The Megalith Union by Brad A. LaMar Character Interview, Review, & Giveaway

The Megalith Union

Celtic Mythos #2

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: http://youtu.be/EyWf2pWEFrQ

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

www.facebook.com/bradalamar29

www.twitter.com/bradalamar29

www.goodreads.com/bradalamar

www.bradalamar.com

Interview with Characters from The Megalith Union:

The lights are off, the cameras have taken in all they can, and the story is ready for print.  I caught up with a few of the stars of The Megalith Union and was able to ask them a few serious and silly questions about their experiences in making the follow up to a best seller.  Some of their answers may surprise you.

Lizzie O’Neal

What was the best part about coming back for a sequel?

The best part for me was getting to see everyone again.   I missed Biddy and Rory so much, but it was very special to get to do this again.  Oh, and I liked being able to swing the bo staff again.  That was fun.

We see an amazing amount of growth for you in this story, what was that like for you?

This was basically my coming of age story.  I mean, really I got to step into more of a leadership role, which is important because I want to encourage other young women to do the same, you know. Just be confidant in who you are and show that you too can do something amazing.

So, you have a love interest in this story.  What were your thoughts about that?

Okay, starting to get personal.  Really, it’s just that I’m growing up and luckily Frank has been a great boyfriend.  Dad and Brendan seem to approve and I hate to admit it, but that’s pretty important to me.  I think they know that I can kick his butt if I need to, so they don’t have to worry.

Brendan O’Neal

Two stories, huh?  What has that meant to you?

I know it’s crazy.  We were surprised when our first story was told, but to get to tell the rest of the story is amazing!  It means so much to us that our story was told to begin with.  Most people would not of had a clue that anything like this happened, but I think it’s important that they do.

There are several new characters that have come into the story.  Talk a little about what they bring to the table.

We were lucky to add a cast of newbies that are so different from the characters in the first story.  Frank, Garnash, Ken, the Smith sisters each play a key role in the story and I think it’s safe to say that the story couldn’t be told without them.

What was the craziest moment for you in The Megalith Union?

I can’t go into detail about it since I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but when I came face to face with Elathan has to be that moment for me.  There are a lot of crazy things that happen in this story, but for me personally, yeah, it has to be that moment.

Garnash

What was your reaction when you heard that you and your Gnome clan were going to be included in the sequel?

I felt it was only right.  We are a big part of what happened, so people should know about us.  That being said, I loved reading The Obsidian Dagger so I’m glad we got to continue the story.

What was something that surprised you about Brendan?

He’s the world’s protector, right?  The guy is gaining the power of a god, okay, but he can’t seem go a day without having a Coke.  (Laughs).  He gets really irritable without his caffeine, I guess.

Most people have not heard about the Descendants of Magog, so could you share a little something about them?

They are the Gnomes’ sworn enemies.  They are a mean, nasty clan that has an ego the size of the moon.  They love to kill and they have these animals called Alphyns that are just as violent and nasty as they are. 

Frank

I have to know what you were thinking when you first learned about the magicks that live here.

I can’t begin to describe what was going on in my head when I first laid eyes on the Ruas.  Red-eyes, gnashing teeth…moving like funky spiders on the ceiling…  How can a person really prepare himself for something like that?  I guess I’d say stunned and numb would describe it best.

In your opinion, who is the funniest character in this sequel?

Garnash is always cutting up and joking.  He’s got that British wit that can catch you off guard and the next thing you know you sides are hurting because he’s making you laugh.

What was the most intense moment for you in The Megalith Union?

The most intense moment, wow, that’s like asking which dollar bill is my favorite if I was a millionaire, there are just so many things that happen to us in this story.  I guess I would have to say fighting the Magogs.  It’s hard to get more intense that fighting giants.

Dorian

I didn’t get to ask Brendan this, but talk a little about you relationship with him.

Relationships are complicated already, but when you factor in that he is human and I am Leprechaun, we’re talking about a whole new level.  We’re like any other couple, though, we have our ups and downs, but in the end you want to come out stronger, and I think we’ve done that.

I’m glad you brought up being a Leprechaun, so many people might ask how you can be the size of an averaged-size human and the rest of your clan are more of the average-sized Leprechaun?

That’s a good question.  I’m not sure of the legend behind it, but the short version of the story is that since I am in the royal bloodline of the Leprechauns I am able to change my size at will.  I can essentially be at Leprechaun height or human height.  My father would mostly stay in Leprechaun size, but I have needed to be out among humans so I typically stay at human height.

What’s different about The Megalith Union and The Obsidian Dagger?

For a reader to get the full picture they need to read The Obsidian Dagger since it sets the stage for everything that followed, but once they get to The Megalith Union they are in for tons of action, twists, more vile enemies, and an ending that might surprise many.

Well, be sure to check out The Obsidian Dagger and The Megalith Union (due out October 24, 2013) and prepare for the adventure.  Be sure to look out for the third book, The Dominion Pulse  in 2014.

My Review:

The Megalith Union by Brad LaMar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brendan O’Neal is going away to his freshman year of college at Syracuse University as a pre-me major, on a soccer scholarship. He is continuing his long-distance relationship with Leprechaun Queen Dorian. Brendan thought his life calmed down from his adventure in Ireland the previous summer.

Turned out evil is never far away, and the gang will be back together to fight it along with the help of some new friends. They need to rescue Brendan’s father, protect Corways, and save the world – no pressure.

Brad LaMar does a considerable job combining old myths in modern society. This fascinating tale is a wonderful book for Middle grade through Adult. Anyone who appreciates mythology and fantasy would enjoy this series. Celtic Mythos would make a great movie.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Paperback, 342 pages

Expected publication: October 24th 2013 by Light Messages Publishing

ISBN: 1611530709 (ISBN13: 9781611530704)

edition language: English

url: http://balamar.lightmessages.com

series: Celtic Mythos #2

Giveaway:

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