Willow and Dan’s Book Launch

I forget how I discovered Dan Antion and his Dreamer’s Alliance fiction series (five books so far)–probably through one of the many writer blogs I read–but once I read the first one, I couldn’t stop. When Dan asked me to help launch Poetic Justice, his latest collaboration with Willow Willers based on characters from that series, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. And, to make it even better, I got to interview Dan about my childhood home of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of his books. I hope you enjoy this Q&A as much as I did:

 

Jacqui: Dan, I spent about 7 years growing up in Pittsburgh, in Monroeville, so I’m familiar with its three rivers, its steel mills, but that was a long time ago. What part of Pittsburgh is this book set in?‌

Dan: I remember those days, Jacqui. Most of the mills are gone and the city isn’t nearly as smokey as it was. Back before they had Interstate numbers, Monroeville was the destination of the Parkway East. Brody and Trevor are staying out along what was the Parkway West, near the airport. In fact, there’s a point in the book where Trevor refers to the highway as the Parkway. The rest of the activity in Pittsburgh happens on the North Side. 

Jacqui: On the North Shore or in that general area?

Dan: There is some activity on the North Shore, but mainly in areas north of there, and along Ohio River Boulevard.

Jacqui: Is the entire book set in Pittsburgh?”‌

Dan: No. Trevor Barcroft and Brody Thompson live in Rochester, New York. Trevor was born and raised in Pittsburgh and his father, Wilson Barcroft was living there when he was murdered. Trevor’s mother still lives in the area, but she’s in a nursing home. Brody travels between Rochester and Pittsburgh, and he makes a few out of town trips as he tries to solve the mystery that keeps growing in scope.

Jacqui: Out of town? So, other cities or just out of the area?‌

Dan: Actually both. There are scenes and references to West Virginia, which isn’t very far from Pittsburgh. Brody also travels to Michigan and Chicago.

Jacqui: I know you’re very familiar with Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, but those other places must have required some research. You know I love research. Did you enjoy that?

Dan: I know that from reading your books. I didn’t have to do anything along those lines, but I do like to get details right. I’d hate to have someone be reading and think, “that’s crazy, there’s no hotel anywhere near that place.” Fortunately, I’ve been to most of the places these guys have to travel, and researching other cities in the U.S. is easy.‌

Jacqui: Willow, living in England, did the location interfere with your writing?‌

Willow answer: It really didn’t Jacqui because I really feel I have had a good grounding on the areas of the city of Pittsburgh due to the other five books Dan has written which I really enjoyed. I find that Dan has a fantastic knack of pulling his readers in and really describing the surrounding areas.

Also as I have followed Dan for a long time and learned a lot about where he lives and places he visits through his posts and Thursday Doors series. …yes I can say Dan is a great tour guide.‌

Jacqui: This is a Rascal Todd Mystery, so there’s another Chicago connection, right?‌

Dan: Yes, Rachael (Rascal) grew up in Chicago. Her ongoing introduction to Pittsburgh is one of the ways I try to help people understand the area and work in a little of the crazy dialect. Bernie Bouchard, the Editor of the Courier-Reformer (the paper Rascal works for) is also from Chicago. He worked for the Tribune along with Rascal’s father.

Jacqui: I remember the dialect – Pittsburghese, I believe. Has Rascal learned to use ‘Yinz’?

Dan: She has, although she went to college in Georgia, so she wants to fall back on ‘y’all’. The one bit of Pittsburghese that she likes is n’at – as a substitute for ‘and so forth.’‌

Jacqui: That must have been a challenge for Amazon’s Virtual Voice.

Dan: Indeed. That was one phrase I wasn’t able to spell phonetically in a way that the voice could pronounce.

Jacqui: Does Brody do any sightseeing while in the city?‌

Dan: He goes to a Pirates game, but Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium are long gone. He goes to PNC Park. There’s also a meeting with a professor from The University of Pittsburgh. They meet in the English Nationality Room inside the Cathedral of Learning.

Jacqui: Anything else I might remember?

Dan: Bernie takes Brody to a restaurant that serves Chipped Ham Barbeque sandwiches like Isaly’s used to make. And, I’m not sure you’re aware, but the original family are planning to open a new Isaly’s in the Strip District. It should be ready for business in 2026.

Jacqui: A future ‘Where’s Rascal’?

Dan: Quite likely.

Trevor Barcroft is convinced that mystery/true crime author Brody Thompson wrote the scene in which Trevor’s father Wilson Barcroft was murdered. What should be a simple answer to this five-yer-old crime is one that neither the police nor the FBI want to uncover; and one Bernie Bouchard doesn’t want his young investigative reporter, Rascal Todd, digging into. Warned to stay away from the investigation.. Brody and Trevor begin a dangerous quest, led by the musings of a mysterious poet who has been hiding in plain sight for decades. What does the Poet know that keeps him in hiding? What did Wilson Barcroft know that got him killed? Why can’t Brody walk away from a meaningless and dangerous pursuit?

Where to buy

Available Amazon, June 11, 2025

Biography 

Dan’s Bio

Dan is retired from a 42-year-long career in systems development and other technology and began writing his first book the next day. He’s married, the father of one child, and although there are no pets around today, he and his wife have had four Irish Setters and a handful of Tuxedo cats over time. Dan is the author of the Dreamer’s Alliance Series and the Rascal Todd Mysteries. When Dan isn’t writing, you might find him in his woodshop, working around the house, or walking around with a camera. He also might be having a beer with friends and some of those encounters have inspired the fictional bar stories on his popular blog—NoFacilities.com

Author page: http://relinks.me/DanielAntion

Blog: https://noFacilities.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ptjdluuxckfau3dnaihh2sn5

Twitter: https://twitter.com/

DAntionYouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNHXESp0LosdxjU-7elOu3g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danantion

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dantion/

Willows Bio

London born Willow Willers is retired and lives in Berkshire, Southern England. Along with her husband and a steady stream of foster dogs mainly Guide Dogs for the Blind. Willow is mother to three sons all grown and flown and two fast growing grandsons.Writing, poetry and prose have always been her passion in fact she wrote her first pieces before she was eight. After two life changing accidents Willow started writing in earnest and has found it a life saver. You can find willow at willowdot21.wordpress.com

Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Willow-Willers/author/B0DZD1TNZX

Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/share/16AwsHVCqk/

Blog at wordpress.https://willowdot21.wordpress.com

 

Afterward

I’ll review Dan’s Dreamer’s Alliance on June 20, 2025 so please come visit for an overview of that fascinating paranormal story. The link–when live on June 20th–will be:

https://wp.me/p90mx-9ae

Book launch schedule

Here are all the tour dates with links to those completed:

Ritu Bhathal 14th May

Robbie Cheadle 21st May

Colleen Cheseboro 28th May

Jacqui Murray 4th June

John Howell 11thJune Release day

Marjorie Mallon 18th June

Miriam Hurdle 25th June

Nancy Richy 2nd July

Darlene Foster 9th July

Jan Sikes 12 July

PS: I’ve been having trouble with WordPress tossing my post changes so I hope this comes out correctly!

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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Man vs. Nature saga, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the acclaimed Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Balance of Nature Winter 2026