It’s my great pleasure to welcome Staci Troilo to the blog today. She’s a great author, one of my Story Empire colleagues, and a true friend. She’s here to tell us about a series she’s published under the pen name of D. L. Cross. I’ve read the first part of these, along with a supporting short story, and they are outstanding.
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Ciao, Craig. Thanks so much for having me back today. And a hearty hello to all your readers.
I’m here today to talk about my Astral Conspiracy series. It’s technically science fiction, as it’s part of the acclaimed Platt and Truant Invasion Universe, but my saga is as much thriller as it is sci-fi, so I thought I’d have a little fun with my marketing and include pages from the top-secret government files on my main characters.
Today, I’m sharing info on Landon Thorne.
DOSSIER
Name: Landon Thorne
Occupation: Archaeologist and sometimes professor
Of Note: Professionally disgraced due to belief in the ancient astronaut theory
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW BETWEEN AUTHOR (Staci Troilo a.k.a. D.L. Cross) AND CHARACTER (Landon Thorne) ON ASTRAL DAY (the day the world is alerted to the approach of alien ships) via video conference. (Video is eyes-only, file #4021940-V, director’s approval required.)
Subject photo available, file #4021940-G
Staci: Hi, Landon. How are you?
Landon: Hey, Staci. Well, about as stunned as everyone else, I guess. You?
Staci: About the same. But I’m surprised to hear you weren’t prepared for this. Your theories are being proven true.
Landon: I don’t know about that. I posited aliens were here in our ancient history, not that anyone believed me. But I never expected them to come back. Especially in my lifetime.
Staci: Well, now that they’re on their way, what can you tell us?
Landon: (scoffing) You know what I know. An alien fleet is headed this way. Are they benevolent or malevolent? No idea. And what to do about it is well above my paygrade.
Staci: Don’t you think it might be a good idea to find out their intentions? Maybe talk with them before they get here?
Landon: Sure. Let me just see if my cell phone has a strong enough signal to reach Jupiter… (holds device in the air like he’s looking for service) Too bad. It doesn’t. So, unless SETI or NASA or some other observatory knows how, we’re out of luck.
Staci: And that’s the only way you can think of to reach out?
Landon: Well, Rysoft made the app. Maybe they know how to…
Staci: Professor?
Landon: The gate.
Staci: What gate?
Landon: Of course! The Gate of the Gods. Puerta de Hayu Marca. In Peru. Legend states if you have the solar disc, you can open what’s essentially a wormhole. Long ago, aliens were said to have come to Earth from there. And some people claim to have traveled through the gate from here to their home world. If we’re going to talk to them, that’s how. Thanks, Staci. You’re a genius!
Staci: Well, I wouldn’t say that. But if you really want to… (she chuckles, shrugs, and blushes)
Landon: I gotta go.
Staci: You heading to Peru?
Landon: Not without the disc.
Staci: And do you know where to get the disc?
Landon: Sorry to cut this short, Staci. But I really need to leave. Plans to make. Be safe!
Staci: You, too… (voice trails off because he’s already gone)
Landon makes his debut in the Astral Conspiracy series in book one, The Gate. You can read a brief synopsis of all five books below, and each one has links to its product page and a purchase link.
The Gate: When the hypotheses of disgraced ancient alien theorist Landon Thorne prove to be true, he travels across the globe in search of a way to communicate with—and perhaps stop—the approaching alien armada. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Stones: The invasion couldn’t be prevented, but there is a chance the Astrals can be driven away… if Landon Thorne can reach the Georgia Guidestones, unearth its secrets, and decode the mystery before the aliens stop him. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Nine: Landon Thorne and his team of resistance fighters seek a cipher to decode the message accompanying a cache of alien artifacts they’ve unearthed, but the government, a clandestine cabal, and the Astrals themselves stand in their way and might not only put an end to their plans—they might put an end to their lives. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Twins: When all factions converge for a human-versus-alien showdown, resistance fighter Reverie Sterling gets help from the least likely source. But even then, it may be too late for everyone she loves to make it out alive. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Lab: In the final showdown between Earthlings and Astrals, twins Asha and Vonn insist their long-lost grandfather has a plan to save humanity. It’s a long-shot, but the resistance takes it—and no one is prepared for the consequences. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
About Staci Troilo/D.L. Cross
D.L. Cross has loved science fiction ever since she was a young girl and fell for Major Don West on television’s Lost in Space. To this day, she still quotes the show, though her favorite lines were spoken by the robot and the antagonist. Parallel universes or alternate realities, aliens or dinosaurs, superpowers or super viruses, time travel or AI… no sci-fi theme is off limits and all of them fascinate her. D.L. Cross also writes other genre fiction under the name Staci Troilo, and you can find more information about all her identities and all her work at her website: https://stacitroilo.com.
Connect online:
Website | Blog | Troilo Amazon | Cross Amazon
Troilo BookBub | Cross BookBub | Troilo Goodreads | Cross Goodreads
I just wanted to once again say thank you to Craig. And to all of you who visited today. This post was as fun to write as the stories were, and I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Grazie!
A terrific introduction to the books Staci.. intriguing and thanks for hosting Craig.
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Thanks so much, Sally.
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I haven’t read them all yet, but they’re so good.
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Something to look forward to Craig.. x
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Thanks, Craig. So sweet of you to say.
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Pingback: Visiting C.S.Boyack to Chat about the Astral Conspiracy Series – Staci Troilo
I just checked the purchase link for The Lab and see it’s out on the 28th of this month!!! YAY!!! That’s just FIVE DAYS away! Can you tell I’m doing my happy dance. If I disappear for a while, you know it’s because I’m binge-reading the whole series.
I’ve read book one and the intro novella and absolutely loved them! Cannot wait to re-read those and then get on to the rest of the series.
Congrats and best wishes, Staci 🙂
Craig, it’s lovely to see Staci visiting with you today 🙂
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That warms my heart, Harmony. Thank you. I do hope you enjoy the saga.
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Very interesting interview, Staci!
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Thank you! It was fun to write. I always enjoy character interviews.
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Craig, thank you so much for hosting me here today. As always, you’ve made me feel welcome, and I very much appreciate the kind introduction.
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You’re welcome here any old time.
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Excellent dialog, Staci. I love the concept of a wormhole. 2020 could really use one! I’m gearing up to read the series. You’ve captured my imagination! Thank you for hosting, Craig.
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2020 could use a lot of things. lol
Thanks so much for the kind words, Gwen. I’m happy to hear your interest is piqued and hope you enjoy the work.
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Fabulous “interview.” Landon sounds like quite the fun character!
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He certainly kept me on my toes as I wrote his part of the series. The poor guy has quite a back story, and things only get worse for him from page one. Thanks, Priscilla.
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thank you, Charles.
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Enjoyed the interview with Landon. He’s one of my favorite characters. Anxiously awaiting book five!
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Thanks, Joan. He was the first character I conceived of when I began planning this saga, and he’ll always be a favorite of mine, too.
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What a fun interview, Staci!! A great way to pique our interest in this series. Of course, mine was piqued when I read Book 1 some time ago, and I am now on the Harmony Plan: I aim to have an Astral Conspiracy binge read, starting with a re-read of Book 1 and going straight through. (My favorite way to read any series, when possible.) Can’t wait!
Thanks for having Staci here today, Craig. Great post, you two! And MUCH good luck with the launch and sales, Staci. 🙂
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My pleasure to host guests, and I’m thrilled to see Staci out and about.
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I hope you’re as excited at the end of your binge as you are at the beginning. Or, fingers crossed, even more so. Thanks, Marcia.
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I’m sure I will be, Staci. Looking forward to this particular binge. (And I won’t even gain any weight while indulging! 😀 )
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I always enjoy the character interviews. Good thing you were there to help Landon out, Staci!
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I like them, too, Teri. I like to read and to write them. And yeah, the poor fellow is sometimes a little clueless. Glad I was able to turn on his mental lightbulb.
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What a great into, Staci. Congratulations. Thank you, Craig, for hosting Staci today.
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Thanks so much, John.
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Such a fun interview, Staci!!! You are amazing. ❤
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Aw. Thanks, Sue. {blushing}
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It’s so great to see two of my favorite people together today! 🙂
Staci, what a clever way to present the series, too. I loved the post, and I am eagerly awaiting the final release in this series. I’ve read the novella and the first four books and HIGHLY recommend them to all.
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That means the world to me, Mae. Thank you.
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And you’re one of my favorite people, too.
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🙂
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I love this interview, Craig and Staci! Just this short dialogue shows much of Landon’t character! I look forward to learning more about him in the books! Great hosting, Craig!
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Thanks, Jan. That’s one of my favorite things about character interviews. You can learn so much so quickly. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I am LOVING this series! Great interview, Landon and Staci. He’s an understandably busy guy right now, so it was nice of him to drop by Craig’s awesome blog 😊
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So happy you’re enjoying the series, Jacquie. And Craig does have an awesome blog.
I hope your allergies are better.
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What a fun and creative post. I love the interview, Staci (and Landon). Just finished Book 2 and can’t wait to start on the next. Definitely a thriller as well as an intriguing sci-fi adventure. Thanks for hosting, Craig. 🙂
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Aw. Thanks so much, Diana. That means a lot to me.
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Haha, I can see E.T. phoned home (or Landon phoned home), Staci. I liked the interview with your characters. Thank you for hosting, Craig. 🙂
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Thanks, Miriam. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
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It was well done, Staci!
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I just finished book 5. I love this entire series. It’s going to be fun to see how you wrap everything up–because you keep surprising me:)
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I’m thrilled to hear that, Judi. I love that people are still surprised by plot twists and so invested in the story this late in the game. The final book comes out on the 28th, so you don’t have long to wait! Thanks so much.
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