Behind the Lens: Caught in a Dictator's Trap with Author Kathryn Dodson

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Kathryn Dodson, author of the book Portrait of Deception. Kathryn writes about women who have to become their own heroes - whether they're solving a crime or figuring out the next phase of their lives.

Kathryn loves to travel and has visited 30 countries and 44 states. This inspires her novels about interesting women in fascinating places. Originally from Texas, Kathryn had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several U.S. states, and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. She loves travel, fiery food, hanging out with the neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading.

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I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kathryn Dodson, author of the gripping suspense novel Portrait of Deception, on my podcast Online for Authors. We dove into the inspiration behind her story, her writing process, and what readers can expect when they crack open the pages of this un-put-downable book.

Portrait of Deception follows Margo, a photographer on the cusp of fame, who finds herself entangled in a madman's plot to take over first his country, then the world. Though hired to photograph him, Margo soon realizes his sinister plan involves owning her too. Unless she can find a way to escape, she may never leave his castle grounds alive. But Margo has her own secrets that threaten to destroy her...

Kathryn shared that while the book was originally meant to be more women's fiction, the story took on a life of its own and evolved into an action-packed thriller. We bonded over our mutual love of complex, flawed characters who have to become their own heroes and overcome internal and external obstacles. Kathryn's background in photography through her son also lent fascinating insights into the power of images to manipulate perceptions.

Some of my favorite parts of our discussion:

• How Kathryn's diverse travels have informed her writing and helped her infuse a strong sense of place
• The way she lets her characters take the reins, even as a plotter, when a story wants to go in an unexpected direction
• Her thoughts on crafting authentic endings that honor the character's journey, rather than tying everything up with a neat bow
• Why she believes it's important for writers to read widely, both in and outside their genres

Like me, Kathryn writes character-driven fiction across multiple genres, from suspense to women's fiction to mystery. We connected over not wanting to limit ourselves creatively and our desire to tell the stories that call to us, even if they don't fit neatly into a commercial box. She has so many exciting projects in the works, including a new mystery series and a women's fiction novel that promises to be a refreshing departure from her other books.

If you enjoy suspenseful reads with vivid settings, unforgettable characters, and themes of identity, art, and deception, definitely check out Portrait of Deception. This standalone thriller is a wild ride from start to finish that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Grab your copy today!

I'd love to hear from you: Do you read across genres or prefer to stick to one? What do you think makes for a satisfying thriller? Comment and let me know!

Happy reading!

P.S. Want to keep the discussion going? Head over to the Novels & Latte Book Club on Facebook for a chance to win a digital copy of Portrait of Deception. As always, reviews are an author's best friend, so if you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving one on Amazon and Goodreads!

Purchase Portrait of Deception on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Yym6P8

Ebook: https://amzn.to/3SJTsXo

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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