DARKNESS FOLLOWS - Mike Dellosso - Free Book

Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write for those enjoying a good, character-driven story that's suspenseful and thrilling. Most of my readers like fast-paced stories that put them in the midst of the action and have suprises around every corner. I write to explore human emotions and relationships. My characters are flawed people trudging through this life just like the rest of us, learning how to trust God and love others.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day I married my wife, Jen. She's has been my biggest supporter and encourager for going on fourteen years now. And in addition to being a lovely wife, she is a dedicated and wonderful mother and teacher for our four daughters.

How has being published changed your life?

 It's made it busier! Now I have deadlines and edits and promoting and marketing. Sometimes, I don't know how I find time to do it all. I don't want to complain, though, being published is a blast and very fulfilling. I know I'm blessed to be able to do it and don't want to take it for granted for one second. I write every book as if it could be my last . . . because it could!

What are you reading right now?

 Right now I'm not reading anything. I'm under a tight deadline and when that happens I suspend all reading and focus only on the project at hand.

What is your current work in progress?

My next novel, Frantic (due Jan/Feb, 2012), is in its final stages of editing and I've begun work on my next book after that, as yet untitled. This untitled project will be something totally different for me and I'm both excited and scared to death of it.

What would be your dream vacation?

A tour of Europe hitting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Or a trip to New Zealand. I've always wanted to go to NZ.

I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I usually write what I'm familiar with so I've kept the settings close to home, either south-central Pennsylvania or northern Maryland. But for Frantic I'm breaking that mold and set it in Maine. I love Maine because it offers such an interesting backdrop to a story with its stunning landscapes and seaside villages and interesting people. And the next story is set in Virginia's horse country.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

George W. Bush. I'd want to ask him all kinds of questions about 9/11 and his decision to invade Iraq and how he dealt with all the criticism and held up under the pressure.

I admire George W. Bush, and Barbara. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Well, let's see. I used to love to golf, then the kids came along and I no longer have the time nor the money for it. I really don't have any hobbies. Family, work, and writing take up most of my time. I'll save the hobby thing for when I'm retired.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Getting started. I'm always terrified of starting because I know once I start I'm not going to want to stop until the project is finished and that's going to mean early mornings and fretting over storylines and word choices and character motivations and wondering if I'm writing the correct thing and following the right plot. Lots of stress and apprehension.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Start and don't quit until you finish. I meet so many writers who have started two, three, four novels but never finished any of them. Writing is something that you have to be in the long haul for. It takes time and persistence but reaching the goal is well worth the effort put into it.

Tell us about the featured book.

Darkness Follows is suspenseful, fast-paced, and thrilling but at its core, it's a love story. Sam Travis is a man on the brink of despair. He's out of work and feeling useless. One morning he awakens to find a journal entry from a Civil War soldier written in his own handwriting. From there the story takes off dragging Sam into an ever-deepening hole of despair as he becomes obsessed with more journal entries and as the entries lead him into a darkness so thick only one thing can rescue him: the unconditional love of his daughter.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Gettysburg, 1863 

Captain Samuel Whiting removed his gloves and sat on the cot in his tent. It had been a long, grueling day of battle and his clothes were soaked through with sweat. He'd lost more men, good men, family men. Men who would never return home to their wives. Boys who would never again cross the threshold of their parents' home. 

He leaned forward, removed his boots, and stretched his legs. The air in the tent was still and muggy. At least outside there was a light breeze to carry away the stench of the wounded. In here, the smells hung in the air like a haze. Beyond the canvas walls the sounds of soldiers--heroes--in the throes of agony wandered through the camp like the souls of dead men looking for rest. But there was no rest in a place like this. 

A single oil lamp sat on the floor, casting an orange glow about the tent's interior. Samuel turned the knob on the lamp, giving more wick to the flame. The light brightened and the shadows darkened. From a writing box he removed a leather-bound journal, the one his mother had given him before he left to join Mr. Lincoln's army. At the time he thought he was doing the right thing, thought he was fighting for a noble cause. 

Now he thought differently. There was nothing noble about this war, nothing honorable about the way it was being fought nor the reasons for which it was being waged.

I'm totally intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website/blog: http://www.mikedellosso.wordpress.com.
Or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mikedellosso

Thank you, Mike, for dropping by again.

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