Dominion First Blood - Book Tour and Giveaway

Humans and Vampires unite in a holy war against an ancient alien menace.
Independence Day meets Underworld.
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Hero
Dominion First Blood Book 1
by Richard Mann
Genre: SciFi, Apocalyptic Fantasy 

Lost in the desert our modern day hero SAS Captain "Bullet Proof Pete" has strange visions of a priest and an ancient book of prophecy, and a sword of unspeakable power. The Archangel Michael appears when all seems lost and tells him his destiny and his ancient name.

His visions continue, a dark cave, something diabolical within, a blackened sky and an ancient race of aliens invade earth in a monstrous ship. A woman of strange beauty appears in his dreams trying to contact him.

A brilliant archaeologist makes a shocking discovery in modern Iraq.

The magnetic Lucia and Count Cassian - vampires since the dawn of civilisation meet with the US President to persuade him of the impending threat. They also seek the ancient Hero contained in the book of prophecy.

In a frantic race against time our hero goes to New York to find out aboutthe alien agenda, but surrounded by alien forces he is saved at the last minute by two mysterious vampires.

Former enemies, both human and vampire, must become friends. But can humankind learn to set aside their petty conflicts and unite in a common cause?

Issues of race, religion and class are now irrelevant in a fight against a common and vicious enemy - determined to conquer earth and enslave its people. And one human holds the key - Caius.


“I wanted to write something that plays out in the imaginations of readers like a movie,” explains the author. “At its core it’s fiction, but the novel also asks some much deeper questions about race, religion and the basic survival of humankind. I believe readers will turn the last page with plenty to think about.”

Continuing, “There’s lots for everyone – including hardboiled hallmarks of sci-fi and fantasy for those who like a solid read, as well as lots of technical descriptions and some rather advanced weaponry, for readers who have a taste for the unconventional!”

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Vendetta
Dominion First Blood Book 2

Our modern-day hero SAS Captain "Bullet Proof Pete" and East End gangster Vinnie find themselves in Los Angeles and discover the shocking truth about the alien agenda.

His waking visions continue - ancient battles by the Nile and a family in ancient Rome.

Lucia and Count Cassian - vampires since the dawn of civilisation finally meet the ancient Hero contained in the book of prophecy, "Bullet Proof Pete" aka Caius. Together they battle the aliens in a cruel guerilla war, but Peter soon finds himself torn between his wife Jennifer and the magnetic and sexy Lucia.

But Why is she familiar - is this the woman in his visions?

At last they discover critical information about the aliens and their monstrous ships as a counteroffensive begins, but then Lucia tells Peter Jennifer has been taken. But where is she and what is the connection between Jennifer and Lucia?

Meanwhile on the alien mothership a secret conspiracy is uncovered and something diabolical is released to Earth.

Our hero has a waking dream of a dark cave, with something terrible inside and is gripped by terror. He now realises that there are forces of darkness and light at work on both sides of the conflict. Can he fight his own battles and become the warrior everyone expects him to be?

The US President stands alone - all seems lost. But then our hero turns up with important new information and physic Lucia informs them of a shocking revelation that changes everything. In a frantic race against time former enemies, both human and vampire, must become friends.

But can humankind learn to set aside their petty conflicts and unite in a common cause?

Issues of race, religion and class are now irrelevant in a fight against a common and vicious enemy - determined to conquer earth and enslave its people. And one human, and his supernatural sword, holds the key - Caius.


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Caius
Dominion First Blood Book 3 

Lucia and Count Cassian - vampires since the dawn of civilisation team up with the ancient hero contained in the book of prophecy.

The nightmares of our hero, SAS Captain "Bullet Proof Pete" become a reality when he must face his ultimate challenge - only then will he become the warrior he is destined to be.
The leader of the alien cult shock troops steals the ancient book of knowledge so he can gain occult power over mankind and their ancient enemy the nightcrawler vampires. But it contains a secret that could change everything.

Peter, now Caius the demi-god and his lifelong friend Vinnie, are desperate for information about the whereabouts of their kidnapped wives, but then a befriended alien clone reveals vital information, raising their hopes.

The traitor US general is now beginning to regret his allegiance to the alien cause as the mothership retreats to a safe distance - He aligns himself with the alien cult leader as they make plans of their own.

Caius and his team prepare for the final assault. Will he find his wife Jennifer and will he find out what he has suspected all along about Lucia the femme fatale vampire and his wife?

In a nail-biting climax all will be revealed.

This Sci-Fi Thriller will grab you by the scruff of the neck and take you on a roller coaster ride...sometimes horrific, sometimes comic, always gripping - It will keep you guessing right until the climatic finale.


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Richard Mann grew up in being an avid reader of books, even from an early age he loved the literary giants Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. He is also a big fan of Bernard Cornwell, the historical novelist and Frederic Forsyth, the great thriller writer. (Hint: If you love these authors you will love Richard’s books). He started writing at 16 but the dream faded until a few years ago when he started writing again. During his twenties he studied business studies and accountancy. During this time he also studied Shaolin and Wing Chun Kung Fu and even starting a school with a friend. He has worked as an accountant, Software developer in the City of London for banks and insurance companies, and is now an author.

HERO- Dominion First Blood is his first book. His mercurial book is action packed, fast paced, and guaranteed to keep the reader turning pages to the end. This wholly original book falls within the thriller, fantasy horror, and sci-fi genres. It combines incredible action, hair-raising scares and big laughs. It will shock the reader into thinking about his own place in the world. Warning: This book may keep the reader up all night!

Richard is a fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, Member of the Institute of Analysts and Programmers and a Member of the British Computer Society. He is 57, married to Brenda, has two sons and lives in Berkshire.

The best way to keep up with his latest news is to sign up for his newsletter.
www.richardmannblog.com


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Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I grew up in Bracknell, Berkshire in the 1960’s. I was always an avid reader of books, even from an early age I loved the literary giants Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. By the age of 16 I had read Lord of the Rings 5 times! All these writers influenced me one way or another.

I started writing at 16 but the dream faded until 2011. During my 20’s I studied business studies and accountancy, trained as a king fu expert, worked as an accountant, now a Software developer in the City of London for banks and insurance companies. As I said in 2011 I started writing again, this time the Dominion First Blood series. Something exciting, fast-paced, with a mix of science fiction and fantasy. A huge amount of research goes into my books, for example on military technology like the rail gun. In my books our hero Bullet Proof Pete (his nickname) uses a hand help rail gun, which is the only thing powerful enough to kill the aliens which invaded Earth. But I don’t want to give too much away.

I wanted to write something that plays out in the imaginations of readers like a movie. At its core it’s fiction, but the novel also asks some much deeper questions about race, religion and the basic survival of humankind. When everything is lost how do we survive? I believe readers will turn the last page with plenty to think about, and be grateful for.


What is something unique/quirky about you?
In my 20’s I trained in Kung Fu, starting off with Shaolin style, then Wing Chun Kung Fu (which Bruce Lee did) and even starting a King Fu school with a friend. I used to do a 100 press-ups in 1 go. Not now though. I could only manage 6 punches in 1 second.

What are some of your pet peeves?
People who use the loos but don’t wash their hands. Also people in the gym changing room who spray deodorant everywhere – where people breathe it in. Very annoying.

Where were you born/grew up at?
I grew up in Bracknell, Berkshire in the 1960’s. Bracknell was a new town then and just being built. There were large tracts of forest Crown Land, which were later built on. Me and my friends used to spend many happy hours playing in the woods, building camps, and dodging the rangers in their land rovers-you were not allowed to walk in the Crown state then. Now you can and Bracknell is surrounded by beautiful forest.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
With my family having a nice meal and knowing I will meet them again 1 day.

What kind of world ruler would you be?
I would be tough but fair. I would focus on climate change, making the world a better place and implement a redistribution of wealth to help the needy.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Walking in the forest, swimming, and watching a movie with my wife,

How to find time to write as a parent?
My boys are grown up now so no problem.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Thorough, thoughtful, kind, energetic and wiser.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I first published my first book in 2016.

Do you have a favorite movie?
Many. Excalibur by John Boorman, action movies like Heat, the Dune films, LOTR trilogy of course. Well done Peter Jackson – you should make a movie of my books!

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
All of them! HERO, VENDETTA and CAIUS. I’m a very visual person so the books play like a movie.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Tiger I suppose.

What inspired you to write this book?
I was in my 50’s when I started writing again, so I thought If I don’t start now I never will, so I got up at 4am every day, did 3 or 4 hours writing, then went to work. I did that for 6 years until my 3 books were done.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I started Book 4 in the series which is called REVENGE, but other work got in the way, but I plan to finish Book 4 and then do a Book 5.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Reg and Ron the 2 gangsters in the story, (and Father and uncle to Vinnie), are a nod to Reg and Ronnie Kray. My father Reginald had a brother called Ron and he always joked that when he was walking with Ron in the streets of the East End, people used to say, “Look out here come the Kray twins.”

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in HERO?
Here are the list of main characters which reads like a movie.
Captain Peter ‘Bulletproof’ Morgan - SAS soldier / MI6 agent. Reluctant hero. Nickname ‘Bulletproof Pete.’ Strength of 10 men - main protagonist in the story. MI6’s top agent. Wants a quiet life in rural Wales with his family but is thrust into action when the aliens invade.
Corporal Vinnie ‘The Terminator’ Carson - SAS soldier. Peter’s best friend since childhood. Also an East end gangster. Fearsome reputation, but provides a lot of laughs in the story.
Lucia - Vampire Elder and member of the Vampiri Grand Council. A dark, passionate, Spanish beauty who was made a vampire in Roman Times when she met Count Cassian, since when they have had many adventures, including World War II, which is told in HERO.
Count Cassian - Vampire Elder and Head of the Vampiri Grand Council. An original Vampire since the dawn of civilization. In Sumeria (Iraq) he had his first bloody encounter with the aliens. In World War II, he fought with Lucia against the Nazi regime.
Jennifer Morgan – Peter’s wife. Beautiful Wife of Bulletproof Pete. Homemaker in their quiet rural haven in Wales, until the aliens abduct her.
Professor Picard – Eccentric French Polymath. Genius inventor, archaeologist and companion of Count Cassian and Lucia.
Frank Wilson - US President. Wise and a strong leader.
General Bill Scott - US Chief of Defense Staff. Grumpy deputy and companion of Frank Wilson.
General Julian Grimbald - Head of US Space command - the arch-villain in the story.


How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
My imagination!

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
My imagination! And a lot of research.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Meshing the action around the characters, developing their characters, until the characters themselves told the story.

Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
“Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. Sometimes you must do what is required.”
Sir Winston Churchill said that – the characters need to find something in themselves to beat the enemy. There are three threads in the story - the main one is the friendship between Bulletproof Pete and Vinnie, them getting to know their enemy the aliens, how to fight them, Pete getting lost in the desert and discovering the sword, and then discovering who he really is. The second thread are the vampire tribes and the main vampires Lucia and Cassian, who are vampire leaders. Their friendship with the French Professor Picard who they befriended during WWII. They discover a book of prophecy and how a great warrior will save Earth. Also his ancient name. They formulate a plan to meet Bulletproof Pete. The third thread are the aliens, who come from a dying planet and want to take over the Earth and its resources to save their race. In a desperate attempt to save their race, the alien emperor decides to adopt the Nazi ideology.

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Bullet proof Pete is our HERO.

Who designed your book covers?
Myself, Dennis Turla and help from designers on Fiverr.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, not really.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
The characters themselves tell the story to a certain extent – I sort of know where they are going, and come up with interesting ideas to keep the story fresh and exciting.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Jason Statham as ‘Bulletproof Pete.’
A younger Vinnie Jones as Vinnie ‘The Terminator’
A younger Selma Hayek as Lucia
Robert de Niro as General Bill Scott
Morgan Freeman as President Wilson
Gary Oldman Freeman as General Julian Grimbald

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Yes, buy the books!

What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Pivotal points in the story where everything hangs in the balance. To many favorite parts to mention.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day? Professor Picard discussing computers, quantum mechanics and history.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
My imagination.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I of course have control of the story but My characters sort of tell me what happens next.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
Think Independence Day meets Underworld. It is a compelling and addictive, roller coaster ride of a book with fascinating and believable characters, a well-researched and authentic story filled with surprises, horror, action, passion, breadth of history and moments of laughter and fun. A real page turner of a book. My book falls within the thriller, fantasy horror, and sci-fi genres. It will shock the reader into thinking about his own place in the world. Warning: This book may keep the reader up all night!

Have you written any other books that are not published?
I’m working on book 4 REVENGE

What did you edit out of this book?
Killed off some characters, it was too busy, made it leaner.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, Dune series by Frank Herbert, All of Michael Moorcock books, Hitch-hikers Guide books by Douglas Adams, Frederick Forsyth books, Bernard Cornwell books, The Bible KJV

What book do you think everyone should read?
The Bible KJV

How long have you been writing?
On and off since 2011

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I had most of the major characters planned at the start of the book HERO, others I added as I went along like BP Pete’s SAS buddies

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
A huge amount on alien technology, military technology, the SAS modus operandi, ancient history. Roman history, Sumerian history, quantum computers, nuclear explosions, the CIA, MI6 – a vast amount! All these elements are in the book.

Do you see writing as a career?
I would like to

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes. Sci-fi/fantasy is my favorite genre but I’m also reading books about manifestation at the moment – quantum physics and spiritual stuff – it’s the new frontier.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Silence mostly. But I like to listen to classical or sometimes Led Zeppelin depending on my mood.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
One at a time!

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
Lord of the Rings

Pen or type writer or computer?
I do make hand-written notes, particularly at pivotal points in the story, but the book is typed out.

Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
Bullet Proof Pete is a multi-dimensional character. One part of him wants to live the quiet life in rural Wales with his family, the other part is a demi-God wielding a supernatural sword of unspeakable power. His memories stretch back 1000’s of years to Roman Times and a former life as a Roman centurion. All the main characters Peter, his wife Jennifer, his best friend Vinnie, Lucia the vampire are all connected. What is revealed in book 3 is quite staggering.

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
It satisfies my creative instincts and it was a good decision. Very satisfying to complete a project and show it to my friends and the wider world.

Advice they would give new authors?
Read a lot. Also, if they like most people, who have to earn money to live, I would keep your main job and do your writing part-time until your books income exceeds your job income.

Describe your writing style.
I have my outline first of the overall book, characters, timeline/plotline, and a sentence for each chapter. The rest is just hard work. Just get all your thoughts on the page, then you can always re-draft, re-edit later. Vomit your first draft.

What makes a good story?
It needs to keep the reader reading, so it must not be boring! Characters must be interesting. My books are original, action packed, fast paced, and designed to keep the reader turning pages to the end. Lots of cliff hangers.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I have my outline first of the overall book, characters, timeline/plotline, and a sentence for each chapter. The rest is just hard work. So I have a structure but need to write each chapter so that it follows the story, moving the story forward, not stagnating, cliffhangers at important points. Characters must evolve with the story. Some get killed off.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Don’t write a boring book!

What is your writing Kryptonite?
If I hit a dead end, getting ideas as to what to write next.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be original and make the book addictive

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start writing younger!

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Trying to understand how a woman’s brain works

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Don’t ask.

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