Guest Interview with Kim Lengling, Author of 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness: More Nuggets of Hope

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

What if your greatest teacher of kindness was sleeping at your feet? In this uplifting short read, mini-eBook, author Kim Lengling, a veteran, pet lover, and creator of Nuggets of Hope, shares 15 beautiful reflections on how pets gently remind us to slow down, forgive more, love deeper, and be kind to ourselves and those around us.

I'm pleased to welcome author Kim Lengling to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

My latest book is an eBook: 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, and honestly, it feels like a natural next step in my 'Nuggets of Hope' journey. After Nuggets of Hope: Cultivate Kindness was published in November 2024, I kept thinking how often kindness shows up in our everyday lives through the animals we love.

This book takes that same Nuggets of Hope spirit but looks at it through the eyes (and paws) of our pets. Our pets have a way of teaching us life lessons without saying a word—patience, forgiveness, presence, loyalty, and unconditional love. Each chapter is a short, relatable reflection on life lessons, with gentle encouragement you can carry into your day. 

Each short chapter is paired with a simple kindness prompt to help you carry their lessons into your own life, one paw print at a time. It’s not preachy and it’s not heavy. It’s meant to feel like a warm conversation over coffee, maybe with a dog curled up at your feet. If you love animals, need a little reminder to slow down, or want simple ways to bring more kindness into your own slice of the world, this book was written with that person in mind.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I don’t really have a set writing routine that I stick to. I’m much more of a pantser. When an idea hits, I jump on my computer and start writing and see where it goes.

More often than not, though, ideas show up when I’m nowhere near my computer. That’s when the voice notes on my phone come in handy. A lot of those notes happen while I’m out walking my dog. There’s something about being outside, moving, and letting my mind wander that opens the door to ideas.

Nature is a huge source of inspiration for me. The quiet, the changing seasons, the small details most people rush past. That’s where many of my ideas begin, long before they ever turn into words on a page.

What advice do you have for new writers?

This is always a hard question for me to answer because I never actually set out to be a writer. It was a bit of a fluke, really. I started, people responded well, and somewhere along the way I realized I truly enjoyed it.

If I had any advice, it would be this: pay attention to what feels natural to you. For me, that turned out to be non-fiction. I’m most comfortable sharing real stories, the human ones and the pet ones too. I don’t try to polish them into something they’re not. I keep it real, honest, and grounded.

Another thing I think is important. Seek out the people who know more than you do. Learn from them; Authors, editors, proofreaders, librarians, those who love to read, they all have invaluable insights you can learn from. There are many resources available, both free and paid for. Find them and be open to learning something new all the time! 

Above all, write about what you care about. Write about what you notice. And don’t underestimate the power of small stories. 

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I’ve found that it really takes a mix of things. Social media has been a big help, especially for connecting directly with readers and sharing the heart behind my books. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful too. When someone recommends a book to a friend, that means everything.

I also try to say yes to opportunities like guest articles and appearances on podcasts, radio, and TV. Those conversations allow me to share the stories behind the books in a more personal way.

And I can’t say enough about my publicist. He’s invaluable and has opened doors to opportunities I might never have found on my own. Having someone in your corner who believes in your work and helps amplify it makes a huge difference.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

This one made me pause, because I don’t recall uncovering anything wildly unexpected during my research. I spent time looking into what motivates people to be kind and the role pets play in that. What I found confirmed what I already believed. Which is it doesn’t cost a dime to be kind, and everyone is capable of it.

What did stand out, though, was how consistently simple kindness showed up. Small acts matter far more than most realize. Kindness tends to ripple outward, especially when it’s modeled in everyday life. And pets play a bigger role than people give them credit for. Our pets naturally draw us into moments of connection, whether it’s stopping to talk to someone while walking a dog, softening difficult emotions, or reminding us to slow down and be present.

I didn’t run into any big surprises, but I did find quiet reassurance: kindness lives in the small, ordinary moments, and our pets are often right at the center of those moments.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

Since I write non-fiction, “scenes” aren’t really part of my usual writing process, so I don’t have a hardest scene in the traditional sense. What has been challenging, though, is that I’m currently working on my very first fiction book.

That’s put me on a pretty steep learning curve. Thinking in terms of scenes, pacing, and storytelling in a fictional way is very different from how I normally write. It’s stretching me, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and reminding me what it feels like to be a beginner again. It’s been challenging, yes, but also exciting. There’s something refreshing about learning a new way to tell stories and letting myself grow into it one step at a time.

What are you planning to write next?

As I mentioned, I’m currently working on my first fiction book, which is a whole new adventure for me. It’s filled with fantasy and whimsy, and it’s been a fun (and sometimes challenging) shift from my usual non-fiction writing.

At the same time, I have a couple of non-fiction projects in the works. One will continue my Nuggets of Hope and kindness theme, building on those small, meaningful moments that remind us there’s still good in the world. The other is a more hard-hitting book about living with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress), sharing real experiences and honest insight in a way that’s supportive and grounded.

So, what’s next is a mix of imagination and reality, lightness and depth. Different projects, but all rooted in the same goal: telling stories that matter and hopefully help someone feel a little less alone.

Kim Lengling

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About the Author

If you spot someone walking through a field with a coffee mug in one hand and a dog leash in the other, that’s probably Kim Lengling. A multi-published author, podcast host, and all-around champion of hope and real talk, Kim is the voice behind the Let Fear Bounce podcast, where she, along with her guests, share stories that remind you hope is real, kindness matters, and you’re never alone. As a veteran living with PTSD, Kim knows the power of small, hopeful moments.  She’s the lead author of six heart-hugging anthologies (the latest, Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor), and her book, Nuggets of Hope: Cultivate Kindness, drops real-life stories that lift you up when the world feels heavy.  To continue her kindness mission, her newest release, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, is available as an eBook on Amazon with a print copy coming in 2026. When Kim’s not writing or recording, you’ll find her relaxing with a good book, filling her coffee cup (again), or walking her dog, Dexter, living her best nature-loving life. Find out more at www.kimlenglingauthor.com and on YouTube: @LetFearBounce

Guest Interview with Jocie McKade, Author of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, A Hope and Pip Cozy Cyber Mystery

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

It all started—predictably—with a dog.Not your everyday tail-wagger. No, this was a billion-dollar robotic prototype with a titanium skeleton and enough processing power to correct my grammar in real time. And I’m Hope Remmie: software writer, dedicated introvert, and someone who only ever expects danger when the coffee pot breaks. Yet danger apparently has my home address.

I'm pleased to welcome author Jocie McKade to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

I’ve written over twenty novels, a few series and a few. Most of my writing features my warped sense of humor. Reading should be fun! My latest release is Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, A Hope and Pip Cozy Cyber Mystery. It’s a 21st century cozy mystery featuring a robotic dog, and a mysterious AI. 

What is your preferred writing routine?

Routine? Authors have routines? LOL Who knew? My preference would be to write at a lovely log cabin nestled in the mountains. A wall of windows overlooking a pristine mountain lake. 

Honestly, I work, and I write for blogs and magazines. I’ve written in the bleachers at kids band practice, in the doctor office waiting for my appointment, on my lunch hour, wherever I could get in a few minutes of writing time. 

Today, I tend to write at my desk a few hours a day. I live on Dust Bunny Farm - no, not a big farm, but enough acreage to keep us busy. My goal is 2K words a day….alas, I don’t always make it. But when I do, words flow late into the night.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Write. No professional gets better at their profession without doing it, repeatedly and a lot. Also, continue to read. Make sure you read books that are out of your usual preference. Every author will teach you something about writing. But mostly, just write—even if it sucks. I believe it was Nora Roberts who said: “You can’t edit a blank page.”

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

Social media like Facebook, Instagram, etc. I work with Creative Edge Publicity which helps me get farther reach than I ever could on my own, and my newsletter is one of my best outlets for reaching readers. 

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

My Hope and Pip mystery features a robotic dog and an AI. I love tech, but I’m constantly having to research to keep up! Honestly, whatever you see in the media about AI or robotics is roughly years behind the reality of where tech actually is. Pip my robotic dog in the series, was created as a service dog prototype. 

Real service dogs have a ‘shelf life’. They generally are retired between 7-10 years as being a service dog to a human is an extremely stressful job. So Pip was created to be a replacement. He can be programmed to assist for multiple needs, never has to be fed, watered, walked, is allergy free, and just a hour of electricity can make him good as new. As needs change, he can simply be reprogrammed. 

What I discovered in researching this, there isn’t a service dog—-yet, but what robotic dogs we do, is far more advanced than I ever anticipated. 

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

I would say it wasn’t a scene but a character…..the AI. It is a human consciousness within a network. Transferring her consciousness wasn’t supposed to work, but it did. I had to make her ‘real’, so she talks through a chapter or two and I’m hopeful that helps the reader relate more to her. 

What are you planning to write next?

I’m working on the second book in the Hope and Pip series. The series takes place in Cincinnati, Ohio. While most cozies are set in small towns, there are many ‘neighborhoods’ in Cincinnati and it will is a place where new characters are introduced, along with the mystery.

Thank you for hosting me today. 

Jocie McKade

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About the Author

Jocie McKade is the author of over twenty books. Her fiction writing has received several awards for mystery and romcom books. Her non-fiction work has appeared in dozens of magazines, online blogs, and she served as the Senior News Editor of Reader’s Entertainment News.  Writing humorous cozy mysteries, and romantic comedy, Jocie can find humor in almost every inappropriate thing. She lives in the Midwest on Dust Bunny Farm with her family, and the world’s calmest Border Collie. When not writing, she grows ArnoldSwartzaWeeds in her garden, and plots strategic military maneuvers against hostile dust bunnies. Find out more at Jocie's website https://jociemckade.com/ and find her on Facebook and  Instagram.

Book Review: The Alchemist's Daughter (Bianca Goddard Mystery Book 1) by Mary Lawrence

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the year 1543 of King Henry VIII's turbulent reign, the daughter of a notorious alchemist finds herself suspected of cold-blooded murder...

The first book in Mary Lawrence’s Bianca Goddard Mystery series, The Alchemist’s Daughter, is an engaging historical mystery that immerses the reader straight into the mud, smells, and dangers of Tudor-era London. This version of the past is a harsh, precarious world, where there are more rats than people, justice is arbitrary, and one wrong step can cost your life.

Our heroine, Bianca Goddard, is practical and intelligent, the daughter of a disgraced alchemist (who never appears in the book except as a shadow of her past). Her attitude to alchemy is a recurring question, and I suspect she would prefer not to be referred to as ‘the alchemist’s daughter.’

What makes this book stand out is its atmosphere. Mary Lawrence does an excellent job of bringing the dark side of Tudor London to life. We trudge through filthy streets, always on the lookout for cutpurses, and nature conspires to make life as difficult as possible. I particularly liked the inventive use of language, sometimes with made up words, and the 'Dickensian' undertones echoed in character names.

Bianca Goddard is a strong protagonist, compassionate and determined, but she’s also constrained by the realities of her time. Her scientific approach of observation and logical thinking sets her apart and makes her a refreshing lead in historical fiction.

The narrative sometimes pauses to explore secondary characters, which adds depth but can interrupt the momentum of the mystery, but the plot remains compelling, and the resolution satisfying without feeling contrived.

The Alchemist’s Daughter is a solid start to a mystery series. It’s best suited for readers who enjoy historically grounded crime stories, a strong sense of place, and protagonists who solve problems with brains rather than bravado. If you like your historical mysteries dark, detailed, and rooted in real-world logic, this book is well worth picking up.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Mary Lawrence lives in Maine and is the author of five Bianca Goddard Mysteries set in Tudor London featuring a cast of commoners. Bianca uses her wits and a smattering of alchemy to solve murders in the slums of Southwark. Suspense Magazine named The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Alchemist of Lost Souls "Best Books of 2015 and 2019” in the historical mystery category and each mystery has been a top 100 best-selling historical mystery. Her articles have appeared in several publications most notably the national news blog, The Daily Beast. Fool is a standalone Find out more at www.marylawrencebooks.com and find her on Facebook and Instagram

Blog Tour Excerpt: Therein Lies the Pearl, by Catherine Hughes

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The events leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066 are well documented in the annals of history: various men are fighting for possession of the English throne, each believing himself to be the chosen one. The situation intensifies when King Edward, childless and already in failing health, sends for his nephew, Edward the Exile, to return home. What will this mean for Harold, Earl of Wessex and East Anglia? For William, Duke of Normandy? And when Edward mysteriously dies almost immediately after coming ashore, what will become of his son Edgar, the last surviving son of the royal dynasty?

Excerpt

Her voice lifted in confusion. “Father?”

    Margaret had been breathing in the musky smell of the woodlands and the flowering anemone that lined their path when she saw her father’s body, as it was positioned in the saddle, tilt further and further toward the side.

    That morning the family had left the inn and began traveling toward Favreshant, following a path made fragrant by the flowers and plants newly opened for spring. The weather did much to improve Margaret’s spirits as the sun shone brightly upon them from a clear, blue-domed sky. An occasional puffy cloud floated across the heavens but never did it linger long enough to diminish the warmth that embraced her. Walking with a bemused smile upon her face, Margaret surrendered to the charms of the countryside, relishing in the way the light accentuated the many shades of green that colored the leaves, the bushes, and the flower stems. A random look toward the front of the cavalcade snapped her pleasant daydream when she noticed the rider near the head of the train—her father—was about to fall.

    Abandoning her usual sauntering walk, she broke into enormous strides trying to close the gap between her father and herself. The rapid turnover of her feet upon the soil alarmed the flock of yellowhammers who had been flitting about the blossoms. To escape the disruption, they rose higher and hovered above, waiting for the

tumult to settle.

    “Father!”

    Her shout coincided with the loud thud of his body landing on solid ground, his head coming to rest in a patch of wildflowers.

    Before Margaret reached him, she could see Gerhard was already there. He had carefully removed young Edgar from the saddle and then ran toward Edward, dropping to his knees for closer inspection.

    Margaret skidded to a halt and took the same posture on the other side of her father’s fallen body. Hesitantly, she repeated again, “Father...?”

    His lips parted but no sound issued forth.

    After a quick glance in her direction, Gerhard moved closer to Edward, placing one hand beneath his master’s neck and bringing his own closer. “Edward! Edward, can you hear me?” Nothing. “Blink your eyes if you can hear me.” Gerhard’s voice cracked with worry, his usual composure gone. Because Gerhard had leaned so closely over her father’s head, Margaret had to slide further up toward his shoulder to be able to see whether or not her father had comprehended Gerhard’s words.

    To her relief, she saw his eyelashes flutter—he understood! He was still there, he was still with them!

    Gerhard continued. “Can you move your legs, my lord? Your arms? Just blink to let me know if you still have some control over your limbs.”

    The words hung in the air as other people soon gathered around the group of three upon the ground. Margaret heard Edgar sniffling somewhere outside the circle and felt Harold, the priest, and his two brothers glaring down upon them from their seats. None of them had dismounted; instead, they surrounded the trio like a band of

highwaymen waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting victim. To Margaret’s dismay, her father’s eyelids did not flicker.

    She studied Gerhard and watched the changing color of emotion move across his face—from confusion to concern, from fear to speculation, from suspicion to anger. When they both noticed the parting of her father’s lips, their hopes lifted. Together, she and Gerhard leaned in closer.

    Her father’s eyes remained open but unfocused, and he whispered gently, more so to the air than to them. “No ... feeling ...my legs. My feet... cannot feel them... cannot move them... nothing there.”

    Gerhard was about to respond but stopped when he saw Edward gather his breath once more. Unable to inhale deeply, he spoke in shallow exchanges. “Dizzy ... since morn...could not get... legs...to keep hold ... of the horse... chest feels ... full... crushed.” He paused here for a lengthier break. 

    Margaret could feel her eyes welling up, her lashes wet with moisture. 

    “Cannot... take .... in ... air.” With his gaze still focused at some point in the far distance, he whispered in a hushed tone, “Twas... foul... play.” Silence and he moved no more.

    Margaret felt tears stinging her eyes. They burned her skin as they tumbled down her face until they left small, individual droplets of water on her father’s tunic. She watched as Gerhard placed his hand over Edward’s face, his fingers gently extending to close each eyelid.

    Tiny bright-blue flowers with yellow centers formed a soft, decorative pillow where his sleeping head lay. Reminded of Jesus’ promise when he created these delicate blossoms, Margaret trusted that the Blessed Virgin would watch over her father’s soul. And she also knew that her father—like the flower itself—was urging her to “forget-me-not.”

Catherine Hughes

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About the Author

Award winning writer, Catherine Hughes, is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master's degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years. Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, "It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful," Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn't busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside. Find out more from Catherine's website https://www.catherinehughesauthor.com/ and find her on Facebook

Guest Interview with Diann Floyd Boehm, Author of Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is an old-fashioned, historical family drama-a sweet, yet edgy, coming of age story. Set in the 1920s, it is based on the life of the author's grandmother.

I am pleased to welcome Diann Floyd Boehm to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book.

I write both picture books and historical fiction. My latest historical fiction books are Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More and the follow-up, Ruby Takes Chicago, published by OC Publishing. The first book takes readers back to the early 1900s, a time when the world was rapidly changing, yet opportunities for women remained limited. Girls were expected to marry young, raise families, and support their husbands. Few were encouraged to dream beyond the domestic sphere.

Ruby, my protagonist, is not content to follow that path. She’s bright, curious and fiercely determined to get a college education, something almost unheard of in her small town. Her parents value education, but after high school they expect her to settle down, just as most girls did. Ruby has other plans. Against cultural expectations and the whispered gossip of neighbors, Ruby finds her own path to independence. Her courage and perseverance make her both a subject of talk for us now.

Ruby’s story is deeply personal to me because it’s inspired by my grandmother’s life. Writing about Ruby allowed me to pay tribute to that quiet generation of women who paved the way for the freedoms we often take for granted. Their grit, grace and belief in themselves laid the foundation for future generations of women to dream boldly.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I’m a morning writer at heart. There's something magical about those early hours when the world is still waking up and the possibility of the day feels wide open. My thoughts are fresh, and my imagination seems sharper before I’m caught up in everyday responsibilities. With a cup of tea by my side and a quiet house around me, I can lose myself completely in the story.

Once the day gets rolling it’s harder to slip into that creative flow. Writing in the morning feels almost sacred, like I’m giving the best part of my day to the thing I love most. And when I start the day creating something, everything else seems to fall into place a little more smoothly.

What advice do you have for new writers?

The best advice I can offer is simply to start. There isn’t one perfect roadmap to becoming a writer-every journey is unique. Write your story and see where it leads. Then write another one. Your early stories may never be published, but they help you develop. Each page strengthens your voice, builds confidence, and reminds you why you love storytelling.

Join local and online writing groups, other writers inspire and educate. You’ll learn about the craft, publishing, and marketing, perhaps even more importantly, you’ll discover you’re not alone. Writing is solitary, but the author community gives encouragement.

Finally, try to write for the joy of it, not be published. The love of creating something meaningful will carry you through the inevitable challenges along the way.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness for your books?

Spreading the word about your work takes a team and constant effort. I’m grateful to work with Creative Edge, my publicist, who helps me reach a wider audience through interviews, events and media outreach. Abundantly Social manages my social media presence, keeping my readers engaged with updates, inspirational posts, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

I use my website and blog as key tools for connecting with readers and sharing news about upcoming projects. Social media has been a powerful way to build relationships and introduce my books to parents and teachers who are always are always looking for uplifting stories for children. Every platform, from Instagram, Facebook, X to LinkedIn, offers a way to reach new audience and celebrate storytelling.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

While researching Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More, I discovered something fascinating about how language and culture develop. The term “teenager” didn’t truly exist in 1912 when Ruby’s story begins. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the term started appearing, and even then, it took nearly three decades before society widely recognized “teenagers” as a distinct stage of life between childhood and adulthood.

Earlier society expected young people to grow up quickly, take on adult responsibilities, and blend into adulthood without experiencing the in-between phase we now call adolescence. Realizing that helped me understand just how different Ruby’s world was-and how revolutionary her to question expectations and imagine a broader future.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The football scene in Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More was surprisingly challenging! I wanted the energy and excitement of the game to leap off the page, but I also needed to make it historically accurate for 1912. That meant researching the layout of the field, uniforms, the rules, etc. I wanted readers to be transported to that earlier time. Balancing accuracy with the flow of the story can be tricky, but it’s one part of writing historical fiction I enjoy most. I also called up my youngest brother, who knows the history of football and was a great help to me in making sure the game was a fun read.

What are you planning on writing next?

I always have new ideas bubbling! Right now, I’m working on a series of short stories inspired by the impact pets have on our lives. Animals teach us love, loyalty, and empathy in the most beautiful ways. These stores celebrate the small yet powerful connections and how they shape who we are. I’m also continuing to develop new picture book ideas starring my beloved character, Boomer the Curious Bunny, who delights young readers everywhere with his adventures and sense of wonder, published by Plum Creek Press.

Storytelling, whether historical fiction or children’s books, continues to be my way of connecting hearts and generations-reminding all readers, young or old, that dreams truly have no limits.

Diann Floyd Boehm 

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About the Author

Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author of children’s books and young adult historical fiction. Her stories inspire kindness, peace, and self-love, encouraging children and adults alike to “Embrace Imagination.” In addition to her writing, Diann loves connecting with audiences through school visits, book signings, and speaking engagements. She is the co-host of Royally Confidential with Helena Chard on USA Global TV™ and Radio and brings a background in musical theater and education to everything she does. Having lived in the Philippines and Dubai, Diann weaves her global experiences into her work while calling Austin, Texas home. A wife, mother, grandmother, and humanitarian, Diann is dedicated to inspiring others through storytelling, creativity, and community service. Find out more at Diann's website https://diannfloydboehm.com/ anf find her on Facebook, Twitter/X @diannfloydboehm and Instagram

Blog Tour Interview with Avien Gray, Author of Rough Diamond – Rough Justice

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

MI5 Agent and erstwhile photographer Cain becomes an undercover, extra-judicial killer for a secret Bureau. Recovering from injuries sustained protecting the Royal Family, Cain embraces new life and romance in sun-drenched Australia, leaving his past life behind. But when tragedy strikes, he is on the move again.

I'm pleased to welcome author Avien Gray to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

“Rough Diamond Rough Justice” is my debut novel. A Literary Titan Award Winner. Cain, an MI5 agent-turned-extra-judicial enforcer who trades the world of intelligence for a fresh start—only to be drawn back into the deadly game he thought he had left behind. 

Taking readers from the UK to the sun-drenched shores of Australia, to the diamond trade in Florida and the dangerous underworlds of South Africa and China. Cain’s journey is of international intrigue. And his best friend Jerry, a Royal Protection Officer, was always there to help and be helped. 

What is your preferred writing routine?

I write for three to four hours each day of the week. When I have completed each chapter – because I am very new to writing – I read through it again to make any necessary adjustments, etc, etc to perfect the storyline. I have a very slow process; it took me many years to complete my debut novel.

I occasionally, whilst writing, like listening to classical music – no words. 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Make sure you have read the best novels by great authors, some of whom have a similar storyline to the one you are wanting to create. My favourite author is Wilbur Smith, followed by Lee Child, Tom Sharpe, Dean Koontz, and many others. And of course in this modern-day world there are many advisers on websites and social media.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

Receiving 5★★★★★ Reviews on Amazon, Kindle, various other websites – and of course social media.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

I did not have to do any research. 

As it says at the beginning of “Rough Diamond Rough Justice:”

This book is a work of fiction, inspired by several real-life events and real people. Names, characters, incidents, and places are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

During my life, I met with many people who lived in extreme ways. Some good and tragically, some bad. Hence the most unexpected thing I discovered during the course of my life was very sad. More than one of my most trusted were con men, perpetual liars who lived in a world of deceit, theft and corruption, sometimes causing tragic life-long consequences. 

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The hardest scene I will always remember was the death of Cain’s best friend Jerry. Combining real life events with memories, tragedy, and sadness was very difficult. And when I’d finished, a tear ran down my cheek.

What are you planning to write next?

I am planning a continuation of Cain’s profession. He will start by paying a visit to the man who had, in my debut novel  “Rough Diamond Rough Justice”, murdered three people in Australia. Who were they? I’ll leave you to have a read to find out.

I have written 30,000 words of my second novel. Cain’s profession will again start in the UK, before taking him to the USA and South Africa where he will meet again with friends and enemies. 

Avien Gray

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About the Author

Avien Gray, the English author behind Rough Diamond – Rough Justice, brings a wealth of experience to his gripping debut novel. Born in the UK, Gray has led a dynamic, bachelor’s life marked by an impressive array of skills and global adventures. He has a driver’s license, motorbike license, and pilot’s license. His physical discipline extends to martial arts, where he earned a karate black belt, complemented by a lifelong passion for photography that captures the world through his discerning lens. You can find Avien Gray on Twitter @aviengrayauthor

Special Guest post by Mary Lawrence, Author of the Bianca Goddard mysteries

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the year 1543 of King Henry VIII's turbulent reign, the daughter of a notorious alchemist finds herself suspected of cold-blooded murder...

Alchemists in Tudor England 

The Noble Art, or Alchemy, was as much a philosophical belief system as it was a rudimentary science. Evolving over several centuries and across three continents, it encompassed the studies of chemistry, religion, mathematics, and mysticism. By the sixteenth century, alchemy had reached its zenith in this early modern age known as the Scientific Revolution. While important scientific instruments were developed after the Tudor dynasty had ended, the advancement of rudimentary chemistry was made possible by alchemists during this time.

So, how were alchemists viewed and what hardships did they endure during the sixteenth century? 

Paintings give clues to the men and their science. We see dimly lit laboratories scattered with crockery and retorts. Wizened alchemists bend over cauldrons intent on their science. Alchemists were notoriously secretive, using symbols, strange imagery, and indecipherable language to record and shroud their findings. 

Alchemy’s basic tenet is the creation of a philosopher’s stone which could transform base or imperfect metals (like tin or copper), into perfection (silver or gold). From this “stone” an elixir of life could be developed which would grant immortality. If gold or immortality could be achieved, Henry VIII wanted in on it. He required all alchemists to be licensed and they were expected to report any progress to him. In fact, he employed several alchemists to work in the Royal Mint. 

However, public attitudes toward alchemists ranged from adulation to suspicion. There were alchemists who approached their work rationally, and there were those who hoped to stumble upon the secret in a haphazard and often dangerous manner. Most all alchemists drained their financial resources in their futile pursuit, and as a result, families often suffered in poverty and lived with the uncertainty of losing their home. In addition to financial instability, fires caused by uncontrollable chemical reactions were also a source of constant danger not only to themselves, but to their neighbors in adjoining structures. 

A successful alchemist would tout himself as a powerful manipulator of nature--one whose pursuit would benefit mankind. Plenty of charlatans employed their knowledge of solvents and simple chemical reactions to perform tricks that awed. Plenty of patrons parted with their money believing the alchemist was on the brink of discovery. Indeed, Ben Jonson’s play in 1610, The Alchemist, was about how one alchemist succeeded in procuring more gold from wealthy patrons than he ever did extracting it from base metals. 

In a time when being accused of heresy could end one’s life, it was important that alchemists assume a pious attitude. Reverence for God and their noble art was necessary to avoid being accused of sorcery. Alchemists believed one must have the right destiny to succeed and failure was a fault of personal character. They were forever trying to prove to themselves and to God, that they were worthy of the great discovery. The improbability of success creating the philosopher’s stone was assured, and in my mind, this certainty makes for a provocative group of men forced to confront constant failure, poverty, and denial.

My own background is in medical science. Combining what I learned about the beginning of scientific inquiry with my interest in Tudor England seemed a natural path for me to follow. The result is my own bit of alchemy--the Bianca Goddard Mysteries, set in the final years of King Henry VIII and featuring the daughter of an infamous alchemist. 

Mary Lawrence

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About the Author

Mary Lawrence lives in Maine and is the author of five Bianca Goddard Mysteries set in Tudor London featuring a cast of commoners. Bianca uses her wits and a smattering of alchemy to solve murders in the slums of Southwark. Suspense Magazine named The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Alchemist of Lost Souls "Best Books of 2015 and 2019” in the historical mystery category and each mystery has been a top 100 best-selling historical mystery. Her articles have appeared in several publications most notably the national news blog, The Daily Beast. Fool is a standalone Find out more at www.marylawrencebooks.com and find her on Facebook and Instagram