Sunday, August 12, 2012

Interview & Excerpt & Giveaway: The Last Degree by Dina Rae


Title: The Last Degree
Series: Book #1
Author: Dina Rae
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Paranormal, Political, Suspense, Thriller, Christian
Publisher: Dina Rae
Ebook
Words: 93000

Purchase for only $1.99:


The Last Degree will be FREE Sept. 27th – 28th!


Book Description

The Last Degree is a fictionalized account of how Freemasons and other secret societies set up the world for takeover. Ancient writings foretell a ‘Shining One’ who emerges as the world’s prophet. A murder of a Most Worshipful mason resembles a secret oath. A cop gets too close to solving the crime. Paranoid preppers go underground, preparing for war.

Headlines such as the Norway massacre, meltdown of the European Union, unscrupulous media, animal die-offs, Middle Eastern unrest, and U.S. shrinking power make the plot relevant to present day. This book is an ode to Christians, Birthers, 2012ers, Truthers, preppers, and/or other conspiracy junkies who enjoy Dan Brown, Jesse Ventura, Brad Meltzer, Alex Jones, Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.

Excerpt:

Dwight took off his crown, signifying he was no longer playing King Solomon.
“Sacrifice is expected for ones that you love.  Do you love me?” Dwight shouted.  “Then bow down before me and offer praise!”
Everyone knelt and laid their head down to the floor, chanting 'Most Worshipful,
Most Worshipful' several times before Dwight commanded them to get up.
In a manic energetic state, Dwight vociferated, “Et vitam impendere vero!”  All repeated, with the three new pledges joining in.  Minutes later, he began to calm down.  “To sacrifice life for truth - that is what we must always do!  You must trust me as your Most Worshipful and sacrifice at my command!  Are you prepared to do this?”  All three pledges nodded.

Dwight pulled the content baby out of Arthur's arms and threw it high into the air.  As the baby began to descend, Dwight took his sword and hacked through its neck, decapitating it before it hit the floor.  Only the three pledges shrieked in horror.  He sinisterly smiled as he picked up the head and body,revealing it was only a doll.
“Don't believe with your eyes, but believe with your knowledge.  We are his chosen and will soon be exalted.”
The three men looked down at their hands and tried not to scream.  They were covered in blood.
“Sacrifice, my brothers, sacrifice.  I will teach you well.  You are all Chiefs of the Tabernacle!  Let us go and celebrate!” Dwight gleamed.


Check out The Last Degree Prequel as well—Be Paranoid Be Prepared!

Interview Time!
1. If you could work with any author who would it be?
Probably John Grisham, Dan Brown, Brad Thor, or Stephen King.  These men know how to draw the reader in while never losing credibility of the story.

2. Who is your favourite author and is your writing style similar to theirs?
Lots of favorites.  I’ve been compared to Dan Brown in style.  I keep the plot moving without getting into the weather, characters’ clothes, meals, etc.  Sure, there are lots of details, but I tend to add research into the plot over thick descriptions.

3. What's your favorite part of a book?
The Last Degree is filled with conspiracy theories.  Parts of the plot that may seem made up are really mainstream theories of  alleged evil secret societies, Jack the Ripper, the election process, Ivy League colleges, the Apocalypse, and much more.  Although The Last Degree is an easy read, there is much reading between the lines.  I hope the reader sees the parallels with the recent news headlines.

4. When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?
One of the main characters, James Martin, was the alias of a shady friend of my husband’s-great guy who died young from cocaine.  My fictional James might have been like the one who I knew if he had chosen to straighten out his life.

5. What advice would you give to people who "run out of creativity" when writing?
I am a very new writer and not ready to be giving anyone advice.  I have written three novels and am writing a fourth.  Every once in a while I run out of ideas, but won’t ‘take the day off.’  I’ll go back and edit.  Refreshing myself with the story resparks my imagination.  Also, I write longhand in a notebook before I type.  The long process gives me time to think of more ideas.

6. How did you come up with the title?
The Last Degree in the Scottish Rite is the 33rd degree.  This is the inner circle of Freemasons that the book is about-not the men who go to their local lodge and drink beers together and network.  The 33rd degree is an honorary degree made by the Supreme Council.  It’s a big deal within the Order.

7. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I hope they are entertained and appreciate my ideas of how a one world government could form.  There is an End of Days theme backed with Daniel and Revelation that signals biblical prophecy.  Hope it inspires the reader to think about their spirituality.

8. What books have most influenced your life most?
So, so many.  But the first book that always comes to mind is Stephen King’s The Stand, kind of a modern day account of the rise of the anti-Christ.  Again, The Last Degree has some similarities.  I also loved The Road, Left Behind series, and Angels and Demons.

9. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Probably Stephen King because I love his consistency and also love his book, On Writing.  It was one of the most helpful books I ever read about this crazy business.

10. What book are you reading now?
Lots.  I usually have 3 or 4 going at a time.  In my car I am listening to Angelology.  When I work out or walk my dogs I listen to The Transparent Queen.  When I lie in bed, I read The 12th Imam, and when I am at my computer taking a break I am reading Soul Sisters.

11. What are your current projects?
I am 3/4ths finished with my sequel to Halo of the Damned, a novel about the escape of Hell.  Haven’t titled it yet.

12. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Some people dream of being an actress or sports star or singer, I always thought a writer was the best kind of celebrity.  Those who rise to the top get to be famous without anyone knowing who they are.

13. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Probably the constant promotion that goes with it.  Learning something new every day. 

Thanks so much for having me!
Thank you for answering my questions.



About the Author:

Dina Rae is a new author here to stay.  As a former teacher, she brings an academic element to her work.  Her two novels, Halo of the Damned and The Last Degree, weave research and suspense throughout the plots.  Her short story, Be Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character.  Dina also freelances for various entertainment blogs.

Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago.  She is a Christian, an avid tennis player, movie buff, and self-proclaimed expert on several conspiracy theories.  When she is not writing, she is reading novels from her favorite authors Dan Brown, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Brad Thor, George R.R. Martin, and Preston & Childs.

Find the Author:

Website | Blog |

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7 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me! Be Paranoid Be Prepared is free today and tomorrow on amazon. Please download. Dina

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it's cool that Dina also reads many books as well as writes. I think that helps give authors depth to their writing.

    While I haven't read any of Dina's books, I have read quite a bit of John Grisham, so it bodes well that she also enjoys his works.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the giveaway... I would love to read this book

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much for this giveaway!

    faith__2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the international giveaway!!
    Rafflecopter name - Rosemarie D

    ReplyDelete

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