Interview: California Author Keep Promise to Dying Wife

Hi! I am Carolyn Howard Johnson, your trusty New Book Review blogger and author of the multi award-winning HowTo Do It Frugally Series of books for writers. This blog has heretofore been exclusive for reviews but I thought I’d do a special series of interviews after I chatted with Jeanie Loiacono, President of Loiacono Literary Agency – Where ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary!  I thought sharing the interviews would help the many subscribers and visitors to this New Book Review blog, including authors, reviewers, and, of course, readers who just might find a new favorite author among the featured books and authors.

So, today welcome Jack Martin.

After receiving his Juris Doctorate from UCLA, he worked for The Department of Defense and the aerospace industry, specializing in contracts and regulatory issues. Tracing his Californian ancestry all the way back to the 1830s, Martin developed a passion for American history and the mystery genre. With encouragement and support from his beloved wife Sonia, he began writing. She passed away on Christmas Eve 2009 following a brave battle against ovarian cancer. He promised her he would finish the books and become a published author. He dedicated his first novel, John Brown’s Body to her, the love of his life.

Martin is the author of the Alphonso Clay Mystery Series set during the Civil War: John Brown’s Body, Battle Cry of Freedom, Marching Through Georgia, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Hail Columbia. His latest novel is Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Now Clay lives on…  

1. What is your genre? I write fiction, concentrating on historical mystery.
2. What made you want to be a writer? The desire to tell tales that would fascinate people.
3. Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? It's a tie between H. P. Lovecraft and Robert Heinlein.
4. What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? Usually I outline, but quite often I will write by scene. On several occasions, a particular scene or series of scenes have come to me in vivid dreams, and I find myself trying to construct the novel to incorporate those scenes. 
5. Do you write every day? How much? How long? I write two or three hours a day, every other day. Hey, I'm old!
6. Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading is just as important to a writer, if for no other reason than to get an idea of what his target audiences like to read.
7. What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Don't let rejections get you down, and write in genres that you personally enjoy.
8. Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Frankly, getting a good agent is the best thing you can do. I sold nothing until I got a brilliant agent!
9. Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? They can be beneficial, if for no other reason than meeting fellow authors and exchanging professional information. Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon are good conferences for mystery writers.

Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? No events scheduled at this time. My books may be found on: Amazon  Fish Pond  The Book Depository  BAM  B&N  Waterstones  Indie Bound  Google Play

Kobo  Powell’s Books  Wheeler’s Books  Copia  IDreamBooks

www.jacksmartin.com  Facebook  Amazon Author Page

Different Strokes for Different Folks Blog Talk Radio

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/jack-martin/

  

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency

A facilitator of dreams, Jeanie Loiacono represents over eighty authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her authors succeed.
“There is nothing more rewarding than to hold one of my author’s books and know I helped bring it to fruition. I am so blessed and privileged to be able to work with some of the most talented writers in the world.” Jeanie.L@llallc.net  www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENTS

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERVIEWS--TO FIND GREAT READING OR TO NETWORK WITH AUTHORS--PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. YOU ARE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THIS FAMILY WHO LOVES BOOKS! YOU'LL FIND A WINDOW TO DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG PAGE.

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 New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Reviewer Says Poldark Has a Rival

Title: The Apothecary's Widow

Author: Diane Scott Lewis

Website: http://www.dianescottlewis.org
Genre: ​historical mystery

ISBN-13: ​978-1771453677

Buy at Amazon

Five-star review by Anita Davison

Format:Kindle and Print

 

MINI SYNOPSIS 

Who murdered Lady Pentreath? The year is 1781, and the war with the American colonies rages across the sea. In Truro, England Branek Pentreath, a local squire, has suffered for years in a miserable marriage. Now his wife has been poisoned with arsenic. Is this unhappy husband responsible? Or was it out of revenge? Branek owns the apothecary shop where Jenna Rosedew, two years a widow, delights in serving her clients. Branek might sell her building to absolve his debts caused by the war—and put her out on the street. Jenna prepared the tinctures for Lady Pentreath, which were later found to contain arsenic. The town’s corrupt constable has a grudge against Branek and Jenna. He threatens to send them both to the gallows. 

REVIEW

Reviewed by Anita Davison originally for Amazon and Historical Novel Review

Set in 18th century Cornwall, all Jenna Rosedew’s husband left her was an adolescent apprentice and a struggling apothecary shop. When Lady Pentreath’s death is deemed murder, Jenna is the first person to come under suspicion as she prepared all the dead woman’s medicine. But why would Jenna poison someone at the risk of her own livelihood? When Branek Pentreath has reason to call on Jenna, he informs her is he is putting up the rent of her shop, or does he too think she killed his wife? Jenna finds herself attracted to the man, but any connection between them could be construed as motive for murder.

Ms Scott Lewis’ portrayal of a couple trying to come to terms with conflicting emotions in an unsympathetic setting is thoroughly enjoyable. Jenna is no simpering female with no clue as to where to turn, she has her own methods of protecting her livelihood, and being accused of killing one of her clients isn’t something she is going to accept without a fight.

Branek Pentreath is also gravely misunderstood. He is not simply a heartless, ruthless mine owner, but a man of principal struggling with a failing business, suspicion from his neighbours and a growing attraction to a woman he shouldn’t even have noticed.
Ms Scott brings all the threads of this heart-warming story together into a satisfactory ending. I hope to hear more about Branek and Jenna.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.