Hot Off the Press: Crime vs the Law in Breathtaking Series

An antidote to the heaviness and burden brought about by trying times like a pandemic? Read a book.

Readers and book lovers who are avid fans of stories that tackle law and order versus crimes are in for a delightful treat with the forthcoming release of an exciting series dealing with the subject.

The six-part chain of novels, Law Series, is sure to delight readers as the investigation of crimes and the dissemination of law are given a new perspective, written as it is by a young and budding novelist, Josh Gonzales, a newbie in Philippine pop literature.

Josh, a Caloocan-based 21-year-old student currently taking up BSED English at the National University (Manila), says the series was born out of the clamor of readers for a novel version after the first chapter of the first book was posted on Facebook; the result is the official publication of the books, in succession, to be disseminated to a bigger audience and wider readership. For someone who wrote his first work (a sci-fi titled 3011, about a new generation of humans who inhabits Mars and later destroys it due to greed) at age 10-11, the publication of Josh’s Law Series is already a big accomplishment and should be a cause for jubilation.

In an interview, Josh revealed that his main purpose in writing is “to educate and be the catalyst of change.” An avid fan of Bob Ong, and whose encounter with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird impacted him as a person and eventually as a writer, he is nevertheless familiar with pop literature; he has read the works of famous romance writers Heart Yngrid, Sonia Francesca, Elizabeth McBride, Martha Cecilia, and Rose Tan. He read Si Oreo at si Kookie but couldn’t remember the name of the author—he says he was too young to remember, as this was the time he was still in elementary school and living with an aunt and a cousin, who happened to be avid readers of Precious Hearts Romances pocketbooks, which he read during his spare time.

Josh revealed that his main purpose in writing is “to educate and be the catalyst of change.”

Josh says now, “Every time I finished a novel, there was this inexplicable feeling within me and I would just imagine things all day. I guess, that’s where it started.” He adds, “The main thing that they instilled in me was how romance is essential in whatever genre you are writing. It is like the soul of life.”

Do you have any quirks or habits when writing? “A playlist. I can’t write properly without listening to any song. Especially ballads, and that’s when ideas just keep on coming.” Otherwise, it’s Beethoven’s Symphony #5. And he follows a rule that he has set for himself: always end the chapter with a cliffhanger, because readers won’t stop reading and will finish the entire novel in just one sitting.

As a writer, what is your guilty pleasure (something you are forbidden to do but do it anyway because it is gratifying)? “Buying books I don’t have time to read because of my schedule.”

Any advice to fellow newbie writers (amid being discouraged by slow progress)? “Progress, no matter how slow, is still a progress. Do what you love and let your dreams be someday’s reality. Your future self will thank you for not giving up. Just write and practice your craft.”

With the forthcoming release of his Law Series, Josh answered some questions likely to further pique the interest of readers.

Can you give the readers a glimpse of the characters that figure in the books?

Traise—The accused, Courtney—The Attorney, Avery—the Prosecutor, Tyler—The Prosecutor

Credits to Chiconakaya

At least two conflicts in the series that serve as sneak peeks:

In the first novel, Traise is accused of killing his abusive father. Courtney tries to defend him against top prosecutors Tyler and Avery. One wrong move and her first love will receive the death penalty.

In the second novel, Avery joins a secret legion to catch the mastermind of the countless murders in their town—only to find out that they are dealing with a cult and the leader is hidden within the team.

How long did it take you to write each book in the series (approximate length of time)?

1^st novel: 3 weeks, 2^nd novel: 6 days, 3^rd novel: 5 months

What hardships/struggles did you encounter when you were writing the series?

The fact that I am an Education student writing a series about law.

What insights do the books/the whole series provide to the reader?

No one wants to be a demon unless being one is the only choice they have.

Who gave you the most support (emotional, etc.) while you were writing the series?

My friends. I am the type of person who would consult first before doing anything. They provided me the emotional support I needed.

What can the readers expect from the Law series?

More trust issues—hahaha!

Why should readers read the Law series?

If they are looking for a heavy novel with unpredictable turn of events, they should give it a try.

What series are you planning to write next?

Med Series and Science Fiction for my stand-alone stories.

What you would like to say further with regard to the Law series?

This is my debut book, that’s why it occupies a special place in my heart

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Josh’s 𝘓𝘢𝘸 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 2: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘦, 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 is available for pre-order from March 19 to June 30, 2021.