Danita Minnis

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Ryan Lawrence will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Author Interview: Ryan Lawrence

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

One thing I have been very open about is my love of the television series Twin Peaks. This show inspired me tremendously toward my endeavour in the thriller/suspense writing genre. David Lynch and Mark Frost created a place filled with mysteries, tragedies, and high drama, populating it with a collection of well-developed characters: quirky, heroic, and malicious. While watching each episode unfold, something resonated within me, sparking my imagination. I felt compelled to create my version of a town where secrets, lies, and tragedy ran free. I didn’t get too far with Vindictive initially. I managed only a 30 plus page manuscript before getting sidetracked by life.

Years later, while watching Twin Peaks on DVD, I felt motivated to finish writing my revenge thriller. I went looking for the original pages of my story, knowing they were in a box of miscellaneous stuff somewhere in my home. Once I found them, the rest is history. You know, my novel has always been called Vindictive, and I had the name before the plot. I don’t know where my fascination with that word came from.

2. Writers write what they know and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m the youngest of three children and the only male. I encompass a combination of my older siblings’ qualities. I’m task-focused, organized, and responsible; also, I’m a little rebellious, but in a good way, a true bon vivant minus the narcissism. As a perfectionist, a trait all my own, I often fall into the trap of viewing the world’s flaws somewhat harshly. My husband is always trying to get me to see the glass more half full than half empty. I’m working on it. I mean, I write revenge thrillers. A little doom and gloom mixed with a pinch of pessimism can be inspirational. The life of a writer!

3. Where is your favourite place to write?

I have a “writing room.” It doubles as a place where I display pieces from my various collections: original comic book art, toys, comics, and books upon books. Everywhere I look, there are snippets of my personality reflected at me through these items, all trying to engage with my creative side, providing comfort and inspiration. Still, as cool as this room is, I usually end up doing most of my writing on the couch in the living room. It’s closer to the fridge.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

Well, this was a hard lesson for me to learn. Being okay with cutting storylines or characters wasn’t easy for me. Recognizing that something is unnecessary, too long or derivative can be difficult for a first-time author because you initially think everything you write is gold. The idea that something you worked hard at needs removing for the overall story to have a tighter plotline can be discouraging. But cuts are necessary to produce the cleanest, best work possible. Before discarding the remains of edited-out text completely, I believe in seeing if I can rework it into the story another way. Or maybe I can use it for another book.

5. You are introduced to your favourite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

When I was in my twenties, I did meet my favourite author: Anne Rice. Our conversation was not long, but we got to chat about the Canadian goth scene, my trip to Boston, and her inspiring, descriptive writing style. Nothing groundbreaking, but it is a memory I will always cherish.

Today, I would love to meet an author whose work I respect and admire immensely: Matthew Pearl. I would be so bold to ask him to sign all of my hardcovers. Too basic? Okay, I would ask him what historical figure he has always wanted to write about but has not and what has been the preventative reason for this. And if he would like to collaborate on anything, I would be quite amenable to that. 🙂

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Most people don’t know this, but I used to be in an adult bowling league with my dad. I was the only member who was a teenager, and at the time, I was a full-on goth/alternative boy. It was a sight to behold, but I will say that not one adult in the league made me feel unwanted or treated me with disrespect or disdain. I even won an award at the end-of-season banquet for Most Improved.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

A Swiss Army Knife. Good for all occasions.

A magnifying glass to start fires.

A copy of Dracula, by Bram Stoker, but the one where Dracula’s Guest has been put back into the text. And I’m going to cheat by saying that there’s a picture of my husband and me inside the novel used as a bookmark.

8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?

Telekinesis, but I want the kind of power where I can throw a superyacht a couple of kilometres—not the picking up a knife and peeling an apple kind of telekinesis. I don’t want to move a quarter across the table. I want to shove that table through a wall into Lake Michigan. I think I’ve made myself clear here, power-giving gods.

9. Favorite snack?

Sugar, sugar, and sugar. Not necessarily in that order. I have a sweet tooth. Any baked good is acceptable unless it has raisins. Raisins are Mother Nature’s cruel joke.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

Ya, I don’t drive, and I have no desire to learn how to drive. Admittedly, I’m a terrible side-seat driver, very aggressive; I’m also pretty directionally challenged. I count on my husband to always get me from A to B. He loves it. (That’s sarcasm, btw.)

Was this meant to be more philosophical than literal? If so, I will say that yes, I have an idea where I’m going in life, and I will get there at my own pace with my husband at my side.

Vindictive

by Ryan Lawrence

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GENRE: Thriller

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BLURB:

The best revenge is revenge. Getting it is all that matters.

Jules Cartell has it all: wealth; beauty; a handsome, loving husband; a partnership in her father’s law firm; and the top executive position at one of Canada’s leading corporations, Cartell Worldwide. Aside from her secret, problematic desire for the married owner of the internationally renowned Château Bergé, Jules believes she and her life are pretty perfect. But the discovery of an unforgivable crime perpetrated against her family by her husband, Phillip, years before the two met sets Jules down the path of revenge. There is no option for forgiveness. Phillip has to pay. An eye for an eye.

It is said that when seeking revenge, you should dig two graves. Someone from Jules’s past, someone aggrieved by her actions, seeks vengeance for themselves. This is an enemy without compassion, without morality, without mercy. An enemy who will accept no restitution short of Jules’s death.

In the city of Fairporte, ON, secrets, lies, and betrayal can be found everywhere. As adversaries close in, will Jules get revenge before her past catches up with her? Unexpected allies may be instrumental to her success. They may also be the key to her very survival.

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Excerpt:

She cried for Ethan and for the bright-eyed girl she could no longer be. Jules wanted to run away from this place of death. She also wanted to run away from her selfish choice to ensure her survival, her future. Jules wished all of it had never happened. But it did happen, and she would have to live with it for the rest of her life.

“Ethan! No! Ethan!”

Startled, Jules quickly turned and looked in the direction of the shrieking bellow. It was William, tearing down the woods, screaming his brother’s name over and over again.

Having discovered his charges missing from the house, William had reluctantly gone about searching for them outside. Sadly, it was not soon enough to intervene and prevent the devastating incident.

When William finally reached the clearing, he stopped at the edge of the lake and looked out upon the scene of broken ice and still water. With clenched fists, he fell to his knees and screamed in anguish. His brother was dead and gone, swallowed whole by the cold, murky depths.

Angrily turning towards Jules, William showered upon her a rage so pure, so palpable it might as well have been a physical smack across her face. His glare was full of hate. And so were his words.

“Why didn’t you help him, you fucking bitch?! You did nothing! You let him drown!”

Jules stood as immobile as a stone and ate her emotions, swallowing all her sadness, guilt, and self-reproach. She owned the choice she had made. The only one possible. The correct choice. She understood William’s pain, but she was well aware of his vile nature.

Jules had her suspicions of what might diffuse her attacker: using his own words—his ignorance and prejudice—against him. Maybe then he would leave her alone. She had only done what was necessary. All she could do.

And who was he to blame her anyway? Was he there when it happened? No! He had been too busy playing video games to look after them, too busy to save his brother, too busy to have prevented all of this in the first place.

Be mean, Jules silently told herself. Act like a grown-up.

With unwavering resolve, staring William down with cold, hard eyes, Jules scoffed, “What the hell could I have done? I’m just a girl. Right?”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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 towards Vindictive, his first novel.

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.

CONNECT WITH Ryan Lawrence

WEBSITE – ryanlawrenceauthor.ca

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/RyanLawrenceAuthor/

INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/ryanlawrenceauthor/

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/RyanLAuthor

GOODREADS – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22020369.Ryan_Lawrence

PURCHASE LINKS Vindictive          

AMAZON.COM – https://amazon.com/dp/0228864739

AMAZON.CA – https://amazon.ca/dp/0228864739

AMAZON KINDLE – https://amazon.com/dp/B09HFZ4C56

INDIGO CHAPTERS – https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/vindictive/9780228864752-item.html

BARNES & NOBLE – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vindictive-ryan-lawrence/1140231175

APPLE IBOOKS – https://books.apple.com/us/book/vindictive/id1588454627

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