Simon Duringer's Blog, page 29

Rachel Abbott

Fairly new to the world of publishing yet already with a sales record that sets itself apart from many established and traditionally published authors.

My next guest self published her first novel in November 2011, within months she held the #1 spot on Kindle and her psychological thriller remained there for a staggering four weeks. An incredible achievement in its own right her novel went on to become the second highest selling self published novel of 2012.

Who is my next guest…

Bestselling author Rachel Abbott has agreed to run the gauntlet of Simons 10 Q Interviews… A Northerner by birth, hailing from Manchester (UK), Rachel has spent most of her life as the Managing Director of a successful interactive media and software development company. It wasn’t until she sold up and took early retirement that her lifetime ambition to write a book could be turned into a reality…

In 2011, the psychological thriller Only The Innocent was self published and took little time in reaching the Number #1 spot on the overall kindle bestseller list, remaining there for four weeks, and becoming the Number #2 highest selling self published novel for 2012.

Rachel has seen equal success in both her second and third novels; The Back Road and Sleep Tight. In fact as I write this preview Only The Innocent is Number #15, The Back Road is Number #11 and Sleep Tight is Number #12 in the ‘all books’ kindle bestseller list, what a phenomenal achievement…

Eager to find out the secrets to Rachel’s success, I am spellbound by this record of achievement and like most others cannot wait to hold this interview with this, the truly remarkable and, for so long hidden talent, the marvellous Rachel Abbott.

If you cannot wait for the interview and are in the minority of those readers yet to experience the power of Rachel Abbott’s quill, then get along to amazon using the appropriate links below and buy one or all of the trio of current Top #15 bestselling novels by Rachel. Before you go I have included one of Rachel’s haunting promo videos for the psychological thriller Sleep Tight at the bottom of the page… Watch it at your peril!

Amazon (U.S.) – Rachel Abbott Author Page

Amazon (U.K.) – Rachel Abbott Author Page

Finally, don’t forget to bookmark this page so that you can find us again easily when the Rachel Abbott interview goes live in the coming weeks.

The Rachel Abbott interview is due to take place in April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple Amazon/Goodreads 5 star thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Simons 10 Q Interviews is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Joseph M Rinaldo

Rambling On… has attracted some interesting characters, authors and readers alike. The next guest is certainly no different. He is focussed on achieving bestseller status and has four novels already published, and available to buy, with more to follow. His website mirrors his public facing image – tidy, professional, well groomed. Indeed my next guest already all demonstrates many of the characteristics of a successful and established author and we are yet to read a page. So who is he?

Joseph M Rinaldo - like myself he’s a man who wields numbers in a world where to succeed you must seamlessly wield words. Let’s see how Joseph M Rinaldo, Joe, gets on with Rambling On…

Over to you Joe…

Q1: How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?

A1: I’ve been writing about ten years. As for my influences, this question is not: Who does your writing style mirror? But people often read the answer and hear, “He likes Dan Brown, so that’s what his books are like.” I read a book by Bob Woodward about the CIA during the Reagan years. Shortly after that I wrote A Spy At Home. Garrison, a CIA operative in A Spy At Home, sees his professional life as a wasted career. The idea germinated while reading Mr. Woodward’s book, however, none of the factual account from his work made it into my novel.

Q2: What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?

A2: Valerie’s Retreat. The reason you’ll enjoy this book is relate-ability – Valerie’s a very likeable woman. The reader will be on her side. However, as Valerie makes more choices, the reader will have to decide the strength of their allegiance. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn also encouraged readers to re-evaluate their allegiances to the characters. Both novels keep the reader on edge by bringing in surprises just as the reader thinks they have the story figured out. Gone Girl remaining plot seems so obvious in one chapter, only to be completely turned upside down in the next. Valerie’s Retreat follows this recipe to keep the reader guessing.

Q3: What is your motivation for writing?

A3: The actual impetus for me to begin writing came while I was reading Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks. When I got to the part where he received a million-dollar advance, I thought, “Holy cow! He’s a good writer, but I know I can do this, too.” I’ve been writing since that day in 2004.

Q4: What is your favourite hobby?

A4: My family and I love boating. We have little boat that we pull behind the truck and launch into the water every summer weekend we can. I dream of owning a big yacht on the ocean someday. Valerie in my novel Valerie’s Retreat loves to be around the water, too. I can’t give away the ending of the book but her dream of owning a marina is part of her escape plan after she and her boyfriend rob a bank. She’s likeable, and women will relate to her. Wait until you see who she convinces to rent space at her marina! I’m not saying she gets away with the robbery; you’ll have to find out for yourself.

Q5: Where does charity start for you and what have you done that might be considered charitable?

A5: My daughter has Down syndrome, which includes the characteristic of being mentally retarded, so my wife and I coach or chaperone special Olympics events in basketball, bowling, and powerlifting. I get the impression that some people equate charity with doing a chore but these events are usually lots of fun for us. In my novel A Spy At Home, Garrison retires from the CIA after serving undercover in Africa and returns home where he cares for his adult son with Down syndrome. I hope the fun and excitement of Special Olympics shines through in this book.

Q6: What is your favourite quotation and by whom?

If you say I can – you can; if you say I can’t – you can’t. Either way you’re right. The biggest obstacle we have to success is ourselves. I have no idea who said that, but I suspect it was the parent of whining child.

Q7: How many books have you written and what are they called?

A7: I have four books published that are available on Amazon. In Valerie’s Retreat the forty-one-year-old protagonist meets a wonderful man sixteen years her junior. Even though they seem to have nothing in common since she is a Head Teller at a bank and he’s studying for a doctorate in Archaeology, the pair clicks. A Spy At Home is a memoir of a former spy who near the end of his career comes to the realization that his life’s work of promoting rebellion in third-world counties for American interests was a waste. Out of bitterness, he steals over nine million dollars on his last mission. The money was meant for a pro-American rebel group in an impoverished country. His retirement is spent learning what he missed at home with his family and wondering if the CIA will figure out he has their money. Hazardous Choices describes the difficulty a young man has trying to fit in during his first year of college. In Chicago he served as a gangbanger for the vicious Neptune Knights, and in a small Kentucky town where he received a scholarship to play division two football he tries to fit in with the other students. His understanding of the world doesn’t make much sense in this environment. A Mormon Massacre tells about a young man in his early twenties who had been raised hating the Mormon church. To fight what he believes is a cult, Jeremiah goes undercover as a convert to rescue women from abusive plural marriages.

I understand people are hesitant to give independent authors a chance. If any of the books I’ve mentioned interest you, please go to the free “Click to Look Inside” and sample the first chapter. If a book grabs you that quick, you’ll probably be glad you got it. Also, if you are in a book club that reads one of my books. I’d be honored to join your discussion. Feel free to contact me through Facebook or my website, www.josephmrinaldo.com.

Q8: Fitness Freak or Couch Potato?

A8: Do I have to have the same for all of my life? As I get older workouts are easier to skip. When my wife and I first started dating, we walked constantly. In addition to walking with her, I’d jog 3 or 4 miles. Now we’re on differing work schedules, so we don’t walk together much. I use an elliptical and a treadmill in the basement, so I still lean toward the fitness freak, but you wouldn’t call me that. My daughter lifts weights regularly, just like Noah in A Spy At Home. This keeps me lifting weights with her on nights we don’t use the treadmill.

Q9: How do you research your work?

A9: My research falls into two categories: intentional and inadvertent. For A Spy At Home I was reading Bob Woodward’s book as previously mentioned and the story popped into my head. Mr. Woodward’s book provided the foundation but I just happened to stumble across it. For Valerie’s Retreat she runs to another country so I had to research extradition treaties between the USA and this other place. I also had to do some research for Franco’s dream. He’s Valerie’s boyfriend and a doctoral candidate in Archeology. Valerie’s sixteen years older than Franco, but their age difference has been thoroughly researched since my wife is sixteen years older than I am. I am proud to say that the story of Valerie the Cougar is something you can relate to and nothing like the reality TV Cougars.

Q10: What genres do you write, what made you choose them?

A10: The stories that pop into my head get written down. They haven’t fit nicely into a genre, which I think makes them more interesting. I just read 11/22/63 by Stephen King. The book was great, but I have no idea what if any genre it fits into. A Spy At Home is a Romantic Thriller, but I hope the book is deeper and more sophisticated than those two words imply. A Spy At Home is a novel. Yet, several people told that as they read the book they forgot if it was fiction or non-fiction. I don’t know exactly where it lands on the genre scale, but I thought that was the best compliment a novelist could receive.

To buy the paperbacks or download Joe’s latest novels on kindle, follow the link below to his author page where all his titles can be purchased. But before you go why not watch Joe’s preview trailer of the novel A spy at home, available to watch at the bottom of the page…

For U.S. Readers – Joseph M Rinaldo

For U.K. Readers – Joseph M Rinaldo

The Joseph M Rinaldo interview took place on 09 April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Buy on Amazon (U.S.) – A Spy at Home

Buy on Amazon (U.K.) – A Spy at Home

D R Ransdell

My next guest on Rambling On… hails from Springfield, IL, where she grew up in a houseful of books. An avid reader, she is also a musician and regularly moonlights as a mariachi player. Currently writing in more than one genre and this guest promises there’s more to come.

Dr D R Ransdell has agreed to come on to Rambling On…

With all the boxes ticked, and a potential distinction looming Rambling On… let’s see how she gets on.

Dr Ransdell over to you…

Q1 (2): How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?

A1: I came home from second grade one afternoon, announced I was going to be a writer, and started writing a story about Samantha the Martian. This Martian came down to Earth, replaced the regular teacher for the day, and for once all children all had a wonderful time. I illustrated the manuscript as well, giving Samantha Medusa-style hair that shot out in reds and purples. I always think of that moment as a starting point although, thankfully, the “manuscript” seems to have gone missing. My grandparents influenced me tremendously. Grandma and I would sit together in a big rocking chair, and she would read to me. Each week we got new picture books from the library—each one an exciting world to explore. When I got older my grandpa would supply me with comic books from the grocery store. My parents influenced me as well. Since they were both teachers, our house was filled with books.

Q2 (3): What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?

A2: I’m currently working on Dizzy in Durango, the third book in my murder mystery series about mariachi violinist Andy Veracruz. Andy gets into one scrape after another. He’s the Everyperson who finds himself in predicaments, tries to do “right” things, and winds up having every decision backfire. If he should zig, he should zag. His life is the epitome of the wrong line at the check-out counter. We feel for him and empathize at the same time. In comparison, our own troubles are minor.

As a folk musician, Andy shares his knowledge and love of mariachi music in a palpable way. Andy loves music; it’s the one thing that doesn’t fail him even when chaos is on every side. Despite his frequent involvement in murders, he starts out by looking on the bright side, meaning that there are humorous aspects to his predicaments—at least until things get too hot for him.

Q3 (4): What is your motivation for writing?

A3: I’ve always wanted to be a writer, perhaps because I was always surrounded by books that became friends. I was an only child until I was nine, so instead of fighting with siblings, I visited the Phantom Tollbooth, followed Harriet the Spy around the neighborhood, and wished I lived in the Willows. When I grew up, no matter how much I admired artists or musicians or leaders, I always admired writers the most. They were the ones with the power to create new worlds. As an adult I also began realizing my own limitations. I’m a good linguist, but so are lots of other people. I’m a strong teacher, but many others can do just as well. Although I’ve played the violin for several decades, I don’t manage to play every note in tune.

Through writing, however, what I can offer is a unique vision. Two decades of mariachi experience go into my stories about Andy. Dragging friends to a dozen Chiang Mai temples goes into my novel about the Campanello sisters. These things are unique to my own experience. Others might write a better story, but they won’t be drawing on those same elements.

Q4 (8): What is your favourite hobby?

A4: After undergraduate study, I moved to Mexico to improve my Spanish. When I moved back to the States five years later, I desperately missed Mexico. Worming my way into a Mexican folk band was my way to earn dollars and stay in Mexico, at least for a couple of hours a night.

By now I’ve recovered from reverse culture shock, but playing mariachi music is still pure joy. Sad songs are played in happy keys, happy songs talk about dead parrots and awful mothers-in-law. I thrive on the cheerful exhilaration. Thanks to the constant bickering between the trumpets and the violins, even slow songs have a delicious energy.

Q5 (19): How many pets do you have and how did they get their names?

A5: I have five cats. Ping always bounced around as a kitten. Mei-Mei, which means “Little Sister,” joined the household just as I was heading to China for the first time, and she’s Ping’s sister. Frodo was the quintessential kitten explorer. Bello had such a beautiful face that I couldn’t imagine him being adopted by anyone but me, who would appreciate the Venetian-style mask around his eyes. Mezzanotte, meaning “midnight,” was tossed over a friend’s fence in the middle of the night, perhaps because all too many people think black cats are bad luck. They’re not bad luck to me, of course.

Q6 (28): Who is your favourite artist?

A6: I have a weakness for all the Impressionists, but my absolute favorite is Monet. The last time I was in Paris I got to sit in the basement of the Musée Marmottan by myself on a Thursday evening and stare at “Impression: Sunrise” uninterrupted. Although I tried to ask myself why that painting has power over me, I couldn’t answer my own question. I do think that there is tremendous power in color and in imagination. For me, the Impressionists combine those two elements. When I see Monet’s paintings of Argenteuil, that village comes alive. I can mentally populate it with people and picnics and days gone by. When I see the cliffs at Etretat, I want to jump in the water. When I finally did visit Giverny, which was in the days before digital, I shot six rolls of film. I wanted to take the place home with me. I could easily understand why Monet spent twenty years painting his own backyard.

Q7 (29): How do you get in the mood to write?

A7: As soon as I’m awake, (or, on days when I have to teach first, after that), I sit down and write. I don’t try to get “in the mood” because I’m afraid that the mood will never come. I sit down and write quickly. My goal is a thousand words a day. Usually I write more, but I have a minimum. (There are exceptions, such as when I’m editing a manuscript instead of writing one.) Even though I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready to write, when I sit down in front of a keyboard, words usually come.

This isn’t quite by accident. I’m almost always affected by something that happened to me the day before. Perhaps I saw something in a film that reminded me of a character or a feeling. Perhaps I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a long time and that brought back memories. Perhaps I overheard something; thanks to today’s cell phones people are always loudly sharing intimacies. On the plane today, I squeezed into my seat next to a man who was quite tall and muscular. “I pray for small women,” he told me happily. (I’m all of 5’ 2”.) Although I beamed as I admitted that I’d never been prayed for, I spent the first part of the flight wondering just where I would be able to make use of that piece of dialogue. I’m sure it will come up.

Q8 (35): What genres do you write, what made you choose them?

A8: I write murder mysteries because they’re fun and they’re what I most enjoy reading. I can get out all of my frustrations. They even make me a better person. Bad boss? Just wait. Horrible boyfriend named Giancarlo? I will kill you slowly one corpse at a time: Giancarlo, Gianfranco, Gianpiero, etc. I don’t write the serious end-of-the-world stuff. Andy gets into ridiculous positions; I extract him while bumping off a few nasties along the way. There are lots of kinds of mysteries, but the ones I write are cozy noirs. They’re too dark to be cozy, but they’re too light to be noirs. They’re in between because that’s where life itself is. I also enjoy writing mysteries because you can track the same character through multiple books and follow up on his or her progress. In Mariachi Murder, Andy gets himself into trouble by focusing all too much on the wrong woman. In Island Casualty (forthcoming), Andy goes to an idyllic Greek island to forget the woman he lost, but naturally things don’t work out. I also love to travel. Hence I’ve made use of those experiences in a couple of books that are travel adventures. They have an element of romance yet aren’t romances in the traditional, happy-ending way. The love affair is with place. I find it quite easy to fall in love with any number of places. An early love was Italy, yet more demanding adventures in Thailand with a couple of girlfriends led to Thai Twist. I went through a decade of vacationing in Greece, which led to stranding a female mariachi player on a Dodecanese island in Greek Mambo. Right now I’m having minor affairs with lots of places including my two favorite cities, Paris and Venice.

Q9 (37): What star sign are you and what do you think that says about your character?

A9: Growing up I never gave any credence to being a Gemini, although since I was born on June 13th, I’ve always adopted as my own the number thirteen. Then while creating my first website and floundering to find something to say about myself, I realized that I grew up playing the piano and the violin. In high school I studied German and Spanish. When I studied abroad, I spent time in Florence and Spain. Now I write mystery and adventure. There are so many dualities in my life that I’ve stopped being surprised by them. Maybe they give me a kind of energy. While I’m performing mariachi, I think of what I need to do about Chapter Five. When I sit down to write, I hum the song I was just practicing. Somehow these dualities seem natural.

Q10 (40): Swimming in the sea or swimming in a pool, does it make a difference?



A10: I grew up swimming either in the pool or in the lake—ah, another duality. I don’t care where I swim, only that I swim. My favorite place to swim might be Nice or Limassol where the whole city borders the ocean or Zürich where you have to make the big choice between the lake and the river. However, in Tucson I can swim daily, outdoors, in a heated pool that’s five minutes from my house and directly between where I work and where I live. I don’t have to go out of my way to get a great swim every single day. Though I appreciate swimming for the sake of exercise, the real benefit is the freedom it gives my mind. While I’m doing laps, the phone never rings and I can’t stop and clean the house. I think it’s that very freedom that allows me to sit down the next day and write a thousand words. The exercise gives me mental space. Even if I don’t feel like exercising, I do it anyway.

SD Comment: Thank you Dr for a very interesting and enjoyable bit of Rambling On… I wish you all the best to you and your students for the future. Readers – If you would like to learn more about Dr Ransdell’s writings, then why not visit her author page and download a copy of one of her books. Here are the links:

Amazon (U.S.) – Dr D R Ransdell

Amazon (U.K.) – Dr D R Ransdell

The Dr D R Ransdell interview took place on 07 April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Robyn Young

My next guest is the Sunday Times Bestselling Author of the Brethren and Insurrection series of historical fiction novels… She stands tall and alongside the mighty footsteps of the great Conn Iggelulden and Giles Kristian, but could this be her chance to outwit these masters? Is my next interviewee throwing the gauntlet down? Before I am forced to speculate any further we had better find out just exactly who my next guest is…

Any ideas…?



Photo © Sarah Bird Photography

Of course I am talking of the mighty Robyn Young. Her books sell across 22 countries and her words speak volumes to her readers in no less than 15 languages. The research Robyn will carry out prior to writing a novel has been credited by major players in media circles and by critics alike…

“Combining rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters, Young has crafted a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel.”

Publishers Weekly

“So much research must have gone into the book; the detail is incredible. I enjoyed it so much.”

The BBC Radio 2 Simon Mayo Book Club

“Like Young’s other historical novels, Insurrection is meticulously researched…”

Historical Novel Society

The list is of glowing reviews is both global and substantial… Beware all those considering a literary joust with Robyn, here are a few stats to make your knees wobble and your armour creak!

Brethren was a U.S. bestseller in its first week of publication and became the U.K. book chart bestselling hardcover fiction debut of the year 2006. Robyn went on to be named one of Waterstones 25 authors for the future in 2007 and in the same year her novel Crusade entered the U.K. chart at number 2. Renegade entered the Sunday Times top ten in its first week of publication and was named Book of the Year 2007 by German newspaper Bild. Need I say more?

I am delighted to announce that Robyn Young will be running the gauntlet of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews in the very near future…

If you cannot wait and wish to know more about Robyn’s books then why not stick around briefly and watch the trailer for Insurrection at the bottom of this page. Or try out one of Robyn’s novels available at the following links;

Robyn Young (U.S. Readers)

Robyn Young (U.K. Readers)

The Robyn Young interview is due to take place in April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Simons 10 Q Interviews is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Ian Hugh McAllister

My next guest on Rambling On… likes to live life on the edge.

An adrenalin junkie by trade, otherwise known as an Air Traffic Controller, he has spent decades forcing planes to fly down narrow corridors without actually coming to blows in the busy airspace above London. The fact that he is still in the job suggests he has had quite a successful run at it, though, motivated to become more involved with writing, and with an incredible story already told in his book The Lost Olympics, Ian is looking for something slightly more sedate to pass away his later years.

With early retirement on the horizon and no instruments to guide him, Ian Hugh McAllister has decided to take his place on Rambling On… if there are any movie makers out there, this is possibly one for you!

Ian Hugh McAllister, when steady and level, you have control…

Q1: Do you write under your real name or a pen name?

A1: I was planning to write as Ian McAllister, but after self publishing Lost Olympics on Kindle I was told that the name is associated with what one commentator described as “The Wolf Guy”. Fair enough, so I have employed my full name, Ian Hugh McAllister. I more commonly answer to “Mac”.

Q3: What are you currently working on and who were your key influencers?

A3: I am currently working on an as yet untitled science fiction project. The outline and characters are developing and I will start writing early in 2015. Air Traffic Control is a great vehicle for those with OCD, and we all execute actions and projects as per the plan! I am actually exhausted after 34 years of shift work, and I am taking early retirement this September at the age of 53, with a clear goal of becoming a full time and successful writer.

With the new book, I am trying to echo the styles of the great American writers of the 1950s. Isaac Asimov and Hal Clement were two of my favourite authors. I would like to produce a work in the so-called “hard” sci-fi genre, i.e. fiction based in the realms of scientific possibility, with the pure fantasy element kept to a minimum. There will be no vampires or superheroes. According to Clement, the only piece of fantasy you have to allow yourself in order to work outside our Solar System is faster than light travel, but with the proviso that the concept may yet turn out to be science, rather than fiction.

Q4: What is your favourite quotation and by whom?

A4: Can I count one from a character in a book? If anyone has read Douglas Adams’ masterpiece of sci-fi comedy The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy they will be familiar with the long-suffering and rather self-effacing caretaker of the planet Magrathea, who went by the unlikely name of Slartibartfast. The quote itself is actually an amalgamation of two sayings from one conversation, but I do actually quote it sometimes as one piece;

“Perhaps I’m old and tired, but I always think that the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied. I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”

Q18: How many books have you written and what are they called?

A18: I have only written one so far. As a family history project Lost Olympics is the book I had to write. The story of my grandmother Hilda James has always been with me. Nana lived with us as an old lady, and gradually shared with me her incredible life history over many years. Following silver medal success as an early lady Olympian at Antwerp in 1920, she became an English sporting sensation, the first lady to swim the stroke known as “The Crawl” in Europe. She blasted herself from the sports pages to the front pages, breaking every UK record, plus six confirmed World Records in the space of three years, gaining herself the nickname “The English Comet”. As a poor girl from Liverpool, Hilda, together with her supportive and radical coach, were forced to work against her family who were increasingly reluctant to allow her to compete…

(cont…) Together, the pair managed to accept an invitation for Hilda to appear in the USA on a major publicity tour, engineering a passage to New York with support from their local shipping line Cunard. The company provided the transport, on the understanding that Hilda would switch to their own swimming club. This allowed the Cunard Swimming Club to be seen to fund the cost, as she was an amateur and not able to profit from her competitions or performances. In the first race of the tour she broke an American record, astonishing her sponsors and catapulting the entire tour onto the American front pages. It marked the moment when Hilda James broke onto the World stage as a superstar.

Family trouble finally caught up with Hilda. She was desperate to become a professional swimmer, but in spite of the family turning professional on the back of her success, finding themselves head-hunted to run a new swimming pool, her Parents simply refused to allow her to follow the dream. She rebelled, so her Parents barred her from attending the 1924 Olympics in Paris , where she would have surely struck Gold. At the age of 20, she had no say in the matter. Injury was added to insult when her father gave her a severe beating for daring to argue the point.

That was enough for Hilda. Shortly after her 21st birthday she literally jumped ship at home, taking up a long-standing offer from Cunard to become their first Cruise Hostess aboard the fabulous new Carinthia, the very first ship designed specifically for ocean cruising.

Q20: What did you do when the first paperback with your name on it arrived?

A20: Gasped, shouted, shed a tear, jumped up and down a lot and posted a picture on the Lost Olympics Facebook page. Oh, and opened a bottle of champagne of course, so I could raise a glass to Hilda, along with my wife Simone, my son Stuart and my Mother (and editor) Sheila.

Q22: How many books did you read in 2013 and what were your favourites?

A22: I tend to read books again after a suitable gap (10+ years?), reminiscing about them and always finding something new, or appreciating them in a new light. In 2013 I probably read a new book every couple of weeks, always reading something before bed and also enjoying a long reading session on a night shift. Although I have kept a good number of favourites in paper, I tend to read on a Kindle for convenience these days. In 2013 the highlight was when I revisited a series of four short but intriguing science fantasy novels by a guy called Warren Norwood. Completed in the early 1980s the collection was called The Windhover Tapes, and was essentially nothing more than extracts from a ship’s log. The vessel belonged to a space faring itinerant hire contract diplomat and poet. I had forgotten what a treasure they really were and for someone looking for something completely different, I would recommend them.

Q27: How do you travel?

A27: As much as I can. I have to say that as a keen plane spotter I am a slave to flying in all forms. Although due to heightened security more recently the opportunities for flying other than as a paying passenger have been more limited, I still manage to do some interesting travelling. I have flown sitting on the floor of dirty old tramp freighters, and been treated to luxury in Falcon and Gulfstream executive jets. I have tried to fly in as many types of airliner as I possible can, from a World War 2 converted flying boat to Concorde, and many light aircraft. I have also collected some interesting airports such as the old Kai Tak in Hong Kong. And yes, I did reserve a seat on the right hand side of the cabin so I could watch a whole minute of TV on various sets in apartments during that famous final turn!

Q28: Who is your favourite artist?

A28: I think I originally did this to shock, but during my Art A level course in 1977-79 I had to study, and produce a biography of a 20th Century artist. I chose the incredible, unpredictable genius that was Salvador Dalí. It meant that I could produce a project with rude and shocking images in it, but perfectly legitimately. Oddly, I actually became a true fan of Dali, and have since travelled the World to see many of his original works in situ.

Q32: Underactive or hyperactive . . . Give an example?

A32: After 34 years of shift work in Air traffic Control I find myself very underactive. I just can’t be bothered to exercise; I’m too damn tired all the time. There are changes on the horizon though. I am leaving this year on an early retirement package, after which I will attempt to develop a genuine sleep pattern as I have never actually owned one. I will also lose some weight and get a lot fitter; Simone and I have also just acquired our first dog, a gorgeous miniature black and tan dachshund puppy called Archie.

Q42: Fillet or Sirloin steak – and why?

A42: A good steak is acceptable in any form, but for me it would be Fillet, always. I like to bash it until it’s flat and then flash cook it medium, finishing by making a fresh sauce in the pan. Serve that with button mushrooms cooked in sherry and lightly baked onions or shallots, and I’m in heaven. I am a dedicated carnivore!

SD Comment: Ian many thanks for joining in with the Rambling On… series. I wish you the best of luck with retirement, your writing and would be really interested to see whether your book makes it to the big screen at some time in the future (I would certainly watch it!)

If you would like to know more about Ian’s book, why not stop by at Amazon and download a copy of this fascinating story;

Lost Olympics

Ian also runs a very popular Facebook page with over 5,000 Likes to date. You can access the page using the following link;

Lost Olympics – The Hilda James Story

The Ian Hugh McAllister interview took place on 04 April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Gary Haynes

Published by Harlequin, my next guest is currently mid way through his second novel. He is a man that knows or thing or two about commercial law having graduated from Warwick University and the College of Law.

Not afraid to jump on in where his experience allows, he blogs furiously about Middle Eastern politics, which is a good thing as his Tom Dupree series of Novels hone in on that topic….

So, who is next up on Simon’s 10 Q Interviews?

Let’s find out…

It’s always a good start for authors to mention they’re from the South West of the United Kingdom, as that has been home to me for many years. So, I welcome with open arms my next guest Gary Haynes to Simon’s 10 Q Interviews.



Hailing from Plymouth, just a stones throw from my old stomping ground, Gary is a practicing Commercial Lawyer. Not afraid to get stuck into the odd dispute or two and luckily so for his readers and 10,000+ followers, as they get a taste of how Gary deals with conflict in the #1 book in his Tom Dupree series, State of Honour.

Another writer with an eye for a cover… it’s a draw on the eye, but how will Gary perform against Simon’s 10Q Interviews? You’ll need to come back soon to find out.

But before you leave for the moment, why not learn more about Gary and his first Novel, published by Harlequin, State of Honour. Don’t forget to bookmark the page and return for the main event!

U.S. Readers;

State of Honour

U.K. Readers;

State of Honour

The State of Honour book cover can be viewed on the Simon’s 10Q Wall of Fame.

The Gary Haynes interview is due to take place April 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Simons 10 Q Interviews is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Conn Iggulden Interview

Possibly the best yet...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce the most recent Simon's 10 Q Interview with the incredible Best British Book Winner and Time featured 'People that Matter' author Conn Iggulden is now live. Don't miss it!

http://wp.me/p4ub7u-yJ

Jerold A Last

Jerold A Last has joined me for a bit of Rambling On…

Pay careful attention. He is a man of mature years, a scientist and forward thinker. Jerold’s first book was published in 1971 Protein Biosynthesis in Bacterial Systems (Methods in molecular biology). Now if that doesn’t grab your attention, try saying it quickly and out aloud whilst stroking your stomach in a clockwise fashion!

Jerold wrote a couple of scientific books in the 1970′s, which I simply have to mention as their names are awesome… (apologies for the repetition) they are;

Protein Biosynthesis in Bacterial Systems (Methods in molecular biology)

Protein biosynthesis in nonbacterial systems (Methods in molecular biology)

Following the above, Jerold took a break from writing…. rather a long one actually. A well deserved rest that spanned most of my living years… A couple of years ago Jerold returned with a vengeance, changing genres and producing several mystery/thrillers in quick succession. Which leads us to the here and now.

Jerold A Last, molecular scientist (what a great title!) and author has agreed to take part in Rambling On…



Take it away Jerold…

Q1: How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?

JL A1: I’ve been writing non-fiction (I hope!) for a long time (decades), with well over 200 papers published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature as a major part of the day job. My first mystery novel (featuring Roger and Suzanne) was published three years ago, in 2011. Key influences have been Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald, Robert B Parker, and Dashiell Hammett. For example, The Matador Murders, a hard-boiled, noir, whodunit mystery set mainly in Montevideo, Uruguay, is a reworking and modernization of Dashiell Hammett’s immortal novel, Red Harvest.

Q2: What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?

JL A2: I’m finishing the edits for the next Roger and Suzanne mystery novel (#8 in the series). Roger and Suzanne’s newest novel, The Origin of Murder, brings them back to South America. The couple are on a luxury cruise through the Galapagos Islands when Suzanne finds a woman’s body with a couple of bullet holes in it floating in the Pacific Ocean. There’s a ship full of suspects, including a shady DEA agent and two nubile sisters from San Francisco, and more dead bodies to come. The supporting cast includes their new son Robert, Bruce the Nanny, Paraguayan policeman Eduardo Garcia, and a few new characters. Join our detectives on a visit to the Galapagos Islands as Charles Darwin might have seen them on his historical voyage on HMS Beagle, and visit the ancient capital of Ecuador, Quito, high in South America’s Andes Mountains. The settings are authentic, the biology is well researched, and the novel can be read as a stand-alone mystery to begin the series.

Also in progress is the ninth mystery in the series, about halfway completed. This entry will take place in Alaska’s Denali national park wilderness, where a couple of Roger and Suzanne’s friends have been killed in what appears to be a random attack by a bear. It’s a pretty good bet they were murdered, but how, and by whom?

Why buy these books? Several reasons. They’re well written suspenseful mysteries with complex whodunit plots. They’re well researched and therefore educational. At $2.99 each, they’re quite affordable. And, even though each book can be read as a stand-alone entry, I use some of the same characters throughout the series. It’s a lot easier to take a character I know, put her or him into a specific situation, and ask myself how would they react to the situation than it is to start this process from scratch with a new character in each new story. The recurring characters grow within the series, so you can keep up with old friends in the new books. To me, that’s the best reason to write in a series format.

Q3: How many books have you written and what are they called?

JL A3: Currently a total of seven published on Amazon Kindle, with a high likelihood that #8 will also be available by the time this interview appears and with #9 well along as a Work In Progress.

1. The Ambivalent Corpse. The dismembered body of a young woman is discovered in Montevideo, Uruguay. Who did the brutal murder, and why?

2. The Surreal Killer. What motivates a serial killer? The answer to this question is the “whydunit” that leads Roger Bowman and Suzanne Foster to “whodunit”, the solution to a series of brutal murders in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. This tightly written mystery story will keep you guessing all the way to the thrilling conclusion.

3. The Body in the Parking Structure. A hard-boiled mystery novelette that features characters from the author’s popular South American mystery novel series working on a murder case at home in Los Angeles.

4. The Matador Murders. A mystery novel set in exotic Montevideo, Uruguay and Santiago, Chile, is a fast paced romp with lots of action and a good whodunit storyline.

5. The Body in the Bed is a suspenseful whodunit novella, which brings Roger and Suzanne back to Montevideo, Uruguay where another bloody killing needs to be solved.

6. Five Quickies For Roger And Suzanne. This is an anthology of three short stories The Haunted Gymnasium, The Dog With No Name, and Someone Did It To The Butler, plus two longer novellas, The Body in the Parking Structure and a newly edited, shortened version of The Empanada Affair. Together, the collection of five stories is the length of a traditional novel. All five of the stories feature characters from the novels. The Haunted Gymnasium (Fortaleza, Brazil) and The Empanada Affair (Salta, Argentina) are set in South America, while the other three stories take place in Southern California.

7. The Deadly Dog Show. Roger and Bruce are hired to go undercover impersonating the owner and handler of a Champion German Shorthaired Pointer named Juliet. There’s murder and miscellaneous other crimes occurring at California dog shows, and who better to solve them? The reviewers are enthusiastic about this book, which should appeal to mystery readers, dog lovers, and anyone else looking for a fast paced, entertaining novel.

8. The Origin of Murder brings Roger and Suzanne back to South America. The couple are on a luxury cruise through the Galapagos Islands when Suzanne finds a woman’s body with a couple of bullet holes in it floating in the Pacific Ocean. There’s a ship full of suspects, including a shady DEA agent and two nubile sisters from San Francisco, and more dead bodies to come. Join our detectives on a visit to the Galapagos Islands as Charles Darwin might have seen them on his historical voyage on HMS Beagle, and visit the ancient capital of Ecuador, Quito, high in South America’s Andes Mountains.

Q4. How many pets do you have and how did they get their names?

JL A4: We have four dogs, all from different generations of the same lineage.

Great Grandmother Viña (or Vinia) was named after Viña Del Mar, in Chile; the name means “(grape) vineyard” in Spanish. We planned to name her puppies after varietal wine grapes, so her being the vineyard seemed to make sense at the time.

Grandmother Jolie was one of those poor puppies named after grape varietals, Von der Nacht’s Grand Cru Beaujolais.

Mother Schöne (beautiful in German) was one of a litter of 11 puppies named “beautiful” or “pretty” in some language other than English.

Our present puppy, Ries, returns us to the grape varietal theme. He was named for Riesling grapes.

Q5: Are any of the there any settings in your book inspired by real places? Where and why?

JL A5: I choose exotic and unusual locales I know from first hand experience. I’ve either lived in the locations or visited them as a tourist. That’s why South America and California are featured so prominently. Because of minor incidents that occurred during the times we lived in Salta, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, I’ve had several ideas that became mystery plots. For example, The Ambivalent Corpse was conceived and written because of our finding two bizarrely different memorials you wouldn’t expect to find together juxtaposed within 100 yards of each other on a beach along the Rio de la Plata in Montevideo.

Fact checking and updating information about locations are done on the Internet or using the library as a resource. Suzanne’s science is based on my career as a biochemist and toxicologist; I try to keep my characters’ expertise, especially Suzanne’s, within the boundaries of my own. The Body in the Parking Structure was a lot of fun to write because I could draw on my professional skills for much of the background material for this book, which involves a pharmaceutical company and a potential new anti-cancer drug in the plot.

Because I use exotic places we’ve been as locales, my wife Elaine’s experiences as a show dog breeder, and my experience as a biochemist and toxicologist for background in these mystery stories, they’re different—where else can you learn all about dog shows, Incan history, South American indigenous creation legends, and molecular biology in the same series?

Q6: Give us a quote from one of your favorite reviews of your own books.

JL A6: From a 5-star review of the novella The Body in the Bed by Lit Amri for Readers’ Favorite. “I was quickly captivated from the very beginning. Even though the pacing is fast, the plot does not seem rushed at all. It is actually very compact and flawlessly written with its international conspiracy, which is very impressive. Together with a strong dialogue, author Jerold Last also presents readers with vivid portrayals of the Uruguayan culture through his adroit prose. It is not hard for me to gravitate toward the main protagonists, Roger and Suzanne. As a matter of fact, all the characters, main or secondary, are well developed and believable. The story itself is quite riveting; I finished it in one sitting because I really wanted to know the outcome. All things considered, a very well constructed mystery sleuth for fans of the genre. I could actually see South American Mystery as a television series. Jerold Last is a gifted writer and I would keep an eye on his future works.”

Q7: Butter or margarine?

JL A7: Butter. It tastes better, is probably healthier (at least in moderation). I lived most of my teenaged years in Madison, Wisconsin, where colored margarine was illegal and butter was cheap and abundant, so I really acquired a taste for the stuff.

Q8. What genres do you write, what made you choose them?

JL A8: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense. I’ve been a big fan of mystery novels all my life. I started reading The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew in grade school. Erle Stanley Gardner and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle came next, before I hit my teens. As I moved towards college and nominal adulthood, my favorites became the masters of the private eye genre, Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross MacDonald. I like the noir style, the role of the private detective as the hero, solving puzzles with the hero, and the fast pace of the action as a complex plot unfolds. My exact genre is hard to define in purist terms—far too dark, too much violence, and too high a body count for classification as “cozies”, but no gratuitous sex, no smoking, alcohol in moderation, minimal concussions for the P.I.s, and I try to avoid excessive gore, so not quite “noir” either.

Q9: Coffee or Tea?

JL A9: That’s almost an insulting question for a U.S. mystery writer who isn’t writing “cozies”. I drink coffee, of course. Home brewed, from beans, strong, black. The perfect breakfast is two cups of coffee. Peet’s, a local chain of gourmet coffee/tea shops that began in Berkeley, sells beans and ground coffee as well as coffee/tea by the cup. Their Garuda Blend, a blend of Indonesian coffee beans, is our favorite.

Q10: Television or the movies?

JL A10: We watch almost exclusively television, but we cheat. We subscribe to Netflix streaming service so can watch series TV or the available movies, which are many and varied, on the “telly” (is that the proper Britishism here?) at will. My sons are more modern and watch the Internet as a source of TV and movies, which seems to be an eminently sensible approach for us to check out in the future.

11. Bonus Question: I write under my real name, not a pen name.

SD Comment: I don’t recall anything about bonus questions… But since you are a scientist, I understand your need to push the boundaries, so will let it pass! Jerold, thank you very much for taking part in Rambling On… and I wish you the greatest of success for 2014 and beyond.



If you would like to know more about Jerolds writing, why not stop by at his Amazon author page and check out all of his publications, by clicking on his name below;

Jerold A Last

Jerold also runs a website, which can be accessed using the following link;

Jerold’s website

The Jerold A Last interview took place on 31 March 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.

Karen Azinger

A great interview and it's live NOW! Karen Azinger author of The Silk and Steel Series of Fantasy Novels has joined us at Rambling On...

http://simonduringer.com/rambling-on/...

Karen Azinger

Karen Azinger is the author of a six book fantasy series; The Silk and Steel Series of which five of the planned six books are published… A real wordsmith, Karen comes from a business and strategy background and clearly has quality set firmly in her mind.

All her covers ooze creativity and are backed up by the writing skills found within. If you like Game of Thrones, Dune etc… then this is an author you will want to read!

Photo © Karen Azinger 2014.

Let’s welcome Karen to Rambling On… take a look at the Questions that Karen has selected from the bank of 51 and read how she chose to respond…

Take it away Karen Azinger…

Q2. How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?

I’ve been writing for about twelve years now. Ever since a librarian first introduced me to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, I’ve been madly in love with the fantasy genre. I’ve been an insatiable reader all my life, especially of fantasy, but I did not know I was going to be a writer until fairly recently. What got me to put pen to paper (actually fingers to the keyboard) was George Martin’s Game of Thrones saga. I’d just finished reading his Storm of Swords, the third book in the Song of Ice and Fire, and I desperately wanted more, but George takes a long time between books and I could not find anything on the bookstore shelves to satisfy my craving. I love big sweeping sagas with complex characters and complex plots, and I especially love the way George told his story deep within the point of view of his characters, but I also love the mystical, magical settings of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Inspired by both masters, I decided to write my own epic fantasy, something similar but different. I started writing The Silk & Steel Saga and never stopped. The first five books of the saga; The Steel Queen, The Flame Priest, The Skeleton King, The Poison Priestess, and The Knight Marshal, are published and getting great reviews.

Photo © Karen Azinger 2014.

Q3. What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?

I’m currently working on the sixth book of The Silk & Steel Saga, The Battle Immortal, to be published in Oct 2014 (at least I think it is the sixth book, this saga has a way of growing, the characters and the story are just so big). If you like the deep characterization of Game of Thrones, but you also love the mystical settings of Middle Earth, then my books are for you. The The Silk & Steel Saga is an epic medieval fantasy full of plots, battles, romance, and schemes that will never let you underestimate the ‘weaker’ sex again. A fast-paced action fantasy with a stunning female lead, this epic saga is brimming with knights and swords, castles and monasteries, sorcery and seduction.

Q5. Who are you all time heroes?

One of my all time heroes is Queen Elizabeth I. She came to the crown at a young age, inheriting a kingdom rife with multiple disasters. Religious schisms quaked her kingdom, the royal treasury was bankrupt, the English currency was devalued, her army and navy were both weak, foreign powers sought her throne by marriage and by war, and her own ministers sought to wed or bed her. A brilliant woman stuck in a man’s world, she overcame all of these obstacles and transformed a small island nation into a great empire. Her impact on the world was so great that an entire Age is named for her. To be a woman and accomplish what she did in her era was not only brilliant, it was nigh on miraculous.

My other heroes are the founding fathers of the United States; George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin. These men were brilliant, brave, and daring. They were not politicians, they were visionary statesmen the like of which the world has seldom seen.

Q7. Who are your favorite authors?

I absolutely love to read! I inhale books, reading fifty to seventy books a year, so I have a ton of favorite authors. To make my all-time favorites list, an author must write a book I read over and over again. Some of my all time favorites include, JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, Frank Herbert’s Dune, Ann Rice’s The Witching Hour and The Feast of All Saints, James Clavell’s Shogun, Irving Stone’s The Agony and the Ecstasy, Wilbur Smith’s The River God, Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers, JK Rowling’s the Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows, and Susan Kay’s Legacy, just to name a few.

Q8. What is your favorite hobby?

I have lots of hobbies. Right now, my favorite is scuba diving and underwater photography. I cannot get enough of the ocean, especially warm, crystal clear oceans with brilliant coral reefs and visibility of 100 to 200 feet. I miss living in Australia!

Q34. How did you name the characters in your book?

More than any other genre, fantasy tasks authors to create interesting and unique names for their characters and settings. If you love classical fantasy, then you understand the power of names. Whisper Camelot…Mordor…Rivendale…Lancelot…Merlin…Snape…Excalibur…Voldemont and you instantly transport readers to another time and place, such is the power of names in fantasy. When I started writing The Silk & Steel saga, I took great care in choosing the names for my major characters and settings. I wanted names that were interesting and unique yet carried the distinct flavor of epic fantasy. The name that stumped me the longest was Liandra. I discarded half a hundred names before inspiration finally struck. As soon as I thought of it, I knew Liandra was perfect for my Spider Queen, my queen of Lanverness. Feminine yet strong, it is a unique name, a fitting name for a queen who uses “beauty to beguile, spies to foresee, and gold to control.” For my sword-wielding princess of Castlegard, I wanted a common name with a unique twist. Kath is a strong character who is always underestimated and overlooked. Her birth name is Katherine, the name her father calls her, the name of a princess destine to wed for the sake of her kingdom, but Kath rejects that destiny and dares to name herself. Instead of answering to Katherine, she chooses to be called Kath, a strong and daring twist on a common name. For my darkest character, I decided to pay homage to Tolkien’s land of Mordor. Instead of an eye wreathed in flame, the Mordant is a very real, very sinister character with over a thousand years of life, a thousand years of evil. It is through the point of view of the Mordant that my readers get to explore the actions and motivations of a very dark evil.

Q51. If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would make our politicians and government leaders from all sides of the aisle be honest with the people they are supposed to serve. The fantasy writer in me would do this by placing a Truth Stone in the heart of the largest open-air square in every capital in every country in the world. Once a year, all the top government leaders and top politicians would come before a live assembly of people and TV cameras, place their hands on the Truth Stone, and answer questions about their promises and their actions. The stone would remain inert if a lie was told and would glow bright for the truth. Instead of mudslinging and lies from all sides, the people would learn the truth and the elected officials would be held accountable for their words and their deeds. But since the Truth Stone is entirely fantasy, I guess I just have to wish that people everywhere had a better sense of the truth and accountability.

Q52. Are any of the there any settings in your book inspired by real places? Where and why?

After college my future husband and I backpacked through Europe using a Eurail pass. We traveled on the cheap, ten dollars a day cheap, but it was one of the best trips of our lives. One place that made a lasting impression on me was Chartres Cathedral in France. A visiting Oxford professor gave free lectures interpreting the amazing stained glass windows and the statuary carved around the doors. The great cathedrals were the ‘billboards’ of their era, encoded with visual messages for the illiterate masses. The professor ‘read’ the windows and carvings explaining the religious meanings as well as the political commentary of the time. These lectures so impressed me that I was determined to give similar meaning to the architecture of Erdhe. I’ve done this with many different settings throughout the saga, but one of the best examples is in The Steel Queen, the first book of the saga. When Steffan arrives in Coronth, his first order of business is to visits the great temple. Like the Oxford professor, he “reads” the architecture gaining insights into the Pontifax and the Flame God. “He climbed the hill to the temple’s maw. A pair of great brass doors, three times the height of a tall man dominated the entrance. A relief was worked into the brass, an image of the Pontifax bringing the sacred flame to the children of Balor. Steffan smiled in grudging admiration. The addition of the children was a nice touch, making the Pontifax appear like a benevolent father. Crossing the threshold, Steffan felt the chill of stone-cloistered shadows. The ceiling soared overhead, but instead of being light and airy, it captured smoke and darkness. A vault of gloom pressed down as if trying to drive him to his knees.” My readers walk into the temple with Steffan and feel the stone-hewed malevolence of the Flame God.

Q53. Aside from your travels, where else do you get inspiration for the settings of your books?

I love illuminated manuscripts. The monks of the middle ages took writing to a whole new art form, enhancing the power of words with stunning calligraphy and jewel-bright paintings. Great masterpieces like the Book of Kells are so complex and beautiful that they almost seem otherworldly. Since my saga is an epic medieval fantasy, I wanted to find a unique way to pay homage to illuminated manuscripts. In my saga I have a monastery that is hidden from the world. For over a thousand years, the location of the Kiralynn Monastery has been erased from the maps of men. Many believe the monks and their monastery are just a myth, but the ruling kings and queens know better. The motto of the reclusive monks is to “Seek Knowledge, Protect Knowledge, Share Knowledge”. If you enter their monastery, you’ll discover “Bold brushstrokes of ruby red, emerald green and sapphire blue enlivened the mage-stone walls. Each wall was a canvas of illuminated texts painted in rich jewel tones. Swirls of calligraphy adorned with birds and vines and castles and knights, covered the walls with stunning detail. Everywhere she looked, vibrant texts seemed to leap from the walls, ensnaring the eye and begging to be read. Taken as a whole, the courtyard might have appeared garish or gaudy but instead it somehow seemed tasteful and infinitely intriguing.” The Kiralynn monastery is “a sanctuary of knowledge where all the walls are jewel-bright with calligraphy, every hall echoing with prophecies, every phrase ringing with destiny.” Enter the world of Erdhe and you’ll find settings steeped in magic, mystery and wonder.

Q54. Give us a quote from one of your favorite reviews of your own books.

One of my favorite reviews is by Serigil of Rhiminee who writes for Risingshadow, one of the largest online science fiction and fantasy databases. From his review of The Knight Marshal, the fifth book of The Silk & Steel Saga: “Karen Azinger belongs to a small group of fantasy authors who have restored my faith in traditional fantasy books. Her fantasy books are so good and entertaining that you can’t help but praise them – they’re fantastic books! She has created a vast fantasy world that’s full of wonders, horrors and fascinating characters. There’s an amazing amount of richness in this series and the author brings the world to life by writing about the different places and what the characters do. I have to mention that I’m impressed by the author’s skilful, world building and effortless character development.”

SD Comment: On that highly positive not I would like to say thank you Karen Azinger for being a guest on Rambling On… and indeed adding to the set of questions for future authors! Thank you.



To find out more information about Karen’s books readers can visit her amazon author page at;

Karen Azinger Amazon author page

or visit the Karen Azinger website.

Photo © Karen Azinger 2014.

The Karen Azinger interview took place on 27 March 2014.

Simon Duringer © 2014.

Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;

UK Link

Stray Bullet

US Link

Stray Bullet

Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.