Welcoming Andrew Richardson, Author of The Bank Manager

Andrew Richardson is one of the more prolific writers I know, turning out a supernatural horror or Celtic fantasy novel a year, plus several short stories. He is also one of the most versatile, and his LGBT erotic short stories are largely fine examples of contemporary women's fiction but also include horror and dark fantasy.

Andrew writes almost exclusively in the female point of view, and he does it masterfully.  I haven't read The Bank Manager yet, but am sure it will not disappoint.

Buy Link

Kerry-Jane needs a car, but her nerves on edge as she waits to meet the bank manager for a loan. She is put at ease when she meets the pretty blonde manager named Dawn. Both women are eager to flirt, but how far will Kerry-Jane go to lower her interest rate?

The door opened.
Kerry-Jane jerked around.
The blonde’s bob and navy blue suit were formal, but her sparkling eyes and genuine grin were more relaxed. The beginning of lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth and the tints in her hair added sophistication.
Kerry-Jane’s nerves twitched as she returned a smile.
The other woman offered her hand. “Hello. I’m Dawn. Dawn Lincoln. You must be Miss MacLeod.”
Kerry-Jane tried not to let her voice waver. “Yeah. I’ve come to talk about a loan.” She shook the offered hand. It was warm and soft, and Kerry-Jane was surprised when Miss Lincoln held on for a moment longer than she needed to.
Miss Lincoln’s eyes flicked to Kerry-Jane’s cleavage before returning to her face. The blonde held the door to her office open and waved toward a big chair beyond a thick, oak desk. The computer monitor and telephone looked out of place in the old-fashioned room. “Please, Miss MacLeod, take a seat.”
As Kerry-Jane walked around the desk, her fingertips brushed over the oak and the deep burgundy leather set into its surface. She noticed the gentle squish of the thick, burgundy carpet beneath her shoes.




Author Bio:

Andrew Richardson live within easy reach of Stonehenge and other historical places whose regal solitude provides a clear mind for working out plot difficulties and story ideas.

Most of Andrew's work falls squarely into the horror or historical fantasy/horror genres, but he also writes some erotica so his characters can have some fun for a change instead of being scared out of their wits. He violently dislikes laptops, so adopts the old and quaint approach of typing with a desktop, which at least has a screen big enough to avoid the need to squint.

Andrew has a background in archaeology and has worked on sites in England, Scotland and Wales. It's not really a surprise that much of his work reflects this interest and experience.

When he's not writing or working Andrew follows Aldershot Town Football Club and takes long walks over rugged countryside.

http://andrewjrichardson.blogspot.co.uk/

Welcoming Andrew Richardson Talking About His New Release: The Footholder's Tale

As always, I am delighted to welcome Andrew Richardson to talk about his latest Celtic fantasy release The Footholder's Tale. I had the privilege of reading this book from the first draft and was captivated in the first chapter. The novel has all of Andrew's typical hallmarks: vivid settings, exquisite period detail, and an imaginative rendering of myth and legend.

The metaphorical twists begin in the first pages as Math, suffering from his wounds, returns to comfort his former lover during her last days in a bittersweet scene that haunts me to this day--and has inspired me in many romantic scenes I have since written. And at the conclusion of the plot's twists and turns, one's imagination will be captivated by the blend of mysticism and magic in this unique historical romantic fantasy.

Buy Link

Math, King of Gwynedd will die without a maiden’s magic to soothe his battle-injured foot. In a court rife with envy, greed and cunning, Math must choose a successor. His nephew falls in obsessive love with the beautiful new Footholder and he and his scheming brother plot to win her and at the same time ruin her – a plan which could mean the King’s death.

Will the maiden’s bonding with the king cost her life or can she overcome treachery and save both king and kingdom from being torn apart?

Set in mythical Wales, The Footholder’s Tale, Andrew Richardson’s historical fantasy captures the mystical elements of the times and combines intrigue and classic romance, based on Celtic legends.

Andrew and Carole in Salisbury, UK,  2014

Andrew, how did you come to write this tale?

I’ve always been passionate about Welsh myths, ever since I heard them as a child.  I found them absorbing, and even as a young age I appreciated their subtlety compared with the more traditional English and continental fairy tales I was used to.

My all time favourite story is the tale of King Math of Gwynedd, who must keep his foot in the lap of a maiden, or he will die.  That premise is unpromising, but beneath is a stunning story of love, power, and war.  The story was an obvious one for me to write, and I was delighted when ‘The Footholder’s Tale’ was accepted for publication by Rebel ePublishers.

I decided at an early stage of planning, that the current footholder, Goewin, would be central to my story.  In the legend, Goewin eventually becomes Math’s queen.  So, what do we know about her?
Well, not a lot.  Goewin plays a minor role in the Welsh story so isn’t really ‘fleshed out’.  All we really know about her is that she was the daughter of an otherwise unknown man called Pebin from the Nantlle Valley, was a maiden (obviously), and was the most beautiful woman in Gwynedd.
A few experts in Welsh literature have tried to fill in some of the void, to speculate for example that because her name means ‘strength’ she portrays the strength of womanhood.

In summary, though, Goewin is a shadowy character.  For a writer wanting to write her story that gave me a lot of blanks to fill in, and so a lot of mouth watering possibilities. I decided on a Goewin who was quiet on the outside – maybe even intimidated by her role amid royalty – but with an inner strength.  That made her shy and insecure when she first started holding the king’s foot, but willing to stand up for herself against bullying.  As her character develops and her confidence increases she gains the confidence to shape her own destiny – and at the same time, that of the kingdom.  That’s enough for me in any heroine, and Goewin was a very satisfying one to write.

And for anyone who has not read Andrew's work, his writing is all about those brave, intrepid heroines, this being no exception. 

Good luck with the release. 

Visit Andrew's Amazon Author Page

V

Disclaimer: I have not received any renumeration other than an advance review copy.

The Torridon Witches: Andrew Richardson's Newest Celtic Horror Is Out Today-Live Chat and GIveaways!

Everyone who reads my blog knows of my affection and admiration for  friend and critique partner Andrew Richardson, a very prolific writer with an uncanny ability to scare me. Horror is not my favorite flavor, but it's hard to stop reading his stories even though I know nightmares will ensue.

The Torridon Witches, set in contemporary times, is even more chilling because they don't target witches anymore--right? There isn't much more I can say. The blurb and excerpt are self-explanatory. Andrew knows his Celtic legend and lore, he knows the countryside and the people, and he knows how to write horror so real you're there with the characters.

Andrew, can you tell us a bit more about your fifth novel or novella?

The Torridon Witches is a novella set in the remote Scottish Highlands. The idea came to me when  I read a book about Scottish witch trials.  The suffering the accused went through, even before their inevitable end, was chillingly described.  I thought the helplessness and fear the ‘witches’ experienced would make a good theme for a horror story.

I placed the book in a (fictional) village in Scotland’s remote Torridon region; an area of mountains, upland moors, bogs and rugged coastlines which even today is only reachable by boat or single track roads.  I managed to find some historical records of ‘witchcraft’ in the region’s fringes, and I know the area well, so everything seemed to fit to make it an ideal setting.

I’m grateful to Damnation Books for taking the story on.  The launch on 15 September will be accompanied by a live chat at 2pm.  There’ll be giveaways and ‘variable pricing’ (i.e. discounts!) for early purchases.

So I understand you'll be doing research in the Scottish Highlands on release day. How authentic.

Yes, it should be rather surreal. And challenging to interface with the modern world.

Good luck, Andrew!

Thanks, Carole!


The Torridon Witches is available as of September 15 at: http://www.damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781629290553

Details about his other works are available at http://andrewjrichardson.blogspot.com.

On release day for Damnation Book, Andrew will be chatting at 2pm EST. I'll be there and hope you can make it as well. Log into the chat here.

Fiona MacLeod returns to Dunmorgan to gain revenge for Gran’s burning as a witch a decade ago. Friends accompanying Fiona have a row and in their tempers use the word ‘witch’. The villagers’ attitudes are ancient, and the friends are soon on trial for witchcraft. To avoid the stake Fiona must confront the charismatic but brutal Blue Eyed Man. She must also take on the sadistic villagers who were responsible for Gran’s death, and who are desperate for another burning.



Excerpt:
“Don’t burn me.” Bonnie’s wide eyes fixed on the flames dancing from the firebrand. “I’m really sorry I upset you. Please don’t burn me.”

“Maybe The Good Lord can show you mercy.”

Bonnie met the Blue Eyed Man’s gaze. “I haven’t done anything to deserve it. Please.”

His fists found his hips again, and Fiona was sure he spoke the crowd’s entertainment as much as to Bonnie. “Maybe God will forgive you, if you repent of your witchery.”

Bonnie cocked her head.

“Do it, Bon.” Ashmati shrieked. “Do it, and they’ll let you go. Just repent.”

“I’m sorry, for whatever I’ve done. I’m sorry.”

The crowd muttered, but The Blue Eyed Man’s raised hand demanded silence. He leaned closer to Bonnie. His voice lowered to a whisper, but still carried around the horseshoe. “They say, if the executioner is skilled and the fire is kept under control, death by burning can take two hours. We’re not particularly skilled—we don’t tend to have cleansings lasting more than an hour.”

The crowd laughed. Bonnie looked into his eyes. “Please…” 

Spotty giggled. “Was that, ‘please can we try for two hours,’ witch?”

The Blue Eyed Man continued. “If you repent, witch. If you admit your sins, and renounce witchcraft…”

“Do it!” Ashmati screamed. “Just say it!”

“I’m sorry.” Bonnie whispered. 

“Denounce witchcraft!”

“I denounce witchcraft.”

“Repent of your witchery.”

Bonnie looked at Ashmati.

Ashmati’s fists clenched. “Say it! Just fucking say it!”

“I repent of my witchery.”

“That is good, my dear.” The Blue Eyed Man’s eyes remained cold as he faced the crowd. He flicked a thumb toward Bonnie. 

“Now, burn her.”

The Next Big Thing: Andrew Richardson

I'd like to extend a great big New York City welcome to my very good writing friend, Andrew Richardson from the UK. We've been critique partners since meeting on critters.org six years ago. I hope to finally have the chance to meet him in person when I travel to London for Worldcon in 2014. 

Andrew writes a curious mix of supernatural horror and erotic fiction that never fails to terrify me or delight me--and his readers. He's got news about his Next Big Thing to share right now.

Thank you to Carole for inviting me to take part in The Next Big Thing. 

What is the title of your next book?

‘Dana’s Children’.  The background is an Irish Celtic myth about a tribe led by the Mother Goddess Dana.  Her people were forced to live underground when ‘modern’ man arrived.

Where did the idea for the book come from?

I’ve always been fascinated by Celtic myths and legends.  The stories are varied, with some being violent, some being romantic, and some fantastical.  Most of my books have a Celtic element and I’m sure will provide me with inspiration for years to come.

What genre does your book fall under?

Horror, but it would be very difficult to write a story based on Celtic myth without including a fantasy element, too.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

My heroine has green eyes and long black hair.  I think Megan Fox is probably nearest.

My hero is a boy-next-door sort.  A younger Tom Cruise would do nicely.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of the book?

Modern day archaeologists uncover a subterranean tribe.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Neither.  I sent Dana’s Children to a publisher direct, and it was accepted a few days ago – although I prefer not to name publishers until contracts are signed, just in case something goes wrong.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your masterpiece?

Planning took about three months.  The first draft took around nine months, followed by something like another six months proofing.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’ve tried to think about this, but failed.  I’ll go with a couple of films instead, and I think Alien or The Descent are reasonably close.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was doing some research for a novel about Irish invasion myths, but I wasn’t happy with the story so discarded it.  I read about Dana’s people while doing the research, and thought the concept of a hostile subterranean tribe had possibilities so I went in that direction instead.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

My Acquisitions Editor liked Dana’s Children for a couple of reasons; firstly for the use of Irish folklore in a horror story, and secondly because it has a twist ending.

Who is next to be interviewed?

I’d like to nominate Gianna Bruno and Philip McCormac.

*          *          *

Andrew Richardson lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife, teenage son, and a hamster.  He is within easy reach of Stonehenge and other historical places whose regal solitude provide a clear mind for working out plot difficulties and story ideas.  

Most of Andrew’s work falls squarely into the ‘horror’ genre, but he also enjoys writing some erotica so his characters can have some fun for a change instead of being scared out of their wits. 

He has a pathological dislike of laptops, so adopts the old and quaint approach of typing with a desktop, which at least has a screen big enough to avoid the need to squint.

Andrew has a background in archaeology and has worked in several trenches.  It’s not really a surprise that most of his work reflects this interest and experience, even if it’s as peripheral as his characters living the university lifestyle.

When he’s not writing or working as a science administrator Andrew follows Aldershot Town Football Club and takes long walks over rugged countryside.

http://andrewjrichardson.blogspot.co.uk/