Today’s special guest is returning thriller author Ryan Lawrence and we’re chatting about his new LGBTQ+ thriller, Vindictive Too.
During his virtual book tour, Ryan will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too.
Bio:
Ryan Lawrence was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. He is a 2000 graduate of The University of Guelph in English. Ryan has worn many hats professionally, including working over 12 years as a custom art framer. While writing has always been a part of his life, it was only after leaving this profession that Ryan seriously took his education and passion for writing by the horns and began the journey toward Vindictive, his first novel. Ryan has recently published his second novel, Vindictive Too, continuing his exploration into the theme of revenge.
Since 2002, Ryan has lived in London, Ontario, with his husband, Todd, together since 1997, their cat Dora, and his massive comic book collection that once fell on Todd. He’s okay.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Ryan. Please tell us about your newest release.
The best revenge never includes forgiveness. To truly punish the guilty, something worse must be done to them.
A chain of vengeful events is set in motion when a man’s brutally murdered body is found in an alley behind a seedy bar. Inspector Declan James is put on the victim’s case, only to discover his intimate connection to the slain man. After a not-by-chance meeting with the mysterious Véronique, a woman on a mission to right a terrible wrong, Declan finds himself mired in an intricate web of corruption, lies, and coverups.
Marie and Jacques Bergé, the owners of the internationally renowned Château Bergé, act publically as the pinnacle of society and wealth, but behind closed doors, their lives are in turmoil.
From Marie’s erratic behaviour and bizarre disappearances to Jacques’s not-so-secret love for another woman, Fairporte’s “it” couple teeters on the edge of destruction.
In the shadows, a bearded man, powerful and dark of heart, secretly orchestrates his machiavellian manoeuvres from a place of sadism and despair.
From the bustling core to the rustic outskirts of Fairporte, ON, secrets, suffering, and rage are found everywhere. As the cruel desire pain, the wronged seek retribution, and the fragile break, will anyone get their revenge before death or madness claims them?
What inspired you to write this book?
Vindictive Too is a companion novel, not a sequel, to Vindictive, as the storylines of both take place concurrently over the same three days. By the end of this second book, the two novels will have converged into an ongoing, cohesive storyline leading into my third untitled novel. Many characters that took centre stage in Vindictive take a back seat in Vindictive Too, allowing the story to focus significantly more on the Bergé family, Stella Cartell, the mysterious bearded man, and several new and compelling characters, including additional LGBTQ representation, like Inspector Declan James, a gay man and a favourite of mine to write. There’s also a new family, the Morrisons, and a lot of drama, violence, and intrigue takes place on their farm, a distinctly new rural landscape that I did not explore in my first novel. I wanted to write the kind of book I would read, with length and meat. I wanted detailed descriptions of people, places, and settings, so I set out to do just that with Vindictive and Vindictive Too.
Excerpt from Vindictive Too:
“Jules, you’re the best,” Jacques stated as a big smile appeared across his handsome, chiselled face. Instinctively, he reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers. “I can always count on you.”
“Jacques, we’re in public,” Jules whispered, retracting her entire arm. She saw several of the high-end restaurant’s patrons eyeing them curiously. Their piqued interest crafted brazen, sly smiles on their soon-to-be gossiping mouths.
Jules glared daggers at the spectators; they all quickly shrank back, intimidated by her ferocious sneer. She did not care about anyone’s opinion or judgment, but she refused to back down from her public stance that she and Jacques were solely business associates and close friends. If Marie was in the picture, there could be nothing else between them.
“I don’t care!” Jacques roared. “I want to hold your hand. Quand je dis que je t’aime je le pense vraiment! When I say I love you, I really mean it!”
Jules rolled her eyes and, in a low voice, replied, “What does love have to do with anything? I know you love me, but we’ve been over this. You can’t have it both ways. As long as you’re with that basket case you call a wife, we can’t—oh, whatever. I’m not talking about this. Speaking of Marie, one of my favourite topics, have you heard anything?” Jules’s sarcasm was on full show.
“Oh, Jules!” Jacques cried, frustrated. He knew it had been reductive to say he loved her, but for once, he wanted to completely forget about Marie, her issues, and his life outside of this moment with Jules. Admitting defeat, Jacques stiffened up, arched his back, placed his hands in his lap, and answered Jules’s question.
“No, not yet. Marie left for her session without me. She’s very upset about what I said to her regarding the twins. Marie is not a basket case, Jules. She’s troubled. And she’s the mother of my children. Can’t you show just a little compassion? Or some respect for her? I mean, come on, you drove her right out of the party last night, and she never returned!”
Jules shrugged and ate some more of her salad.
What’s the next writing project?
I’m steadily working on the untitled third novel in the “Vindictive” series, which may be the final one. However, I have ideas for two more, one featuring the Bergé family’s complete history and another about my favourite assassin, Amanda Reid, The Silver Dagger. These would be stand-alone novels, not direct follow-ups to the untitled third book.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
Oddly enough, the most challenging aspect of writing Vidictive Too was what I had been looking forward to most. This novel contains chapter sections that expand specific scenes in Vindictive. I intentionally wrote these scenes in my first novel this way, leaving room for further exploration of theme and character development, so I could later test my growth as a novelist. I wanted to mesh these scenes seamlessly between the two books without either one needing the other to feel complete or coherent. I’m especially proud of the lunch scene between Jules and Jacques. In Vindictive, the focus of the conversation does not revolve around the problematic nature of their relationship; however, a narrative sentence indicates they briefly discussed it. In Vindictive Too, that discussion is fully disclosed to the reader in vivid detail. I love this scene.
I hope my readers appreciate and get a kick out of these further explorations. A reviewer once asked what happened to Marie after Jules verbally ripped her to shreds in the bathroom outside the Château Bergé ballroom. An emotional thrashing so severe Marie never returned. Vindictive Too provides the answer.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
A reviewer for Indiereader once questioned whether I was a martial arts expert or a great researcher; watching 80’s ninja action films is the extent of my actual “training.” I’m not employed as a professional assassin, the CEO of an international corporation or own a French Chateau. Sound, responsible research creates an entertaining, believable narrative. It shows you not only have respect for your work but also respect for your audience. I tend to research as I write to keep myself “in the moment.” Still, I occasionally pre-plan a scenario, skill, location or personality, do diligent research, make tons of notes, and scribble down potential sentences and paragraphs in anticipation of these scenes.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
Where I choose to write on any given day is heavily determined by my mood. I love spending countless hours propped up by pillows on a couch or a plush chair in my home with my laptop resting on my legs, the (electric) fireplace providing ambience. However, I do have a room on the top floor of my house devoted entirely to writing and reading. The room is filled with books, art, collectibles, and other items that reflect my personality, interests, and hobbies. These treasures are meant to inspire, boosting the creative flow from my brain to my hands to the keyboard. It’s definitely a safe space where I can imagine and create my worlds and characters with my words.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
In my twenties, I met my favourite author: Anne Rice. Our conversation was short, but we chatted about several things, including her inspiring, descriptive writing style. It’s a memory I will always cherish, made even more poignant as she is no longer with us. Her expressive prose and lush detail have definitely influenced my writing style. Another author whose work I respect and admire immensely is Matthew Pearl. His historical fiction focusing on the nineteenth century (my favourite age of fashion and literature) and its literary giants is transformative.
Regarding Queer Thrillers and Gay Fiction in general, some authors I’m fans of are Christopher Rice (shocker!), Matthew Dante, Eric David Roman, Thom Collins, and Andrew Grey.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
Something I’m currently focusing my time and energy on and am incredibly excited about is my Blog on my website, ryanlawrenceauthor.ca. Along with reviews of LGBTQ+ books and my own pieces on topics that interest me, I’m beginning a series of Author Profiles of LGBTQ writers, starting with those in the Queer Thriller and Queer Horror genres. First up is two amazing talents: Matthew Dante, the author of the Fractured and Rough Edges series, and Eric David Roman, the author of Long Night at Lake Never. It’s going to be a fun and informative ride.
Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
A pleasure. Thank you for having me back.
Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon CA | Kindle | Indigo | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
Thanks for hosting!
Good excerpt, thank you.
Ryan Lawrence is a new author to me, but I want to thank this blog for the introduction. I look forward to reading this book.
This sounds like an interesting read.
The book sounds very interesting. Great cover!
I enjoyed reading the interview and learning more about this book and the author!!
This book sounds like an interesting read!! Added this book to my Goodreads TBR List!!