Book Details Book Title: Fatal Domain Series Title: “A Travis Brock Thriller” (It doesn’t really have a series name.) Publisher: Tyndale Back Cover Copy: Sometimes the greatest threat comes from the most intimate of betrayals While searching for a domestic terrorist, Travis Brock and his covert team discover a conspiracy with chilling implications. Even Brock’s eidetic memory might not be enough to unriddle their scheme in time as he realizes that when the past claws its way into the present it can leave deep scars. In a high-stakes story of action and intrigue, secrets are revealed, loyalties tested, and heartfelt lies are brought to light as Brock is forced to decide how to forgive what he cannot forget. From a novelist that Publishers Weekly has called a “master storyteller” comes an intricate and taut thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page. One Endorsement: Master storyteller Steven James shows his incredible ability to weave a compelling and fast-paced thrill ride in his latest book FATAL DOMAIN, the second book in his Travis Brock series. BROKER OF LIES was the first book in the series and introduced Travis Brock, a Department of Defense redactor. James is one of those rare authors that can combine complex and intense tension, while developing characters that will keep readers on the edge of their seats reading all night. When you put together a short list of authors that need to be on everyone's bookshelf, Steven James is one of those authors. If you’re looking for an intense, timely thriller full of intriguing twists and turns, FATAL DOMAIN delivers. We can’t wait to see the evolution of Travis Brock as the series continues and just how many more surprises James has in store for us all. —John Raab, publisher of Suspense Magazine Audience: Teen / adult fans of spy thrillers and domestic espionage Genre: Thriller (spy/espionage) Release Date: April 9, 2024 InterviewBrock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series? Steven: I’ve always loved stories of intrigue and spy and espionage movies. I had finished a different series of thrillers and I wondered what it would be like to write a series about a redactor—the person who decides what needs to be kept from the public and what can be released. So, he is the one man who knows all of our Defense Department secrets. And what if he had a secret of his own? That led me to discover Travis Brock. In this follow up to BROKER OF LIES, Travis and his team have to stop a pharmaceutical firm conspiracy and track down a domestic terrorist before they’re able to use one of the military’s most guarded secrets against it. Brock: This is a great premise. And great character name by the way! Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique? Steven: Travis Brock is a high-level Pentagon redactor. He has a nearly photographic memory, which allows him to do his job well, but hurts his personal relationships. After all—if you can remember every wrong done to you and that you’ve done to others, how do you build a meaningful relationship? Adira Halprin is a disavowed Homeland Security operative who has the skills of a highly trained spy and an unflappable, flirty nature that attracts Travis to her. Gunnar Bane is a former Ranger who is as tough as nails and, in his spare time when he’s not tracking terrorists, is writing a cringe-worthy romance novel that he thinks is actually pretty good. He’s a fun character who is quickly becoming a series favorite. Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows. Steven: Hmm... I’m not sure. Most of what is important or interesting about each character is included in the book. I suppose I would say that Travis Brock emerged after I toured the Pentagon, Adira came to me when I heard a news story about operatives who try to sneak weapons through airport security to test it—and are more then 90% effective, and Gunnar Bane was originally going to be a stuntman for another novel and ended up finding his way into this series because of his uniqueness and, well, his cool name. Brock: Cool name in deed. Wow, I did not know about the testing our weaknesses at airport security. I always wondered if that security was effective or not. Brock: In three words what is this book about? Steven: Espionage. Betrayal. Intrigue. Brock: YES! Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Steven: I am completely organic in the way that I approach my novels. I can’t even outline a scene—they always become too predictable when I try. I can’t imagine how boring it would be to write an outline and then spending a year filling in the blanks. Writing is a matter of discovery for me. Brock: I have never heard anyone explain it that way. When I try to outline, it becomes tedious work to write, but when I let me characters take control and reveal the story as I go, the story is always more exciting and engaging, of course it also becomes longer as I untangle unexpected threads. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Steven: Travis Brock struggles with forgiving what he cannot forget. This question of how to forgive others is one that I think all readers will be able to identify with on a personal level. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Steven: Thrillers Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination? Steven: I had to do extensive research into Department of Defense and different aspects of the pharmaceutical industry to come up with the authentic details for this book. I toured the Pentagon, interviewed retired military personnel, scientists, psychiatrists, and many others. When I became an author I never expected that fiction that would require so much research—but I’ve found over the years that I enjoy it and it gives me an excuse to chat with some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. Brock: Yes the research clearly brings depth to your stories! I can"t say I enjoy it all the time though. Brock: If your book changed as you wrote it, how is it different than how you originally planned? Steven: My books always change dramatically as I work on them. I’ve never started a novel when I’ve known how it will end—but I always do come up with some thoughts as I write. It’s just that I’m usually wrong. It’s a process of brushing away my presuppositions and finding the authentic story waiting for me. Brock: I love this, "finding the authentic story waiting for me." Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book? Steven: I usually spend about a year on each book—although sometimes I’ve been able to shrink that down to 6-9 months if I just don’t take any time off :) I’m very particular about my stories—about the wording, the pace, the voice, the twists, etc. so I go through many revisions and iterations before I finally find the story that wants to be told in the way that it needs to be told. Brock: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? Steven: I’ve alway loved making up stories—I was that kid who was always staring out the window daydreaming when I was in class. That being said, I never imagined I would become a writer. It’s just that eventually the stories had to find a way out and, thankfully, they found an audience of people who wanted to read them. Brock: What is the one author, living or dead, who you would co-write a book with and why? Steven: Honestly, I would not do well collaborating on a novel since I revise so many times. I would probably drive my co-author crazy. However, I did co-write a book on storytelling with a friend of mine--THE ART OF THE TALE—and we’re still friends, so I’m very thankful for that. Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author? Steven: I’ve started work on a new trilogy and I have several other books scratching away at my attention trying to find a way out of my imagination and into the world. I’m hoping I’ll be able to write them. They are very intriguing ideas. I’d also like to work on a screenplay. I think it would be a good way to stretch myself as a storyteller. Brock: That's always the challenge, new stories waiting to be told, but finishing the ones we have before us. Brock: Soft shell or Hard Shell tacos? Steven: Oh, only soft shell, please. Do people really eat hard shell tacos? That’s troubling. Brock: Ha ha, I like to do both with some refried beans or sour cream between the two shells. I learned that back when I could eat Taco Bell as a teenager. You'd probably kill me off in one of your novels. Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write? Steven: Coffee. Black. I’m a bit boring. I heard one author answer this question, “Tequila, in Fruit Loops with the blood of my enemies.” That was the best answer I’ve ever heard to this question. Brock: That is quite the answer! Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Steven: “The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. It’s extraordinary to think that God loves me so much that when he thinks of me he breaks out in song. I have no idea how to even comprehend that. Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? Steven: I listen to a lot of EDM when I write. If I listen to music with words, I sometimes end up typing the words I’m hearing… Not helpful for meeting deadlines. Brock: What else do you want readers to know about your books, that I did not cover? Steven: I think that FATAL DOMAIN is one of my favorite novels that I’ve written over the last decade. It has everything that I like in a story—action, intrigue, twists, a touch of humor, and deep moral dilemmas that help me ask questions that matter. Brock: That is exciting, I look forward to reading the series! Thanks for the great interview! Author Details Author Name: Steven James
Author Website: www.stevenjames.net Author Facebook: readstevenjames Author Twitter: readstevenjames Author Instagram: readstevenjames Author TikTok: readstevenjames
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