Vengeance of Grimbald by Richard Hacker - Book Tour + Giveaway
Vengeance of Grimbald
by Richard Hacker
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GENRE: Fantasy Thriller
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BLURB:
Addison and Jules, members of the League, a secret alchemist society of Inkers who protect the time
continuum, believe they defeated their enemy, Cuthbert Grimwald, known to them as Kairos.
When he resurfaces filled with vengeance, intent on destroying the League,
and acquiring the Alchimeia, a book of such power the League has hidden it for millennia,
Grimwald leaves a path of destruction across centuries. As he quests for absolute control of reality,
Addison and Jules pursue him through time and death in a desperate struggle to save the world
from his vengeance.
continuum, believe they defeated their enemy, Cuthbert Grimwald, known to them as Kairos.
When he resurfaces filled with vengeance, intent on destroying the League,
and acquiring the Alchimeia, a book of such power the League has hidden it for millennia,
Grimwald leaves a path of destruction across centuries. As he quests for absolute control of reality,
Addison and Jules pursue him through time and death in a desperate struggle to save the world
from his vengeance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
“You’ve done well my friends. A bit of a shaky start, but in the end, I am pleased with the result.”
Jules glanced to Addison, who was also pulling himself up to stand. “What are you talking about?
You could have killed us.”
You could have killed us.”
“If I wanted you dead, we wouldn’t be talking.” Boggy raised his hands as if to parry their blows.
“Today’s lesson is partnership. Do you see?”
“Today’s lesson is partnership. Do you see?”
Addison slowly rotated an arm with a grimace. “Keep talking.”
“Inking is a dangerous enterprise. You find yourself in a foreign world in an earlier time,
often fighting to survive long enough to complete your mission.
But the physical dangers of inking do not hold a candle to the emotional and psychological dangers.
Your consciousness, the essence of your being, occupies the mind of another.
With each passing moment, a small part of who you are slips out of your grasp unless you master
the relationship between Inker and host. You must die to live, right? But all living creatures naturally
gravitate toward life and away from death. The world of an Inker is therefore a paradox of conflicting
realities. Without a partner, you struggle alone against insurmountable odds.
Partners have each other’s backs, keeping the hosts alive and the mission viable.
And upon completion, partners ensure their hosts die. Because we never leave an Inker behind.
Never.”
often fighting to survive long enough to complete your mission.
But the physical dangers of inking do not hold a candle to the emotional and psychological dangers.
Your consciousness, the essence of your being, occupies the mind of another.
With each passing moment, a small part of who you are slips out of your grasp unless you master
the relationship between Inker and host. You must die to live, right? But all living creatures naturally
gravitate toward life and away from death. The world of an Inker is therefore a paradox of conflicting
realities. Without a partner, you struggle alone against insurmountable odds.
Partners have each other’s backs, keeping the hosts alive and the mission viable.
And upon completion, partners ensure their hosts die. Because we never leave an Inker behind.
Never.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
1. What would you consider to be your Kryptonite as an author?
A beautiful sunny day. Especially living in Seattle and especially during late Fall to early Spring, if by chance the sun breaks through I find it extremely difficult to stay at my laptop. There’s a bit on Portlandia where a group of people have a street party in the sunshine. The sun disappears and everyone is disappointed, but then reappears across the street. So, they pack up everything and run across the street to party in the sun. This goes on and on. It’s a Pacific Northwest thing. https://youtu.be/G-ppr9LDaQE
If you had asked me that many years ago, I probably would have said criticism.
But once you’re at this for a number of years, honest critique is a very welcomed thing.
I’d much rather have honest, than nice.
But once you’re at this for a number of years, honest critique is a very welcomed thing.
I’d much rather have honest, than nice.
2. If you could tell your younger writing self, anything, what would it be?
It’s the same advice I give other writers now:
Be persistent. When you’re writing a novel, edit, edit, edit. When you’re looking for an agent, pitch, pitch, pitch.
When you’re marketing your book, sell, sell, sell.
And of course, the nature of the beast is you have to do all of those things at the same time!
When you’re marketing your book, sell, sell, sell.
And of course, the nature of the beast is you have to do all of those things at the same time!
Be open to critique. Early on, I think it’s difficult for authors to hear critique because it feels so personal.
I’ve just poured my heart onto the page and you’re telling me my protagonist is one-dimensional?
Don’t take critique personally. Take a step back from it and see what truth there is for you.
I’ve just poured my heart onto the page and you’re telling me my protagonist is one-dimensional?
Don’t take critique personally. Take a step back from it and see what truth there is for you.
Continually hone your craft by going to conferences and workshops, working with other writers
Write, write, write. Write what you love to write Write what jazzes you.
I think it leads to better writing and it’s a lot more fun.
I think it leads to better writing and it’s a lot more fun.
3. What book do you feel is under-appreciated? How about overrated?
I’m not sure about under-appreciated.
One series that comes to mind that was well-crafted and makes for a good read is the Alchemy War series
by Ian Tregillis. The Mechanicals is the first book in the trilogy.
For some reason, an overrated book seems easier to identify. LOL.
The first thing that comes to mind is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Over a hundred pages before getting to the primary plot line? Really?
But then it got translated and made into a movie several times over. So what do I know?
One series that comes to mind that was well-crafted and makes for a good read is the Alchemy War series
by Ian Tregillis. The Mechanicals is the first book in the trilogy.
For some reason, an overrated book seems easier to identify. LOL.
The first thing that comes to mind is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Over a hundred pages before getting to the primary plot line? Really?
But then it got translated and made into a movie several times over. So what do I know?
4. Favorite childhood memory involving books?
Going to the library with my Dad on Saturdays. He was a voracious reader and I’d always leave with a stack
of books for the week—just like my Dad.
of books for the week—just like my Dad.
5. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?
Yes. While other kids were bringing family heirlooms and rabbits to show and tell, I would bring short stories to read to the class.
6. What is your most unusual writing quirk?
Hmmm. I know folks who have to be in certain places or eating certain foods or drinking a double latte. I’ve made a conscious effort to write anywhere at anytime. I suppose the quirk would be that I will write anywhere at anytime. I’ve written on trains, planes, cars, buses; in coffee shops, restaurants, malls, churches, park benches, bathrooms, stadium stands; at all times of day and night. There’s a thing with urban sketching that you always carry a pencil and sketchbook with you so you’re always ready to draw. I try to keep the laptop close. You never know when an idea will come to you.
7. What’s one movie you like recommending to others?
Oh my. I love a movie with a mind-bending twist. INCEPTION. No, JACOB’S LADDER.
No, MOMENTO. No, LOOPER. I can’t decide!
No, MOMENTO. No, LOOPER. I can’t decide!
8. If you could own any animal as a pet, what would it be?
I do have the puppy of my dreams already. I aways wanted a Springer Spaniel—I have no idea why.
But I’ve had my Springer, Jazz, for almost ten years. She’s a great dog. Not one to lie at my feet while I write.
She likes to be on the move. But still a great dog. Here’s a pic:
But I’ve had my Springer, Jazz, for almost ten years. She’s a great dog. Not one to lie at my feet while I write.
She likes to be on the move. But still a great dog. Here’s a pic:
9. Have you ever met anyone famous?
I was standing at the airport curb in Austin many years ago waiting for a shuttle. I turned to my left and there was Kirk Douglas standing there! His limo slipped next to the curb and picked him up. We exchanged glances. Does that count as meeting? LOL Oh, and just recently, I was at a New Years Eve party downtown and a guy sat down beside me who looked really familiar. Over the years I’ve watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The guy sitting next to me was David Frei, who had been the announcer for that show for something like 26 years. We did get to talk and David and his wife are pretty good dancers, by the way.
Thanks for having me on the blog and thanks to your readers for checking out this interview. I hope you’ll check out DIE BACK and now book 2 of the Alchimeia, VENGEANCE OF GRIMBALD. Both are available on Amazon. And you can find me at www.richardhacker.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RWHacker
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Richard Hacker, lives and writes in Seattle, Washington after living many years in Austin, Texas.
In addition to the science fiction/fantasy novels of The Alchimeía Series,
his crime novels ride the thin line between fact and fiction in Texas.
Along the way, his writing has been recognized by the Writer’s League of Texas and the
Pacific Northwest Writers Association. As a judge in literary contests shuch as PNWA and ChicLit,
and as a freelance development editor, he enjoys the opportunity to work with other writers.
In addition, he is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy editor for the Del Sol Review.
DIE BACK was his first novel in the Alchimeia series.
In addition to the science fiction/fantasy novels of The Alchimeía Series,
his crime novels ride the thin line between fact and fiction in Texas.
Along the way, his writing has been recognized by the Writer’s League of Texas and the
Pacific Northwest Writers Association. As a judge in literary contests shuch as PNWA and ChicLit,
and as a freelance development editor, he enjoys the opportunity to work with other writers.
In addition, he is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy editor for the Del Sol Review.
DIE BACK was his first novel in the Alchimeia series.
Del Sol Press books by Richard Hacker are available at Amazon
The Alchimeía Series
DIEBACK: Book One
VENGEANCE OF GRIMBALD: Book Two
Other books by Richard Hacker:
Nick Sibelius Crime Series
KILL’T DEAD OR WORSE
BUZZARD BAIT
ALL HAT AND NO CATTLE
Follow the author at www.richardhacker.com
Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RWHacker
Amazon buy link:
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Richard Hacker will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn
winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
8 Comments
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteThanks for hosting Jasmine. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
DeleteGreat cover, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita
DeleteHow did you come up with the title of the book?
ReplyDeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.