Today we have the pleasure of hosting a guest post by Amy Lignor, author of The Angel Chronicles, which we featured a while back on the blog. Amy's back, along with news of new books and to talk about the power and fun of research.
The Power & FUN of Research
by Amy Lignor
There are may
authors who gift their readers with the fantastical. They have to create, from
the ground up, mystical wonderlands for everyone to enjoy. As an avid reader, I
love these works because every detail comes from the author’s own mind.
I have to say,
though, that a truly thrilling read for me are books that do offer up a slice
of the factual; perhaps locations or historical artifacts that need to be
well-researched beforehand in order for the book to lure me in and keep me
there. I love knowing that what I’m reading about is a place that really
exists; or maybe a legend that the author is somehow miraculously proving to be
true. The ability to weave fiction and fact together to create the ultimate
thrill ride is a gift.
As the daughter
of a research librarian, I found out pretty early on that the research gene was
bred into me from the very start. I loved reading about old myths that some
people could ‘prove’ were true, while others negated completely. I would take
the ball and run with it; everything from Jack the Ripper to King Arthur to
Billy the Kid’s son - anything that sparked my interest I wanted to track down
like a detective and see if there was a missing link that no one had been able
to put together before. I definitely wanted to be Sherlock Holmes when I was a
kid.
Tallent &
Lowery was born from
this. I began when a small nugget of
information that I’d never heard before was brought up at work one day. My
brain is like a card catalogue (for our younger readers, that’s an old bureau
with small drawers that kept cards of information on topics and books before
the computer and smartphone came along. LOL). When I heard this information, a
drawer of the card catalogue opened and I suddenly HAD to research something
that would literally nag at me until I figured it out.
13 - the first Tallent & Lowery adventure
- was created that day. As I put the puzzle together in my own head, the
research I had to do ended up to be monumental. The plot turned into a puzzle
that I knew nobody would have heard before, and I had to use a combination of
fiction, fact, theory, legend and more to make it work.
The research
‘bug’ is a great thing; but when dealing with historical locations you always
should make sure that everything from the rooms to the statues that still
remain in place today are correct: I’s dotted; T’s crossed.
You never know
what you can find in the past that will allow present-day readers to take the
ride of a lifetime. But after the thrilling feedback I’ve received on this
series, I highly recommend trying it!
Until Next Time,
Everybody,
Amy
With their second battle behind them, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery find themselves still knee-deep in hell. What should’ve ended with a celebration of passion wrapped in each other’s arms becomes a nightmare once more, as a mysterious man demands Leah to return home, or else her beloved father will be found at the bottom of the sea.
Scrambling to figure out what’s happened Tallent & Lowery walk in on a family that has literally gone insane: A mother filled with accusations, three sisters who wish them nothing but certain death, and a frightening story of a blood-red eye that leads to a puzzle with immense repercussions. The woman named Anippe who readers questioned in The Sapphire Storm is back, with an item in her possession that will have Tallent & Lowery heading out on an adventure based on pure emotion and ultimate fear – where victory may just depend on their willingness to sacrifice each other.
The time has come for Tallent & Lowery to go head-to-head with the mysterious voice from 13, as a villain is unveiled…and a war begins!
Praise:
In a world of legend and mythology where does one find the truth? In a world of academia how does one find faith? They say that behind every great man stands a greater woman . . . Behind every hero stands a Hero's companion. Blood is thicker than water, but which will prevail.
The Hero's Companion is filled with shadows and reality, lies and truth, heaven and hell. Talent and Lowery must navigate them all if they are to survive their newest adventure.
When we think of historical thrillers with a biblical, epic twist; the names of Dan Brown and James Rollins come to mind. Move over boys, there is a new name at the top of the list and HER name is Amy Lignor! – J.M. LeDuc, Author of “Cornerstone”
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Another Homerun in the ‘Tallent & Lowery’ Adventures! – Curse of the Bibliophile
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Abduction and strange maps, mysterious locations and intriguing players, Tallent and Lowery… Amy Lignor has, once again, put together a story that will turn up your anxiety level and have you wringing your hands until the very end. Lignor has hit literary paydirt with “The Hero’s Companion” and her Tallent & Lowery series. —DJ Weaver, co-author of “Collecting Innocents”
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An Unprecedented THIRD TOP PICK in a ROW! From Night Owl Reviews!
I have to say that Ms. Lignor has done it again in providing her fans with a heart-stopping third installment of the Tallent & Lowery series. Right from the start, my heart was pounding in my chest from all the intrigue and adventure that awaited me. – Night Owl Reviews, ‘TOP PICK’
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This series just keeps getting better and better. This is a definite nail-bitter that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. When is the next book coming out? I can’t wait! – The Feathered Quill
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Tallent and Lowery are brilliant once again as Amy Lignor pens another electrifying exploit for all hard-core adventure fans. “The Hero’s Companion” is action and adventure gold… not to be missed! —DJ Weaver, co-author of “Collecting Innocents”
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In the third novel of her epic series, Amy Lignor has done it again with The Hero’s Companion! She transports the reader as they go on yet another unique, killer adventure with the unforgettable duo of Tallent and Lowery. As always, perfection on a page. THIS is THE author when it comes to serving up the best of the best. Amy Lignor delivers sheer suspense delight. –Diane Lunsford, Author of “Echo Ranch”
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I was SHOCKED, drawn into the world of intrigue, and had to remind myself to breathe…THAT was Page One! - Mark Adduci, Suspense Magazine
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Purchase Links:
Amazon Ebook:
Barnes & Noble:
Amazon Paperback:
Smashwords:
About Amy Lignor
The daughter of a career librarian, Amy Lignor’s first love has always been books. She began her career in publishing as the Editor-in-Chief of Grey House Publishing. Working in the industry for twenty years, she is now the Owner/Operator of ‘The Write Companion’, an editorial house offering authors a range of services.
Appointed the Editor-in-Chief of a brand new traditional publisher–Hallowed Ink Press–Amy somehow finds the time to do it all while still putting out the most amazing series that has received every ‘Top Pick’ readers can think of!
Her popular YA Series: The Angel Chronicles (Until Next Time, Gilded Wings & A Privilege), introduced her to fans who now wait with bated breath for the next ‘Tallent & Lowery’ suspense/thriller to arrive.
Inducted into the International Thriller Writers Organization, Amy is also a writer/contributor for various magazines, companies, and review organizations; Authorlink, The Feathered Quill,
Suspense Magazine and more.
AMY’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Check Out Amy Lignor’s HIT YA Series at:
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