I was tagged by Jennifer Brozek to engage in a Character Blog Tour. Since I’ve just received a verbal acceptance from her on the initial outline for Famished: The Ranch, I thought this would be a good place to introduce new readers to our hero.

  1. What is the name of your character?
    Gordon Velander.

  2. Is s/he fictional or a historic person?
    Gordon is totally fictional.

  3. When and where is the story set?
    It is set in a modern day alternate America. While the world is essentially the same as the one we know, supernatural elements and creatures exist. Also, the founding of America went a little differently here, though the general public is unaware of this fact. The story ranges from Colorado to Maine, from Minnesota to South Carolina.

  4. What should we know about him/her?
    At the start of the series, Gordon is an aimless teacher’s aide with little further direction than a Christmas Catholicism and a desire to work in higher education. He’s honest, faithful, sheltered, and more than a little naïve – almost childlike in his faith in the inherent goodness of people. This is, naturally, Not A Good Thing for a horror protagonist.

  5. What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
    He is the unwitting scion of a horrific cult with its roots deep in the history and difficulties of the United States. When the cult discovers his bloodline, they introduce him to a world he was never prepared to witness, and demand his obedience to their terrifying agenda. Just when he thinks himself free of their reach, he becomes the tool of another supernatural force, a catspaw to carry out their own desires.

  6. What is the character’s personal goal?
    While the goal has shifted slightly in each of the novels in this series, his ultimate goal is freedom – freedom from the cult, from the forces which sustain him, and the past built by his ancestors.

  7. Is there a working title for this novel, and where can we read more about it?
    The latest (and likely final) book in the Gentleman Ghouls series is Famished: The Ranch. It is preceded by Famished: The Farm and Famished: The Commons. The earlier books are available from the publisher’s website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Drive Thru Fiction.

  8. When can we expect the book to be published?
    The first two books are already available. I am personally hopeful to release Famished: The Ranch in the summer of 2015, but have not yet confirmed any dates with the publisher.

I’m going to tag Anastasia Storer, Erica Lira and Ginger Breo. They may, of course, choose to play or ignore this blog tour.