Introduction

For today's "Author Spotlight", we're heading to the American South to meet Tony C. Franklin, an Arkansas author who crafts gripping tales of crime and suspense. He is the writer behind the thrilling novel Programmed to Steal and the new Avenging Angel series which begins with Fall From Grace. His path to becoming a novelist is as interesting as his plots, drawing on decades of real-world experience to create stories that are authentic and deeply motivated.

From Farm Life to Fiction: Tony C. Franklin's Journey

Tony C. Franklin's writing is grounded in a life spent observing the world around him. He grew up on a small farm in Southeast Arkansas and went on to study Agricultural Business at university. His subsequent careers as an Agricultural Extension Agent and in retail management, spanning nearly two decades, provided him with a unique vantage point. He spent those years observing people from all walks of life, gaining a deep understanding of their desires and motivations. These real-world insights are now channeled into his writing, allowing him to create characters who are passionate and authentically driven.

A Unique Process: Crafting the Story

Tony C. Franklin has a fascinating and unconventional approach to writing, which he discovered while working on his debut novel, Programmed to Steal. He didn't start with a complete outline; instead, he began with a vague idea and let the story evolve. When he hit a roadblock about halfway through, he adopted a new strategy inspired by a conversation he saw between authors Stephen King and John Grisham. He jumped to the end and wrote what he thought would be the final chapter. Then, he went back and wrote the middle section to connect the beginning to his newly created ending. The story continued to grow even after that, with more chapters added to both the beginning and the end. This was followed by two more years of dedicated editing and rewriting until the story was finally ready.

A World of Crime and Poetry: Tony C. Franklin's Books

Tony C. Franklin's literary work spans gripping crime thrillers and reflective poetry, showcasing his diverse storytelling talents.

• Programmed to Steal: This Southern crime novel plunges readers into the dangerous world of online hacking. Jess, a skilled hacker, takes down a pedophile's website and steals his money, expecting it to be an easy score. However, this victim fights back ruthlessly, exposing an undercover FBI operation and an old murder investigation. Suddenly, Jess and her friends find themselves on the run, facing unknown and dangerous enemies.

• Fall From Grace: Avenging Angel (Book One): This new thriller series introduces Angel and Dan, a couple who simply desire a peaceful life together. Their world is shattered when Angel's father's enemies target them, throwing them into a brutal nightmare of murder, human trafficking, and violence. Cornered and desperate, they must choose whether to become victims or fight back against the monsters who destroyed their peace. The sequel, The Burden of Our Sins, is set to release in September 2025.

• The End of the Road: Poetry and Selected Stories: This collection offers a more personal glimpse into Tony C. Franklin's life and reflections. The poetry section carries readers back to his upbringing in Southeast Arkansas and explores various aspects of life. The collection also includes inspirational stories from his "Monday Motivationals" and humourous true stories from his childhood.

What Readers Are Saying About Tony C. Franklin's Work:

Tony C. Franklin's novels have been praised by readers for their suspenseful plots, character depth, and shocking twists. Here is a selection of what readers are saying:

• "Programmed to Steal was pretty good. I liked the way that the story built upon itself and the characters had depth to them, especially as the book went on. The suspense to the book was definitely there, and I kept wondering what these kids were going to do about the problem at hand. The ending was a bit of a shocker and definitely did not see it coming." - Bri Lind on Programmed to Steal, 4 Stars, Goodreads
• "Well written novel with plenty of drama and some romance. very clean book and well developed story line. can't wait for the second book." - Denzel Struchen on Fall From Grace: Avenging Angel (Book One), 5 Stars, Goodreads
• "I loved the story. Absolutely loved it. And what am incredible cast of characters. I just hate that the 'bad guys' got one more win... I hope the next book is coming soon because I definitely need to know what happens next. It's a good one." - Becca on Fall From Grace: Avenging Angel (Book One), 5 Stars, Goodreads

A Call to Connection

I encourage you to explore the thrilling worlds created by Tony C. Franklin. You can connect with him and follow his journey on his website, Facebook, X, and Pinterest.

You can purchase his books through the Amazon affiliate links below:    

• Programmed to Steal
• Fall From Grace: Avenging Angel (Book One)
• The End of the Road: Poetry and Selected Stories (free to read with Kindle Unlimited) 

Conclusion

Tony C. Franklin is a unique voice in Southern crime fiction, bringing a gritty realism to his stories that stems from years of real-world observation. His unconventional writing process, blending meticulous planning with organic discovery, results in plots that are both surprising and satisfying. With his ability to create deeply motivated characters and his willingness to explore a variety of genres, from thrillers to poetry, he is an author to watch. I highly recommend diving into his work.

Thanks for reading!

Angela G. Williams

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information about my affiliate relationships, please see my Affiliate Disclosure.