Amina Akhtar, author of KISMET

On today's 83rd Episode of The Thriller Zone, special debut author Eli Cranor stops by to chew the fat about his debut runaway hit, "Don't Know Tough." From one Southern boy to another, this dude gets it right, on so many levels. The feeling of the deep south, the characters who play in that world, and a heart-wrenching story about the not-so-small world of high school football in a small southern town. As author Ace Atkins says, "Eli knows the underbelly of Friday night lights in this stunning debut that bleeds authenticity and raw emotion." Eli has walked the walk, by both playing and coaching football, and even today, teaches high-schoolers what it means to live and learn and win in life. I think you'll appreciate the laidback demeanor of my guest, and the insights he brings as a debut author to the world of publishing. You'll also get an "inside peek" into his "special writing space," how he entertains his kids (and pets), and just how much he loves the craft of storytelling. To learn more, visit: https://EliCranor.com (EliCranor.com) and follow him on Twitter @elicranor. As always, THANK YOU for listening on https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com) and wherever you enjoy your podcasts, and for watching on YouTube.com/thethrillerzone. Please SUBSCRIBE to our podcast, and be sure to SHARE your enthusiasm of this story, this podcast, and this world of storytelling. I'm your host, David Temple (@thethrillerzone), thanks for supporting this show! Mentioned in this episode: AuthorBytes Top 3 Reasons Here are the Top 3 Reasons to choose AuthorBytes.com to build your author website.

On today's 82nd Episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm very happy to welcome the lovely, charming, and mega-talented New York Times Bestselling Author and Reese Witherspoon Book Club Winner, Sarah Pearse. Sarah not only has a unique way to "spin a yarn," but she has an engaging way to twist a story that leads you in one direction, only to redirect you another way. When you meet her, you instantly adore her upbeat personality, while wondering how someone so nice could create such evil. Join us as we chat about writing technique, what makes a propulsive thriller, how we both adore stories that grab us by the neck and drag us along for the ride. Sarah also has terrific answers to my #RapidFireQuestions, which you've learned by now, aren't all that rapid, but are always a lot of fun, as they force the guest to think fast on their feet. I think this is part of the show that Sarah really enjoyed. To learn more about Sarah, and her instant debut hit, The Sanitorium, as well as the follow up, The Retreat, visit: SarahPearse.co.uk, and follow her on Twitter @SarahVPearse, and on both Instagram and Facebook @sarahpearseauthor. As always, please Follow, Like & Subscribe to our YT Channel at YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone and our website at TheThrillerZone.com, and of course, follow us on both Twitter & Instagram @thethrillerzone. Thanks for watching on YT and The TZ, and for listening wherever you get your podcasts. Cheers, David @ TheDavidTemple.com Mentioned in this episode: AuthorBytes.com Authorbytes.com is the reliable, secure, and trusted website hosting company exclusively for authors. If you want a website that's sexy, secure, and will help you sell books, then consider Authorbytes.com. Use the code: TheThrillerZone, order a one-year contract and get the first 3 months FREE! Warwicks Bookstores Warwick's is one of the oldest, family-run bookstores in America. With a vast array of gifts, including fine pens & leather goods, along with the Best Customer Service found anywhere, it's easy to see why Warwick's should be your one-stop shop for books, gifts and in-person/online author signing events. Learn more at warwicks.com August Lineup Promo These are the special guests during the month of August!

The first thing you notice and appreciate about today's guest is his upbeat energy, and his good-natured spirit. Then you find out his three-decade-plus experience in the publishing & writing, and comic book universe. Yes, Fabian Nicieza is both a two-time thriller writer of both The Self-Made Widow, his latest, and the Edgar-nominated debut Suburban Dicks. Today's 81st episode of The Thriller Zone is fast, energetic, funny, relatable, educational, and flat-out inspiring! Carve out an hour and enjoy this conversation, as I dig deep into the business mind of Fabian, discover the comedic and thrilling inspiration behind The Self-Made Widow, and a lot more. Oh, did I mention how Fabian is the Co-Creator of one of my favorite comic book heroes of all time? DEADPOOL! Yeah, Ryan Reynolds was Fabian's idea. Enjoy the show, then learn more at FabianNicieza.com and follow him on Twitter @fabiannicieza and on Instagram @fnicieza As always, THANK YOU for following us at TheThrillerZone.com, and on Twitter & Instagram @thethrillerzone Mentioned in this episode: Warwicks Bookstores Warwick's is one of the oldest, family-run bookstores in America. With a vast array of gifts, including fine pens & leather goods, along with the Best Customer Service found anywhere, it's easy to see why Warwick's should be your one-stop shop for books, gifts and in-person/online author signing events. Learn more at warwicks.com AuthorBytes.com Authorbytes.com is the reliable, secure, and trusted website hosting company exclusively for authors. If you want a website that's sexy, secure, and will help you sell books, then consider Authorbytes.com. Use the code: TheThrillerZone, order a one-year contract and get the first 3 months FREE!

If you're a fan of Robert Ludlum's iconic Jason Bourne character, then you're going to love today's 80th Episode of The Thriller Zone. Let's just say Bourne is in good hands with Freeman's latest thriller, The Bourne Sacrifice; the 3rd Ludlum book by this prolific author. Brian offers today's listeners so many fantastic insights to the world of thriller writing. From solid business insights, to profound writing advice, and a number of engaging stories in between, it's easy to see why Brian Freeman enjoys the high level of success that his success affords. Carve out 55 minutes and enjoy your front row seat to one of the best thriller writers in the business. And when you're done, dig deeper by checking out his other books at https://BFreemanBooks.com (BFreemanBooks.com), and follow him on both Twitter & Instagram @bfreemanbooks. Remember to follow us at https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com) and on both Twitter & Instagram https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCTH-B6OMwI2ZDTsoSRazEpw ( @The Thriller Zone. ) Cheers! Mentioned in this episode: Warwicks Comm 4 - 72822 Do you love bookstores as much as I do? Well, I have JUST the place for you. Warwicks is one of the country's oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore. While they're based in La Jolla, CA, they're also just as reachable at Warwicks.com, where they process Phone, Web & Curbside orders daily. AuthorBytes.com "Sing The Praises" Sometimes you just have to sing the praises of a company who makes your life easier. And with AuthorBytes.com, the web host exclusively for Authors, you can rest easy knowing they've got your back.

On today's 79th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm thrilled to welcome USA Today Bestselling Author, Tracey Devlyn. Tracey's hot 'n sassy thriller, FLASH POINT, literally has "something for everyone!" If you like page-turning thrillers...with well-crafted characters...several of whom "turn up the heat with some saucy sex scenes"...and a resolution that'll leave you feeling satisfied, then you'll spend some time with Flash Point. Tracey and I share more than several similarities; she's from Illinois and I had several radio shows there; she's currently living in North Carolina and that's my home state; she's a prolific writer who loves podcasts and I'm a prolific podcaster who loves to write. Get comfortable and settle in for an hour of pure enjoyment, as we discuss her thriller, how to craft a thriller, how to build a stable of characters and their respective worlds, listen and absorb her stellar writing advice, and enjoy a few laughs in both the Rapid Fire Questions game, and our steamy chat about steamy scenes. For more information, visit: https://TraceyDevlyn.com (TraceyDevlyn.com) and follow her on both Twitter and Instagram @traceydevlyn. As always, THANK YOU for following, for listening, for watching, for subscribing, and for sharing The Thriller Zone love to your friends, family, and co-workers. And we love it when you take a minute to rate and/or leave us a review; you can do so at Apple, Spotify, and on our website: https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com). If you're featured as a reviewer in the coming months, you'll win a custom Thriller Zone branded t-shirt or ball cap. To know more about your host, follow the link at: https://bio.link/davidtemple (bio.link/davidtemple )or go directly to my website: https://TheDavidTemple.com (TheDavidTemple.com). Until next time, keep reading & writing those thrillers! Mentioned in this episode: AuthorBytes.com Authorbytes.com is the reliable, secure, and trusted website hosting company exclusively for authors. If you want a website that's sexy, secure, and will help you sell books, then consider Authorbytes.com. Use the code: TheThrillerZone, order a one-year contract and get the first 3 months FREE! Dean Koontz Book Winners Winners: Marian Apgar of Coarsegold, CA and William Yi of Aliso Viejo, CA; they both won a hardback of Dean Koontz's The Big Dark Sky. Warwicks Bookstores Comm 3 - 072522 Located in the Village of La Jolla, CA, Warwick's is the country's oldest continuously family-owned & operated bookstore. With a highly curated selection of books, gifts, jewelry, stationary, office & art supplies, Warwick's prides themselves on superb Customer Service.

Today, marks a milestone in the history of this podcast; actually, it's two fold. First, I'm proud to introduce you to Year #2, aka Season 3, and Episode #78 of The Thriller Zone. Second, I am honored to welcome one of the genuine legends in the literary world, Mr. Dean Koontz. I, like you, have been following him for decades, and have been amazed at his prolific output of one terrific suspense thriller after another. For nearly 6 decades, Dean has been crafting suspense novels that incorporate horror, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery, making him one of the most well-known, most prolific, and most highly regarded writers of this generation. And the amazing thing? At 77, he shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. In fact, with a work ethic that plants him in a chair and behind a keyboard for 8 to 10 hours a day, six, and often seven days a week, Koontz is the quintessential example of the "hardest working writer" today. This podcast not only marks our Second Year on the charts, but this episode marks one of the highlights of my interviewing career. And as you'll see in the show, I find myself "geeking out" just a little bit. But then, having admired his body of work from afar for as long as I've been alive, it's not a hard thing to imagine. Please join me as we talk about Dean's "Magic Sauce" to crafting thrillers; listen as he shares stories that date back decades ago, to a time when writing thrillers was just beginning to gain particular traction; and take away some sage advice from a master who has spent his entire career perfecting his craft. As he says early on, he was suffering a bit of laryngitis, so it may be a wee bit hard to hear him from time to time, but trust me when I say I've done pretty much everything in my power to craft and tweak the audio to the best of my ability. Special thanks to: Auphonics.com for their assistance. Don't forget to stay until the end. Why? You get a chance to WIN a FREE copy of his latest thriller: The Big Dark Sky. Just follow the three easy steps, and we'll announce the winner shortly. For more information visit: https://DeanKoontz.com (DeanKoontz.com) and follow him on Twitter @deankoontz and Instagram @deankoontzofficial. As always, THANK YOU for listening and supporting this podcast, and BIG THANKS to our new sponsor, Warwick's Bookstores; for great gifts, books and more info, visit: https://Warwicks.com (Warwicks.com), and to AuthorBytes.com, the company behind our websites. FOLLOW US: https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com) & https://YouTube.com/c/TheThrillerZone/videos (YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone) and on both Twitter & Instagram @thethrillerzone Mentioned in this episode: Writers Block Coffee-The Best Writer's Block Coffee is a product I not only endorse on my podcast, but I enjoy literally 7 days a week. Look, when you can get "Fresh Roast To Order Delivered To Your Door" Coffee you simply can't go wrong. First orders get 15% off, using the Code: TheThrillerZone; but only for a Very Limited Time! We Love Warwicks Bookstore! Who doesn't love a bookstore? Especially when it feels like home? With friendly & exceptional Customer Service, fantastic & elegant gifts, Live & Virtual Author Events, it's easy to see why Warwicks is one of the oldest family-run bookstores in the country! AuthorBytes.com THE web host if you're a writer Are you a writer; beginning, or established? Do you have a website presence? Consider AuthorBytes.com. With 99.99& Uptime, Secure reliability, and the choice of the biggest authors in the biz, if you sign up for a 1-year contract today, you'll get the 1st 3 months FREE using the CODE: TheThrillerZone.

Rarely does a book come along that has you scratching your head and saying, "Wait, what did I just read?" I won't ruin the surprise. Join me in welcoming Amina Akhtar as my guest on today's 77th Episode and a "Special Addition" of The Thriller Zone. Amina brings high energy and fashionable insights to the podcast with her latest novel, KISMET, her viciously funny thriller about the world of WELLNESS, as well as the smoothies, the secrets, and the deliciously deadly impulses; all of which make this thriller a fast 'n fun read. Join me and Amina, aka "Drrramina," as we chat Sedona Arizona, spas, fashion, talking ravens, inquisitive coyotes, and of course, "Miss Beanie," her superstar pup with her own Instagram account! To learn more visit: AminaAkhtar.work and follow her on both Twitter & Instagram @drrramina (don't forget the 3 r's). As always, THANK YOU for listening to this podcast at TheThrillerZone.com, on YT at YouTube.com/c/TheThrillerZone/videos, and of course wherever you find and listen to your favorite podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Warwicks Bookstores Warwick's is one of the oldest, family-run bookstores in America. With a vast array of gifts, including fine pens & leather goods, along with the Best Customer Service found anywhere, it's easy to see why Warwick's should be your one-stop shop for books, gifts and in-person/online author signing events. Learn more at warwicks.com AuthorBytes.com There are other web hosts, but NONE as reliable and dependable as AuthorBytes.com. Consider the switch: Use the Code "TheThrillerZone" and get 3-months FREE with a 1-year contract.

Unless you've been lost in a cave, or sleeping under a rock for the past decade, I'm sure you know the name Brad Thor. Brad is one of the more prolific authors of our time, and the creator of the Scot Harvath Series. Some have called him, "The Undisputed King of the Genre," (Real Book Spy), while others have said this of his many books: "UN-Freaking-Believable," (The Crew Reviews), then there's, "An Amazing Thriller" says Fred Burton, and "Rising Tiger is ripped from tomorrow's headlines," says Wharton Journal Spectator. Yes, I could go on for much longer, but instead, I'll simply say, "I have found Brad to be a thoughtful, engaging, gracious and masterful storyteller of the highest caliber. If someone offered a Master Class in writing military-inspired politically-charged ripped-from-headlines thrillers and the professor was Brad Thor, well, you couldn't take my money fast enough." On today's 76th Episode, and the "Official Launch of Season Three of The Thriller Zone," I'm thrilled to welcome a guy who knows more than a thing or three about writing white-knuckle thrillers. And he's been doing it for several decades now. With more than two dozen thrillers under his (very expensive and handsomely tailored exotic leather) belt, Brad shows no signs of slowing down. And his latest page-turner, RISING TIGER, is one of his very best. His protagonist, and deadly operative Scot Harvath, faces down the country's most powerful enemy. Or as the jacket reads, "With democracy itself hanging in the balance, Harvath will risk everything to untangle the explosive plot and bring every bad actor to justice." Join Brad and I as we talk about the hard work that it takes to make a propulsive thriller like Rising Tiger, learn Brad's "Secret Sauce for Success," as well as enjoy some light-hearted moments like his "Library/Lounge Office", his love of "Guy Toys," as well as our mutual love of antique typewriters, and so much more. This podcast (and Vodcast on YouTube) promises to land in my "Top 10 Thriller Zone Episodes of the Year," and you'll soon see why. To learn more, visit: https://BradThor.com (BradThor.com), Follow him on Twitter @bradthor, on Instagram @realbradthor and Facebook @bradthorofficial. And as always THANK YOU for making TheThrillerZone one of the fastest growing podcasts in the world, as we serve up tasty thrillers and give you a front row seat to the Best Thriller Writers In The World. Subscribe to our Channel https://YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone, (YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone,) visit our homepage at https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com) and listen to our podcasts on ALL The Podcast Channels like Apple, Google, Amazon, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts. Thank you for sharing your passion of Thrillers, be it books, movies, or television, with us. David Temple, Host of TheThrillerZone Author at https://TheDavidTemple.com (TheDavidTemple.com) Follow me on both Twitter & Instagram @TheThrillerZone Mentioned in this episode: AuthorBytes.com "Stop The Insanity" Definition of Insanity, doing the same thing over and again, yet expecting different results. The same can be said of trying to cut corners and build your own website. With AuthorBytes.com, you can leave all the hassles and heavy lifting to them. Warwicks Bookstores Warwick's is one of the oldest, family-run bookstores in America. With a vast array of gifts, including fine pens & leather goods, along with the Best Customer Service found anywhere, it's easy to see why Warwick's should be your one-stop shop for books, gifts and in-person/online author signing events. Learn more at warwicks.com

On today's 75th and Bonus Episode of The Thriller Zone, we welcome Publishing Guru and author of The Business of Being a Writer, Jane Friedman. For those familiar with her work, Jane brings a vast knowledge of one of the key aspects of writing that many authors either don't know much about, or know about but have little grasp of, or are familiar with parts of the business of writing, but could use more info. Jane is your perfect connection to all that. And more. Having worked in book publishing since the 1990s, Jane understands how to instruct those of us who could use a bit more than just a primer on business tactics. I believe you'll pick up some pointers in this podcast, but the real magic will come from her book, The Business of Being a Writer. To learn more, visit: https://JaneFriedman.com (JaneFriedman.com), and Follow her on both Twitter and Instagram @janefriedman. And as always, please LISTEN to our podcast on ALL podcast channels, as well as https://TheThrillerZone.com (TheThrillerZone.com), and WATCH our Vodcast on YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone, and thanks for your support! Mentioned in this episode: AuthorBytes.com There are other web hosts, but NONE as reliable and dependable as AuthorBytes.com. Consider the switch: Use the Code "TheThrillerZone" and get 3-months FREE with a 1-year contract.

On today's 74th Episode of The All New Season of TheThrillerZone, I'm happy to announce the latest member of our Discovering New Author Series, Brian Lebeau. Brian Lebeau hails from Massachusetts, but currently lives just outside San Diego...which I just learned! Brian's thriller, A Disturbing Nature, is a psychological thriller set in the summer of 1975, and explores the concept of two deaths, blurring the line between man and monster. The books explores ethics, psychology and social justice while investigating a series of murders in New England. To learn more visit: https://brianlebeau.com (https://brianlebeau.com )and follow on Instagram @brianlebeauwriter and Facebook @brianklebeau As always, THANK YOU FOR LISTENING & WATCHING. And if you haven't yet, please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel, YouTube.com/TheThrillerZone. If you'd like to drop us a line, do so by writing: thethrillerzone at gmail, and be sure to catch our podcast at or wherever you get your podcasts!