Joylene Nowell Butler & Kiss of the Assassin Ebook Giveaway

 My bloggy-friend Joylene Nowell Butler has a new release! Check the bottom of the post for a chance to win an ebook copy of Kiss Of The Assassin!

The book has a fascinating premise involving a different culture from Joylene's own, so I had a question...

Tell us about the research involved in having a character from another culture.

Anytime you want to write about a subject you know little or nothing about, your best bet is knowledge, whether it's online, from a reliable source, or through education. In Kiss of the Assassin, there are three protagonists: a Soviet official, a Soviet orphan, and a Mexican-born American sergeant who served in Vietnam. 

While writing the first draft of Kiss of the Assassin, I practically lived at our local library because there were no such things as home computers. Not where I lived. 

I studied every piece of work written about the Vietnam War. I read memoirs, newspaper clippings, and watched documentaries. The Russian classics were next. I watched Soviet films and read Leo Tolstoy, Vladimir Nabokov, Ayn Rand, and more. DK Smithsonian: Vietnam War-The Definitive Illustrated History was an absolute must-read. I studied Mexican history. I read the classics and current memoirs. 

When I felt ready to begin work on the first chapter, I organized a filing system and kept it close at hand. I understood that writing a novel was an ongoing job that would require easy access to my extensive notes. 

As I gained confidence, I sought out friends and associates I knew could add credence to my work. I asked them if they would read my manuscript and advise me on how to make the story more credible. 

As the years passed and I continued to seek publication, there came a time when notable essays on the Vietnam War were released. I started my research again because I realized I had to update my findings as new information came to pass. 

As I gained knowledge of Russian and Mexican cultures, I gained confidence in my story. 

***

Today let me introduce you to an intriguing new release, KISS OF THE ASSASSIN, by author Joylene Nowell Butler.

KISS OF THE ASSASSIN
by Joylene Nowell Butler

◊ Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 23, 2022)
◊ Paperback: 424 pages
◊ ASIN: B09P7T1ZRS
◊Language‏: English
* File size: ‎ 1138 KB
* Text-to-Speech: ‎ Enabled
* Screen Reader: ‎ Supported

Marina Antonovna, a Soviet spy, and Mateo Arcusa, an American homicide lieutenant first meet in Cambodia during the Vietnam War as enemies. Fearful that the most powerful man in the Soviet Union, KGB Chairman Vladimir Kurenkov, has ordered her death, Marina risks everything to defect to the United States.

 

She promises Mateo that her days as an assassin are over. Vladimir is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back and, by threatening Mateo’s life, forces Marina to break her promise.

 

Meet the Author: Joylene Nowell Butler

Joylene Butler lives with her husband in the tiny village of Cluculz Lake in central B.C... She is the author of three suspense novels and a contributor to one anthology. 

For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog, as well as connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

 Thanks so much for stopping by today during Joylene's visit. Doesn't this sound like an intriguing book, especially for the times we are in?

 

***

Wow - that's a lot of research! Libraries are so useful for us and I love that you had people you could use to help you out as well!

Joylene is offering an ebook (ePub, Mobi or PDF) to one lucky visitor who comments on this blog post. All you need to do is let me know in the comments which type of file you would prefer and you're entered in the draw! I'll choose one random winner on Friday April 1st. 

How about you? Do you know enough about another culture to write about it or would you need to dive into the research? I would need to dive in!

IWSG & Romantic Suspense & Time Machines

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!   

March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably heard me say I have a bouncy brain. I tend to have far too many ideas going on at once.

For instance, I'm currently planning (as much as my non-plotting brain can plan) and writing a new six-book Small Town Heroes series. I've got one written, the second mostly written, the third started, and the other three sets of characters walking around in my head.

I need to know my characters before I write their stories. While they wander my brain, they're telling me their backstories and I'm finding out where the conflicts are. Of course, there are also some secondary characters who want to bump up to main characters vying for my attention as well.

I also have several folks from Bloo Moose walking around in my brain telling me who they need to meet and demanding their turn in the spotlight.

Then I have an outline (in my head) for my third series and the 6 (potentially 7) sets of characters who will be its focus.

Now, to answer the question 😊

I have a really great idea for a speculative fiction series. It would be a long multi-generational series about the future of humanity with lots of cool SF elements.

Here's my conflict.

When am I supposed to fit this in? Would I need a pen name for the new series (SF) as it doesn't follow my current brand (romantic suspense)? Where in the world would I find time to work on building up another pen name???? So far, no answers, just lots of ideas.

Anyone working on a time machine that will give me more hours in the day just for writing?

How about you? Do you have characters knocking impatiently on your skull too? Anyone else with a bouncy brain?

Winners for the #WEP challenge All You Need is Love are being announced today! Check out the winners and the other stories HERE! There are so many talented writers in this challenge!