Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson - blog tour and giveaway

Hank and Norm were living the good life: two friends with plenty of money, homes in a lovely California retirement town, and no problems except for the boredom that felt almost fatal. Then Mai came into the picture, the love of Hank’s life during his CIA days in Saigon, desperately needing his help to save the son he’d never known he had. Boredom was over, as Hank and Norm hit the road, following the few clues Mai could give them in search of a man who desperately wants not to be found. What they find is a slew of lies and hidden truths, strange characters, improbable danger that has them fighting to survive, and the happy lesson that their lives are far from over.

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Terra Nova Books (June 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948749009
ISBN-13: 978-1948749008
ASIN: B07HFJ4WKY

Son of Saigon is now available to purchase on Amazon as an e-book and print, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.

Book Giveaway Contest!
To win a copy of the book Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 19th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author:
David Myles Robinson grew up in Pasadena, CA. He holds degrees from San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco School of Law. After practicing law for thirty-eight years in Honolulu, Hawaii, he retired with his wife, former Honolulu judge Marcia Waldorf, to Taos, NM. Robinson is the author of three previous novels: legal thrillers Tropical Lies and Tropical Judgments, and Unplayable Lie, a golf-related suspense novel.

Find David Online:

Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7027829.David_Myles_Robinson

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DMRobinsonWrite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson/

Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

WOW: David, I have enjoyed so many of your books. Let me begin by thanking your for choosing WOW! to help promote and spread the word about Son of Saigon! It's a pleasure working with you. I'm sure I asked this same question about your other books as well - I always find myself wondering: What sparked you to write this particular story with such sensitive themes?

David: I’m getting up there in years. I had just become eligible for Medicare and like my protagonist, Hank, I had begun to think more and more about mortality. At the same time, living in Taos, NM, I regularly ski and golf with friends who are well into their 70s. I decided to write a book about a couple of old guys. Assuming you have your health, you can either drift from day to day, overly aware of your age, as Hank and Norm were doing at the start of the novel, or you can decide to kick ass and keep on living. That’s what Hank and Norm ultimately chose to do. Because Vietnam had been a part of everyone’s life who is my age, it was a natural fit to include it in the story line. Basically, I refer to SON OF SAIGON as my middle finger salute to getting old.

WOW: That's awesome! I'm hoping to be a healthy old lady someday and really laughed quite a bit at the dialogue between Hank and Norm. This was a very enjoyable read.

How does social media play info your author marketing plan?

David: I think social media is critical for an unknown author with an independent publisher. I do have people who help me with marketing as I’d prefer to spend my time writing or otherwise having fun, but at their urging I try to post new blogs on my website on a fairly regular basis. I have a separate Facebook page for my writing. Blogs like this are a big help.

WOW: I love that social media even played a part in Son of Saigon - I kept thinking how hip and smart Hank and Norm are! How is retirement? Where was your most recent trip and what spurred you to go there?

David: Retirement is even better than I’d ever envisioned it would be. My wife and I are lucky in that we have enough money to do the things we love to do. This last year we travelled to Botswana (our twelfth trip to Sub-Saharan Africa), did a road trip to the west coast, went to Hawaii where I played in an annual charity golf event on Maui, and then did a river cruise in Europe. After living 40 years in Hawaii, I love road trips, and the road trip Hank and Norm set out on in the Sprinter RV was me living vicariously through them.

WOW: I'm seriously living vicariously through YOU right now - I can't wait to be retired! Sounds like you are still finding time for one fun activity each day (or more than one apparently). Any recent new found hobbies or loves as a result of your daily fun?

David: Probably too much fun. Taos is a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. In the winter I try to ski every other day and the rest of the year I golf, play pickle ball, hike, or travel. That is, when writing doesn’t get in the way.

WOW: Did you do anything differently this time as far as writing or publishing goes? What advice can you pass along?

David: I write because I love to write, and I would do it even if I wasn’t getting published. But it’s nice to have an audience and to watch the readership grow, which is why I invest in marketing people. I tend to write in spurts. If I can get engrossed in my story I will write for hours at a time, to the exclusion of all the other fun stuff I do. The hardest part is when I have the basic story written and it is time to roll up my sleeves and begin the long and sometimes onerous process of rewriting. The best advice I can pass along is far from original with me: write for yourself, not for others. Hopefully at some point what you have written out of love of writing will resonate with others.

"Write for yourself, not for others. Hopefully at some point what you have written out of love of writing will resonate with others."

WOW: I can see how you get engrossed in writing - I get engrossed in reading your work. I appreciate all your writing and re-writing, your books have always been very polished which makes them a joy to read! I hope you're working on the next book?

David: I have two novels currently in progress, which is unusual for me. I think it’s because I haven’t yet fully committed to either one. After all the traveling I’ve done this year, I need to reread the drafts to decide which one I should focus on. I also have a completed book of travel stories I’m trying to sell. I may decide to self-publish it.

WOW: I'm looking forward to reading your next book - regardless of how it is published, so instead of saying good bye, how about we say so long...for now? I have a feeling we will be hearing from you in the new year (if not sooner - hint hint)! Thank you for your time and for sharing with us today.

----------Blog Tour Dates

Monday, November 12th (TODAY) @ The Muffin
Author Interview & Giveaway
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, November 13th @ Cathy Stucker’s Selling Books
Cathy Stucker interviews retired lawyer and successful author David Myles Robinson about his latest novel Son of Saigon.
https://www.sellingbooks.com/

Wednesday, November 14th @ Bring on Lemons with Crystal Otto
Crystal Otto shares her thoughts on the latest novel by David Myles Robinson – is it a lemon or sweet lemonade? Readers can’t wait to find out!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson and shares her thoughts with readers at Coffee with Lacey. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn more about this page turning novel!
https://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, November 21st @ Bring on Lemons with Cathy Hansen
Wisconsin educator, mother, and business owner Cathy Hansen collaborates with her teenage daughter as they review and discuss the latest novel by David Myles Robinson. See what these ladies have to say about Son of Saigon.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 22nd @ Lisa Haselton
Lisa Haselton interviews David Myles Robinson about his latest work – Son of Saigon.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 23rd @ Author Anthony Avina
Fellow author Anthony Avina pens his fascinating review of David Myles Robinson’s latest novel Son of Saigon.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

Tuesday, November 27th @ Beverley A. Baird
Beverley A Baird reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson. Readers won’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more about this interesting novel.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, December 4th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles delights readers at World of My Imagination as she reviews the latest page turner by David Myles Robinson. You won't want to miss Nicole's thoughts about Son of Saigon.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 5th @ Bella Donna’s Books with Dawn Thomas
Dawn Thomas reads and reviews the latest novel by David Myles Robinson - stop by Bella Donna's Books to learn more about Son of Saigon.
http://belladonnasbooks.com/

Thursday, December 6th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Fellow author Madeline Sharples reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson. Don’t miss her thoughts about this latest novel.
http://madelinesharples.com/

Thursday, December 6th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Ashley Bass reviews David Myles Robinson's latest page turner, Son of Saigon.
Don't miss her insight and thoughts on this exciting new book!
https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/

Thursday, December 6th @ Cheekypee Reads and Reviews
Don't miss Cheekypee's review of David Myles Robinson's latest Son of Saigon.
http://cheekypeereadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 7th @ To Write or Not to Write
Sreevarsha Sreejith reviews Son of Saigon. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Sreevarsha and visit To Write or Not to Write.
http://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.co.at/

*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****

To win a copy of the book Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 19th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More »

4 comments blog tour, book blog tour, book tour, David Myles Robinson, mystery, old guys, son of saigon

David Myles Robinson launches his blog tour of The Pinochet Plot

...and giveaway!

Successful San Francisco attorney Will Muñoz has heard of the brutal former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, of course, but it's not until he receives his mother's suicide letter that he has any inkling Pinochet may have had his father, Chilean writer Ricardo Muñoz, assassinated thirty years earlier.

Her suspicions spur Will on to a quest to discover the truth about his father's death–and about the psychological forces that have driven his mother to her fatal decision. His journey takes him deep into unexpected darkness linking his current step-father, the CIA, drug-experimentation programs, and a conspiracy of domestic terrorism. The Pinochet Plot is not just a story of a man seeking inner peace; it is also a story of sinister history doomed to repeat itself.

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Terra Nova Books (May 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1938288203
ISBN-13: 978-1938288203

The Pinochet Plot  is available for purchase in print and as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

About the Author:

David Myles Robinson grew up in Pasadena, CA. He holds degrees from San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco School of Law. After practicing law for thirty-eight years in Honolulu, Hawaii, he retired with his wife, former Honolulu judge Marcia Waldorf, to Taos, NM. Robinson is the author of three previous novels: legal thrillers Tropical Lies and Tropical Judgments, and Unplayable Lie, a golf-related suspense novel.

Find David Online:

Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38825244-the-pinochet-plot

Twitter: @DMRobinsonWrite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson/


-----Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

WOW:  Thank you so much for choosing WOW to help promote your writing. This is such an honor. So, do tell...lawyer, husband, judge, author - let's talk about distractions. Where do you find the time and how do you focus on the task at hand? What aspects of your life work well together and which do not?

David: When I was practicing law in Honolulu, which I did for 38 years, it was hard to find the time to write a novel. My wife, whom I met in law school in San Francisco, had been appointed to the trial court by the Governor, and I was running my own law firm. Our lives were busy and often stressful. Once we were financially able to do so, we began to travel the world, which was our stress relief.

I did complete a novel about 20 years ago. It was a legal thriller premised on the true story which I ultimately used as the basis for my later novel, Tropical Lies. But the novel I wrote way back then was just awful. The writing was stilted from writing too many legal briefs and memoranda of law. I wrote it mostly in the middle of the night and on weekends. I was proud to have finished it, but then I dumped it and didn’t attempt to write another novel until after I retired, in 2010.

I’ve been pretty prolific since retirement. My first published novel, Unplayable Lie, was a true labor of love. It’s a golf-related suspense novel (I purposely stayed away from writing a legal novel). It was well received by those who read it and that gave me the confidence to keep writing. I now have four published novels and two completed novels which are scheduled to be published later this year.

WOW:  Sounds like writing has always played an important part of your life. What sparked this particular political incident?

David: I had written two Pancho McMartin legal thrillers in a row and I wanted to do something different. Obama was President and the political discourse as we moved into the 2016 elections was rapidly deteriorating. I thought about all the countries which don’t allow political dissent and in too many instances dissenters are jailed or even assassinated. Chile under Pinochet came to mind, although there are far too many candidates, including modern day Russia. Then I thought about America’s own attempts over the years to suppress voters and to oppress minority groups.

From those dark thoughts sprung the idea for a novel drawing from our own fully stocked smorgasbord of atrocities. That said, I hope I’ve made the story entertaining and less depressing than it may sound.

WOW: As someone who has read The Pinochet Plot, I can attest that it is very entertaining and not depressing. Now let's talk about passion.  One of your passions is travel - where is your favorite destination and why?

David: My wife and I have been to all seven continents, including twelve times to sub-Saharan Africa. My all time favorite was our first trip to Botswana. There were only five of us in the group with a guide, driver, and cook. We slept in two-person tents and carried our own sleeping bags. The animal life was abundant, and we didn’t see any other tourists for the entire ten days or so we were in the bush. Since then, our safaris have been much more civilized and, unfortunately, more structured. We still travel with two of the five people we met on that trip back in 1989.

My wife’s favorite trip was to Antarctica, which comes in second on my list.

WOW: I'm laughing about Antarctica since my mother would threaten to send me there if I didn't do my childhood chores, so it clearly has never crossed my mind as a travel destination. Thank you for making me see it in a new light.

You are clearly very busy personally and professionally. How do you find time for writing? What advice would you give other writers struggling with balance?

David: I’m not busy professionally any more as I am fully retired. Nowadays, I don’t find time for writing – the writing finds time for me. Once I’m hot into a novel I can go almost non-stop, pushing all the other fun distractions aside. When I’m not in the middle of something, I will often toy around with poetry or my website blog, but I don’t stress over whether I’ve written so many words on any given day.

I wouldn’t be so bold as to give advice to other writers. If you love to write, then write. When I was working I’d get up at two in the morning and write for a couple hours. Then I’d go back to bed and get up at 6:30 to go to work. I did that because I had to write. I’m not saying what I wrote at 2am was good, but it was writing, which is what I wanted to do.

WOW: I think it's worth repeating "I don't find time for writing - the writing finds time for me" - that's perfectly stated! Thank you for sharing.

How did you map out The Pinochet Plot? Did you do an outline before hand? What is your writing process and can you explain why it works well for you?

David: Part of the fun of writing, for me, is to not work with an outline. I love to write the scenes I have mapped out in my head, usually while lying in bed the night before, and then, as I come to the end of those scenes, I’d ask myself “what if this happened?” I’d let my imagination run wild with alternative scenarios. On many occasions I’ve written myself into corners from which there was no escape other than to go back and start over. I think I spent too many years while I was practicing law being precise and fastidious in terms of presenting a case. When I’d write a brief, I’d have all my case law lined up and I’d know exactly how the brief would start and finish. Boooring. Now I’m free to let my creativity fly.

WOW: Speaking of conversations that we have with ourselves,  what advice would you give to your younger self or what advice would the younger you be giving to your current self?

David: I think I’ve lived my life as well as I could ever have imagined it. I did make a vow to myself many years back when I was working long hours and was quite stressed: do at least one thing that is fun every single day.

WOW: Great advice - who doesn't love to have fun?

Who has been most supportive in your writing and publishing journey and how so?

David: My wife, Marcia Waldorf, has been my best friend since we met in law school and won’t throw any punches if she reads something of mine that doesn’t work. But when she likes something of mine, she’s my biggest cheerleader. Also, as a retired criminal judge, Marcia is my resource for criminal procedure in my legal thrillers.

WOW: What's next for you - personally and/or professionally?

David: Keep writing and keep having fun.

WOW: Speaking of fun, you know how much we love reading here at WOW, so I must ask, what is your favorite book and why? Or if you prefer - favorite author and why?

David: My favorite book of all time is Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. I’m a huge Kurt Vonnegut fan, and The Pinochet Plot is, in my own way, a tribute to Vonnegut. It’s unabashedly political and I’ve borrowed a technique I remember him using wherein he would interrupt the story to talk directly to the reader. I think Dostoyevsky knew more about the human psyche than most authors, and I keep meaning to go back and read The Brothers Karamozov again. Barbara Kingsolver’s Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favorites as well. And, of course, I grew up reading everything Hemingway ever published.

WOW: Thank you ever so much for your fun and thoughtful interview responses. This is going to be a delightful tour; it's a pleasure working with you David! 

----------Blog Tour Dates

Monday, May 7th @ The Muffin
Author Interview and Giveaway
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

Tuesday, May 8th @ Word Nerd Media
Today, Elizabeth at Word Nerd Media reviews The Pinochet Plot by David Myles Robinson and interviews Robinson about his latest novel.
https://www.wordnerdmedia.com/

Wednesday, May 9th @ The Page Turner
Kayla at The Page Turner reviews the latest novel by David Myles Robinson. Don't miss her thoughts on the fast paced mystery The Pinochet Plot.
https://www.thepageturner.org/

Thursday, May 10th @ The Nerdy Bookcase
Molly delights readers at The Nerdy Bookcase as she reviews The Pinochet Plot - the latest novel by David Myles Robinson.
http://thenerdybookcase.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 14th @ Bring on Lemons with Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Crystal from WOW! shares her thoughts about the thrilling new novel by David Myles Robinson. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about The Pinochet Plot.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, May 15th @ Bella Donnas Books with Dawn Thomas
Dawn Thomas reviews The Pinochet Plot for readers at Bella Donnas Books.
http://belladonnasbooks.com/

Friday, May 18th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles reviews The Pinochet Plot by David Myles Robinson
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 18th @ To Write or Not to Write
Sreevarsha Sreejith reviews The Pinochet Plot.  Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Sreevarsha and visit To Write or Not to Write.
http://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.co.at/

Tuesday, May 22nd @ Lisa Haselton
Lisa Haselton interviews David Myles Robinson about his latest mystery The Pinochet Plot.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 28th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey reviews the latest thriller by David Myles Robinson - readers will be at the edge of their seat with The Pinochet Plot.
http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, May 29th @ Writings By Renee
Fellow author Renee Sanchez reviews the latest novel by David Myles Robinson. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about The Pinochet Plot.
https://www.writingsbyrenee.com/blog

Wednesday, May 30th @ Bring on Lemons with Cathy Contino
Bring on Lemons welcomes guest blogger Cathy Contino as she reviews The Pinochet Plot - the latest best selling novel by David Myles Robinson.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 31st @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Fellow author Madeline Sharples reviews David Myles Robinson's latest novel The Pinochet Plot.
http://madelinesharples.com/

Keep up with the latest stops by following us on twitter @WOWBlogTour.

*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****

Enter to win a copy of The Pinochet Plot by David Myles Robinson! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway contest closes Sunday, May 13th, at 12am. We will choose a winner the same day. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More »

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