MEET THE AUTHOR
FEATURED AUTHOR: DAVID R. WILLIS (D.R. WILLIS)
Hi it’s Jacks! Today I have the honor of welcoming the highly talented mystery/suspense author David Willis (D.R. Willis) for an interview here on Silver Beans Café.
Hi David, how about we start by GETTING TO KNOW YOU better. What GENRE DO YOU WRITE? WHY?
I write mystery /suspense. Simply put, I truly enjoy writing that genre. I think it has something to do with my love of film noir movies from the 1940’s. Once in a while I’ll try writing something else but the story always finds its way back to mystery/suspense.
That is truly cool about the film noir films, and that is funny when stories do that.
Can you please fill me in on the TITLES OF YOUR BOOKS?
I’ve written 3 books under the pen name D.R. Willis. Lonely Deceptions, In Shadows, and Cascading Lies.
Just curious HOW DID YOU START WRITING? When did you KNOW IT WAS YOUR CALLING?
I actually started writing because my mom had become legally blind due to diabetes, and I use to read books to her. One day on a whim, I started writing short stories to read to her. She really loved them and as it turned out I loved writing them. That’s when I realized I wanted to keep writing, and that getting lost within the story you are writing is an amazing feeling.
Thank you for sharing that with us. That is quite a special reason to write. It is so refreshing how you took a challenging time and made it into something so amazing. It’s now, in many ways, a lovely gift to the world now too.
SBC must know, besides writing, what is ONE THING THAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU David?
I love to sing. I’ve been known to sing at the drop of a hat. I have been told I sound a lot like Dean Martin, for those of you who remember who he is. And when I was a lot younger I use to sing bass in a doo wop group based in New Jersey.
WOW, that is truly amazing. I love Dean, what a lovely and soothing voice you have David. It’s such a gift to be able to sing.
Now that we’ve stepped away from the books for a moment, what are some of your OTHER INTERESTS?
As I said, I love to sing and on occasion, I also love to oil paint. I mostly paint landscapes, because you can make mistakes but nobody would know since nobody would know what the tree was actually supposed to look like. :)
As I chuckle it up about the paintings, let’s move back into more ABOUT THE BOOKS. What should someone EXPECT WHEN READING THIS SERIES?
They should expect a lot of twists and turns, a fast, fun read. And of course you have to have some romance and humor. And you never know which one of my characters will or will not make it alive to the end of the story; sorry about that.
My mouth just fell open. While I recover let me ask you the next question.
Would you say that there are ANY TRACES OF YOUR PERSONALITY IN YOUR MAIN CHARACTER?
Probably a little more than I intended. And some of the main characters memories within the story are actually mine. But I will never say which ones. And I’m pretty sure my family were not spies…I think…maybe.
What is one of YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS SERIES?
Actually throughout the plot, the love between the two main characters, Nick and Mila. Nick had waited his whole life to find real love, and he had given up, then he found Mila. I also like the bond between Nick and his father.
Sounds like my kind of a book.
Between us David, okay and those reading this, who is ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS AND WHY?
Amy, Nick’s sister. Cause you never know if she is truly good or bad, or what her end game is. Even I don’t know what she is going to do next .:)
Can you please tell us about the FIRST TIME THAT YOU DECIDED TO WRITE?
The first time I decided to write something a bit larger than a short story, I figured the best way to do that was to write a brief outline for each and every chapter within the book. After doing that, and after writing the first chapter, I threw away the outlines I wrote. You see, my stories always seem to follow their own path, I just tag along for the ride, if that makes any sense.
It does.
I just have to ask if you don’t mind indulging us a bit more about your musical side if you will. You mentioned that YOU WERE IN A MUSIC GROUP. HOW DID THAT ALL GET STARTED?
When I was just about 1617 years old, I use to hang out in a record store on Friday nights just to sing doo wop songs. I had a deeper singing voice then the rest of the guys I sang with so I sang the bass parts. Anyway, a group called Patty and the Streettones was in need of a bass singer and they asked me to join them. I said yes and sang with them for about 3 years. We even recorded some records which you can still find from time to time being sold on Ebay.
Okay, returning to your novels now, THE PREMISES OF YOUR NOVELS are quite intriguing HOW DID THEY COME TO YOU?
How did I get the premise of my trilogy about Nick Davis as just an average guy who is a machinist and finds out his family was involved in espionage, believe it or not I woke up one day with the story in my head, it’s as simple as that. And the more I thought of it that day the more the story bloomed in my head.
While we are on the subject of your novels, PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT CASCADING LIES AND THE ROMANTIC CONNECTION BETWEEN JANE AND NICK?
The last book has Nick romantically involved with another woman, Jane, who is just as much troubled, just as lonely or maybe even more so than Nick is. So they find comfort in each other. I really don’t want to say much more than that about their relationship. You’ll have to read the book. :)
Having read the blurb on it, and now what you just said, I cannot wait to read it!
Here at Silver Beans Café, we always like to ask authors who are their favorite authors? So David, WHO ARE YOUR MOST FAVORITE AUTHORS?
In no particular order, some of my favorite authors are Sidney Sheldon, Vania Rheault, and Stephen King.
What is one of the BEST PIECES OF ADVICE THAT YOU RECEIVED or a QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY?
I’m a romantic at heart. So I like this quote. ‘love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.’ I definitely live by that.
Awww, that is so very sweet. Love that!
What is ONE TIP you would like to share FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?
If possible, try to write each and every day, even if you can only do it for a short time.
GREAT TIP!
What’s NEXT FOR YOU?
Well, as it so happens I just signed a contract with a publishing house from London. Of course it will be months before my manuscript that they accepted will be out in print. But as it comes closer to that time I will be sure to let you know.
Congratulations David! Couldn’t happen for a nicer and more talented person! Please do let us know and we will be happy to pass along any and all future updates via our news page!
Having said that, David, in the meantime, WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT NOVEL TO BE OUT, WHAT ELSE WILL YOU BE UP TO?
Meanwhile I have a novella coming out in a few months or so, called ARTICLES OF MURDER. It will be published independently. Yes, it is a mystery/suspense.
Tell us David, HOW CAN WE?
BUY YOUR BOOKS
You can buy my books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
SEE YOU AT AN UPCOMING EVENT
I do have books signings coming up at Barnes and Noble in Savannah, Georgia in September. And the Richmond Hill, Georgia Library in November. No exact dates as of yet.
CONTACT YOU
Twitter: You can find me on twitter David Willis @DRWillisBooks
Facebook: D.R. Willis Books
Email: [email protected]
Thank you David Willis for stopping in. This was such a fun interview! Please come back and see us again!
As a treat here are 3 blurbs from D.R. Willis’ series...
Hi David, how about we start by GETTING TO KNOW YOU better. What GENRE DO YOU WRITE? WHY?
I write mystery /suspense. Simply put, I truly enjoy writing that genre. I think it has something to do with my love of film noir movies from the 1940’s. Once in a while I’ll try writing something else but the story always finds its way back to mystery/suspense.
That is truly cool about the film noir films, and that is funny when stories do that.
Can you please fill me in on the TITLES OF YOUR BOOKS?
I’ve written 3 books under the pen name D.R. Willis. Lonely Deceptions, In Shadows, and Cascading Lies.
Just curious HOW DID YOU START WRITING? When did you KNOW IT WAS YOUR CALLING?
I actually started writing because my mom had become legally blind due to diabetes, and I use to read books to her. One day on a whim, I started writing short stories to read to her. She really loved them and as it turned out I loved writing them. That’s when I realized I wanted to keep writing, and that getting lost within the story you are writing is an amazing feeling.
Thank you for sharing that with us. That is quite a special reason to write. It is so refreshing how you took a challenging time and made it into something so amazing. It’s now, in many ways, a lovely gift to the world now too.
SBC must know, besides writing, what is ONE THING THAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU David?
I love to sing. I’ve been known to sing at the drop of a hat. I have been told I sound a lot like Dean Martin, for those of you who remember who he is. And when I was a lot younger I use to sing bass in a doo wop group based in New Jersey.
WOW, that is truly amazing. I love Dean, what a lovely and soothing voice you have David. It’s such a gift to be able to sing.
Now that we’ve stepped away from the books for a moment, what are some of your OTHER INTERESTS?
As I said, I love to sing and on occasion, I also love to oil paint. I mostly paint landscapes, because you can make mistakes but nobody would know since nobody would know what the tree was actually supposed to look like. :)
As I chuckle it up about the paintings, let’s move back into more ABOUT THE BOOKS. What should someone EXPECT WHEN READING THIS SERIES?
They should expect a lot of twists and turns, a fast, fun read. And of course you have to have some romance and humor. And you never know which one of my characters will or will not make it alive to the end of the story; sorry about that.
My mouth just fell open. While I recover let me ask you the next question.
Would you say that there are ANY TRACES OF YOUR PERSONALITY IN YOUR MAIN CHARACTER?
Probably a little more than I intended. And some of the main characters memories within the story are actually mine. But I will never say which ones. And I’m pretty sure my family were not spies…I think…maybe.
What is one of YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS SERIES?
Actually throughout the plot, the love between the two main characters, Nick and Mila. Nick had waited his whole life to find real love, and he had given up, then he found Mila. I also like the bond between Nick and his father.
Sounds like my kind of a book.
Between us David, okay and those reading this, who is ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS AND WHY?
Amy, Nick’s sister. Cause you never know if she is truly good or bad, or what her end game is. Even I don’t know what she is going to do next .:)
Can you please tell us about the FIRST TIME THAT YOU DECIDED TO WRITE?
The first time I decided to write something a bit larger than a short story, I figured the best way to do that was to write a brief outline for each and every chapter within the book. After doing that, and after writing the first chapter, I threw away the outlines I wrote. You see, my stories always seem to follow their own path, I just tag along for the ride, if that makes any sense.
It does.
I just have to ask if you don’t mind indulging us a bit more about your musical side if you will. You mentioned that YOU WERE IN A MUSIC GROUP. HOW DID THAT ALL GET STARTED?
When I was just about 1617 years old, I use to hang out in a record store on Friday nights just to sing doo wop songs. I had a deeper singing voice then the rest of the guys I sang with so I sang the bass parts. Anyway, a group called Patty and the Streettones was in need of a bass singer and they asked me to join them. I said yes and sang with them for about 3 years. We even recorded some records which you can still find from time to time being sold on Ebay.
Okay, returning to your novels now, THE PREMISES OF YOUR NOVELS are quite intriguing HOW DID THEY COME TO YOU?
How did I get the premise of my trilogy about Nick Davis as just an average guy who is a machinist and finds out his family was involved in espionage, believe it or not I woke up one day with the story in my head, it’s as simple as that. And the more I thought of it that day the more the story bloomed in my head.
While we are on the subject of your novels, PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT CASCADING LIES AND THE ROMANTIC CONNECTION BETWEEN JANE AND NICK?
The last book has Nick romantically involved with another woman, Jane, who is just as much troubled, just as lonely or maybe even more so than Nick is. So they find comfort in each other. I really don’t want to say much more than that about their relationship. You’ll have to read the book. :)
Having read the blurb on it, and now what you just said, I cannot wait to read it!
Here at Silver Beans Café, we always like to ask authors who are their favorite authors? So David, WHO ARE YOUR MOST FAVORITE AUTHORS?
In no particular order, some of my favorite authors are Sidney Sheldon, Vania Rheault, and Stephen King.
What is one of the BEST PIECES OF ADVICE THAT YOU RECEIVED or a QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY?
I’m a romantic at heart. So I like this quote. ‘love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.’ I definitely live by that.
Awww, that is so very sweet. Love that!
What is ONE TIP you would like to share FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?
If possible, try to write each and every day, even if you can only do it for a short time.
GREAT TIP!
What’s NEXT FOR YOU?
Well, as it so happens I just signed a contract with a publishing house from London. Of course it will be months before my manuscript that they accepted will be out in print. But as it comes closer to that time I will be sure to let you know.
Congratulations David! Couldn’t happen for a nicer and more talented person! Please do let us know and we will be happy to pass along any and all future updates via our news page!
Having said that, David, in the meantime, WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT NOVEL TO BE OUT, WHAT ELSE WILL YOU BE UP TO?
Meanwhile I have a novella coming out in a few months or so, called ARTICLES OF MURDER. It will be published independently. Yes, it is a mystery/suspense.
Tell us David, HOW CAN WE?
BUY YOUR BOOKS
You can buy my books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
SEE YOU AT AN UPCOMING EVENT
I do have books signings coming up at Barnes and Noble in Savannah, Georgia in September. And the Richmond Hill, Georgia Library in November. No exact dates as of yet.
CONTACT YOU
Twitter: You can find me on twitter David Willis @DRWillisBooks
Facebook: D.R. Willis Books
Email: [email protected]
Thank you David Willis for stopping in. This was such a fun interview! Please come back and see us again!
As a treat here are 3 blurbs from D.R. Willis’ series...
IN SHADOWS
It is 1946 as Roth Braun makes his way through a dense forest in Thailand to reach a camp. Once he arrives, he kills its Japanese occupants and rifles through their belongings until he finds what he wants: a mysterious package left to him by his father. As Roth heads back toward his boat, he knows that even in death, his father is still attempting to dictate his life.
In the midst of a harsh New Jersey winter, Nelson Davis has returned from war and buried both his parents—but not before promising his dying mother he would take care of his older brother, Christopher. Determined to fulfill her final wish, he invites Christopher to partner with him in opening a chocolate store. Instead, Christopher heads to Georgia, where he contacts Savannah Times reporter, Rose Blake, and asks her to print a mysterious list of names somehow connected to Roth Braun, setting off a chain of events that leads Braun’s fiancée and a PI on a wild goose chase and Nelson on a dangerous quest to investigate Christopher’s puzzling death.
In this exciting prequel to Lonely Deceptions, the last surviving member of a family teams up with a beautiful newspaper reporter to weave through a maze of perplexing clues that lead him down an unexpected path to the truth.
It is 1946 as Roth Braun makes his way through a dense forest in Thailand to reach a camp. Once he arrives, he kills its Japanese occupants and rifles through their belongings until he finds what he wants: a mysterious package left to him by his father. As Roth heads back toward his boat, he knows that even in death, his father is still attempting to dictate his life.
In the midst of a harsh New Jersey winter, Nelson Davis has returned from war and buried both his parents—but not before promising his dying mother he would take care of his older brother, Christopher. Determined to fulfill her final wish, he invites Christopher to partner with him in opening a chocolate store. Instead, Christopher heads to Georgia, where he contacts Savannah Times reporter, Rose Blake, and asks her to print a mysterious list of names somehow connected to Roth Braun, setting off a chain of events that leads Braun’s fiancée and a PI on a wild goose chase and Nelson on a dangerous quest to investigate Christopher’s puzzling death.
In this exciting prequel to Lonely Deceptions, the last surviving member of a family teams up with a beautiful newspaper reporter to weave through a maze of perplexing clues that lead him down an unexpected path to the truth.
LONELY DECEPTIONS
When Nick Davis, a forty-something small town machinist, spots an intruder’s shadow through the mist of an early morning storm, he is oblivious that the seemingly random occurrence will lead him on a path that will change his life forever.
After Nick accidentally overhears a conversation between Lou Evans—his boss and the owner of Lou-Paul Machine Shop—and a mysterious person, he unwittingly becomes a pawn in a game of international proportions. When Lou gruffly asks him to take possession of prototype blueprints, Nick has no idea that the blueprints contain a dark secret—a secret with the potential to kill. Combined with unwanted attention from a local police officer as well as a skeletal, dangerous former FBI agent, Nick’s normal life is suddenly not that at all, and no one can guarantee his safety—not even the beautiful FBI agent who has been assigned to the case.
Lou may not be who he says he is, and, unfortunately for Nick, his downfall may be that he is the best machinist around and the only one Lou can count on to help him carry out a perilous mission.
When Nick Davis, a forty-something small town machinist, spots an intruder’s shadow through the mist of an early morning storm, he is oblivious that the seemingly random occurrence will lead him on a path that will change his life forever.
After Nick accidentally overhears a conversation between Lou Evans—his boss and the owner of Lou-Paul Machine Shop—and a mysterious person, he unwittingly becomes a pawn in a game of international proportions. When Lou gruffly asks him to take possession of prototype blueprints, Nick has no idea that the blueprints contain a dark secret—a secret with the potential to kill. Combined with unwanted attention from a local police officer as well as a skeletal, dangerous former FBI agent, Nick’s normal life is suddenly not that at all, and no one can guarantee his safety—not even the beautiful FBI agent who has been assigned to the case.
Lou may not be who he says he is, and, unfortunately for Nick, his downfall may be that he is the best machinist around and the only one Lou can count on to help him carry out a perilous mission.
CASCADING LIES
Nick Davis is a survivor. First, there’s his family history that’s practically cursed, all thanks to a mysterious man named Roth Braun and the death of Nick’s uncle. Then, there’s his personal life, as Nick was recently pulled into an international ring of dark secrets that almost took his life. He sees disappearance as his only option at a clean slate.
Nick changes his name and location in an attempt to escape the bad luck that’s been following his family for decades. However, his attempt proves futile, as even in his new locale, everyone is out to get him. He makes the acquaintance of Jane—a troubled woman he can’t resist helping—and their relationship soon turns romantic, despite secrets they both hold tight.
Yet, the ghost of Roth Braun still lingers, as do other past indiscretions. The new life Nick hoped to build is wrought with terror and death. He can’t identify friend from foe, so he’s on the run for his life—but he won’t leave without Jane, who has some serious troubles of her own. Will Nick ever escape the horrible secrets of his past, or will he become their prisoner until he, too, becomes another ill-fated memory?
Nick Davis is a survivor. First, there’s his family history that’s practically cursed, all thanks to a mysterious man named Roth Braun and the death of Nick’s uncle. Then, there’s his personal life, as Nick was recently pulled into an international ring of dark secrets that almost took his life. He sees disappearance as his only option at a clean slate.
Nick changes his name and location in an attempt to escape the bad luck that’s been following his family for decades. However, his attempt proves futile, as even in his new locale, everyone is out to get him. He makes the acquaintance of Jane—a troubled woman he can’t resist helping—and their relationship soon turns romantic, despite secrets they both hold tight.
Yet, the ghost of Roth Braun still lingers, as do other past indiscretions. The new life Nick hoped to build is wrought with terror and death. He can’t identify friend from foe, so he’s on the run for his life—but he won’t leave without Jane, who has some serious troubles of her own. Will Nick ever escape the horrible secrets of his past, or will he become their prisoner until he, too, becomes another ill-fated memory?
AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO READ THEM!!!
Jacks, Silver Beans Reviewer and Interviewer
Posting: MYSTERY / SUSPENSE
Posting Date: 8/20/2016
D.R. WILLIS - LONELY DECEPTIONS, IN SHADOWS, CASCADING LIES
Jacks, Silver Beans Reviewer and Interviewer
Posting: MYSTERY / SUSPENSE
Posting Date: 8/20/2016
D.R. WILLIS - LONELY DECEPTIONS, IN SHADOWS, CASCADING LIES
HUGE THANKS AGAIN...
DAVID WILLIS for chatting with us!
DAVID WILLIS for chatting with us!
FUN FACT:
David is a real life Willy Wonka aka his is an experienced chocolatier!
David is a real life Willy Wonka aka his is an experienced chocolatier!
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for a good book readers. Check out
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