Monday, November 17, 2014

"The Stranger's Enigma" by Louis Villalba

INTERVIEW
The Stranger's Enigma
by Louis Villalba


Author Louis Villalba joins me today for an interview about his book The Stranger's Enigma.

Description
Dr. Daniel Brandon falls victim of tedious home life and relentless job stress and finds his nightly dreams his only escape. Convinced that the protagonist of his dreams holds the secret of eternal youth and joy, he decides to study him and unveil the enigma. He finds a stranger who resembles him physically, but unlike him, enjoys sexual freedom and adventures. His dreams steer him into true love and takes him through a path where reality and dreams merge into a surreal world. Here his final search for the enigma begins.
This novel engages readers in a romantic adventure full of fantasies. The main characters' funny responses to the situations and sense of humor unfold throughout this thought-provoking story.

Praise for the Book
"Told from Daniel's perspective, Villalba's novel is a provocative ... character study of a man facing a personal and professional crisis. The first-person narration brings immediacy to Daniel's story and allows readers to have the same wonder and confusion Daniel experiences in his dreams. His romance with Julie adds an extra layer of emotional depth .... Like his protagonist, Villalba has a vivid imagination ... " ~ Kirkus Reviews
"It is an interesting journey on how to find your eternal bliss, if it exists at all. The author takes you through the labyrinth of emotions, dreams, and mind riddles. You never know where you would end up until the very end. The story expands into different dimensions and spaces, from everyday life to philosophical substances and mind creations, to the world of dreams. I will be looking for more books from Louis Villalba." ~ Faina
"The Stranger's Enigma is a fascinating look at the world of dreams. [...] Read this book today to see how Dr. Daniel Brandon figures out a way to be with Julie forever. Very interesting concept, and very good book. I highly recommend this book. Happy Reading!" ~ Elizabeth

Interview With the Author
Hi Louis, thanks for joining me today to discuss your latest book, The Stranger's Enigma.
For what age group do you recommend your book?
Older than 20 years old.
What sparked the idea for this book?
The observation we always look young and - most of the time - happy in our dreams.
Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
The idea.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
This is an experimental novel. It was hard to put together a engaging story in a book which is entirely based on true dreams.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
I want them to have fun and enjoy a nice story - and then realize what we can learn from the person who lives in our dreams.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Three years.
What is your writing routine?
Write in the morning and afternoon and read in the evening every day.
How did you get your book published?
I self-published it.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Work hard, be patient, and have confidence in yourself that someday your voice will be heard.
Great advice! What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Walking and swimming. I like music, jazz, flamenco.
What does your family think of your writing?
They don’t seem interested.
That's too bad. Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I grew up in Spain in a family with very limited resources. My father was a security guard and I had five siblings.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
Yes, I usually read the Reader’s Digest. In my school, the teacher did not stimulate reading literary works.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Thirteen years ago.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
Yes. We always go back to our childhood in our dreams.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
That's quite a list! Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I usually get good ratings.
Fantastic. What can we look forward to from you in the future?
I have just finished a new novel.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, Louis. Best of luck with your upcoming book.

About the Author
Born in Cadiz, Spain, Louis Villalba graduated with a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Seville, Spain. He completed his training in neurology at Chicago Medical School where he taught for over thirty years. Board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology, he has published seventy-three scientific papers and book chapters over the course of his career.
Inspired to pursue both fiction and nonfiction writing, Villalba studied creative writing at Northwestern University. His first book for the public, The Silver Teacup: Tales of Cadiz was published in 2012 and contains short stories of historical fiction. Villalba left the practice of neurology to write full time. The Stranger's Enigma is his latest release.

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