Today I have Ethan Jones on my blog answering questions about his bad ass spy thriller. As a bonus, Ethan has been kind enough to offer free copies of the book in Kindle, epub or pdf format. First ten to email him at fictionwriter78@yahoo.com get the book. I highly recommend you try and win a copy or buy one.

Congratulations on publishing your first novel, Arctic Wargame. Tell us what we can expect from the mind of Ethan Jones?

Arctic Wargame is the first book in Justin Hall series, introducing Canadian Security Intelligence Service agents Justin Hall and Carrie O’Connor. They have both been suspended from field operations because of the fallout of a botched rescue operation in Libya, paying for the mistakes of other agencies. When two foreign icebreakers appear in Canadian Arctic waters, Justin and Carrie volunteer for a reconnaissance mission. They uncover a treasonous plan against Canada and fall into an ambush by one of their own. Stranded in a remote location of the Arctic, they must fight back not only to save themselves, but also their country.

I’ve already had the pleasure of reading Arctic Wargame. It’s very good. One of the things I noticed is your ability to stay true to how CSIS agents operate. How do you accomplish this?

I did a lot of research on the operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the real Canadian security agency. I used the media and other sources to make the storyline and the operations as truthful as possible.

CIS agent Justin Hall is your main character. How did he come about? Are you Justin?

I am not Justin, and I wouldn’t want to be him. He is a smart and tough man, but with a difficult background. His mother died in a car accident and Justin blames his father for her death.

Justin is a figment of my imagination. I wanted a character that was brave and resourceful, yet caring and kind. And as a Canadian, he is all into cooperation and teamwork.

How did you pick the genre that you write in? Did you want to be a spy growing up?

Growing up, I liked reading adventure stories and watching action movies. My dad, who worked as a radio technician for the Army, wanted me to attend a military school, but that didn’t work out. I still like reading suspense and thrillers. Since I know the genre, I thought I could learn how to write stories that fit what I like.

How long have you been writing? Was Arctic Wargame your first novel?

Arctic Wargame is the first novel that is published. I wrote short stories and began many novels when I was a young teen, but that was just a spur of the moment. I took up writing on a regular basis after I finished my Master of Laws degree. As part of my degree, I had to submit a 150-page thesis. Once I saw that I could do that, I decided to take up writing again. I was richly blessed with time to write and the ability to learn as I did that.

Where and when do you usually write?

I try to write wherever and whenever I can. I write on planes during my business trips, during my lunch break, on my commute to work. I write early in the morning and late at night.

Are you currently working on other novels and if so, when can we expect to see them?

I’m revising Tripoli’s Target, the second book in Justin Hall series. This time, Justin and Carrie are sent to meet with the Sheikh of the largest terrorist network in Northern Africa, to receive some high-value intelligence. They learn about an assassination plot against the US president, which is to happen during a G-20 summit in Tripoli, Libya. Justin and Carrie inform the US Secret Service about this plot. Then new intelligence comes in, and they realize something is very, very wrong in their plan. Against all odds, they must stop the assassination before the summit forty-eight hours away. Tripoli’s Target will be published in the fall of this year.

I’m working on Fog of War, which is the third book in Justin Hall series. Justin and Carrie infiltrate some of the most dangerous spots in the planet. Iran, Somalia and Yemen, the hotbeds of terrorism in the making. Fog of War will come out in spring of 2013.

I’m also working on a murder mystery set in the US, called A Complicated Justice.   A Court of Appeals judge goes missing and the detectives are trying to find him, the reasons why he has disappeared and the whole truth. I have no date in mind for the release of this novel, perhaps it will be published late next year.

Any words of advice for someone who is interested in writing a spy thriller?

I learned as I wrote, and I am still learning. My advice is to begin writing and learn as you go.

Read a lot of books, so you can see what works and what doesn’t. Learn from other authors, how they create their storylines, their plots, their chapters.

Be patient and keep writing.  Eventually, you’ll have something good.

You and I have known each other for over a year, yet we’ve never actually met in person. How do you know I’m not some sick bastard biding my time, waiting for the right moment to strike?

I could ask you the same question, lol. Unlike Justin, I trust people.  I’d rather be disappointed than suspicious and paranoid all the time.

Thanks, Ty.  I appreciate this opportunity.

Arctic Wargame Description

Canadian Intelligence Service Agent Justin Hall—combat-hardened in operations throughout Northern Africa—has been demoted after a botched mission in Libya.

When two foreign icebreakers appear in Canadian Arctic waters, Justin volunteers for the reconnaissance mission, eager to return to the field.  His team discovers a foreign weapons cache deep in the Arctic, but they are not aware that a spy has infiltrated the Department of National Defence.

The team begins to unravel a treasonous plan against Canada, but they fall under attack from one of their own.  Disarmed and stripped of their survival gear, they are stranded in a remote location.  Now the team must survive the deadly Arctic not only to save themselves, but their country.

Who Is Ethan Jones?

Ethan Jones is a lawyer by trade and the author of Arctic Wargame, a spy thriller available on Amazon as an e-book and paperback.  He has also published two short stories: Carved in Memory, a prequel to Arctic Wargame, and The Last Confession, both available on Amazon as e-books.  His second spy thriller, Tripoli’s Target, will be released in fall 2012.  Ethan lives in Canada with his wife and his son.

I would love your readers’ feedback.  They can get in touch with me via e-mail at this address: fictionwriter78@yahoo.com  I promise to write to each and every one of them.

My blog – http://ethanjones.blog.com – is the place to learn about my future works, to enjoy exclusive book reviews and author interviews.

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