Today’s special guest is mystery author Michael Ross to chat about his new romantic thriller, Quiet the Waves.
During his virtual book tour, Michael will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky, randomly drawn participant. To be entered for your 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!
Welcome, Michael. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Born and raised in Bristol, England. I spent my adult life in business, much of that time marketing cars, and eventually owned the largest Saab specialist in the world. Life changes led me to leave Bristol and live halfway up a mountain in the Welsh Valleys; start a six-year English Literature course at Bristol University, and attend creative writing classes in Cardiff. My interest in English literature consequently flourished and I soon won several prizes for my short stories. Over a ten-year period, I worked in the substance abuse charity sector, running book reading groups in various places including Parc Prison in Bridgend. A richly rewarding experience; both personally and as an inspiration for my future writing. So many interesting people entered my life during that time I live very happily halfway up that mountain in the Welsh Valleys with my wonderful partner, Mari, and our rescue dog Wenna.
Please tell us about your current release.
A thriller mystery with many a twist and turn, with a romantic background story threading its way through the storyline. People have generally described it as a page-turner
What inspired you to write this book?
This book has been hanging around in my head for 30 years, after the time I delivered a car from the UK for a friend to Portugal. I loved the journey, just me, foreign travel, time to stop and start whenever and wherever I pleased. I stayed the night in a random hotel in Northern Spain and when I paid the bill in the morning the receptionist was moody and wouldn’t meet me in the eyes, I got back into the car, and as I drove south whichever radio station, I tried they were playing the most miserable music, even down into Portugal. After lunch that day I got a phone call from a friend telling me that Princess Di had died in a car crash that night. My oblivion to this world-shattering event has stuck with me, I started twisting the story to have my main character delivering the car back to the UK, not realising just how important this journey would be in the story of his lifetime.
Excerpt from Quiet the Waves:
Was never certain the novel needed a prologue, but here goes:
The room stinks, the historic stench of soiled human bodies is overpowering. There are No Smoking signs posted at either end of the room but the smeared and dirty state of windows suggests years of people defying that advice. When we first met, I was willing to give the man the benefit of doubt, but the way he looks at me now is a challenge; maybe I was right – he is a total bastard after all. In all fairness it’s been a long day for him, and an even longer one for me. Leaning back in his chair he stares into space for a full two minutes before speaking, his voice gravelled with fatigue. “Let me ask you this Ryan. If we swapped places and you were me, sitting here in my chair, would you believe one single word of the statement you’ve made today?” He takes a breath before continuing. “You need to quiet the waves.” “Sorry?” “You need to pull something special out of the bag to get you off the hook here, Ryan. You’re on your own in a single boat in the middle of a raging storm and without a change of direction to pacify me you’re in real trouble my friend.” My friend? I’m screaming inside – it is not a story – it’s the truth, but the point he’s making is fair, because even I have a job to believe the witness statement I’ve just signed. Much has happened in the few days since I left Rennes, almost too much to recollect properly and somewhat impossible to comprehend. Last Friday seems like a hundred years ago, and yet it feels like only a few hours have passed since I was sitting in the city square, relaxed, drinking coffee and reflecting on my life.
What exciting project are you working on next?
The third book in my thriller Pin-up and Tanner series. If you get a chance please read Hand Over Fist – it’s a novel of which I am really proud
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Going home after my first creative writing class, the draft of a short story was completed before I climbed out of my car.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No. I like keeping busy and make time when I have something that needs to be transferred onto my PC.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I never plan, I let the characters lead me every time; for me planning kills off the pizzazz of creating something.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A grown-up.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Thank you for visiting this stopover I truly hope you’re glad you popped in.
Best wishes,
Mike
Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon (free on Kindle Unlimited)
Thank you for featuring QUIET THE WAVES today.
Thank you for hosting today, Lisa. Best wishes Mike
This should be an excellent novel. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.
I enjoyed the interview. The book sounds good.
Sounds like a great book.
This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.