Kelli L Decker, Author of San Francisco Golden Crime

Today we are interviewing Kelli L Decker about her mystery/suspense novel, titled “San Francisco Golden Crime.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and have explored many of the surrounding areas. I have a passion for Mother Nature, Mystery/Suspense stories and a love for animals.

Describe the plot of your new book, “San Francisco Golden Crime,” in a few sentences.
The book is based in, and around the San Francisco Bay Area. It tells the story of Mike & his black Labrador Farley who are new to the city. They’re taken on a suspenseful journey after Farley makes an unexpected finding that leads to so much more than anyone could guess. You will remember their story long after you have finished the book   
 
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who loves San Francisco, loves a good mystery/suspense story, a Novella short story approx. 100 pages, Dog lovers, tourist, someone who travels and wants to read on planes, cruises, hikes near the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tell us about the protagonist, Mike.
Mike is an Architect with a kind heart. He has recently relocated to San Francisco from Sedona, Arizona to accept a big assignment on the Franklin Project. 

Mike’s loyal black Labrador, Farley, is an important part of the story. What can you share with us about the relationship between Mike and Farley?
Farley is a black Labrador that is one of those loyal dogs who is able to sense the feelings of his owner Mike. He’s like a child always exploring, and seeing the good in everyone. Farley is dedicated in a way that only a true connection of love can create.           

Was it challenging to capture the unique relationship between Mike and Farley? Were you inspired by any of your own pets?
The relationship between Mike and Farley is one that needs no words, or commands. You will catch Farley sitting on Mikes lap while watching t.v., or sleeping all night alongside him in bed. The two hike together, eat together, and are true friends. I do have loyal pet’s and a love for all animals but, this story was inspired by my mother who was an avid mystery book reader who wanted to write her own story. She did not get the change and was taken from this world too soon.       

The story is set in San Francisco, which plays a major role in the story. What inspired you to set the story in SF?
I have always loved the side of San Francisco that is inhabited by Mother Nature (such as Hawk Hill). There are so many wonderful places in and around the city i.e. The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Sunset District, Lombard Street, the fine restaurant’s, and the ocean.   

Author Kelli L Decker.

   
The geography of San Francisco is highlighted throughout your book. Did you have to do much research to ensure you did justice to the locations?
Yes, I wanted to go to the locations, or have been to the locations in order to get in the right frame of mind to convey a feeling in the book. I would write in certain spots like on a hill above the Golden Gate Bridge (called Hawk Hill) in order to get into the feel of what I wanted the reader to feel. 

What are some of the San Francisco sites readers can expect to encounter in your story?
Hawk Hill, where you have hawks circling around you at the top of a mountain that overlooks San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Pacifica, along the California Coast where you see magnificent cliffs and crashing waves. The Marina district with its majestic architect. The Sunset District with its laid-back vibe, and smaller homes all in a row leading down to the ocean.       

What drew you to the mystery/suspense genre?
My mother was fascinated with reading suspense murder mysteries every single night before bed. I too gained the love of a good murder mystery and really wrote this book in her honor. 

In addition to having lots of suspense, your book also has heartfelt, touching moments. How did you balance moving the plot forward with suspense/mystery while also adding emotion to your writing?
I drew from real life experiences. We all have emotions good and bad, we all have a story and with it carries happiness, sadness, scary times, connections and empathy for others, and at times the loss of life.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Lee Childs, Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, Dan Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more. 

On a similar note, what are some of your favorite mystery/suspense novels?
The Da Vinci Code, The Girl on The Train, Memory Man, anything Alfred Hitchcock 

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing off and on 10 years, it wasn’t until San Francisco Golden Crime that I had a story that I really wanted to share. I sincerely hope the readers are taken on a journey and don’t want to look up from the pages until they are finished with the book.   

Who was your favorite character to write?
It has to be Mike, because he’s the kind of guy who could be your brother, son, or friend, he’s very likable and relateable. 

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I think I’ve evolved in a way where I have no judgement, or prejudice against any character because we never know who else we may have become due to circumstances, finances, health, or situations. I try to write with an open mind.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
I look at a Thesaurus often, and always try to have fun with words that rhyme, just not all at the same time 🙂.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
Well, for the next year I’m working on a sequel to San Francisco Golden Crime. I try not to get too far ahead while one story is brewing at a time.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
Really well, they like how the settings around San Francisco are described and they all fall in love with Mike & Farley. They like how they could not have predicted the outcome. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from friends, and family too. They actually read the book!   

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Not really, sometimes it’s hard to have total silence and that is very important.

On the flipside, what is your favorite part about writing?
I absolutely love developing a character. I love how the imagination can take you places where you can’t guess until you start developing an actual person on paper. I like the freedom to be creative, and at times even surprised that I laugh or cry in reading my own words.   

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I have and what I do is step away from writing the rest of the day. I’ll take a long walk around Mother Nature on trails and then the stories start showing themselves. I’ll capture thoughts into a voice recording on my phone. At times parts of a story will come to me upon going to sleep, or right before waking up. I always have a notebook next to the bed.   

What do you have in mind for your next project?
The sequel to San Francisco Golden Crime.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Just enjoy it, and take time to step away from the daily grind in a good book.

More Information
Buy “San Francisco Golden Crime” on Amazon.
Follow author Kelli L Decker Facebook. 
Watch the book trailer on YouTube. 

Book trailer for "San Francisco Golden Crime."

K.S. David, Author of A Promise Kept

Today we are interviewing K. S. David about the romantic suspense novel, titled “A Promise Kept.” 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live on the east coast with my husband and three kids. However, it’s my 90 pound Sheepadoodle that that really runs our home (they’re not supposed to get that big but my dog is unusual). I’m a book lover - obviously. Writing started as a way to relax years ago. I ended up with a collection of stories and decided it was time to publish them. Writing is my therapy.

Describe the plot of your new book, “A Promise Kept,” in a few sentences.
Quinn McGuire is called home to settle her mother’s affairs. Instead, she finds herself defending her brother who has been accused of a horrible crime. She discovers a circle of deceit that goes back decades. The more she digs; the worse things look for her brother and the closer Quinn moves to danger.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
This book is a great read for someone who loves to read a mystery with a little humor in the midst of a blossoming romance.

Tell us about your protagonist, Quinn McGuire.
Quinn McGuire was once a successful defense attorney. She made some bad decisions that had horrible consequences for several people including Quinn. She’s emotionally damaged and she doesn’t trust herself anymore but the circumstances that face her in this novel force Quinn to come out of her shell. 

Quinn has a lot of negative history with Hayden County. Can you tell us about her history there?
Quinn grew up in poverty. Her family has a colorful and notorious history in the county. That history marked Quinn and anyone carrying the McGuire name in Hayden County. No matter what she does, Quinn can’t get past those negative impressions. 

Quinn loses her mother and must return to Hayden County. What was Quinn’s relationship like with her mother?
She didn’t have a very good relationship with her mother. Quinn’s mother was a bitter woman who disliked her social condition. She also struggled with a bad marriage and it was hard trying to raise children on her own. However, Quinn’s mom also worked very hard to give the children a better life. It wasn’t until she was dead that Quinn learns that her mom was actually proud of her.

On a similar note, how does Quinn feel about her father who has a history of crime? 
Quinn loves her dad dearly but sees him almost as a victim of his social condition. She doesn’t condone his actions but believes that he was desperate and lost. 

Without giving too much away, what is Quinn’s initial reaction to the accusations against her brother?
She’s, of course, shocked. She doesn’t believe that her brother is capable of that sort of crime. She more surprised to hear about the named victim.

What drew you to the genre of romantic suspense?
Wow, there is nothing that amps a story up like the backdrop of a steamy romance; two people pushed together in a race against time while passion blooms. Romance added to any fiction genre just makes the story better.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
No, I can’t say there is a single writer that’s influenced my style. I am found of Mary Kay Andrews, Lori Armstrong and Ann Charles. Their stories are clean, crisp easy reads. I like that.

How long have you been writing?
I published my first novel in 2015, but I’ve been writing for years. 

Who was your favorite character to write?
Quinn was my favorite character. I worked hard to create depth and complexity in her character. I also enjoyed seeing her character transition. I think readers will as well.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I’m learning to remove the extraneous stuff that just bogs down a story. At the same time, I’m learning how to use dialogue to move a story forward rather than depending exhaustive descriptions or POV narratives. 

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I have a few more romantic series that I’d like to pursue, but I’m also looking to move into new genres. I’ve also outlined two novels that will shift me into Science Fiction and historical romance. We’ll see how that goes.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I’ve gotten a lot of positive responses to 'A Promise Kept.' Readers really connected to the emotional shift that Quinn experiences and, if I may say so myself, some of the intimate scenes leave readers breathless. 

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
The editing process is painful. I go over the story multiple times making hundreds of changes. I pick over a single word, re-writing and revising over-and-over. So, releasing the novel to publish sometimes feels like an exhaustive process but I’m satisfied that when I let it go, I’ve created a good novel.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Sure, I think every writer experiences a block. Usually, I will set the story I’m actively work on aside for a few days. I still force myself to write. I may work on a different story or start the outline for a new novel – anything to keep the juices flowing.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m working on a stand-alone romantic suspense set in Texas; more suspense, steamier romance.

More Information
Buy the book  on Amazon. 
Visit the author’s website. 

Antonio D. Sommerio, Author of Borrowed Time

Today we are interviewing Antonio D. Sommerio, author of the suspense/thriller novel, "Borrowed Time."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I guess you can say I’m one of those guys that’s done a bit of everything. No, I mean seriously, from working in the fast food industry to a Sheriff’s Deputy and even an IT Engineer. I am a firm believer in hard work and getting recognized for your contributions in opposed to “who you know”. I’m a sucker for humanity and believe we could do so much better if we just cared a little more and moved out of our comfort zone to help others. I love film, writing, gaming and I’m big on putting family first. 

Describe your book, “Borrowed Time,” for us.
"Borrowed Time" is a testament to the phrase “It’s never too late”. Not story wise but for the fact that I finished the manuscript in 2009 and was literally terrified to try and publish it until 2018. It’s a heartfelt story about a man who’s lost everything but gains an incredible power he has no clue how to manage. And so, here he is this “regular guy” with this huge gift/burden thrusted upon him. However, who he is as a person just plays so well within the actions he takes in the book. So, you wonder if this “power”, was tailor made for him so to speak. Also "Borrowed Time" was never meant to fall into the sci-fy category but there are small nuances there because of the time element.     

Who do you think would most appreciate “Borrowed Time”?
I must say women fall in love with Jacob’s persona. I’ve gotten so many emails about how they “miss him”, and how they enjoyed spending time with him. Everyone loves the humor that’s in the story and feel extremely close to my characters. I love the way they took a life of their own. People who like both suspense thriller books and film will like "Borrowed Time." It’s a quick read that feels like you’re in a movie. It touches on so many topics we deal with on a day to day. It’s about sacrifice and paying it forward. 

Have you always enjoyed writing in the suspense / thriller genre or is it something that evolved alongside your writing career?
You know looking back at all the stories I have plots for (and I have material for days) ...it, kind of just turned out that way. I have so many stories I look forward to writing and many of them inadvertently fall into the suspense/thriller category. However, I don’t try and write for a specific genre. My goal is to create a truly immersive experience. We categorize everything of course in every industry, but one small detail in your writing/story can allow you to overlap between multiple genres if you know what I mean.

One of the challenges of writing in the suspense / thriller genre is managing the pacing of the plot. Is this something that comes naturally to your writing? Or do you do a lot of outlining and planning to prepare?
I think I kinda dodge that bullet with "Borrowed Time." The book is so fast paced it doesn’t have much time to drag. That’s by design. I wanted a “quick read” as I call it. People are very protective of their time. Some have shorter attention spans and a ton of things to do in any given day. So, I wrote "Borrowed Time" to appeal not to just hardcore or mainstream readers, but to the nurse that reads on her lunch break…the stay at home mom that gets a little reading done after the kids are asleep. The husband waiting on his wife to come out of the grocery store, lol. You can read it in “spurts” and still feel accomplished. At present time however, I’m working on a second book that has so many more characters than "Borrowed Time," that I’m totally going to have to get my outline game in order. 

Are there any authors that have influenced your writing style?
Maybe James Patterson just a tad, however I break a lot of rules James would have a fit over (laughs).

Tell us about the story’s protagonist, Jacob Parnell.
Warm, kindhearted. Always putting others before himself. He lives with the pain of missing his beloved. He feels responsible. Jacob doesn’t believe in “what is written” or predetermined paths. He is a firm believer that he has control of his destiny and the way his life will proceed based off his actions (or lack thereof). 

Jacob’s life is marked by two major transformations – first with the death of his wife and second with the discover of his watch’s special ability. Is exploring transformations something that you set out to do with the story from the start? Or was it something that arose as you wrote?
Oh, it was definitely there from the start. It’s what drives the story. It’s also what drives his behavior. He feels responsible. He wants no matter what to have her back. The gift of “sight” (for him) is what he feels is a pathway to redemption. A way to apologize to her and the universe.   

Jacob’s discovery of his watch’s power is a life-changing moment for him. Can you tell us a bit about his thought process upon discovering what the watch is capable of?
Devastated, as there is now this complete opposition to everything he believes in. The predetermined path is there!!! Fate is kicking down his door!!! He’s emotional, scared and angry. Why him!? As punishment? As a chance at redemption? A chance to prove he can change destiny possibly? Or maybe just for irony to play a cruel role and take what little he has left. 

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
When I went back to "Borrowed Time" after an 8-9 year hiatus, I changed so much of the book’s story. I’d experienced so much more of life. My beliefs had matured and the world around me had definitely changed. But I think the most important thing is…(smiles) I don’t challenge or try to fight my characters. I allow them to have a life of their own. “They” do some things I don’t agree with and I have to live with that. I have to allow them to be them. They create the story, I’m just the guy privileged enough to be able to jot it all down and become a voice for them.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
The Holberg Collection will have an expansive world. I have so much research to do about massive plot and world building so I don’t confuse my readers. That series will be epic and vast across multiple books. So, I’m working on carefully describing every detail of the world and premise so my readers can follow. Speaking of multiple books, "Borrowed Time" was never meant to have a sequel. I decided to get crafty and change the ending to see what type response I’d get. Well, everyone wants a sequel. Now this is where it gets weird. The only way I can create a true sequel in to dive into the messy scheme of time travel. But I inadvertently left myself open ends and bread crumbs that were literally just unanswered questions which will get resolved in the next book. It’s almost like it was “meant” to have a sequel. So that’s basically taking something that’s maybe a seed that was forgotten and planting it, allowing a new portion of the story to blossom and branch. 

Author Antonio D. Sommerio.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To establish myself as a well-known author. To go from self-publishing to finding a home with a traditional publishing house. I really want to see my Novels and Novellas receive film adaptations. I write them that way. To ease the transition from literature to film. I love movies based on books. They have some of the best stories and plots in my opinion. The writing and construct tend to be well thought out so to speak. I can watch a film and say “this was a book”. I wait until the end credits and yup normally I’m right. So, in ten years’ time I plan to give my readers at least 5-7 new works and really shake things up with so many different themes and diverse storytelling.   

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
They loved it. However, it is so challenging getting them to write reviews. I get emails, more emails, and plenty comments on social media. Getting reviews written however is like pulling teeth. My most critical review came as an anonymous email and read: 
(“I loved 'Borrowed Time,' but make no mistake this is a movie waiting to happen. You shouldn’t be writing as a novelist, you should write for film, period!”) I really didn’t know how to take that critique. But for most they really enjoyed the book and want more. They loved Jacob, loathed Stanley and really enjoyed Sheryl. 

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I have to stop being fearful. I let it limit me for far too long. I have to allow myself to be vulnerable to hefty criticism as it will only make me better. I hate that about writing, or any craft for that matter. You’ll pour your soul into something for months or years and in one sentence someone could tear it to shreds. One crushing review is all it takes to make a lot of people quit. That said, I spoke at a few high schools about that very topic. I wanted to motivate our youth not to be afraid to put something out there. Not to care about what some would think. Other than that, it’s definitely dialog, that’s a big one. I want to perfect that and its so many rules involving proper writing with character dialog.    

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I haven’t had writers block so far (fingers crossed). I’m constantly flooded with ideas, stories and plots with not enough time to write. I have to make notes throughout the day and sometimes even wake up in the middle of the night and write out a plot on a dry erase board. I have so much content crammed in my head even if I got stuck on one story I can begin or continue on another and come back to the previous. I think if you get stuck, it’s best to walk away from it for a while. Your characters will let you know when they’re ready to continue. 

What do you have in mind for your next project?
“The Ki” is my next work to be published
It is a novella comprised of 4-5 short stories about how one kilogram of cocaine affects the lives of several individuals and their families. It’s definitely different from "Borrowed Time" and you’d be surprised at who’s actually the antagonist and protagonist in the stories. It’s real, gritty, heartbreaking and warm all at the same time.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I put my all in "Borrowed Time." Not for fame, not for money. But to share my vision with the world. To tell a story about purpose…about moving forward, about sacrifice and most of all about balance. There is a little Jacob in all of us. We just have to be willing to accept it, and make the right choices.  

An excerpt from "Borrowed Time":

“Beware,” began the passage, “for if the bearer of the watch places it about his right wrist, he will not be able to see the time of others but of himself instead.” Jacob slowly placed the book on the bed and grabbed the calculator from his pocket. With the numbers still burned in the back of his mind, he started doing what he did best, calculations! As he factored in all the necessary equations, he began shaking his head. No matter how many times he did, the answer remained the same. Terrified, Jacob now realized by the numbers he’d seen that he had a little over three months before his timer would reach zero and…

More Information
Visit the author's website.

Buy the book on Amazon. 

Buy the audiobook on iTunes.

Buy the iBook on iTunes.

Buy the audiobook on Audible.

Like the author on Facebook.

Visit the author's blog.

Check out the author's YouTube channel.

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