The Abdication by Justin Newland

Please welcome Justin Newland author of The Abdication

Justin Newland will be awarding a Paperback copy of the book (International giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Abdication

by Justin Newland

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GENRE: Supernatural Thriller

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INTERVIEW:

What or who inspired you to start writing?

I love research, and always have. I enjoy the discovery of it, the exhilaration of gaining new knowledge, a new piece of evidence that slots into some ongoing pattern, or trend.

I particularly thrive on the discovery of history and of people whose works shed a light on the human condition. What do I mean by that term? Well, it’s how and why we have inherited the society we live in today. How did we get to where we’ve got to today?

The genre in which I write is called secret history thriller, that’s history with a supernatural twist. I take historical events, places and people, especially those that were seminal in shaping the human condition, and I examine them through a supernatural lens. This yields a different explanation for why those events happened, and why those people did what they did.

How did you come up with ideas for your books?

I’ve written four novels, and am working on a fifth. Four of them are based in history, in one way or another. The historical novels are set in periods of history that I had previously researched, and in which I already had an enduring interest. The passion about the subject is important in writing. Because when taking on a long-term project, of a year or two, which is what a novel is, then at some point you’re likely to hit the buffers, and suffer from writer’s block. The enduring interest is then such that you will be able to push through the stagnation.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

Three things. First, the ability to conduct research. I did a three-year research degree many years ago, and that also taught me the value of persistence. Second, many years of experience of life, with stories to tell. And third, an enduring love of and fascination for literature, in all its forms, from novels, to plays, to short stories, to novellas.

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I was born three days before the end of the year. That makes me a Capricorn. Hey, someone has to be one. We’re renowned for hard work, persistence and discipline. Who could think of anything more unremittingly boring? So, I figured I needed to develop some qualities to off-set this. Such as, a great sense of humour, which starts with a keen eye for self-ridicule. You have to have a GSOH anyway to survive in the world, otherwise you’ll go mad, right?

Just as Gemini are the Twins, so Capricorn is the Fish-Goat. What a combination! It used to be a standing joke that I was never invited to parties, because people didn’t know whether to feed me plankton or grass.

Capricorns are cusp people – the astrological sign starts at the end of one year, and ends at the beginning of the next. The Ancient Romans had a neat description for this: the God who personified this time of year was Janus, who had a second face coming out of his neck, so he could look to the front and behind him at the same time. Which I guess gives a whole new meaning to the idea of ‘second sight.’ Hey-ho.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I’m working on a novel set in Elizabethan England. At the time, Spain was the richest and most powerful European nation by far with huge resources, a massive Empire and a colossal fleet of ships.

So, how could its navy, the great Armada, be repulsed by a bunch of renegades, pirates and buccaneers?

That’s my Work In Progress, a supernatural re-telling of the story of the repulse of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

Enoch – in The Abdication. He’s older and wiser, and uses his experience to help guide the other characters in the novel. In the novel, he provides the connection between the two worlds – represented by the towns of Topeth and Unity.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

Tula – Zendaya.

Enoch – Anthony Hopkins.

Geb – Ralph Fiennes.

Damien – Tom Hardy.

Sarah – Helena Bonham Carter.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?

I do belong to critique groups – both online and in-person. I find they have their specific uses. Online critique groups are immensely useful when the work is more or less complete, providing independent feedback from readers and authors of differing experience. In-person critique groups are good for morale, for mutual support and encouragement, and where writing is concerned, they are really good for a critique of the opening chapters of a novel.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I don’t start writing, no, not ever. I prefer to know my destination before I set off. On occasions, I’ll get an idea, and let it ferment in the cauldron of my imagination. I might turn that idea into a short story. Then I’ll put together a plan, usually quite detailed, at least for the first one third of the novel, always keeping the end in mind.

I guess I’m a scaffolder. I erect the scaffold or trellis, then let the characters and plot follow the route they will. That gives the whole an organic feel.

Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like to write a series?

Although I’ve written four books, they are not in a series. But they are connected though in two ways; the book covers – the cover artist is the same for them all – and the themes – notably the exploration of the human condition through the lens of history.

I prefer to read and write stand-alone novels. I think an author should aim to endow his or her novel with all the plot threads and character arcs that he or she wants. I find it annoying to finish a novel, then read an epilogue, only to find it doubles as the preface to the sequel.

BLURB:

The town of Unity sits perched on the edge of a yawning ravine where, long ago, a charisma of angels provided spiritual succour to a fledgeling human race. Then mankind was granted the gift of free will and had to find its own way, albeit with the guidance of the angels. The people’s first conscious act was to make an exodus from Unity – they built a rope bridge across the ravine and founded the town of Topeth. For a time, the union between the people of Topeth and the angels of Unity was one of mutual benefit. After that early spring advance, there had been a torrid decline in which mankind’s development resembled a crumpled, fading autumnal leaf.

Following the promptings of an inner voice, Tula, a young woman from the city, trudges into Topeth. Her quest is to abide with the angels and thereby discover the right and proper exercise of free will. To do that, she has to cross the bridge – and overcome her vertigo.

Topeth is in upheaval; the townsfolk blame the death of a child on dust from the nearby copper mines. The priests have convinced them that a horde of devils have thrown the angels out of Unity and now occupy the bridge, possessing anyone who trespasses on it. Then there’s the heinous Temple of Moloch!

The Abdication is the story of Tula’s endeavour to step upon the path of a destiny far greater than she could ever have imagined.

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EXCERPT

2. The Devils’ Bridge

A narrow path snaking down the steep slope linked the town to the bridge. Fearing the guards’ return, she hurried along the winding, uneven path. It was fine for mountain goats, but with her bad ankle and her walking stick, she was nowhere near as fleet of foot as they.

The bridge had a quietening effect, like a warm homecoming after a long absence. Ever since she had heard about the abandoned town of Unity, she had wanted to visit the place for herself. Within touching distance, she felt a keen sense of belonging, even though she had never been near it – until now.

A solitary wicker lantern sat in a cradle, shedding a pale light over a crescent-shaped area covered in flagstones that had been carved out of the side of the mountain. In the middle of it were the bridge pillars and a small wooden shack.

The bridge itself was a slender rope structure slung across the open chasm. Narrow matting formed the bridge deck wide enough for one person to cross. At least there were hand ropes. At the Topeth end, it was attached to two thick, green-coloured pillars. Fingers of mist rose out of the ravine, obscuring the Unity end of the bridge. The structure reminded her of a long, thin hammock tied between two pairs of massive tree trunks.

By the bridge entrance was a large sign:

‘THE DEVILS’ BRIDGE.

DO NOT CROSS.

IGNORE THIS WARNING AT YOUR PERIL.’

It was true. She had heard rumours about the bridge, about how predatory devils prowled the dip in the centre of the rope bridge. It was forbidden to cross it.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers – that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He gives author talks and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Bristol’s Thought for the Day. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

His Books

The Genes of Isis is a tale of love, destruction and ephemeral power set under the skies of Ancient Egypt. A re-telling of the Biblical story of the flood, it reveals the mystery of the genes of Isis – or genesis – of mankind. ISBN 9781789014860.

“The novel is creative, sophisticated, and downright brilliant! I couldn’t ask more of an Egyptian-esque book!” – Lauren, Books Beyond the Story.

The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical fantasy and supernatural thriller set during the Ming Dynasty and played out in the shadows the Great Wall of China. It explores the secret history of the influences that shaped the beginnings of modern times.  ISBN 9781789015829.

‘The author is an excellent storyteller.” – British Fantasy Society.

Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation reveals the secret history of the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9781838591885.

“The novel explores the themes of belonging, outsiders… religion and war…  filtered through the lens of the other-worldly.” – A. Deane, Page Farer Book Blog.

His latest, The Abdication (July, 2021), is a suspense thriller, a journey of destiny, wisdom and self-discovery. ISBN 9781800463950.

“In Topeth, Tula confronts the truth, her faith in herself, faith in a higher purpose, and ultimately, what it means to abdicate that faith.”

1. Triola, Coast to Coast.

http://www.justinnewland.com/

https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/

https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Abdication-Justin-Newland/dp/1800463952

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Justin Newland will be awarding a Paperback copy of the book (International giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4090