Author Interview1. Who is the plot based around?
There are two parallel stories--one that tells the story of a young attorney named Alexandra and a second plot around a successful businessman named Marc. I originally started to build the story around Marc and have Alexandra be a character who comes into Marc’s life. However, I thought it would be much more interesting for the story to follow both characters. By doing so, the readers is much more familiar with both characters when their lives intersect.
2. What is the main idea of the plot?
The theme is that we think we are in control of our lives, then every once in a while something happens which makes you realize that you were never in control. That’s “the illusion of certainty.” This takes the form of illness, sudden death, the breaking apart of a marriage and reversals of fortunes in business. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of the economic downturn of 2008 which creates more uncertainty.
3. When does the plot take place?
The story spans the years from 2007-2010.
4. Where does the plot take place?
It mostly occurs in Portland, Oregon.
5. Why did the plot develop the way it did?
The first part of the book introduces you to the characters and there are sudden developments which really change the direction of the main character’s lives. I tried to bring various forms of adversity into the character’s lives without the whole first part being a real downer. The second part of the story deals largely with the aftermath and consequences of some of the things which occur in the first part of the book. A marriage ruined by an unfaithful partner, the economic downturn and the lose of a job and the sudden death of one of the main characters are among the challenges faced by the two main characters--Alex and Marc. The third part of the book is how they overcome the uncertainties that have devastated their lives. Ultimately, they find redemption and each other. It is finally about the healing power of love despite heartbreak that can come from the uncertainty nature of life.
6. How did you come up with the idea for the plot?
In my own life and in others, I have been amazed at how things can suddenly change for any one of us. We may think we have things under control but it is only an illusion. I was diagnosed with cancer before I began writing this book. I marveled and how that changed my life. All of the things I thought were important before now did not seem that significant. Fortunately, I have been cancer-free for almost two years and I am doing well. However, we all must come to grips with the idea that uncertainty is always a factor and can suddenly change us.
Book Summary
The Illusion of Certainty follows two parallel storylines. Marc is a successful businessman who seems to have everything—a great job, a beautiful wife, a house in an upscale neighborhood of Portland, Oregon and two great kids who are preparing for college. But something is not right. Marc is unsettled by the sudden change in his wife, Aimee, who seems distant and unhappy. What’s going on with her?
The second storyline involves a successful young attorney, Alexandra Mattson. Alex, as she is called by her friends, meets a handsome young cop, Sean, during an unexpected crisis in her neighborhood. Sean and Alex seem made for each other and begin to merge their futures in a world of uncertainty.
The only certainty in life is that we will face uncertainty. Despite all of the technology and controls available in the modern world, sometimes the only comfort comes from the human touch.
Price: $14.99 for softcover and $2.99 for e book
# of Pages: 323
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing
Release Date: September 14, 2011
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Certainty-Modern-Romance-ebook/dp/B005N49270/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327210088&sr=1-3
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-illusion-of-certainty-greg-messel/1104533824?ean=9781936750528&box=978-1936750528&pos=-1&ugrp=2&
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-illusion-certainty-a-modern/id460389613?mt=11
Author BioGreg Messel has written three novels and three unpublished memoirs. He published his premiere novel “Sunbreaks” in 2009, followed by “Expiation” in 2010 and “The Illusion of Certainty” in 2011. He currently is completely his fourth novel “The Last of the Seals.” Greg has had a newspaper career as a columnist, sportswriter and news editor. He won a Wyoming Press Association Award as a columnist. Greg also spent many years in the corporate world as a Financial Manager. He now devotes his energies to writing at his home in Edmonds, Washington on the Puget Sound just north of Seattle, where he lives with his wife, Carol.
Connect with Greg:
Website URL: www.gregmessel.com
Facebook URL: www.facebook.com/greg.messel
Twitter URL: @gregmessel
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