Robert Pais
Author Interview - Robert Pais
Author of Izzy's Dilemma
On the distant planet Mirron, social standing is determined by a single physical trait, the color of a person’s eyes. There are four colors, each associated with one of four gemstones that reflect its hue—Topaz at the top, Emerald and Sapphire in the middle, and at the bottom, Pearl. Twelve-year-old Izzy Ashford, a Pearl, is adopted as a baby by loving Topaz parents Tom and Judy Ashford. The town they live in is virtually all Topaz. Izzy is the only Pearl in her class from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Izzy is always warmly welcomed by her classmates and other community members. By virtue of her parents being Topaz, she is treated as if she were Topaz. Izzy’s color isn’t an issue for her until about a month before graduation from sixth grade. While her class is out on the playground for recess, one of her classmates, Billy Winthrop, starts to bully her. Billy is talking with a group of his friends, and suddenly points at Izzy. Then, they all start laughing and walk to the other side of the playground.
A short time later, Izzy decides she wants to swing on the swing set. Just as she is about to get on a swing, Billy purposely runs into her and knocks her down. Then he gets on the swing she was going to use, starts swinging, and laughing to himself. Izzy has never encountered anything like this before. Instinctively, she knows it’s because she’s Pearl and the rest of the children in her class are Topaz.
On the first day of a family beach vacation in Oceanside over the Fourth of July, Izzy encounters Billy while standing in line at the concession stand. Before the Ashfords leave for vacation, Izzy is aware that Billy’s family will be in Oceanside the same week as hers. She worries about running into him, but thinks he won't bother her with so many other people around. She's wrong. He leaned close to her and said, 'Wrong school, Pearl. Next year’s Topaz only. Try somewhere you won’t drag the rest of us down.' Izzy doesn’t tell her parents what happened because she is afraid that Billy is hiding nearby and will hear her.
The next day, Izzy meets a mysterious man named Sam on the beach. Sam offers her an impossible choice: he will change her color from Pearl to Topaz the day before school starts in September—if she asks. If she chooses to make the change, it will be permanent. It cannot be reversed.
At first, the decision seems like a no-brainer, but as the summer unfolds, Izzy begins to realize that making this change may not bring her happiness or purpose—and may cost her more than she ever imagined.
Robert PaisAuthor Interview - Mary Camarillo
Author I draw inspiration from:
Ken Follett. The Kingsbridge Novels. Five Book set. (The Pillars Of The Earth, World Without End, A Column Of Fire, The Evening And The Morning & The Armour Of Light)
Author Interview - Robert Pais | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
While driving - an audiobook
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Gabriel Allon, a former Israeli intelligence operative and art restorer. I would ask him how he became an art restorer as an ice breaker. I would casually mention Israeli intelligence and he would look at me shake his head and say, "are you kidding me!"
Author Interview - Robert Pais | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
It was never a planned thing that came to me at a single point in time. I had some breaks between jobs at CPA firms and figured I would write about a subject I know about...tax strategies for individuals and small businesses. When I left Public Accounting for good in April of 2025, I had already written and published two tax guides and enjoyed the writing process so with time on my hands, I began my first attempt at fiction.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Audiobook - I used to be on the road every day for work. Listening to a good book eased the boredom of driving for long periods of time. I did not become a serious reader until audiobooks were available. I have read between 150 and 200 books that I never would have read without the advent of audiobooks.
The last book I read:
The Women by Kristin Hannah. I loved it. When I think about my favorite authors, Ken Follett and Kristen Hannah are always at the top. Her ability to draw the reader in quickly and develop intriguing and believable characters makes it difficult to put her books down. I must mention that her book, The Nightengale is an all time favorite of mine. My father was born in the Netherlands in 1927 and when he was twelve years old his family made a harrowing escape from the Nazi occupied Europe. The story of Nightengale really resonates with me.
Author Interview - Robert Pais | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer - When I complete a section of the book or a chapter, it is very easy to edit on the computer. When I am satisfied with what I have written, I will print it out, then edit it again with a pen while reading the hard copy. I usually find something to fix or change with each reading. Occasionally, if my wife is available, I will ask her to read it out loud to me. It is helpful to listen to what I have written, which may or may not lead to additional changes.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Somkit from A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. Somkit is hilarious, goofy, and smart. I think I'm a bit like that and I like people with those characteristics.
Author Interview - Robert Pais | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
A CPA. It's really the only choice as that is what I did for many years before I ever wrote a book. In fact the first and third books I wrote are tax guides for laymen with easy to understand and implement strategies allowing them to keep more of what they earn.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
1980 - 1989 when I graduated from college and had to think about the clothes I wore each day.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Bermuda - My wife and I went there on our honeymoon then again for my 40th birthday. I love the island. People are so warm and friendly, the weather is perfect, the food is excellent and the tropical drinks are great. It goes without saying that the island is indescribably beautiful.
My signature drink:
Margarita, Double IPA, Coke, Ginger Ale
Favorite artist:
Music - a tie between Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, Art - Vincet Van Gogh
Number one on my bucket list:
See Dead and Company at the Sphere in Las Vegas, NV or at the Red Rock Amphitheater in Morrison, CO. Of course, were it possible to see the Grateful Dead at one of those two venues that would be ahead of Dead and Company.
Anything else you'd like to add:
I'm grateful to Ashley Hasty and the Hasty Book List for giving me an opportunity to publicize Izzy's Dilemma.
Find more from the author:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072885549331,
https://www.instagram.com/robertpaisauthor/
About Robert Pais:
Robert Pais
Robert Pais is a CPA with over 13 years of hands-on experience helping individuals and small business owners navigate the complex world of taxes with clarity and confidence. Bob made it his mission to translate complicated tax rules into clear, easy-to-understand, and implement tax strategies that anyone can understand and use to keep more of what they earn.
Bob has written and published two tax guides: The Ultimate Tax Guide for Small Businesses and Individuals and Pay Less Money to Your Uncle! Both books are available on Amazon.com.
Having retired from the world of accounting and taxes in April 2025, Bob turned his attention to writing fiction. A novel for middle-grade readers incorporating magical realism and a bit of science fiction, Izzy's Dilemma is a result of a combination of Bob's passion for social justice and love of adult fantasy writing.
