Interviewing Stephen J. Tillman, Author of Leopard's Daughter
Series: Were-Leopard Series Book 1
Genre: Crime, Fantasy
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: September 15, 2018
Genre: Crime, Fantasy
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: September 15, 2018
Spine-tingling were-leopard fun
Leopard’s Daughter is a markedly original crime novel with elements of the occult. In a world where vampires and werewolves exist, but are extremely rare, Bobby Sandar, his wife, Olivia, and their two oldest children are were-leopards. Bobby and Olivia are Secret Service agents. Following Bobby’s death, Olivia feels the need for a fresh start. She takes a job as a detective in the sheriff’s department of a rural western county. Olivia’s first assignment is to go undercover as an exotic dancer in a nightclub run by gangsters. She has to battle mobbed-up criminals, a terrorist leader who is aware of Olivia’s history and abilities, and human traffickers to save her family and herself.
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Interview
Welcome, Stephen, to Hot Choco and Books!Q: Please tell us something unique about you that we can’t learn from your bio.
A: I’m a die-hard New York Yankees fan and an avid duplicate bridge player with around 2,500 master points. Neither of these items help in my writing though my latest short story, “Black Cat” starts off at a bridge tournament.
Q: What’s your favorite part of writing?
A: Letting my imagination run wild. I find myself thinking of stories in my head when I exercise. Writing them down solidifies them.
Q: What’s the strangest thing you’ve learned while researching a book?
A: Premeditated murder in New York State is often considered second degree murder. First degree murder is usually reserved for special circumstances such as killing a police officer.
Q: If you could live in one of your stories, which one would you choose and why?
A: Probably one of the were-leopard stories. As a reader or science fiction and fantasy, the idea that special creatures such as vampires, werewolves, were-leopards, etc. exist appeals to me. I’d like to be a were-leopard.
Q: What's your inspiration for the Were-Leopard series?
A: I’m a cat person. I’ve been fascinated by cats of all types virtually my entire life. I also like stories where the protagonist is a kick-ass female. For years my favorite TV show was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A story based on were-leopards seemed to be a natural outgrowth.
Q: In Leopard's Daughter, how does being a were-leopard help Olivia in her job as a detective?
A: Leopards are, pound for pound, just about the strongest members of the cat family and the best climbers. In the wild a leopard will frequently carry an antelope heavier than itself up a tree to protect its kill from other predators such as hyenas. By having leopard characteristics carry over to human form, Olivia is far stronger and quicker than ordinary humans. Cats are also amoral. While not a sociopath, Olivia has no qualms about doing what is necessary to accomplish her purpose.
Q: What stories do you wish you had time to write?
A: I’ve written several mystery short stories. I’d like to publish a mystery novel. I haven’t yet given up hope.
Q: What would you most like to accomplish as a writer?
A: I’d like to be recognized as a serious writer.
Thanks a lot for your time, Stephen! We enjoyed having you here.
Book Tour Schedule
November 28 - December 11, 2018
Visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Leopard's Daughter Book Page at Book Unleashed.
About Stephen J. Tillman
Stephen Tillman is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Wilkes University, where he taught for forty-two years, and holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Brown University. As most scholars of mathematics, Stephen has always dreamed of writing a novel. Although he started writing fiction relatively late in life, he is still younger than the folk artist Grandma Moses when she began her artistic career. Stephen is an avid reader of mysteries and science fiction and has published short stories in both genres.
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