Blog Tour: LINE OF SIGHT by Paul G. Wright

 

LINE OF SIGHT

Paul G. Wright

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:  Mystery

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

It is 1995, and intelligence operative Lora Chandler, a.k.a. Agent Vogel, is tasked with investigating the claim that Professor Simon Blackmarr has cracked the invisibility problem. A mission that leads her back to the half-forgotten beach town of Lancaster, Florida. Home to estranged love interest, and newspaper reporter Richard Davis. Her feelings for him have never really died, and matters become even more complicated when Vogel learns that Blackmarr's breakthrough is legitimate. A scientific discovery that —in the wrong hands — could alter the balance of global power. The stakes become even higher when the professor is abducted from the university, forcing Vogel back into the shadowy realm of espionage to find out who and why. It will take all the skill and cunning Lora Chandler possesses to stop a threat that could have devastating consequences for her personal life — and the world at large.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Excerpt Two:

 

Professor Simon Blackmarr was a modest man who did not enjoy giving lectures. He never quite knew what to say and needed everything written down. His notes frequently got jumbled and he tended to lose his place, often leaving him searching through papers in the middle of an important point.

 

Giving speeches was not his strong suit and he preferred the classroom, where he could dialogue with his students. Or better still, the laboratory, where he could focus his attention on solving a single problem. No distractions, no interruptions, just the work. Time would simply melt away.

 

Unfortunately, the university required these talks. Once a semester, he was expected to give a detailed account of his research and report his findings. It was as dull for him as it was for the poor souls who attended. Turnout was usually sparse—just faculty and those students currently taking his classes. Occasionally, some of his peers dropped in, and now and then a few curious civilians, but not much more.

 

Tonight, promised to be no different.

 

 

He’d made an interesting discovery that could have some unique applications, but it was still in the earliest stages. Further research and further testing were required before a final analysis could be reached. Which was why he disliked mentioning it.

 

But it was required.

 

Simon sighed as he looked over the handwritten pages and adjusted his spectacles. He could be home watching TV now or taking a walk. He stood in the wings as Dr. Stewart introduced him. Dr. Stewart spoke in a stiff monotone and was shaped like a pear. Blackmarr didn’t care for her. She waddled when she moved and was never satisfied with any answer you gave her.

 

“And now without further ado,” wheezed Stewart. “Professor Simon Blackmarr.”

 

He looked upward and winced. On with the show.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finding New Challenges

Before Line of Sight, I’d never written a spy-thriller. Most of my previous work, including my debut novel A College Story, was more character-driven and grounded in personal experience. Shifting gears to write a high-stakes, fast-paced thriller was both intimidating and exciting. The genre demanded I raise the stakes, tighten the pacing, and make every moment count. All of which pushed me to grow as a writer.

For example, I had to figure out how to create satisfying twists while still leaving enough clues for readers to connect the dots. One scene that stands out in my memory has Agent Vogel, the protagonist, confronting her fear of heights. The setting—a precarious catwalk—was designed to amplify the tension, creating a moment full of claustrophobia and psychological challenges. Writing it was a balancing act. I wanted to make the action realistic and visceral, but I also needed to highlight Vogel’s emotional state. I wanted readers to see her as a real person, facing real fears, rather than a kind of superhero. I rewrote that scene several times before I felt it accurately captured this moment. Looking back, it reminds me how rewarding it can be to push through challenges in the creative process.

Agent Vogel was inspired by one of my closest friends from high school. She’s a tomboyish, no-nonsense type with a sharp wit and an unshakable sense of determination. A true force to be reckoned with. Writing a character who embodied so much of her personality felt like a way to celebrate our friendship and the adventures we’ve shared over the years.

I also drew inspiration from James Bond, classic thrillers, and television series like The Equalizer. When I hit a creative roadblock, I would ask myself: how would those writers handle this situation? What would they do to keep the tension high and the reader engaged? This process not only motivated me to push through difficult moments but also challenged me to stretch further as a storyteller. I wanted to strike a balance between adrenaline-pumping action and meaningful character moments, which gave the book its own unique identity.

Now that I’ve started work on a sequel to Line of Sight, I find myself drawing on the lessons I learned during that experience. I want to continue raising the stakes and crafting intricate, tightly woven plots that keep readers hooked. I’m also excited to revisit Agent Vogel. The new book will delve deeper into her background, introducing new layers to her character and new challenges that test her in unexpected ways. It will also bring fresh faces into her world, adding new dynamics to explore.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from writing Line of Sight is that stepping out of your comfort zone as a writer can lead to some of your most fulfilling work. It’s a lesson I’ll carry with me, not just into my next book, but into everything I write.

— Paul G. Wright

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Paul G. Wright is a native of Atlanta, GA. He has worked as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and screenwriter. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actors Theater and earned his degree in filmmaking from Columbia College Hollywood, in Tarzana, CA. He currently resides in the Atlanta area with his wife and their cat Dusty.

 

Website: https://www.paulgwright.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulwrightauthor/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-G.-Wright/author/B08LYG7V88

 

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Line-Sight-Paul-G-Wright/dp/0228633524

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY 

Paul G. Wright will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.