Whoa, where did you come from?

Ever reach a point in writing a story where a character pops out of nowhere and says, "um yeah, author, I have more to add to this story, put me in coach." Suddenly he/she becomes a minor/major character that can add more then you ever dreamed?
You become intrigued by the possibilities of them and still you try to write. In your head they won't keep quiet. They sit there and explain everything and finally you have to turn from your work and listen to them. Letting them tell their story to you and their plan to execute it. They have to convince you and you sit back and say, "Whoa, where did you come from?"
Enjoy those moments and listen to your characters, they have more to tell you then what they already have.
This is one of the joys of writing, all your characters either despise you, look forward to ruining your beloved main character, or try as hard as they can to become your favorite. The one you couldn't live with out. They become real people and not just characters anymore.
You find yourself asking like you may ask your son or daughter, what are you thinking or why are you doing that you know better. Either way you have love for them, they are friends and you are their confidant.
Enjoy the amount of time you share with them and listen to what they have to say. It makes your job easier.

- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

New blurb for The Valley of Candles

My last blurb for The Valley of Candles wasn't very good. Actually it was horrible. I'm not afraid to say it, being an Indie Author has given me a chance to better myself as a writer. I can see my faults with a more critical eye then before and am willing to change my dreadful ways. I would even go as far as saying I was doing more harm then good to my sales with the old blurb.
So without any delay, here is my new blurb for The Valley of Candles.

Book Blurb
The ultimate battle is raging between good and evil in the small town of Harper, Wisconsin where McCoy O'Neal and Matt Morris enter their senior year with no plans for the future. McCoy is dominated by his overbearing religious father and spends all of his time with his girlfriend, who is out of his league. When tragedy strikes and McCoy has nowhere to live, Matt mysteriously has all the answers he swears have come from God who has visited him.
McCoy follows Matt's lead with determination. When rituals and miracles become the norm McCoy subcums to the disbelief he always carried about religion. Their lives go from misery to triumph and suddenly nothing they do is wrong as the two dive deeper into their worship. The local Pastor has doubts about the two and enlists the help of a classmate who is on the front lines. Is there anything to turn the tide or is there something more sinister at work coming from an outside source?
As the darkness grows the stage is set and the ultimate question of who God is will be answered, but can you accept the answer?


You can pick up The Valley of Candles for your Kindle at Amazon or if you prefer a paperback copy, that can be purchased from eStore.

As always, happy reading.


- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

The Valley of Candles available in ebook and paperback

McCoy O'Neal's world is torn apart. He has never really fit in anywhere and is approaching his Senior year with no plans for the future. His entire life he has based on the feeling he is at fault for his mothers' death during child birth. McCoy's overbearing religious father constantly questions his faith in God by quizzing and reading. The only option for him is to turn to his best friend who leads him down a path they might not survive and a girlfriend who is way out of his league. He is lost in the world until The Rock, a place where solitude has a price. Enter into a world where everything is not what it seems and the wrong path may just be your last.
How would you react to losing everything? How much are we influnced by those around us? Do their beliefs become ours? Do we think for ourselves?
Wrought with terror, rituals and a suspenseful storyline, this tale leaves the reader questioning their own beliefs, irresistible to put down and written in short fast paced chapters in the tradition of James Patterson.

The Valley of Candles is now available as a ebook at Amazon.

The paperback version for those who don't have a Kindle and prefer a actual book in their hand is available through eStore.

You can follow me on Twitter @Antonio__Grasso


- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley Candles

New Cover for The Valley of Candles

I know, I know, I have changed cover for The Valley of Candles before. Why do it again? Well, to be honest the last cover looked horrible and I don't know why I even chose it. Must have been stress or the kids or work. Anyhow, it was just bad. So I give you the new updated cover for my novel, The Valley of Candles.





I am interested in hearing what you think.

There is another reason for the cover change but that surprise is reserved for my next post, so stay tuned and as always, happy reading adventures. May your imagination take you someplace new.

-Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

A New Direction

So I haven't posted in a bit because I have been working on Hayfield Manor. I am happy to say the novel is coming along nicely. However, I have been reading more which I think is only going to enhance the novel.
I am even thinking about going back and doing a revised edition to The Valley of Candles but that's for a different post.
From what I have seen so far this month is less in terms of sales and more in terms of output. I am okay with this for one reason only. I am a writer, I love to write. I am not writing for dollars but because I love entertaining readers.
Hayfield Manor has been a struggle because I want to find out the right tone for this story. What I am finding is the characters are still searching for their faith in many areas and are still faced with many questions about the unseen world.
I don't want to give to much away of course but this upcoming adventure will see many characters from the first novel in situations beyond their control and in the will of God. How will they cope? This is the story they are telling me now and I am too eager to listen.
To start from the beginning feel free to check out The Valley of Candlesat Amazon.


- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

The Valley of Candles is Free June 21-24

The first book in The Valley Testament Series: The Valley of Candles is free June 21-24.

McCoy O'Neal's world is torn apart. He has never really fit in anywhere and is approaching his Senior year with no plans for the future. His entire life he has based on the feeling he is at fault for his mothers' death during child birth. McCoy's overbearing religious father constantly questions his faith in God by quizzing and reading. The only option for him is to turn to his best friend who leads him down a path they might not survive and a girlfriend who is way out of his league. He is lost in the world until The Rock, a place where solitude has a price. Enter into a world where everything is not what it seems and the wrong path may just be your last.
How would you react to losing everything? How much are we influnced by those around us? Do their beliefs become ours? Do we think for ourselves?
Wrought with terror, rituals and a suspenseful storyline, this tale leaves the reader questioning their own beliefs, irresistible to put down and written in short fast paced chapters in the tradition of James Patterson.
Being called a dark novel about a young man searching for God, The Valley of Candles asks the tough questions you may have about why things happen to good people or why there is so much violence in the world.
Written over a period of ten years The Valley of Candles is the beginning of The Valley Testament series that will bring you to a world where nothing is what it seems as you live the through the horrors, trials, and triumphs of two outsiders McCoy O'Neal and Matt Morris.

Get The Valley of Candles here

- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

Virtual Book Tour Coming for The Valley of Candles

Well, here goes nothing. Tomorrow I will start planning my first ever book tour for my novel, The Valley of Candles. Needless to say, I am nervous. I never thought my little story come this far. I am very excited to share with others my experiences and hope to help some along the way.
This has been the busiest and most exciting time in my life. Having a son only five short months ago and seeing my other child finish kindergarten recently are two of my biggest highlights. One day I hope to share the adventure with them about dad's first book and teach them about the courage it takes to face the world with your creation, good or bad. As writers, these stories are our babies that never seem to grow up. We will always look on them fondly with many memories and emotions.
I look forward to this next step for The Valley of Candles and hope you do as well. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions I would love to hear from you.

- Antonio Grasso, author of The Valley of Candles

* Pick up your copy of The Valley of Candles today for only .99 at AMAZON