Tag: Raconteur Press

A chat with bestselling and prolific author John Van Stry about his career and his newest novel, Lock & Load, Book 3 in the Valley of Fire trilogy set in is popular Wolfhounds universe.

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About Lock & Load: Valley of Fire Book 3

In the heart of the Fire Nebula, war rages across the stars.

Crown Prince Wolf Alexander-Morgan and Princess Mariella, forged in the crucible of combat and mech warfare, stand at the forefront of a desperate counterstrike against a ruthless empire that has already struck at their homeworlds. With elite squadrons, aging battleships revived from slumber, and hard-won alliances hanging by a thread, they prepare to carry the fight straight to the enemy’s stronghold.

But victory demands more than firepower. As hidden truths surface, old grudges resurface, and the line between ally and threat blurs, Wolf and Mariella must navigate treacherous politics, overwhelming odds, and the weight of their own destinies. One wrong move could doom their kingdom—or end the war in flames.

Pulse-pounding space battles, brutal ground assaults, and the clash of crowns await in the explosive conclusion to the Valley of Fire trilogy. In a galaxy where loyalty is tested in fire, some legends are born… and others are extinguished.

About John Van Stry

John Van Stry holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). During his college years, he joined the United States Air Force and gained some flying experience. His early career included work in robotics, followed by positions as a Flight Test Engineer in the aerospace industry at Grumman Aerospace, General Dynamics, and Lockheed.

During this time, he acquired a cougar and relocated to Oregon. After leaving aerospace, he transitioned to the medical devices sector as a Quality and Test Engineer in a research and development group, then at Tektronix, before entering contracting, drawn by the financial incentives. By then, he owned several big cats, incurring substantial feed costs that necessitated a dedicated account with a wholesale meat supplier and the purchase of a van for hauling.

He later moved to California, and now resides in Texas. In his roles in quality assurance and testing, Van Stry has been fortunate to engage with cutting-edge technology, witnessing extraordinary innovations and collaborating with brilliant engineers—as well as a few challenging personalities.

Writing has long been a personal pursuit for Van Stry, with contributions to various fanzines and small press outlets. Upon receiving a Kindle as a gift, he entered the world of independent publishing. This proved wildly successful, and in 2015, tired of all the travel associated with contracting, he became a full-time writer.