I enjoyed an interview recently with Peter Okonkwo, the founder of P English Literature, the first international BookTube show in Africa that features authors from around the world. We cover quite a bit of ground in this interview. Enjoy!
Tag: newbook
Award for Shadows of Truth
I’m pleased to announce that Shadows of Truth has received recognition from Literary Titan per the message below. The release date is less than a week away for those buying online. If you’re in the Ottawa, Canada area, you can pick up your signed copy at Indigo Kanata on Saturday, September 20, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction | LITERARY TITAN
Shadows of Truth – Cover Reveal and Presale
The moment we’ve all been waiting for… the official cover of Shadow of Truth is finally revealed!
A story of secrets, lies, and truths that refuse to stay hidden.
Will you be ready when the truth comes to light?
Shadows of Truth is available for presale. Order it now for delivery on September 15!
Writing a Novel: Letting Your Characters Lead
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards once said something to the effect that sometimes you don’t have to write a song. You just have to be there to receive it. I feel the same way about writing a novel. The characters decide where they want to go. It’s up to the author to take them there. #writers #authors
Jake Scott’s Journey and What’s Next
If you love a gripping mystery, a determined sleuth, and twists you’ll never see coming, the Jake Scott Mystery Series is for you.
Jake Scott was once a respected journalist. Now retired and lonely, he finds himself drawn back into danger time and again, uncovering dark secrets others would rather keep hidden.
In Searching for Truth, Jake uncovers a deadly secret buried within his own circle of breakfast friends, proving that no one is quite who they seem.
In The Guardians of Truth, he infiltrates a shady organization preying on vulnerable people, putting himself at great risk to expose their lies.
In The Secret Truth, what should have been a peaceful getaway turns into a nightmare when a deadly explosion shatters lives and uncovers a chilling plot.
And now…
Shadows of Truth on the Cruise Ship is about to set sail.
Jake thought a cruise would be the perfect escape, a chance to relax and leave danger behind. But when a murder rocks the ship, he realizes the killer is onboard, and the truth is buried somewhere in the endless ocean around them.
Will Jake find the answers before the ship docks? Or will the shadows claim another victim?
Catch up on the series now, and don’t miss the next thrilling chapter, coming this September!
#JakeScottMystery #MysterySeries #NewBookRelease #MurderMystery #AmReading #BookLovers #SuspenseBooks
The Authors Show Interview
My interview on The Authors Show, in which we discuss my inspirational book Just Keep Climbing, is now live.
The interview is available on major podcast platforms like Spotify, Pandora, IHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others.
Alternatively, you can just listen to it here.
Writing Update – July 27, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, mostly because I’ve been working on my inspirational book, Just Keep Climbing: Inspirational Stories for Overcoming Challenges and Living Life. It’s nearing completion and I’m very proud of the outcome. Eight people generously shared their inspirational stories with me and I can’t thank them enough.
So, where is it? Well, here’s part of it.
Here’s what’s going to happen. The cover will be revealed in a few days on July 31. In the meantime, take a guess at what’s under the shaded area based on the title.
The e-book goes on presale August 1. Then, on September 9, Just Keep Climbing will be launched to the world. I can’t wait to share it with you.
This is a departure for sure from my mystery and thriller titles but since everyone needs a little inspiration from time to time, I thought Jake Scott could take a little break. He’ll be back in the spring.
In the meantime, watch for the presale of Just Keep Climbing, grab your copy (to be delivered September 9) and read some amazing stories.
Searching For Truth
My new mystery novel, Searching for Truth, is coming soon. Here’s a hint of what’s coming. Keep watching for updates.
New Book Coming!
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted much and, while it is not an excuse, the reason is that I have been working on a new mystery featuring a brand new character named Jake Scott.
I have been wrestling with ideas about the best way to introduce Jake to my amazing readers. He’s not your ordinary hero. In fact, in his mind he’s not a hero at all. He’s a bored and lonely former reporter, having lost his wife to an aneurysm, his job to technology and his daughter to a boyfriend in another city.
There are many steps to go through before the book is published, so it will be a few months before you will be able to read it. But, as part of the process, Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) have been sent to a handful of readers for early feedback. The first comments arrived yesterday from Cathy S. who blogs under Cath N’ Kindle Book Reviews.
Cathy has captured the essence of Jake Scott perfectly, so there is no better way to introduce him to you than through her words. Take it away, Cathy.
Searching for Truth by Barry Finlay
“Having enjoyed my first encounter with this author (The Burden of Darkness), it was with great enthusiasm that I dived into this book, and what a joy. I was promised a new protagonist (Jake Scott), and he couldn’t be more different than The Burden of Darkness’s Marcia Kane.
Jake Scott is feeling his way around recent widowerhood and retirement. The highlight of his week: Saturday morning coffee with a motley crew: three men and Constable Danielle Perez. As a former investigative journalist, Jake is just the chap to help Danielle look into a double murder from three years previously. The pandemic has delayed so many things, not least the legal process, and it’s taken a long time for the main suspect to be convicted. But Danielle isn’t convinced the right man is in prison. With just a grumpy cat for company and little motivation in his newfound, reluctant singledom, Jake takes up the offer to help.
I really enjoyed this. Jake makes a refreshingly different hero. He’s not young and handsomely six-packed. He’s a bit of a Luddite, a technophobe, but there’s a steadfastness and sincerity about him. And quietly smart. It’s rather lovely witnessing his emergence from his cocoon of grief and loneliness after the tragic loss of his beloved wife. The attractive Dani and her stereotypically monosyllabic, grumpy teenager are quite the tonic. But little do the three of them know what serious danger will befall them by wanting to put right a wrong.
Extremely well composed and observed, this is really edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath writing and compelling right to the very end. I consider myself quite a good guesser of whodunnits, but Mr F had me well stumped.
Jake (and Dani) have a sequel in them, I know it. I certainly hope it.”
Cover Reveal
We’re getting closer to the launch of my new book, The Burden of Darkness, so I thought it was time to reveal the cover and blurb. Here they are! Watch for the presale of the book to start soon.
Nathan Harris is in the fight of his life. Tormented by flashbacks, it’s all the former FBI Agent can do to get through a day, let alone focus on his marriage to Marcie Kane. Counseling helps but is it enough to help him regain some semblance of normalcy? After already losing so much, he desperately needs a win. What he doesn’t need is a sadistic monster targeting innocent people, including someone close to him.
Owen Strand has nothing to lose. Handed a death sentence by his physician, sued by his partner and fired from his job, he’s spiraling out of control and out for blood. Armed with a list of everyone who has ever wronged him, he travels around North America, picking off his enemies one by one.
Nathan and Owen are on opposite sides of a bridge in the most significant battles of their lives. Only one can emerge successful, but both stand to lose far more than they may have to give.
