Dalene's Book Reviews: The Megalith Union by Brad A. LaMar

Interview

1) First, tell us about yourself – where you live, your family, and those sorts of details.

My name is Brad A. LaMar and I am an author and educator from Indianapolis, IN. I am married to Lori, a high school science teacher, organizing expert, and mom-through-marriage. Together we are raising Evan (12) and Paige (10). We have two Chihuahuas named Luis and Leo, one cat named Rusty, and two frogs that shall remain nameless to protect their identities.

2) How long have you been writing?

I have published since February of 2013, but I have been writing and working to become published for 7 years prior to that.

3) Do you have a favorite place to write?

I would to write in a beach house somewhere, but I’m in Indiana, so that is not really an option, so I do most of my writing at the next best place: the kitchen table on my laptop.

4) Why did you decide to write The Megalith Union?

I decided to write The Megalith Union even before I had finished writing the first book in the Celtic Mythos series, The Obsidian Dagger. Through my research I learned a great deal about the interesting and creative myths and legends on the Celtic culture. I felt like I could bring them into our contemporary world and hopefully into an entertaining and enjoyable series.

5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Selecting a favorite character in The Megalith Union is difficult since I know them all inside and out. In The Obsidian Dagger I would have said Brendan since he went through the most growth as a character, but in The Megalith Union I wanted to give Lizzie a chance to grow and come into her own as well.

6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

This question is even more difficult to answer since each of the characters serve a purpose in the story. I think the least likable character is Conchar since he has a slimy, egotistical view of himself. It takes all kinds to make a story work, though.

7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

During and after a book is complete, I am reading, and rereading, but inevitably I’m bound to miss some errors. When you write something you are so close to it and know it intimately so your mind runs the proverbial iron over the wrinkles and tells you that it’s all good, so thankfully my publisher hires a proofreader to catch the things that I missed.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I am not writing I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, watching movies and sports, and brainstorming for new stories.

9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?

I really do enjoy reading, but having a full time job and writing my own books its difficult to carve out time to do it. I enjoy a variety of authors, but right now I have really enjoyed Larry Correria’s Monster Hunter series and A. Lee Martinez and his humorous novels.

10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Do you think your books will or can translate into film or TV?

I absolutely believe that my stories will translate well to film or TV. When I write, the story plays out in my mind like I’m watching it at a movie theatre, so when I’m writing a scene I envision how it will look visually. I do this because as a teacher I hear several students talk about how they hate reading because they can’t see it, so I feel like my job as an author is to help them make that happen.

The Megalith Union

Celtic Mythos

Book Two

Brad A. LaMar

Illustrator: Igor Adasikov

Genre: Fantasy, Myth & Fairy Tale, Middle Grades / YA

Publisher: Light Messages Publishing

Date of Publication: October 24, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-61153-070-4 paperback

ISBN: 978-1-61153-071-1 ebook

ASIN:

Number of pages: 342

Word Count: 65,000

Cover Artist: Light Messages (design);

Igor Adasikov (artwork)

Book Trailer

www.balamar.lightmessages.com

Book Description:

The fate of mankind teeters on the edge of the megalith union…

Just as life was returning to normal for Brendan as a college freshman, the hands of fate intervene and adventure besets him again in the second installment of the best-selling Celtic Mythos series.

Elathan, the golden god of Celtic lore, is reborn out of the ashes of a dead king and evil witch. Through Brendan and his family, Elathan maneuvers the tendrils of destiny, seeking to gain ultimate power at the expense of all humanity.

Dogged by giants, alphyns, and ruas Brendan, Dorian, Lizzie, and a new cast of characters risk it all to unravel the mystery of the ultimate foe.

With Corways under attack and Brendan’s father captured by a forgotten enemy, can Brendan and his allies prevent the end of days?

As the megalith union looms, Brendan and his friends must look to the past to prevent a future where Elathan reigns supreme.

If you liked Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Fablehaven, you won't want to miss The Megalith Union!

The Obsidian Dagger (Celtic Mythos, Book 1)

was a #1 Contemporary Fantasy Best Seller on Amazon

Praise for The Obsidian Dagger:

"An excellent young reader fantasy novel! …There's a satisfying conclusion to the events of this book, but the witch is only the beginning, and LaMar hints at a more terrifying evil threatening to change the world as we know it.

I can't wait for more in this series!"

–Tricia Lewis, Owner, Robots & Rogues Bookstore

“Hooks the reader right from the start... This is a must read!”

–Wendy Eckstein, Middle School Teacher

“Brad LaMar hits a homerun with this exciting tale!”

–Michelle Bridgewater Allee, Librarian

“A fun, exciting, fast paced adventure with a touch of humor.”

–Michelle Parsons, Love2ReadAlways.blogspot.com

About the Author:

Brad A. LaMar is an author and educator who resides in the Indianapolis Metropolitan area. He has worked with middle school age students for fourteen years and loves the enthusiasm they can bring to learning. Sure, he enjoys long walks on the beach at sunset, but it’s hard to beat getting into a great story whether he’s writing it himself or enjoying the fruits of someone else’s imagination.

He is married to Lori, a beautiful and supportive woman, and together they’re raising Evan and Paige, two intelligent and wonderful children. He loves the way a story can make a reader think, laugh, react, and experience a wide range of emotions. Brad has tried to deliver those experiences in his best selling YA fantasy series, Celtic Mythos, and he is thrilled to be able to continue the adventure in The Megalith Union.

Brad’s imagination is bursting with stories and he can’t wait to share them with his readers. In fact, you can look for The Dominion Pulse, book three in the Celtic Mythos series, to be released soon.

Learn more about Brad and the bestselling Celtic Mythos series at

balamar.lightmessages.com