Interview with Bestselling Science Fiction Author Anthony Maldonado

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SaveInterview with:

Anthony Maldonado

Author of:
The SECURUS Trilogy

 

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Now thru Nov. 30th

 

The SECURUS Trilogy

1-anthony-trilogyThe SECURUS Trilogy is an exciting post-apocalyptic dystopian adventure with medical twists, that introduces real world characters with diversity that are rarely featured in Science Fiction books and movies. Strong women leaders and ethnic diversity make the SECURUS Trilogy socially relevant and an exciting experience for sci-fi fans!

 

Book 1 – The Death Detail

Driven underground to escape a biological weapon known as The Agent, the last known colony of people take refuge in a large subterranean facility called Securus. Kagen Meldon, a Healer by profession, finds his only mental escape in exploring The Caves, an adjoining underground system isolated from the poisonous atmosphere. His life was routine until an unexpected discovery in The Caves…

 

Book 2 – The Controller

After uncovering the lies that have secretly kept Securus’ people as Caelum’s slaves, Kagen Meldon hoped the path to freedom would be simple. That dream becomes shattered when he learns The Controller is coming to Securus. His presence brings with it the threat of annihilation.

 

Book 3 – The Seat of Power

Kagen knows there is only one path to freedom. But is the cost more than he can bear? Ever since he uncovered the lies Caelum uses to secretly keep Securus’ people as their slaves, Kagen Meldon has relentlessly searched for a path to freedom…Kagen knows what he must do. If they are ever to be free, Caelum’s enduring power must be severed once and for all…The only question is whether he or the rest of Securus will survive long enough to end the Controller’s deadly game.

 


Interview with Anthony

Julie@BookTourRadio:
Hi Anthony! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to discuss your work and the Securus Trilogy on Book Tour Radio. I’ve started reading the series and I’m already hooked, so my first question is, what inspired you to write this captivating series?

Anthony:
It started with a simple desire to write. For years I felt like I had it in me to do this, but never really sat down and went at it. One day, I just decided it was time.

As far as the story itself, I have always been intrigued with cave systems and felt like this was an opportunity to have the setting come from that type of environment.

The dystopian theme just felt right for the setting and gave me an opportunity to throw in some social commentary in there as well.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
When did you know that the Securus storyline had enough evolution and depth to become a trilogy series?

Anthony:
My original desire was to make it a series, though I wasn’t sure how it would unfold. So I decided to write the first book and then decide from there whether or not it felt right to continue into a series or not.

As I was getting into the latter half of my first draft, it became clear to me there was much more story to tell.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
I have heard that you modeled some of the characters based on some real-life influences. Can you share a few of those with us, and whether or not they know they inspired a character in this adventure?

Anthony:
There are a few characters inspired by people in my life. One of my goals was to have strong women characters. It just feels more natural and interesting to me that way. So, naturally, one of the lead characters was based by my wife, Bernice. In real life I see her as a “superwoman,” so it felt really easy bringing her character to life.

Another one of the characters was heavily influenced on a good friend of mine, although I actually had to tone down how outrageous he can be.

Everyone who influenced a character knew while I was writing the first draft. It was interesting and fun to see how they reacted to how their characters turned out.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
There are plenty of fascinating examples of amazing writers who had unusual careers before their writing redefined them. Harper Lee was a reservation clerk at Eastern Airlines, John Steinbeck worked at a warehouse, Kurt Vonnegut worked at a Saab dealership, George Orwell was a police officer in Burma, John Grisham worked for a plumber. And that’s just a few. Can you share with us, what your “day job” is?

Anthony:
I am an Emergency Medicine physician. That probably explains why there are some medical twists involved in the story.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
When did you discover that there were stories inside you and that writing could become one of your passions?

Anthony:
In the back of my mind, there was always an urge to write. I felt like I had it in me, but because of my chosen career path, it was pushed aside.

Even when I initially began writing The Death Detail, I was unsure how this would turn out or if I even would be able to finish. But as the story came out, it just felt so fluid and natural. That’s when everything really clicked for me.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
Was there anyone who inspired you to write or encouraged you to pursue your writing aspirations?

Anthony:
Really, without my wife, I would have never started. She inspires and encourages me so much every day. There were many times I felt completely discouraged, but she was always there to help pick me up.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
An exciting Trilogy like Securus, could easily become the basis for a movie series. How would your life change if that happened? Would you keep doing your “day job”?

Anthony:
It would be so fun if there was ever an opportunity to bring this Trilogy to the screen. I couldn’t even imagine what would happen then. I would take some time off from my day job, but most likely I would continue practicing medicine unless people actually recognized me and made my presence a distraction at the hospital.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
Let’s talk a bit about Securus. The trilogy is a science fiction adventure/thriller based on a dystopian backdrop. Can you give us an overview of the 3 books – without giving away the secrets that your fans want to discover on their own…

Anthony:
The Death Detail:
The last remaining survivors of humanity hide from the devastation caused by a deadly biological-weapon in an underground facility known as Securus.

Life was routine for Kagen Meldon, with a rigid schedule, and daily work in the infirmary. His only mental escape comes from exploring The Caves, an intricate system isolated from the poisonous atmosphere. In a deep, unmarked section, Kagen and his friends stumble upon a shocking discovery that leads to a deadly encounter with a pair of mysterious shadow-men.

Kagen’s life is thrown into chaos by the tragic event and the ensuing Leadership cover-up. Unable to move on without knowing the truth, Kagen’s search for answers is obstructed by the relentless scrutiny of Leadership as well as a deadly viral outbreak that threatens to overwhelm Securus. The more he learns the more dangerous it becomes, not only for Kagen, but for everyone he cares for.

The Controller:
After uncovering the lies used to suppress the people of Securus, Kagen Meldon hoped the path to freedom would be simple. That dream is shattered when he learns The Controller, the very man responsible for their oppression, is coming to Securus. If they are to survive, Securus must hide what they have learned from his scrutiny.

Kagen works side by side with the new head of Leadership, Talia Vaden, trying to balance their quest for freedom with the need to appease The Controller.

The dissention stirred up by fear of the looming threat combines with an enigmatic new disease afflicting the colony to push them to the edge of catastrophe. Their burden only deepens with the discovery of a new threat within The Caves.

With danger coming from the people within to the forest above, nothing is certain. The only thing Securus can count on is its own demise if The Controller is not satisfied.

The Seat of Power:

Ever since uncovering the lies used to control Securus’ people, Kagen Meldon has relentlessly searched for a path to freedom. But, just as he was warned, escape is not so easy. Caelum has used the last century to perfect their methods of controlling his people.

Every step he takes to escape only leads to another subversive method Caelum uses against them. While Kagen becomes haunted by seemingly unending death and disease surrounding him, the effects of this combined with constant uncertainty deepens a divide within Securus.

After seeking to gain Munitus as an ally against Caelum, Kagen is forced into a hopeless contest, pitted against the Controller and weakened by some of his own people. Kagen knows there is only one thing that can be done. If they are ever to be free, Caelum’s enduring power must be severed once and for all. The only question is whether he or the rest of Securus will survive long enough to end the Controller’s deadly game.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
One of the reasons I was particularly drawn to the series and a reason that I feel so many progressive readers will love the series is that your storyline embraces diversity and there are many positive and empowered female roles.

Can you tell us a bit about this element that really makes SECURUS stand out? And can you also share with us why these elements were important for you to build your story on?

Anthony:
One thing I always noticed is there’s no one like me in books or in movies.
There is a lack of real diversity. Often when characters of different ethnic backgrounds are included, it just feels limited or they’re made to fit into standard stereotypical roles.

The main characters in my series are very diverse in their ethnic origins, but intentionally do not behave as ethnic stereotypes. They are just regular people who define themselves by their actions and not by their skin color.

The other aspect of the characters that was very important to me was the female roles. It feels much more realistic and interesting for them to be strong and empowered. Even though the story is told from the viewpoint of a male character, the women involved are meant to be every bit as important and impactful to the plot.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
This book series had some medical twists in it. What are you working on now? Any medical thrillers in the works?

Anthony:
My most recent project is actually quite different. It’s more of a sci-fi comedy. But there are a few other stories I have in mind for a medical thriller that would be fun to tackle next.


Julie@BookTourRadio:
Lastly, I wanted to ask you what advice you have for other writers, who might find themselves in a career that in no way facilitates creative writing, yet they yearn to write and capture a story in their head?

Anthony:
I think the best thing is to not wait for “a better time” to start. Just go for it. Make some time to do a little bit every day and you’ll be amazed at the progress you make. Another helpful thing is finding a way to clear your mind and let the ideas flow. For me, just going out for a run (without headphones/music) always let my mind drift into the story and helps find inspiration.


 

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FORAGER (A Dystopian Trilogy Bk1) – FREE COPY

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Forager
(A Dystopian Trilogy Book 1)

By Peter Stone

 

 

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Eighteen-year-old Ethan Jones has a secret that even his parents and foraging companions don’t know. And if that secret is discovered, he’ll be dragged away by the town’s draconian paramilitary Custodians to be dissected like a frog.

The only time he feels safe, the only time he feels free, is when he’s out in the ruins of 2122 AD Melbourne, foraging for scrap metals. The dull, drudgery of his life, however, is shattered when he rescues a mysterious Japanese girl from the degenerate, savage Skel. A girl who then breaks the town’s rigid conventions in her attempts to get to know him, a girl who also carries the pain of a broken heart.

Meanwhile, the nomadic Skel savages are ramping up their attacks on Newhome’s foraging teams and infesting Melbourne’s ruins in ever greater numbers. Is this part of a larger plan that could spell the town’s doom?

 

About the Author

Peter R Stone is an award-winning writer, winning the Faithwriters Writing Challenge on three separate occasions, as well as frequently being a Faithwriters Editor’s Choice top ten winner. His winning entries include The Medal and Dreams Forsaken.

 

 

 

SciFi Thriller from BestSelling Author – Mark Capell

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EDYL –

Island of Immortality

by Mark Capell

 

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*** SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE ***

It’s 2117 and the government has stopped reading your emails. It now reads your mind…

 

Every year, WOCO (the world government) nominates people to compete in the Edyl Olympiad. The prize? Immortality, and the right to live in the only place left in the world where the sun still shines — Edyl Island. But the competitors are watched by a secret government division called The Reading Department to see if they’re worthy of that prize.

R77K is a thought reader on his first Edyl assignment. He has three targets: a rock singer, an athlete, and a mechanic. But one of them also moonlights as a contract killer. Why would a contract killer be nominated for immortality? All is not well in paradise.

The deeper R77K delves into the minds of his targets, the closer he gets to them… and to the hidden agenda behind the nominations. Edyl is a festering world of lies, corruption and strife, but defying WOCO means fighting off attacks from other thought readers, means giving up any last chance of his own immortality. Will he pay that price to save the nominees? And join the cause to put the world to rights?

EDYL – Island of Immortality is a dystopian view of the future, an intense mix of intrigue and drama in an epic tale.

 

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Meet BestSelling Author: Mark Capell

Mark CapellMark Capell is a former documentary television director. He made shows for the BBC, ITV and satellite. He got to meet all sorts of weird and wonderful people, including a gangster who offered, for ‘cost price’, to kill anybody who upset him. Needless to say, he never took up the offer.

Instead, he decided to take his storytelling skills to the world of fiction. His books are highly imaginative tales.

His debut novel, ‘Run, Run, Run’, became a number one bestselling crime thriller on Amazon. He followed it up with a series of novellas about a failed actor who becomes a successful undercover cop because of his inordinate ability to lie – The Myles Morgan Mysteries.

‘Vows to Kill’ was his second full length novel and is about a detective who receives a death threat: I will kill you on your wedding day.

‘Cafe Insomniac’ — 25-year-old Justin opens an all-night café, but he’s soon on a quest to find out how his insomnia is connected to the murder of a customer.

His latest novel is ‘EDYL – Island of Immortality’. A dystopian tale of the future in which the government can read your mind and immortality is a prize to be won.

 

Connect with Mark

web: http://www.mark-capell.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkCapell
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mark.capell.writer
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/markcapell/edyl-island-of-immortality/

The City Center – a fast-paced Sci-fi adventure

Simone Pond-TheCityCenter

The City Center (Volume 1)

by Simone Pond

 

The latest in dystopian fiction!

The City Center is a fast-paced Sci-fi adventure that will appeal to young adults and seasoned readers.

 

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During the man-made apocalypse in the 21st century, a group of elites killed off a majority of the population. Only two groups of survivors remained – those selected to reside inside the utopian Los Angeles City Center and the rebels, relegated to live on the Outside. Centuries later, Ava Rhodes escapes the City Center and goes a journey to seek the truth about her supposed utopian home, sending the City Center’s leader, Chief Morray, into an obsessive pursuit for his property.

Meet the Author: Simone Pond

simone pond_loresSimone Pond was born in Kensington, Maryland – a small, dry town just outside of Washington D.C. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BA in Communications and a minor in English. For twenty years she has worked in advertising agencies in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “The City Center” is her first dystopian sci-fi speculative fiction novel, and is the first in the New Agenda series.

Connect with Simone

Twitter      /    Author Website

 

FREE – Night of the Purple Moon – SciFi * YA * Dystopian

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Night of the Purple Moon

(The Toucan Trilogy, Book #1)

by Scott Cramer

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Abby awakens to banging on the door, sees a truck crashed, and finds her baby sister crying out for breakfast. She soon discovers why Dad hasn’t fed her.

Astronomers predicted that Earth would pass through a comet’s tail, turning the moon purple. But nobody predicted that bacteria from the comet would attack the hormones responsible for puberty. Adults died within hours.

Abby struggles to care for her siblings while quarantined scientists race to find a cure. The time bomb of puberty ticks louder the older Abby gets.

Compelling science fiction, a dystopian with heart.

Stay Tuned …Book #2 Coming in October!

Connect with the Author on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cramer_scott
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian

 

 

Freebie – Night of the Purple Moon – SciFi * YA * Dystopian

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FREE thru September!

Night of the Purple Moon

(The Toucan Trilogy, Book #1)

by Scott Cramer

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Abby awakens to banging on the door, sees a truck crashed, and finds her baby sister crying out for breakfast. She soon discovers why Dad hasn’t fed her.

Astronomers predicted that Earth would pass through a comet’s tail, turning the moon purple. But nobody predicted that bacteria from the comet would attack the hormones responsible for puberty. Adults died within hours.

Abby struggles to care for her siblings while quarantined scientists race to find a cure. The time bomb of puberty ticks louder the older Abby gets.

Compelling science fiction, a dystopian with heart.

Stay Tuned …Book #2 Coming in October!

Connect with the Author on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cramer_scott
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian

 

 

Free Kindle Book – June 18-19
The Boy Who Played With Dark Matter

Holy Ghost Writer

The Boy Who Played With
Dark Matter

(The Count of Monte Cristo
Sequel Series Continues)

 

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From Holy Ghost Writer….

Zeddy, a 6 year old boy in the year 2099, finds himself setting out on an incredible adventure following the mysterious disappearance of his father. Zeddy discovers that there is more to the world than meets the eye and things in the universe that he never imagined. As the journey begins, Zeddy encounters sorcerers, strange creatures from another world, and a professor who may just hold the answers to the location of Zeddy’s father.

Unfortunately in 2099, the world is a much different place than now. An International Government rules the planet and attempts to thwart the search for Zeddy’s father. Will Zeddy’s adventure continue or will his father be lost forever? This action-packed adventure will entertain both young and old as the harrowing saga of the Count of Monte Cristo continues. Book 11 takes us into the future of the Count of Monte Cristo series leaving readers waiting for book 12 to understand the connection to The Sultan of Monte Cristo (book 2) and That Girl Started Her Own Country (book 6).

 

Check the Other Books in the Holy Ghost Writer Series and of course the book that Inspired these fascinating sequels.

Cristo-bookThe Count of Monteo Cristothat girl

 

Visit The Author’s Website
The Sultan on FaceBook
The Sultan on Twitter
The Sultan on Pinterest

 

Futuristic thriller (Dystopian novel) Culpa Innata

culpainnata

In the World Union, prosperity is a science, self-interest a new religion, peace is at hand and the future has never looked brighter. But does this perfect world hide darker secrets?

Futuristic thriller  (Dystopian novel)

Available on Amazon US

And Amazon UK

 

Just as the entire world seems poised to come crashing down on her, burying her under the rubble of her own career, Phoenix battles for her survival and sanity and discovers a long-buried inner strength. Deeply repressed secrets within herself are uncovered, her once restrained qualities and powers unleash.
Light and love slowly begin to emerge and illuminate the darkness of her nightmares, giving her inspiration and hope, and the thick shell around her gives way to a brand new woman underneath.

Welcome to Culpa Innata, the golden age in mankind’s evolution.

Following a decisive Global Economic Collapse, worldwide riots, and civil unrest, for the first time in history countries with significant technology and resources have united into one mighty World Union, with only the Rogue Nation States kept outside its boundaries. In this society only the smartest, the healthiest and the wealthiest are deemed worthy to live. World Union has ushered in an unprecedented era of self-interest and self-fulfilment. Prosperity is a science, science is religion, selfishness is mandatory, sex is recreation; disease and capital crime have become non-existent, and the future has never looked better.

Unaware of her hidden strengths, and underestimating her wits and determination, her bosses decide to repay Phoenix’s lifetime of loyalty by setting her up as a scapegoat in an unusual debacle involving murder and corporation politics. As she pushes forward to solve the murder case, Phoenix inadvertently triggers tremors throughout the mighty World Union and beyond, initiating a great wave of change.

Connect with the Author:

*   Website   *   Facebook   *   Twitter   *

FREE BOOK – Night of the Purple Moon – SciFi * YA * Dystopian

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Free April 9 – 13

Night of the Purple Moon

(The Toucan Trilogy, Book #1)

by Scott Cramer

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Abby awakens to banging on the door, sees a truck crashed, and finds her baby sister crying out for breakfast. She soon discovers why Dad hasn’t fed her.

Astronomers predicted that Earth would pass through a comet’s tail, turning the moon purple. But nobody predicted that bacteria from the comet would attack the hormones responsible for puberty. Adults died within hours.

Abby struggles to care for her siblings while quarantined scientists race to find a cure. The time bomb of puberty ticks louder the older Abby gets.

Compelling science fiction, a dystopian with heart.

Connect with the Author on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cramer_scott
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian

 

 

99¢ SALE -Night of the Purple Moon – SciFi * YA * Dystopian

scott cramer - purple moon

99¢ SALE

Night of the Purple Moon

(The Toucan Trilogy, Book #1) 

by Scott Cramer

Available on Amazon

 

Abby awakens to banging on the door, sees a truck crashed, and finds her baby sister crying out for breakfast. She soon discovers why Dad hasn’t fed her.

Astronomers predicted that Earth would pass through a comet’s tail, turning the moon purple. But nobody predicted that bacteria from the comet would attack the hormones responsible for puberty. Adults died within hours.

Abby struggles to care for her siblings while quarantined scientists race to find a cure. The time bomb of puberty ticks louder the older Abby gets.

Compelling science fiction, a dystopian with heart.

Connect with the Author on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cramer_scott
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian

 

 

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