Friday, September 20, 2013

The Phoenix Blade by Andrew Hess - Book Tour & Giveaway




The Phoenix Blade
by Andrew Hess

Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. I'm so happy you could join me today in Lindenhurst, NY.



BK: Looking out the nearest window, describe the scene you see.

AH: I would see green grass, the bright blue sky, and tall pine trees.

BK: Tell us about your office. Is it a mess like mine, or is everything in its place?

AH: My office is a complete mess, but that’s because everything I own is crammed into one room. Once I find someplace that gives me more room, I can setup my office the way I want and everything will be easier to locate.

BK: What is a must-have, such as coffee or a favorite pen that you need to write?

AH: I don’t really have a must have. As long as I have my computer, or a notepad and pen, I’m set and ready to go.

BK: Do you like to write in silence, or do you need music or background noise?

AH: I need some sort of sound in the room. I go stir crazy without either the TV or music being on. Unfortunately, that also works against me; as it becomes a distraction sometimes.

BK: Tell us a bit about your hero/heroine, and their development.

AH: Andrew Lancaster starts out as a nearly out of college boy who is still harboring feelings of hurt and paranoia; believing his mother was murdered six years earlier when everyone else ruled it an accident. He lets these feelings dictate his decision to take the Benefactor up on his offer in order to find out who killed his mother and get revenge for it. Once he goes after the killers, he and his friends are stuck in a web of lies, deceit, and murders that he can’t seem to get out of. Along the way Lancaster finds himself taking charge of his group and trying to find a way out to protect his friends and the woman he loves.

BK: As a writer myself, I'm always curious how other writers get through stumble blocks. When you find a story not flowing, or a character trying to fight you, how do you correct it?

AH: I’ve learned to push through it and write something. You can always go back and fix what you wrote. If you stay on one thought, it will take longer to get passed. However, there are times when you need to take a step back and relax, Usually that is when I sit in a dark room, listen to music and rest my mind.

BK: Using the letters of your first name as an acronym, describe your book...

AH:
Adventurous
New
Dangerous
Remarkable
Eccentric
Witty

BK: How did your writing journey begin?

AH: Originally it started in 5th grade when I was in the creative writing club and then in 6th grade when I wrote my own newspaper. However, the real story began when I was in college and I decided the government could be doing anything behind closed doors without everyone knowing about it and wanted to write something based on that. Ever since then, I kept getting new ideas of what I wanted to write and find new ways to take readers by surprise.

BK: Using the letters from the word, Summer, how would friends and family describe you?

AH:
Sensible
Understanding
Memorable
Mathematical
Eclectic
Remarkable

BK: What is the craziest thing you've ever written about, whether it got published or not?

AH: The craziest thing I wrote had to be when I was a kid, but those stories are long gone and forgotten. Since then, the craziest thing would be a horror script called Graveyard Nightmares.

BK: Tell us one thing you've done in life that readers would be most surprised to know.

AH: I completed the Fight for Air Climb earlier this year which was climbing the 55 stories of One Penn Plaza for charity.

BK: What can we expect from you in the future?

AH: I am currently working on editing the sequel to The Phoenix Blade and also working a detective series.


This or That...

Coke or Pepsi?

AH: I don’t really like drinking soda anymore, but when I did I preferred Coke.

Night Owl or Early Bird?

AH: I’m an insomniac so I would have to say Night Owl.

Fantasy or Mystery?

AH: Mystery

Pen/Paper or Computer?

AH: Computer, it’s easier to make a mistake and fix.

Pizza or Burger?

AH: That’s a hard one. I love them both, but usually crave a good burger just a little more lately.

Rock or Country?

AH: Definitely Rock

Chocolate or Vanilla?

AH: Chocolate

Beach or Mountains?

AH: Beach, it’s more relaxing to me.

Thank you so much for having us as one of your stops today. It has been great getting to know more about you and your book, and wish you the best of success!



BK Walker




About The Author:

Andrew Hess (1983-present) was born in Lindenhurst, NY where he spent most of his life. After living in the New Paltz/Poughkeepsie, NY area for five years (2003-2008) he returned home to Long Island to pursue his dream of writing. Andrew published his first book, The Chamber of Souls (2011), where he blended free verse poetry and short story into one book.






Genre: Action/Drama
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: April 24, 2013

Book Description:

Follow the journey of Andrew Lancaster and his friends as they are thrown in the middle of the biggest government conspiracy to hit the United States. Andrew is contacted by a man known only as the Benefactor.; claiming to be a government official that has been monitoring Lancaster and his friends. He is told they have enough evidence to arrest them for treason, but would like to hire them instead for a top secret government project. As a bonus the Benefactor says he will reveal something Lancaster has wanted to know for the last six years. Who killed his mother.


Excerpt:


“I keep thinking how so much has changed in the last ten years.” “Here we go again.” “I mean it. When we were kids everything was different. The world was more peaceful. Everyone got along and helped each other. But now everyone’s fueled by greed, corruption, and they get some sick pleasure from hurting others.” “I know what you mean, but there’s not much we can do about it. Too many people think they have to do whatever’s necessary to get ahead in life.” “I still wish we could change it.” “Yeah, it’d be great to get rid of all those people.” Mike reached for the remote to turn the movie back on. “Too bad it’ll never happen.” I knew he was right. Our idea was ludicrous. But at that moment, my cell started ringing. “Talk to me,” I answered. “Yes hi, I’m looking for Mr. Andrew Lancaster,” a stern confident voice said. “Who’s calling?” “Someone who has the power to change your future.” “If this is some telemarketer, you can hang up now. I’m not interested. “I assure you this isn’t a sales pitch and I’m not a telemarketer.” “Then what do you want?” “It’s come to my attention that you and a few friends have been talking about eliminating certain types of people.” “What are you talking about?” “Don’t play dumb Mr. Lancaster. You and your friends have been monitored for some time now. We know everything.” “Who are you?” “I’m someone from the government that would like to give you an ultimatum. We have e-mails and recorded conversations between you and your friends talking about killing people that are as you said evil.” “Look, Mr. we were only joking around.” Mike heard the panic in my voice. My face turned pale white. “What’s going on,” he whispered. I placed the call on speaker and placed a finger to my lips. “Be that as it may. You’ve been under our watchful eye for several months. Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.” “And that would be?” “The hard way is we send our agents to your house and arrest you for conspiracy and possible treason.” “Are you fucking serious,” Mike shouted. I quickly covered his mouth with my hand. “Who is that? Who’s with you?” I didn’t reply. I could hear him rifling through papers. “Ah yes, that is most likely Mr. Santangelo.” “How does he know my…” “What’s the easy way,” I asked. The man cleared his throat. “Simple, we hire you to go through with it.” I laughed it off immediately. “Yeah right, and next you’re going to tell me that I’m the next in line to be King of England.” “I don’t know about that, but I’m very serious. We have a list of targets and evidence that proves their illegal activities. We would like to give you the chance to make the world a better place.” “If you have evidence against them, why not put them in jail where they belong?” “Because they have ways of getting around our judicial system. We all know it’s fallible.” “But why me?” “Who better to lead a team than someone who has never received justice for his own mother’s death?” “But it was ruled an accident.” “That’s what you were led to believe. I have proof she was murdered and know who’s responsible.”









3 comments:

BrandiKae said...

Thanks so much for chatting Andrew. So much fun getting to know you during your tour.

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan said...

Wonderful interview! I agree if the author can just push through and get the thoughts on paper, all the shaping can come afterwards! I wish you well on your tour!(Great interview) Pit crew

Andrew Hess said...

Thank you for hosting and for the interview.