Hi! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, Well My name is Bradley Noll, I go by the pen name Nollen Bradley. I’m 46 years old, married 2 grown boys and a daughter in law. I’m a former paramedic and do a little bit of farming here in the Northeastern part Kansas.
Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?
I just want to say thanks for their support. Guardian Unforgiven is my first book and I can say that I have been surprised by how well it has been doing. I am greatly appreciative, I would like to tell them not to forget to sign up for my mailing list at my website nollenbradley.com. I have some great books coming out in the next six months that I wouldn’t want anyone to miss.
Can you tell us, in your own words not the book description, a little about your book?
It’s a book of deception, a description of lies we tell ourselves to justify our mistakes or flaws. But, knowing someday it will come back and we will have to face the consequences.
It reinforces the old saying that ‘No man is an island’ because our decisions do affect others.
It makes a statement, that sometimes, just like real life, We can do everything right and still fail.
It explores the reality that we only show others what we want them to see and how not being honest with yourself causes a lot of dominos to fall even when the intension is honorable.
Can you tell us about your main character?
Mark Melbourne, is the main character. He is mostly quiet, strong, smart and owns a veterinarian clinic in a small town in Kansas, Working with ranchers and farmers. We find out early on that it may appear he has the world at hand, but secrets cause him to enter a life changing situation with some heavy baggage.
Mark is someone who can accept anything that life and others do to him, only he can’t let go of his own mistakes.
He has always been pushed into making the hard decisions. Not because he chose to be there, but others and circumstances always seem to place him in the situation.
Which came first for you, the characters or the plot?
For me the plot seems to be the first thing that hits me. As I think about the story further then characters appear and develop.
What was the inspiration for this novel?
I was baling hay in a field surrounded by trees late one evening just about dark. Now, on this property is part of the Old Fort Leavenworth Road that settlers took back in the old west and there is an old settlers cemetery just off in the timber from this field I was in.
I got out of the tractor cab to fix something on the baler when I had the over whelming feeling that something was watching me and I needed to leave, NOW!
SO… I placed everything up off the ground and got back in the tractor and headed home. But, the timber road I had to go down to get home passed right by the cemetery and the neighboring property had an old rock abandoned house on it visible from the road I was on. Which happened to be the focal point of many of my Dad’s ghost stories when I was a kid.
It was strange, bad vibes that night.
When did you realize that you would like to write and publish a book?
I was twenty-two years old and on top of a three-story building running a cardiac arrest on a patient. While intubating the patient and securing the tube, I thought just for several seconds that I should write a book about these experiences. I have thought about it on and off throughout the years ever sense.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Wow, the challenges were… myself. That was my first obstacle. There is so many things out there and so much information it just takes a lot of time sorting through all the, for lack of better words… Fluff. (insert any cuss word you’d like)
Then determining which marketing strategy would get the most bang for the bucks.
Oh, and let’s not forget the hours spent figuring out computer formatting from Mobi, Epub, word Dox. Designing a cover, getting the cover in the right format with the least amount of Mega bites. Needless to say, there are plenty of challenges to overcome.
I know authors get asked this a lot but do you have any advice that you would give to aspiring writers?
The best advice is to write the book! Make a writing schedule every day and do something on marketing every day as well. Once the book is written edit… edit… edit…
Give everything you have to the project. It feels over whelming at times just take it one step at a time and every step you take is a step forward.
Remember most of the information about publishing and writing is not there to help the author. Look for authors that have proven success, pay attention to what they did to get to where they are at.
If you are self-published, why did you decide to take this route of publishing?
I think everyone knows that the days of large advances from signing with a publisher are over. That is unless you are already a celebrity of some sort. I learned from the music industry that you only get a contract, when you don’t need one.
You have to build your platform yourself before you will get any interest from a major company, they need a sure thing and there is no reason to wait in today’s world of self-publishing. Now, there are a lot of publishing companies that will put your book out there for 30 – 40% but they expect you to do all the marketing. I figure if I’m going to have to do the work I might as well get the money for it. Not to mention the fact you get such a higher percentage of the royalties by being both author and publisher.
Can we expect more novels from you in 2017?
Yea, the second book in the Guardian Unforgiven series is due out in December of this year and the third should be released by June 2018.
Random Quickies!
Pepsi or coke?
Coke
Favorite kind of chocolate?
White Chocolate, I had a bad experience with Chocolate Snapp’s once.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Do you own a laptop or desktop computer?
Laptop, easier to move and take with me.
If a laptop, what kind do you own and would you recommend it to other authors?
HP has been a good one for me. Though you need to have a MAC to get your book on ibooks.
Guardian Unforgiven
Book One
Nollen Bradley
Genre: Werewolf Erotic Thriller
Date of Publication: 7-05-2017
ASIN: 9781521565940
Number of pages: 241
Word Count: 81,290
Cover Artist: Nollen Bradley
Book Description:
Family secrets are hard to hide, sometimes they claw their way out.
The werewolf, most believe to be folklore or legend. For centuries, the existence of werewolves were kept secret and guarded by a warrior class of lycan descended from a fierce ancient line known as the Guardians. These Guardians, sworn to uphold the peace between the wolf and humans. But, some werewolves not satisfied with living in secrecy start lashing out, hunting and killing all with the ancient gene to push humanity into extinction.
Now, only a few descendants are left with the cursed bloodline, some don’t even know they have it…
Excerpt
4
"... Warmed by the fire but
still soaked from the rain. I feel her fingernails gently scratch my back,
starting from my right scapula, diagonally down to my doused jeans. The
tingling pain released unknown desire. As her hands moved, placing them on my
shoulders, she stepped closer to me. The moment her body touched mine, her feel
was different than before. Warmer, delicate but commanding."
About the Author:
Nollen Bradley is a pen name for Bradley Noll an American author residing near Leavenworth Kansas. The married, father of two grown children is new to the published author scene even though he has been writing song lyrics, poems and short stories all of his life.
Brad grew up on a farm outside of Winchester Kansas learning the value of hard work. Following college, Brad spent twelve years as a Paramedic until his second back surgery ending his successful career where he received several letters of commendation.
Brad spent time farming in his off days feeling the everyday pressures of the weather, markets and juggling the debt that is associated with large business. Brad also spent several years as an amateur Rodeo Clown (Bullfighter) working several local rodeos in the IPRA circuit. All the while, continuing to write songs and preform at local venues. Following a music CD he produced named “Make Believe” with eleven of his original songs and while in the process of producing his second Album he realized his talent was more suited for writing then music.
Brad takes the experience from the sweat stinging his eyes from the heat on a hot July day in Kansas. The heartache from having to tell a parent or a child that their loved one has died and there was nothing he could do, to the struggles of trying to pursue a dream and watching it crumble in front of him.
Brad has developed a style that draws on real life experiences to provided exciting yet believable story lines that captivate readers. Writing unbelievable tales with the realism of the struggles from everyday life in the painful cookie cutter suburban age.
Thanks for the Interview and Spotlight.
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