BLOG TOUR!: MUCKROSS FOLLY by J.L. Austgen SPOTLIGHT and GUEST POST

Title: Muckross Folly
Author: J.L. Austgen
Publisher: Dreampipe Publishing
Length: ~340 pages
Editions: print and e-book

Synopsis: Reeling from the destruction of her team at the hands of her deputy, FBI agent Evelyn Morgan vows revenge against her nemesis, the assassin that planned the operation, Omar Ben Iblis. The trail leads to an old friend, well-connected and well-placed in Washington's political establishment. When he refuses to help, Morgan must scramble to find the pieces to the puzzle. While investigating, she discovers a vicious new menace, more cunning and deadly than anyone she has ever faced. Trained and mentored by Ben Iblis, this new threat has already struck her family, and if Morgan doesn't act quickly, she'll be the talented protégé's next victim.

A Guest Post from J.L. Austgen!!!

Thank you very much for hosting me today!

One of the greatest things I enjoy about being an author is engaging with readers. It was a little strange at first, shortly after my first novel was published, getting used to the idea that people were interested in asking questions and discussing characters and issues I created. With the publication of Muckross Folly, though, I've grown used to it. Invariably, one of the most frequent questions I get when speaking with readers is, "How do you write a female heroine?"

I was taken aback the first time I heard the question. I mean, I get the idea that I'm a man, and men may not always understand women, but as an author, I understand characters. And while my wife may argue I view Evelyn Morgan as more than a character, at her core, that's what she is. That's where I started. It was the transformation and development of this character into a woman which sometimes surprises even myself. That's a rather long-winded expansion on my standard answer, which goes something like, "It's a challenge." Which it is. But I'm not sure it's anything particularly special. Of course, I have several fantastic female editors, who I can't thank enough. Particularly my wife. On several occasions, she's read initial drafts of passages, shaken her head, and said, "There's no woman in the world who would say that." Or do that. Or think that. So I suppose a lot of my success in crafting Evelyn goes back to the ongoing education I receive from all of my female friends, my editors, and my wife.

I suppose I should start preparing myself for the inevitable "How do you write a female villain?" (Because there's a nasty one in Muckross Folly.) But I haven't gotten that question yet, and the novel was published over sixty days ago. I'm not sure what that says about how women are perceived.

I sincerely hope you enjoy Muckross Folly, and please read the first novel in the series Keyser Run. I would also love to hear from you at Facebook, on Goodreads, or on my site http://www.jlaustgen.com.