Larry Kahn's Blog, page 3
September 14, 2012
Researching An FBI Story
King of Paine is a complex story with many subplots and themes, but at heart it’s about a flawed man, Frank Paine, seeking redemption by joining an organization striving to recapture its own fabled mojo after a string of historic failures. With the ghosts of Waco, Ruby Ridge, and 9/11 whispering in his ear, Frank’s [...]
September 13, 2012
Think Like A Lawyer: Negotiating A New Car Purchase
Know someone in the market for a new car? I’m pleased to announce publication of the first title in my new “Think Like A Lawyer” series, ”Negotiating A New Car Purchase.” I’ve used the negotiating strategy detailed in this short ebook to get the rock bottom price–sometimes below dealer invoice–on my new cars for years and [...]
September 6, 2012
Rooting for a Flawed Protagonist
This post is dedicated to Bill Clinton, a flawed hero who wins us over time after time. President Clinton, you’re nominating speech at the Democratic Convention last night was captivating and brilliant! Readers love to root for their action heroes, so even when authors endow their main characters with flaws to add depth and realism, [...]
August 25, 2012
Weaving Social Themes Into Suspense Novels
Like many thriller/suspense authors, especially those trained as attorneys, I craft intricate, well-researched plots, engage my characters in thought-provoking social drama and spice their lives with alluring romantic entanglements. The most challenging aspect of mastering this genre is incorporating contemporary social issues without preaching or compromising pace. Two early John Grisham novels illustrate the perils. [...]
August 1, 2012
Researching the Psychology of BDSM
Despite the provocative image on King of Paine’s cover, I did not set out to write a novel about BDSM. The story remains primarily a whodunit that follows two investigations, the FBI’s pursuit of a stalker committing a series of kinky Internet crimes and a reporter tracking the disappearance of wealthy senior citizens. But as [...]
July 8, 2012
“Who Are You Chatting With? The Dangers of Anonymous Internet Communications”
Ever since my two sons began using AOL’s instant messaging service in the late-1990s, I’ve been intrigued by the potential for good and evil inherent in anonymous Internet chat, a device featured prominently in both of my novels. Like every parent, I feared my kids could become vulnerable to predators if allowed to roam cyberspace [...]
May 9, 2012
King of Paine Reviewed on Books and Things in UK
David King has posted a terrific review of King of Paine on his UK blog Books and Things. Check out David’s tasteful site for the full review, but here’s one of my favorite clips: I found the story to be an intense, complex and fast paced which kept me glued to the book every evening. The thrills keep on coming from start to finish as the novel takes your emotions on a enjoyable roller coaster ride of twists, turns and …read more
March 3, 2012
Patrick Henry Revisited: Give Me Liberty AND Give Me Death
I dislike that we have become a starkly divided nation but understand the philosophical underpinnings of many disputed issues. I can't understand how one mind can believe government intrusion into the personal decisions of citizens is an intolerable restraint on liberty (the conservative credo), yet insist government deny women free choice in their reproductive decisions, gays the right to marry, and suffering patients the right to die. We are a nation of secular laws designed to protect our rights from …read more
February 29, 2012
King of Paine Hits Bestseller List!
King of Paine cracked the Top 100 Kindle bestseller list for its category and has risen into the Top 50 this morning! Thank you, readers, for giving it a try. Please consider posting a brief review on your favorite sites when you're done reading it–a book's success depends upon great word-of-mouth recommendations from happy readers. Your support is deeply appreciated.
February 25, 2012
Amazing New Review Exposes My Dilemma
King of Paine picked up some fantastic reviews during my December blog tour, but a new review on the blog Miraculous! touched me not only because the reviewer gushed about the book and the writing, but also because she captured the inherent difficulty of describing what King of Paine is "about." This is how Stephanie begins her review, in which she rated the book nine hearts out of ten, labeling it "one of my all-time favorites!": Can I first just …read more
