Josh Aterovis

So, while no particular character is really "me" and some of the author goes into every character, Will is probably my most autobiographical character in that a lot of his life circumstances mirror my own, especially his backstory. My dad was a Southern Baptist minister and my mom was a stay at home mom. To a certain degree, you're definitely right in that all Southern Baptists are on the conservative side, but there is still a pretty wide range within that. My dad led the very first integrated Southern Baptist church....in the 70s or 80s. It was big deal that our chairman of deacons was a black man and that black people attended our traditionally white church. People left the church over it. My brother-in-law, who is also Southern Baptist minister, was kicked out of the convention for a while for allowing gay people to attend his church and hold office. It's all bullshit, obviously, but there are shades of red within their bullshit. One of my brothers is also a Southern Baptist minister. Needless to say, I have a lot of religious trauma, much of which I was trying to work out in these early books. LOL As @Tris said, it's a quote from the Old Testament, and the title of this book is one of the very few cases (for me, anyway) where the title inspired the book. I was watching Jeopardy (back in the Alex Trebek mustache days) and it was one of the responses. I think it was something like "In the Old Testement, God told the prophet Hosea that those who sowed the wind would get this result." Or something like that, and the answer, of course, was "Reap the Whirlwind," And I was like, that would be a great title for a book. Then I got obsessed with it and wondered what that book would be about. And Will was born. I usually write very linearly, as in I start at the beginning and outline chapter by chapter, then go back and write from page one on through to the end. With Reap the Whirlwind, the first scene I wrote is actually a scene that doesn't show up until like chapter 16 or 17 or something like that. It's a very emotional scene between Will and Aidan, and the entire book was born from that!

Ha! You'll find out...

Killian pops up quite a bit!

I lay awake for hours in my bed that night, staring at the ceiling, my childhood bedroom lit only by moonlight. My mind refused to turn off. So much had happened in one day — too much for my brain to absorb so quickly. I replayed snippets of conversation from the day over and over, like a slideshow on constant rotation. Joey: "You should move out..." Beth: "Joey always comes first..." Mackenzie: "We've only been going out for two weeks..." Laura: "Why wasn't I ever good enoug

Never too late to start! Especially with a series. Always best to start with book one!

Thank you! Such esteemed company!

It's never too early to speculate! That's my favorite part of posting these stories here, seeing how people interpret the characters and clues, who they think dunnit, what they think will happen next. I hate to admit it, but sometimes, your ideas are better than mine! 🤣 I'll read a comment and think, damn, wish I'd thought of that... I loved exploring friendships and how they change as we get older in this book. Some of your questions will be answered quicker than others...

Thank you! I'm excited to hear your thoughts as the story progresses!

Sorry for the delay! I got bogged down trying to rewrite a short story that just wasn't cooperating, so I moved on to the next novel. LOL It's good to be back, and it's extra good to have you along for the ride.

So true!

I think a lot of us have a Joey or two in our past. Thanks for reading!

Hey Jace! Guess what? I just added the first chapter of the next book in the series, Reap the Whirlwind. It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition, so I can't wait to hear your thoughts. There are a few major changes, though I tried to stay true to the original as much as possible while viewing it through the eyes of a much older writer. I was very conscious of the fact that it's a lot of people's favorite book in the series. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks again, Ken! I have good news! I just added the first chapter of the next book in the series, Reap the Whirlwind. It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to hear your thoughts...

Good news! I just added the first chapter of the next book in the series, Reap the Whirlwind! It's also been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to hear your thoughts... There are a few major changes.

Good news! I just added the first chapter of the next book in the series, Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to hear your thoughts...

Well... here's the thing. I started rewriting the first short story that would have come in chronological order, but I got bogged down and just couldn't seem to push through, so I started on the next book in the series and that went much better. I just added the first chapter of Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to hear your thoughts... (I'll keep working on those short stories...)

I just added the first chapter of the next book in the series, Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to hear your thoughts...

Good news! I just added the first chapter of Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Good news! I just added the first chapter of Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Good news! I just added the first chapter of Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

I just added the first chapter of Reap the Whirlwind! It's been heavily rewritten for the GA edition. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

I stood at the edge of the water, the grass damp beneath my bare feet, gray fog curling around my ankles like fingers. The river stretched out before me, black and endless, swallowing the moonlight in its oily sheen. Not even the stars dared reflect on its still surface. It was quiet. Too quiet. That kind of stillness that sets your teeth on edge, awakening a primeval fear. Then the water stirred. First, just a ripple. Then another. I stepped back, heart jack-hammering,