Readers are raving about Nightbird: “Strong characters, exotic locales, a great read!”
“Toby Neal has written another crisp, colorful, dynamic and enticing work in Nightbird.”
“This short book packs a massive punch!”
This cover embodies the suspenseful tone of the book
- How did you come to be interested in the JET Series Kindle World #JetKWorld?
I have long been a fan of phenomenally successful Russell Blake and his Jet books. When I got my own Lei Crime Series Kindle World, I asked Russell to write for my World. Due to scheduling, he wasn’t able to—but I couldn’t resist the challenge to explore the Jet World!
- You have your own World. Why would you write for someone else’s?
What we’ve found that’s so great about the Kindle World is how readers can discover new authors. I’m hoping a few of Russell’s readers like the unique flavor I bring to the Jet World, and pop over to check out the Lei Crime Series.
- Tell us how your story links to the JET Series. Characters, setting, specific event? Is there any crossover or meetings between your characters and any of the original characters?
My novella, Nightbird, is a spy/suspense/romance set in the Jet Ops Files days, when Maya/Jet is being recruited to Mossad by a profiler code-named “Benjamin.” Maya has an older sister, Dr. Lila Weiss, a neurobiologist and part-time ballerina, who has been separated from her by divorce and their father’s death. Benjamin sees Lila's potential and recruits her as a Mossad agent, and sparks fly along the way!
- The JET Series books are fast-paced action and adventure stories. What genre(s) do you explore in your story?
Nightbird is a spy/suspense/romance with a layered mystery, a tangled web of family backstory, action and sabotage, and a simmering, bittersweet romance.
- The JET series has been set all over the world… the Middle East, Asia, South American, the Caribbean, etc. Tell us about where you set your story, and why?
My main series is set in Hawaii, so it was a blast to write a story set in Israel and Paris. I’ve been to Paris, but not Israel, so I had a Jewish writer friend, Laurie Hanan, who’s married to an Israeli and lived there for many years, read for me for authenticity. I always do research and have experts read for me—readers have come to count on learning new things from my books while being entertained, and Nightbird is no different.
- Tell us a little about your main character(s). Why do you think readers will like her?
Lila’s a sensitive, brilliant, idealistic scientist who wears her heart on her sleeve, has been sheltered all her life, and dances ballet to express her passion. She speaks seven languages and is physically brave, but doesn’t have Maya’s ruthlessness. She moves cautiously into the shadow world of Mossad, seeking a connection with her sister and with Benjamin, and wanting to protect her country. I fell in love with her and I think readers will to. She developed into someone I want to keep writing about for a long time!
- What major theme comes across the clearest in your story? Is this a theme found consistently in your other works?
The theme of a strong female protagonist coming into the fullness of her power and passion is something that I have explored in most of the Lei Crime Series and their ancillary novels. Overcoming the past, fighting for justice, the power of love to heal and good overcoming evil are all ongoing themes in my work. If you’re interested in an action-packed police procedural mystery series that’s a cross between Michael Connelly and JD Robb, but set in Hawaii, start the Lei Crime Series with Blood Orchids!
- Do you have a background related to your writing?
I’m a licensed clinical social worker, and assess people and do mental health therapy, which came in handy when writing the character of “Benjamin” Amos, who is a psychological assessor/profiler for Mossad. Recently, the Lei Crime books have been doing so well and demanding so much of my time, that I’ve cut way back on my mental health practice to write these psychologically-complex villains and those who hunt them.
What are you working on next?
I’m working on Bone Hook, Lei Crime #10, Under an Open Sky, a narrative nonfiction travel book, donating a short work to an anthology to raise money for literacy in Hawaii called Paradise, Passion and Murder, and I'm revising a new techno-thriller that Russell was kind enough to blurb for me, Wired In. I am never short on books to write! I hope you enjoy Maya’s sister Lila’s leap into the spy world in Nightbird!
Gifting a free copy of Nightbird to a lucky commenter, so don’t be shy! Chime in below and enter to win! Contest ends 8/2/2015.
I look forward to reading a new book by Toby Neal! The Lei series has been inspiring and entertaining.
Hope you enjoy this one too!
I just love these books. It shows the steps of growth mixed with chilling mystery with twists. They also take me home, i grew up on Oahu.
THanks for sharing!
Anything you write, Toby, is well worth reading. You capture the characters and bring them to life in the reader’s mind. Cannot wait for Wired In, as you know I have read the rest of the Lei Crime Series. I would love to win a copy of “Nightbird”. May just have to explore the Jet Series also. Write faster please…
ha ha, getting right on that, Jeanne!
Can’t wait to read Toby Neal’s take on Jet!! Would love to win!
got you entered!
WOOHOO!!! I don’t know if I can wait to read Nightbird – just may have to get it now. Love all your writing and am having a hard time waiting for #10
Thanks so much for the enthusiastic support! MAHALO!! xox
This sounds like a really exciting book! I definitely have to check it out. And critique your ballet terminology. 😉 (I’ve only been dancing since I was 4…)
Yes, please do…though it’s a little late, ha ha! One point I was unsure of was whether dancers do any practice in toe shoes. I put that she did, but not all the time. Anyway…got you entered!
Very anxious for #10! This new story sounds interesting, and I will definitely have a new book at the top of my queue!
Awesome! Thank you and entered.
I am intrigued. I have a funny feeling that I will need to also check out the Jet Series.
So great that you’re writing for other ‘Worlds’! All the novellas I’ve read from your ‘World’ have been great; I’ve discovered other authors I’m interested in. Anyone who reads your “Nightbird” will be intrigued by your very descriptive style and will want to read the Lei Crime Series. (I’ll be thinking of ‘Zeba’ from NCIS. Tee, hee!)
Ha ha! Yes, I loved that character!
As a huge fan of the entire Lei Crime series, I’m very curious to read “Nightbird” to see how you tackle different characters, as well as the different setting. Looking forward to “Bone Hook” … are you finished yet? 😉
Not done with Bone Hook yet, alas…
I love the fact that the Lei crime
series is set in Hawaii that was the reason I bought the first book. I got so hooked on the character it was just a bonus at that point that the setting was here and waited with anticipation for each book to be released. With that being said, it’s no longer the location of the story that draws me in to your books . I have no knowledge of the Jet series but will definitely be looking forward to meeting your latest character and exploring a new location in Nightbird.
Thank you so much Chris! Mahalo for the kind words.