Online for Authors Episode 9-3-24

Through the Storm: A Teen’s Journey of Anger and Growth with Author Mark R Anderson​

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Mark R Anderson, author of the book Sage Among the Pines. A graduate of the University of Maryland and the National Intelligence University, Mark’s upbringing in a military family instilled a love for travel and exploration, shaping his diverse perspectives and providing rich material for his creative works.

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I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark R. Anderson, author of the captivating new novel Sage Among the Pines. Mark retired after a distinguished 35-year career with the Department of Defense and a decade as a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer. He penned this beautiful story while living in picturesque Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Sage Among the Pines follows the emotional rollercoaster of a teenage girl named Lexi after tragedy strikes her seemingly perfect family. Her father, a strong Marine, passes away unexpectedly in a military training exercise, leaving Lexi and her mother reeling. As her mom spirals into depression, Lexi lashes out in adolescent rage. Only the wisdom and loving support of her grandparents can guide them through the healing journey ahead.

What I loved most about Mark's book was how rich and authentic the characters felt. Lexi is flawed and not always likable at first, but you understand the pain fueling her actions. The grandparents radiate a quiet strength that clearly draws from Mark's own life experiences and leadership lessons he hopes to pass on to his children and grandchildren.

We bonded over our shared love of character-driven fiction. As Mark said, developing complex characters provides an opportunity to "really express and explain the complexity of emotions." The historical research and real-life inspirations behind his books make the stories and people truly come alive on the page.

While Sage Among the Pines is a departure from Mark's previous historical fiction novel, Shadows of Saigon, it showcases his versatility as a storyteller. He's already hard at work on book #3, a post-WWII historical fiction that I cannot wait to read!

If you enjoy character-driven tales that tug at your heartstrings, I highly recommend picking up Sage Among the Pines. To keep the discussion going, head over to Novels and Latte Book Club on Facebook, where members can enter to win a digital copy of the book!

As always, thank you for being part of this amazing community of readers and writers.
Happy reading!

Purchase a copy of Sage Among the Pines:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3AQ9Mjt
eBook: https://amzn.to/4e3SqxI

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