Gun Hand
Radcliff Lance
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 160441037X
Reviewed By Marian Jeffords
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Joshua
is so good at his job, it's no surprise that he gets paid top dollar to
do it…of course, the fact that he's so good comes at the unpleasant
misfortune of the many enemies of his various employers…
A
former Marine sniper turned private contractor for hire, Joshua is the
crème de la crème of the professional killer circuit. With nerves of
steel and remorseless professionalism, he dispatches victim after
victim with criminal ease and alacrity - until a tragic mistake quickly
ends his spotless streak. Suddenly, he finds himself at odds with
Julius Conti, the chief underworld mob boss of Denver. Previously his
greatest benefactor, Conti now swears revenge for Joshua's role in the
accidental murder of his nephew, the result of a botched hit for which
he must now pay.
Undaunted, Joshua solicits help from old
trusted associates - even picking up an unsuspecting ally in the form
of a former barracks mate - and in the process he stumbles upon an even
greater plot with higher stakes than anyone can ever imagine. All his
years of discipline and training are soon put to the ultimate test, and
his loyalties eventually show their true colors in this stunning
fast-paced thriller.
Gun Hand
is an engaging read with delicious twists and compelling action.
Radcliff Lance may be a fresh face on the literary scene, but he has
the talent of a seasoned veteran. His characters are well rounded, his
prose is tight, and his crisply crafted dialogue leaves nothing to be
desired. Be on the lookout for more from this emerging literary star.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Radcliff Lance (Gun Hand)
Apex Reviews: Radcliff, thanks for joining us for this interview. We truly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your book.
Radcliff Lance: It's my pleasure. I'm very excited to share.
AR: Where did you get the idea for the overall storyline of Gun Hand?
RL: Several places, I never had the entire storyline plotted out. In fact, the story took on many shapes in the creative process. I started with a diverse cast of characters and wove a story driven by what actions these characters were capable of.
AR: Was it difficult to come up with the many plot twists in the book?
RL: At times, because I wondered if the twists were too much, or not enough. As a writer you constantly question your work and wonder how people will react to it. Will they appreciate it, or will they view it as predictable? I tried to mix it up as best I could and keep the story moving.
AR: Our reviewer commented on the crispness of the story's dialogue. Is that an element of writing that comes naturally to you?
RL: To a degree, I had these great characters with various motivations, so it was a matter of staying true to each particular character in the dialogue. I had to really stay in the mind of the characters so I never lost their attitude, or arrogance, or internal evil. This cast was so fun to write with that it just flowed.
AR: With its compelling storyline and rich characters, Gun Hand stands out from many contemporary offerings in the thriller genre. What's your opinion on the current state of political/suspense thrillers?
RL: Although many are well written and quite compelling most often they can be bogged down with too much information. Many rely so heavily on the facts and details of the inner workings of the government that they can drag on. You have to assume the readers are smart enough to figure most things out, or know most of the details already, so I move past a lot of the political jargon and keep things moving. I just want things to be interesting and keep with the rhythm of the story.
AR: What's your personal take on the "War On Terror?"
RL: I don't think I've truly taken the time to gather enough information to take a solid stance. I fear terrorism as an act. The thought of an unknowing, unannounced attack on innocent people scares the hell out of me, so prevention is key. My sister spent two years in Iraq and came home safely, so I've heard about the war from that perspective as well. I think it's a sensitive subject with convincing arguments on both sides. Handle with care.
AR: We noticed that you and your wife do extensive design work, including publishing your books. Please share more with our readers about that endeavor.
RL: I am by nature a very visual person. I see things a certain way in my head, so being able to design work that is my own is wonderful. My wife is just as creative so we have fun sharing. Much like my writing, I start every manuscript with a title and a concept. The title is what pushes through the writing process. It inspires me to "live up to the title". With the title comes an image, this is why I created the design for my book cover myself, it just amplifies my enthusiasm.
AR: What has your experience been like with PublishAmerica?
RL: It's has been great. They were always very professional and they were constantly ahead of schedule on everything. I don't have a single complaint. It was a great first experience with a publisher. They let me keep everything the way I wanted it, the title, the content, and the cover, I was given complete freedom. I guess it's a good thing I wrote a good book, because I definitely couldn't blame them for anything.
AR: What are your future publishing aspirations?
RL: I've submitted some short stories to various publications and my next manuscript is just about done. It's a spin-off of one of my favorite characters from Gun Hand. He was too cool to let go of. I also, have an outline for my third manuscript that I'm very excited about. I would love to continue to get my work published so it can be appreciated. There is nothing like sharing something that you're passionate about and having it be appreciated.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
RL: I'm just grateful for the times that we live in. Twenty years ago, I'd be spending my paychecks on postage as I sent my manuscript out to every big name publisher just to be turned down, or ignored all together. The amount of information we have at our fingertips is astounding, so I take full advantage.
AR: Thanks again, Radcliff, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
RL: Thank you very much for the opportunity.