Tag: novel

An AI Thriller from a Pair of Actual Writers

It should be obvious I’m a big fan of switching up genres in my writing. Turns out I’m not the only one. Deb Heim and Ross Hightower usually write excellent epic fantasy like The Spirit Song Trilogy, so it was a bit of a surprise to see their latest work is a Sci-fi, urban fantasy mashup called Descartes’ Demon (available February 7). It’s hard enough to make a switch like that when it’s just you. But when there are two of you???? I don’t even get along with myself when writing.

Okay, you two. Tell the folks who you are.

Deb: I used to call myself a guerilla gardener/almost a writer, but now I am willing to call myself a writer. At first glance, my life followed the pattern of our generation – school, (grad school), marriage, house, family, work, more work, moving, more moving, and now retirement with a pension. (I am quite distressed that our two children don’t even have the option of that pattern.) One day Ross talked about how thrilling his life was, especially his torrid love affair. It took me a beat to realize he was talking about me. And now we are on our next great adventure as writing partners.

Ross: It may seem odd that I ended up becoming a writer late in life. After all, I was a chemical engineer (briefly) and a professor of information technology for many years. Neither of those professions seems especially compatible with writing fantasy. But, in fact, I find one of the things I like most about my technical jobs is the same thing I enjoy about writing. Writing is about solving puzzles. Putting the pieces of a plot together. Deciding how characters with different personalities respond to one another. It makes my mind purr. I feel fortunate for many reasons. Having a partner in Deb who I swear I’ve known in previous lives, is the most important. But finding my passion in writing is right up there.

Lord, you two are adorable. So what’s the book about?

When cybersecurity wiz Nik breathes life into Nicola—a deepfake AI sculpted in the image of Alix, his favorite person in the world – it was just a little cyber experiment. When one of his contractors is found dead and intern Kate goes missing, the stakes turn deadly.

A black hat cracker styling himself “The Technician” hacks into his cyber-security company.  Shadowy cyberpunk icon “The Vulture” sends cryptic messages to his best programmer. A ruthless oligarch schemes with his partners to wrest control of the company he started. Supernatural figments occupying NYC like paranormal vagabonds seem to know what’s going on but are no help at all. And big thugs with Russian accents keep turning up like bad pennies.

With everyone scrambling to gain control of his creation, Nik and Alix set out to contain what he unwittingly unleashed. When one of his contractors is found dead and intern Kate goes missing, the stakes turn deadly. Of course, the only police detective who believes them has been forced to resign, but her cyber-sleuth girlfriend “The Bloodhound” is on the case. Can they find Kate before The Technician finishes her off?  Will they ever get rid of those lurking Russians? And can Nik put the cybernetic genie Nicola back in the virtual bottle or will she escape into the digital wild?

It takes a lot to switch genres. What are the roots of this story?

Ross is a retired IT professor who ran a large data center and did his early academic work exploring AI, so this felt like a great space to explore as an author. He started out trying to write a basic, snappy thriller that was easier to market, but once the characters in the book started asking questions about the nature of reality and consciousness, all bets were off. He has an artist’s soul, so he had to let the story go where it was going to go. At some point, a paranormal/supernatural element of the story popped in and then became a focal point of the plot. And to be perfectly honest we wanted to write a contemporary series as an excuse to travel around the world for research.

I’m guessing that, like me, you read in many categories and genres. Who do you enjoy?

Ross and Deb both lean toward classic epic fantasy (Rothfuss, Sullivan, Wexler, Tolkien), but since we started a “Firkins and Fantasy” book club at our local brewery, we’ve had the pleasure of reading authors we wouldn’t have found otherwise – NK Jemison, Roanhouse, Choo, Novik, El-Mohtar. Urban fantasy, re-imagined fables, historical fantasy. Having spent too many years in Florida, we are both big fans of Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey. AND we are actually big Wayne Turmel fans – Deb has read all the books in the Werewolf PI series. The snappy dialogue and surprising, poignant moments between the characters were some of the elements that inspired us for our first foray into urban fantasy.

Sucking up is unnecessary, and I’m not taking responsibility for your cynical foray into urban fantasy! Where can folks learn more about the two of you?

Website https://rosshightower.com/

Contact/newsletter page https://rosshightower.com/contact/

Ross’ Goodreads page  Amazon page Bookbub page

Deb’s Amazon page Bookbub page

Our FB page https://www.facebook.com/QuizzicalSpirit/

Instagram @quizzicalllc https://www.instagram.com/quizzicalllc/

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/quizzicalllc.bsky.social

And speaking of genre-hopping, my return to historical fiction is available now.

The Deserter- a Tale of the Foreign Legion, is “Beau Geste if it were directed by Sam Peckinpah”, a two-fisted adventure set in the African desert. Available in paperback anywhere, and on Kindle.

Here it is: The Cover for The Deserter

My newest novel, The Deserter- a Tale of the Foreign Legion, is coming January 15. It’s available for Pre-order on Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback version internationally (or you can buy a signed paperback from me!)

Here’s the cover, and some of what people are saying.

First, the Front cover, and the cover for the eBook:

And then the full cover:

Thanks to Ruth Zakarian, a fellow Sin City Writers member for her amazing, evocative cover art.

Gritty and existential! – author Cam Torrens

…a powerful tale of loyalty, survival, and second chances. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and classic adventure fiction.- KJ Fieler

Coming January 15, 2028

Okay, Here is the Formal Announcement- The Deserter Comes Out January 15th!

After a lot of false starts and hemming and hawing, “The Deserter, a Tale of the Foreign Legion,” will be out January 16, 2026.

Gritty and existential! A British veteran’s stint in the French Foreign Legion turns ugly as he suffers from the brutal cost of good intentions and the indifferent machinery of war.—Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn suspense series
.

This book marks the return to my historical fiction roots. It’s different than anything you’ve read from me. It’s dark, violent, and decidedly not cute or funny. But it IS a thrilling story of desperation and one man’s desire to overcome his worst impulses.

Here’s the synopsis:

Marseille, 1908.

A Boer War veteran, broken and adrift, seeks discipline and renewed purpose in the unforgiving ranks of the French Foreign Legion. He finds it, but not for long. When a payroll guard is murdered, a treacherous soldier blames him, forcing Gil Vincente to run for his life.

Chasing his nemesis through the rugged mountains of North Africa, Gil must fight to clear his name. But with the Legion on his heels and a ruthless killer on the loose, will he find justice or be forever branded a coward and deserter?

Think Beau Geste, directed by Sam Peckinpah, and you’re on the right track.

If you’d like an early review copy, want to be on my launch team, or just want to know more details as launch day draws near, Get on my mailing list.

More to come. Stay tuned

What do Histfic Readers Actually Like? Take a Poll For Me Please.

I had a conversation with someone the other day that left me a little shook, not gonna lie. I was telling this person (who shall remain nameless despite every vengeful nerve in my body screaming for justice) about my new book, The Deserter, and how I was having trouble finding a publisher for it. I expected sympathy. Maybe performative empathy. Lip service, at the very least. Anything but what I got.

“What do you expect? You’re writing about a time and place that nobody knows or cares about.”

EXQUEEZE ME???!

I was gobsmacked (a greatly underused word, IMHO.) I read historical fiction to learn about places and times I don’t know much about. Whether it’s the Nabateans (last week’s interview about The Stonecutter) or the fallout (literally) from the WW2 nuclear experiments at Hanford, I learn stuff (technical term) when I read historical fiction.

Turns out, this is not everyone’s experience. A good friend of mine reads almost exclusively about the American Civil War. Another is obsessed with the Tudors. (AUTHOR NOTE: Civil War 1.0 and British Royalty are my LEAST favorite historical subjects, but I try not to judge. I fail, but I try.)

While I certainly have favorite periods, I think a novel should be, well, novel. Give me a fresh take and tell me something I don’t already know. Maybe tell me my assumptions are wrong.

All of this leads me to a quick, painless poll. Put simply, When (or if) you read histfic, do you like reading about periods you’re not familiar with, the same couple of topics, or one in particular? I’m not even asking which one, just why do you read historical fiction?

You can take the poll here, and let me know. Please, help a brother out.

If you like reading about people and periods you might be unfamiliar with, I have some suggestions:

Count Byron de Prorok: archaeologist, showman and disappointment to most is the hero of The Count of the Sahara

What would life be like for a half-French, half-Syrian orphan in the Crusades? Acre’s Bastard, and Acre’s Orphans, the Lucca Le Pou Stories contain special bonus lepers!

Yup, that’s me. Historical fiction with nary a ruffled shirt or Johnny Reb in sight. Of course, if you want to know when I find a publisher for my dark Foreign Legion tale, you can get on my mailing list.

Sign up with the form on this page or you can use the QR code:

Dual Writers for Dueling Pirates: Toni Runkle and Steve Webb

I’ve co-written nonfiction books with some success (The Long-Distance Leader is in its second printing and seven languages.) While Kevin Eikenberry and I get along pretty well, and I’ve managed not to get fired in the process, it wouldn’t work the same when writing a novel. I can fake collegiality as much as the next worker bee, but my fiction is too personal and too dependent on whatever I call “my style.”

So it’s impressive that Toni Runkle and Steve Webb have done several YA novels together. I’ll let them fill in the rest…

So what’s the deal with you two?

Hi, we’re Toni and Steve—and we’ve always loved telling stories. We first met as grad students at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, then went our separate ways into the film and TV world. Years later, we were released for good behavior and reconnected. We decided to team up.—not for a screenplay, but to write novels for young readers. Our first book out of the chute, Glitter Girl, was published by Sourcebooks and got a shout-out from Kirkus Reviews for delivering “an empowering message about striving to be true to oneself.” Not a bad start!

These days, we are waist-deep in our biggest project yet: The Pirate’s Curse trilogy, which serves up equal amounts of heart, humor, and (yes) swashbuckling adventure.

A little about us: I’m Toni—I grew up an Army brat, which meant moving all over the world, but it also meant a unique childhood filled with lots of exotic locations and perilous escapades. These days, I love the beach, my garden, and scary movies.
And I’m Steve—I was born in England, raised in South Dakota, an oddity from which I still haven’t fully recovered. I’m a big fan of baseball, cheeseburgers, and not so scary movies.

We’re both married—not to each other, because that would get weird—and we live with our wonderfully patient families in sunny Southern California.

What’s the new book about?

Weight of Souls is the 2nd book in the Pirate’s Curse Trilogy. The first book is Brigands of the Compass Rose. The series is about a group of modern-day teens, mostly outcasts and foster kids, who discover they are descendants of infamous pirates and must band together to fight a 300-year-old curse. 

I am a sucker for a good pirate story. What is it about that period that intrigued you?

We were interested in the women pirates of the 1700s, particularly Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who had thrown in with the infamous Calico Jack Rackham. They disappeared from history after Rackham was hanged, and it got us wondering – what happened to them and their descendants? Who would their descendants be now? From there, we wove a tale of magic, curses and modern-day young people who must fulfill their destinies. We use actual history and real characters from the past, which we weave into our modern-day tale. 

Officially cool idea. Totally unfair question, but we’re trying to pimp books here. What’s your favorite scene in the book?

There are many. But one of our favorites is a scene when the young Brigands spend an evening hiding out in a swamp with older Brigands and they swap tales of their adventures. 

Where can readers learn more about your books and your work?

Our website www.runklewebb.com

Facebook.com/runklewebb

Weight of Souls (The Pirate’s Curse Book 2) by Toni Runkle | Goodreads

X @webbrunkle

TikTok   runkle.webb

Whether your tastes run to historical fiction or award-winning urban fantasy, check out all my work on my Amazon Author Page, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.

Now Comes the Raven- Jean M Roberts

Hang around the writing business long enough and you’ll keep coming across the same people. One of the finer humans is Jean Roberts. She’s written some solid Historical Fiction, which I think is where we first crossed trails. She also has published some of her work with Black Rose Writing, and there we met up again.

I really enjoyed her time-travel novel The Heron. She’s back with a sequel, Now Comes the Raven. Here’s my catch-up chat with her.

Okay, lady. Tell the uninitiated who you are and what you’ve been up to.

Thank you, Wayne for asking me to be on your blog!

A little about myself, hmm. I’m older, but not old. I’ve lived in four countries and multiple states. My husband and I met in the Air Force when we were stationed in England. After moving around a lot, we settled outside of Houston, Texas, where I worked as a nurse administrator until I chucked in the job to write full-time. I started with historical fiction, then wandered into historical fantasy, and every once in a while, I take a sharp turn into murder mysteries. When I’m not writing, I’m usually in the garden, pulling weeds, watching birds, and thinking about my plot.

We actually share a fascination with birds, although they don’t (or at least haven’t yet) found their way into my work. So, what’s your new book about?

As you well know, the worst question you can ask a writer is ‘what is your book about?’ How many hours have you got? I just published (March 6th) book two in my Midsummer Woman Series, called NOW COMES THE RAVEN. The story is a dual time set in modern-day Devon and in 9th-century Wessex. The main character in each period is a witch with special skills in healing. The antagonist is called The Raven, and he makes life hell for both women. The two must come together to defeat him. It is heavy on historical fiction with a bonus of magical realism/fantasy. There is mythology, mystery, romance, and a rollicking good time. I am currently thinking of ways to torment my MC in a third installment.

You bounce around a lot. What’s your favorite period in history to write about? Why pre-Hastings Wessex?

I’ve loved every time period I’ve written about. I really enjoyed the history of Wessex as it transitioned from pagan to Christian, clinging to some of the old ways and blending it into new traditions. This was the time of King Alfred the Great and the Danish (Vikings) invasion. My MC in the past, is a young woman learning her skills from a master herbalist and healer. They are witches, but not in the hocus-pocus sense, more like cunning women who can see visions and predict the future. The emphasis of the story is woman power, building a sisterhood, coming together to help and heal.

Since apparently it’s my job to ask unfair questions, what’s your favorite scene?

What is my favorite scene? That’s like asking a mother which is her favorite child. One scene I really enjoyed was when Aelfwyn, my witch in training, calls up a storm to destroy the Danish Fleet off the coast of Exeter. This was a powerful moment for her when she realized the possibilities and consequences of her magic. BTW, the Danish fleet really did sink, and who knows, maybe it was a witch.

Maybe. Where can people find more of your work?

You can find my books on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Most of them are available as audiobooks. I am all over social media, usually lurking in the dark shadows, but if inclined you can find me in the following places:

My Blog: The Books Delight

Amazon Author Page 

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Instagram 

Bookbub

Bluesky

Threads

Goodreads

Tiktok

Website: Home | Jean M. Roberts – Wix.com

Thanks again, Wayne for letting me stop by!

Whether your tastes run to historical fiction or award-winning urban fantasy, check out all my work on my Amazon Author Page, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.

Werewolves as Demon Metaphor??? Blackie Williamson

One of the things I always enjoy with the current werewolf renaissance in writing is when people come up with explanations for how and why the change occurs, or what’s really behind it. With the Johnny Lycan stories, it’s mostly a genetic defect (although as Nik Koslov can tell you, it can be transmitted by bite so don’t get cocky.) Horror writer Blackie Williamson has a different theory in his book, Evil Eye in the Sky.

Alright, Blackie. Who are you and what’s up?

Unlike many horror authors, I’m not trying to be original, but trendy, to sell books, because I’ve had bedbugs more than once and want out of this ghetto. I do write brutally, and with plenty of gore and series’ of shocks, to satisfy the true horror fans out there. I also write fantasy and science fiction. 

Okay, we’re going the brutally honest route. I like it. What’s Evil Eye in the Sky about?

A balance between beast and lover. Cormac, infected by another werewolf, has to fight with every fiber of his being to not rend asunder and eat blond Aubrey, his high-school love interest. To make matters worse, Cormac’s father, Goddard–who demands to be called God–is after Cormac and Aubrey to join his wolf pack and worship him, to devour innocents. The conflict is that they must find a way to defeat him.

You’ve made some interesting choices about what lycanism is and how it manifests. What is the thinking here?

: It was important to me to have the werewolf virus be a Legion, Cormac possessed by 2,000 demons. In cryptid research, I found that the Beast of Bray Road in Wisconsin became possessed after devil worship, as I am a Christian. I had fun with Cormac by making him a tough guy, but also a sweetie. Roots? I dunno. I was influenced by the werewolf-movie greats: An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, and the Ginger Snaps trilogy, as well as great werewolf novels like Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King. 

You’ve certainly done your werewolf homework. Who are your favorites?

Adam Nevill (werewolf novel The Reddening), Glen Duncan (The Last Werewolf), John Skipp and Craig Spector (Animals), Ray Garton (Ravenous and Bestial), and Graeme Reynolds (High Moor), the greats as far as werewolf novels, before they were overdone, plus Johnny Lycan: Werewolf PI Series by Wayne Turmel.

That’s a hell of a list, and I’m ashamed at how pleased I am to be on it. Not resistant to flattery. Where can people learn more about you?

My Amazon page is here.

@BlackieWFangs on X, and blackienosferatu on Instagram, plus blackynosferatu.livejournal.com.

If you hate starting series that aren’t complete, consider starting the Johnny Lycan: Werewolf PI series. The grand finale, Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder is available now on Amazon and from Black Rose Writing. And it’s available in Kindle, Paperback and Audible.

“I’ve been a fan of this series since the beginning, and while I’m slightly devastated that this is the end of it, I LOVED The Last Witchfinder.” S G Tasz

This final installment in Johnny’s saga is perhaps the weirdest, most baffling of all… Author Jill Hand

Join in the Johnny Lycan 3 Book Launch Week!

“Like methadone for Dresden fans. You’ll love this series.”

Indie Horror Review

Thursday, May 2 is the official launch of the conclusion of the Werewolf PI Series: Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to do something fun to celebrate.

Wednesday, May 1: (Online event) Join me for a Facebook Live book launch event. I will read, answer questions, and have prizes for those who drop by.

https://fb.me/e/1mwZh0gT3 Join us at 5 PM Pacific time. https://fb.me/e/1mwZh0gT3

UPDATE Thursday, May 9 (In-person event) I will be reading at the Sin City Writers, “Do-it at Brew-it Event,” 6 PM 601 E Bridger Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Saturday, May 4, 12-3 PM (In-person event) The Copper Cat Bookstore, 1570 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy STE 170, Henderson, NV 89012

Sunday, May 5 (online event) 2PM Pacific Time. I’ll be reading and answering questions with other writers at the Henderson Writer’s Group Dime Grinds event.

Meanwhile, the book is now available for pre-order in paperback or Kindle on Amazon or at Black Rose Writing

Fan Mail from Other Countries is FUN. Send some, will ya?

Hi!

I am in Gdańsk, Poland and reading book two in your Jonny Lycan series!

There’s something to read first thing in the morning. Today I woke up to a lovely letter from a reader. This happens occasionally and is always a blast when it does. When it comes from an unexpected corner of the world, it’s even more special.

I like Poland. I was there on business once and can speak my three travel words of Polish. Whenever I go to a foreign country, I learn three words: Hello. Thank you. Beer. (I don’t know the spelling, but in Polish, that’s Dzendobri, Djakuya, and Pivo)

I once tried adding up all the places my work has been read: The US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Ukraine, Israel, Dubai, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, China and Jamaica that I know of. There might be more. I hope so.

The reader even sent photographic evidence:

We writers have huge egos but also need validation for more than our parking. If you enjoy a book, please leave a review. But consider dropping a line by social media (Twitter/X is @Wturmel) or email. (There’s a place on the website.) It can make someone’s day.

Thanks, Lex, and I hope you enjoy Johnny’s future adventures.

Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder is coming May 2, 2024, from Black Rose Writing. It’s not too late to get started on the series now!