BooksChatter: ℚ Counterplay

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Dennis Norman to talk about Counterplay (30 July 2019, Clink Street Publishing, 180 pages), a Thriller.

A fantastic story, not to be missed. Bookread2day

This book definitely was a good read for me, and I was sad it was so short, because that meant I would have to say goodbye to the characters and world the author built up sooner. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thriller books that feature love gone wrong, theft, and characters who aren’t who they claim to be. ~ Jesse Presgraves

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Dennis Norman; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Counterplay?

"I met Lee Child once at a book signing and he encouraged me to write my own story. He told me to write what you know so I very loosely based it on true events that happened around a plot I made up."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I experienced a lot of things in the book. The fight scenes actually happened to me."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Counterplay - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover originally came from an idea I had of the lake district, where some of the story is set. I lived there for a year and loved then cabin I stayed in overlooking lake Coniston. I sent a mock-up to my publisher and they created this unique design."

Why should we read Counterplay and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"It has good character development, detailed scenes, a good plot and a main character you can care about. It's uniquely different from most other novels as it has a modern twist and a little truth as well."

Can you tell us something quirky about Counterplay, its story and characters?

"The main characters first name is a combination of mine and my wife’s middle names and his surname combines our initials. Alain comes from Allan and Elaine and Dansen comes from DAN and SEN."

Who would you recommend Counterplay to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Anyone who likes a cat and mouse chase. Who likes unassuming heroes."

If you could / wished to turn Counterplay into a movie, who would be your dream team?


"Director, Ridley Scott.	Main Characters, Harrison Ford	& Clint Eastwood	Bad guy, Heath Ledger

Location, New York and Los Angeles. "

New York Skyline

LA Skyline

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"My father read thrillers and mystery books, any fictional crime novels and passed them on to me. I grew up reading this genre. This has passed into my writing. I don’t have a science-fiction imagination, so I write what I know."

What is your writing process?

"This is only my second book but I started both in April just after my annual Easter holiday. Each time I have become inspired by something that happened during the time away from work.

The software I use links directly to my cloud storage so I can write on the go, so to speak, using my iPad, phone or laptop. I write small sections at a time then move them around to make the scenes.

I am pretty organised and have the story mapped out in my head. Then it’s a matter of putting the pieces in the right order. After the scenes are set I add the descriptive parts.

I work full time and write part-time so I try to use every spare minute I can get. During my daily commute, I try to write both ways. I get most of my characters mannerisms from people on my journeys. When I’m home I like peace and quiet so I’m in the dining room or outside at a patio table."

What is in store next?

"I’ve started another story, in April again, with the two main protagonists. Unlike Counterplay, this will not be set in the UK. I have broadened the horizon to Europe and the middle east. Plus it's twice as long with more shady characters."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I don’t have any pets sorry. My special things are my huge family, five children and eight grandchildren, and my apartment in Spain. No photos sorry but the web address for the apartment is http://www.88lacinuelica.iowners.net/site.php"

Thank you for sharing, Dennis!
We hope you are having a great tour!

How many times would you steal from the one you love?