Book Spotlight
1) What is the
title of your book?
BrokenHeart Attack, the 2nd book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries series
Ø What
is the story about?
·
Kellan Ayrwick is a
professor at a small college in Pennsylvania, but he solves murders in his free
time. In this caper, one of Kellan’s nana’s friends gives him an extra ticket
to the college’s performance of King Lear. Unfortunately, she dies of an
apparent heart attack during the intermission. Her sister-in-law begs Kellan to
find out which member of the Paddington family killed her because she’s certain
there was foul play.
·
Kellan digs into the
personal lives of the victim’s siblings, three children, countless grandchildren,
and estate staff. Along the path, Kellan learns how cruel some members of the family
have been, but he also discovers a variety of motives that few knew anything
about. The Paddingtons have lots they need to explain to the rest of the town.
·
In Kellan’s own personal
life, he’s raising his six-year-old daughter by himself, trying to find out what
happened to his supposedly deceased wife, helping his nana win the mayoral
race, and figuring out what craziness is exploding within his family and with
his new boss at the college.
Ø Who
is the main character?
·
Kellan Ayrwick. 32.
Single-father. Widowed. Professor of film & communications. Former director
on a Hollywood reality TV show. Searching for love. Sarcastic and fun-loving.
Takes a lot of grief from his family, boss, and friends. A true modern hero for
us all. He’s brilliant but acts goofy. He’s handsome but shy and distant.
2) What inspired
this tale?
Ø How
did the story come to you?
·
I’m an only-child but
enjoy writing about large families. I wish I worked on a college campus as a
professor. I would love to solve murders and delve into everyone’s business,
but I’m too shy. I threw together a character who is half me and half who I
want to be, then tossed a whole bunch of trouble at him.
Ø Did
you have to research for this novel, and if so, why?
·
Not for the basics. The
setting is fictional but based on various places I’ve been to.
·
For each murder and
backstory, I’ve done some research. In this book, I worked with a medical
specialist to understand symptoms of a heart attack and what would happen if
another person tried to purposely cause one using drugs.
·
In my next book, Flower
Power Trip, I researched how to create a lab explosion that could kill someone.
Ø If
you did research, what do you think surprised you most to learn, and why?
·
I now know how to kill someone
without it being too obvious. I kinda wish I didn’t anymore as that’s not a
power I want to hold.
Ø
Is your protagonist anything like you,
personally?
· Kellan’s the middle child of five, but I’m an only-child. He’s
blond, yet I’m not. He’s a professor and knows all about films, I rarely catch
movies. We’re pretty different, except of course, in personality.
· I can be sarcastic and witty, which I’ve bundled up in his
personality. I’m also very detail-oriented and like to solve puzzles, so we’re
similar on some levels.
Ø What
made you write this character; were they based on a real person or something
that inspired you?
·
I think he’s who I wish
I could be on many levels!
ü
What should readers
know about this character?
o
He’s quiet and reserved
at times, but he’s also very aware of what happens around him. He just doesn’t
like to show it.
ü
Why is this
character important to you?
o
He is who people
should strive to be: kind, good-hearted, generous, caring, funny, intelligent,
approachable, and genuine. When someone dislikes him, it makes me wonder why and
begin to distrust them.
Ø Do
you consider the main character of your story to be good or bad, and why?
·
Definitely good. There’s
not a mean bone in his body!
·
All he wants to do is
the right thing for everyone involved. He can be pushy and trade barbs with
someone who’s insulting him but only to defend himself. He will never be the
one to start the fight.
Ø What’s
the objective of your character?
·
To raise a wonderful
daughter, mentor younger people, ensure the good outweighs the bad, and provide
justice wherever necessary.
4) Is there
anything you specifically want readers to know about this piece of work?
Yes, Broken Heart Attack introduces readers to the world
of the Paddington family. They are often mean and hurtful, but some have a
sensitive side. The children are a product of how they were raised. Environments
hurt people, so many of these characters come across spiteful and aggressive. BUT,
they are on a journey, so in future books, you’ll see the softer side as Kellan’s
influence helps shape them and change them.
Ø Is
there a particular idea or morale you are trying to convey?
·
Not really, it’s more
about seeing different types of families. Some are good, some aren’t. The Paddingtons
make the Ayrwicks look like lovable and cuddly people who never do anything
wrong.
5) Is this novel a
standalone?
No
Ø If
it is a part of a series, what’s the series name?
Ø If
it is the first in a series, when can we expect to see the next book published?
·
Book 2, Broken HeartAttack, is out now.
·
Book 3, Flower Power
Trip, comes out on March 30th.
·
Book 4 will be released
in the summer of 2019. I’ll drop the name of the title in April for everyone to
see what it’s all about!
Ø If
it is a part of a book series, can it be read as a standalone or do you need to
read the entire series to experience the full realm of the tale?
·
Each mystery can be
read stand-alone, but Kellan’s personal life changes over the course of the
books, especially his relationship with his wife and family.
·
I'd suggest reading
them in order, so that you get the full shock and awe of the cliffhangers and
surprises I’ve built throughout the series.
6) Where can
readers connect with you and purchase your book?
My website will always have the most current information
about the books. It is https://jamesjcudney.com.
From there, it will link you to the books on Goodreads and Amazon for reviews
and purchase.
Thank you for sharing this one! :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
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