Book Talk with Bonnie Traymore

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

I lived in Silicon Valley for eight years, and my husband worked in venture capital-funded biotech firms. I thought it would be interesting to set the book there. Although it’s predominately a domestic suspense thriller, there are side plots about both the husband and the wife’s workplaces that reflect the region and its high-tech, fast-paced culture. The issue of the pros and cons of technological advancement is embedded in the main plot, but I can’t say much more without giving it away. A fun fact is I started writing the book before Chat GPT came out, and I was sort of reacting to it in real time because I’d created a fictitious company for Laura, the protagonist, and the product was made obsolete when Chat GPT was released, so I wrote that into the storyline.

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes:

A fun fact, or perhaps a cautionary tale, is that the part about random vandals cutting people’s brake hoses is true! I found out when I was researching the idea of how hard or easy it is to cut someone’s brake line, and I wrote that into the story when Laura’s trying to figure out what happened to her car. Turns out, it’s hard to cut the brake line, but not that hard to cut the rubber hose. I have no idea why someone would want to cut the brake hoses of strangers, but be sure and pump your brakes before you start driving.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

There has been some controversy about the choice of POV in the book. I used first person for Laura and third person limited for her husband and the PI. This allows the reader to feel closer to the protagonist but also give some other perspectives to add spice to the story. Some people love it and find it engaging and some people don’t seem to like very much. If I had to do it over, I might rethink it, but then I’ll have to see how it’s received by the wider audience. Michael Connelly did this in The Poet, and that’s where I got the idea. But then, I’m not Michael Connelly! If you read it, let me know what you think.

About Bonnie Traymore

Bonnie Traymore is an author, educator, and consultant. A world traveler, she loves to include vivid settings in her novels. She is also an accomplished non-fiction writer, historian, and educator with a doctorate in United States History. She has taught at top independent schools in Honolulu, Silicon Valley, and New York City for over 20 years, and she has taught history courses at Columbia University and the University of Hawaii. Originally from the New York City area, she resides in Honolulu with her husband but frequents the Hudson Valley and New York City areas.

About the Book

The Stepfamily Silicon Valley Series Book 1 by Bonnie Traymore

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Laura Foster’s not the type to go looking for trouble. But it seems to be looking for her.

Laura’s on the verge of living the life she’s always wanted. At the age of twenty-seven, she put her career plans on hold, married handsome widower Peter Foster, settled down in his Silicon Valley home, and helped raise his two children.

Twelve years later, it’s her turn to shine. Her career is thriving, the kids are out of the house, Peter’s company is on the verge of an FDA approval that could garner a windfall in stock gains for them, and she’s training for the Ironman world championship in Kona.

But when a series of freak accidents can no longer be chalked up to bad luck, it becomes clear that someone is out to get her. Is it someone from work, jealous of her promotion? Or is it perhaps someone more dangerous? Someone closer to home?

Laura has no enemies that she knows of, but she senses that husband Peter is keeping something from her. And when she starts digging into the family’s past, she ends up with more questions than answers. But with the walls closing in on her, she needs to find out why someone would want to harm her…and what really happened to his first wife.

Before it’s too late.

Reviews for The Stepfamily

“This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle!” Netgalley Reader

“I devoured this in a few short hours. Very easy to read and the story keeps you coming back for one more chapter.” Netgalley Reader

“Excellent and gripping – recommended.

The author’s writing style is truly engaging and the plot is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end….. I def recommend The Stepfamily to anyone who enjoys a really good psychological thriller.” – Amazon Reader

“I read The Stepfamily by Bonnie Traymore in a day and a half; only much-needed sleep had me putting this book down….Some jaw-dropping moments took me by surprise….I will read more by this author. I give this a 5 out of 5 stars. – Amazon Reader

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