What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve disappeared for a while because I have over a million books in print, but I’ve been writing screenplays lately. However, I knew I had to do this deluxe ‘keeper’ reissue of my third Berkley book, The Hawk’s Lady. A pirate/captive historical romance set in 1799 against our first terrorist challenge: the Barbary States. Or so it seems. This book actually circulates in the Library of Congress, but it’s a fun historical romp with romantic desert nights, kidnappings, harem dances, and a battle between the Algiers frigate we gave them as tribute and the hero. I researched the history at Duke University, and everything, what they ate, what they wore, even the strange words, in the later book, Philadelphia history, is accurate. I’ll sign and ship the first 25 copies sold from my website, but it’s also available as an e-book and in softcover at various sites. Debut date: July 4th. They’re very expensive, but when I get a strong enough interest list, I’ll do a second deluxe printing with Book Vault out of England. If interested, please join my interest list on my website. That’s the only place I’ll sell these books in this age of AI and the like. Mine is 100% human-authored. There are two short videos on my Instagram account talking about the book, and I’m about to upload an 18-minute YouTube video of me reading key scenes from The Hawk’s Lady. I should get the link anytime and can forward it when I do.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
I’ve found a song I’d like to include with my main promo that’s about to go out, but I can’t get in touch with the artist. I’ve tried. I’d never violate anyone else’s copyright. I’m going to look around to see if I can find something that’s not copyrighted to include in a later promo flyer, probably toward the end of the month.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I have eclectic tastes. I’m moving more toward romantic suspense these days and even straight thrillers. I occasionally read historical romance. I recently reread Laura London’s The Windflower, one of my all-time favorites, and it made Goodreads’ list, too. As for my aspirations, if I get sufficient interest, I may pursue the Earth, Wind, and Fire trilogy linked in the back of The Hawk’s Lady to an epilogue set in 1814 against the War of 1812, which most historians agree is the war that really united 13 fractious colonies into the USA.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
A John Grisham book, A Time for Mercy; my friend Lori Ryan’s romantic suspense, Pure Vengeance (almost finished); the classic Children of Men; and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. I think I saw the movie version of this with Keira Knightley. It seemed the same, anyway. I have two nonfiction books as well: one about Desi because he fascinates me and what he did as a TV trailblazer (he had enough sense to acquire Star Trek when all other studios passed on it), and Band of Angels about Lincoln and the Civil War.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Probably the naval battle scene. It’s partially based on a true battle, and I wove it into my story. I even got the director of the NC Maritime Institute to read it for accuracy. It took the longest because of all the research, but I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. I honestly think this book would appeal to men as well as women because there is so much history and action.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
A messy desk with piles of to-dos, not done, give-me-a-break, I-need-a-bigger-trashcan.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I believe kindness in all things is what God meant for us when He created us, but hopefully, most people reading this feel that way too, so I won’t cite the Golden Rule. This is probably life’s next most important advice, appropriately enough, the first quote in The Hawk’s Lady for Part One by the famous Arabic poet Omar Khayyam: “The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on; not all your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.” Live for today and let the morrow repine, but be careful of your choices, is the way I interpret this line, but to each her/his own. That’s the beauty of poetry.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Listen to all the patriotic news. If you don’t know our early history, find a source. Best of all, pick up a book on American history. This is my tribute, and you’ll certainly get history by osmosis, but the scope is so vast; this is just a slice. And I strongly believe, as voters, we should know where we came from to decide where we’re going and why.