Caleb's publisher has agreed to give away one print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends July 12, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
Q & A with Caleb...
Q: The String is a spine-tingling novel that plunges readers into a sociopath's deadly game. How did you come up with the idea for it?
A: The first books I ever wrote were epic fantasies with big worlds and timelines. Then I asked myself, "What kind of story might take place within a small footprint and forty-eight-hour timeframe?" The next thing I knew, I was feverishly writing notes while riding shotgun in a 4Runner belonging to a university police officer, and a man who called himself the conductor began speaking to me about The Sting.
Q: Why did you choose a university campus for your setting?
A: The story came to me while doing a ride along with an officer at University campus. The details I jotted down that day made the fictional university town of Trenton come to life in my mind.
Q: What type of research was required to accurately write about the sociopath's tendencies?
A: The book The Psychopath Whisper: The Science of Those without Conscience by Kent A. Kiehl as helpful as I tried to navigate the mind of the conductor. You can imagine the looks I received while reading this book in coffee shops.
Q: I bet! Although you have written other books, this is your debut novel. Why did you decide to write a fiction book?
A: Fiction writing has been my blood since the start. My wife and I spent our wedding money on fifty-two books about writing fiction. Then, for years, I spent my days off penning fiction for sixteen hours straight. I just love story, as great stories shed light on the truth of who we are as humans. They teach of us without a lecture, inspire us without a speech, and entertain us without any problems. Show me a writer who can resist such a noble undertaking!
Q: You have been compared to Steven James and Ted Dekker. How do you feel your writing is similar to or different from these authors?
A: Writing styles are like vehicles: a different make, model, and year, but they're all designed to take you on an adventure. Where I hope readers find similarity is in abandonment to story. These incredible writers have a way of making you feel in step with their characters, exploring as they explore, experience as they experience, and transforming as they transform. What an honor it is aspiring to such a legacy of masterful fiction.
Thanks so much, Caleb. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know a bit more about you and The String.
My review...
A sociopath called The Conductor is orchestrating a social
experiment on a college campus. University cop Markus Haas is unwilling looped
in, and he has to decide how far he’ll go to protect those he loves.
It’s hard to believe that this outstanding story is Breakey’s
debut novel! It grabs the reader from the first page and pulls them along for a
thrilling ride. Short chapters fuel the fast pace. It’s interesting to watch all
the pieces connect as the story unfolds. The characters are smart and focused
on the ultimate goal: strangle the conductor with his own string. I was telling
myself, “Just one more chapter,” as I was anxious to discover who was behind
everything. Unexpected twists will have the reader on the edge of their seats, eagerly
anticipating the next book in the series. (I know I am!)
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book
from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About Caleb...
Caleb Breakey is the CEO of Sermon To Book and Speak It To Book, the premier ghostwriting agencies for faith-filled influencers and thought leaders. He is an ECPA Award finalist and a winner of the prestigious Genesis Contest for fiction writers. Caleb was exploring truth through story and writes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest along with his wife, Brittney, enjoying visits from a mischievous mini husky and a smiley Shibu Inu.
Where you can find him online...
I love psychological thrillers! I don't know what it says about me that I enjoy books with sociopaths, but I do -- hopefully, I will never meet one in real life, just in books!!
ReplyDeleteHa! I understand. Psychological thrillers are some of my favorites (to read and watch on TV). I agree about never meeting one, lol!
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I LOVE psychological thrillers! I love being on the edge on my seat throughout the whole book and I love not being able to put it down!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I love books that have me saying, "Just one more chapter."
DeleteThanks for stopping by, and good luck!
I enjoy thrillers and twists that surprise me and make me want to keep reading. This sounds exciting to read.
ReplyDeleteThose are some of my favorite stories, too. This one definitely fits the category!
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I like to read exciting books, and this is a new author for me.
ReplyDeleteDianna
He's a new author for me, too. I really think you'll find this one exciting, Dianna.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck!