All The Write Stuff: Cardinals

A completely new twist on Stoker's tale.

Cardinals

by Ian Conner

Genre: Dark Paranormal Fantasy

A completely new twist on Stoker's tale.

Nine Hundred years before Christ, God has cast his wife, Asherah, out of heaven and condemned her to roam the earth as the first vampire. Over the centuries, she created other vampires. There are also those that she left for dead but survived her attack without being completely turned into vampires. These survivors are called Cardinals. Scottish Countess Kellena Donnachaidh and Lady Suzette Allard, our protagonists, are among these cardinals. They are searching out Asherah for a final conflict.

Asherah has discovered a way back to heaven so she can exact her vengeance. Using the Amulet of Cassiel she can call the Flaming chariot of Israel to return to heaven Now, 3000 years later, there are groups working to destroy Asherah and the vampires. The Vatican and other groups, fearing their own destruction if she ascends, simply want to stop Asherah using the Amulet of Cassiel to re-enter heaven. The race to recover the Amulet is full of intrigue, betrayal.

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The Inspiration Behind the Books

Ian's inspiration for Dark Maiden comes from a Native American legend.

Among the Wabanaki,this blight occurs when an evil sorcerer refuses to stay dead.

Descendants of the Wabanaki still survive in Maine, which was one of the reasons

why I set the story in the locale of Nollesemic. I felt the characters were solid enough

to appeal to a large swath of readers without offending anyone. LGBTQ characters fill

in the modern twists that would not have been accepted even a few years ago.

Similarly, my vampire novel Cardinals is a new take on the Stoker legend with a large dose

of actual historical events. Fictional additions and twists on biblical and historical occurrences,

keep the story interesting, the reader engaged. I have always been a fan of the 70's vampire films

and wrote Cardinals with that in mind. I can totally see Ingrid Pitt as Asherah. I have taken a bit of

guff over casting a scandalous shadow over the catholic church, but they have given me plenty of ammunition. The faith fills in a good part of the story and fanaticism at both ends of the spectrum also gave me much to work with.

I love casting women in strong roles and minimizing the male influence. Sadly, reality has not caught up with that idea. Amy Radigan, Lilly Pham, Kellena Donnachaid, Cassie Wells, all epitomize women I have known and respect.

After being medically retired from the military in 2010, writing became a new identity for me. I take my time writing. The Long Game, for instance, took 3 years to write. Pulling from current events as I went along. Relations with China are now tenser than ever and the conflict in the south China sea is actually occurring almost following the theme of my story. I consider my readers intelligent enough to follow the multiple plot lines. I tend to keep the thrillers within the realm of possibility. Sometimes it might be a reach but nothing I write is impossible. Headlines are a big help. The saying is "You couldn't write this stuff". Well actually I can!

The political thriller is cathardic to write. Solaris is coming out in December, complicated story lines will keep the readers guessing. Horror is a fun genre for me and I have two ideas on paper that need filled out. I have dabbled with Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Cooper's Ridge was another labor of love and quite fun to write. I love space travel, aliens and first contact. Throw in some dystopian end of the world themes with a huge dose of multiple conspiracies and walah you have a novel. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I love Roddenberry's approach to everyday issues with technological spins. Solving the barriers to space travel with reverse engineering seemed obvious enough to me. The genius teenager as the underdog with a cadre of friends to help fight the faceless government what can go wrong.

EXCERPT

The wolf was watching Angus and Kellena but displaying no aggression.

“Birds of a feather,” Angus said, looking between Kellena and the wolf.

“Timberland. That seems a fitting name.” she said with certainty.

“Tell the stable hand to bring more meat and water,'' she continued to stroke the wolf's fur. She seemed to accept the name she'd been given without objection.

Kellena nursed the wolf back to proper health almost overnight, much like Kellena and Suzette’s recovery in London. In a week's time, the two were inseparable. Except for Angus, Suzette was the only other person in the household who could speak to or touch Timberland without a great deal of barking or growling. Kellena loved her just the same.

“That wolf makes me feel safe.” she told Angus.

“Lady Dartmoore attacked Timberland and my man Kinkaid.”

“Who else would leave marks like that on the neck?” Kellena asked.

She and Suzette had shared what really happened in London with Angus. Ever since Angus rarely let Kellena out of his sight.

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cardinals-Ian-Conner/dp/B0D1X78H1Q

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/cardinals/id6444112667

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cardinals-ian-conner/1141378352?ean=9798986197777

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cardinals-7

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1313750

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/cardinals-by-ian-conner

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61247693-cardinals

Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/zakUB0M5o6U

About the Author

Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. A hundred percent disabled veteran after multiple head and other injuries, he is part of a growing number of vets classified as “neuro-diverse”, an MST survivor and have several issues such regarding comprehension, concentration, and vision issues that he has OVERCOME to write several novels. After witnessing a lifetime of destruction, the thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal.

He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in his eyes and in the eyes of others. Writing for fun, Ian has completed seven novels with an eighth near done with two more ideas in the scribble/chapter phase. He has written across four genres Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction and Horror.

He uses ProWritingAid, Beta Readers and professional editors keep the product readable, he has recently began querying in search of a professional agent and publisher.

Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating worlds on the page.

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