IWU Interview with Lorne Oliver

This is my first ever blog interview.  I am so happy to be here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

Red Island takes a look at both sides of the hunt for a serial killer.  The main character is Sgt. Reid who won’t let anyone know his name, is confused about the state of his marriage, and is haunted by something he did in his past.  He wakes from a dream at the same time as being called to the scene of the first homicide in Prince Edward Island in the past twenty years or so.  Reid and other members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police begin an investigation that churns up more victims with no clues. 

On the other side of the coin Ben Cooper has grown up on the island destined to be a killer.  You get to see from when he was 8 years old being picked on and forming his own world in his mind to when he starts peeping, raping, and now killing.

What about this story made you have to write it?

I liked the idea of showing how someone could become a serial killer and what is in his mind without having him be the hero.  Police officers have a hard job, especially since many people can see it from their view with all the red tape they have to go through.  I don’t think the bad guy should be the hero, but a lot of times they are seen that way.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned during the creation of this book?

I had the opportunity to interview members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police so I learned a lot of what real police do compared to the TV and movie cops. 

What was the hardest part to write?

The hardest parts were the fine details.  The locations are real.  There is actually a Blooming Point beach with a wooded area and a rough bush trail cutting through it where the first victim is found. This is an old abandoned house where another victim is found.  Keeping everything as real as possible within the world of fiction took a lot of notes.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Honestly I am constantly writing.  No matter what I am doing my head is always working on what comes next until I am ready to explode and I have to sit and write.  But when my mind actually rests I like watching movies, though my mind is looking for new ideas, cooking, and playing with my two wonderful kids.  They are getting to the age where they don’t need Dad around any more so I take the time I can get.

Can you share a little of what you are working on now?

Right now I am working on the second book in the Sgt. Reid series.  The tentative title for this one is, Forever Screaming.  It is going to be a little darker.  The crime is a little more heinous than the brutal killing of young women like in Red Island.  It is a subject that is actually hard to write personally, but it’ll be well worth it once it is done.

What advice would you give a new writer?

For anyone who is thinking of publishing online for the first time to do their work long before they actually publish.  I couldn’t wait and just wanted to get it out there.  Now, 2 months later, I have realized how much work should have been done before hand:  building a following on Twitter, guest blogs to get the name out, finding reviewers ahead of time so that there are reviews right away.  Do the work, do the research, then publish.

Link to my blog:  http://redislandnovel.blogspot.ca

Review: Troll or Derby by Red Tash

Troll Or Derby by Red Tash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow... Its been a while since books have yanked me in so far, that I almost have to pull myself back into the real world. Between Lady of the Veils and Troll or Derby, I've been reminded of why the very idea of Urban Fantasy, by my definition, appeals to me.

The reader is in for a unique, one of a kind trip out of the world we know and into a world filled with variations of the fairy world we all know and love. The trip Red Tash takes the reader on is fast paced and filled with action. Each switch between Deb and Harlow leaves you wanting to know more of what you'd left, before trapping you in where you're going. While different, I enjoyed the approach of switching back and forth, as the first person view gives you insight into both of these interesting characters that wouldn't be possible in any other writing style.

I picked up the book last night and started it this morning in bed. Each time I put it down was only because I had to be pulled to other things, literally forcing me to put the book down. Being out and about didn't stop me however from finishing it up when I could.

To say I enjoyed the book is putting it lightly. I truly loved this story.

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Review: Sloane Monroe Boxed Set

Sloane Monroe Series Boxed Set by Cheryl Bradshaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BLACK DIAMOND DEATH
In this first book, we're introduced to the talented, independent and kick ass Sloane Monroe, as she searches for the truth behind the assumed accidental death of Charlotte Halliwell. But what is the truth and how does it all work together as one?

This story moves at a fairly good pace, allowing the reader to get sucked into the world of Sloane Monroe. Unlike the other female leads out there, Sloane isn't prone to accidents or stumbling along the mystery. Instead, we have a woman who knows how to solve a crime and sets out to do just that. She works hard to make sure that what she does is seeking truth and justice... If she steps on a few toes along the way, she's all right doing that.
We get what feels like sneak peeks into her personal life, knowing there's a mystery to be found there as well. Her friends, lovers, adversaries and clients all weave around her, helping and hindering at every step.
The answer isn't blaringly obvious and while you see all the clues, the answer doesn't appear early on, but rather you discover it along with Sloane.

SINNERMAN
Secrets of Sloane's past are finally revealed, as we discover what happened to her sister Gabrielle. Haunted by her own demons, can she solve the one case that's plagued her for three years now, or will or will Sinnerman win in the end.

Book 1 managed to ease you into the story, before taking off like a shot. Book two simple tosses you, along with Sloane, into the fray. While I greatly enjoyed the chance to see deeper into Sloane's life, elements of it felt off at times. Her relationship took a turn between book 1 and 2, and as the reader that seemed to come out of nowhere, as if we were missing something.
That however is only a small element of the story at large, which delves into the mind of a serial killer in a well-researched way, without dragging the reader into a place too dark. In this case, we know who the killer is and the mystery isn't so much discovering him as it is watching Sloane learn the truth.

I HAVE A SECRET
The little we've learned about Sloane's part pales as we return with her to the place of her birth. Take a trip into the past with her as she searches for the truth, battles demons from the past and releases the truth from its shallow grave.

For book three, we leave the safe home of Park City, Utah, and head out to Tehachapi, California. Seeking out the whole story behind an old friend's murder, the reader is pulled into a small town world, where one family has long held a grip on the truth.
For the reader, we have a chance to see Sloane broken down at times, but also able to see how much stronger she has become. Her relationship is both strong and confusing to both the reader, as well as Sloane herself. At times, the secrets behind Giovanni seem forced, leaving us unsure of him, while at the same time sure he's one of the only ones trustworthy.


I thoroughly enjoyed the books and hope that there is more to come. I would love to delve deeper into Giovanni and see how Sloane fares in that trial. My hope is to see the strong and independent PI be finally happy in her life, content with where and who she is.

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Review: Lady of the Veils, by M.L. John

Lady of the Veils by M.L. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Be prepared for one hell of a ride, as you go from one world and into the next, on a whirlwind trip to battle the immortal. Watch as the world that our heroine knew before is pulled out from under her, forcing her to rebuild her very being into the woman she is destined to be.

I'm a lover of Fantasy, Adventure, Romance and Young Adult books, and this book gives the reader all of those things, in a fast paced roller coaster that leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

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Review: Amber Fox Mystery Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by Sibel Hodge

Amber Fox Mystery Boxed Set by Sibel Hodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Amber Fox boxed set sounded interesting from the get go. Similar to Stephanie Plum, but in England, I slowly worked my way through the books.

THE FASHION POLICE
This book excited me with the promise of putting two of my favorite things together. Mystery and Fashion.

I found the characters entertaining and vibrant as Amber interacted with the good, the bad and the just plain odd ball. The story felt real, less contrived than others of a similar nature. It wasn't that we started out in something small that blew up into more, it started big and grew into more then we'd all thought.

There were a few elements of this story that I found easy to grasp and grew frustrated at how long it took for the characters to also understand what all was going on.

Beyond that one small element, I adored book one and eagerly moved into book 2.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
Picking up only a short while after book one, you walk into Amber's life as she is struggling with the decisions made in book one.

The story was more complicated in a good way, leaving me less of a window to put things together long before the characters did. I could see growth on the writers part in that.

The danger grew more heated for our heroine, as the enemies included a few that verge on insane. At the same time, the Hi-jinks and situations that she gets into made me laugh as I pushed through the story, wanting to know how it ended.

VOODOO DEADLY
Taking a small leap after the last book, this story pulls away some from the rest of the family, but pushes Amber into making some tough choices about her own future.

Personal life and the job cross over more, as we see the good and bad of VooDoo priestesses.

The story draws you in, as you want to rescue a young woman's life and protect those so many condemn from the start. How does it all connect into one terrible story?



While I still enjoy my Stephanie Plum novels, the Amber Fox books felt like something that could happen, not just the worst of what might. I would love to see one more book, allowing the readers to see the completion of her love life and know, along with Amber, that she made the right choice in the end.

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