Guest Post Topics for Silver Dagger Book Tours
You can choose how many and which ones you prefer to post on your site :)
Stuff about you:
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I have answered this one before, but…
I use writing as a way to escape. I need to have the space, the quiet, the time to explore worlds I’ll never visit. I need to be outside of my life and my head. I use it to control the spiraling thoughts. When I was a child, I was horribly bullied. It’s had a profound effect on my life since forever, stories helped me escape that life. Helped me escaped school and home. You’re never alone if you’re a writer. You always have company and you always have someone to love you.
Later, as a victim of domestic violence (is it any wonder I like to kill people in my books!), I began to realise I needed to find a way out of the life I was living. I was so poor – sooo pooor. But it gave me the courage to try for a life few ever get to experience. When you know how bad the bad can get, it makes it easier to risk everything on the words you write.
So, my writing continues to be a coping mechanism for the real world. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, I need that time for myself. If I don’t get it then the inside of my head becomes very messy. Very messy – like imagine a teenage boy’s bedroom with no mother around to clean up after him!
Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!
I’ve stood on a medieval battlefield with nothing more than a clay water jug and a woolen dress on (15th Century re-enactment. No sword because no willy!) as the lines broke and several dozen men in full armour came charging towards me! That was scary. Oh, and I’ve shot arrows at Warwick Castle.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Writing probably. Or walking with the dogs – yes, walking with the dogs. Then we’d come home, lie in bed together and go away. Not that I think about this stuff all the time or anything!
Who is your hero and why?
Currently: Greta Thunberg. She, and those like her, are going to save the world. I admire her courage, fortitude and honesty. I wish I had an ounce of her courage.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A magpie. They are loyal, clever, they steal shiny things like I steal stories, and mate for life.
Stuff about the Book:
What inspired you to write this book?
Two things, a report into bulling in the Armed Forces and the need to shine a light on at least some of the horrible things that are happening in Myanmar. You know – cheerful stuff!
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Yes, in my newsletter, which you can sign up for here: XXXXX I am writing about one of the returning characters in the series, Corporal Richard Lancing. He’s a young man, who considers himself straight until he meets Blue. A cyber terrorist turned reluctant white hat and working for the UK Government. They will play a larger role in the next book, Firepoint.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Final Play?
I can. It’s first person and told from Nick Wilde’s point of view. He’s a private in the SAS (UK Special Air Service). He’s a big man, but not handsome – in his eyes at least. He’s being badly bullied by his commanding officer and decides to save a US Army Ranger from certain death. He is noble, quiet, kind, heroic in a gentle way and deeply compassionate. I think he’s my favourite in the series.
Gabriel Cabrera is the US Ranger he saves. Gabriel is beautiful, strong, determined and stubborn. He’s also flawed. He can be hard, callous even, and wants to learn to be a better man – a man with a heart. He falls in love with Nick and despite the terrifying odds, Gabe finds a way for them to be together so he’s no longer alone.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
The same thing makes both men tick – a strong sense of obligation and justice. They signed their lives away to their countries and they want to do right by that oath. They will also protect each other no matter what they face.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I know exactly who will play Gabriel: Santiago Cabrera (Yes, I even stole the surname).
Nick’s a bit harder… Someone able to pull off that gentle giant who can shoot to kill and isn’t too pretty… Suggestions on a postcard please!
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Oh, the ending – it’s so romantic – the most romantic ending I’ve ever written I think.
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Colonel Elizabeth Brant – she’s a tough but fair commander and despite being in her early fifties she’s on the ground with her boys helping to save the day. The adventures she’s had… And before anyone thinks that’s too old to being this stuff – come talk to me because I’m not that far off!
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
The characters own the story. I’m just the one writing it down for them. It’s a must read because it’s a great romance, but I’m also very politically aware of what’s happening in the world right now (outside of COVID of course). It’s accurate, well researched and a page turner!
Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Stephen King. Tom Clancy. Two writers who can create great stories that people want to read but they are contemporary and not literary. I don’t go for literary books. I need to learn to make mine stronger and more complex. I’ve a great idea for a story about a prince from Afghanistan – did you know they had a royal family until the 1970s? There’s a story in there! It’s just such a complex one to write!
Stuff about Writing/ Reading:
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I research while writing as I start with the characters and a location. That location will lead into the politics of a place, then I do loads of research into the history. For this one, I needed to understand what happened to Myanmar to make it the place it is today. I know loads more than I’ve put in the book. Also, I had to research a lot of the survival stuff. Some I knew, because it’s a passion of mine already, but some of it I had to work out along the way.
Do you see writing as a career?
If only to keep the voices in my head quiet, I need to make this my career.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
MM Romance, but it’s got to be good, it’s got to be world building. I don’t like cute meet. I don’t like boy meets boy nothing really happens but them falling in love. So MM romance with a side order of thriller, fantasy, sci-fi, crime, mystery…
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Husband = Television - grrrrr
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I actually struggle to write about women. All my women are very masculine and perfectly at home with a gun or a sword. I know nothing about fashion (my idea of heaven is being let loose in an army surplus stores to buy my clothes). So, writing soft women who need rescuing… Not really possible.
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