It is very exciting to have Josh86722 with us to feature their book Before Blood And Ash as our next Book of the Month! Underneath you can find the next interview where we talked about the author and their story!

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AUTHOR BIO

New writer, wanting to see if my book is a worthy read.

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PREMISE

Mike, a young boxer with a troubled past, chooses a life of crime under the influence of a ruthless crime lord, Glen. What begins as an attempt to provide for his family quickly spirals, costing him the people he loves most. Years later, Mike is a hardened enforcer, feared and infamous in Steel Town, but empty and haunted by the choices that led him there. As he's faced with a devastating order that cuts close to home, Mike must confront his own darkness and decide if redemption is worth risking everything — or if he's truly beyond saving.

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TEASER SCENE

Steel Town's streets were a maze of cold, gray shadows, but Mike Harlow knew them all by heart. At thirteen, he'd learned to move quietly, to avoid attention, and to keep his head down as he made his way home. Tonight, he carried a fresh cut on his cheekbone, a trophy from a fight with kids from down the street who'd tried to steal his backpack. He'd fought back hard—kicked, swung his fists, and landed a few good hits. But as always, he'd paid the price.

As he approached his apartment building, Mike felt a familiar twist in his stomach. He slowed his steps, glancing up at the cracked, grimy windows. The light in their living room was on, casting a faint, flickering glow onto the sidewalk. He braced himself as he walked up the stairs, every step bringing him closer to a place that, more than anything, felt like a trap.

Inside, the smell of stale cigarette smoke and alcohol hung heavy in the air. His father was there, hunched over on the couch with a bottle of whiskey in his hand, his gaze unfocused as he stared at the TV, though the sound was turned off. His father's face—once strong, maybe even kind—had been worn down by years of hard work and harder nights, his expression now nothing but bitterness.

Mike's hand froze on the door handle as his father turned to him, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the cut on Mike's cheek.

"What the hell happened to you?" his father slurred, the words sharp and thick with anger.

Mike forced himself to stay calm, his grip tightening on his backpack. "Just... some kids. They tried to take my stuff."

His father's eyes glinted with something dangerous. He pushed himself off the couch, his movements slow but menacing, each step making Mike's pulse quicken. "Tried to take your stuff?" He scoffed, taking a swig from his bottle before setting it down with a heavy clink. "And they did this to you?" His hand shot out, gripping Mike's chin roughly, forcing him to look up.

Mike swallowed, biting back the urge to pull away. "I fought back," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

His father's grip tightened, his fingers digging painfully into Mike's skin. "Fought back, huh?" He sneered, his voice laced with contempt. "Look at you. Pathetic." With a sudden, brutal force, he shoved Mike back, sending him stumbling. "You're out there acting like a damn weakling, letting those punks walk all over you."

Mike felt a rush of anger rise up, but he forced it down, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. He knew better than to argue.

"Come here," his father growled, his voice low and cold.

Mike hesitated, but he didn't have a choice. He took a step forward, his heart pounding in his chest as his father's hand shot out, gripping his shoulder hard. Before he could react, he felt the sharp sting of his father's open hand across his face, the impact making his head snap to the side. Pain flared through his cheek, but he didn't make a sound. He'd learned a long time ago that showing pain only made things worse.

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INTERVIEW

1. How did you start writing on Wattpad?

I saw it as an easy way to show my passion for writing when I did my research on it.

2. What was the inspiration for your submitted book? If you could describe your story in only three words, what would they be?

The inspiration was a character made up and never had a name I just had this character in my head, that was a good man but who fell into something bad and could never come back from it so I made it a book.

Gritty, sad, violent.

3. Which details or scenes in your submitted book are most unique and interesting to you?

Shows the impact his childhood would have on future acts and decisions.

4. If you were a character in your story, which one would you be and why?

I would just say a normal civilian trying to get by the town in my book has a law enforcement that just doesn't care it's heavily based of a the town from the game man hunt so I would be doing all I can to get by.

5. Do you intend to write another action book in the future? What advice would you give to other writers who wish to try writing as well?

The book I submitted is actually my second book and a prequel to my first book I just prefer this one. Do your own thing and be as original as you can be don't take to much inspiration on something that's already been made.

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And we end our amazing interview with Josh86722 here. Thank you for being with us this November. We all hope you all got to know the author like us and discovered some unique details about the story, Before Blood And Ash. We will see you next month with another amazing story!