Q&A with author Henry Mosquera & A Give Away

You might remember that I recenly reviewed Sleeper’s Run and I really enjoyed it. After I sent my review link to the rep she contacted me with the opportunity to do a Q&A with Henry and I jumped at the chance to do it.

So please let me welcome Henry to Cindy’s Love of Books.

About the author:

Henry Mosquera is a writer and artist born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended the University of Miami, Florida, where he obtained a double major in Graphic Design and Film. He enjoys researching his novels, including gaining first-hand knowledge of some of his characters’ skills. Henry currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, dog and cat. Sleeper’s Run is his first novel. www.sleepers-run.com

To start off, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?  How did
you become interested in writing suspense novels?

Henry: Of course. I’m a writer and artist born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I
studied film and graphic design at University of Miami. I’m married and
currently work as a freelance graphic artist in Los Angeles.
I became interested in writing thrillers because I like to tell stories, no
matter the medium. It could be through film, books, graphic novels, video
games; I just enjoy creating. I love the genre and I had been playing with a
few ideas in my mind, which I thought would make for a great novel. So, I
rolled up my sleeves and almost four years later I find myself as an author.

Can you tell us a little about your novel, Sleeper’s Run?

Henry: “Sleeper’s Run” is about Eric Caine, a self-destructive War on Terror
veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. A chance encounter
helps him straighten out his life and find a new job that takes him back to
Venezuela, the country of his childhood (Eric is half-American and half-Venezuelan). Once there, he gets tangled up in an international conspiracy that threatens the very future of the government. Eric has to outwit a team of assassins while trying to uncover the truth in a world in which nothing is what it seems.

What inspired you to write Sleeper’s Run?  How much research was involved
in the writing?

Henry: The book was inspired by a combination of things: a few ideas I had to write
a thriller, the current political situation in Venezuela, and a interest in
history and global matters.

Research was extensive as the novel is based on non-fiction sources; even the
more farfetched elements. Books, articles and documentaries became the basis
of the research. I also used my knowledge of certain topics like martial
arts, traveling, the military, etc. Not satisfied with that, I went the extra
yard and took urban survival classes, flying lessons, weapons training and a
few other helpful skills. Whenever possible I picked the brains of people
who either teach or experience things related to the story. It was a fun,
educational and eye-opening process.

Can you share with us any projects that you are currently working on or
plans for the future? What can fans expect next from you?

Henry: Currently, I’m devoted to promoting “Sleeper’s Run.” I do have a few novels
I’m working on in different genres, but they are taking a backseat for the
moment. My plan is to keep creating; you give me a medium and I’ll give you
a story. I have so many things I’d like to do, but they all depend on the
opportunities I encounter in the future.

What are your favorite authors? Novels?

Henry: My favorite authors right now: Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Carlos Ruiz Zafón,
Frederick Forsyth and John le Carré.

A few of my favorite novels: Shogun, Treasure Island, The Brief Wondrous
life of Oscar Wao, The Day of the Jackal, Six Days of the Condor, The Spy
Who Came in From the Cold, The Queen of the South, the Captain Alatriste
saga, The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel’s Game, Dracula, The Alchemist,
World War Z and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Today I am lucky to have one copy of Sleeper’s Run to give to one lucky reader of mine.

So for some reason the form isn’t working so if you would like to enter this contest please leave me with a comment about why you would love to read this book with your email address.

Contest runs from today, October 20th to Thursday October 27th.

Good luck everyone.