The CleanSweep Conspiracy by Chuck Waldron Review, Interview & Giveaway

Book Description for The CleanSweep Conspiracy:

Matt Tremain publishes Verité, a modest blog dedicated to writing about the truth and exposing scams. Currently, he’s following up on rumors concerning something called CleanSweep, a mysterious project in Toronto, Canada.

Matt gets his break when a whistleblower connects CleanSweep to billionaire Charles Claussen. Claussen plans to rid Toronto of undesirables, beginning with street people and extending to any citizens who don’t match Claussen’s restrictive screening matrix.

With the help of a high-ranking government official, Claussen plans to incite riots and violent unrest, conning Torontonians into sacrificing privacy and civil liberties for illusionary security and safety. Toronto will be reduced to a repressive city-state.

The information overwhelms Matt, who doubts he has the courage, skill, or readership to take on CleanSweep. But the murder of his source convinces the blogger to take a stand—although he’s too late to prevent chaos from gripping Toronto’s streets.

To get the word out, Matt’s going to need allies. He may have found some in a Toronto police detective and a local TV reporter pursuing the same story—presuming they aren’t allied with Claussen. If they are, Matt’s going to become yet another victim of CleanSweep, and the truth will be buried forever.

​​Buy the book:   Amazon

Author's Bio:

Born in Iowa, Chuck Waldron lived in Ontario, Canada, before relocating to Florida’s Treasure Coast. Over the years, he’s held many jobs. The ones he can mention in print include US Army soldier, truck driver, office manager, mailman, real estate salesman, social worker, hardware store clerk, and shuttle driver.

Fate played a crucial role when he walked into his first writing class, and he still honors the memory of the teacher, Henrietta. She gave him permission to write. That—along with countless writing groups, classes, seminars, and much sweat—has resulted in over fifty short stories and four novels.

Waldron often likes to pretend interest, lacks perseverance, and could generally use a good talking to—until it comes to his writing, that is. He and his wife Suzanne reside in Port St. Lucie, Florida. While keeping an eye out for hurricanes, alligators, and Burmese pythons, he’s busy writing his next novel

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook

hashtags:   #thriller  #dystopian #adultfiction

Interview:

1.      When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In University and throughout my professional career I knew I enjoyed writing. I would turn annoying memos into what I considered works of art. But a chance event in 1989 led to tapping my imagination and creating stories. My wife pointed out a newspaper story about a class in short stories offered at the local community college. Creative writing turned out to be the medicine needed to cope with the high stress of my job. My writing heart is still in love with short stories. Maybe I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but 1989 will always stand out for me.

2.      How long does it take you to write a book?

It has varied for each one. My first took a bit over a year. I wrote my second as a Write a Novel in a Month challenge, hitting 55,000 words in thirteen days. That was the easy part. It took over eight months to do a proper rewrite. My third took a year. The CleanSweep Conspiracy has been a lengthy process. After I had thought I was finished, I went back and did a major rewrite to get it right. The sequel to The CleanSweep Conspiracy is well underway. I think I will have that finished by the end of the year.

3.      What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

When the words are coming, I tend to focus and put other things out of the way. When not, I go for a walk, ride a bicycle or go camping. I’m never far away from my thoughts and learned it’s good to have a notebook handy. I tried to follow a schedule and learned to write by the seat of the pants instead. My productive time tends to be midmorning to midafternoon. Unlike Hemingway’s advice, I can’t write drunk and edit sober.

4.      What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I reread my very first short story when I need inspiration. It never ceases to surprise me.

5.      How do books get published?

I’m self-published, an indie author. I know a book takes a good story first. It has to be edited well, and there has to be an attractive cover. Would I be delighted if a publisher knocked on my virtual door? You bet. But I’ve accomplished the task four times now, and I’m quite pleased with the results. Hey, more readers would be helpful.

6.      Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

The concept for the CleanSweep Conspiracy came to me following a real event in 2010.

·         The emergency police force of over 10,000 uniformed officers from surrounding police.

·         Add 1,000 security guards and several military units.

·         Drawing lines on a map to outline an area with checkpoints to monitor who enters and leaves. People would be issued identity cards to determine who belonged.

·         More than a billion dollars would be spent to head off rioting and trouble makers

·         Police wearing black tape over their shields to prevent identification.

That couldn’t happen, you say, only to learn that the news story above-described actual events that occurred in a major North American city? The G-20 Economic Conference place in a Canadian city in 2010 but might it happen in any city?

The seed for the story line planted as I read about the planning, the riots, and the follow-up of that event.

7.      When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Ten years ago. I finished Tears in the Dust in 2005. Doing the math, I was 68 years old.

8.      What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Reading, a lot of reading. After that, walking, riding a bicycle, movies, and travel. My wife and I recently purchased an RV trailer and discovering the fun staying at some of the great state parks in Florida. The odd thing, though. I’m never far from thinking about writing. I always have a notebook handy, and I’m quite fluent in cursive.

9.      What does your family think of your writing?

I benefit from having the support of my family. I granted a lot of time to devote to writing. I just have to make sure someone doesn’t come in and catch me playing computer games instead.

10.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The one amazing thing? It had to be while I was writing my first novel, Tears in the Dust. I had to create a protagonist, a character that is the total antithesis of me. He had to be evil to the core. The most surprising thing was to be able to go to the dark place and create him.

11.  How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

The CleanSweep Conspiracy is my fourth novel. I’m hard at work on the sequel to the story and anticipate it being a trilogy. When I’m asked which of my books is my favorite I ask a parent to tell me which child they like best. There is something about each of them that has a unique part in my favorite file. They’re all favorites, but maybe, just maybe the first one stands out. Wait, I like this last one the best, maybe.

12.  Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Any suggestions I have I’ve applied to myself first, or at least try my best to. Write something every day. Read something every day. It’s interesting how those two things go together. Write even when you don’t want to. Enjoy praise, but listen most carefully to criticism. The praise is short-lived, but paying attention to the criticism is priceless. Turn off the internal editor while writing, but when finished, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit and rewrite. Above, all be willing to discard anything that gets in the way of the story.

13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Not as often as I would like. I enjoy hearing a reader likes one or more of my stories. I’ve learned from comments that are critical. I take a close look at how I can use that criticism to improve my writing. The one thing I don’t want is a reader who thinks I’ve wasted their time.

13.  Do you like to create books for adults?

I did write one children’s story for a niece, but I truly like creating stories for adults. I want to touch on themes and storylines that are interesting and thought-provoking. I tend to avoid scatological language and violence. The only time I used language and violence, I’ve put it into context.

14.  What do you think makes a good story?

First, give me a good character I can believe in. Then put him or her up against a challenge. Finally, show me the clever way they overcome the obstacles. For me, it matters not the genre. I’ve read romance, fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers and mysteries. All the right ones have those three things in common.

15.  As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I actually had two dreams. I wanted to be a concert pianist. I wanted to be a minister. Life got in the way of both.

16.  What would you like my readers to know?

That my promise is a story that isn’t a waste of time. In fact, worth taking a chance on. I’m proud of all of them. Of course, this is my time to promote The CleanSweep Conspiracy. Take the time to visit http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005EGI9ZS and check out the others as well.

My Review:

Whenever a whistle blower ends up dead there needs to be an investigation. CleanSweep is a company involved in security. Security issues always make for a good read. Especially in a thriller. Are we safe? Are we being watched? Why do we have to register with CleanSweep? Riots, suicide and agents are just a few things that make this a great thriller. When does security overtake freedom? I am giving this book a 4/5. I was giving a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

Giveaway:​

Prizes:

1. Grand prize: Kindle Fire with 7” display from Amazon + copy of CleanSweep (1 winner)

2. 4 copies of CleanSweep (4 winners)

3. 5 copies of author’s previous titles (5 winners)

4. 2 X $15 Amazon GC + copy of CleanSweep (2 winners)

Total: 12 winners (Open to USA & Canada) Giveaway ends July 7, 2016.

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