In this episode of Chatting with Betsy, host Betsy Wurzel welcomes James R. Bateman, author of Savior of Lost Souls, the first novel in his Retribution series. James, originally from Staffordshire, England, spent 30+ years in the IT and software world before stepping into fiction. Now, he brings readers into a haunting supernatural realm shaped by imagination, grief, and divine intervention.James introduces us to Lavek, the god of Ul’Den, a purgatory realm where cries of the prematurely lost echo.

Lavek intervenes in mortal lives to prevent tragedies before they happen—a central theme in Savior of Lost Souls.Betsy explores why James chose 1986 and a fictional Colorado town as the backdrop, and how the Williams family anchors the story. 

They also unpack character roles, the moral fabric of the narrative, and the emotional intensity of writing about spiritual and psychological transitions.James describes his writing process and how the book blends supernatural fiction, thriller pacing, and psychological mystery. Together, Betsy and James reflect on societal changes from 1986 to 2025—and the ongoing importance of teaching children safety and awareness.

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