Tag Archives: thrillerbooks

Inspiration for My New Novel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Alex Hockett on Unsplash

Whenever I used to travel to Sydney, I’d make regular visits to Bankstown, a suburban district. It had a nice Lebanese restaurant. My Australian friends would always discourage me from going there because of the town’s notorious reputation. If you google it, you’ll probably find lots of crime stories involving mob hits. The most recent involved a Vietnamese lawyer who was shot at point black range at a cafe.

If you are familiar with the old Australian TV series, “Underbelly” it is said to be inspired by the famous Muslim-Lebanese family in Australia — the Ibrahims. The most flamboyant of all is John Ibrahim (the king of Kings Cross) who recently had a book out about his life entitled, “Last King of the Cross”. His cousin recently married the sister of Salim Mehajer, another infamous figure, thus cementing the union between two of Australia’s most notorious families.

At one time, John lost his beloved macaw when it flew over the nearby cliffs at his seaside bungalow. The Rose Bay police, along with police rescue, abseiled down and retrieved the bird.

And then there was Mahmoud “Mick” Howie (deceased), who once headed the outlawed bikie gang, The Comancheros. Here’s a news clipping about Mick’s funeral.

The bikie gang was created a couple of decades ago by William G. Ross. He survived the Milperra Massacre in 1984, a shoot-out between rival motorcycle gangs. An innocent 15-year old girl died when a stray hit her.

What was once an all-white-gang, The Comancheros evolved to include several club charters across states. Members now make up different ethnic groups: Lebanese, Samoans, Maoris, Greeks, Italians, Asians, etc.

The Comancheros are not your regular beer-belching bikie gang. These guys are tech-savvy; members include trained military snipers and computer specialists.

So, I thought it’ll be fun to weave a new thriller about an ordinary guy working at a wine estate who finds himself embroiled with a bikie gang. It all begins when a reporter sent to do a feature story about the estate in Clare Valley in South Australia is found murdered.

I am familiar with South Australia, having managed the state tourism’s public relations account for a decade. The SA landscape is gorgeous that it’s hard to pick a favorite location as it changes from place to place. Well, there’s also going to be a bit of Sydney in the story along with other locations around the globe. Honestly, it never occurred to me that I could find more materials to write another novel.

 

 

A list of cafes, bars and restaurants that inspired Gun Kiss

Gjelina

Hip place serving LA cuisine with farm-fresh southern Californian produce in a rustic-chic dining interior.

Add: 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Nice Hollywood restaurant

Beachwood Café

Cute and cozy place serving American eatery tucked beneath the Hollywood sign.

Add: 2695 N Beachwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Alcove

Housed in two historic bungalows, this cottage-like cafe serves up large plates of gourmet American classics.

Add: 1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Pink Taco

Trendy eatery/bar with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe, serving Mexican fare, including tacos & margaritas (though the place is not mentioned in Gun Kiss, it had inspired the fictional establishment Mama Tacos owned by the protagonist).

Add: 225 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

People at Figaro Cafe

Figaro

A screenwriter and actor rendezvous spot with French antics, sidewalk tables and bistro fare.

Add: 1802 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

 Resw

Bar Nineteen 12 at The Beverly Hills Hotel

Indoor bar with signature cocktails overlooking the terrace.

Add: 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Pita Jungle

Mediterranean/Arabic dishes with vegetarian options.

Add: 320 Regent St, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Happy New Year 2018

I don’t have any new year resolutions. It’s live and let live for me.  Or maybe it’s more like Live and Let Die. I learned a long time ago that you can’t plan things. Even if you tried, things have a way of working out differently, though not everything has to be sulky. And if it does, think positive.  I mean, look at how nature deceives you with some fruit that looks so ugly you’re even too scared to come near it. But how sweet the taste when you give it a try.

I’ll continue to do things as I normally do but if there’s room for improvement, sure, why not? Provided I can handle it. If not, c’est la vie. Why force yourself, right?

I hope it’ll be a year of fun instead of the gun. The things you read about these days, it makes you wonder if the world will ever improve.  But we all have to do our part right? We got to do the good, even if the bad appears overwhelming.  Just don’t change whatever the situation. Stay the course. Try to survive the hurricane at sea. Remind yourself every day in 2018.

I think you know what I’m trying to imply. No need to say more. Good health and good fortune to all.