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P.D. Alleva will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Author Interview
- How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I like to believe the book chose its genre. The three stories in this first installment fit together under the common theme of deceit. I’ve always been privy to and interested in exploring dark themes and the reflection of darkness and light, ego, sin and karma. The Calculated Desolation of Hope is based on a dream I had about five years ago. The story showcases the consequences of being young and naïve: Somnium explores the darkness of dreams and evil influences that impinge on dreams, including the fight to turn them into reality. Knickerbocker, a re –imagining of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hallow, is my good-bye letter to the addiction treatment industry, exploring themes of willpower, inflated ego and commitment or the break from commitment through self-defeating behavior and its consequences. I was a part of the addiction treatment industry for 13 years until going into private practice. I write the stories that resonate and scream the loudest, could be scifi, dark fiction, dark romance, dystopian or horror.
I’m a multi genre writer. The Beyond the Chamber Door series allows for these multitudes. The series features stand alone stories in each installment, connected with the universal theme of light and dark and their raging battle that exists over multiple lives. For what truly lies beyond the chamber door is the dark and sinister heart of man, the corruption of power, ego, manipulation, and torment. Pain and suffering drive evolution, however, if a character is not aware of this need to change, they fall further into darkness, consumed by anger, hate and rage. If misery loves company, than misery is what they reflect and what they receive.
- Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I’m the second of four boys. Middle Child syndrome does exist. I believe it’s made me more compassionate and passionate, a self-starter and strong in my convictions, unwavering in my commitments with a loud voice to sound off on situations I feel passionately about.
Middle children are often unheard, shunned and discounted, we become so frustrated we end up screaming to break out of the shell we’ve been kept in for so long. On the flip side, I credit my introvert behavior and comfort being alone with my thoughts for extended periods of time to being a middle child. With all the isolation brought on by NOT being the center of attention, you get used to being by yourself. All is well though I’ve got enough friends in my head to keep me company.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
My desk. A few years ago I bought a Thomasville Ernest Hemingway English Writing Desk. My pride and joy. My personal space that includes scattered notes, papers, books and a number of writing hats (fedoras) that I’ve collected over the years.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
My darlings were born to die. The way they die is equal to their sins and a part of their journey. I believe in resurrection and that death is a gateway so there can always be a second part to their story. I enjoy writing these scenes because death is a part of character; the way we die reflects how we lived and I attempt to give them the grand exit they righteously deserve. As far as what I do with the remains, they all go into the same box, where they can mingle and philosophize about why they are there, and what to do next.
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
Ernest Hemingway is my favorite author, but there are so many documentaries, books and movies about him I do believe I’ve got all my questions answered. If I could choose I’d meet Mary Shelley and have a nice long conversation with her. One of my favorite books is Frankenstein. So many classic themes, man vs nature, man vs himself, man vs man and man vs God. Gotta love it. Burning question would be, “Did you actually write Frankenstein?”
- Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
I spent the first eight years of my life living with insomnia. When I was two years old I was put on sleep medication. It didn’t work. I was plagued by nightmares the few hours a night I did sleep, and wacky thoughts while lying in bed, covers up to my eyeballs (so I could see anyone coming) scared to death to fall asleep while my thoughts were consumed by vivid images and stories of death and destruction, often believing that vampires, monsters and werewolves were out to get me. Also, my mother is convinced there was an evil spirit occupying the room next to me. Strange right? Perhaps there’s a link there somewhere.
7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
– A ukulele so I can sing songs to pass the time
– A pocket knife: not only for fileting fish and making supplies but also to cut up coconuts or something similar and turn them into little people I can hang with and have an audience to sing songs too and tell stories while sitting around a fire. They’d never complain. Well, maybe they will but I’d get over it
– A chisel, which I’d use to chisel stories into stones and mountains. With all that time for reflection, there’s got to be so many stories that will come to life.
- If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?
Move objects with my mind. I attempt this super power every time my boys (I have 7 year old twins) ask for another peanut butter and jelly after I literally just sat down. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to master this one but soon they’ll be making those PB&J’s on their own and I’m off the hook. Well, a little bit at least.
9. Favorite snack?
Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia or Phish Food. Love all three. I’m a big guy so I can down all three in one sitting. Definitely worth the stomach pain the next morning.
10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
Both really, I know how to get where I’m going but like to drive the speed limit in a leisurely calm manner while singing along with great music. Yes, I’m that guy you see belting out musical ballads and singing really, really badly, but who is having a great time doing so.
Thank you Danita Minnis for hosting. Your support is greatly appreciated.
by P.D. Alleva
GENRE: Dark Fiction
BLURB:
Twisted Tales of Deceit is the first installment in the Beyond the Chamber Door series. Featuring three tales (The Calculated Desolation of Hope, Somnium, & Knickerbocker) chronicling an evil influence on the human psyche, tipping our hands into the engagement of what is most horrifying; our dastardly, human deeds steeped in self-destruction, desperation and the loss of dreams. Metaphorical warnings have been constructed inside these pages to reflect the everyday signs the universe provides under the guise of reflective light that return to mirror how evil tempts our hand so to not fulfill the dreams of the soul. Our doubts, our sadness, our indecisions rooted in fear, are toiled with by the presence of imps bent on hatred and in need of our nightmares to survive. Here, the human spirit is dripped like honey, tasteful to the dark corridors of human malevolence and taken advantage by the corrupt and seamlessly endless parade other worldly dimensions have on what should be our earthly utopia, creating rage in the cosmic hedonism of jealousy.
Excerpt:
He remembered the wolf, roaming in the room. Saw the gamer and the boy he had saved with their throats cut out as the wolf fed on them. Their black eyeballs staring at William.
Remembered how the bodies were taken from the room. Remembered how he screamed but had no strength to do anything about it.
And how Katarina appeared again, another needle in hand. Remembered how he wanted it now, to help him forget. She shot him up and his world became smaller, the walls closing in to squeeze all that he knew in between the four walls of that tiny room, now no bigger than the bed he lay on.
He remembered how the world disappeared, melted away like ice.
Remembered how the darkness invited itself into his space, and how the world had gone mad.
“What the fu…” he grumbled, collapsing to the floor. His heart fluttered, and his skin flushed pale white and red. He leaned against the wall, watching the final dissipation of daylight outside the window. And the room grew dark with a sliver of moonlight that broke through the window as his memories faded and an unnerving hunger cried out from his veins. A tiny voice in his head.
“More,” it called. “Please, more.”
His body felt pain, pain like he’d never felt before. His mind felt confusion, he couldn’t put a thought together. His eyes turned wet with tears and he started to wail. He wailed until his voice gave out.
And then the footsteps. Loud, clunking footsteps against the wood floor. The massive image half hidden in the darkness, half illuminated by the moonlight, seemed to drift toward him with a mindful caution only to disappear just before reaching him. His vision wavered as the hunger grew.
In front of him, nose to nose, Mephisto shined his yellow eyes on him. And Mephisto grinned, scooping him in his arms like a baby and delivering him to the bed.
“Rest,” Mephisto said, pausing as he looked on William who saw the death of stars gleaming in Mephisto’s eyes.
“And welcome…to oblivion.”
His grin was sinister, daring and satisfied.
P.D. Alleva is an author, psychotherapist and hypnotherapist specializing in trauma, addiction and mental health. He is the author of several books, including fiction novels, Indifference and A Billion Tiny Moments In Time…, Seriously Twisted; These Gods of Darkness (Poetry), Let Your Soul Evolve (1st and 2nd ed), and Spiritual Growth Therapy: Philosophy, Practices and Mindfulness Workbook (non-fiction). He has developed behavioral protocols for addiction and mental health and teaches mindfulness, Buddhist meditations and manifestation techniques to his patients as a means and alternative to using pharmaceuticals. Go to spiritualgrowththerapy.com to learn more. Mr. Alleva offers a special discount on his video tutorials for his readers, so please use Promo Code 7474 for a special 90% discount. He is currently in private practice with his wife, Lisa. He lives with his wife and children in Boca Raton, Florida.
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Thank you for hosting. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I’ll be checking in throughout the day so please feel free to leave comments and ask questions and don’t forget to sign up for the Giveaway. Thank you
It’s a pleasure to have you here P.D.! This book sounds wonderful. Congrats on this exciting release!
ty ty Danita. Grateful to be here
Great excerpt & interview, I enjoyed reading them!
Thank you Victoria. Happy Reading to you and Happy Happy Halloween.