Interview with
Janice Spina AKA J.E. Spina
Author of
Gateskin Chronicles Book 1
Today I have the pleasure to present a multi-award-winning author with 46 books of which there are 22 children's books,12 MG/PT books and three books in a YA series with three more coming over the next few years, eight novels and a short story collection for 18+ written under J.E. Spina. She is also a copy editor, blogger, book reviewer and supporter of fellow authors.
When did you realize you wanted to become an author?
I loved writing poetry when I was a young child. After writing my first children’s book, I began to think more seriously about becoming an author one day. Working and child bearing kept me too busy to begin my journey toward becoming an author until after I retired. By that time I had written several stories that were waiting to be published. From then on I began working tenaciously on bringing all my books to the attention of readers on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I write in many genres but find that MG/PT (middle-grade and preteens) are my favorite genre in which to create stories. It is because I feel like a kid again and thoroughly enjoy weaving stories from my child-like imagination for this age group.
Which genre do you find the most challenging to write?
I began a fantasy series, Gateskin Chronicles, in 2023 that will have six books at completion. This is the series I find the most challenging to create. It also is the one series that takes the longest time frame to complete. It is an epic series with myriad characters, lands, creatures and magic spells that will make your head spin. I had to create a list of characters, creatures, spells, and lands in order to keep track of them all and added this list to each book for readers. With each story the list continues to grow as the characters take over the story and guide my hand. There are many aspects of the adventures that I need to keep in mind as I create the story causing a constant challenge to complete each as I lead into the next book.
I have published the first three books in this series that have received three Gold Medals from Mom’s Choice Awards. Book 4 will be out in 2025 with the other two in 2025 or 2026.
What is the most difficult part of being an Indie Author?
Being an Indie Author is a difficult road because there are so many such authors on Amazon. I feel like a grain of sand on the beaches of Amazon with each year being joined by many more Indie Authors.
The most difficult jobs of being an Indie Author are promoting, finding your audience, and using the correct tags for a particular book and genre to get noticed by readers and Amazon. There are many online companies that court me with their promotion options daily. It is a confusing and inundating process to choose the right ones or just do my own promotions on my blog, online media, book reviews and with the help of fellow authors. I like AllAuthor.com and Book Marketing Global Network (BMGN) and have been using both for many years.
It is not easy to find the right audience for a book or use the most advantageous tags. I do use Rocket for insights into handing these two phases of publication. All in all, being an Indie Author is not an easy road to travel. It takes perseverance, determination and belief in oneself.
How important is it for an author to read other authors’ work?
I am an avid reader who reads 7-10 books each month on my blog and reviews them. I feel it is extremely important to read other authors’ books in order to learn more about my craft. It improves the way I write by offering me a different view, person and characterization of each authors’ work and how they handle each scene, storyline and dialogue. We all have our own distinctive voice that is displayed within our work. No one can steal them from us for it is innate, but we do learn how to use our own voice by observing others’ strengths and weaknesses.
Thank you so much, Uvi, for having me on your blog. I enjoyed sharing a little about my work with you and your readers. I appreciate your kind support
Please share an excerpt with us.
At one time the land was known as Territory of Noella Provence to honor the first fairy queen who moved from the region of Sovorotskina to the village later known as Votovia. As time passed, the Noella Provence separated into the different villages. The elders still called it Noella Provence, but the younger ones did not, though they were taught the history of the land.
The villages each had their own wizard king and fairy queen who ruled their individual regions.
Sovorotskina – Land of Goodness & Light – ruled by Wizard King Gateskin and Fairy Queen Solinara
Votovia – Land of Magic & Mystery – ruled by Wizard King Cavelan and Fairy Queen Savina
Merona – Land of Peace & Harmony – ruled by Healers (old wise men)
Merlina – Land of Myths & Legends – ruled by Wizard King Zuri and Fairy Queen Zuleima
Amora – Land of Faith & Love – ruled by King Noderan (not a wizard), and Queen Davora (not a fairy)
Parotovina – Land of Evil & Darkness – ruled by Wizard King Kaposkaran and Fairy Queen Beregina
The strongest wizard of all was Gateskin. He ruled Sovorotskina with a firm but kind hand and aided the other villages when needed. He and the ruler of Votovia, King Cavelan, protected the regions from the evil Wizard King Kaposkaran who continued to reap terror upon his own citizens if they did not do his evil deeds. This king also consistently threatened to harm the other villages.
To the north of the land lay the Unknown Territory. It did not have another name, but it was feared by the villagers. They did not venture over the border. Some who did in the past never returned.
The villagers did not talk about this territory but kept clear of its borders. They did not want to explore, for they were fearful of what was unknown and were content in their own land.
To the south lay the Sea of Shakelle which was a dark and stormy sea that crushed many ships that tried to ride its course. They did not need to travel to the ocean for food since they had plenty from the waterways that coursed through their villages.
If one day they depleted this supply of fish, they may have to look to the Sea of Shakelle for food. The power of the wizards was what kept the villagers secure in their lives and free from worry.
This is where the story begins – one hundred years ago in the village known as Sovorotskina.
Book Link
Author Links
Interview with
Dominic Piper
Author of
The fifth PI Daniel Beckett thriller
Today I have the pleasure to present an author who formally worked as a jack-of-all-trades television writer/script editor and a music journalist before turning his hand to writing detective thrillers. His first two books, Kiss Me When I’m Dead and Death is the New Black were traditionally published, but quite early on, he retrieved the right for both books and decided to self-publish, being dissatisfied with the traditional publishing approach.
Your new book, Acid Yellow, has just been released. What is it about?
I’m not a big reader of detective mysteries or crime fiction (hence my unique take on those genres!), but I think Acid Yellow would be classified as a cold case mystery. Private investigator Daniel Beckett is hired by the CEO of a Korean multinational conglomerate with offices in London, to investigate the murder of her sister, a famous classical musician.
At the point where she turns to Beckett for help, the murder was two years in the past, and the police and three big private detective agencies had failed to make any headway, but Beckett is an enigmatic individual with a mysterious and possible dubious past and has a different and unconventional take on cases like this one.
Part of the inspiration for this particular story was a lot of high-profile news stories about assaults and murders that had been perpetrated against women in London over the past few years. It just never seemed to stop. The whole atmosphere of the book gives an idea of that constant threat, whether minor or major, that women experience from day to day. It’s always shocking to me, as I thought many of the misogynist attitudes related by women I’ve known were a thing of the past, but it seems to be getting worse.
Is this a theme in your other books?
It’s not something I do consciously, but yes, it is. It’s arguable how much any fiction can have an effect on the real world, but I think it’s your duty as a writer to make people stop and think. I know that my outlook on things has been changed by things I’ve read, even by lyrics of songs, so I have to assume it can be the same for other people. If I have any writing aims at all, it’s to make the world a better place, I guess.
Do you have target readers?
I don’t set out to target any particular age or sex, but from the reviews of the books that I’ve had, it does seem that they’re very popular with women. Maybe they pick up on what’s going on in the books, or maybe they strike a chord in some other way that I’m not aware of. There are occasional comments that the books themselves are misogynistic, but that’s due to the way in which the bad guys in the books speak, and what their attitudes are. I try to make them as convincing as possible. By doing that, you always run the risk of people thinking that some of the odious views expressed by characters in the books are yours, but that’s always been the case since I’ve been writing professionally. A lot of times in my television work, people have commented on some character’s dialogue, saying things like ‘Oh, so you think that (whatever it is)’. I never correct or defend myself, but you sometimes feel like saying ‘No. I don’t think that. But that particular fictitious character thinks that. Those are his views, not mine. This is fiction, not thinly disguised autobiography.’ But I’m far too polite to say something like that!
Many reviews of your work have pointed out that your main character, Daniel Beckett, is never judgmental of the females he encounters, no matter what their life choices or questionable habits.
That’s true. These books, in their unique way, are turning the tables on the way women are portrayed in crime fiction while keeping to the basic parameters. As I said, I don’t really read anything in that genre, but when I occasionally flick through recent stuff like that, I’m amazed to find how cliché-ridden they still are in that respect. Beckett does sleep with a lot of the woman he encounters in these books, and some people have referred to him as a womaniser, but that’s not really accurate. For these books to work in the way I intend, he has to be like that. It’s a very delicate and tricky balance and can be quite challenging to write sometimes.
Do you have a favourite of any of the five Daniel Beckett novels?
They’re all quite different from each other, so no. Even though they’re a series, they’re all standalone, and I try to make each book quite dissimilar from the others. There are a few characters I remember fondly, but that’s usually because they were great fun to write. Caroline Chow in Femme Fatale was one of those, as was Liva Søndergaard in Bitter Almonds & Jasmine.
Book Link:
Author Links:
CommissionsEarned
Interview with
Kevin Klehr
Author of
Today I have the pleasure to present an author whose tall tales explore unrequited love in the theatre district of the Afterlife, romance between a dreamer and a realist, and a dystopian city addicted to social media. Kevin Klehr lives with his husband, Warren, in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.
What inspired this Alice in Wonderland like tale?
I wanted to cover a serious topic within the pages of a fantasy novella, in a way where the underlying theme of this story wouldn’t scare potential readers if it was clearly outlined in the blurb.
The main character, Ferris, is going through an ordeal I personally encountered with a boyfriend many decades ago. Since then, I have been in a loving relationship for thirty-four years, so to go back to these dark times meant I needed a surreal setting to help soften these memories.
What has the response been to this novella?
First off, it’s my husband’s favourite work of mine. And he is critical of my books.
But others have also given lovely responses. I was caught off guard when someone commented on a on a Facebook post, praising this particular novella. I thanked her for her praise. One audio reviewer split her review into two parts with the second half praising my courage in telling this story.
One of my favourite reviews said “At times I couldn’t read because of my blurred vision, all my emotions bubbling up.”
The ending is quite unexpected. Was that always the case?
Yes and no. I always know the ending of my novels before I start writing the outline. It’s important as I want my reader to be left with something to ponder.
Originally, I had a different ending but as I was still finessing the outline, this surprising twist came to mind.
You often get mistaken for a Romance writer. Why is that?
It’s a strange phenomenon which I think comes from having a US publisher. Here in Australia, our first impression of writing gay fiction means it deals with issues of identity. That is the case with the work of best-selling gay authors like Holden Shepphard and Christos Tsiolkas.
Yet to a younger set of queer Americans, gay fiction means Romance! I’m fortunate to have several blogs who always review my work, knowing what to expect.
But I was really disheartened when a young American blogger gave up listening to the audio version of Winter Masquerade. She said it wasn’t what she was expecting. Seriously, it was narrated by a British actor with Shakespearian experience. He did a beautiful job. It seems so foreign to me that someone on a book review blog would give up listening just because it wasn’t Romance.
Book link:
Author Links:
CommissionsEarned
Interview with
Eichin Chang-Lim
Author of
Talking About Adolescence: Book 2: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power
Today I have the pleasure to present an author who modeled during college in Taiwan and was in several short films and is now a semiretired optometrist, a multi-award-winning author, a wife, and a mother. Besides acting and writing, Dr. Eichin Chang-Lim loves opera and a big bear hug.
What is the book about?
Talking About Adolescence, Book 2: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power is about helping teens understand the changes they’re going through and showing them how to take control of their body and mind. It dives into the science behind those mood swings, brain development, and the highs and lows that come with being a teenager and young adult, but in a way that's easy to grasp and enjoyable to read.
The book engages readers with its interactive “PowerPoint-style” format, making it feel more like a conversation than a lecture. Every chapter begins with thought-provoking questions and ends with introspection to orient the readers. It is not just a book of facts; it invites you to discover who you are and how to grow mentally and physically, becoming more intelligent, stronger, and capable.
Geared towards teens, parents, and educators, this guide is a powerful tool for empowering young people to reach their full potential. This book provides practical advice and knowledge, whether you're a teen navigating the ups and downs of adolescence or someone supporting them. It's a roadmap to a smoother, more empowering journey through adolescence.
Do you have target readers?
The primary audience for the Talking About Adolescence series is teenagers and young adults who are trying to make sense of themselves and their experiences. It’s written for anyone looking for practical advice and a deeper understanding of who they are. But it’s also a valuable and handy tool for parents, guardians, therapists, and educators. The books can spark those tough but important conversations, helping bridge the gap between generations and making it easier to connect and communicate. My hope is that it becomes a resource that brings people together, supporting and guiding teens through some of the most critical years of their lives.
What inspired you to write Talking About Adolescence series?
The Talking About Adolescence series came from a very personal place for me. As both a healthcare provider and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles young people face—some of them truly heartbreaking. Moments of deep sadness, like hearing about losing lives from violence or suicide among teens, left a lasting impression on me, showing just how much they need support and guidance during such a vulnerable time.
I wanted to create something that could really help, something accessible that teens could turn to for real, science-backed information about what’s happening in their bodies and minds. It’s not just about throwing facts at them—it’s about helping them understand themselves better, so they can make decisions that shape a brighter future. In a way, I see this series as offering them a map and a flashlight to find their way through the often confusing and overwhelming path of adolescence.
My hope is that this series becomes more than just books; I want it to be a trusted source of support, empowering young people to rise above the challenges, avoid the hidden pitfalls, and embrace their full potential. If it can make even a small difference in their lives, then I feel I’ve done something truly meaningful.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire a movement that would make a real difference, it would be one where mental health is recognized as a fundamental human right. We wouldn’t just be talking about mental health awareness; we’d be changing the way society prioritizes and supports mental well-being across all generations. Imagine a world where mental health is valued just as much as physical health—where help is always accessible, no matter who you are.
The first step? Focus on our youth. Teens and young adults often struggle with their mental health, but if we can support them early on, we can set them up for a lifetime of well-being. We need to:
- Destigmatize mental health: Normalize conversations about mental health so that no one feels ashamed or afraid to speak up.
- Encourage seeking help: Let’s empower young people to seek support when they need it, giving them the tools to grow into confident, thriving adults.
- Nationwide education: Incorporate mental health education in schools, starting in elementary and continuing through high school. Children should learn about their mental health as easily as they learn math or science.
- Support foster children: These kids face unique challenges and need extra mental health support to navigate their difficult situations.
But supporting our youth means supporting their parents too. Research shows that by age 16, more than half of children will have experienced a parent struggling with mental illness. Addressing this can change everything:
- Screen for perinatal depression: Healthcare providers should be proactive in identifying and addressing mental health issues in expectant mothers, and offering postpartum support is key.
- Prevent child abuse: Parental mental health issues are linked to child abuse, and by supporting parents, we can break this cycle and protect children.
- In-home assistance: After childbirth, let’s provide in-home help to new parents—not just for infant care, but for their mental health too.
We also need to build community support:
- Offer free parenting and mental health classes at community centers, creating spaces where parents—especially single parents—can connect, learn, and support each other.
- Provide early intervention services for mental health issues, making them accessible and affordable for all ages.
Finally, we need to educate the public about the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences affect mental health, relationships, and even future generations. If we can spread this understanding, we can break these harmful cycles. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk says in his book The Body Keeps the Score, eradicating child abuse could reduce rates of depression by more than half, alcoholism by two-thirds, and suicide, IV drug use, and domestic violence by three-quarters. Imagine that.
This movement would be about so much more than addressing mental health challenges—it would empower individuals and communities to thrive. We’d see lower rates of addiction, improved academic performance, and stronger, more resilient families. By treating mental health as a right, not a luxury, we can create a world where everyone has the tools and support, they need to live a mentally and emotionally healthy life.
Book Link:
Talking About Adolescence: Book 2: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power
Author Links:
CommissionsEarned
Interview with
Josie Riviera
Author of
Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs
Today I have the pleasure to present a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. Josie Riviera lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
I love that the mystery in Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs opens in a quaint bookshop. How did the idea of finding a mysterious letter there come to you? And did you model the bookshop on a real place?
The idea of the bookshop as a setting emerged from my own love of reading, plus I love a cozy space and have always enjoyed spending hours in a bookshop. Bookshops are enchanting, in a way. There are so many stories there. The bookshop in the book, by the way, is fictional.
The mysterious letter came about because I wanted to write my first sweet romance cozy mystery. I brought 2 worlds together--Olivia Whitfield, the owner, and a man and woman in their 70s. Besides being a "second chance" romance between the younger couple--Olivia and Daniel, the story focuses on the older couple--Theodore and Lillian, making this story also a "seasoned" romance.
Two childhood friends joining forces to uncover a mystery allows us to discover their past and their present, and allows you as an author to flesh them out in a fully nuanced way. Please describe your characters, Daniel Whitfield and Olivia Harper to us.
Daniel Whitfield, the hero, is the type of man who carries a quiet strength. He's observant, thoughtful, and often lost in his own musings. His childhood bond with Olivia Whitfield, the heroine, is deeply rooted, and they have their own "second chance" romance.
On the other hand, Olivia Harper is vibrant and spirited. While she exudes confidence, there are layers of vulnerability beneath her outgoing nature. I hope that Olivia and Daniel both will capture the reader's heart as they rekindled their romance.
In addition to being a cosy mystery, this book is a love story decades in the making. Unraveling it over time is quite a challenge, tell us how you do it.
I focused on layering both the mystery and the romance, which is quite a task. I tried to echo their past, while simultaneously propelling the hero and heroine forward. I included poignant flashbacks that revealed their past history--laughter, heartache, and the unresolved tension that defined their relationship. Each revelation about who wrote the letter to Lillian (spoiler alert--it was Theodore!), brings Olivia and Daniel closer together. I hoped to keep readers engaged to not only root for the characters, but to try to solve the mystery.
The companion audiobook is done using virtual voice technology. Tell us about the process and about the experience of hearing your characters come to life i such an expressive way.
I’m so excited to share that all my books are available as audiobooks! They are narrated by talented professional narrators, as well as by me, allowing for a personal touch to the storytelling experience. Now, I’m even exploring the world of technology to bring my stories to life in new and innovative ways. It's a very exciting, simplified option, and I'm thrilled that Amazon is now offering it.
In addition, my books are all available in ebook, paperback, large print paperback, and hardcover. I do all the formatting and created several of the book covers myself.
Give us an excerpt from the book.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! Only two boxes of books when I ordered three?” Olivia Harper’s exasperated voice echoed through the cozy confines of Harper’s Haven, the bookshop she’d inherited from her grandfather Elijah.
She hoisted the books inside and shook her head. “I guess I’ll have to charm my customers with my dazzling personality instead of relying on the books.”
With a grin and a sigh, she reached for her cell phone to rectify the mistake. Sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting a glow over the antique furniture and overstuffed chairs. The scent of aged paper and rich mahogany embraced her like an old friend.
Blooming cherry blossom trees, with slender upright branches and rounded canopies, lined the street. When she finished her phone call, she opened the window to let in the floral-scented air.
As she gazed around her shop, a flicker of uncertainty passed through her.
Harper’s Haven wasn’t just a bookstore—it was her dream, her legacy. She had poured her heart and soul into every detail, determined to carry on her grandfather’s proud tradition. But lately, the weight of responsibility seemed more burdensome than ever.
With each passing year, the pressures of running the business grew more daunting.
She shrugged off her khaki-colored windbreaker, hung it on a hook by the door, and secured an apron over her clothes. Then she kneeled beside the book shipments and sliced through the packing tape.
She lifted out two hardbound editions of Wuthering Heights, their gold-leaf lettering glinting in the gauzy morning light.
The distinct tinkle of the shop bell was unmistakable, and she greeted the first customer of the day.
But no one responded.
“Hello?” she called out again. “Can I help you find anything?”
Only silence. Every aisle lay empty and still.
Okay, this was strange. She was certain she had heard the bell.
“Anyone here?” She repeated.
Nope. No reply. She must’ve been mistaken. She was obviously alone.
Corralling her unease into something more productive, she redirected her attention to her task. As she sliced through the packing tape on the next box, a flash of creamy parchment grabbed her attention. She crouched for a better look, clearing dust bunnies from the wooden floorboards. An envelope lay slightly hidden underneath the front door.
She yanked the envelope free. The texture was luxuriously thick, and clearly expensive stationery. No postage, no address … only a wax seal, keeping its contents mysteriously confined. The wax itself was an unusual shade of yellow, its sheen catching the morning light streaming through the windows.
There were no clues as to the sender, an intriguing omission.
Her fingertip dipped over fancy lettering.
The initials L.B.
Where had she seen that unique script before, with its elongated curves and artistic loops? It tugged at her memory but hovered slightly out of reach.
The letter was addressed to:
Ms. Lillian Beaumont
Sweetwater Springs
Whispers of Love
“Whispers of love?” she asked aloud. “What does it mean?”
Book Link:
Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs
Author Link:
Much thanks, Uvi, for your feature of my book today! So appreciated! ox
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Sarah! Can't wait to read it :)
DeleteThank you so much for this opportunity, Uvi. The presentation looks fantastic, too.
ReplyDelete