I want to welcome G.D. Ogan back to my blog! First I’d love you to re-introduce yourself.
Tell us about your latest release.
The third in my unique series about good vampires who safeguard humans is "Immortal Relations Coming Out" and as the title implies they discuss the benefits versus the risks in allowing humans to know that they are more than fiction, myth and legend. They saved mankind from a potential thermonuclear war as well as two ecological disasters in book two, "Immortal Relations, Love and War" so it seems timely to discuss the possibility of forming a strong bond between the species. Human fears, born of the actions of ancient bloodthirsty vampires argue against coming out to humans. However, seeing human governments sliding back toward the abyss of dictatorships, something must be done, so a coven is established in Southern-Canada to monitor the situation in the not so "united" United States.
Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.
1.) Who is your favorite author? Do you feel you write like them?
The late Tom Clancy was, in my eyes, the ultimate writer of military-political action novels. He also joined with several other authors to publish similar books who continue to develop those stories. My works are in the paranormal-romance genre' but they have military and political components as my vampires do operate in the modern world to safeguard mankind, often from the efforts of evil politicians to enslave those people they should be serving. I'd love to have my stories compared to Clancy's; however, I fear no one can equal the depth of his writing style!
2.) What was your favorite book growing up?
J. R. R. Tolkin's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The details in the story of "Middle Earth" about the forces of good versus evil was so intriguing to my young mind that I read each novel and the prequel, "The Hobbit" many times - 'til dog-eared pages fell from their bindings.
3.) Are you a plotter or a pantser and why did you choose that method?
The stories develop in my mind while I'm in a dreaming sleep and while I'm actually writing, so I'd say pantser. As far as "choosing" the method, it feels more like the method chose me.
4.) Do you consider writing a career or a hobby? Why?
Hmmm...how about a duty? I've seen and done a lot during my military career and later working in psychology so I feel I have a responsibility to present some of what I learned, hopefully in engaging storylines.
5.) What are you working on now?
I'm researching for a novel about time-travel back to the age of dinosaurs. I'm writing it because my granddaughter LOVES dinosaurs and I want to write it for her.
6.) What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to an up and coming author?
Write what you are interested in not what you think others want to read...not everyone is going to like what you write, but as long as you like it don't be deterred.
7.) If you had the ability to time travel and your first visit was to see a younger version of yourself what would you say to that younger self?
Spend more time with your wife and children rather than so much over-time in the military.
8.) You just got a million dollars, whether it’s from an inheritance, the lottery, or a sweet book deal doesn’t matter. What would be the first thing you would buy for yourself?
About 120 acres of land where I and the children and grandchildren could build houses and be close enough to help each other (plus we'd get to babysit more often)!
9.) If you could un-invent one thing in the world what would it be?
Methamphetamines - they have ruined far too many young lives!
10.) What is your favorite movie/TV Show? Why?
The Vampire Dairies. Because it shows that there is hope that some vampires can become good!
Excerpt (from pages 147-149): Vlad Dracula is talking with one of his newest vampire friends, Gary Logan. Vlad has explained how he and other of the oldest vampires have progressed to the point where they need little if any blood. Gary has asked why the out-of-control vampires continue to attack humans.
Vlad smiled and nodded slowly, "It was a very, very long time ago Gary. We were fighting what you would call 'an asymmetrical war' against Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and his Muslim invaders who outnumbered us at least three to one. I was looking for anything to slow them down. I guess you would say I used psychological warfare by building the 'forest' of impaled enemy soldiers we had defeated in previous battles. While we had numerous successes against units of the invaders we unfortunately were unable to hold off so large an invading army. It was about this time I was changed into what I am today. I was always in the front lines of battle and routinely soaked in blood. Perhaps that is what changed me into a vampire. One of my own Generals saw me surrounded by enemies and saw blood spurting up in the air. Thinking it was my blood he sent word that I'd been killed. My dear wife was distraught and threw herself from the heights of our Poenari Castle into the Arges River below.
Buy Links (PRINT AND DIGITAL VERSIONS):
Book one, Immortal Relations
http://amzn.com/B006ZCBT6G
Book two, Immortal Relations, Love and War
http://amzn.com/B00A4IEHL6
Book three, "Immortal Relations Coming Out"
http://amzn.com/B00G5BQS18
Tell us about your latest release.
The third in my unique series about good vampires who safeguard humans is "Immortal Relations Coming Out" and as the title implies they discuss the benefits versus the risks in allowing humans to know that they are more than fiction, myth and legend. They saved mankind from a potential thermonuclear war as well as two ecological disasters in book two, "Immortal Relations, Love and War" so it seems timely to discuss the possibility of forming a strong bond between the species. Human fears, born of the actions of ancient bloodthirsty vampires argue against coming out to humans. However, seeing human governments sliding back toward the abyss of dictatorships, something must be done, so a coven is established in Southern-Canada to monitor the situation in the not so "united" United States.
Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.
1.) Who is your favorite author? Do you feel you write like them?
The late Tom Clancy was, in my eyes, the ultimate writer of military-political action novels. He also joined with several other authors to publish similar books who continue to develop those stories. My works are in the paranormal-romance genre' but they have military and political components as my vampires do operate in the modern world to safeguard mankind, often from the efforts of evil politicians to enslave those people they should be serving. I'd love to have my stories compared to Clancy's; however, I fear no one can equal the depth of his writing style!
2.) What was your favorite book growing up?
J. R. R. Tolkin's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The details in the story of "Middle Earth" about the forces of good versus evil was so intriguing to my young mind that I read each novel and the prequel, "The Hobbit" many times - 'til dog-eared pages fell from their bindings.
3.) Are you a plotter or a pantser and why did you choose that method?
The stories develop in my mind while I'm in a dreaming sleep and while I'm actually writing, so I'd say pantser. As far as "choosing" the method, it feels more like the method chose me.
4.) Do you consider writing a career or a hobby? Why?
Hmmm...how about a duty? I've seen and done a lot during my military career and later working in psychology so I feel I have a responsibility to present some of what I learned, hopefully in engaging storylines.
5.) What are you working on now?
I'm researching for a novel about time-travel back to the age of dinosaurs. I'm writing it because my granddaughter LOVES dinosaurs and I want to write it for her.
6.) What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to an up and coming author?
Write what you are interested in not what you think others want to read...not everyone is going to like what you write, but as long as you like it don't be deterred.
7.) If you had the ability to time travel and your first visit was to see a younger version of yourself what would you say to that younger self?
Spend more time with your wife and children rather than so much over-time in the military.
8.) You just got a million dollars, whether it’s from an inheritance, the lottery, or a sweet book deal doesn’t matter. What would be the first thing you would buy for yourself?
About 120 acres of land where I and the children and grandchildren could build houses and be close enough to help each other (plus we'd get to babysit more often)!
9.) If you could un-invent one thing in the world what would it be?
Methamphetamines - they have ruined far too many young lives!
10.) What is your favorite movie/TV Show? Why?
The Vampire Dairies. Because it shows that there is hope that some vampires can become good!
Blurb
Immortal Relations Coming Out, third in the series by G. D. Ogan continues to rock the foundation upon which typical vampire novels are based. Such stories, where vampires safeguard humans are rare indeed. These vampires do their utmost to save humans and animals from not only evil vampires but evil humans.
Ogan's insights into the powers of the immortal vampires, along with fresh takes on the complex inner workings of their existence provide an intriguing experience for readers. In this story a novice shape-shifter wolf meets a beautiful hybrid vampire. Good vampires set up a new coven in Southern Canada to monitor a regime intent on changing American into a dictatorship. Marxist thugs, not realizing who they are dealing with, still believe the group was partly responsible for the defeat of Communists intent on stealing oil, gold and mineral reserves from Russia, so Washington retaliates with violence. A great deal of effort is required by the vampires to keep Canadian citizens safe. There is a vampire wedding with a handsome human; then dangers from outer-space suddenly appear to threaten the entire earth - can such threats be stopped?
A reader of Immortal Relations said: "Being a bit of a vampire-phile, I find myself constantly searching for the next vampire series to reach out and grab, or, more appropriately, bite me. I believe I have found my holy grail of vampire novels..."
Immortal Relations Coming Out, third in the series by G. D. Ogan continues to rock the foundation upon which typical vampire novels are based. Such stories, where vampires safeguard humans are rare indeed. These vampires do their utmost to save humans and animals from not only evil vampires but evil humans.
Ogan's insights into the powers of the immortal vampires, along with fresh takes on the complex inner workings of their existence provide an intriguing experience for readers. In this story a novice shape-shifter wolf meets a beautiful hybrid vampire. Good vampires set up a new coven in Southern Canada to monitor a regime intent on changing American into a dictatorship. Marxist thugs, not realizing who they are dealing with, still believe the group was partly responsible for the defeat of Communists intent on stealing oil, gold and mineral reserves from Russia, so Washington retaliates with violence. A great deal of effort is required by the vampires to keep Canadian citizens safe. There is a vampire wedding with a handsome human; then dangers from outer-space suddenly appear to threaten the entire earth - can such threats be stopped?
A reader of Immortal Relations said: "Being a bit of a vampire-phile, I find myself constantly searching for the next vampire series to reach out and grab, or, more appropriately, bite me. I believe I have found my holy grail of vampire novels..."
Excerpt (from pages 147-149): Vlad Dracula is talking with one of his newest vampire friends, Gary Logan. Vlad has explained how he and other of the oldest vampires have progressed to the point where they need little if any blood. Gary has asked why the out-of-control vampires continue to attack humans.
Vlad replies (through thought transference) “They get a thrill from the hunt and then, as the life drains from their victims, it provides a rush from the feeling of power over the living.”
Gary: “If I may be so bold, have you had such feelings in the past?”
Gary: “If I may be so bold, have you had such feelings in the past?”
Vlad smiled and nodded slowly, "It was a very, very long time ago Gary. We were fighting what you would call 'an asymmetrical war' against Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and his Muslim invaders who outnumbered us at least three to one. I was looking for anything to slow them down. I guess you would say I used psychological warfare by building the 'forest' of impaled enemy soldiers we had defeated in previous battles. While we had numerous successes against units of the invaders we unfortunately were unable to hold off so large an invading army. It was about this time I was changed into what I am today. I was always in the front lines of battle and routinely soaked in blood. Perhaps that is what changed me into a vampire. One of my own Generals saw me surrounded by enemies and saw blood spurting up in the air. Thinking it was my blood he sent word that I'd been killed. My dear wife was distraught and threw herself from the heights of our Poenari Castle into the Arges River below.
Then my second cousin, Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, from whom I had sought help in prosecuting the war, imprisoned me. Locked away, I soon became crazed with the desire for blood I would have otherwise found on the battlefield. Many fellow prisoners died because of it and after my escape I was a plague on the land. It took all too long before I regained some sense of my lost humanity.”
With downcast eyes Vlad thought, “Which is where the myths, legends and stories about me started – I’m afraid I earned them all.”
I reached over and patted him on the arm saying, “I’m sorry I brought up a topic that has induced clearly painful memories for you.”
Vlad smiled at me, “No, it is alright. If you haven’t heard the story before I think you need to know the type of vampire you follow. I hope it won’t detract from our relationship.”
“Never fear of my continued admiration and respect for you. You were a great leader fighting to free your people from an oppressive invader. Since you had no one to guide you after you were changed, as a ‘newborn’ vampire you did what came naturally. However, it begs the question, how did you stop?”
“I married again and she helped me overcome the constant thirst, giving me some of her own blood, and she brought me back to God.”
With tears in my eyes I thought, in reply to Vlad, “Women are clearly the superior gender, without them we men would be little better than wild beasts. “
I reached over and patted him on the arm saying, “I’m sorry I brought up a topic that has induced clearly painful memories for you.”
Vlad smiled at me, “No, it is alright. If you haven’t heard the story before I think you need to know the type of vampire you follow. I hope it won’t detract from our relationship.”
“Never fear of my continued admiration and respect for you. You were a great leader fighting to free your people from an oppressive invader. Since you had no one to guide you after you were changed, as a ‘newborn’ vampire you did what came naturally. However, it begs the question, how did you stop?”
“I married again and she helped me overcome the constant thirst, giving me some of her own blood, and she brought me back to God.”
With tears in my eyes I thought, in reply to Vlad, “Women are clearly the superior gender, without them we men would be little better than wild beasts. “
Buy Links (PRINT AND DIGITAL VERSIONS):
Book one, Immortal Relations
Book two, Immortal Relations, Love and War
Book three, "Immortal Relations Coming Out"
Bio
Born in Washington D.C. during WW-II, I attended Washington and Lee High among other schools in the area before my parents moved us to Northern California where I ran track and cross-country. I received an Associates degree from Foothill J.C. then transferred to Texas Christian University where I received my Bachelors and commission in the USAF. I did a lot of writing while in the service, was stationed in many parts of the world and received a Masters from Ball State University's European Campus. After retiring, I finished a second Masters at Hardin-Simmons University (none of these were in English or Literature as my novels will attest). I then worked in the field of psychology both in a clinical setting and with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I live in West Texas with my wife of 47 years and our three Pomeranians. Writing and reading are a passion along with a few antique automobiles and muscle cars.
Thanks for having me on your blog Barbara! I'd be happy to answer any questions or comments a reader might have.
ReplyDeleteWell, I always hope for someone to ask a question or make a comment but perhaps this time of year folks are just too busy. If someone drops in and leaves something please let me know so I can respond and thanks again for having me!
ReplyDeleteI will Guy - have a great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBarb:)