In 2010, about a year into Barack Obama’s first term as president and Benjamin Netanyahu’s second as prime minister, Peter Beinart observed that a significant divide was opening between younger American Jews and their elders over support for Israel. “The leading institutions of American Jewry have refused to foster—indeed, have actively opposed—a Zionism that challenges […]
Oathbreaker follows a hero wracked with guilt on a quest for revenge who seeks to uncover the mystery behind the many mysterious shipwrecks and their connection to his father. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
There are two major ingredients behind my inspiration for my book, Oathbreaker. The first one is an article I read about archaeological excavations close to St Louis’ castle in Sidon, Lebanon. It has revealed two mass grave deposits containing partially articulated and disarticulated human skeletal remains.
No less than 25 male individuals have been recovered, with no females or young children. Radiocarbon dating of the human remains, a crusader coin, and the design of Frankish belt buckles found on the site strongly indicate that they belong to a single event in the mid-13th century. The skeletal remains show a high prevalence of unhealed sharp force, penetrating force, and blunt force trauma, consistent with medieval weaponry.
What happened back there? What If they had a chance? Why? Who is responsible?
I tried to investigate and tell that story through Peter’s eyes. His fate isn’t ordinary, as he is part of the Crusaders and a blood-brother of the sultan.
The other ingredient, well, I’m a simple man and a father. I try every single day to be interesting for my children, telling them exciting stories. One summer, I visited the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway, and it fascinated me. But the Galata Maritime Museum in Genoa is the biggest and the best Maritime Museum in Europe. I was impressed. There is a real replica of a 13th-century ship. After that with my son checked Barcelona’s maritime museum, a smaller one, and then we spent a whole day discovering Admiral Nelson’s ship HMS Victory in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Wow, it was a fantastic rainy day! So, yes, I like ships. My children, because of me, like ships, too. So together, we added a ship. To be precise, two ships in the story.
One day with my son, we organized a crime investigation table and created a mind map like in the movies. We showed it to his sister, and she wanted a princess to be involved. They really liked how the story developed.
There is a moment when you realize that the more your children grow, these precious moments we spend together and we laugh, discuss and talk become even more rare.
So I decided to ‘publish’ this moment in a book. That’s how Oathbreaker was born.
Peter encounters many interesting and unique people on his journey. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Thank you, it’s a hard question. I tried to view things through the eyes of the characters. Yet the world was so different back there, in 1272. I enjoyed writing the most about the character of Lord Broca. With the captivating Lady Helen and her poetry, they stood out and together they provided Peter with an exhilarating experience.
But I can say the character of Princess Abal, the sultan’s daughter, was a real challenge. According to the official sources, the Legendary Sultan Baibars had three sons and many daughters (at least seven). Still, he managed to fulfill his role as a ruler and a father.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I found a lot of surprising things. The Atlit Crusader cemetery, in the north of Israel, is the largest and best-preserved cemetery.
The way the coroner today can find out what happened to a human skeleton is not so different in the 13th century. Yes, today we use modern technology, but the steps, the techniques are quite the same. I even discovered an English translation of a diary written by a Chinese coroner from the 13th century, revealing his techniques. His methods are still relevant in contemporary police work. I tried to use that in the Ivar’s notebook.
Another surprising one for me is the speech and the way the people wrote letters in 1272. The language and vocabulary used back then were much richer than what we have today. We just text something short via different mobile apps.
But the most interesting thing I realize is that sometimes I catch myself thinking we, the people, will never change. There are always fights and struggles for power, for richness, and for love. There are always battles, betrayals, and belongings. Even thousands of years ago. Today, only technologies are different, and the language is simple, but people are the same with their passions, desires, and sins. Is there a hope for a better world in a thousand years after us? I hope so.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book three and when the novel will be available?
Peter, Red Herring, and his followers will go rogue. That’s all I can say for now. I am almost finished with the first draft, and I need a two-week break from it. Then I’ll have to check for inconsistencies or issues from book one and two. Then, as usual, I’ll rewrite it again, some self-editing and editing. I hope the 3rd book will be ready for release before the end of the year.
If you like Bernard Cornwell, Ken Follett, David Gemmell, John Gwynne and Conn Iggulden you will love this medieval adventure packed with battles, betrayals and swords.
Oathbreaker continues the thrilling historical fiction series which began with Award Winning Author Dimitar Gyopsaliev’ debut novel Longsword: Edward and the Assassin.
★★★★★ “Oathbreaker is more than a historical novel; it’s a tapestry of battle, betrayal, and belonging. It invites both seasoned enthusiasts and new readers into its vividly rendered past. While it stands strong, delving into the first book might enrich the experience. Overall, it’s a compelling blend of meticulous research, dynamic characters, and a story that resonates long after the last page.” — Literary Titan
“A man is only as good as his sword”
Experience the thrilling historical fiction novel Oathbreaker, set in the aftermath of the Second Battle of Ayn Jalut during the Crusades. Follow the gripping journey of Peter Longsword, a hero wracked with guilt after his friend’s death and on a quest for revenge. Struggling to find his place in a tumultuous world, Peter must confront both external threats and internal demons as he navigates through political intrigue and historical conflicts between Christians and Mamluks. Along the way, he develops relationships with Lady Eleanor, Princess Shajar al-Durr, Lord Broca, and Ivar as he seeks to uncover the secrets behind mysterious shipwrecks and his father’s legacy of honor versus betrayal. With powerful emotions and a strong conflict at every turn, will Peter be able to protect those he loves and find the truth before it is too late? If you enjoyed books such as Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth, then you’ll love Oathbreaker. Buy now before the price changes!
Talisgate follows two pre-teen friends in 1976 who, while exploring a dilapidated house, discover a magical talisman that takes them on an adventure to multiple worlds. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First, there’s a little bit of me in Troy Cooper. Like me, he’s eleven years old in 1976. Like me, he’s obsessed with books. I wasn’t born in Florida, but my family moved to the story’s setting when I was fourteen. The neighborhood Troy and Molly live in is very closely modeled after Whitfield Estates, a neighborhood I lived in that kind of straddles the line between Sarasota and Bradenton. There was a rundown house in that neighborhood that was a little like the Muldoon house in Talisgate. My imagination just kind of expounded on that to create the world and situations in which Troy and Molly find themselves.
Then, there’s Molly. When I was a preschooler, my best friend was a little girl living two doors down named Kim. We were inseparable. We kind of grew apart during my school years, but I drew a good bit of Molly from Kim. The story itself is a bit of a nod to The Magician’s Nephew, the first story in the Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. It’s not exactly that story, but I was fascinated by Lewis’s description of kids traveling between worlds. It kind of stuck.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
To me, characters drive everything. Everything. Characters do stuff, say stuff, and believe stuff because of who they are. You can’t have a believable plot without characters staying true to themselves. You can’t have definitions of who characters are without consistent adherence to every part of their being. I sometimes use what I call “mini-stories” that build on this sort of thing. For example, in Talisgate, Troy tells the story of setting a kid’s shoestring on fire at school. In doing so, he not only tells you something about himself, but he also tells a lot about his mother and their relationship. I do a good bit of that. Once I have that kind of foundation established, interactions come naturally. I especially like the tension between Troy and Sojourner throughout Talisgate. Sojourner repeatedly exasperates Troy with his misuse of common sayings and exasperates him further by his reaction (or lack of reaction) to Troy’s exasperation. All of that is important to Troy’s arc. As my main protagonist and narrator, Troy’s journey from how he perceives himself and his relationship to others around him at the beginning of the book to where he is with those concepts at the story’s close is paramount to reader engagement and satisfaction.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My stories are all very distinctly human, regardless of genre. Human relationships are key to good reading, at least for me. The friendship between Troy and Molly is deliberately non-romantic. Part of the reason I made them so young was to emphasize that. Troy says repeatedly that Molly is not his girlfriend, and the reader is never taken down that path, but they are very close friends. I also wanted to stress how we have never learned all there is to learn, even about the people who are closest to us. Troy begins this story with a lot to learn about both Molly and himself. I worked very hard to make sure his eyes opened slowly to make his growth believable. See my comments about characters above. Troy changes, but he’s still undeniably Troy.
This whole self-discovery theme is critical to the story. Some of the things Sojourner reveals about the nature of the (fictional, of course) universe come across as unbelievable in Troy’s mind, but Sojourner is patient and persistent with his explanations. One of my favorite lines from Sojourner in the book is, “Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” That’s something I think everyone needs to keep in mind every time we encounter a person, a culture, or anything else we don’t immediately understand.
I love Molly McPherson. There’s a deep undercurrent of the human need to belong running through the story with Molly. I don’t want to introduce any spoilers, but Molly has a lot happen to her that questions her place in her family and the universe at large. Her own self-discovery path is rooted in this concept. I’m really happy with how it played out. I think Molly is one of my best characters ever. I hope my readers like her as much as I do.
The book has some hypothetical theology going on, but it’s not a “religious” story. There are elements of the Judeo-Christian faith present, but they are not presented as doctrine. The concept of the human soul is there, and the eternal battle between good and evil is central, but I added a lot of speculation regarding the structure of the universe that won’t be found in any religious text. It’s all fantasy when it gets to that part.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in a planned trilogy. It could go beyond that, but I have two more books roughly thought out, and I have begun writing on Book Two already. I’m hoping to have it done by the middle of the year. The next book will stand on the foundation built by the first. I won’t have to spend a lot of time building Troy and Molly’s world, so I can dive right into the adventure. In the second book, readers will be taken to new worlds where they will meet some new characters, including a colleague of Sojourner and some new and particularly nasty crashers.
It’s autumn 1976 in Bradenton, Florida. Troy Cooper is no ordinary eleven-year-old boy. He’s smart. Just ask him. He’ll tell you. His best friend is the ever-faithful, pragmatic, and unflappable Molly McPherson, who lives one street over. Together, they’ve been rummaging around in the old, abandoned Muldoon place for a long time. They’re about to find something in that dilapidated house, something that will change their lives, and forever change their view of the world.
Armed with a magical talisman and guided by a mysterious stranger named Sojourner, Troy and Molly confront evil, both human and supernatural, while traveling to multiple worlds. Along the way, Troy finds out he still has a lot to learn, while Molly proves stronger, smarter, and more resourceful than Troy ever imagined.
The Relic Revolver follows a man whose hometown is attacked by demonic forces and winds up going through an interdimensional door, landing in a realm between heaven and hell. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am in my eleventh year working on the world and storyline for this series that will span eight books. The original inspiration for the story came to me years ago. While watching and reading tons of fantastical adventures in big worlds, I realized that there was a lack of those that were hopeless, dark, and scary. There are so many worlds with bright environments, fun times, bubbly characters, and grand adventures, but I wanted to explore the gray. I wanted to create a world where even the ultimate good turned out to be corrupt. My design for Jack followed that idea. The idea that a man who has killed bounties his entire life had been given the responsibility of the future of the mortal realms was intriguing and really got me excited to explore the human condition and the true way of the world. We are all flawed, and nothing is what it seems. There are so many tiny inspirations that helped me create this epic adventure; from the relationships/conversations of The Guardians of the Galaxy (that inspired me to keep wry humor even in intense situations) to the constant action in the Witcher series that pushes Geralt through unthinkable situations. Another that I have to mention is the incredibly descriptive nature of Tolkein’s environments.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
The original idea for my settings were post-apocalyptic western towns that were unaware of the destruction and loss of technological advances because of the wars between Heaven and Hell. I designed 148 cities brimming with life that each have different types of government, cultures, and recorded histories. I will definitely never make it close to exploring all of those in my writing, but the world actually exists around where I am writing now. Cities bustle even though readers may never experience them, which gives me even more perspective to explore struggles in the world as well as the internal conflicts of the characters. As I planned, my world grew exponentially spanning across realms and even time. It took a lot of work, but I am excited for every reader to get lost in this place that has been alive to me for so long.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I felt like creating an array of different personalities that have gone through similar circumstances allowed me to explore loss, love, fear, and courage. Looking at these themes through divergent looking glasses affects readers very differently. A gentler soul may connect instantly with Shadow and experience growth with him, while a more cynical person may be inspired by Jack’s journey. I wanted to tackle those themes through different characters with different struggles that relate to a lot of what we actually go through emotionally in the world around us. Ultimately I wanted to explore the foundational idea that sometimes evil deeds end with good results and vice versa. I feel like there is definitely inspiration for the reader by connecting with my characters. I have spent years on the development and growth and I am so proud of the results so far.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The beautiful thing about this question is that I have designed a world with thousands of years of history, that is full of cities, adventure, round characters, and untapped mysteries that are sure to excite. The series is designed to run for eight books, but there is so much more to explore and tell. The second book called, The Cursed Amethyst continues right where The Relic Revolver ends and ramps up the action. I can’t say too much at this point about it, but what I will reveal is that the crew does go to Hell in this one. I am on track to release The Cursed Amethyst this November, and I could not be more excited. The immense size and scope of this universe creates endless possibilities for more adventures that even I cannot wait to explore.
When demons attack Jack’s hometown and kill nearly everyone that he has ever cared for, he is pushed through an interdimensional door and finds himself in the realm between Heaven and Hell. Jack presses forward through the otherworlds, determined to find Sarah, the only woman that has ever held his heart, and pour out revenge on the evil that attacked his home. He finds out that he has been prophesied to sit on Heaven’s Throne, and must find a legendary weapon to prevent the destruction of the world. Jack presses on, fighting through impossible situations in unthinkable places that would be terrifying for any ordinary mortal, but he is far from normal. Jack teams up with two fallen angels, a mysterious childlike shadow creature who always wants a hug, and a grumpy leolid who looks a lot like a large version of Earth’s frogs. The adventurers grow together as they try to beat the odds to save humanity from destruction.
Heaven’s Throne is a heroic tale of a selfish bounty hunter turning from a cold heartless killer to the savior of the mortal realms. In this epic tale, everything matters, everything connects, and nothing is what it seems.
Turquoise Tail is the story of a young coyote born with a unique tail that makes her the target of ridicule and bullying from the other desert animals. Why was this an important book for you to share with young readers?
As a retired Special and Regular Ed. Teacher of 37 years, I have dealt with the issue of bullying in many facets both inside and outside of the educational environment. Many children, as well as adults, experience bullying, especially individuals with special needs, who long to feel included by society. I have always felt an extreme responsibility to teach the “Golden Rule” and model it for all students to practice…treat others as you would like to be treated. By instilling this philosophy at a very young age, how wonderful the world would be, if kindness and caring for others was spontaneous, without any thought, lasting through a life span.
Is there anything from your own life you put into the characters in little Cielo’s tale?
Cielo, a Spanish word that means “sky” or ‘heaven”, inspired me as the name for my main character in Turquoise Tail. Cielo is a little girl coyote, who is born looking and feeling very different, based on what other critters see. I have worked with children who feel so isolated and hurt based on how they are treated by others. Teaching students to see how much they have to offer; their uniqueness and hidden talents are true gifts from heaven. Bliss, the spiritual white coyote, enters Cielo’s life to reassure her that her beauty inside and outside shall not go unnoticed. He inspires her to realize that with her unique turquoise tail that others make fun of is really a blessing from heaven. She paints the sky turquoise blue with her beautiful tail based on the spiritual guidance from Bliss, for the enchanting New Mexico balloon Festival!
The illustrations in your book are fantastic. Can you tell us a little about your collaboration with Rebecca Jacob?
My older sister, Rebecca Jacob, has numerous stellar qualities as an artist, sister, and friend. She frequently visits New Mexico in the summer where we share many outdoor adventures, collaborate on critters, scenes, settings, etc. for our next story. I create the story first and then share it with Rebecca. I asked what she thought about doing a children’s book together with her as the illustrator with our first book, Desert Bliss, and she excitedly exclaimed, “Sure!” Since our first book, it has been a very spiritual and transformational journey with each new book that we create as a team. Overall, I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with my sister Rebecca Jacob.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have just finished my fifth Children’s Book, Hatch Chile Willie, which will be available for preorder purchase in March 2024, and released in June 2024. I am very thrilled with the characters in Hatch Chile Willie. Hatch Chile Willie is a silly magical chili pepper, and Farmer Pablo, is a very lonely farmer. The setting takes place in the beautiful town of Hatch, a unique small town located in southern New Mexico. The book also includes a Spanish/English Glossary with given vocabulary words used throughout the text, celebrating the Spanish culture and influence in NM history with the celebrated Hatch Chile and Hatch Chile Festival every Labor Day weekend in Hatch, NM.
Queen Molly and the Summer Palace, by Gary John, is a charming narrative told through the eyes of a spirited German Shepherd named Queen Molly. Residing in her beloved Winter Palace in Florida, she is doted upon by her human companions, Gary and Megan. The story paints a vivid picture of her daily escapades – from engaging in conversations with neighborhood pets to her enthusiastic squirrel chases, and even taking Gary on walks, which adds a humorous twist to the pet-owner relationship.
As the setting shifts with an unexpected change in weather, Queen Molly embarks on a journey of discovery in a new environment. The story adeptly captures her adventures and new friendships, highlighting her adaptability and zest for life. The inclusion of a special frozen treat adds a delightful touch to her summer escapades. Told predominantly from Molly’s perspective, the book employs a playful tone, especially in how Molly perceives Gary as “her human,” humorously reversing the typical pet-owner dynamic. This perspective is not only engaging but also sparks several laugh-out-loud moments, contributing to the book’s overall charm. Samantha Deir’s illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, adding vibrancy and a sense of warmth that resonates with the story’s joyful essence. The conclusion of the story is satisfying, neatly wrapping up the current adventure while also hinting at future escapades. This leaves readers anticipating more delightful stories about Queen Molly.
Appropriate for a wide range of readers, this book stands out for its storytelling and humor. It is an excellent choice for shared reading experiences, particularly during storytime. Queen Molly and the Summer Palace is a captivating and heartwarming story that promises to be a hit with families and readers who appreciate a light-hearted, animal-centric narrative.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
In 2010, about a year into Barack Obama’s first term as president and Benjamin Netanyahu’s second as prime minister, Peter Beinart observed that a significant divide was opening between younger American Jews and their elders over support for Israel. “The leading institutions of American Jewry have refused to foster—indeed, have actively opposed—a Zionism that challenges […]
