Still on offer

The Gordian Knot, second book in The Torc Trilogy is still on offer from Amazon at just

99p or $1.22

It is sometimes very difficult to know when to stop.  The end of a book is as important as the beginning; it should leave the reader satisfied with all issues being resolved.  The last thing a novelist wants is to leave their readers feeling cheated.  The Belgae Torc was originally intended to be a standalone novel, with its plot gradually developing towards a satisfactory conclusion.

The Gordian Knot is altogether different.  Being the second book in the series, not only was the focus on developing the characters but also leaving parts of the plot unresolved, a ploy designed to raise suspense and leave the reader wanting more.

The idea behind The Gordian Knot was principally to develop the relationship between Orlagh and Jerry, the story begins by picking up their lives twelve months after The Belgae Torc adventure.

Most of the principle characters are here their lives having moved on from where we left them at the end of The Belgae Torc.  Jack Harrington is one of the stronger characters who always seems to have the answers to sometimes very complex problems.  He has huge confidence in himself and considerable resources at his disposal, but I wanted to focus on the humanistic side of his personality.  There is more to Jack Harrington than the reader might think and I have taken the opportunity to develop that side of his character a little bit further.

Killing off characters can be a traumatic event for the reader especially if they are old favourites.  This story involves some seriously violent and dangerous situations where injury and death are likely to occur; I could not ignore the fact that just like in real life my characters are vulnerable and likely to suffer the consequences of the plot.

The complicated issues involving the druids and the Phoenix Legion was also worth exploring.  With tension and confusion building between them I was able to keep the Iron Age link going by using druidic ceremonies to advance the spiritual slant.

Anyway, back to the original question of when to finish a book.  There are many issues left open in The Gordian Knot.  We do however get an overview of how far the relationship between Orlagh and Jerry has developed and this will continue in the third book.  Rest assured, everything will be satisfactorily concluded but not until after a few surprises, but that is as they say another story.