Book Tour: The Guardians of Man Part 2- Top Ten Favorite Characters on Connor Titus's List

Tour Schedule Here

Top Ten Favorite Characters as told by Crystal Connor of Connor Titus. Crystal chose to use books and movies/ tv for this list:

10.  Katrina Gavin from the movie Jade
9. Peyton Flanders from the movie The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
8. Bridget Gregory from the movie The Last Seduction
7. Nicole Wallace from Law in Order Criminal Intent
6. Alice Morgan from the TV show Luther
5. Suzie Costello from the TV show Torchwood
4. Elena Gavrik from the TV show MI-5
3. David, the little boy from the movie Whisper
2. Natalie, the mother from the remake of Mother’s Day
And my all time favorite villain of all time is….drum roll please!
1. Oh be still my beating heart…The Operative from the movie Serenity.

Honorable mentions:
The La Femme from the movie À l'intérieur
FBI agents from the movie Surveillance
The entire church family from the movie Red State
Awenomloren, the white fire-breathing dragon from The Spectrum Trilogy
The Commander from the Mt. Empyreal books.

The Guardians of Man by Connor Titus
In the valley of Mt. Empyreal, the fight for humanity has already begun.
In the mountain community of Fate's Keep, the global power outage and the onset of winter are only the beginning of what is yet to come. Along with the first snowfall, an ancient evil has come. With time running out, will the Guardians be able to save mankind?

Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Authors

Lori Titus
Lori Titus is a native Californian with a penchant for stories that are twisted, scary, or both. She also enjoys a dash of romance in her storytelling when she can get away with it! She is the author of Hunting in Closed Spaces (The Marradith Ryder Series, Part 1). She is also half of the writing team known as Connor Titus (with author Crystal Connor) and has co-authored two novels, The Guardians of Man and The End Is Now. Lori has authored many short stories and two novellas, Lazarus and Hailey's Shadow. Some may know her as the Managing Editor at Flashes in the Dark. Upcoming work for 2015 includes a novel called The Bell House and the second installment of the Ryder Series.


The Darkest of Lore Blog  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads |
Amazon Author Page

Crystal Connor

Washington State native Crystal Connor has been terrorizing readers since before Jr. high School and loves anything to do with monsters, bad guys, rogue scientific experiments, jewelry, sky-high high heel shoes & unreasonably priced hang bags. She is also considering changing her professional title to ‘dramatization specialist’ because it’s so much more theatrical than being just a mere drama queen. Along with inducing insomnia within her readership Crystal also reviews indie horror and sci-fi movies for HorrorAddicts.net

 GIVEAWAY

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire HDX 7" (US Only - $229 value) or Amazon Gift Card ($199 value/ International)
Ends 12/17/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour: The Guardians of Man Part 1- Top Ten Favorite Characters on Connor Titus's List

Tour Schedule Here

Top Ten Favorite Characters as told by Lori Titus of Connor Titus. Lori chose to use books and movies/ tv for this list:

• Nikita (LA Femme Nikita)
• Buffy (The Vampire Slayer)
• Karou (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
• Lestat (The Vampire)
• Noah Bishop (Kay Hooper 's S.C.U. Series)
• Carrie Mathison (Homeland)
• Olivia Pope (Scandal)
• Hannibal (Silence of the Lambs)
• Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)
• Artemisia (The Darkness)

The Guardians of Man by Connor Titus
In the valley of Mt. Empyreal, the fight for humanity has already begun.
In the mountain community of Fate's Keep, the global power outage and the onset of winter are only the beginning of what is yet to come. Along with the first snowfall, an ancient evil has come. With time running out, will the Guardians be able to save mankind?

Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Authors

Lori Titus
Lori Titus is a native Californian with a penchant for stories that are twisted, scary, or both. She also enjoys a dash of romance in her storytelling when she can get away with it! She is the author of Hunting in Closed Spaces (The Marradith Ryder Series, Part 1). She is also half of the writing team known as Connor Titus (with author Crystal Connor) and has co-authored two novels, The Guardians of Man and The End Is Now. Lori has authored many short stories and two novellas, Lazarus and Hailey's Shadow. Some may know her as the Managing Editor at Flashes in the Dark. Upcoming work for 2015 includes a novel called The Bell House and the second installment of the Ryder Series.


The Darkest of Lore Blog  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads |
Amazon Author Page

Crystal Connor

Washington State native Crystal Connor has been terrorizing readers since before Jr. high School and loves anything to do with monsters, bad guys, rogue scientific experiments, jewelry, sky-high high heel shoes & unreasonably priced hang bags. She is also considering changing her professional title to ‘dramatization specialist’ because it’s so much more theatrical than being just a mere drama queen. Along with inducing insomnia within her readership Crystal also reviews indie horror and sci-fi movies for HorrorAddicts.net

 GIVEAWAY

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire HDX 7" (US Only - $229 value) or Amazon Gift Card ($199 value/ International)
Ends 12/17/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: Hunting In Closed Spaces

Thank you, participating Posse Bloggers!
Indie Hoopla Gala  | Mary's Cup of Tea | Siren's Dreamscape | The Blood Flow| My Inner Muse
| Indie Author How-to | Hell Fyre Risen | Fated Dimensions | Laki Luvs Indies

---

Marradith Ryder appears to be an ordinary teenager, living in a small Texas town with her parents and younger brother. Everything changes the night that she is abducted from her home. Can she trust the man that says he was sent to protect her? And what do the powerful members of The Circle want from her?

Buy the Book

Amazon

EXCERPT

The bird flew in circles, climbing high into the cold night sky.
She was ready to turn around and fly back towards Leighton’s house when she saw it through the treetops; a structure abutting the edge of the property, between a hill and a thatch of trees.
She saw something gleaming.
Fiona landed, and phased back into her human form. Pine needles assaulted her bare feet. She stepped carefully, thinking of snakes and other things that might be crawling in the undergrowth. Despite the fact that she could Shift into almost any animal, there were a few of them that she did not like. Anything that slithered or had multiple eyes or sets of legs fit easily into that category.
Crickets were loud in her ears. Moonlight helped, but she felt herself moving slower than she liked. What she was able to see quite clearly from above she couldn’t make much sense of from the ground.
She was standing in front of the door before she realized she was in the right place. Fiona sighed, wanting to laugh, but choked the sound in her throat. Leighton could be anywhere, she reminded herself.
The door was glass, and it was unlocked. She slipped inside. The lights were off. The most delicious smell came to her. Flowers. She was surrounded by them.
“Who’s there?” a voice called.
She looked up and saw a pair of green eyes glowing at her from above. Now she knew what she’d seen when she was outside.
“Justin?”
“Fi!” She could hear the relief in his voice.
She fumbled in the darkness, and was able to find the controls for the lights.
The light came on in sections, like the power being turned on in a stadium, until all of them were on. She put a hand over her mouth.
Justin was hanging from the ceiling, suspended by two black cords tied around his arms, from shoulder to wrist on each side. The cords were attached to iron hooks placed on either side of the walls. The cords were so tight that they cut into his flesh. His blood dripped onto the floor. What a clever torture device, she thought darkly. If he pulled either side, he would rip off his own arm. But if he just stayed there, he’d bleed to death. Slowly.
The sea of poppies shivered. Somewhere above a fan whirred softly. The greenhouse was huge, and time was of the essence.
“Don’t take this wrong, Fi,” he said, “never happier to see you, but uh, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Marra-”
“She’s up at the house,” Fiona cut him off. She was looking around, for tools, a weapon, something. “I don’t have time to explain. Let’s just say she does not take no for an answer.”
He almost smiled, despite the pain.
“Leighton’s got his own opium farm here, doesn’t he?” Fiona said, trying to distract him. She crossed into the back of the greenhouse, which led into a small room, not much more than a closet. There was a cache of opium bundled in bags, and with it, something to protect the illegal stash.
“Leighton’s heavy on it,” Justin said, as she came back into view. “Though I’d bet opium isn’t the only thing.”
“Stay as still as you can. I have - an idea. You need to trust me.”
He closed his eyes, and she saw his lips move. “Promise me something.”
“What?”
“If you can’t get me down, don’t waste your time. Get my girl away from him.”
Fiona shook her head as she lifted the gun. “No. Do it yourself.”
Justin didn’t have time to flinch. A flash erupted from the muzzle of her gun.

ENTER THE GOODREADS PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY

About the Author

Lori Titus
Lori Titus is a native Californian with a penchant for stories that are twisted, scary, or both. She also enjoys a dash of romance in her storytelling when she can get away with it! She is the author of Hunting in Closed Spaces (The Marradith Ryder Series, Part 1). She is also half of the writing team known as Connor Titus (with author Crystal Connor) and has co-authored two novels, The Guardians of Man and The End Is Now. Lori has authored many short stories and two novellas, Lazarus and Hailey's Shadow. Some may know her as the Managing Editor at Flashes in the Dark. Upcoming work for 2015 includes a novel called The Bell House and the second installment of the Ryder Series.

The Darkest of Lore Blog  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card. Ends 12/08/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: Mistress of the Wind

Visit participating Posse bloggers here

This is the first book in the Arucadi: The Beginning series.

Windspeaker Kyla Cren gathers news from the wind and passes on to her village its warnings about mindstealers, creatures that rob human minds, leaving their victims insensible and helpless. Because Kyla's parents were victims of mindstealers, the need for revenge consumes her. She attacks two mindstealers and rescues their victim, but gets no satisfaction from the act. The ungrateful victim, a powerful mage, thrusts upon her the care of Claid, who appears to be an appealing young child. He's not a child, the Mage Alair declares, and challenges her to discover what Claid really is. That challenge sends her from her native village on a journey of discovery that takes her into the wider world beyond her isolated valley, a world in which machines have replaced magic. Harrowing experiences teach her more about herself than about Claid and eventually bring her back to Mage Alair, whom she joins in a scheme to destroy the mindstealers, a plan which might result in tragedy but which could also lead Kyla to the full truth about Claid's nature and her own.

Buy the Books

Book 1 Buy the Book

Book 2 Buy the Book

Book 3 Buy the Book

Book 4 Buy the Book

About the Author

E. Rose Sabin lives with her two dogs, Juliet and Pixie, in Pinellas County, Florida, where for many years she taught Spanish, first in middle school and later on the junior college level. She now devotes her time to writing fantasy and science fiction, has had many short stories published, and has won several awards, including, in 1992, Andre Norton’s Gryphon Award for the unpublished manuscript of A School for Sorcery, a novel inspired in part by her teaching career. Ms. Sabin's books and stories draw material from dreams, myths, and current events, vary widely in theme and type of content, and while some are aimed toward young people, others are designed for adult readers. She now has seven published Arucadi novels, with more coming. She also has a science fiction trilogy and a stand-alone fantasy novel out now, with other novels to be published soon.


Website  |  Author Facebook Page  |  Blog  |  Twitter 
Goodreads |  Amazon Author Page

 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card. Paperback giveaway Ends 12/02/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: Jewels

Tour Schedule

Series: Alien Encounters Saga, Book #1

Special Lieutenant Jewels Enbran, a human telepath unable to shield her mind from thoughts, uses telepathic anchors who protect her vulnerable mind. Her current anchor, Colonel Jeremy Lingley, is nearing burnout. An alien race is seeking an alliance with Earth and the pair are assigned the mission of discovering the aliens’ secrets.



Crown Prince Dex LoudRoar is a Gatoan warrior and a royal with a terrible secret. His people wage a constant war against their enemy, the Lupinious empire. But the tide of battle is turning and his people seek help from a new source: the humans of Earth.


With an interstellar war looming, Jewels and Dex seek salvation for their planets and find their destinies changed forever.

Get the Book

Kindle
Smashwords
Google Play



Lakisha Spletzer
Where to start? I suppose with the basics.



I'm an Indie Cross-Genre writer of science fiction/fantasy/paranormal romance/YA. I started writing stories and poetry at the age of 8 and haven't stopped yet. I think I've always been a writer, but becoming a published one took a lot of work and dedication.



That didn't happen until after I left my home state of Virginia, and moved to Florida in 2004.



I've learned to not let life's many road blocks and speed bumps throw me to the curb. I can't wait to dive in and continue to share the stories swirling around in my head.



Official Author Website  |  Series Website  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 GIVEAWAY

$15 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card, Ebook & paperback giveaways, Ends 07/14/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour: Souls of Aredyrah- Top Ten Bad Guys on author Tracy A Akers list!

Top Ten Bad Guys as told by author Tracy A. Akers
1. Strahan from the Chronicles of the Cheysuli. As a child he murders other children. As an adult, his cruelty toward the Cheysuli becomes an obsession. Strahan is an example of what religious fanaticism can do to someone whose soul is already twisted.
 2. Jack Randall from the Outlander series. I have never hated a villain as much as I hate Black Jack Randall! 3. The Stepmother from Cinderella. She gives all stepmothers a bad name.
 4. Cruella De Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmations. Puppy abuser. Need I say more?
 5. Severus Snape from the Harry Potter Series. Okay, he turned out not to be a villain, but didn’t you just love to hate him when you thought he was?
 6. Maleficent from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Cursing Sleeping Beauty to die is bad enough, but what she plans to do with Prince Phillip is beyond cold.
 7. The witch from Hansel and Gretel. I generally feel witches get a bad rap, but this one eats children, so she deserves to be burned (in an oven rather than at the stake.)
 8. Sid from Toy Story. Watching Sid torture and mutilate his toys gives a new perspective to the dark side of childhood.
 9. Bill Sikes from Oliver Twist. Kidnaps children, beats dogs, steals, blackmails, and murders good-hearted Nancy. Not a nice guy.
 10. Mr. Potter from It’s a Wonderful Life. The epitome of greed.

---

Tour Schedule

Indie Hoopla Gala (5/5) | Mary's Cup of Tea (5/6)
Siren's Dreamscape (5/7)
Njkinny's World of Books (5/8) | Carpe Diem (5/8)
My Twisted and Kinky World (5/9) |  Indie Author How-to (5/9)

 Saintz Realm Spotlightz (5/12)
Fated Dimensions (5/13) | My Inner Muse (5/13)
A Saintz Dream (5/14) | The Blood Flow (5/14)
My Fae-void Demon (5/15)
Laki Loves Indies (5/16) | Hell Fyre Risen (5/16)

---

Series: Souls of Aredyrah

About the Series
Game of Thrones meets Narnia in this epic tale of two boys whose chance meeting leads them to a disturbing discovery: Not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but their opposing beliefs are founded on similar lies. With adventure and romance, mysticism and cultural conflicts, this coming-of-age tales asks: What would you do if you learned everything you’ve been raised to believe is false—and those in power will do anything to stop the truth?

Book 1
In the world of Aredyrah, things are not what they seem. An ancient Purge has plunged the island into darkness, isolating its cultures by superstition and fear. Dayn lives in the northernmost region of Kirador and knows nothing of the great city-state of Tearia far to the south. All he knows is the Kiradyns are the only survivors of a god’s fiery wrath, and he looks nothing like them. Meanwhile Ruairi, a prince destined for greatness, resents his Tearian obligations, longing for a life he can never hope to have. But when tragedy takes his beauty as well as his name, he finds himself exiled by the very beliefs he once held dear. Both boys long for acceptance in societies that cling to religious ideals, but when fate throws them together, Dayn and Ruairi discover some unwelcome truths: not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but the teachings they have been raised on are nothing more than lies. Will they reveal what they have learned, risking their lives and the security of those they love? Or will they keep silent, denying their destinies and the future enlightenment of their world?

Buy Book #1: The Fire and the Light

Ebooks: Kindle | Smashwords | Nook | Sony

Paperback: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book 2
The Prophecy has come to life in Tearia, and the Temple wants nothing more than to see it dead. Whispers say the Unnamed One walks amongst them, and there is little doubt as to who that person is. Reiv is oblivious to the hopes turning in his direction, just as he is ignorant of a plot being waged against him. He has no time for rumors or innuendos; he is too busy trying to build a new life for himself. But the life he longs for will have to wait. A rebel movement is growing, and Reiv’s cousin Dayn has joined the insurgents in their cause.

Angered by Dayn’s involvement, Reiv reverts to his old self-serving behaviors. He wants nothing to do with prophecies or rebellions, and isn’t sure he wants anything to do with Dayn either. But when tragedy throws Reiv into new turmoil, he finds himself facing a dangerous choice. Someone he loves is dying, and there is only one chance to save him.

Will Reiv choose to be a Transcendor, fated to sacrifice his life for another? Or is he truly the Unnamed One, a hero destined for glory? One will save the life of an individual, the other that of an entire kingdom.

Buy Book #2: The Search for the Unnamed One

Amazon   |  Smashwords  |  BN  |  Kobo

Book 3
The saga of Aredyrah continues as Dayn and Alicine return to Kirador to find things very different from when they left. Their house has been ransacked, their parents missing, and evidence of spell work has put a price on Dayn’s head. Frightened, they go to the nearest place they know of: the homestead of Haskel, a man who has never been accepting of Dayn’s differences, and even less so of his own son’s.

Back in Tearia, Reiv has settled into the quiet life of a Shell Seeker. But while the rhythm of his routine is calm, the longings of his heart are not. He turns to Cora, an eye-catching girl who has also drawn the attentions of Lyal, a man whose hatred of Reiv goes far beyond jealously. But romance is the least of Reiv’s worries. A terrible plague is spreading, and Reiv’s brother, the King, is determined to burn it from the land—even if it means killing innocents along the way.

While Reiv risks annihilation by Tearia’s increasingly brutal king, Dayn suffers challenges of his own. His disappearance from Kirador months before not only ended the existence he once knew, but started a witch hunt that threatens his safety and the survival of his clan.

Both Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing a difficult choice: Leave their homelands in order to save themselves and those they love, or stay and fight an evil they cannot hope to defeat.

Buy Book #3: The Taking of the Dawn

Amazon  |  Smashwords  |  BN  |  Kobo

Book 4
In this final installment of the award-winning Souls of Aredyrah series, Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing an old foe and falling into the trap of a new one. Struggling to make their way home through a bitter landscape, they soon discover they are not alone. A tribe known as the Taubastets has captured them in a life-or-death scenario, and the tribe’s chief is determined that one of them must be sacrificed. When a young warrior named Tyym vows to see them home, they face decisions that will not only affect their survival, but the spiritual salvation of their world.

While Reiv, Dayn, and Tyym navigate a web of conspiracy and doubt, Dayn’s sister Alicine struggles with loss and the impending threat of invasion. The king of Tearia has not abandoned his quest to slay them, and his seemingly unstoppable army is nearly through the pass. But when Tyym enters the scene, hope is rekindled. Even Alicine cannot deny the charisma of the mysterious warrior who has wormed his way into their lives, and into her heart.

The game is in play. A traitor is in their midst. Can the souls of Aredyrah hope to defeat a monster disguised as a king? Or will they succumb to a darkness beyond their understanding?

Buy Book #4: The Shifting of the Stars

Amazon  |  Smashwords  |  BN  |  Kobo

---

Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.

Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.

The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

---

 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card giveaway Ends 05/31/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour- Task Force: Gaea, Finding Balance - Character Interview

I recently got the opportunity to interview Danelos Fairmont, or Aegis, as his colleagues know him. With a little help from my 9 year old daughter, we came up with a few questions that I hope answer anything our young readers can think of. Enjoy!!   

   1. How do you feel about your role in the book?

Being in two novels is pretty exciting, actually. I'm an archaeology professor by trade, but my role as an operative in a United Nations task force affords me a pretty sweet opportunity to travel the world, whether it be by TF-18 helicopter or by sword portal. I guess by default I’m the leader, although we all play a pretty equal role. I think the others sometimes defer to me because I’m Apollo’s son, but I’d rather just be a regular guy. Well, a regular guy who just happens to be a demigod.

2. Did you have fun during the writing of your tale?

Most times, yeah. Not everything has been fun, but it’s part of being a superhero of a sort, I suppose. Having superhuman strength and a healing factor does make some of the adventures better knowing I’m pretty invulnerable, but I've never really been brought to my limit, not yet anyway. What really makes the story enjoyable is the people. I get to go up against some of the ancient world’s most menacing monsters knowing my best friends have my back. Aleta’s sarcasm keeps me smiling, and it’s Sarah’s generosity that grounds me, especially when I’m at my wit’s end. But, the one person who seems to know me inside and out is my best buddy, Brandon. We're like brothers. Without these people in my life, I don’t think I could do what I’m doing.

3. What would you do with your own happy ending?

I used to think I knew what a happy ending would look like for my story, but the more I do, the more I think that I’ll just be happy knowing that, whatever happens, I've done my best. I’m not really interested in money or fame. Sort of odd coming from a semi-Olympeian, eh? I look at my dad and how he grew from being a self-serving, impetuous son-of-a-gorgon into one of the most compassionate individuals I know. I guess my happy ending would be just knowing that those I care about are happy.

4. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?

Wow, that’s easy—one of my father’s horses. You know, the ones who drive the sun chariot? I got to meet them once, and I tell you, there’s nothing that gets your adrenaline pumping than being around a flaming stallion who breathes fire.

5. If you could be anyone else, would you? If so, who?

Not really. I’m pretty happy being me. I do have some things to sort out. I mean, who doesn't? But, I've had a good life, and I have the things that make me smile: friends, family, and a sword that can open dimensions. Knowing who I am has always been something I've had to struggle with, especially in book 1, and working through all of my existential stuff has taught me a few important lessons, one of which being, it’s not who you are, but it’s what you do with your life.

6. What was the saddest moment of your life?

I can’t really give details since that’ll spoil book 2, but I can say that one of the saddest moments in my life is being without someone I love. That pain rips me to the core more than any Hadean monster ever could. I’d rather have my heart literally ripped out by a Stymphalian bird or brass-clawed Gorgon than lose that which I love beyond all things. Like I said, I can’t elaborate, but you’ll see.

7. If you could tell the author anything, what would you say?

Just keeping listening to all of us, and let us guide your storytelling. So far, we’re pretty pleased with how our lives are going, even with the obstacles. We’re growing into a formidable force for good in the world, and knowing there are more adventures planned over the course of five books in total, we’re ready to handle whatever you have for us. Just keep them coming. We’re good to go.

8. What is the one goal you hope to achieve in life before you die?

Tough question. But, the one goal I have is twofold: love and be loved. As long as I have those around me who love me—my team, my family, and my beloved—I can also love them back. Without that, life has no real meaning. I don’t seek glory or fame. I've led a complicated life, if you haven’t already seen in both books, and the one thing that provides an anchor is the love people have for one another. That bond is stronger than any sorcery.

9. What do you wish to be remembered for?

After I’m gone, I want people to remember that I cared. Having been tested by some of the most powerful beings in the cosmos, creature and god alike, I’m hoping that when people speak of Danelos Fairmont, son of Apollo, they will say that my compassion for those around me was one of my most memorable qualities. I don’t believe it’s hubris to say that.

During the age of Olympos, when a vengeful goddess shatters the Sacred Scales, both immortals and humans alike suffer. Apollo, the god of truth, goes from a glorious existence as The Shining One to a victim of Zeus’ wrath, and his journey makes him question his godhood, his role in the cosmos, and his views on humanity. Prophecy and the Fates direct his course, and he must make difficult, yet vital, choices. Millennia pass, and Dan, Aleta, Brandon, and Sarah—four reluctant modern-day heroes gifted by ancient civilizations born of the gods—bound by prophecy, have to choose whether or not to save their world when it could mean they never existed. They must master their new powers while battling against incomprehensible forces from the Underworld and repairing the Sacred Scales, destroyed long ago. With the equilibrium between Order and Chaos unhinged, and the Olympian gods struggling to exist, these four must ally themselves with the United Nations to protect an endangered world, becoming the only group who can fight against metaphysical threats to the Earth, forging Task Force: Gaea. Can mortals succeed where gods cannot go?


Amazon | Smashwords | BN




David Berger
Boston born, I grew up on Long Island in New York, and have my B.A. in English with a Master's in Secondary Education. I currently teach AP English Literature, IB English, and Creative Writing in Land O' Lakes, FL. My avid appreciation for fantasy fiction came from a childhood love of Greek mythology and comic books, especially Wonder Woman. Stemming from this literary love affair, I published my first novel, Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance, in February 2012.

In addition to my fantasy writing, I have written poetry, much of which was influenced by my travels abroad, namely to Ireland. My hibernophilia extends not only to a great love of the Emerald Isle itself, but also to the writers who hail from there, namely W. B. Yeats, and I studied this poet in a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship at the National University of Ireland in Galway in 2005.

Additionally, I have traveled to Spain, France, and England—all with trips I have led with students—and hope to show more of my students what the world beyond Florida looks like.

I'm "living the dream," as it were, and I love life—I just hope it loves me in return. I reside in Land O' Lakes, FL with my partner of 13 years, Gavi, and our two cats, Yankel and Shayna.

Official Author Website  |  Series Website  |  Series Facebook Page  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads