Author Interview - (Chris Mason) (Entrepreneur in a Box A Guide to the Best Ways to Make Money on the Internet)

Book Description from ITunes.: Are you one of the millions having trouble making ends meet. If you are slowing nodding agreement on the inside then Entrepreneur in a Box: A Guide to the Best Ways to Make Money on the Internet may just be what you’re looking for. If you have a skill or clutter that needs to find a new home than this book can help you. The book has websites where people can sell their:

Cars and car parts
Graphic arts 
Homemade fabric
Inventions
Music
Produce
Unwanted clutter
Unwanted gift cards 
Writing
Plus much more
Entrepreneur in a Box a Guide to the Best Ways to Make Money on the Internet even has a section on crowdfunding because sometimes people need a little help achieving their goals. So pick up a copy of Entrepreneur in a Box: A Guide to the Best Ways to Make Money on the Internet and put that skill or unwanted clutter to work for you today

What inspired you to start writing, and when?

 Due to the fact that all my children went to an online charter school, I had to find ways to save money and found many free resources through the internet. In fact I still think it is funny when I first asked my daughter’s teachers for resources that could help her when she first entered the world of online schooling, I only received 3 websites. I thought 3 websites from 6 teachers was a sad state of affairs, so Tutor in a Box was born. That was years ago now. My eldest daughter was in sixth grade then, now she is a sophomore in college.

My other books were born out of two things that happened at the same time. First, my family had to give up cable to save money but my kids still wanted to see the then popular That’s so Raven. Second, my mother came up with Mason Day to teach my kids that they did not need a lot of money to give someone a nice gift. Mason Day was when a person was assigned a family member and had to make them something, spending only 20 dollars. My thought was “Oh my God”. I had no artistic skills like my daughters’ and could not build things like my son, but I did have impressive research skills. So the “In the Box” series of books was born.

What is your preferred genre? I like classic science fiction and romance.

How many books have you written?  If more than one, are any a series…or trilogy? All the “In the Box” books are reference guides to the best free stuff in a particular area. The series currently includes:

·                 Tutor in a Box - A guide to free educational resources.

·                Book Store in a Box - A guide to free print and audio books.

·                Arcade in a Box – A guide to free video games.

·                Video store in a Box – A guide to free Television and Movies.

·                Record Store – A guide to free music

·                           Production Studio in a Box: The Guide to make DVD, CD Websites and other Media at Low or No Cost

•      App Store in a Box: A Guide to the Best Free Applications for Mobile Devices on the Internet

·                     Entrepreneur in a Box:  A Guide to the best Free Websites to Make Money

Tell us a little about your book. Entrepreneur in a Box came about because no one will hire me and I was trying to find ways to make money because I am broke with the big B. so I put all the free ways to make money together in an eBook.

Do you have plans for a new book? Yes but not for a while my next book is going to be a survival guide for truckers kind of like the What to Expect When Your Expecting but for new truckers.

1    Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? Jennifer Crusie

Was there an Author who inspired your writing? My favorite authors are Jennifer Cruise, Janet Evanovich, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Philip José Farmer and Steve Berry and no they have not influenced my writing.

Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants? I set up an outline but make changes as needed.

Did you have an editor edit your books? No, Unfortunately.

Do you prefer eBooks, paperbacks or hardcover? At this time I prefer eBooks as they or cheaper to produce and go well with the nature of my books.

Where do you prefer to buy your books? I prefer to buy my books at actual book stores when possible.

Are you a self- published (Indie) Author? Yes I am. I publish through Smashwords.

What books would you like to read again? My two favorite books are Door Into Summer and Agnes and the Hitman.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (eBook/paperback/hardcover)? I just finished Odds On by Michael Crichton and Indexing by Seanan Mcguire both via audiobook.

Who designed the cover of your book? All my covers for the In the Box books were designed by a man named Nat through Fiverr.com. He also does the formatting of my books to make them complaint for Smashwords.

Do you find yourself intrigued by the cover of a book enough to buy it? No

Do you have any advice for other writers starting out? This is a multipart answer.

A.        Write what you love and are passionate about, if you care about it others will because your passion will leap off the page.

B.        Don’t write about what’s popular on Amazon. Stand out and be different.

C.        Have your audience in mind as you write it helps keep you focused.

D.        Match your subject matter to your deliver system. Not every book is good for every format. For example the “In the Box” series would not be good for the audio format due to its online nature.

E.        Don’t be afraid to outsource parts of the writing process that are outside your skill set. For example I outsource my cover creation and formatting. This way I can just focus on the writing. This includes marketing as well.

F.         Lastly as corny as it sounds believe in yourself. In the immortal words of Ed Wood “just write, if it is bad it will get better and if it is good it will become great just keep writing

Do you write under a pen name? No but should I become famous maybe then.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? It depends on the weather. I live on an 18 wheeler that goes cross country. So sometimes I just write in my birthday suit if say it is 115 in Nevada but mostly its sweatpants and T shirts.

What are your pet peeves? People who don’t answer the question asked but answer with something out of the blue or having to put up with a lack of the common sense people should have been born with.

You are trapped on a tropical island - who would you like to be stranded with? A question I always ask that is similar is if you could invite any six people who ever lived throughout history to a dinner party who you would invite. My answer: Leonardo De Vinci, Mark Twain, Jesus, Buddha, Ben Franklin PT Barnum.

Pick one - Wine, Chocolate or shoes? None of those but an endless supply of excellent cold coffee would be great.

Cats or dogs? Dogs

What is your favorite food and beverage? Coffee and Chicken Parmesan

How many hours per day do you try to devote to research and writing? It depends on how bumpy the roads are, the weather, if there is internet and if I am in the mood.

What are 3 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)? My wheelchair, a picture of my wife, my Access card.

Sleep in or get up early? Get up early

Laptop or desktop for writing? Laptop for writing.

Your favorite gadget? My laptop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? I prefer coffee shops but since I live on a big rig I write when and where I can.

Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad – I sometimes get mad when I get nailed by a reviewer for things I can’t control like how my book appeared on their device or if the review is negative or non-sense for a bad review I gave the reviewer. The good reviews are nice but for me they don’t increase sales and besides either way everyone is entitled to their opinion. Either way a review tells me people are reading what I write.

Do you have a bucket list? Yes but I will only tell you one thing on it. To get to the Monopoly championships held in Monte Carlo.

One of your favorite quotes – A classic is a book everyone praises but no one reads. Mark Twain.

List 3 of your favorite movies? Those would be What’s Up Doc, Now You See Me and Vanishing Act.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed? I liked Terminator Genisys.

Where can your readers stalk you? My readers may contact me via email found in my books.

Is your book in Print, eBook or both? As stated before all my books are available via eBook.

Do you give free eBooks away in exchange for honest reviews? No but Record Store in the Box is always free.

Book links:

 Video Store in a Box Book Links

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/video-store-in-box-guide-to/id790348711?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/video-store-in-a-box-chris-mason/1117953122?ean=2940045544009

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/video-store-in-a-box-a-guide-to-free-television-and-movies-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/391633

Arcade in a Box Book Links

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/arcade-in-box-guide-to-free/id791834888?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arcade-in-a-box-chris-mason/1120033861?ean=2940046070774

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/arcade-in-a-box-a-guide-to-free-video-games-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/391749

Book Store in   Box Book Links

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/book-store-in-box-guide-to/id799322759?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book-store-in-a-box-chris-mason/1118585487?ean=2940045580786

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/book-store-in-a-box-a-guide-to-reading-and-listening-to-the-best-free-books-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398027

App in a Box Book Links

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/app-store-in-box-guide-to/id1039080339?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/app-store-in-a-box-chris-mason/1122643539?ean=2940152345506

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/app-store-in-a-box-a-guide-to-the-best-free-applications-for-mobile-devices-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/576180

Production Studio a Box Book Link

 

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/production-studio-in-box-guide/id1053841251?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/production-studio-in-a-box-chris-mason/1122861597?ean=2940152428766

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/production-studio-in-a-box-a-guide-to-free-production-tools-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/587580

 

Entrepreneur in a Box Book Links

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/entrepreneur-in-box-guide/id1039085739?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/entrepreneur-in-a-box-a-guide-to-the-best-ways-to-make-money-on-the-internet-chris-mason/1122643542?ean=2940152345537

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/entrepreneur-in-a-box-a-guide-to-the-best-ways-to-make-money-on-the-internet

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/576188

The Pelagius Game: Compelling New Fiction Series by R. J. Jerome

The Pelagius Game: Compelling New Fiction Series Fuses Secret Religion & Biblical Events with Bold New Fantasy World.

Written by R. J. Jerome, ‘The Pelagius Game’ marks a powerful new chapter in the world of fantasy fiction. The series’ first volume, ‘Valstain’, introduces readers to a magical realm between Heaven and Earth. Offering such a vivid literary adventure, the series is poised to resonate with readers around the world.

For Immediate Release

Levittown, PA – For generations, fantasy has been a staple of the literary landscape. With fans crying out for new worlds to explore, Pennsylvania’s Russ Jerome is delighted to announce his new book with gusto.

‘The Pelagius Game’ uniquely fuses biblical mystery with all that is great about fantasy. ‘Valstain’ serves as the perfect introduction to the series as readers young and old are offered an opportunity to whisk off to a world unlike any they have ever read about before.

Synopsis:

Through The Pelagius Game series, R.J. Jerome introduces the reader to Valstain, the magical realm between Heaven and Earth.

Valstain follows the life of Timothy Anderson as he reveals his haunted past to Father Michael Olshefski, the new headmaster of The Pelagius Order. The Order’s seminary is the training ground of a secret religious society whose job is to find and prepare gifted warriors to fight evil.

But someone on the inside has a different idea.

Now, Tim must expose the true wicked desires of the Order’s leaders to the kidnapped priest. He needs this man’s trust and permission to enter the Holy ground so he may once more venture into Valstain and claim his revenge on those who betrayed him. However, Tim knows mere words will not convince the priest—only tasting the memories locked inside his magical blood will.

It is said once a man has entered Valstain, and experienced the horror within, he is never the same again—that is exactly what the forces of evil are depending on. The Pelagius Game has begun, and the journey into Valstain is only the beginning.
Valstain is a must read for anyone interested in fantasy adventures with plenty of sword fights, vibrant characters, and intricate plot twists.

As the author explains, his book’s setting plays host to a diverse range of happenings and experiences.
“Valstain is unique because it blends Earthly mysteries like secret religious societies and biblical events with a fantasy world where one can be seen battling giant spiders or the undead with magical weapons and super natural abilities, like strength, speed, ability to manipulate the weather or fire,” says Jerome.
Continuing, “I spend most of my free time researching religion. I once attended a class in Catholicism where I saw two priests whispering. This spawned the idea for ‘The Pelagius Game’ and I spent the next four years constructing narratives for four books.”
With much of writing based on diligently-researched fact, it comes as no surprise that the series’ title carries much significance to the real world.
“I remembered stumbling across Pelagianism, a theological theory named after the British monk, Pelagius. Pelagius practiced first to demonstrate the power and quality of human nature and to show what it is capable of achieving. With this in mind, I constructed the idea of a competition between God and Satan. Want to know more? Buy the book!” Jerome adds.
With such a powerful initial offering and many more volumes to come, interested readers are urged to purchase their copies of the series’ first book as soon as possible.

‘The Pelagius Game: Book 1 Valstain’, published by eTreasures Publishing, is available now

Author Interview - (R.J. Jerome) ( The Pelagius Game)

R.J, how many books have you written? 

Two books so far in the Pelagius Game series, Valstain and Born Villain.

Tell us a little about The Pelagius Game series.

I compare the series to a chess match between God and Satan where the outcome determines the end of days. Valstain, which is the magical realm between Heaven and Earth, is the game board and the heroes and villains are the game pieces. So our hero, Timothy Anderson, believes he is the only game piece left alive on God’s team. To survive, he must find the sword of the spirit in order to kill his remaining enemies.  But the weapon is on Holy ground and he is a vampire. How is he going to succeed? 

Is fantasy your preferred genre?

Fantasy / Paranormal. I like going down the rabbit hole and seeing where it takes me.  

Do you have plans for a new book?

Yes. I am currently working on book 3 & 4. Thank God I don’t sleep much.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

Valstain is in both print and kindle version. Born Villain is in kindle format, but will be heading to print soon. Isn’t that right, Martha?

You are speaking of course about Martha Eskuchen, the founder of Etreasures Publishing?

Of course. By the way, it’s etreasurespublishing.com  (Small “e” folks.)

Do you enjoy working with a publishing house or would you rather go self-published?

I prefer the publishing house. They steer me in the right direction.  I have Kylee Howells as my marketing specialist. She cracks the whip and keeps me busy.  Kim Wollenburg points out my terrible spelling and brutal use of the English Language. Last but not least, Suzannah Safi of Suzie Design is my cover artist.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

I couldn’t be bothered about all that. If I want to know what an author is all about, I just look at their body of work. That answers any question I’d have.

Was there an Author that inspired your writing?

Yeah. I’d go with R.A. Salvatore. His books, The Dark Elf Trilogy probably inspired me. I am a terrible dyslexic so I don’t read much. Add the fact that I’m left handed and Gemini, it’s amazing I even get out of bed.

What books would you like to read again?

I listen at least once a year to the Dark Elf Trilogy on audio. However, to read again, Many Years From Now, by Barry Miles.

Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants?

I’d like to tell you I write pant less for the sake of comedy, but that’s not true. I have the basic ideas in my head for seven books, but I write on the fly. I can’t be trapped in a plot box. It doesn’t allow for freedom.

How many hours per day do you try to devote to research and writing?

I think all writers, whether they realize it or not, are constantly writing. When I see something funny or interesting in my personal life, it immediately gets placed in the rolodex for later use. As for research, that is another story. I spend a couple of hours a week looking up ideas from Church documents and secret societies. I love dropping subtle hints to those in the know.

I know you have been asked this in other interviews, but can you finally clear the record on your involvement in secret societies?

The only answer I can give is... Follow the light.

What are your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad .

If you’ve enjoyed what I’ve written and I’ve entertained you, then great. If you didn’t enjoy the books and want to waste your time writing negative reviews about me, that’s great too. At the end of the day, I’m still blessed, because they keep me relevant by talking about me. However, no one even knows their name.

So the few bad reviews didn’t bother you at all?

Not at all. I had someone review my book on social media before it even came out. They gave it a negative review. How can review something that isn’t out yet?  People love misery. You can’t get caught up in that stuff.

Do you give free ebooks away in exchange for honest reviews?

I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to do that. Kylee?

How many hours per day do you try to devote to research and writing?

Two a day during the week. Four to six on the weekends.

Do you have any advice for other writers starting out?

Listen to all the constructive criticism you receive. Learn from it, but don’t let it stifle you.

What are your pet peeves?

Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United. His eyebrow. You’re supposed to have two. Socks and sandal wearers. Empty bottles of Absinthe and AleSmith. (That’s the proper spelling)

You are trapped on a tropical island - who would you like to be stranded with?

That’s a tough one. It couldn’t be a musician or author. Stranded? Really? Not sure on this but maybe a young Andie Macdowell, She was a bit fit wasn’t she?

What are 3 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?

A writing pad, sense of humor and my sobriety. (Just kidding about the first two)

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Desktop everyday of the week. I run three monitors and use them all when I’m writing.

Do you have a bucket list?

Yes. First, to reach a New York Time best seller list. I’ve reached best seller in other places, but I want the golden crown. Second, shave Marouane Fellaini’s eyebrow. I can die after that.

Where can your readers stalk you?

First I must say, some of my readers are the greatest people. They send me posters, secret society flyers, weird and crazy reviews and emails. I love them. They can usually find me at Vault Brewing in Yardley, PA. Isaac Newton’s in Newtown, PA. Roaming the streets of Boston or Salem, Massachusetts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world.  I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. 

Thank you for putting up with me, Patti. It was a pleasure.

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon

The Pelagius Game: Valstain

The Pelaguis Game: Book 1 Valstain (Volume 1) Paperback

Born Villain: The Pelagius Game, Book 2

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Etreasures 

About the Author:

R.J. Jerome grew up in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania, where his love of art, music, and fantasy novels was born.

After graduation, Russ left America for 6 months, and traveled to England. It was there that he saw the Gloucester Cathedral. The massive, gothic architecture fueled his interest in spirituality.

Usually religious art or stories inspire Russell's work, but on occasion, you will find him fumbling through a page of one of R.A. Salvatore's epic fantasy novels.

When not busy researching religions, you can find Russell drinking, rating, or talking about well-crafted beers and Absinthes.

ISBN: 9781937809508

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18714289-valstain

Contact: Russ Jerome /  russjerome@comcast.net, or follow on Twitter @R_J_Jerome or http://rjjerome.com/

Angela Lockwood, author of the Language in the blood series and, Something Short

Book Description from Amazon:
Language in the blood book1
Until the outbreak of the First World War, young Cameron Blair would have liked nothing better than to stay in Edinburgh and marry his childhood sweetheart. As the call to arms goes out, Cameron and his pals sign up to fight for their country. They are soon delivered into the nightmare of war, and there Cameron more than meets his maker. 

The story follows Cameron as he comes to terms with his new ‘life’, from his first days as a hapless vampire in war-torn France to the glamorous modern day setting of the Côte d’Azur. Along the way, he develops a distinctive taste for the finer things in life: jewels, yachts, small dogs and champagne-infused human...

What inspired you to start writing, and when?
I started writing when I was unemployed. Unusually the weather was bad here, in the south of France, and I was climbing the walls. My husband suggested that like the Shelly’s and Byron we should write a ghost story. Mary Shelly produced Frankenstein and while not on a par with that, I think I’ve created a vampire that will amuse a number of you.

What is your preferred genre?
I don’t have a preferred genre. I do a lot of Indie book reviews and there is mostly something good or bad in any genre. I love original thought, but hate formulaic romance.

How many books have you written?  If more than one, are any a series…or trilogy?
Next to the 2 language in the Blood books, for which Paradox book covers has done the covers, I’ve also cooperated with my friend Elspeth Morrison on the short story bundle; Something Short which is helping raise money for support in mind Scotland. Also recently I was involved with a bundle that is raising money for the charity Macmillans nurses called; You’re not alone. 

Tell us a little about your book.
The language in the Blood series is comedy about a Scottish vampire that ends up living the high life in the south of France. What inspired me was my current life in France, but also the life I left behind in Scotland. I’ve managed to weave in many things that I experienced there and here. I do miss my Scottish friends and this allowed me to write down some fond memories. (be it in a rather twisted way)

Do you have plans for a new book?
I’m currently working on a romantic novel: Conversations with Tom. It is inspired by my cat. It is about a man that has been left by his wife, shortly after they adopt a ginger haired kitten. It weaves in lots of humourous cat anecdotes as the man finds new love.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
If he was still alive, I’d love to meet Graham Greene. It is a rare talent that can write comedy and drama equally well.

Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants?
Seat of my pants, nothing is planned.

Did you have an editor edit your books?
My good friend Penny Hunter has been such a help in editing my Language in the Blood books. I was a total novice when I started out, so her guidance has been invaluable.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
Couldn’t live without my Kindle!

Are you a self- published (Indie) Author?
Proud to be an Indie.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)? 
E-book of Resistance by promising YA Indie writer Kayla Howarth. Enjoyed the first in the series and the second is pretty good too.

Who designed the cover of your book?
I did a rather poor job myself with a photo of a toy dog and some ketchup. Then I had it redesigned by Paradox book covers who did an infinitely better job! 

Do you have any advice for other writers starting out? 
Start on your next book and prepare to work every waking hour. Make the book the best it can be. So many Indies do not use editors and it’s embarrassing to have a reviewer point out any mistakes. I was also pleasantly surprised that it’s not that expensive to have a professional book cover made for me. 

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Probably, I live in the south of France, so it’s not unusual for me to wander about in a nighty.

What are your pet peeves?
Ignorant racist people, the ones that start a sentence with, “I’m not a racist but……” 

Pick one - Wine, Chocolate or shoes?
Just one? No! Probably Wine, who says you can’t find inspiration at the bottom of a glass?

Cats or dogs?
Cats

What is your favorite food and beverage?
Like Cameron who likes his prey flavoured by champagne, I’m rather partial too to the bubbly beverage.

How many hours per day do you try to devote to research and writing?
Not enough. I spend most of my time now on promoting my books and holding down a full time job. I’m a very lazy researcher that gets most her information of Wikipedia.

Sleep in or get up early?
Early riser. 

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I love writing on my balcony, can’t beat writing in some fresh salty air.

Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad 
It’s the thing that keeps me writing. I get such a buzz from getting a 5 star review. Bracing myself for a one star, there are a lot of trolls out there who revel in giving hard working writers a single star random review. 

What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?
Enjoying Orphan Black, not normally a sci-fi fan, but this is just good fun with an amazing actress, who plays several characters, but you wouldn’t know it as they seem just so different in character and speech.

Where can your readers stalk you? 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruftsloverAkaCameronBlair?ref=hl
And blog: http://languageintheblood.blogspot.fr/

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
E-book, but thinking of printing.

Do you give free ebooks away in exchange for honest reviews?
I’ve provided some books to book bloggers for reviews.

Book links:
All my books can be found on my author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Lockwood/e/B00MD5IN4A/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The Metronome (The Counterpoint Trilogy Book 1) by D.R. Bell

The Metronome

 (The Counterpoint Trilogy Book 1) 

As Pavel Rostin is trying to solve the mystery of his father’s death, he turns up some inexplicable clues. The investigation draws him deeper and deeper into his family’s past – and his country’s future. From starving 1941 Leningrad to free-wheeling Moscow of the mid-1990s to bubbly 2006 Wall Street, Pavel uncovers a web of money, murder, revenge and evidence of a plot involving the world’s superpowers. The choices of right and wrong don’t look as clear cut as in newspaper headlines. But is he just a pawn in someone else’s game?

Review

“As Book One of a trilogy, The Metronome‘s subtitle warns that this will be no light fling and that events will likely be expanded by further books in the series. That said, expect a novel of international intrigue that stands well on its own while providing a prequel to The Great Game.

That the ‘old country’ (Russia) permeates much of The Metronome is evident from its first paragraph, which sets an atmosphere of intrigue: “I hate when phone rings in the middle of the night. It must have come from the old country, where a knock in the dark often meant that a black car is waiting downstairs and someone will disappear.”Pavel’s father was a detective, so Pavel is used to family secrets, even though he’s now far from his Russian homeland.  But the death of his father brings him back to Russia; there to uncover a mystery that will follow him, in turn, back to the U.S.

The Metronome‘s theme of memories that spring up is just one facet of Pavel’s experience that brings readers along for what turns out to be a wild ride of international intrigue, family secrets, and mystery. Don’t expect a simple or easily-defined novel, here: The Metronome is a link between Russia and the West, between long-hidden family secrets and a son’s new life in his new country, and between a detective’s investigation into a murder and its ties to the past and to the future. The book’s twists and turns are multifaceted and delicately woven and will delight readers who eschew the usual shallow leisure read for something richer and steeped in other cultures. In this, The Metronome shines, analyzing Pavel’s life and the final decision that will set him free, once and for all.”

D. Donovan, Senior Book Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Readers’ Comments

“What makes great history? I’d list criteria such as 1) important event(s), 2) careful research, and 3) compelling writing. What makes a great story? I’d suggest A) fascinating, page-turning plot, B) well-developed, interesting characters, with one or more that is at least somewhat likable, C) strong setting, and D) compelling writing. The Metronome (The Counterpoint Trilogy Book 1) scores close to 5 stars on each of these criteria.”  By William C. Meade

“This is a great book, well written, far above the average books, not so much i terms of the prose itself, but the depth of knowledge and analysis of world affairs.”  By Martin Kaynan

“The Metronome is a prequel to D.R.Bell’s earlier novel The Great Game. Set in 2006, it foreshadows the events that take place a dozen years later. As in the sequel, the political and personal realms are deeply interconnected. Elements of a long term political intrigue and clandestine financial warfare get exposed through the eyes of the book’s primary protagonist Pavel Rostin, a physicist with no ties to politics. The novel explores the differences between the West and the East, the impact and perception of the U.S. policies in Russia and how these factors impact their actions towards us. Parallels to totalitarian Russia highlight the perils of allowing the government, especially its security apparatus, too much power – one of the most dangerous fallacies that democratic people can fall into – recall Ben Franklin’s “They who can give up essential Liberty, to obtain a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”.”  By Spiros Rally

From the Author

This was an unplanned book. After publishing The Great Game, I was going to return to my “normal” life. Then questions about a sequel started coming in. The last words in The Great Game are “This is not the end.” I meant it philosophically, meaning that the struggle between good and evil will continue. But I was being too cute by half and the readers called me on it.

Somewhere in the process of working on a sequel I have taken a turn into the past. Events in The Great Game are based on the 2019 financial crisis which in turn is rooted in financial warfare between the US on one side and China and Russia on the other side. I wanted to go back in time and show the beginning of that warfare, show that the seeds have been planted and carefully cultivated well before 2019.

And something else started happening. Some of the events “predicted” in The Great Game began to materialize much sooner than I expected, particularly rising tensions between the U.S. and Russia and growing rapprochement of China and Russia.  Exactly a century after events in Eastern Europe sparked the first World War, another conflict of superpowers is brewing in the same region. Yet again the world is getting caught in a cycle of demonizing each other and ratcheting conflicts by financial, economic and military means. Perhaps before we go further, we should step back and try to look at the world through the eyes of others. Not because we’ll necessarily agree with them, but because the world is complex and to better understand it we should grasp that other points of view exist and that our actions are not always perceived in Moscow and Beijing the same way they are portrayed in Washington, D.C.

These were the intended underlying currents in The Metronome. Because The Metronome and The Great Game are separated by 16 years, by design there are only a few common characters between the two books. One is Colonel Nemzhov who is already planning the eventual financial attack against the U.S. The other is Suzy Yamamoto, whose work will prove to be of paramount importance in The Great Game. The characters of The Metronome are made up but the backdrop of the events is real and factual. The main protagonist Pavel Rostin is a regular, very flawed man who faces difficult circumstances. I knew that the ending will upset some of the readers but I felt it was the only honest way to conclude the novel. What mattered in the trilogy was not his immediate fate or his flaws, but the moral choices he made at the end and their impact on others, such as Jeff Kron and Suzy Yamamoto. Because “even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

Biography

I am an accidental writer. In "real life" I have graduate degrees in business and engineering and spent many years writing boring technical, business, and legal papers. In late 2012 a friend's death prompted me to ask what would be the one thing I regret not doing. I've always been an avid reader but have not had the courage to write. And I made a New Year resolution to write a book. That's how "The Great Game" was born. I try to write about serious topics but wrap them into an action-filled story. While all my books are entirely fictional, each of them carries a Commentary how the fiction is rooted in facts and realities of current events. If you want to learn more, please visit my website www.drbellbooks.com.

https://www.facebook.com/drbellbooks

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