Greg Thomas's Blog

What a great book!

I enjoyed this book so much as, for me, it ticked all the boxes. There’s a well constructed plot, great characters (including the main character’s mother who is deliciously, hideously appalling), plenty of adventure, a frisson of sexual tension, and humour too.

The story initially depicts witches as a breed apart, something inhuman, and as we all must know a witch or two in real life we understand that this isn’t the case, but let the author do her work and let the story develop – you’ll see it’s a good one.

To go into a few details, “Hunter” is a 7th Generation Witch Hunter (real name Astley) who is a member of an organisation dedicated to the containment – by any means possible – of witches. Not harmless Wiccan wannabees but, real bad witches.  But he finds that he’s up against the Shadow Witch, who is a formidable opponent intent on restoring evil power to the world and he may have met his match.

writerchristophfischer

Today I would like to welcome John Nicholl to Welsh Wednesdays. He writes psychological thrillers with a character called DI Gravel who is Welsh, overweight, heavy drinking, old school, world weary, and dedicated.

Welcome John. Please tell us about your personal connection to Wales. 

I was born and grew up in Carmarthen in beautiful wet West Wales. We lived in Devon and Cornwall for a while, but came back to Wales when I was appointed Child protection coordinator for Dyfed. We plan to stay in Wales.

Tell us a little about yourself as writer and as person. (Tell us about your writing history. When was the first time you decided to write and when was the first time you did? Your hobbies, family, pets..?)

I wrote a multi-agency child protection guide and articles for newspapers and magazines during my career, but white is the coldest colour was my first novel. I’ve…

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writerchristophfischer

Today let me introduce you to Mary Grand. Welcome to Welsh Wednesdays Mary and thank you for participating. 

First up, please tell us about your connection to Wales. (Do you live here? Are you Welsh? Did you live in Wales or did we meet in Wales?…)

I was born in Cardiff in 1958 and lived there until I left home at eighteen. Growing up we had compulsory Welsh lessons but few people took it seriously. It is wonderful how the language has been revived. I still have family living in Wales and it has been great to have one of my children studying at Cardiff University. Wales is in my DNA. When I started to write it was natural to set my stories  there.

Tell us a little about yourself as writer and as person. (Tell us about your writing history. When was the first time you decided to write…

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Source: Interview with Vanessa Wester

I recently discovered the Evolution Trilogy by Vanessa Wester, and I’m pleased to rate it as a 5 Star read. Vanessa has agreed to be the first author to be interviewed for my new blog, and before we find out more about her, let me just give a quick

5 Star review:

The Evolution Trilogy (and the prequel, Emily) follow the lives of people who have transformed into something more than human. They still seek love, friendship and family just as we all do, but they have to go to remarkable lengths to hide their true nature from the rest of society. The Trilogy blends paranormal romance with exciting adventure amidst the contrasting locations of Southampton and Brazil. The lead characters are well developed, complex and sometimes downright dangerous. This is far from a run-of-the-mill series as there are twists and turns in both relationships and plot that you won’t see coming, and naturally, the books are better for this.

Vanessa, thanks for taking time out from your busy writing schedule and family life to visit my blog.

Thank you for asking me! I have not been interviewed in ages so it is exciting to relive the trilogy again after so much time has passed since I wrote it! I can’t believe I published RETURN in 2013! Time flies at the moment…

You’re well known for your writing in the paranormal romance genre – what was the appeal of this area for you as an author?

Thank you for saying I am well-known. Remind me to send you a Christmas card! Ha ha

Seriously though, I wrote this trilogy because this was what I needed to write at the time. I never started writing because I saw it as a job/ way to make money. I wrote because I needed to get my ideas out of my head. It’s also easier to talk to yourself when writing, than to talk to the wall. My children/ husband are not usually interested in my thoughts – although my eldest daughter is currently in training! She loves the same books I do and her writing has real potential!

The genre choice was down to my fascination with paranormal, human nature, and fantasy. I think we are all constantly influenced by media and, as a child, I always enjoyed reading the likes of Enid Blyton – thoughts of fairies, gnomes, and magic were exciting. But, I was fascinated by ghosts and strange creatures. Scooby Doo is always a source of inspiration – my children love it!

Films/ TV Series like The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, Charmed, Bewitched and Buffy/ Angel kept me interested (obsessed more like) with vampires & magic, but I also loved Roswell – alien encounters. Then Harry Potter and Twilight came along and that was it. I watched an interview with Stephenie Meyer and I was inspired to write… she was also a stay-at-home mum. Why couldn’t I write? I was not stupid! Even though I felt like it after having children… brain drain.

But, if I had not got pregnant for a third time I would never have become a writer. I was all set to go back to work as a Maths teacher when I had to put that career on hold again. I started writing because I had always wanted to be a writer of detective novels (huge fan of Agatha Christie) and I wondered if I could actually write a full-length book (70,000 words). When I did I was thrilled… that book has yet to be published, by the way!

The second novel I wrote, and one I published was Hybrid. It started out as a book about a teenager about to go to university. I wanted write about this since I guess I understood what it was like to leave home and have to be independent. I had only turned 18 when I got on a plane (come from Gibraltar) and made my way to Southampton to study! I was all alone and it was the scariest thing I had ever done.

The inspiration to combine young adults, vampires, and the Amazon forest came about after watching a program about human beings who still live a “savage” life…

The main locations you’ve chosen – Southampton and Brazil – seem worlds apart, but there’s often a link with water, whether it’s a coastal location, using rivers as a metaphor, swimming or even a newly developed paranormal power to breathe underwater (a fun surprise for both characters and readers). Do you have a connection with your main locations? Would you say that you have a strong affinity with water?

Definitely! I used to be a competitive swimmer and am a qualified swimming teacher. I had a view of the Pillars of Hercules from the top of the block of flats where I grew up! I can’t imagine a life without the sea close by. Luckily, I now also have the sea on my doorstep on the Isle of Wight.

Like I said above, I watched a documentary about natives in Brazil and I studied in Southampton so that was why I chose both locations.

In the Evolution Trilogy, the two main protagonists, Steven and Caitlin have a real fight on their hands to be together, they have to resist the interference of other powerful characters in addition to dealing with the unique problems of their paranormal relationship. Sometimes sparks are flying off the page. So it’s no easy love story you’ve written here. Why?

Love is not easy… I get really fed up when you read books that seem to make it seamless and natural that you’ll get a happily ever after. I wish it was possible to have a bit at the end of these books which says, “After two years they split up and got a divorce when they realized they hated each other!”

I am lucky to still be with the man I met 21 year ago, but it has not always been an easy road. I wanted them to be forced to doubt each other, to face up to the consequences of their actions, and eventually to have to make a choice… which they did. Not everyone wants to read about conflict in love, but I think life is never ideal and the sooner more writers do this the better. A fairytale ending does not prepare you for real life. Love can be full of heartache and disappointment.

To be honest, I always doubted anyone would ever fall for me as a teenager – it was horrible! I was pale, freckled, and a redhead amongst a sea of brunettes with long legs and glowing tans. I could not compete. I was quite glad when I got to England and realised I belonged somewhere & was not a complete waste of space!

But, with books like Divergent and Hunger Games the road is already changing. I am actually currently reading a series called Half Bad by Sally Green which goes even further… readers are hungry for something different. (A quick update – Vanessa has asked me to add that she’s just finished the Half Bad Trilogy and it certainly packed a punch. It even left her in tears…) Now, back to Vanessa:

I am a reader first, and this compelled me to write what I wanted to read.

I feel that your books offer more than “paranormal romance” as they’re packed with adventure and surprises too (when I thought I could predict a character’s actions I got bitten on the err.. arm).  Could you say what motivated you to inject these twists?

Like I said above, the Queen of suspense – Dame Agatha Christie! I love twists & and being different. I also loved Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. Who wants to be boring? Ha ha

I thoroughly enjoyed the many scenes where the characters are using and exploring their supernatural powers, and the characters are often reveling in them. But they all reject the description of themselves as “vampires” despite having killed humans to survive. Do you think they’re vampires?

Not really… they will die! Oops. Best not give too much away. Vampires sleep at night, turn into bats, are insatiable and have no control, don’t like garlic, etc… have you not watched Scooby Doo? LOL

Seriously, there are some strange people out there who love to kill. We call them murderers and lock them up in prison. I call them “vampires” who have no choice.

The vampires (oh yes they are), strive not to kill, but draw comparisons between their need for food to survive and the need for ordinary people to feed from animals. They could be the next step in human evolution, and yet, at times, overcome with the lust for blood. Are you inviting us to reflect on our own needs and values?

Most definitely. How many times do we kill insects without a second thought because they come into our houses, or scare/ annoy us? Humans are ruthless killers. We all know this. It is interesting that the killer instinct is alive and well in society. I am a passive person – I hate conflict. But, there are a lot of people who love it, live for it. If a books makes you reflect on your own needs and desires this has to be a good thing.

Would you have one or two helpful suggestions for aspiring writers?

One or two?

I would say that getting an honest opinion from someone you trust is the best thing you could do. By sharing on social media and following the likes of E.L. James you could end up with heartache. Online writers/ readers can be brutal. I was lucky to have people to talk to when I started out. When I published it was like the wolves had come out to get me sometimes.

Also, work on editing your novel and possibly try to get an agent, but don’t be fooled. They are many “publishers” out there who only want your money. They do not help you sell books. I am always amazed by authors who call themselves “bestselling” and yet when you look them up their books are no-where on the charts and their books have hardly any reviews.

Check legitimate sites and respect yourself. It is exciting when someone wants to read your work, but it may not be the best choice for you.

If you decide to self-publish via Amazon and Smashwords don’t expect instant sales – unless you have a lot of friends! If you are lucky enough to end up in the top of the charts… well, I will be impressed!

Get in touch with bloggers, join Goodreads, make a page on Facebook, Twitter – ask me for help. I’m always around – @vanessa_wester

Is that enough for now?

Would you consider writing another book in the Evolution Trilogy? Many readers, myself included, would like to follow the characters.

Yes. The books are in my head… they have been there since I finished the series. I just had to write something else first.

Are you working on a new book?

I am writing the story of my great, great Victorian grandparents using their letters and research. I wanted to write this for my dad who is extremely proud of his English roots. Hardest thing I have ever done!

How can readers get in touch with you and buy your books?

Books are available via

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanessa-Wester/e/B0081KT43U/

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Wester/e/B0081KT43U/

And all other amazon sites.

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/islander8

Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, etc. Look me up!

Social Media

Blogger http://vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/vanessa_wester

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vanessaWesterWriter

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421055.Vanessa_Wester

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pub/vanessa-wester/67/7bb/699

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/vanessawester/

Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed.

My pleasure! This was a great opportunity to talk about something that definitely means a lot to me. What makes it even better is knowing that you actually enjoyed what I wrote and wanted to talk about it. Thank you.

The new year is continuing in style. At 6.35 am, we were woken by the sound of Ollie the Collie retching on the rug. In other homes perhaps people were sound asleep, or maybe woken by music, carefully selected the night before. But we get a retching collie. The good news is he’s absolutely fine – could be he just wanted to get some attention.

He loved his walk – accompanied of course by his Auntie Nee Nee, the 11 year old Samoyed.

Hi to everyone, and I hope you all have a great 2016. Many of my good friends have had a truly difficult 2015 and I hope the new year is so much easier for them. Best wishes to all.

Special thanks to Dr Ann Williams of Academic Proofreading fame, for correcting grammatical errors. Those eagle-eyes will track them down and coax them into a semblance of good English.

Astarte Rising is the first book in The Infrasonic Detective Series, and it’s due to be published  soon – initially as an ebook on Amazon. I look forward to making it available on other great platforms too, but for now it’s kindle.

This exciting time travel adventure story follows Harry Bonneville, Professor Rowan Forrest and Dr Rosa Almeida, as they are projected back into the past on the strangest rescue mission of all time. They must rescue a missing American Agent, and a fragment of something they call The Time Faeder. Harry has also been summoned by the goddess Astarte who lies trapped beneath the temple of Baal-Berith in ancient Israel.

Meanwhile, The Western Valkyrie (the formidable Frau Schalke) is called upon to bring solace to the living and the dead, as the clock ticks inexorably down towards Ragnarok, the end of time.

Sometimes funny, occasionally moving, never staying still for long…why don’t you find out what happens next? They’re waiting for you.