Wolf of the Aegean follows a freedom fighter and privateer who, along with his crew, take to the sea and fight the Ottoman Empire. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Under the oppression, slavery, and murder of the conquered by the Ottoman Empire, there inevitably arises the Anthesis as Arnold Toynbee’s circle of history spins. Thus, the archetype: Orphans meld and present the anthesis by robbing and disposing of the child-killing swine hired by the Ottoman Empire for monthly sweeps murdering children, clearing the streets of the orphans. Lucien Dumaine, later called the Wolf of the Aegean by his enemies, half each French and Egyptian, forges the orphans into a force that hunts the murderers of children, savages whose purses are filled with Ottoman gold. Surviving, the orphans mature as professional outlaws against the ruthless Empire, watching out for the old quartre of Cairo where street gangs extort and terrorize the local businesses and removing them. Becoming revered by the local merchants and the poor. But rule number one: let no one know who we are, and rule number two: never steal from the Wolf Pack. Rule number three: no harm to innocents, women, old folks, and especially children whether Ottoman or not.

What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?

I have a stack a foot high atop my printer delving into the innocuous aspects of the Ottoman Empire as I am a student of history, old world, and have a fine knowledge of the simplicity of greedy thieves. The theme is age-old. Empires expand for protection, wealth, and power. Empires, the antagonists, must be at war continually to safeguard and conquer robbing other’s treasure houses. Thus enter the outlaws, and pirates. When the first merchant ship left harbor it was followed by pirates.

What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?

Most would say their favorite character is Captain Lucien Dumaine, ultimate strategist commander; he is a mixture of Robin Hood, Cuchulain of Eire, and Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the Starship Enterprise.

My favorite character is the premiere highwayman of the Rues of France, Robur Andre Morel du Arles, who joins with the Wolf when saved from the Corsaire, Ottoman Pirates, disguised as a Catholic priest. As Cardinal Richelieu stated concerning Robur, “He can find love in hell.” His story does not end with getting married in Kernow, or Cornwall, England, but continues when saved again in a moment of extreme danger for he and his wife when the Roundheads of Oliver Cromwell have them.

Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?

In Book Two: Wolves and Empires we find the lads of the Vengeance working for the Red Cardinal Richelieu and are directed to the Spanish Main in the Caribbean. After narrowly missing destruction by a hurricane the privateers return to France to be praised by the Cardinal and Carte Blanch, for anything they desire. At the Gala in his honor, Captain Dumaine defends two exquisitely dressed ladies from an arrogant brute wielding a horsewhip attacking Lady Seafourthe in the gardens of Chateau-Versailles and finds his Aphrodite. Both also realize love at first sight is not a myth. Lady Seafourthe and her assistant Mistress Nanciene are the owners of the most fashionable apparel salon in Paris called the ‘Joyful Widows.’ Lady Seafourthe offers the Wolf a contract to sail to the Japanese seas to obtain silk, and Lucien accepts. The Captain and Lady Seafourthe embrace in love and she and Mistress Nancienene’s desire to sail with him. After repeated warnings, Lucien nods so be it. I might add: the Wolf had never thought to marry or even love as his responsibilities were too demanding but certainly enjoyed his ladies of the night. But realizes he has no choice, Lynden is in his heart, and he begins to understand the riddle of the heart and far off sees perhaps redemption. So ends Book Two.

I feel my story of action, adventure, freedom, and inloving will expand into a realization that all is not lost. We have a chance to become aware there is an answer to the Riddle of the Heart where freedom lies.

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