Interview with Joshua Graham, author of 'Latent Image'

JOSHUA GRAHAM is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Beyond Justice, Terminus, and Darkroom, the winner of the International Book Award, Forward National Literature Award, USA Book News Best Books Award, and host of Thriller Radio. His award-winning novel DARKROOM hit 3 bestseller lists on Amazon the night of its release.

CBS NEWS described DARKROOM as a book with "action, political intrigue and well-rounded characters...a novel that thriller fans will devour."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY described BEYOND JUSTICE as: "A riveting legal thriller...breaking new ground with a vengeance...demonically entertaining and surprisingly inspiring."

Suspense Magazine listed BEYOND JUSTICE in its BEST OF 2010, alongside titles by Scott Turrow, Ted Dekker, Steven James and Brad Thor.

Many of Graham's readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.

Josh grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he lived for the better part of 30 years. He holds a Bachelor and Master's Degree and went on to earn his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. During his time in Maryland, he taught as a professor at Shepherd College (WV), Western Maryland College, and Columbia Union College (MD).

Today he lives with his beautiful wife and children on the West Coast.

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For More Information

• Visit Joshua Graham’s websites at www.joshua-graham.com or www.joshgraham.net.
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About the Book:

Title: Latent Image: A Xandra Carrick Thriller
Author: Joshua Graham
Publisher: Redhaven Books
Pages: 437
Genre: Thriller

For fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Sandra Brown, David Baldacci, Brad Thor, and Nora Roberts.

New York Times bestselling author Joshua Graham returns with a new thriller, Latent Image: A Xandra Carrick Thriller.

At the height of President Jennifer Bradley’s inaugural parade, a bomb detonates, followed by shots from a sniper’s rifle. She survives despite the numerous casualties including the Chief White House photographer. The authorities apprehend the only surviving suspect, but before they can interrogate him, he dies mysteriously while recovering in the hospital.

In an effort to hunt down those responsible and prevent future assassination attempts, Special Agent Wade Masterson of the Secret Service recruits photojournalist Xandra Carrick for a dual-role position as the President’s Photographer and clandestine assistant operative.

Xandra’s uncanny gift of second-sight through the lens of a camera thrusts her straight into the center of a deadly terrorist plot that runs far deeper than anyone in the intelligence community ever imagined.

But she may already be too late.

In a tale of vengeance, honor and sacrifice, Xandra must draw upon all she has to stop an insidious plot which threatens to bring the country to its knees with a biological weapon that will decimate the nation’s population.

For More Information

• Latent Image is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Thanks for this interview, Josh.  Can we begin by having you tell us about yourself from a writer’s standpoint?

Thanks for having me. I’d probably describe myself as an impatient writer. By that, I mean, I have no patience for boring. That’s not to say every single scene I write is an action scene—that too would get boring, there has to be something compelling in every scene that holds my interest (both as a reader and writer), so that I’ll want to keep turning the pages. If a book allows me to put it down, it will probably stay down. That said, I really try to write books that I’d enjoy reading; as they say, “Unputdownable.”

When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?

I enjoy the outdoors, whether it be sitting at the balcony of my office, gazing out at the verdant hills, watching scurrying rabbits and squirrels, or various birds flying by. I also enjoy hanging out with friends playing cards, laughing or crying together—basically doing life together.

I don’t know how relaxing this might be considered, but despite all my complaints about running, I actually enjoy the trails on which my son the cross country guy leaves me in the dust. There’s something about the solitude of man and nature, the sound of birds and rustling leaves, the struggling for breath as I run the hills… I also enjoy working out at the gym.

Do you have a day job? Or a night one?

Writing is my day job, though while under the deadline gun it can be both day and night. And till the dawn’s early light.

Sometimes I think my day job is a chauffeur, with all the driving around for my kids with school and activities. I’m sure there are plenty of parents who identify with this—can I get a witness?

Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing?  Can you tell us about your journey?

As with all books, it’s a journey. Sometimes smooth, sometimes bumpy. But I have the strength which the good Lord lends me, the support of my family, and the enthusiasm of my readers. What more could a writer ask for? I’m truly blessed and grateful.

What is it about the thriller genre that appeals more than any other genre you would choose to write?

As I mentioned in the first question, I find that good thrillers are “unputdownable.” Does that mean every thriller I’ve picked up stuck to my hands as though with superglue? Absolutely not. Just ask my wife how many thrillers I’ve set down at Barnes & Noble. But there happen to be some really good writers out there who write thrillers that keep my interest. When done well, a thriller will not only excite you, but it will make your laugh, cry, shout in outrage, and make you feel like you’ve just bonded with the characters over an epic struggle. You know that bittersweet feeling when it’s time to say goodbye, and you already miss that person? How often do you feel that way at the end of a book?

If you had to summarize your book in one sentence, what would that be?

Stephen King’s The Dead Zone meets a kickass female version of Mitch Rapp.

What makes your book stand out from the rest?

See above :). I think Latent Image works as a high stakes political thriller (terrorism, the White House, the President of the United States, espionage) but it also combines some horror/paranormal elements (precognition, etc.). I haven’t seen too many crossover books like this, but I daresay my protagonist Xandra Carrick carries the torch well.

If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?

Latent Image doesn’t exactly center around any particular holiday themes, but from my perspective, as a writer, I’d say Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why? Because I am truly grateful for the gift of my writing career. I call it a gift because I see it as divine providence, not something I have earned. You can’t earn a gift, it’s given to you whether or not you deserve it. That’s how I feel about my writing. It’s not about me, the recipient, it’s about the Giver (and of course, the readers.)

Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?

Latent Image is the third title in the Xandra Carrick series. DARKROOM (Simon & Schuster) is the first.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Ultimately, I get my ideas from God. But He also gives me thoughts and ideas from people like my wife, my kids, my friends, etc. As for actual information for research, I find it everywhere: books, interviews, experts in the field…like any other writers does.

What’s next for you?

I’m finishing up THE FÜHRER’S DAUGHTER, and alternate history dystopian thriller co-written with Jack Patterson. There are some other projects in the works with I will talk about when ready. My newsletter subscribers will be the first to hear about them.

Thanks for this opportunity, and I hope everyone will visit my website www.joshgraham.net

You can connect with me on facebook: www.facebook.com/j0shgraham

On twitter: www.twitter.com/J0shuaGraham

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