Today’s special guest author is B.K. Greenwood and we’re chatting about his new historical thriller, The Last Roman: Exile.
After his virtual book tour, B.K. will be giving away Signed copies of books one and two and a T-shirt (either The Last Roman or Bat City Press), a $35 to a lucky winner. Click here to be entered for your chance to win these gifts.
Bio:
B.K. Greenwood lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and wolfpack of 4 rescue dogs. He loves to travel and has incorporated his experiences into his writing. B.K. enjoys works of fiction and nonfiction, with a heavy emphasis on history, adventure, and classics. His passion for history is on display in his debut novel, The Last Roman: Exile.
Welcome, B.K. Please tell us about your current release.
The Last Roman: Exile is a hybrid of historical fiction and modern thriller. Think Gladiator meets John Wick. We follow a group of immortals through a modern plot, while supplementing with historical flashbacks.
What inspired you to write this book?
Hard to say! I started book one twenty-three years ago. And honestly, I forgot exactly what inspired me! I just know that I read a bunch as a kid and at some point in my twenties, I decided I had my own story to tell!
Excerpt from The Last Roman: Exile:
Thump. Thump.
Each strike of the mallet further aggravated the hangover that had plagued Marcus all morning. Worse than the sound of the mallet were the cries of anguish, but he knew from experience that those cries would become whimpers. The sooner that happened, the better, Marcus thought. Honestly, the sooner he finished this assignment and left this godforsaken city, the better.
By his count, this was the ninth crucifixion Marcus had administered since arriving in Jerusalem. He was a combat veteran and had witnessed firsthand the unadulterated violence of war. But he had never understood the brutality of the crucifixion. To kill a man in battle was one thing, but nailing him to a cross was cruel by any measure. Several days of suffocating punishment before dying of exposure might be appropriate for those guilty of the most heinous of crimes. But, when applied to thieves and would-be kings, the practice seemed gratuitous—even for Romans. Marcus pushed the thought from his mind and watched as they lifted the prisoner and attached the crossbeam to the post.
Thump. Thump.
Marcus winced, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. When the soldier finished hammering, he opened them and looked up at the figure nailed to the cross. He was naked, except for a cloth wrapped around his legs and waist. His head, ordained with a crown of thorns, slumped forward, blood dripping from his hair and down his shoulders and chest. The prisoner lifted his head and looked at Marcus. He would never forget those eyes. They should have been filled with pain or hatred, but instead, they were perfect displays of compassion and pity. And they burned into Marcus’s soul.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I am finishing the trilogy of this story! Book three will launch in late March 2022. I also strive to publish a short story every two to three months.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I began writing in my twenties, and spence nearly twenty-five years perfecting book one. I finally engaged a professional editor and book designer in later 2020. When I published in May 2021, I considered myself a writer.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I am not a full-time writer. I have a job that works with a lot of overseas individuals. My day is very busy in the morning and evening, with gaps in mid-afternoon. I use those mid-afternoon gaps to write and do other writing related activities.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write in spurts. Like, very short spurts (100-200 words). Then I wander. Then write. I would try to change it, but it seems to work for me.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A history professor. I love to teach and to learn about history.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Just thanks for learning about me and I hope you take a chance on my work!
Links:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads
One thought on “Interview with historical author B.K. Greenwood”