Lisa: We’re so pleased to have author David C. Dawson joining us today on the tour to promote his latest release, The Deadly Lies, published by DSP Publications. Welcome, David! Let’s start with an easy one: what’s your favorite scene in The Deadly Lies, and what makes it a fave?
David: Dominic and Jonathan are on the beach in a wonderful gay friendly resort called Sitges near Barcelona in Spain. It’s nighttime, and they’re standing hand in hand, looking at the moon. They talk about two key ingredients for a successful long-term relationship, which is absolute honesty, and absolute trust. I like the scene because it goes to the heart of what the book is about. In the first book, reviewers felt uncomfortable about Jonathan’s need to have an open relationship. I’ve delved into this much more in this second book. I think there’s a lot to learn from successful, long-term gay relationships, and there are many, many of them around.
Lisa: Would you care to share an excerpt from the scene with us?
The Excerpt: Dominic and Jonathan stood side by side on the sand, sharing the beauty of the moonlight dappling the surface of the sea. The air was warm and still; the hubbub of Sitges nightlife sounded muted and distant. Dominic slipped his fingers through Jonathan’s, squeezed his hand tight, and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Jonathan.”
“What for?” he asked. “I haven’t done anything yet. I may yet need to protect you from the perils of the night. I anticipate we will imminently be attacked by international drug smugglers or carried off by white-slave traders to be sold in the markets of Morocco as the playthings of Arab oligarchs.”
Dominic laughed, rested his head on Jonathan’s shoulder, and watched the moon-silvered waves lap the shore.
“I think I want to say thank you for so many things. You make me very happy. And I feel guilty I wasn’t honest with you about this evening, or the meeting earlier—”
“What meeting earlier?” Jonathan turned to look at Dominic. “So your visit to the antiques shop was just a cover story, was it?” His face appeared severe, but Dominic was certain it was mock anger. He knew Jonathan too well.
“No, not entirely. I did go to the antiques shop, and I did find the gift for you I was looking for. But the reason I didn’t tell you about the meeting—”
“Dominic, stop.” Jonathan kissed him gently on the lips. “We all have convenient lies to tell from time to time. I am confident—no, more than that—I know you love me enough not to want to hurt me. I know there’s some good reason for your secrecy. I love you and I trust you. You don’t have to say any more.” He looked into Dominic’s eyes. “But if I find it’s another man—”
Lisa: What next, is there more to this series?
David: I’ve mapped out the story arc for the five in the series and I’m onto the third book. This one takes Dominic to Berlin, where he’s reunited with an important member of his family, who you’ll meet in the second book…
Meanwhile Jonathan is in grave danger, and Dominic is forced to choose between his husband and this family member.
I’ve just handed in the manuscript for a new romantic suspense to Dreamspinner Press. This book features two new characters, an Englishman called Rupert Pendley-Evans, and his American boyfriend Luke Diamond. Luke’s lost his memory, and has a dark secret he discovers about himself…
Lisa: If you could spend some real-life time with one of the characters in the book, who would you choose and why?
David: Jonathan. He’s a combination of several people I know who are great company. They are eternally optimistic, endlessly inventive, generous, witty, always curious about life, and enthusiastic to share their knowledge. Jonathan’s the first person you’d invite to a dinner party, and he would be impeccably behaved, as well as very flirty, if you took him home to your mother.
Lisa: What’s the best piece of writing/author advice you’ve ever received that you’d pass on to someone just getting started in the business?
David: Write. It’s essential to get that first draft out of your head and onto the pages. It will be imperfect, even hopelessly wrong. But then you can start working on it. As long as you try to turn it into a masterpiece in your head, it will never see the light of day. Mark Haddon, the brilliant author of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime said: “Most writers’ first drafts are not very good. What makes a good writer is the ability to edit.” I love the editing process. It’s like sculpting clay.
Lisa: What’s the one genre/sub-genre you haven’t written yet, but would love to? What’s kept you from it so far?
David: I want to write a musical, and I’ve got the idea for one. All I need is the time to set down the first draft. It’s a gay version of a classic story with Christmas connections. I aim to set some time aside this Christmas to write it. We have a fabulous little theatre in the heart of London that stages exclusively LGBTQ plays and musicals. I’m hoping to get it staged there.
Lisa: If you could choose one of your books to be adapted for the silver screen, which would you choose? Why do you think it would translate well to film?
David: This latest one; The Deadly Lies would work very well on the silver screen. It’s got great locations (San Francisco, Barcelona, London). And it’s got all the ingredients for a first rate movie thriller: car chases, murders, and some very sexy love interests. One minute, I hear the phone ringing. “Hello, Hollywood…?”
Lisa: If James Corden invited you to Carpool Karaoke, what song(s) would you sing with him?
David: Beyonce’s Single Ladies – we performed it in the London Gay Men’s Chorus, and then performed it in London Pride two years ago, dancing down Whitehall! Quite a sight to see.
My Way – when I was filming with a very senior businessman in Tokyo many years for a documentary. He invited the film crew to a karaoke bar, and then told me I had to sing, or I wouldn’t get an interview with him. I did My Way from memory, as the words on the karaoke machine were all in Japanese!
George Michael’s Freedom. It’s the one I sing in the shower when I think no one’s listening…
Lisa: If you could be any animal in the world, what would you choose? Why?
David: A cat! As I answer these questions, I have a large ginger cat called Fidget sprawled across my arms. It’s a great life as a cat, as long as you have a soft, gullible author ready to feed you at any hour of the day or night…
Lisa: If you could travel back in time, with all your years of experience and wisdom intact, what advice would you give to your teenage self?
David: Don’t change a thing. I’ve made some terrible mistakes in my life, had some very embarrassing moments, and not always been as nice as I think I should have been. But I’ve had a wonderful time so far. Life is exhilarating, and I never tire of it. Everything that’s happened to me has produced the experience and wisdom I now have. I couldn’t pass that on to my teenage self, if I advised him to change anything.
Lisa: If you were to sit down and write your autobiography today, what would the title be?
David: Fabulous!
Lisa: Star Trek, Star Wars, both or neither? Explain.
David: It used to be only Star Wars. But then I was singing at the GQ Men of the Year awards with the London Gay Men’s Chorus, and as I ran down the corridor to the stage because I was late as usual) I collided with Chris Pine, looking amazing in his tuxedo. He was very gracious, and since then, I’ve been a fan…
Lisa: Thanks so much for stopping by, David. It’s been great to chat with you!
About the Book
The Deadly Lies is the second in the Dominic Delingpole Mystery series from David C Dawson. The first was Necessary Deaths. In July 2017 it won an FAPA award for Mystery & Suspense.
Dominic and Jonathan are on their romantic Spanish honeymoon, and things are perfect… except Dominic has kept a secret from his husband. He’s failed to tell Jonathan that he plans to meet his former lover, Bernhardt, who is speeding on his way from Germany to present Dominic with a mysterious gift.
But Bernhardt is killed in a suspicious car accident. Shortly before he dies, he sends Dominic a bizarre text message that will take the newlyweds on a hair-raising adventure.
Lies upon lies plunge Dominic and Jonathan into an internet crime that could destroy the lives of millions of people. What is the mysterious Charter Ninety-Nine group? And will their planned internet assault force Dominic to choose between the fate of the world and the life of his lover?
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About the Author
David C. Dawson is an award-winning author, journalist and documentary maker. He lives near Oxford in the UK with two cats and his beloved Triumph motorbike.
He writes mystery & suspense, with men in love at the heart of each story. His books have been described as “real page-turners” and “un-put-downable”.
One reviewer for his latest book The Deadly Lies described it as “very sexy”.
He campaigns hard for equal rights, and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and am looking forward to this one!
On my TBR list; looking forward to reading it; I love Sitges! My husband and I spent a two week vacation there in the early 2000s and fell in love; we’d take the train into Barcelona for touring and shopping, but strolls along the beach/sidewalk in Sitges every evening was the highlight.