do you best relate to in this story? Which one was the most difficult to write?

 

One might expect me to claim to be most like Gemma, since she’s a writer, but actually none of the lead characters are particularly like me…and of course, all of them have a bit of me. You know how that goes, LOL. Writing the strained relationship between Gemma and Graham and getting all the revelations about what caused that strain to land right with the reader was definitely the challenge! I was still working on it rather late in the editorial process and had to bring in fresh eyes to help me see if it was hitting how I wanted it to. That conversation with my beta reader helped it all come together!

 

3. Did anything surprise you in the story as you were writing? Or did anything happen during the writing to change the trajectory of the story?

 

The main plot points stayed true to how I envisioned them, but there are always surprises along the way and details that emerge as I go. In this one there were definitely side characters who took on a life of their own!

 

4. What was the most interesting thing you learned in your research for this novel?

 

I learned about natural, temporary hair dyes and makeup techniques that actors would have used in the era—things like beet and carrot juice to dye the hair red for a few days. That was definitely fun. =) And I also loved learning more about the architectural oddities that Graham tells us about, like monasteries that are buried under current buildings, from the age of the Viking invaders, and escape tunnels the monks built to take refuge from them.

 

5. I won't spoil the main element here, but I love that you got the idea about what the issue was between Graham and Gemma from a book collaboration. How difficult was it to write about this pain?

 

Yes, I had no idea what had come between Gemma and Graham as of when I finished writing A Beautiful Disguise, LOL. It wasn’t until a vacation after I turned that one in that I began exploring possibilities for their strained relationship, and a book I’d helped edit played a huge role in what I decided on. This book, and hence my own, explores the depths of a pain I haven’t personally experienced…but one I’ve stared in the face of. Again, trying not to give too much away, LOL, but as is always the case for me in writing, by exploring it here, in a work of fiction, I find myself able to grapple better with the questions that arise in life, and to understand a small sliver of the workings of our loving Father, even when things go wrong.

 

6. What are you hoping readers will glean from this story?

 

I hope readers really pause to ponder the direct correlation between loving God and loving others. Gemma and Graham say some things to each other in the course of this book that are cruel, yes, but which also strip away the walls we hide behind. As Gemma is pondering the fact that Scripture tells us that “you will be forgiven in the measure with which you forgive,” she realizes that it’s not God standing in heaven, with mercy and grace in His hand that He’s refusing to pour out on you until you come to heel. It’s our own hearts, too frozen by bitterness to receive those life-giving waters. It’s our own hands, closed into fists, that can’t open up enough to catch what He is always pouring out. It isn’t until we open our hearts and hands to forgive those who have hurt us—even God, as Graham realizes, when we blame Him for something—that the ice begins to break up. And then, when we finally let a bit of God’s mercy in, that forgiveness and grace from the Father helps break up the rest of the ice.

 

But as always with our loving God, we have to make the first move. We have to unclench our hands. We have to want the work to be done.

 

7.  Is there any "behind the scenes" fun or trivia you'd be willing to share with my readers?

 

How about a recipe? Gemma has a sweet tooth (unlike Marigold), and in this one we see her enjoying a slice of a very traditional English tea cake, Victoria cake. It’s basically two layers of white cake with jam, whipped cream, and fresh fruit in the middle (whatever variety you like), dusted with powdered sugar. Yum, am I right? You can find it here: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/2023/03/victoria-cake.html

 

8. What is coming next and when can we expect it?

 

Well, we have the final book in the Imposters series coming in November, and I am so excited to finally—FINALLY—write Yates’s story, because this guy just didn’t want to stay on the sidelines, LOL. An Honorable Deception features Yates, his neighbor Lavinia from book 1, who recruits herself into the Imposters, and a beautiful new client, Lady Alethia, who comes to them for help in finding her missing friend. This next book ties the world of the Imposters to the world of Shadows Over England and the Codebreakers, too, which I am soooooo excited about! If you’ve read those and liked Mr. V or Barclay’s crew, then you definitely don’t want to miss this final book in the series.

 

But actually, before that one comes out, I have a Christmas story releasing too, in September! Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is an Edwardian holiday romance inspired by the original Nutcracker story, and it was just such fun to write!

Oh, I am so excited for the upcoming books! I love both The Nutcracker and the "Shadows over England" series! In the meantime, this book releases March 19, 2024 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! 

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

For additional information, check out the following links:

Roseanna M. White's website: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/

Roseanna M. White's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6294452574

Book Recommendation - The Rhythm of Fractured Grace

 

Amanda Wen is a relatively new author on the scene of Christian fiction. She pens beautiful women's fiction in a dual timeline setting with a light romance thread, a solid faith thread and wonderful character development. The Rhythm of Fractured Grace is the 3rd book in the Sedgwick County Chronicles, but can be read as a stand-alone. However, it's best when read with the other 2, though, as you get a richer picture of the main character's history. This story had great depth with heavier subject matter (though the book itself did not feel heavy) with lots and lots of grace. Using the link of a broken violin that needs repair in both timelines, the author weaves in the healing of not only the violin, but also the major characters. The book deals heavily with themes of forgiveness and healing, including the "me too" and "church too" movements. 

Here's a bit about the book:

Is Siobhan too far gone to respond to the song of a God who's calling her back to him?
When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh's shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He's too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.
Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he's fascinated with the restoration process--and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.
As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.
On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell's family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father's prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she'd resigned herself to a spinster's life. But Levi Martinson's gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love--and Deborah's shaky faith--to the ultimate test.
Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God's healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.

The historical timeline actually includes real history in the author's family. Her 6x great grandmother was the survivor of a scalping incident that killed several family members. Actual elements of her story are in the historical timeline and that made the story even better. In addition, the violin in the story is based on the author's grandmother's violin. There are other fun elements from the author's life as well. Make sure to read the author's note at the end that details what is based on fact and how much is fiction. Be sure to check it out! You can pick up The Rhythm of Fractured Grace wherever books are sold. For more information, check out the following links:

Amanda Wen's website: https://amandawen.com/

Amanda Wen's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmandaWen

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5754937575