1. I hear your latest book, The Past That Kills, features a quarter-blood Cherokee in it and his spirit animal is a crow. Tell us about the book.

This is the first book of a new series. It takes place on the plateau on Tennessee and features John “Fat Bear” Kole, Mary Beth Couper (known as Coup), Menno Simmons Miller, (an excommunicated Mennonite who distills moonshine). And the crow.

Sheriff Coup is called to Devil’s Mountain to rescue a lost child. In the process she discovers a twelve-year-old skeleton and identifies the bones as Aletha, the wife of Miller. Mixed in with the bones is one of the only two gems known as the Tarpon Diamonds. Miller requests Fat Bear as his lawyer. Coup describes Fat Bear as the most miserable son-of-a-bitch she has ever met.

Fat Bear’s grandfather, the local Cherokee Elder, warns him about getting involved. He must obey his spirit animal. Reluctantly, Fat Bear takes the case to defend Miller and solve the mystery of the diamonds.

The deeper Fat Bear goes into the investigation of Aletha’s murder, the more evidence he finds indicating Miller is guilty. To complicate matters, he and Coup develop a fiery relationship which could affect the investigation.

As Coup and Fat Bear follow a trail of death, religious beliefs, ancient customs, and old mountain rituals, they must heed Grandfather’s warning that Uktena, a dragon-like horned serpent, has transformed into human form and will destroy them both.

Piecing the evidence together, Coup and Fat Bear enter Devil’s Cave to find the truth. But first, they must get past the Uktena.

Fat Bear’s spirit animal, the crow, weaves in and out of the story. And leaves the reader wondering, did events happen as a quintessence or was the crow the driver.

The Past That Kills Buy Link: Amazon.com : the past that kills

 

2. Why did you choose a crow for his spirit animal?

If you think of all the grand animals that fit into the story–eagle, lion, bear, horse–the crow is often thought of as the lowest animal. The Cherokee people hold a deep respect for birds, viewing them as sacred messengers and symbols of the spirit world. Birds often serve as guides. But the crow is seen as a symbol of transformation, intelligence, and adaptability.

The hero of any great story must be clever and resourceful. So, I felt the crow was the most suited for Fat Bear.

I do not believe I chose the crow to be in this story, but the crow told me to include him. It started when I was comprehending the path of the characters, when I gazed out my window and there was a flock of crows. And those crows never left. No matter where I went on the ranch, they followed me, and it seemed that one was always staring at me.

I cannot remember a time when I didn’t have any animals in my life. Starting as a toddler, our family had a dog and cat. As a teenager, pet dog. When I became an underwater dive guide leading tourists to the coral reefs, fish, eels, crustaceans, rays, turtles, and sharks always seemed to tag along. They acted like they were happy to see me again as I was of them. Today, my wife has two horses, Tuff, and Spice Girl, who are an integral part of our daily life.

I do not think we can live without animals in our lives.

As I wrote this, I watched two different flocks of turkeys prance around the backyard. I am blessed with the wildlife that surrounds me.

 

3. What other books have you written?

My first two novels are underwater murder mysteries. The third one is a thriller. If you like scuba diving or the ocean life, or the underwater world, I think you would enjoy them.

Murder on Devil Ray Reef: While diving on Jesse Stoker’s boat, Cassandra, a local radio personality awaiting contact with extraterrestrials, disappears. Stoker considers her a hoaxster but allowed the charter because the bank is ready to repossess his vessel.

Cassandra’s body is found three days later, but the M.E. finds she’s only been dead for five hours. Once it’s known that Stoker filled her tank and she died from oxygen poisoning, he becomes the prime suspect. He’s never lost a diver before, doesn’t believe in alien abduction, and doesn’t believe she just died. To clear his name, stop a wrongful death suit, and save his livelihood, Stoker must figure out where Cassandra spent the missing days and find her killer.

Murder on Devil Ray Reef Buy Link: Amazon.com : murder on devil ray reef

Death at Obeah’s Fire: Dive boat owner Jesse Stoker watches his best friend hop a non-stop flight for an unexpected trip home to the Bahamas out islands. But when the twin engine plane lands on the remote spit of land an hour later, that friend, Captain Symonette, has vanished. Fearful of reporting his disappearance to the local authorities, Symonette’s frantic wife pleads with Stoker to travel to the islands to search for the man.

Accompanied by his sometime-girlfriend Jade, Stoker boards the Seascape for a stealthy voyage to an outer island where superstition and voodoo permeate every aspect of daily life. While searching for the truth about Symonette’s fate, Stoker and Jade learn curses can be real. They soon find that long-lost gold and a decades-old murder are all tied to the mystery of Obeah’s Fire.

Death at Obeah’s Fire Buy Link: Amazon.com : death at obeah’s fire

Azrael’s Blade: A paranoid recluse believes America has lost its way. A weapon called Azrael’s Blade will change that.

When Pete Marlin, a contraband smuggler in the Bahamas, witnesses a helicopter gun down a yacht, he rescues a passenger with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. The man’s dying words: “Get the briefcase to the Patriot and save the country.”

Jaicy Lupe believes in country first and only, a motto passed down through her family. She’s a top-notch federal agent, but she’s been bumped from agency to agency for being a bit too trigger-happy. She has one chance to prove herself: collect a briefcase, disarm the contents, and turn over the weapon.

Marlin has good reasons not to trust the government. Jaicy has good reasons not to trust Marlin. But he has the briefcase. He knows the treacherous waters of the Bahamas. A nuclear-armed drone is targeted at the vast oil storage facility that fuels Miami’s ports.

If they can’t figure out how to work together–millions will die.

Azrael’s Blade Buy Link: Amazon.com : azrael’s blade

 

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

The only important ones to me are those from my readers. Thank you all.

 

5. How do you promote your books?

The best word to answer that question is: poorly.

Every year, I am a part of Killer Nashville and are on several panels, and my books are in their bookstore. If you have never attended the conference, I recommend it. It will bump your writing up several notches. Plus, it’s a great place to meet agents and editors and new writing friends. It could happen to you and me.

Our local bookstore, Plenty on the Spring, has Words and Wine, which they ask me to be a part of. Also, I attend many library events.

I found the best place to have book signings is at bars. From my experience, sober people do not buy books, intoxicated ones do.

 

6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?

Website: www.JeffreyPhilips.com
Facebook: Jeffrey Philips and Jeffrey Hammerhead Philips
Instagram: Jeffrey.hammerhead.philips
Goodreads: Jeffrey Hammerhead Philips
Amazon: Jeffrey Hammerhead Philips
Link to Jeffrey’s reader newsletter: Newsletter – JEFFREY HAMMERHEAD PHILIPS

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF ONE OF JEFFREY’S BOOKS!

One lucky commenter on Jeffrey’s interview will win one of his books–winner’s choice! So don’t forget to comment below!

 

MARCIA: Thank you, Jeffrey, for being my October interviewee!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!

Each month, I’ll randomly pick one blog commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!