It is always a sincere pleasure to welcome a fellow author to Interview an Author on Jemsbooks.blog. Today, please help me welcome talented author, Allan Hudson.

Thank you, Allan, for stopping by today to share a little bit about yourself and your books. I am excited to have you here! The floor is yours!

Please tell us something about yourself.

I’m an ordinary guy who lives on the east coast of Canada, living an extraordinary life. I met the lady of my dreams forty years ago and I’m grateful for the love and laughter she’s filled my days with. I’ve been fortunate to travel throughout North America and I’ve had many wild adventures; skydiving, rock climbing, wilderness camping and hiking. I discovered a creative side and spent many years designing and creating stained glass pieces. I made a career out of sales and woodworking.  I have a caring family who support my writing and I’m a very happy man.

My mother was a teacher and she taught me to read at an early age so I’ve been enjoying books and stories since I picked up my first Dick & Jane reader. I never imagined I’d write my own stories. But what a rewarding experience it has been since I drafted the first Drake Alexander Adventure when I was in my mid-fifties. Now that I am retired I spend a good part of most days writing.

Jjspina: You certainly are an adventurous soul, Allan. Wow! I can’t imagine skydiving! It’s wonderful that you found loves of your life in your family and writing!

When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

One of my favorite authors is Bryce Courtenay and he started writing in his mid-fifties. After reading more about him personally, I was inspired to give writing a try. A nudge from my wife helped too when she reminded me, “Stop talking about it and sit down and do it.” As soon as I started, I knew then I wanted to tell stories. I can’t imagine not doing it now.

Jjspina: I know what you mean. There is nothing like getting into creating a story. It’s thrilling!

What projects are you currently working on?

The most exciting project is the recent publication of a novella titled, Father. It is based on true incidents but in an imaginary setting. It is also the story I had the most fun with. I had wanted to write this story for a long time. It is available now in digital form and I am awaiting paperbacks to arrive any day. Fun!

I have been involved with eight other authors in an anthology – Autumn Paths – published in November to great success. A truly enjoyable project with authors I admire and respect. Winter Paths is in the works for another fall publication. 

I have completed the next Jo Naylor story and hope to publish in April. This is the third book in the adventure series. Titled Shattered Dreams, it follows Shattered Lives which tells of Jo Naylor’s recent adventure in Thailand where she and an orphaned little girl put an end to a child kidnapping ring. Shattered Dreams is set in Paris and Jo Naylor dishes out her own idea of justice.

I have recently completed the first draft of a murder mystery during WWII. It is set in the Royal Air Force Station in Scoudouc, New Brunswick. Now abandoned, the Air Force station was used as a training facility for pilots from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain during the war. Chief Warrant Officer Stefan Kravchenko is ordered to solve the murder and he’s been given three days. There are too many secrets on the base to have civilians nosing around. Royal Canadian Mounted Police detective, Dia Francis, thinks otherwise.

And I am halfway through Volume 2 of The Alexander series.

Jjspina: You certainly have been busy, Allan. All these books sound intriguing. I look forward to reading, Father.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Tough question as there are so many interesting places. I think if I had to pick one, I would like to visit Poland. The history of domination by other countries and the determination and eventual freedom of the Polish people has always intrigued me. I am fascinated by stories of WWII and the holocaust. I would like to visit Auschwitz and the Warsaw ghetto. To touch the same walls, to walk the same paths as the doomed and the survivors would be a chilling experience. It is a story almost unimaginable in its scope but made real by the memorials left behind to remind us not to let it happen again.

Jjspina: Yes, I imagine it would be a chilling experience. I agree, we must never let that happen again!

How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

Another good question and one I’m sure is different, and yet similar, for each storyteller. Sometimes an idea just pops up in your head, maybe from witnessing an event or hearing about another person’s experience. In my historical fiction, The Alexanders, which is taking place in the 1920s, I use a local history book for ideas and events to build around. 

Most recently an idea for the next anthology I am involved with came from discussions about how cold it has been and how difficult is must’ve been for soldiers fighting in the bitter cold of winters. The proverbial light bulb in my head glows and ta-da, a story is born.

I think most ideas come from incidents in our lives, memories, what we hear in the news or on TV and even from the characters we create; they often have their own thoughts if we listen closely.

Jjspina: This book sounds perfect for all the history lovers out there! Ahh, yes. You expressed that so succintly, Allan. Well done.

Here is Allan’s book that I am showcasing today.

Blurb:

In 1942 everything is going good for Tanner Hill. He has a good job, two healthy sons and a wife who loves him. As he makes lots of extra cash with his moonshine, he can afford many luxuries his neighbours cannot. And he’s not worried about conscription.
However, he soon realizes good things do not last forever. One argument after church with a disgruntled man with revenge on his mind and Tanner’s world is turned upside down. Forced into making a choice, Tanner chooses to follow his brothers and enlists. He leaves for the fighting so far away as a private in the Royal Canadian Engineers.
It will be three years until Tanner returns home. It won’t be the same.

Allan’s links:

http://www.southbranchscribbler.com/

Something New Every Week. Discover Great Stories. Guest Authors, Artists & Musicians. 4Q Interviews. Wall of War. Dark Side of a Promise.

Here is my review of Allan Hudson’s book, Father:

Father is a story about a family during WWII and the trials, tribulations and heartaches they must endure. The author gives a little background in the prologue about the large Hill family and how they first settled in Canada.

Tanner Hill is the main protagonist. He began as a bootlegger, making his own moonshine and selling anywhere he could without getting caught. He wasn’t so lucky this one day after he confronted one of his customers and refused to give him a discount on his purchase. This disgruntled customer turns on Tanner and reports his illegal business to the authorities. In order to escape being incarcerated, Tanner enlists in the Royal Canadian Engineers as a Private. He manages to survive many close calls and looks forward to coming home but life at home will never be the same.

The author has created an enjoyable story around this family that kept me engaged. It is rich in Canadian history that made me feel as if I was there. I recommend this quick and entertaining read.
I was provided with a copy of this book which I reviewed without compensation.

Thank you so much for stopping by today to share your book with my readers and me. It was nice to get to know you better. I enjoy supporting fellow authors here and welcome you back again when you have a new project you would like to share with my readers and me. Thank you for sharing your book, Father, with me.

Thank you, readers, for stopping by today to read this post. Please check out Allan’s link above for his intriguing books. Also, please remember to review authors’s books wherever you purchased them. Reviews are so important to us authors and the only way to spread word of our books and encourage Amazon to recognize us and promote our books online. Thank you all!

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!

Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

Award-Winning Author

Jemsbooks for All Ages!

Jemsbooks.com

Jemsbooks.blog

Jjspina(at)comcast(dot)net

AMAZON.COM AUTHOR PAGE (All books)

AMAZON.COM JE SPINA NOVELS PAGE

AMAZON.CO.UK

BARNES & NOBLE

BARNES & NOBLE (18+ NOVELS)