The Reading Frenzy: Interview with James J Kaufman - The Conciliators finale of The Collectibles trilogy

I'm so happy to bring to you an author whose become a favorite, James J. Kaufman. He's here today to talk about the final book in his Collectibles trilogy, The Conciliators. If you haven't given this author a try and you love literary fiction, family drama, mystery, suspense and a wonderful story all rolled into three books I urge you to pick up copies of your own. In the mean time please enjoy our conversation!

ISBN-13: 9780989757133

Publisher: Downstream Publishing
Release Date: 09/08/2015
Length: 350pp
Buy It: B&N/Amazon/Kobo/IndieBound

Overview

It all started with a blind promise – now Preston Wilson faces a dilemma that will ultimately destroy him or define him.

In The Conciliators, the conclusion of The Collectibles Trilogy, Preston Wilson’s life is once again imploding – this time as headline news, bylined by Katherine Kelly. Under fire thanks to the financial shenanigans of a longtime friend, the CEO finds himself in trouble with the FBI, the Russian mafia, and his creditors. If he doesn’t come up with a plan – and quickly – he could lose everything and find himself, his wife, and his shareholders in prison. Inspired by Joe Hart’s life lessons, Preston sets a new course, vowing to fight for what matters most: his family, his friends, and the Collectibles.

Jim welcome back to the blog.
Tell my readers a little bit about The Conciliators.

In The Conciliators, the conclusion of The Collectibles Trilogy, Preston Wilson’s life is once again imploding— this time as headline news, bylined by Katherine Kelly. Under fire, thanks to the financial shenanigans of a long time friend, the CEO finds himself in trouble with the FBI, the Russian mafia, and his creditors. If he doesn’t come up with a plan—and quickly—he could lose everything and find himself, his wife, and his shareholders in prison. Inspired by Joe Hart’s life lessons, Preston sets a new course, vowing to fight for what matters most: his family, his friends and the collectibles.

I’m always interested about the genesis of titles
Tell us how you decided on not just this title but all in your trilogy.

Early in my legal career, I handled matrimonial matters. I saw husbands and wives work through a divorce or property settlement resolving big matters (the house, custody, support) quickly. But they didn’t want to give up or didn’t want their spouse to have little things, like a wife’s doll collection or a husband’s tool collection. There were so many emotional ties to those items. I wondered what if they put the same energy and thought into finding the intrinsic worth in people, and watching that investment grow? That’s how I came up with “The Collectibles” as the title of my first novel. The second novel introduced a new character, Katherine Kelly, a budding journalist who seeks the truth. It asks: Does the truth still matter today? Hence the title “The Concealers”. Book 3 deals with our ability to come to grips with who we really are and what really matters. At bottom, this often involves reconciliation, both internally and with others. “The Conciliators”.

You’re from North Carolina yet your novels are based in NYC.
Why?

I was born in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. After law school, I began my law practice in New York City. Then came Washington, followed by our moving back to New York, and when our children went to College, we moved to North Carolina. Many of my life experiences have come from the north and south, and there are many references to each throughout the trilogy

Jim I found your timely injection of humor to be just the thing to keep the novel from being too dark.
Did the humor come naturally to you or was it something you had to work at?

Honestly, it came naturally. Humor has always been a huge part of my life.

Each book in the trilogy took you about two years to write and release.
Which one if any was the most difficult to write?

The third book was the most difficult because I had to make sure that all the facts and circumstances in books one and two were accurately portrayed to the extent that I referred to them in book three. Perhaps, more importantly, book three was the third act in the play; it had to answer all of the material questions raised in the first two books, come to a successful conclusion, and at the same time, stand alone. A delicate balance.

Jim you’re now finished with your trilogy.
Which character will you miss the most?

Joe Hart.

Which character was the most challenging to write?

Katherine Kelly.

I think of all the novels in the trilogy this one stands on its own the best of the three.
Was this intentional?

Yes. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted book three to successfully conclude the trilogy and at the same time develop each of the central characters more deeply, as they faced new challenges. While the plot line in book three is more complex, the underlying message in books one and two continues. I strived not to tell readers of books one and two information they already knew and still provide enough background for new readers to understand the characters and ark of the story.

Hopefully, book three also creates a platform for Katherine Kelly, a wonderful character. The end of the trilogy, perhaps the beginning of a series.

I mention in my review how eloquent your grammar is. It’s in fact a rarity not to find a gaggle of slang and other modernized dialogue in a literary work today.
Why did you choose to write this way?

It really wasn’t a choice. I listened to my characters and their dialogue often surprised me. It starts with writing from my heart. The words come out. For me to accept them, they must ultimately be the truth. All the rest gets in the way.

Jim you are also very involved with the philanthropic global organization, Imaging The World, http://imagingtheworld.org/, a group that donates imaging equipment to third world countries.
We talked about this cause a bit on your last visit and you mentioned specifically that in Uganda 25% of pregnant mothers die in childbirth.
Have those numbers improved in the last two years?

They have. Imaging the World is a wonderful not for profit endeavor. While, because of the demands on my time and desire to spend more time with my family, I retired from the board last year. I continue to applaud the great work ITW does.

Jim thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me about this and your previous novels too.
For a list of events visit Jim's event section on his website HERE

My Review

James Kaufman’s final novel in his Collectibles trilogy, The Conciliators is a wild rollercoaster ride with unexpected plot twists, a fabulous page turning mix of family and crime drama. Using impeccable grammar the complex tale is told with a dialogue that perfectly reflects each of his complicated and multi faceted stars and co-stars both good and bad. His “thinking man’s” narrative brilliantly communicates his perplexingly elaborate storyline. And the timely tuck in of his humor lightens a sometimes very intense tale. It was gratifying to watch the metamorphosis of his main protagonist into a better man. Listening to his message that we are not an island, and that friends come in surprisingly different packaging, plus doing the right thing is the right thing to do.
I have loved each one of the novels and can’t wait to see where this author takes me next.

Preston Wilson once again finds himself and his company, Wilson Holdings in dire straights. This time because of a friend he hired, having if not illegal then definitely unethical dealings with the business’s bank who is also under indictment and being investigated by the FBI for federal crimes and perhaps implicated in international conspiracies. And even though Preston’s done nothing wrong the whole debacle could bring he and his luxury car conglomerate down by association. Unfortunately Katherine Kelly, Preston’s long lost daughter is the one who broke the story while working as an investigative reporter for a newspaper and she’s hoping this won’t affect the brand new relationship she and her father have formed. Some good news is that Preston has called on one of his former mentor’s associates who is probably the only person he knows that’s good enough to get him out of this nasty mess. And maybe reconnecting with some of his Collectibles, the group his mentor asked him to look after, is what he needs to put him in the right frame of mind.

Connect with Jim - Website - Facebook

MEET JIM:An attorney, businessman and former judge, James J. Kaufman has published several works of non-fiction.
The Collectibles, his debut novel, draws heavily from his experiences in law, his dealings in the business world, and his interactions with people from widely different backgrounds. Kaufman lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his wife, Patty, and is working on his second novel.