The Malta Independent meets with author of best-seller Sliema Wives Gerard James Borg, to get the full details of his upcoming book – Madliena Married Men.

After the success of his first published work, Borg set out to complete his second book, which he has described as an “intriguing thriller”.

When asked to elaborate on this genre, Borg said that there are some “hot sex scenes, but it is mainly a thriller – containing a little bit of gossip. Due to the inspiration drawn and the research conducted, it is very realistic.”

“I have spoken to many women, who spoke to me about their husbands. I also spoke to some husbands too. It is totally fiction but when people read it I am sure that there will be a lot of people relating and identifying,” added Borg.

“It is very fast paced – the book is a real page-turner,” said Borg.

 Like Sliema Wives, Madliena Married Men has many layers to the story, he added. “The story is written in a lot of detail, and it’s also got my dash of humour – which features my love for sarcasm,” he said.

Turning to where he drew his inspiration for his upcoming book, “the characters are always inspired by a mix of people mashed into one, creating a fictional character with the traits of real life people,” said Borg.

Borg is known for taking his audience on unexpected journeys, and the same can be expected for the upcoming book.

“The plot features many twists and turns. When you think you’ve sussed something out, it turns out to not be what you’re thinking. People might not be who they appear to be, just like real life,” he added.

Borg made it crystal clear that you do not have to have read Sliema Wives in order to read and enjoy Madliena Married Men.

Borg explained that the upcoming book “is not what everybody might be expecting. It is a totally new story with fresh characters; it is also going to reveal a lot of secrets.”

“There is a big surprise for those who have read Sliema Wives however, one character from the book is going to have an important role in Madliena Married Men,” he said.

Asked about who the target audience is for the book, Borg said that there is no specific target audience, meaning that the book is aimed at everyone.

“I am assuming there will be many women reading it, just like the main audience of Sliema Wives,” said Borg.

People have voiced their expectations for the upcoming book, some saying that they expect it to be similar to the infamous ’50 Shades of Grey.’

“The book is nothing like 50 Shades of Grey - it can get sexy in some parts, that is why people automatically assume it is like that book. It has nothing to do with it, 50 Shades of Grey is between a man and a woman mainly, whereas Madliena Married Men features 3 main characters, their wives and all that comes in between,” said Borg.

Asked whether the book will be referencing real life Maltese figures, such as in the last book, Borg confirmed, and explained that the reason for this is because the book is based in Malta.

“Real life people are again referenced, giving the book a more realistic feel,” added Borg.

Borg revealed that people have reacted positively to this in Sliema Wives, telling him that the story becomes authentic because it surrounds the reader with people and places they are familiar with.

Madliena Married Men will be officially released on October 30, available from all leading book stores as well as www.midseabooks.com.  The full clip will be released exclusively on The Malta Independent Online Portal on October 25.