Amor Libris: Are there any new authors who have caught your attention?

Val Tobin: Some authors who recently caught my attention (so, new to me, not necessarily to the writing world) include Nora Roberts—yes, I only discovered Nora Roberts in the last couple of years—Michael Connelly, Lee Child (also discovered in the last year or two), Gillian Flynn, and Jodi Picoult.

As well, I’ve got some indie authors on my list of new author gems: Nico Laeser, Rebecca Bryn, Alan Annand, Jennifer Young, Janet Cameron, John Erwin, and too many more to name. Most of the indie authors I read can be found on the IASD website or on Your Next Favorite Author.

Rebecca Bryn I discovered when I beta read her current WIP (Work in Progress). She posted on Facebook that she required beta readers, and I volunteered because her story sounded interesting. It was based on a true story and is historical fiction. Her style is riveting.

I became interested in Nico Laeser’s work the same way.

Amor Libris: Can you share the title and blurb of your latest book?

Val Tobin: Earthbound is my current WIP (Work in Progress). It’s a prequel to The Experiencers and part of The Valiant Chronicles series.

Blurb:

Jayden McQueen is dead. However, that’s the least of her worries. Turns out, she’s a murder victim, and nobody knows it but her.
.
Who killed her? Why? How?

In her quest to find answers, Jayden sets in motion events that propel humanity toward a future already written. But just because events appear inevitable doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight them. Does it?

Amor Libris: Who is your favorite character from your latest book, and why?

Val Tobin: Jayden McQueen stole my heart. She’s scrappy and saucy and relatable. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to attend my own funeral. I explore that through Jayden.

Amor Libris: Are any of the characters and/or experiences in your books based upon yourself or someone you know?

Val Tobin: Arnie Griffen, from The Valiant Chronicles, is a composite of two guys I knew years ago. Gillian Foster from Gillian’s Island is an introvert, as am I, so in that way, you can say her character is based on me. However, my characters are a construct of the story world. They evolve based on their family history and environment, not on what I steal from reality.

The experiences in my novels do at times draw on real-life experiences, particularly The Experiencers.

Michael’s “dream” of Jessica reflects an experience someone I know had, as does Carolyn’s encounter with a UFO in the school yard. Carolyn’s visit from someone in the spirit world when she’s sitting on her back deck reflects the incident of the spirit that I mentioned above. Her method of picking up psychic messages reflects my own, though she’s much more psychic than I’ll ever be.

Amor Libris: Can you share with us about what you are working on now or your next project?

Val Tobin: My next project will be a contribution to the About Three Authors series of books available on Amazon. So far, there are two published works in the series, Whoever Said Love Was Easy? by Patti Roberts and Stolen Hearts & Muddy Pawprints by Georgina Ramsey.

My contribution, Out There, follows three wannabe authors suffering from various mental disorders who find love in unexpected places when they interfere in the investigation of a colleague’s murder.

Amor Libris: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Val Tobin: Hire an editor. Mine have saved me from making some embarrassing errors public.

Amor Libris: How can we contact you and find out more about you and your books?

Val Tobin:

Website: www.valtobin.com

FB author page: www.facebook.com/valtobinauthor/

Amazon profile page: www.amazon.com/Val-Tobin/e/B00KC5S69K/

Smashwords profile page: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/valtobin

Universal Links to Books:
The Experiencers: www.books2read.com/TheExperiencers

A Ring of Truth: www.books2read.com/ARingOfTruth

Injury: www.books2read.com/injury

Gillian’s Island: www.books2read.com/gilliansisland

Walk-In: www.books2read.com/walk-in

Storm Lake: www.books2read.com/stormlake