Well it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted…well apart from some scheduled posts…the reason being I’ve been struck down and under the weather feeling rotten with zero ability to concentrate. Seems like everyone is Ill at the moment.

What better way than to clear the cobwebs than a review with a little bonus thrown in..

Today I’m reviewing Days of Fury: A Day in the Life Series, Book Three by Andrew Masseurs.

I was lucky enough to have the chance to ask a few questions of the author so keep reading 😊

Here’s the blurb

Who can you trust?

They called it, The Vanishing. When the world’s population mysteriously disappeared. Where new predatory species stalk the earth. Where every turn could lead to certain death. In book three of the A Day in the Life award winning series we will find out what happened to Teresa, Michael and Pup on that fateful night of terrors. When Shelby and Lucy found themselves separated from their family. In a world that sees humanity as a virus that must be eradicated. The worst enemy could be yourself or the person standing next to you.

How did Teresa come to hold the fatal dagger’s handle? Who is the villainous Tony? How did Steven become a prisoner? What new secrets is the Earth unveiling?

All will be revealed and more, in this must-read thrilling sequel, Days of Fury.

Review

I mean.. after the ending of the last book I just had to continue the series. For those not familiar we are following the lives of the last humans on earth as they try to stay alive..One day life as we known it vanished.. all but a few remain and the how and why is still a little unclear..the reader gets to search for the truth at the same time as the characters. One family in particular got given a second chance.. but this world..it’s not safe for anyone with monsters now roaming.

To understand this instalment it’s vital you’ve read book 2.. a lot has happens but there’s still so much unknown.. and that’s where the events of Days of Fury comes in..

The author manages to fill in some of the blanks, the how’s and the whys of how characters ended up where they did, and wonderfully adds depth not only to the main cast but the supporting cast,, although it’s clear maybe they were never supporting cast.. we just didn’t know their part yet..

I think what shines for me is the clear and steady development of the plot.. while the reader is left guessing as much as the characters as to what will happen next, it’s clear the author has taken the time to plan events and is working up to something big.. while the story progresses we are treated to a rich and wonderful world and events, mixed perfectly with character development.

Days of Fury starts strong giving us the background of someone we think is a new character and quickly sets the tone of the book. While the first book in the series was about finding a place in the new world, the second about survival.. the third for me is emotional development as the each character comes to terms with not only the event of the vanishing and the horrible monsters.. but learning to face the prospect that not everyone left alive is a good person, and for some the vanishing has brought out the worst in them…which side of the coin are they on..good or bad.

It’s a wonderful instalment that truly solidifies the series with the reader. With so much action you need to keep the readers focus right where you want it and Andrew Masseurs certainly does that. The post-apocalyptic world he’s created is immensely breathtaking and I can only see things going from strength to strength.

Oh and not to spoil things but if you like a few twists and turns.. yeah this is for you!

Easy 5* and I’m ready for book 4

To find out more head to Goodread or Amazon.

For those as keen as me why not head over to the authors website.

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Now the most exciting part of this post! Andrew Masseurs kindly took the time to answer some of my burning questions. Let me know what you think.

Q: The “A Day in the Life Series” seems to have grown at pace. Has the series been something you’ve been working on for a while?

The A Day in the Life series has certainly grown in pace this year (2024) With three books added to the series. There was a break as I wrote book one four years ago. In 2022 and 23 I wrote two unreleased novels in different genres. Coming back to the series in early 24 was like coming home. I wrote The Day After very quickly. I had the first draft done in a month. Then proceeded to edit it over the next two. Days of Fury book three took a little longer as I needed to be very careful with timelines while keeping rhythms and pacing. The Uncles of the Apocalypse came out of nowhere and I can’t even remember writing it. It was like being on a plane ride where you’ve slept through most of it and find you’ve suddenly arrived at your destination. The series will be slowing down as I’ve started to explore audiobooks. Book One was narrated brilliantly by David Piper. I’ve spent the last few months learning the trade of audiobook engineering. I released the first version of The Day After as an inexperienced audiobook journeyman. I ‘ve gained immense respect for the art of the audiobook and I’m redoing a second version of The Day After. I’ve got a better microphone. I’ve set up an acoustic treated room. I’ve learnt as much as I can about editing and recording. The second version of The Day After (reloaded) will be coming out very soon. I will then go back and redo Book One A Day in the Life myself to keep the narration the same throughout the series and record Days of Fury book three and The Uncles of the Apocalypse. I’d imagine all of this will take four to five months or more as its working, recording and editing while trying to work as well as having family time.  Each hour of recording for me takes around four to five hours of editing. It’s a bit nuts really but I’m hoping will be well worth it for the listener. So, the fifth book in the series will be coming out probably later in 2025. I really want that book to be something special.

Q: Where did the inspiration for the series come from?

A love of the apocalypse. I remember watching The Quiet Earth when I was twelve and just loving the opening scene where the main actor wakes up and everyone is gone. I Am Legend is also a favourite and I love the novel version by Richard Matheson. I started writing book one A Day in the Life while on holiday. I couldn’t get into the book I was reading and so started writing a novel about what was happening on holiday. I really had no idea what the story was about. I was as surprised as anyone when I wrote the line, and now they are all gone. Suddenly, the novella became about the disappearance of everyone. Then I had monsters appearing. I was scrambling to find the answers myself. Who would have thought it I’d still be writing four books into the series.

Q: In your time as an author so far have you had to learn any hard lessons with publishing?

Many. The first book was originally published. I found myself doing most of the marketing. After researching the role of being self-published I discovered it is not unusual and a lot of self-published authors are doing extremely well. My former self from four years ago would not recognise the person I’ve become. Writing my drafts. Getting them edited. Formatting the novel myself. Finding artists. Trying to create the best possible version of the novel possible and now audiobooks. The hardest lesson is basically that you must sell yourself. Marketing is everything. No one will know you or your books if you don’t sell the book. Its tough. But you must do it. Sale, sale, sale. If you can’t do it, then you’re in the wrong business.  I’ve reached thousands of people with my series and I’m hoping that will become hundreds of thousands. Keep on moving, keep on moving.

Q: What motivates you to keeping writing? I mean, what keeps it exciting?

For me it’s always about having fun. I know when it’s working cause then it doesn’t feel like work. I try to keep each next book fresh. I try not to follow the same ideas. I try to keep away from repeating what worked in the last book. For me as a reader and a writer I want to be surprised. I want to be kept guessing. As a lover of novels and movies I personally always enjoy something that is new. Something that has never been done before. This is getting harder and harder to do. Especially with the explosion of streaming these days. How can you come up with something that has never done before? I try to keep it unique. I try to stay in my lane. I try to keep it as Kiwi as possible. I try to laugh and not take myself to seriously and number one I try to have fun. As a result, whether it be creating an audiobook or writing a novel I’m always looking for the next mountain to climb. I’m loving the journey. I also have grown so fond of all the characters I feel like I owe them. I feel a personal obligation to write something that grows them all. I plant a seed and help it grow.

Q: What made you decide to release book 4 so quickly after book 3?

Days of Fury book three was finished halfway through the year. There were several reasons as to why it came out the same time as book four. One, was I lost my original artist.  He had disappeared down a rabbit hole and was unable to be contacted. I spent two to three months trying to find an artist who could possibly compare. I luckily came across Saber who arguably has created something comparable as well as taking it to another level. It’s funny some people love the artwork of book one and two. Some love the artwork of books three and four. I love both. The other reason was The Uncles book four was finished by the time I had the artwork for books three and four. I also felt that Days of Fury book three was a dark read. It explains a lot of what was unexplained in The Day After book two. It also introduces a new character in Tony. I had to take a cleansing shower after writing his part in the whole story. After finishing the book, I didn’t want to leave the reader with book three left in their minds. I also wanted the reader to have a bit of a thrill ride for coming with me this far. I paid them back with the roller coaster ride that is The Uncles of the Apocalypse. Probably my favourite book in the whole series so far. 

Q: How do you celebrate when you finish a book and it’s published? Is it nerve racking wait for the first sale/review?

How do I celebrate? I don’t think I ever have. Is a book ever really finished? Once I’ve finished a book and have it published, I’m normally juggling writing the next one as well doing the audiobook for the previous one.  Theres never really a time to take your foot off the accelerator. As soon as the book is published then its time to market it. With reviews. I think I was nervous with the first book. I didn’t know what to expect. As times moved on, I make sure I’m happy first and try not to think about it. I think I will celebrate when the whole series is finished and take a break…maybe. 

Q: Do you read a lot yourself? If so what have you been reading or what is your go to genre?

I’m reading and listening to stories more then ever. I listen to audiobooks and have grown quite a collection from established artists to indie authors. I tend to have a soft spot for thrillers and horror but love any genre if the story is original and riveting. I love a good scare. I’ve always loved movies. These days there’s so much noise I tend to get more enjoyment out of writing. 

Q: Other than writing what else do you enjoy? Music?

Family is number one. I love hanging out with my wife and kids. They are all characters who make each day special. I have two dogs and two cats. The dogs I love. The cats I have a love / hate relationship with. They are very demanding. Feed me! I spent over twenty years making music. It put me in good stead for the work ethic needed to be an author. I love writing and making songs. After doing it for most of my life it was a nice change to jump ships. Though, they are both extremely similar veins. I find writing is all about rhythms. Much like music. I try not to think while I’m creating music. I try to feel. Writing is the same thing. Get lost in the story and the story will take care of itself. My best songs were created quickly without overthinking. I’m finding the same thing with writing. I love to exercise though finding the time has become harder and harder.

Q:Reviews are clearly important to readers and authors alike, but we all know sometimes reviews can also be unhelpful. How do you handle negative reviews?

Coming from the music world I’d already built some what of a tough hide. In this day and age and with social media and the ability for someone to cut you down in a sentence its extremely tough. But it comes with being a creative. It’s part of the territory. I try to make something that I love. If I love it, then I hope someone else will get enjoyment out of it. That’s all I can hope for. With the positive will always come the negative. You can’t please everyone and if you try, you’ll probably end up not pleasing anyone.

Anthony Hopkins once said, “what other people think is none of my business.”  I like that. It is none of my business. I just must back myself and put the art out there with the thought that I hope you enjoy the book and find it an enjoyable read for the time you’ve given up for it.

Q. I really need to know… What’s next? More books, I hope. You seem to have found your niche, would you ever look at writing a different genre?

I’m sixty pages into book five. I’m creating the audiobooks for the first four books in the series. Once book five is finished I feel a war coming on. It could be two to three more books. A large finale to the whole series. I can feel it. I can sense it. The family will be at the heart of it. The results could be catastrophic or satisfying. I’m not sure yet. All I know is it will be epic. The world around is also changing. I can’t wait to write inside it.  Once the series is finished, I’m not sure what will happen next. Could it be books on characters inside the world? Could it be a stand alone novel? Could it be another series on a different idea? My current ideas for the books are always changing as I write so I can’t say. But yes, there will be plenty more books!

I hope you enjoyed the Q&A and my thanks go to Andrew Masseurs for being so willing to answer my questions ha ha.