Port Macquarie author JJ Byrnes is on cloud nine after the recent release of his debut thriller novel In for a Pound.
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Making his way to live in Port Macquarie more than five years ago, he said his passion for writing has been a long time coming.
“Writing is my way of exploring another world and to be honest being able to write a book and get it published has been one of the most satisfying things I have ever done,” Mr Byrnes said.
“My published book is actually the second one in the series but I learnt a lot writing the first and got a lot better.
“In the future I would love to publish the first one as a prequel and I have also already written the third book so who knows what will happen.”
Mr Byrnes said the book is very plot driven and action packed but will keep the reader guessing right until the end.
“My writing style doesn’t dwell on people’s feeling much. Its not Shakespeare but rather focuses on lots of plot and action,” he said.
“The book is set in the 1970s and I have really tried to capture the times. I love history and an fascinated by past events.
“The book really tries to encapsulate the tumultuous nature of world events during the 1960s and 1970s and I think you can certainly draw parallels to current world events.”
The book introduces readers to Sam Leach, a gangster’s daughter in her early twenties.
Brought up the hard way in inner-city slums, raised on the streets and passed between relatives whose approach ranged from indifferent to depraved, she knows what it’s like to feel lonely and let down.
A self-made entrepreneur trading in illegal substances, she likewise knows the value of loyalty and friendship, and she’s smart enough to know her luck won’t last forever.
Her longtime friend and business partner is kidnapped by vicious drug dealers in Northern Thailand and the book focuses on the fact she’ll do anything to get her friend back, including enlisting the aid of a damaged Special Forces veteran.
“The book was first published at the start of October and I am now going to be doing an author talk at the Port Macquarie library and a book signing at Book Face.
“It is all very exciting and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
To see JJ Byrnes head to Book Face on October 27 at 11am or the Port Macquarie Library on November 6 at 10.30am.
