KING OF THE MOUNTAIN by Aiden Ainslie

  Pleased welcome Aiden Ainslie author of KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

by Aiden Ainslie

 

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GENRE:  M/M romance

 

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

 

I was lucky to have an excellent English teacher and enjoyed literature all through high school. Jane Austen was my favorite though it was definitely not cool for a guy to enjoy romantic stories. I dabbled a little with my writing in high school but it had always been somewhat of a guilty pleasure. Five years ago, I started to take it more seriously and attended workshops and seminars to acquire novel writing skills. After a career in engineering and IT, I was finally able to quit my day job during the pandemic and focus on what I really love – writing MM romance.

2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?

 

As in any novel, it is essential to have strong character development and a good plot. The author has to take the reader on a journey and make them care about the main characters. MM romance has a rather defined structure and I like that. There has to be the awakening of a relationship, excitement, tension and then despair when all seems lost. This genre also demands an inevitable happy ending. 

 

In MM romance, authors can employ the added dimension of sex. For me, it is important that every sex scene have a clear purpose. It must show the vulnerabilities, the growing trust, or some other dimension of the relationship between the MCs. Gratuitous sex scenes merely serve to interrupt the flow of the storyline.

 

3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

 

The TV coverage of the Tour de France is an annual sporting highlight that I never miss. It is a thrill to see the riders battling it out as they race through spectacular scenery dotted with quaint villages, French Chateau and ancient monasteries among lush green forests. The setting simply begs for romance. 

 

Because I am a keen cyclist myself, I am in awe of the skill, endurance and mental stamina needed to compete at a professional level. 

 

I did some research and was surprised to learn that there has never been an openly gay rider in the Tour de France. That got me thinking. What if? What if the leader of the Tour de France, who has to be utterly focused on the race, finds himself distracted by a burgeoning attraction to a guy? He doesn’t only have to balance these feelings against the commitment to his sport but also has to deal with years of repressed sexuality. That would make a good story, wouldn’t it? Especially if the romance starts in Paris!

 

 

4. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

 

King of the Mountain is the first book in the Love at Lake Clyde series. I have already completed books two and three, Master of the Wild and Ruler of the Waves. They are stand-alone stories but readers enjoy them more if read in sequence. That way one gets to know the supporting cast of well-meaning, meddling folks in Clydesdale. 

 

I am currently working on the fourth and final book in the series, Lord of the Sky.

5. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

 

I identify with Clifford, the cyclist. Of course, I am much older and not nearly as good-looking. But I identify with him because of the heartache that comes from years of repressing one’s attraction for men. The human mind is a wonderful, powerful thing. It even allows us to lie to ourselves for decades. Clifford wasted so much of his life and missed out on so much happiness before Gabe finally made him come out of his shell.

 

6. Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?

 

I did belong to a small group of four writers for a while. I was lucky that this group was respectful, honest and constructive in their criticisms. We also had lots of fun and drank too much wine. It was helpful when I started my writing career. Then, some people moved away and the group folded. In retrospect, that was a good thing because I realized that I had become too dependent on them. I was writing to please the group rather than be true to myself and my characters.

7. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

 

A few years ago, I joined “Jericho Writers”, based in Oxford, U.K. They are a group of writers who run webinars on all aspects of creative writing, editing, publishing, marketing, etc. Through those webinars, with very lively online chats among the participants, I realized that writers are just normal people like me. If they could get published, why not me? And so, I took the plunge.

 

8. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

 

I have an engineering and IT background, hence I do plan in advance. I create a roughly three-page outline and maintain a series of spreadsheets to keep track of all my characters, the timeline, places, etc. It is amazing how quickly the cast of supporting characters grows in a novel. And, if you write a novel over a period of nine to twelve months, you can easily get confused as to their age, mannerisms, relationships, or history. 

 

So, I keep all that straight via a set of spreadsheets. But, once I start, I allow the story to evolve. It is a most satisfying feeling when the main characters start to take on a life of their own and virtually dictate deviations to the story line. You sit and write and then think, “Gabe would never do that. He would rather do…” and the story veers into a new direction.

9. How do you maintain your creativity?

 

I talk to my characters. Not out loud of course (for fear of being carted off and locked up), but in my head. I go for long hikes and solitary bike rides and the motion just gets my brain going. Often, I have to stop to dictate new ideas into my phone. Then, when I sit at my computer, I weave these new angles into the storyline.

 

10. Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why?

 

Gabe O’Reilly, the second main character, is just an all-around adorable, good person. He has maintained a childlike ability to enjoy the simple things in life and to be enchanted by art and natural beauty. That doesn’t mean he’s a pushover. Quite the contrary. He knows who he is and is at peace with himself and the world around him. There isn’t a bitchy bone in his body. I’ve always admired people like that.

 

11. Anything else you might want to add?

 

The MM romance genre appears to be heavily populated with stars from very specific sports: baseball, football, and hockey. King of the Mountain, and the other books in the series, also showcase sports stars who are athletic, determined, and highly competitive. But I deliberately wanted to showcase lesser-known sports such as cycling, cross-county and sailing to give readers a fresh dimension. Several reviewers have commented on how much they have enjoyed going on a virtual Tour de France.

BLURB:

 

CLIFFORD

 

After years of hard work and training, I finally have the chance of fulfilling my lifelong dream of winning the Tour de France. Nothing can be allowed to distract me from this mission, especially not Gabe O’Reilly, the adorable art student from San Francisco.

 

But he looks so vulnerable – all alone in France.

 

I would be failing in my patriotic duty to a fellow American if I didn’t take care of him, wouldn’t I? And what possible harm could come from spending twenty-four hours with him on the shores of the Mediterranean? I deserve that little break, don’t I?

 

GABE

 

I have never seen a human specimen as perfect as Clifford Du Frey. During our fleeting encounter in Paris, I saw a man who was funny, caring, and tender – so very different from the way the media portray him. He is everything I could ever dream of in a boyfriend.

 

But in what universe will an international sports superstar pay any serious attention to me?

 

Do not get involved, my brain yells; you can only get hurt again. But my heart is thrumming to a different tune.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

CLIFFORD

 

In my line of work as a professional cyclist, me-time was rationed like the tiny, individually wrapped squares of chocolate my mother would give me as a reward for good school results. Of course, once I had found her secret stash, I used to help myself and haughtily decline her miserly tokens of approval.

 

But there was no secret stash of time. I had to live with the given rations to deal with my anxieties. I knew what none of the team even suspected – this was do-or-die, my last attempt at finally pulling off the big win that had eluded me throughout my ten-year professional career. I knew that I would not be able to muster the hunger for another Tour – to withstand the hundreds of hours of training rides in extreme heat and the Alps' arctic altitude. This was it. But if my cycling career was at an end – then what? It was all I had ever done. My grueling schedule had not allowed me to attend college. At twenty-eight, I stared into the chasm of obscurity, a has-been, yesterday’s hero discarded with yesterday’s trash. 

 

I nursed a coffee and was about to spiral into a pit of self-doubt and anxiety when I noticed a young man at the restaurant entrance. His indecision was palpable. He had a camera on a strap around his neck. Who still used cameras? Didn’t everyone have a smartphone? And he held a copy of the Lonely Planet in one hand. He wore cargo shorts, a UC San Francisco T-shirt, and leather sandals. There was something so open, innocent, and vulnerable about him that it tugged at my jaded heart. He might as well have had “American student – rip me off” tattooed on his forehead. Physically he was gorgeous – average height with sun-tanned skin and the perfect proportions that come from working on a farm or construction site. The soft curls of his dark hair shone in the midday sun and fell in unruly waves over his forehead. I had the fleeting, insane urge to push my fingers through that hair so that I could get a good look at his eyes. A few well-heeled ladies in the bistro were giving him the once-over, but he was utterly oblivious.

 

The man bit his lower lip as he studied the menu, and it was as though I could read his mind. The hand in his pocket was no doubt assessing how many euros he had and whether he could afford the expensive bistro which the Lonely Planet recommended as a “must-do.” Again, his eyes scanned the packed restaurant, and the waiters were too busy to notice his dilemma.

 

To this day, I do not know what made me do it. I, who had wanted anonymity, to get away from the oppressive togetherness of a competitive sports team in a foreign country. I, who desperately needed time to straighten out my head. I, who definitely did not need any distractions in my life. I rose from my seat and beckoned for the stranger to join me at the intimate table with its white tablecloth, the vase with lavender, and the table-setting for two. 

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Aiden Ainslie lives in the Diablo foothills, east of San Francisco. He grew up in various small towns and loves to draw on that small-town feel for his romances: the sense of community but also the petty grievances, intrigue and rivalries. “An author has to draw on personal experience to create authentic stories.”

 

According to Aiden, setting and mood are critical parts of a romantic story, hence he is always taking pictures of romantic settings to be used in future novels. Check them out on his website www.aidenainslie.com

 

When Aiden is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and plots for his MM Romance novels. He also enjoys zipping around town on his motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people to get inspiration for his writing.

 

Website: www.aidenainslie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiden.ainslie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AidenA36208349

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/KING-MOUNTAIN-LOVE-LAKE-CLYDE-ebook/dp/B0996S9871

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/king-of-the-mountain-by-aiden-ainslie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58576572-king-of-the-mountain

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:  

 

The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

"http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4656

One Pale Reflection by Tycho Dwelis

 Please welcome Tycho Dwelis author of One Pale Reflection

Tycho Dwelis will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC and a signed print copy of the book (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

One Pale Reflection

by Tycho Dwelis

 

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GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

 

Brenden McCoy and his sister, Lettie, have just lost their parents and are going to live with a distant relative in Ireland. They don’t know him, don’t like him, and - even weirder - strange things keep happening around their new caregiver’s house.

 

Meanwhile, in a strange world beyond a mirror, a mercenary has been sent by his king to hunt down and kill a fugitive, a powerful and immortal wizard. Time is not on his side.

 

Athos the Key Thief builds an army, and soon everyone will be just another Thrall.

 

Will Brenden be able to solve the mystery beyond the mirror, find the truth behind his parents’ disappearance, and put to rest someone who cannot die?

 

Welcome to MirrorWorld.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Athos? Sounds like a made-up word.”

 

“It’s from a language not spoken on this earth. This man is of supernatural origin and has been to many places beyond this world, or so it’s said. About ten years ago, a man no older than a boy came to this village and claimed to be a merchant from Sand Stor Stad. We thought him vain, always looking at himself in a mirror. He kept him with it at all times. Then, we found out what he was really after. About two miles out from this village, high up on that cliff, lies a door.”

 

“Just a door?” Duncan followed the man’s finger into the black tree line on the hill, unable to see anything in the darkness.

 

“Just a door. A black door. It doesn’t lead to anything. It just sat there for the longest time and, as far as we knew, it was stuck fast. Some had tried to destroy it, but a great magick protected it. By coming here, Athos unlocked it and unleashed terror onto this place. First came the plagues, then the Thralls.”

 

Duncan gulped. “T-Thralls?”

 

“Undead beasts who stalk the night. Those they spit their poison upon die and are turned into the very beings themselves. If it wasn’t for this fire here, they’d be on us like a pack of wild dogs. Don’t you see the eyes? Look… upward into the woods.”

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

I’m Tycho (I also use the pen name Cassidy), and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life.

 

I currently live in Colorado and have my MA in Publishing.

 

Links:

Website: tychodorian.com

Linktree (includes all of my newsletter, social media, and projects): https://linktr.ee/tychodorian

 

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTRKUVUyS/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tychodorian

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tycho_dorian

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tycho_dorian

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Tycho Dwelis will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC and a signed print copy of the book (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4610

Signed: Ironwill Football's Recruiting Guide for Canadian Highschool Football Players by Tim Burris

 Please welcome Tim Burris author of Signed: Ironwill Football's Recruiting Guide for Canadian Highschool Football Players

Tim Burris will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Signed:

Ironwill Football's Recruiting Guide for Canadian Highschool Football Players

by Tim Burris

 

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GENRE: Non-fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

It's time to get serious and start preparing to take your football talents to the next level. But understanding the multiple recruiting pathways and signing to a postsecondary football program can be challenging. Don't worry, though . . . Coach Burris of IRONWILL Football will help guide you through the recruiting process.

 

Signed is a guide for Canadian football players in Grades 9 to 12 who aspire to play post-secondary football. Coach Burris gives you the football recruiting blueprint so you can make informed recruiting decisions for your future.

 

With a dedicated chapter for parents, Signed breaks down everything you need to begin your journey toward the U Sports, NCAA, Junior football, CEGEP, and Junior college.

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EXCERPT:

 

How to start 

 

A successful transition plan starts with deciding and committing to football at the post-secondary level and then developing a plan around where you want to play. Take this seriously. You need a plan to have a smooth transition to the post-secondary level. Believe me when I say this: You need to be honest with yourself and determine which pathway best suits you. 

 

In Canada, there is one high school route and three post-secondary pathways a student athlete can take: 

 

1. University football (U Sports), or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 

2. Junior football 

3. CEGEP football 

4. High school prep school Alternatively, student athletes can participate in a combination of junior or CEGEP football, then move on to the university level. 

 

If you have the desire to play in the NCAA in the States, make sure to read the Canadian high school prep school section on page 11 and the chapter on NCAA football page 24. These will help you get started with the process. 

 

When I say to be honest with yourself, I mean you need to ask some key questions. This also means knowing yourself and understanding your personal weaknesses, strengths, and skill sets. When you honestly answer the questions below, you will figure out which direction you should head after high school.

 

Knowing yourself is the most important part of your journey. When you really take the time examine your motivation, the direction you need to follow will be clear.

 

Excerpt Two:

 

Canadian prep high school

 

Another option that is becoming popular for high school players is attending a Canadian prep high school. You might be asking yourself, “What is a prep school?” Well, it’s a high school football program that focuses on preparing student athletes academically and athletically to Setting the Tone 10 play at the NCAA or U Sports level. In addition, prep high school helps the student athlete prepare to write the SAT, and to achieve the academic entrance requirements to attend an NCAA and/or U Sports program. 

 

The reason Canadian players are starting to play at prep high schools is that games are played against American high schools. This provides a lot of exposure opportunities and the chance to play at a higher level of high school competition. 

 

High school prep schools play good competition and 

that’s what the US college coaches look for when it 

comes to Canadian kids. They don’t know if they can play 

American ball. So that gives them a platform, for real. 

 

Justin Sambu 

University of Maine

Canadian Prep School Alumni 

 

What you need to know 

 

• There are fees involved in attending Canadian prep high school. 

• If you will live out of your home province, you will need to find room and board unless the school has arrangements. 

• You will require a passport to travel to the United States. 

 

Benefits of a Canadian prep high school 

 

The following are potential benefits of prep high school, depending on what type of high school football experience you want: 

 

1. Academic learning in a small-class setting 

2. The opportunity to play against American high school teams

3. Increased exposure, because games are played in the United States against American high school football teams 

4. The opportunity to gain experience playing American rules football 

5. Opportunities for NCAA scholarships or U Sports offers

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Coach Tim Burris is a former U Sports student athlete and is a Vanier Cup Champion. He has coached at the U Sports level and has over a decade of coaching experience ranging from bantam level to the university level. Coach Tim Burris has worked with more than a thousand players across Canada. He also had the honor of coaching on the Alberta U18 Team for three years, in addition to running his football performance camps and defensive line academy program.

 

www.ironwillfootball.ca

https://www.facebook.com/IRONWILLFOOTBALL/

https://www.instagram.com/ironwillfootball/

 

Amazon Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Signed-Ironwill-Footballs-Recruiting-Highschool-ebook/dp/B0C4RZZSBZ/ref=sr_1_1

 

BN Buy link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/signed-coach-tim-burris/1143480278

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Tim Burris will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4616

Servant by Patrick R. Field

  Please welcome Patrick R. Field author of Servant

Patrick R. Field will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Servant

by Patrick R. Field

 

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GENRE: Paranormal Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

Not long after their move into Blackstone, married couple Mitch and Buck begin to witness strange sightings of shadowy figures, physical manifestations and inexplicable events taking place in the former Sheppard family estate nestled in the Northern Poconos of Pennsylvania. Through séances, they learn from the spirit of Jedidiah Sheppard that he has not been able to cross over into the afterlife because the truth behind his sudden disappearance in 1965 has never been solved. During this journey, Mitch and Buck and an eccentric psychic, Gladys Munch aka Madame Fortunesta, encounter interference from the spirit of a Lenape medicine man, Mesingwe Medeu, who protects Jedidiah’s spirit. Mitch and Buck eventually realize that they must find Jedidiah’s remains and let the authorities discover through modern detective work the evidence needed to try and convict the murderer. But is it too late for Jedidiah’s spirit to find eternal peace?

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“The spirit led us to this area of the cellar by blinking the lights, making them dimmer and then brighter. When we asked if he would like to be called a spirit, the intensity of the blinking increased, brighter and faster. We thought it was because he liked it, but then the blinking stopped and the intensity of the light grew until the bulbs started to burst, and as you can see, there is shattered glass on the floor,” I explain as we walk across the broken glass, the crinkling sounds underfoot. “Sorry about the glass. I have been a little freaked out to sweep up.”

 

“Where did you find the album?” 

 

“Over here. It fell off this shelf of the bookcase, where you can see the imprint in the dust.” 

 

Gladys places her hand on the spot where the album once lay and closes her eyes. Suddenly, she opens them, and a surprised, distressed expression comes over her face, the first time I haven’t seen a hint of a smile all morning. 

 

“I would like to leave here now,” she states in a fearful tone. 

 

“Sure, is something—”

 

“Now, Mitch! We need to leave now!” 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

After twenty-five years in higher education, Patrick Field traded in teaching and textbooks to pursue his passion of writing spine-chilling fiction. Holding a Ph.D. in Anatomical Sciences and Neuroscience, his experience informs his writing, a unique blend of scientific knowledge with supernatural storytelling.

 

His non-scientific writing career began with Prince Patrick, a memoir of his precocious childhood that he wrote for his mother as she battled pancreatic cancer. This process was not only healing but helpful in stirring his creativity and marked the moment he was bitten by the writing bug.

 

An avid fan of Anne Rice, Edgar Allen Poe, and Joe Hill, Patrick’s subsequent novels were inspired by his favorite authors. His first fiction novel, The Malevolent, and his two latest novels, The Bedfordshire Warlock (release date in early 2024) and Servant were written throughout the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

His latest novel Servant was inspired by the supernatural events that happened to the author, his husband, and friends that have stayed in their home in northeastern Pennsylvania. Taking a page from his teaching philosophy that those who teach must never cease to learn, Patrick found himself hungry to discover all he could about the area's diverse cultures, including the Anthracite coal mining community and the indigenous tribe of the Lenape.

 

Patrick’s writing process is a mix between walking meditation and meticulous research. His novels form while he walks alone with his dogs, imagining plot lines and characters. Once he’s home, he quickly types notes on his computer before fleshing them out later. Research is a considerable part of his process- the scientist in him abhors “alternative facts.” When he encounters an idea or a historical thread unfamiliar to him, he researches all he can about it. While he writes about a world where the supernatural realm is prominent, the real world is always based on facts.

 

When developing characters, he usually has an idea of the destination he wants for each character but the journey to get there is often written by the character and the environment. Of all the characters he’s written, Gladys Munch in Servant is his favorite, as she’s an amalgam of delightful, humorous “mature” ladies in his life and physically inspired by British actresses Margaret Rutherford and Angela Lansbury.

 

In addition to writing, Patrick appears on the stage of his community theater and sings in the chorus of a local opera company each summer. He enjoys spending time with his husband, Matthew, and their dogs and exploring new destinations around the world, especially those that have a supernatural history. Haunted buildings and structures associated with the occult fascinate Patrick. His idea of a perfect day: drinking pints of Guinness draught with friends and family over scintillating and humorous conversation.

 

 

 

Website: patrickfieldauthor.com

 

Instagram: patrickfieldauthor

 

Facebook: actoranatomist

 

Links for purchasing Servant

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Servant-Patrick-R-Field/dp/1509248765/ref=sr_1_1  

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/servant-patrick-r-field/1143071600

 

Walmart: 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Servant-Paperback-9781509248766/2686843043

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Patrick R. Field will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4563

The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste by Luki Belle

 Please welcome Luki Belle author of  The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste

Luki Belle will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste

by Luki Belle

 

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GENRE:   Adult Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Paranormal Suspense, Military Thriller

 

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INTERVIEW:

Question 1: What or who inspired you to start writing?

Answer 1: A former colleague of mine - he commented on my paintings and said that I needed to “take the lid off myself” meaning to be more expressive and not to be shy. You see I am a self-taught artist and use to paint women as a hobby. I realized that what my colleague was saying, was for me to be more dramatic in my artistic expression because he intuitively pointed out that I had the desire to express more. However, I knew that I did not have the skills to illustrate my inner thought process, in art, because I was teaching myself and lacked the knowledge to make my paintings appear more dynamic. 

Shortly after that conversation with my colleague, I had a terrible nightmare which produced a recurring vision of a haunting scene. I wanted to materialize that vision into art, as a way of self-healing from that terrible experience. While doing so, I quickly concluded that my humble painting skills were limited, and I needed to express this haunting vision into words to get the therapy I was seeking. That got me started on writing out that recurring scene which I kept seeing in my mind after my nightmare. Those initial words, to find self-healing, led to a ten-year writing project and produced my first novel (the one that I will publish after my second book goes out).

Question 2: What elements are necessary components for this genre?

Answer 2: My genre is Adult Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Paranormal Suspense, Military Thriller. I will take each one and share my thoughts.

Starting with Paranormal, it is very important to set the rules with which paranormal beings interact with humans and how humans respond to that effect. This rule must be followed throughout the book.

Next Gothic, I feel that the essence needs to be expressed heavily through adjectives and the way characters feel, sense, smell, see and perceive being in isolation or being in remoteness. By saying it is a remote castle does not really help the reader feel what it is like to be in that environment unless the writer describes it through the characters in that situation. Similarly, to create that dark, haunting, and fearful ambiance, the usage of adjectives and response of characters to a situation is important, I think. And response can be done using all the five senses of a being.

When it comes to suspense and thriller, I strongly believe that if you are taking your reader to a heightened peek of anticipation, you must meet that same intensity when you create the climax and then resolve the mystery. If you build a steep “gradient” then you must let the reader enjoy the “dive down”, kind of like going up a snowy mountain trail when skiing or snowboarding. Also, the more characters, plots, issues, open ended events you add, those all must be resolved, unless you intentionally want to end with unresolved things. I think of it is as expanding my radius of scope, and I am consciously aware of how big I am making that circle to ensure that I go back and connect the dots and tie the knots that will nicely lead the reader to the ultimate message or messages of the book.

 

(Answer 2 continued) Finally Military genre, I think it is important to establish the ranks, their rules and protocol, how they govern, their mission, ways of operating, tactics, their past, how they fight, kinds of weapons used. Intertwined with these decisions is the vision of the nation under which the military is operating and how that nation functions, its economy, people, culture, tradition, challenges, threats, advantages. These technicalities must be defined and followed consistently throughout the novel unless there is a plot to change the realm of either the nation and or the military.

Question 3: How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

Answer 3: Having been born and grown up in post-colonial countries, having been on the receiving end of hate, racism, and prejudice I wanted to explore a male character who was on the colonizing side who will be a military man, ruthless, arrogant, and prejudiced, to see what could compel such a man to have a change of heart. That was the initial inspiration which morphed into a very, very complex novel once I started thinking more about it. It was a meditational journey for me because it showed me that individuals, situations and events are never absolutes. There is always the positive side which tends to be quieter, subtler and more like a gentle nudge while the negative is the exact opposite. 

I therefore ended up exploring several themes in my book through my characters, such as the impact of psychological masks, impact of uniforms, social and gender roles in the midst of culture and tradition, the test of civility during times of change, the empowerment of individual choice, how imperfections in us are vital for change – hopefully positive ones, bonding over grief, the power of observation when one is given the permission to be someone else. I have also explored the benefits of discipline and duty that comes through wearing a uniform and at the same time contrasted the impact of misusing the uniform. A fine thread that knits the themes together is the question of assimilation in the face of change and how to find the opportunity for progress without destruction. I explored all these themes through the lens of colonization because of my personal life’s experience, to aspire that positive change is possible if we can give ourselves the permission to explore a situation and a person through a different lens while being civil, patient and staying curious to learn.

Question 4: What expertise did you bring to your writing?

Answer 4: I am a trained project manager and so I heavily used the many skills under this hat to take my novel from inception to publication. I also meditate 5-6 hours per week which allowed me to manage my emotional states and kept me connected to a divine source to pursue my passion compassionately without fear, pride, anxiety, and ego. Lastly, I workout 7 days a week which helped maintain my physical energy levels to dedicate to my passion while simultaneously working long hours on my day job.

Question 5: What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Answer 5: The day I submitted the manuscript for The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste for publishing, is the day my late father’s health took a turn for the worse and he passed away ten days later. I did not get to share my first published novel with my father.

 

Question 6: As far as writing goes, what are your future plans?

Answer 6: I have a short stories book coming out next and after that, my third novel (the first one I wrote, which took me ten years to write), will be published.

Question 7: If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

Answer 7: I would love to be Chamcham, the Hastana boy. He is a very sweet character and a very smart child. I would want to know what he has seen and experienced in the Yervaan palace and why he made a couple of brave decisions. The mind of Chamcham is intriguing to me while the innocent and quietly perceptive character of this boy is very enticing to me. He must follow orders while he chooses to make two bold decisions, only a clever boy will do that. I would also want to be Chamcham because of the path his life takes near the end of the book. The boy does not express his inner world to anyone, and I wonder about the life he led at the Yervaan palace and what made him decide his fate near the end.

Question 8: When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Answer 8: When I saw that my first book was more than just pages of scribbles and that it was growing into a full novel (the one that took me ten years), I decided that I wanted it published after it was done. However, I was not comfortable with putting that out into the world first, call it lack of serious self-confidence. I decided to keep writing and instead of one large novel I started thinking of short stories, one story led to another, and another ultimately created The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste which became much more than a short story hence I say it was a meditational journey for me. Call it divine intervention, I decided to get this story published first.

Question 9: Do you outline your books or just start writing?

Answer 9: Can I say both. I usually see a scene, something random or I will see something that will inspire a random scene in my mind. I ignore it until it keeps nagging me. Then I start scribbling to dabble and play with the scene to see what comes of it. Often it fizzles out and I abandon that inspiration. Other times I get very excited, and ideas start coming. I will continue writing until I realize that I must develop this. Then I go into the painful reflection period, where I have isolated characters, scenes, plots or one of those things or a few of those things and I am trying to build something out of it. I call it painful reflection because I basically need to wait for days, weeks, months for me to find enough material to come up with the outline. With The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste the reflection period was over two months. During this time, I just have to write down whatever comes into my mind in terms of characters, roles, events, actions but none of it is nicely connected. There is really no aha-moment though because even when I create the outline and start filling in the content, I invariably arrive at a juncture where things either crisscross (don’t merge nicely) or are going in parallel and I cannot connect things. So, it is more like taking 10 steps forward and 6 steps back even when I start filling in the outline.

 

Question 10: Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why?

Answer 10: I know this answer might sound a bit confusing and perhaps unexpected, my favorite character is the persona of the Colonel (not Valstohl, not Gulaan). I say this because it is through the nature of the Colonel that Valstohl and Gulaan can coexist and perform their duties. The Colonel is the objective observer and disciplined performer while bearing the burden of both Valstohl and Gulaan’s characteristics and tendencies, including Valstohl’s tragic and dark past. The Colonel’s training of body and mind, his desire for knowledge, his civility and grit are remarkable to me. The Colonel is ultimately the bridge and means of reconciliation between Valstohl and Gulaan. The stoic attitude that the Colonel embodies when he is given the Delicate Affair, is key to success for both Valstohl and Gulaan’s mission.

BLURB:

 

The setting: two fictitious nations, Hastan and Llehstanz, in a past imaginary era of colonization.

The Llehstanz Monarchy won its final battle over Hastan to colonize the nation after years of war. The battlefield charge was led by a reputable, young, ruthless, and handsome Colonel Valstohl Baquiste. Highly skilled but equally arrogant, he holds a prejudice against the people of Hastan. Tragically, Colonel Baquiste was unexpectedly attacked during the last battle leaving him physically disabled. Realizing his military life is over, the embittered Colonel Baquiste awaits his dismissal to return to Llehstanz. However, he is offered a second chance for victory.

Colonel Baquiste is called back to military duty on a secret mission. He must go alone in disguise to capture elusive thugs terrorizing the Llehstanzite regiment. In accepting the mission, Baquiste realizes he is no longer fighting an enemy on a battleground when he travels to stay at the palace of renowned Southern Hastana landowner, Sir Bojeshnomaan Yervaan. Yervaans’ sinister nature ensnares Baquiste while the delicate assignment compels him to confront his tragic past and his prejudice against Hastanas. If the ambitious Colonel wants victory, it will require him to use not just his grit but also his heart.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

I would take your place if you ordered me Valstohl. You still have five hours to get on that ship and go home. Let Masim clean up this mess on his own reputation, this is not your problem. And if you fail then he will just find another officer and keep trying. Your life is not worth this! Go home, start a family, you are the only Baquiste heir. Don’t take this mission!

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Luki Belle works in the media industry. Storytelling was a fixture from childhood when she would listen to stories told by her grandparents, parents, sisters, and cousins who would read to her from diverse cultural fiction books. Growing up, Luki was fortunate to live in various parts of the world and experience beautiful cultures. During this time, she embraced and appreciated diversity among people while recognizing through love, overcoming pain, or grief, one can truly bond with others leading to unimaginable positive outcomes.

 

Websites

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Delicate-Affair-Colonel-Baquiste-ebook/dp/B0BWLFTW6R

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste-luki-belle/1143104792

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Luki-Belle/100090188427853/

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Luki Belle will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4565