A Crime Collection – Author Spotlight – R.S. Guthrie
I’m delighted to welcome R.S. Guthrie, one of my co-conspirators in “A Crime Collection”, to my blog today.
I’m dragging him away from his writing cave – fancy a peek?
Where he faces this inspirational sign – read his books and you’ll see he takes it to heart!
And check out this amazing scenery he can escape to when he breaks free from his desk …
It’s Wind River, Wyoming (James Pruett’s town, also R.S.’s town, although the name’s been changed to protect the people Rob grew up with; and who might end up in his books one day … plus those who already have!).
Anyway check out his book, “Blood Land”, which you can of course read for FREE if you download the box set HERE!
Crime is an ugly constant in the big city. L.A. Chicago. New York. But when a savage murder brutalizes a small town and neighbor turns on neighbor, a tough-as-nails cop is essential to restoring order. Blood Land is a gritty, emotional saga set in the Wyoming badlands with both greed and vengeance at its core. When billions of dollars in natural gas rights hang in the balance and the town’s top law officer’s wife is slain by her own blood, a reluctant hero is forced to battle his own demons and ultimately choose between justice, revenge, and duty.
When Sheriff James Pruett’s wife is murdered, he seeks justice – surprisingly not at his own hand though, well, almost. The deeper he digs, the more twists and turns appear. What appeared to be a straight-forward shooting ends up being far more involved. James’ character is engaging. His struggles with alcoholism and grief are very detailed and well portrayed. Wendy and Jay’s story adds an entertaining side element to the main event, and it is nice to see something good coming from all the mess. Ty is also likeable in his own way and his motives are understandable. The family infighting is all too easy to believe. If you think your family bickering/squabbles are bad, they have nothing on this lot!
Simon: How does James manage to stay so objective (mostly!) when investigating his wife’s murder?
R.S.: As far as Pruett’s objectivity, I think the real drama is in the struggle to stay objective. Obviously he’s not fully successful, although he is the hero; heroes must rise to the occasion, even if the path they choose they must cut through with a machete.
Learn a little more about the book with these snippets of previously unknown trivia that R.S. has been kind enough to share!
The thing about “Blood Land” (and most of my books) is that I am what some call a “pantser” (write by the seat of your pants). I’ve never understood that being the only other choice versus “storyboarding, outlining, following a blueprint, etc.” I see the story. But I believe in characters. I know my characters at their core, and I believe readers want believable characters with flaws and imperfections who succeed and fail and, ultimately, triumph. I’ve always been a student of human nature, so my characters are all inside; I’m very empathetic, so I try to spend time walking in other people’s shoes. An unknown story about James Pruett (or stories) is how many times I have been asked if I am a recovering alcoholic. I’m not. But I know what other types of addiction feel like. People get addicted to all manner of things (television, food, exercise, sex, sleep)—but we only seem to “classify” them when they reach a certain (unspoken?) criteria.
As far as a twist that occurred—for any who’ve read the book, probably the biggest twist—didn’t come to me until I was deep into the story. I had just been thinking about people’s (mostly ignored) unconscious thinking about others. I realized, of course, I was as guilty as the rest. I turned to my wife, literally while writing the book, and told her of my plan. She loved it. LOVED it. I knew then what I wanted every reader to think; and every one I’ve spoken to has had that same reaction. My hope is that it makes a small difference in the reader’s life.
Now for some quick glimpses into R.S.’s life so you can ‘meet’ the author behind the book!
Connect with R.S. Guthrie on Twitter, Facebook or http://www.rsguthrie.com/
Blood Land stats:
Amazon.com rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 500 reviews
Price: $3.99
Pages: 223
(Correct at the time of writing.)
