Andrew P. Weston, Guardian Angels Interview

Today, I'm pleased to announce a special guest, Andrew P. Weston, author of Guardian Angels. He agreed to do an interview with Book Babe. *Due to a few miscommunications, the giveaway was removed from this post. However, it still exists. I'm just waiting for the code again. Those of you who entered are still entered. The rafflecopter is still running, even though it is not currently on Book Babe. Very confusing morning. Thank you.*

The beginning of the book takes readers to incidents all over the world. Islands, Alaska, New York. This makes me wonder how much you've traveled and where to? What's the most exotic place you've traveled to?

The most exotic place has to be the jungles of South America. I had to visit there a few times because of the specialist roles I fulfilled in one of my previous occupations. 

I found the place fascinating. I’ve always had an affinity to ‘nature’ and animals etc, and the more you understand about such environments and the things that naturally live there, well, the less they freak you out.

It’s amazing to be prowling along, and come across cobwebs as big as a house, with butterflies the size of dinner plates captured in them (Or birds!) ha ha. Or to hear the throaty growl of a panther that’s watching you – and giving you a lesson in what ‘true stealth’ is all about.

And the trees and the flowers! What an incredible variety.

Imagine you have one of the powers of your heroes. Which would you choose?

Teleportation! I think any emergency service worker (and those in the military) would find that power irresistible. The ability to go anywhere, at just a moment’s notice. Wow!

A bit of oneself always goes into a book. Which character has more of your traits?

Difficult! I put parts of myself into Adam, the Overlord. Andrew – his Shadow Lord, and Victoria, the Lord Inquisitor. There are also aspects of my personality in Lei Yeung & Luigi Espasito. 

I did this so I could easily identify with the reactions they would have under different circumstances.
I’ll leave it to you to try and guess which parts!

What was the hardest scene to write?

The prologue. This was my first attempt at writing, and I wanted to get the initial invitation/impact right! It sets the tone for the entire book. So, I’m pleased with how it eventually turned out.

How was the editing process for you? Was it a learning experience? Some actually like edits, the more comments, the more progress authors feel they make. Some pull their hair out. Which are you?

Well, I have no hair to pull out (ta-dah!) So, I enjoyed the editing process. I’m new, and I’ve been conditioned by a lifetime’s experience. So, when more experienced writers/editors offer their sound advice and criticism, well, only a fool would turn it down! I’m very fortunate. Pagan Writers Press is a very small, select and close-knit family. I’ve been helped tremendously. I’ve got some great ideas and concepts floating about in my head, and they are helping my skill level catch up to match!

What movie stars would you cast for a movie of this book?

The Overlord – Vin Diesel
Andrew – Karl Urban

Victoria – Angelina Jolie/Penelope cruz

Naomi Cruiz – Eliza Dushku

Lei Yeung – George Takei

Luigi Espasito – still thinking about that, Leonardo De Caprio?

Did you have a picture nearby for inspiration as you wrote this? Did you listen to a special soundtrack?

No – it was all a product of my warped and fragile mind.

What's in your writing future?

I have a series or two I’m planning to develop, News about them are on my site/blog.

But I think the most important thing is to keep doing my best to improve my craft. It returns the trust and ‘risk’ my publishers put in me – as a new boy – and it will ensure my work continues to grow, and bring enjoyment to those who read the books.

At the moment, I still think I’m ‘playing’. I won’t feel comfortable until I can throw everything else aside and concentrate all my efforts into writing full time. (With time out for the films and sequels of course) – see you on the red carpet! I’ll be wearing Giorgio Armani dahling!

Please tell us something about your own career in law enforcement. Did you put anything you have experienced or seen in the novel?

Oh yes.

I served in the military for nine years, followed by twenty-three years in the Police Service. During that time, I lost count of the incidents I had to deal with where someone’s life was changed forever by unexpected tragedy!

Life is a very fragile thing, and “out of the blue” such things can strike when people least expect it, bringing untold calamity and suffering.

Attending those incidents often used to make me think, “What would have happened if we had got here sooner? Or if we had the resources or training to undo all this suffering and damage? What would it be like to have the technology and training to not only anticipate such accidents and disasters, but prevent them happening in the first place?

That’s how the Guardian concept was born.

The one accident that inspired me to actually put my thoughts together into a more structured form involved the death of a young boy on his way home at the end of a school day.

Rush hour traffic is dangerous at the best of times. When you add in the factor of a little boy with little appreciation of the hazards involved, well…you can guess what happened.

The scene was horrendous, as were the terrible sobs of the woman driving the vehicle he ran out in front of. She was a mother herself, and her anguish was heart rending, even though there was nothing she could have done to avoid him.

That’s why the opening chapter of Guardian Angels involves a young boy stepping out into the path of a truck. It describes what ALL the Emergency Service personnel there that day wish could have happened, had someone like a Guardian Angel been there to help.

Thanks for the interview Tara. Great questions. I really enjoyed being here.

Andy.

Really enjoyed having you, Andy, and for those of you whose interest was no doubt piqued by his answers, here is more about the book:

In a series of terrifying events, otherworldly beings intervene to save innocent lives. The world community reacts with relief as they realize that angels may in fact exist, and they are diligently protecting us.

But there are those who would seek to stop what they feel is a threat against their livelihoods. How far will some go to battle the Guardians? Is the fairy tale over before it even begins?

Guardian Angels is a powerful and compelling story about the catalyst that has the power to unite society in the hope for a better future. The spark of hope is fragile—can it last?

Buy Link

Pagan Writers Press

Excerpt: (Unedited)

Luigi decided to toast himself and his accomplishments again. Finding his glass empty, he rang the bell for a top up, and continued to gloat, firmly believing he was beyond accountability.

When the door to the study opened a few minutes later and Gianni, the housekeeper, came in with his favorite Black Pearl Louis XIII cognac on a silver tray, he insisted the old servant stay with him and drink to his success. “Come, Gianni, stay, celebrate with me. Good times should be shared with trusted friends.”

The gesture wasn’t missed by Gianni. At fifty-five thousand dollars a bottle, the cognac was one of the most expensive in the world, and he quickly poured a generous helping into two glasses. As he handed one to his boss, he paused momentarily to savor the bouquet of the blended flowers, fruits, spices, and the deep amber color of the aromatic liquid. “You’re looking particularly pleased with yourself today, young Sir. Good news?”

“It’s the very best of news, Gianni, and one that appears to be maturing with age.” He replied without looking away from the screens.

The old housekeeper tossed down his drink in one and shuffled to stand deferentially behind his employer. He listened as yet more reports of the suffering caused by the missile detonations were announced. “That mess doesn’t look like there’s much to be happy about, Sir. Surely that doesn’t please you, does it?”

“Aah, Gianni, sometimes, when you need to make a point, you have to catch your enemy’s attention,” Luigi replied. “You have to ensure they not only respect you, but fear you. I’m pleased because I’ve done just that. Wouldn’t you agree, my old friend?”

When no reply was forthcoming, Luigi naturally assumed the old housekeeper must have been unable to hear his question. Turning in his seat, he felt a peculiar throbbing, tingling sensation in his teeth and sinuses. “I said ‘wouldn’t you agr . . . .’”

Luigi’s voice choked off in his throat as he caught sight of Gianni’s eyes. The distinctive, familiar, lazy old eyes of his long-time employee seemed to be undergoing some kind of metamorphosis. Gone was the semi-vacant, un-focused faraway look he always seemed to display as he pottered about. Instead, Luigi was looking into the hardest, most piercing eyes he had ever seen, eyes that seemed to glow with an inner furnace to match the cold look of rage chiseled onto his face.

The shock made him drop his glass onto the carpet, spilling about three thousand dollars worth of the deep amber nectar.

Transfixed he watched as Gianni’s body straightened, grew, and bulked out. As the years fell away from his face, he realized without a doubt that he was going to fully shoulder the burdens his choices had wrought.

Before him stood his own personal living nightmare made flesh, dressed from head to toe in black. Instantly he felt the fire rising within him, straining for release.

The Guardian stepped forward, making the barest of gestures with his finger as he did so, and Luigi found himself lifted into the air by some unseen force. He was held motionless, helpless as a puppet awaiting the commands of his master.

Nodding at the screens, the Guardian spoke. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Andrew, Guardian Lord of Shadow Operations. Did you seriously think you’d get away with something like this?”

Luigi stared defiantly back, fighting to overcome his shock at the Guardian’s presence, and surprised at the lack of access to his ability. “Do what you want, asshole, at least the world sees you as the frauds I knew you were!” he hissed.

“Do what I want? I’d love to, but unfortunately my boss won’t let me.”

Luigi stared impotently back at his nemesis as he strolled closer. Once he was standing in front of him, the Shadow Lord said, “As for exposing us as frauds? Well, I really don’t know why you would think that. We never said or intimated we could be everywhere at once. The world’s a sad enough place as it is without you adding to it. All we are doing is trying to help people avoid as much heartbreak as possible.”

Andrew pointed to the repeat bulletins on the screens. “So, once the world finds out that all this was the deliberate act of some sick and twisted psycho who didn’t care how many suffered, just so long as he could score some points, how do you think they’ll react to you, Luigi?”

The point struck home. Luigi struggled in an attempt to slap the Guardian across the face, to do something to help vent the building fury inside him.

Helpless, he continued stewing as the Guardian moved so close he was able to whisper in his ear. “And when they find out about your abilities, can you even begin to imagine how they’ll react to that? You worthless, spineless, pathetic little man. I really wish they’d let me play with you before we throw you to the wolves.”

“F*ck off, asshole, you don’t scare me.”

“Scare you?” Andrew smiled wickedly. “Oh no, Luigi, that’s not my job. That’s hers!”

The Guardian gestured behind Luigi at the same moment he let go with his telekinesis. Although Luigi only dropped about a foot, he crumpled to the floor, becoming acutely aware that the strange throbbing in his teeth was even more pronounced than before.

Turning, Luigi was met with a vision of such barely contained power and fury that he immediately soiled his pants.

Andrew squatted beside him. “Allow me to introduce you to the head of our investigations branch. This is Victoria, our Lord Inquisitor, and she’s very pleased to meet you after all the suffering you’ve caused.”

Victoria stood in front of the TV screens, wreathed in a visible static discharge that blew the circuits of all the electrical equipment in the office and made the hairs on Luigi’s arms and head stand on end. Her eyes, so similar to those of the Shadow Lord, intensified in luminosity and turned from grey to white hot. Luigi shielded his eyes and cowered on the floor in his own excrement.

What a fool I am. He thought.

In reply to his thoughts, the Shadow Lord said, “Yes Luigi, what a murderous, cowardly fool of a man you are. I think the whole world will agree when they find out, eh?”

About Andrew:

If you had the power to make a difference…would you?

Andrew P Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston, eventually attending Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boy’s where he was School Captain and Head Boy.

He was an active sportsperson for the school, college and a variety of rugby, martial art, swimming and athletics teams throughout the city.

On graduation in 1977 he joined the Royal Marines fulfilling a number of roles both in the UK and abroad.

In 1985 he became a police officer with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, and served in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.

Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies, was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.

An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.

When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark.