For the Minds and Wills of Men Book Blog Tour and #Giveaway #LoneStarLit

FOR THE MINDS

MANHATTAN, 1953. Fear of communist subversion and espionage are tearing America apart. Abstract expressionism is on the verge of exploding, making New York the cultural epicenter of the world. While recovering a stolen Jackson Pollock for a wealthy client, art insurer Will Oxley falls for the client’s daughter, Liz Bower, who leads him deep into the rebellious and seductive world of the abstract expressionist painters, their Village bar haunts and East Hampton binges. But when Will learns the painting-and Liz-may be hiding communist secrets better left hidden, he finds himself torn between exposing the girl he loves or risking his life by trusting her instead. Realizing nothing is as it seems, Will is caught between communist espionage, secret government programs, and the grip of cold war fear, suspicion, and betrayal where trust is all he has left…

With post-World War II New York, 1950s avant-garde art world, and the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings as background, the novel tells the story of abstract expressionism and mid-century American politics- through the thrilling search for a stolen Jackson Pollock.

PRAISE FOR FOR THE MINDS AND WILLS OF MEN

*2023 INDIEREADER AWARD WINNER: 1^ST PLACE FICTION*

“Lanier brilliantly evokes the energy and excitement of the New York art world in this Cold War thriller with an artistic twist. Along the way, he gives us fascinating insights into Abstract Expressionism and the power of art to communicate values and ideas.”

–Ross King, Acclaimed art historian and New York Times bestselling author of The Judgment of Paris, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and Michelangelo and The Pope’s Ceiling.

1. Research materials
2. At one point, I attempted to “plot map” several books and then my own. This is the result. It helped me in a sense, but ultimately laying chapters out and rearranging section, pages, and chapters worked best. In this version, the stolen painting led to the shooting of the lead female character’s dad and his funeral . . . that was later abandoned.
3. My son at my writing desk (chair removed). This is where drafts 2 through a gazillion were rewritten. I typically wrote from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., when real life began.
4. Homemade book cover to keep me inspired. The original book title was Red Interior which lasted for a few years (as did the lead character’s name of Martin Price), until I renamed it For the Minds and Wills of Men (and lead character to Will Oxley). The overall book cover concept remained, although the book cover designers never saw this version.
5. The final proof
6. Getting cocktails at the Monkey Bar.

Jeff Lanier is an award-winning author. He earned bachelor’s degrees in history and art History at the University of Texas, Austin, with a focus on the History of American Culture through Art and Literature. He has a master’s from Rice University, is a member of the American Society of Aesthetics, and currently lives in Houston with his wife and three children.

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