Karen Charles has two businesses—a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she currently resides with her husband.
Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full-time author?
I wear a few different hats. I’m a part-time author, but storytelling has always been part of who I am. My primary work is training teachers internationally to teach American English, which allows me to connect with people and cultures around the world. I also run an Airbnb year-round, which keeps me grounded in hospitality and human connection. Writing fits naturally alongside these roles because all of them, in one way or another, are about people, empathy, and communication.
Can you tell us about Evan’s Gift?
Evan’s Gift is a story about a young boy who faces a simple yet powerful choice. Evan dreams of getting a new bike, but when he sees a greater need, he makes a decision that changes not only someone else’s life, but his own. The story gently shows children that kindness, compassion, and generosity often come at a cost, but the rewards are far greater than anything we can buy.
Can you tell us a little about the characters?
Evan is a thoughtful, kind-hearted boy who represents the best of what children are capable of when they listen to their hearts. The supporting characters, his family, dorm parents, roommates, classmates, and friends, help shape his understanding of empathy and responsibility. Each character plays a role in showing that even small actions can create meaningful change.
Where is this book set, and why did you choose that location?
The story is set in Africa, which is very close to my heart. I grew up at an American boarding school in Nigeria, and those early experiences deeply shaped how I see the world. I wanted the setting to reflect a place where community, generosity, and human connection are essential to daily life. Africa felt like the perfect backdrop for a story about compassion, awareness, and seeing beyond oneself.
How can people benefit from reading Evan’s Gift?
Children learn that kindness matters and that their choices, even small ones, can make a difference. For parents and educators, the book opens the door to meaningful conversations about empathy, gratitude, and social responsibility. It’s especially useful in classrooms and homes as a gentle introduction to social-emotional learning.
No, I’ve written books for both children and adults. My adult novels are psychological thrillers based on true events, while Evan’s Gift reflects my lifelong work with children, education, and cross-cultural experiences. Although the genres differ, all my writing explores human behavior, compassion, and the choices we make.
Thank you so much for this interview, Karen. What’s next for you?
Thank you, it’s been a pleasure. I plan to continue training teachers internationally while sharing Evan’s Gift with schools, libraries, and families. I’m also always writing, sometimes children’s stories, sometimes novels for adults, because storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways we connect and learn from one another.
When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, “Evan’s Gift” celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.
╰┈➤Book Details
Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.
╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!
“What a lovely story! This is a life lesson wrapped in an engaging and beautifully illustrated package geared toward readers 5 – 12. Charles opted to provide an abundance of sensory details for her readers, so the younger ages might need assistance from a parent if they are not fluent readers. Middle-grade readers ages 8 – 12 will appreciate the additional details. Knowing this is inspired by a true story makes it extra special. With stunning artwork by Roger Feldman, Evan’s Gift is sure to delight readers with its touching story and expressive illustrations.” – The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
“Even’s Gift is a story that your youngster is able to relate to the characters. The message will stick with your youngster for a longtime after they’ve read the story. This story can be used by teachers or parents to help open conversations. The words are perfect for emerging and middle grade readers. Kids and adults will love this book. I love the discussion questions and activity guide at the end of the book. If you are looking for a book with the following themes then this would be a good book to read” – The Blended Blog
╰┈➤Read if you love…
Adventure
Empathy
Courage
Friendship
Generosity
Kindness
A New Dawn — a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press
Collateral Justice — the powerful sequel to A New Dawn, where a hidden alliance of the world’s elite blurs the line between justice and vengeance.
The Witches of Fablecastle— When a witch hunter’s mirror exposes her forbidden magic, Holly McCool flees through a portal to Fablecastle, only to learn she’s the one destined to stop him from tearing both worlds apart.
The Quantum Hitchhiker’s Guide to Escaping the Matrix — a witty, mind-bending manual on how to hack reality, rewrite your personal code, and manifest with humor, consciousness, and a touch of modern witchcraft.
Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words.
Trina’s latest book is A New Dawn.
Visit her website at https://authortrinaspillman.com.
Connect with her on social media at:
╰┈➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortrinaspillman/
╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18389879.Trina_Spillman
10 Things You Might Not Know About Political Thriller/Romance Author Trina Spillman
- I didn’t start in fiction.
My writing career began in technical writing, creating use-and-care manuals and product documentation for major corporations long before I ever wrote novels.- I survived the era of snail-mail queries.
I came up in publishing when you mailed pitch letters with a self-addressed stamped envelope and waited months for a polite rejection. That experience shaped both my resilience and my realism about the industry.- I’ve written across wildly different genres.
My work spans political thrillers, romance, fantasy, science fiction, nonfiction guides, and yes, a bit of playful erotica. I’ve never believed stories should stay neatly in one lane.- I’ve worked inside political systems.
I’ve freelanced within political circles and seriously considered running for office, which gave me an unfiltered view of how power actually operates behind the scenes.- I believe hope is a radical choice.
Even when writing about corruption, betrayal, and manipulation, I deliberately resist dystopian endings. I write stories that imagine solutions, not just collapse.- I write cinematically on purpose.
I prefer momentum over ornamental description. My scenes are built to move, like a film unfolding on the page.- My award-winning fantasy series breaks all the rules.
The Fablecastle Chronicles blends fairy tales, portals, political satire, and a version of Lucifer who is decidedly not what mythology promised.- I’m finally writing only what matters to me.
With my children grown and my mortgage behind me, I no longer write under financial pressure. That freedom has fundamentally changed the kinds of stories I choose to tell.- Marketing is harder for me than writing.
I love connecting with readers, but self-promotion doesn’t come naturally. I’d much rather be writing the next book.- Every story I write asks the same question.
Who really holds power, who pays the price, and what happens when someone decides not to play along anymore?
A catastrophic explosion at a New Orleans convention hall critically injures presidential nominee James Sinclair and ignites a national crisis. Attorney Ian McCullough soon uncovers evidence tying the attack to Vice President Jay Buckley, who has orchestrated a false-flag EMP event to mimic a Chinese assault and destabilize the country for his own rise to power. With the economy collapsing, industries crippled, and global alliances shifting against the United States, Buckley intends to weaponize fear, chaos, and national confusion to consolidate control. Secret recordings obtained by Lee Chang confirm collusion between the administration, foreign officials, and powerful tech interests. The evidence is strong enough to expose the conspiracy if Ian can deliver it safely.
Determined to return to Washington, Ian turns to naval commander Sean Hennessey and asks for a plane. Their strained past reignites when Ian finally admits how deeply Sean’s emotional withdrawal wounded him, especially after concealing the deaths of Ian’s mother, brother, and sister-in-law. Despite the unresolved pain between them, Sean agrees to help. With presidential immunity shielding those in power and time working against him, Ian risks everything to expose the conspiracy, protect James, and prevent the nation from descending into manufactured chaos.
*****
╰┈➤Book Details
⤷ A New Dawn is available at Amazon at https://a.co/d/7vJUkhy.
*****
╰┈➤Read if you love…
Suspense
Romance
Betrayal
Political
High Stakes
Emotional
Page Turner
