Author Spotlight + Giveaway: Dony Jay-- Agency at War

May 28

9 min read

This week I am excited to have Dony Jay on my blog for an author spotlight!

DONY JAY was born and raised in beautiful south-central Pennsylvania. Whether it was playing baseball with neighborhood kids during the summer months or hockey on a slab of ice in his childhood backyard in winter, he’s always had a passion for sports. Dony excelled at soccer and basketball and played both sports collegiately. He holds a BS degree in criminal justice from York College of Pennsylvania. A self-described book addict, Dony possesses an insatiable zeal for the written word—something he largely credits to his faithful prep-school English teachers.

Dony is now a police detective with over 22 years of law-enforcement experience. He has served on a US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and is currently a member of a county-wide Child Abduction Response Team (CART) and his department's forensic unit. Outside the crime-scene tape, he is the author of smart, exciting thrillers with richly drawn characters and plots that pack a punch.

When he's not reading or writing, Dony loves spending time with his family, staying fit, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles. He also enjoys the outdoors, great music, and keeping pace with Jovie, his lovable and very active Jack Russell Terrier. Above all, he's a follower of Jesus Christ. He resides in south-central Pennsylvania.

First off, welcome to my blog. It’s so great to have you here!

Thanks, Taylor. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with you and your audience.

Is there anything you want to share before we dive into the questions?

For those who don’t know me, I am an active-duty police detective in Pennsylvania with twenty-two years of law enforcement experience. In 2010, I started writing novels—spy thrillers. Last year, I released the first book in a new crime-thriller series. You can learn more about me and my books on my website. One thing I want to stress is that my books champion faith, family, and traditional American values. And always will. Moreover, I’m extremely patriotic and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ that I think readers will recognize in my stories. And yet while I do write from a Christian worldview, I try to make my books as authentic and real as possible, just without the garbage content that spoils so many great books and movies.

What first sparked your passion for storytelling, and how has your journey as a writer evolved over time?

I’ve always enjoyed a good story. My grandfather was a natural storyteller. He always had a good story at the ready to share at family gatherings. But I think reading—the Hardy Boys books early on and later Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and others—is what ultimately inspired me to write my own books.

As far as my journey goes… I’m pretty sure I started out like many other authors in that I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. There is so much outside your control if you’re a writer who is looking to go the traditional route in publishing a book. And therein lies the rub. To use a basketball metaphor, you can have the most talent, practice all the time, watch film, go to camps, learn every aspect of the sport, and yet if no coach ever puts you in a game let alone sees you play, you’ll never record a single stat. You’ll never get to experience the joy of competition, know what you’re made of in crunch time, inspire others, or give fans a thrill. But what if there was another way? Maybe not for basketball greatness. But for books, the game has changed. The gatekeepers of publishing are now scrambling because these days there are so many tools for those who simply want to write and get their books in readers’ hands. Early on in my writing journey, I was fixated on trying to impress the coaches, the gatekeepers. But no more. I’m now singularly focused on impressing and thrilling readers. Being an indie author, I have complete autonomy over every aspect of my books. That’s not to say I’ll never consider publishing books in the traditional sense down the road, but I’m no longer interested in chasing agents, editors, and publishers around the internet. I’d rather spend my time writing and pumping out the best books I can produce for my readers. At the end of the day, my writing career, my life is in God’s hands. His will, not mine; His timing, not mine.

What unique aspects of your faith influence your storytelling style or the themes you explore?

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian household, go to a Christian school, and attend a church that preaches the Bible. As a result, I believe—and I think our own American history has taught us as well, that having a strong Christian faith does not and should not equate to living like a weenie. Sadly, our culture and yes, even the modern Church in some cases, has perpetuated this nonsense that Christians, men in particular, should be the Ned Flanders type. Avoid conflict at all costs. Be a tolerant piece of driftwood on a sea of wokeness and downright evil masquerading as virtue. In contrast, I firmly believe Christians, men most of all, are to be dangerous but good. Protectors. Guardians. Warriors. And at the same time compassionate and loving, gracious, forgiving, and merciful. All the things that God the Father demonstrates to us in His Word. This is a central theme to my books.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or passage that has guided your writing or life journey?

There are many. But some of my most favorite passages from Scripture are Psalm 97, Psalm 91, Psalm 118:6, and I Corinthians 15:58.

Who are some of your favorite Christian authors, and how have they influenced your work?

Sadly, growing up there weren’t many, which is one reason that I started writing in the first place. But the Christian authors I have read include Joel Rosenberg, Bob Hamer, Randy Singer, Mike Dellosso, Steve Wilson, Luana Ehrlich, Ryan Steck, and the writing duo of Andrews & Wilson. I think what I learned most and try to convey in my own books is that stories can be faith-based and yet still exciting, entertaining, thoughtful, and fresh, bold, dangerous even, full of consequence and derring-do and still be honoring to God.

If you could collaborate with any Christian author, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

It would have to be Andrews & Wilson. Those guys are just special in my book (pun intended). Not only are they extremely talented craftsmen of the written word, they are gracious, kind, and interesting men who have been there and done that. I honestly think of them as industry role models.

What’s your favorite scene or moment in the book, and why does it hold special meaning for you?

I know I’m partial, but I love many scenes in Agency at War. But one in particular that sticks out is the scene in which Rainey and an adversary from a previous book meet face to face just as the operation kicks off (no spoilers). Self-control and restraint, notably that of rage, is one of the subtexts to this scene and even extends throughout the book. Interestingly, it’s also something that cops must learn to master if they want to make it to retirement. I can tell you from personal experience that it sometimes takes everything inside you to bite your tongue and keep your cool in some nasty, tense, and vile situations. And yet we must always be in control.

Are there any surprising lessons or revelations you discovered about yourself or your faith through the writing process?

If I’ve discovered/confirmed anything about myself through writing it’s that I’m super competitive, determined, and even stubborn at times. I strive for perfection with everything I do but try not to get tripped up by the simple fact that perfection is unattainable. I’ve also developed a confidence in my writing style and methodology. I no longer try to do exactly what other writers do. I now do things my way without apology or guilt.

How do you incorporate prayer or spiritual reflection into your writing routine?

I often find myself praying over my writing. Whether it’s when I’m actually sitting at my desk or in the car driving to or from work. My mantra is essentially this: God’s will, not mine; His timing, not mine. Prayer is one way that I find confidence and calm in what can many times be a lonely, frustrating, and stressful enterprise.

What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers, and what feedback has resonated deeply with you?

I thoroughly enjoy hearing from readers—other authors, too—and building relationships. The relationship aspect really appeals to me, meeting new people, discovering that we’re all just people. People with stories to tell. I particularly like when a reader emails me and says how a character or scene has struck a chord with them. I love building and strengthening those connections. That’s essentially what I want as a reader—a connection with the characters. I want an experience that I’ll remember, that will stay with me long after the book is over. That’s what keeps me coming back to the same authors time and again. I’m sure I’m not unlike many other authors in that I will always consider myself a reader first.

Have you seen your book make an impact in someone’s life, and can you share that experience?

I’ve had numerous people write to me about the books and how they loved the characters and stories. But I’ve yet to have someone write to me about how one of my books specifically impacted their life in a personal way.

What’s one thing you wish readers knew about the process of writing Christian fiction?

At times, it can be incredibly difficult to make dialogue sound authentic without foul language in spy and crime fiction. And yet, there are some words that I will simply never use in my books. So, it takes a bit of finesse to make the dialogue work on occasion. But it’s not impossible. You just have to be a little creative.

Writing Christian fiction can also be prickly with respect to all the different nuances and preferences and beliefs people have. But I try to stay true to my own beliefs and more importantly to the Word of God when I reference biblical truths.

How do you celebrate the completion of a book, and what does that milestone mean to you?

I generally do not celebrate much when I finish writing a book. I’m just not a jump-up-and-down kind of guy. It’s more like “mission accomplished, now on to the next.” Here again, I’m super competitive. I always set out to one-up myself every time I sit down to write. Every scene, every chapter, every book. That’s the goal. That’s what readers expect and deserve.

If someone were to adapt your book into a movie, what would be your dream casting for the main characters?

Frankly, I don’t watch much current TV or know which actors and actresses are en vogue. However, I think Jim Caviezel would be the perfect man to play Reagan Rainey’s father. After that, I just don’t know. But I’d love the opportunity some day to be faced with making those decisions.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out?

Do it for the joy of writing. Give it your all. Strive for perfection. Be a sponge and put in the hard work. Study the best practitioners of the art of writing, be humble and insanely determined, but in the end, do things your way. It’s your writing, your career, your name on the book. Learn and be willing to try new things, even if you fall flat on your face. And if you do stumble (and you will), get back up again, grit your teeth, and do it better the next time. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to other authors, no matter how big or small. Many are super friendly, gracious, and quick to offer a helping hand or a word of wisdom. Be authentic, find your tribe, and make friends. And of course, help others along the way.

Lastly, before you go…Can you talk about any upcoming projects or books you’re working on?

Agency at War is set to release on June 10, 2025. And look for book #2 in the Nathan Press crime thriller series to drop in the spring of 2026—I had to push back the date of publication due to some unexpected life events. But that’s life. Adapt and overcome, right?

I encourage readers to subscribe to my email newsletter, what I call my Reader Intel Bulletin, so they can keep abreast of book news, insider info., free stuff, and other exciting content. July’s issue is going to include a special Q&A with someone very familiar.

Thanks again for chatting with me, Taylor. Happy reading and writing! And may God bless!

Now for his book, Agency at War.

Reagan Rainey, America’s best warrior spy, was hoping that a Christmastime trip to New York City with his old college flame would help rekindle their frayed relationship. But instead of enjoying the holiday pomp and fortifying a romance, he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a deadly terrorist attack as it is unfolding.

After narrowly escaping with his life, Rainey is quickly tasked with finding out who planned and executed the attack. He soon formulates an audacious plan that puts himself in the crosshairs as he and his newly formed CIA hunter-killer team endeavor to penetrate the dangerous terrorist organization behind the attack and give them the war they deserve. But for his plan to work, Rainey must enlist the support of a wealthy adversary, a man he would much rather see dead.

In a shadowy world of illicit arms, shifting allegiances, and hostile intelligence services that threaten to submarine the operation and put him in the ground for good, Rainey takes on the role of a lifetime fighting on the blurred front lines for an agency at war.

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Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an ebook copy!

(Giveaway runs for one week. Winner will be contacted by author.)