Darlene Cannon, Dollygal, Peacock and the Serpent

Today we are interviewing Darlene Cannon about her series titled, "Dollygal, Peacock and the Serpent." The series, which includes "The Gift," "The Awakening," and "Conquering Ego...The Return to the Extraordinary," deals with themes of love, hope, charity, and accepting ourselves exactly as we are.
 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I work with senior citizens in the Long Beach area and surrounding cities. This is my first time writing a book, and I have many more to come. 

Describe your new book series for us.

"Dollygal, Peacock and the serpent" are highly interactive mystical fantasy books. The trilogy series will challenge the reader of all ages, to be the best they can be...by simply being themselves.

Who do you think would most appreciate your books?

Young and mature people will appreciate the series.

Who was your favorite character to write?

I enjoy all of the characters because it's like experiencing different parts of myself.

An excerpt from "Dollygal, Peacock and the Serpent":

Dollygal says, "The rain is singing a song can you hear it?"

"I'm afraid not, honey," Peacock finally says.

"Sure you can, just like at the lake. Let's close our eyes, but no peeking, Brother Serpent,"  Dollygal replies.

"This is ridiculous. Rain does not sing tunes..." grumbled the serpent.

Suddenly, a big smile appears on Peacock's face, and he says, "Wait a minute, I can hear the raindrop song. So can you, serpent, admit it."

(Peacock slaps serpent on the back leaving him quite disturbed by the situation.)

"Ha, ha, ha, ha."   Peacock continues to laugh, as their carriage re-enters the castle gates.

His laughter is taken by the wind and carried out the back window...

down through the Garden, passing by the flowers and the weeds, tickling the water in the lake and finally swirling around the most magnificent tree in the Garden.

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Daniel C. Lorti, Author of The Avignon Legacy

Today we are interviewing Daniel C. Lorti about his historical mystery "The Avignon Legacy."
 
Author’s Biography
Daniel C. Lorti has a B.S.E. (summa cum laude) and an M.S.E from Arizona State University. An aerospace engineer with his work in the defense industry and intelligence community, he was involved with advanced technology particularly with bistatic and laser radar, and weapon systems. He was a founder of XonTech, Inc., a company performing highly specialized functions for the Defense Department. He was Chief Radar Engineer for the Northrop Grumman Corporation for many years. In 1995, he was appointed to President Clinton’s twenty-member conference committee for Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. As an international arms broker he conducted business in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In 2003, he and his partners sold their highly classified aerospace company to Northrop Grumman.

Daniel C. Lorti has written four novels; The Missing Factor (A Jim Factor Novel), The Avignon Legacy, The Mulligan and The Business End (A Jim Factor Novel), a sequel to The Missing Factor. The novels are mystery thrillers (arms dealing, Russian mafia, assassins), historical fiction/mystery (medieval times and events, sophisticated modern day thieves), and romantic fantasy (washed-up golfer relives his life with a twist). The novels are set in the U.S., France, Italy, Spain, Moscow and Bulgaria. The Missing Factor will be released in the fall. He’s currently on his next novel, a sequel to The Avignon Legacy.

Describe the plot of your new book, “The Avignon Legacy,” in a few sentences.
What sets the stage for this novel is the extensive international experience living and working in Europe in which he applies real world expertise to the historical past of The Avignon Legacy bringing to life an intriguing mystery extending across the centuries ending with a present day search for a treasure with only ancient clues to its existence and location.

Author Daniel C. Lorti

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
The novel will appeal to those fans of medieval times when knights evolved from pages, nobles in a feudal system, jousts and castle sieges, a war with England, a Papacy located in Avignon, battles in Spain and Italy, the Black Death, and notables such as kings, dukes and lords fought for honor, power and country. The transition to the present day with organized and highly sophisticated art and literature thefts will attract the attention of young adult and mature adults. 
 
Tell us a bit about the main character, Jean Termonde.
The 14th century in France is a time of hardship and turmoil, beset by climatic catastrophes and religious wars to the Black Death. The lives of peasants are difficult and short. As a child peasant Jean Termonde displays exceptional athleticism and intelligence and is sponsored along with the noble family’s son Maurice Chatillon onto the path to knighthood. An unselfish act of bravery brings the young knight to the attention of an important Cardinal who enlists Sir Jean in the role of Father Jean to guard the papal presence and the Church’s treasury in Avignon. His zeal and determination in unraveling plots against the Church, the pope and the treasury with his friend Sir Maurice will alter the course of French and Church history.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
The list of authors who have influenced me is large but they all have the quality I try to emulate, namely; engaging, compelling and repeating characters, twisted plots, and diversified writing styles. Here are a few of them; Lee Child, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, John Sandford, Robert B. Parker, Stuart Woods, Vince Flynn and Dan Brown.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
The initial ideas flow from past professional experiences, acquaintances, and places harboring an interesting background. In the case of the Avignon Legacy, I have been to Avignon and Provence in the south of France and Vatican City in Rome, Italy. Buildings constructed in the 13th and 14th century still exist throughout Europe, so it is in Avignon and the Vatican. The feudal system of France and England with peasants, nobles and knights contrasted sharply with the city-states of Italy. I started with a summary. My outlines were linear, mostly chronological which contain not only scenes but actual historical events and figures by year. I relied on a character list and chapter, section and subsection short overviews as I went along. These were very helpful with sub-plots and their integration in the body of the novel was simplified.

The Road to Publication
Every published author has their own story but here’s mine. I started by writing two movie scripts after seeing a particularly terrible movie. (I can’t remember the title.) After attending Screenwriters Conferences and National Film Institute offerings in Los Angeles, I learned producers generally rely on their own screenwriters. I decided to write a novel in the hope I would go in the back door that way. My first novel, The Missing Factor, was a mystery thriller based on my experiences as an arms dealer. I sent out over 250 query letters with no success. Meanwhile, I thought a different genre, historical fiction/mystery may be more appealing. On completing The Avignon Legacy, another 250 query letters were sent out. Again, after two months of no answers, I embarked on another genre, romantic fantasy, with The Mulligan. It was just completed when I received eight months after I offered The Avignon Legacy, a reply from a literary agency they were interested in the novel and representing me. (Bless the Loiacono Literary Agency, Irving, TX.) While they edited and critiqued the novel, I wrote a sequel to The Missing Factor entitled, The Business End. By the way, The Missing Factor is slated for publication in the fall. After four months of representation, my agent, Jeanie Loiacono found a publisher for The Avignon Legacy. (Blessings on William Connor, Managing Director, Argus Enterprises, Kernersville, NC.)
 
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
There are no shortage of excellent writers out there who are waiting to be discovered. I have encountered them and their self-published e-books at book fares and writers clubs where we bumped elbows with avid readers buying our signed copies. It allows a writer to showcase their talents and their writing while they keep sharpening their skills. I have purchased interesting self-published novels at book fares.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I’d like to continue to write sequels with the Jim Factor novels (The Missing Factor, The Business End), and The Avignon Legacy with the two knights, Jean Termonde and Maurice Chatillon.
 
What is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?
I find publicizing myself and my novel as the most time consuming and frustrating part of the process. As a result of time demands on other aspects of my life, I have engaged a publicist (Clemens Public Relations, Palm Desert, CA) to assist me with social media and TV/radio interviews.  Thank goodness for my agent who also provides a steady flow of material on the subject.
 
Tell us a bit about what we can expect from you for your next project.
As a result of wonderful reviews and comments on The Avignon Legacy, I have started its sequel.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
When historical times are presented in novel form and characters are inserted to present their impressions and attitudes as they cope with catastrophes, battles, uprisings, cultural class, and living standards, you find times and events are easier to digest and more interesting than history text books.

An excerpt from "The Avignon Legacy":

Two inventive and audacious men separated by 700 years.
One incomparable treasure, hidden for centuries.
A legendary mystery waiting to be solved.

Though born a peasant in the middle of the 14th century, Jean Termonde’s uncommon intelligence and courage has enabled him to rise above his station to become a knight. Brought to the notice of a high-ranking cardinal, Sir Jean’s new position is to provide security for the papal city of Avignon, France and the vast treasury at the Palace of the Popes. When the Pope decides to move the Papacy back to Rome in 1377, noting the treasure is at risk in the chaotic time following the decision, the resourceful Sir Jean devises an ingenious hiding place until it can be safely transferred to the Vatican. The treasure never arrives in Rome.

Seven centuries later, antique book collector and seller Jim Pearce acquires rare volumes for unscrupulous but well-heeled clients. His background in the arts may be important but his experience with the U.S. Army Investigative Services was invaluable. He coolly dispatches two heavily-armed thugs who try to steal a rare 14th century volume on the Avignon Papacy. When he receives an offer of $5 million from reclusive billionaire John D. Baxter shortly thereafter to steal an ancient 14th century volume from the Vatican Secret Archives, he suspects the legend of the lost treasure. His interest is piqued and, with his equally talented French partner, Maurice Germain, an audacious plan begins to emerge whereby he will penetrate the Vatican’s defenses, get to the Secret Archives, exchange a clever forgery, and escape unseen. It calls for boldness, timing, disguises and an incredible use of remote-controlled helicopters. They become aware that Baxter’s men, the New Scotland Yard, and the French police are now in play as well.

Once the volume is taken, they hold on and enlist the help of a French scholar, Dr. John St. Rouffignac. A letter written by Sir Jean Termonde to his cardinal tells of the location in an odd riddle. A climax occurs at the Avignon Palace of the Popes where Pierce uses both his ability to decipher the cryptic riddle and intricate maneuvering to extract the treasure from under Baxter’s vigilance while at the same time framing him for the theft.

Now, with the immense wealth in their hands, Pierce has to wrestle with the decision of its disposal noting Baxter remains a threat, giving the historic value of the collection, and honoring the memory of the steadfast Sir Jean Termonde.

 Book blurb for Daniel C. Lorti's upcoming novel - "The Missing Factor":

A Jim Factor Novel

Jim Factor is a successful arms dealer living in Southern California with clients in Europe and customers in the Middle East.  A recent client, Carlos Sengretti, phones Factor and tells him he is marked for death due to their discovered illegal arms deal by Mikhail Borichov, a Bulgaria arm dealer.

Factor barely escapes to San Francisco where he starts a new life with a new identity. His distraught wife Diane hires Adam Weatherly, a cunning and relentless private detective who tracks Jim to San Francisco and is in turn followed by Borichov’s Russian mafia hit team. Factor finds work at a marina prepares for an eventual confrontation learning martial arts and Spanish, and acquiring counterfeit ID. He becomes friends with Chris Muncie, his martial arts instructor.

Weatherly uncovers Factor’s new passport identity and finds him. Borichov flies to San Francisco and gets directly involved with his hit team who is trying to find Factor.  Jim, Chris and Weatherly soon come together and confront the Russians in a bloody gun battle on Alcatraz Island where Borichov and the hit team are killed.

Factor discovers he’s still in danger and flees to Spain. He seeks closure by meeting with Dimitri Federov, the Russian mafia head, who places him in charge of Cortex, Borichov’s former Bulgarian arms company. In Bulgaria, a Russian mafia territorial dispute places Factor in another gun battle where he must fight with Chris, Adam and Federov at his side to not only survive but have a chance to regain his former life.

Relevant Links
Visit Daniel C. Lorti's website
Get "The Avignon Legacy" on Amazon
Get "The Avignon Legacy" on Barnes and Noble

A Castillo, Author of Alex Castle

Today we are interviewing A Castillo, author of the short story titled "Alex Castle."
 
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Mr. Castillo is a successful business owner, Single Father, Author, and CEO of a charitable organization. Mr. Castillo was born and raised in Houston TX and moved to San Antonio where he has been living for the past 20 years. He is an avid basketball fan; his favorite team Is of course the San Antonio Spurs. Mr. Castillo is working on a new book series with the lead character of this short story Alex Castle.

Describe the plot of your new short story, "Alex Castle," in a few sentences.
Alex Castle is a guy who one day wakes from a short coma with no memory of his past, upon investigation he finds out he is very financially secure and lives in a huge albeit empty house in San Antonio TX.

As he tries to learn about his past he meets a beautiful young woman who he falls in love with and discovers something about himself that is strange and unique. Then one day the unthinkable happens.

He has one clue a single word that will either lead him to find out about his past or will cost him his life.
 
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who likes action, suspense, romance, mystery, and science fiction. This is a short story but it encompasses a large range of human emotions.

Your last book is a non-fiction book about relationships. What made you decide to switch gears and do a short story series?

Author A Castillo.

I get asked that a lot, my interests are varied. I love to help people and I love to entertain people as well. I’ve written several self-help books and advice books but I’ve always wanted to explore my creative side. This short story is one of many rattling around in my brain. It just so happens that Alex Castle broke out first. It’s been well enough received that I’ve decided to create a full length novel and book series dedicated to this one character.

Do you know how many books will be in this series?
Well this short story is the introduction to the series I’m currently working on the first full length novel and have a few ideas for about 2 more full length novels at this point the series will be comprised of 3 books but that may change it really depends on where the character takes me.

Who was your favorite character to write?
Well Alex Castle would be the obvious choice he’s the main character but his love interest was also a treat to create, her character development will grow more in the first novel and I think she will end up being my favorite character.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Many, I have always loved to read and I have found the Steven King, Morgan Rice, and Especially Dean Koontz have styles that I enjoy, I find myself becoming part of the story and that’s what I want my readers to feel.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
Wow that’s a good question, I don’t have a set process, Sometimes the stories come to me all at once, sometimes in bits and pieces and I have to fill in the blanks. But normally when I have an idea for a new story, I like to write it down all my thoughts all my ideas, plots, storylines, specific details that come to mind and then I try to put it all together in a way that makes sense sometimes it works sometimes I have to scrap it all and start over. But the stories and ideas themselves usually guide me.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?I love it, to me it’s a great way to get your story out to many people who don’t have the time to actually sit down and read a traditional paperback or hardcover book. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing like sitting down and reading a great book. But with the world being so much faster nowadays, and in this world of instant gratification. If you can read a book from your phone, your laptop, or your kindle or eBook reader. I’m all for it the point is not the media you use to read the story, but that you read the story.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It’s a short story and a lot of readers will want to know what happens next, I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
 
An excerpt from "Alex Castle":

My name is Alex Castle, at least that's what my driver’s license says. I woke up in a hospital bed in Houston TX and I had no memory of my life before that day, the doctors couldn't tell me anything other than I had walked in 10 days earlier and collapsed on the emergency room floor. The following is a detailed record of my life at least since I woke up in the hospital. According to my driver’s license I was 32 years’ old and I lived in San Antonio TX. What I was doing in Houston I had no idea, the only belongings I had with me when I came in were a set of house keys, my wallet which included my driver’s license, 2 credit cards, 1 blank card with a magnetic strip with no markings, and 500 dollars in cash. I also was wearing a platinum ring with a black onyx stone and the letter C engraved in gold at the center of the stone.

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Get a copy of "Alex Castle" on Amazon

E.L. Durant, Author of The Time Key

Today we are interviewing E.L. Durant, author of the young teen fantasy novel "The Time Key."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
As you’ll be able to tell from the spelling, I’m English, but also a married, father of two who works in Clinical Research. I live and work in Dorset, England, right in the heart of Thomas Hardy country. Although that part is probably wasted on me as I’m not much of fan; I’ve always preferred contemporary writers. I do like the part of it that means I live by the sea though. And the bit in the coach at the beginning of the school trip, where Luke gets into trouble, is a true story. I still feel mild shame about it all; but not much.

Describe the plot of your new book, "The Time Key," in a few sentences.
On a trip to an historic country house, two young teens are pulled into a painting of a war scene. Unable to return to the house the way they came, they have to work out how to survive, and how to tolerate each other, in this strange new world in order to trace a route back. However, they soon learn that the painting they are in is just one among many, and that they are all portals to other worlds; a multiverse of alternate realities of time, where history is no longer what they once thought, and where the path home will not be straightforward, or maybe even possible. They must use all of their modern knowledge and cunning to extricate themselves from less sophisticated, but much more heartless worlds.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I hope it will appeal to young teens who like something fast paced, and the puzzles of discovering how characters can extract themselves from tricky situations. I also hope that there will be interest in seeing how small changes in history might impact on the world. What would the modern world be like if WW1 hadn’t happened; if computers had not been invented; if there was permanent war?  And how would today’s thinking offer an advantage to somebody returned to the past?
Although you've written in other genres, this is your first children's tale. What inspired you to write a fantasy fiction for young teens?
This story is based on ones I used to make up for my children when they were young. My son was happy for me to read anything to him, but my daughter preferred me to freestyle stories to her. This developed to the point where I used to spend my day thinking about the next one, or the next part of one that was left unfinished. Then I started to write them down. Once I’d published my adult books (see the ebook question later), I returned to the notes and the chunks of tales I had for my daughter’s stories and tried to turn them into a coherent account.
 
Was it difficult to transition into writing for a younger audience?
I’m not sure that’s one for me to answer. I guess I have to wait for any reviews. It didn’t feel difficult. I’ve never spoken to my children any differently than I would to an adult, and I feel the same about the writing. One difference has been genre - I don’t write adult fantasy – but the imperatives of narrative and characterisation and plot are just as critical. But I think the primary difference has been themes, although one of my adult books, Madness of the Turtle, is a coming of age story with a seventeen year old protagonist called Rico, (my favourite character of mine) so that has perhaps been a bridge between the two.

Tell us about the two protagonists, Luke Morgan and Chyna Blue.
More than anything they are equals. Each may have their strengths, but they are complementary and, as they work together to survive, they come to realise that. In the beginning, they rarely mixed at school and consequently don’t like each other. As time goes on, they grow to respect and like each other and recognise that there is more to a person than first impressions reveal. 

Certainly Luke is fun-loving, and doesn’t take life seriously enough; while Chyna is extremely sarcastic and cynical. They learn from each other as the story develops, and take on each other’s strengths. 

 As the teacher who forces them to team up for the Stately Home visit, says,

“You can groan all you like, but that’s how it’s going to be. You’ve already proved, Morgan, that you can’t be trusted with any of your friends. So, in the hope that some of her brilliance might rub off on you, and that when you get back to school you are able to write a report that is more than, ‘it was a big house, full of stuff’. And in order to keep the good name of this school, Chyna will chaperone you.”

 “And you Chyna,” he spoke quickly with his hand held up to stem her protest at the unfairness of it all, “might well ask what you have done to deserve Morgan? Well, I’m hoping that a few hours in Master Morgan’s company might show you that actively trying to be unpopular is not the only option for you to spend your days at school. For some unfathomable reason this boy is liked. And you are bright. You both might learn something from each other. Now, go on and don’t split up. Because if I catch either of you on their own there’ll be trouble.”
 
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Graham Greene, Hemingway, Deighton, Steinbeck, Le Carré, were all adult writers I enjoyed in my teens. I liked adventure stories with pace when I was younger, but I also try to involve an element of the storytelling of those just mentioned. As a child, I especially liked Anthony Buckeridge, and Richmal Crompton, although they were very old-fashioned even then. Buckeridge wrote a series of books about two boys at boarding school – they always made me wish I could go away to school – and it’s that joint protagonist, combining strengths and dicing with trouble, I wanted to harness for Luke and Chyna. But I’m not aware that my style has been influenced by any single writer.
 
Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
An idea can come from anywhere; the news, a conversation, a song lyric, or a picture. The book I’m writing at the moment ‘The Good Father’ came from the image of a man behind the barbed wire of a refugee camp holding a child up for the press to photograph (although he’s not the Good Father of the title).

When I have an idea, I tend to let it roll around in my head for a while before I write anything down, to see if it takes root. Once it does, then I’ll start making notes and see if the idea is big enough for a whole story, and interesting enough to live with for a year or more. I always want an idea of how it will end at this point as well. I think the ending is the most important part. It doesn’t matter to me if it is a happy, sad, or ambiguous ending, as long it suits the story that’s been told. Once I start writing, I try to work through from beginning to end, but if I get stuck, then I’ll skip ahead and write other parts, and then go back and fill in. Once that’s done, I’ll go back and rewrite whatever is necessary.  When the first draft is finished, I then put it away for a few months and work on something else. I like to put some time and distance between the first draft and the second, because I see the story differently then and I’m better able to see what works and what doesn’t. I’ve done this many times for some books – I’m currently resting one that I initially planned to publish a year ago, but I’ve yet to make it feel right. Once I publish, then the hard part begins; marketing.
 
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
Without ebooks I would still be submitting the first three chapters of my books to agents and waiting for them not to get back to me. For many years, I kept rewriting the same two books, trying to make them more commercial for the occasional vague interest from an agent. But once I made the decision to self-publish as an ebook, and uploaded the ones I had ready, it freed me up to start writing others. Consequently, I love the impact ebooks have had on the industry. It’s been good fun for me.
"The Time Key" is the first book in the trilogy. What stage are you at with the other books?
I have completed the first draft of Book two – Three Samurai – and that is scheduled for later this year, dependant on the success of "The Time Key," and how I get on with the adult books I’m currently completing. While book three is mapped out and I have a clear idea of where that will go and how it will resolve.
 
What can readers expect from the other two books in the trilogy?
Luke and Chyna will develop, certainly Chyna will become more aware of her powers, but also become less cynical, while Luke will become more caring, certainly of Chyna. As for the stories, they will still have the same pacing, but the themes and stakes will become larger as the multiverse comes to recognise who Luke and Chyna really are, and they realise how vast and evil it is. "The Time Key" is quite intimate, as if a spotlight is being shone on Luke and Chyna, but in the others the scale will increase to match the vastness of time and space. The tone is also darker in book two as they recognise the threat they are under, and the terror that is present in the lives of others.

"The Time Key" is primarily about the paintings and establishing the rules of movement within them and how they access the worlds. Book two deals much more with the alternate worlds,especially when Luke and Chyna end up trapped in another world that has developed in a more brutal and terrifying way than their own.

An excerpt from "The Time Key": 

The intensity of the battle had darkened the water and made the sun faint with smoke and fury; the sea was ablaze with burning wreckage as the two Napoleonic warships leant towards each other in final battle. Absorbed by the imagery, Luke had failed to notice that the painting was aglow, or that water was spilling from the bottom of the frame.

The head of a Komodo dragon crashed through a lower panel of the old door, and its shoulders strained at the thicker boards. The second dragon crashed through after and their combined weight broke the door in two, taking the bottom half from its hinges. The yelping of the hunting dogs was almost overwhelming. But they weren’t important to him any longer.

“Luke.” There was panic in Chyna’s voice, as the water swirled around her. She reached out for him. But the water was up to her waist and tugging her away from him.

A loud crash split the air as the clamour of the ships’ guns filled the room. Loud and deafening, the boom of sound wrapped itself around him, and his sense of space and place in the old house was lost.

He had dashed forward, lunging for her hand as the guns had crashed. Yet there was nothing in front of him but a wall of night-dark water. His feet were no longer on the floor, and he could feel himself tumbling toward the painting. He tried to pull back but he had no purchase, nothing to help him resist.

The house, the room, and the two fierce and frightening Komodo dragons, were all lost to him as he was completely taken by the painted sea and the colliding din of war.

All there was to him now was the cold, black water. It was like he had plunged from a high cliff into the deepest, coldest sea; nothing but the suffocating sea. He tried to breathe but it was too late. Was this what it was like to drown, he asked himself?

More Information
E.L. Durant's website
Buy "The Time Key" on Amazon