Q: The protagonist in Emissary is named Hyam – a Hebrew name derived from the word chayyim, meaning “life.” Was your choice of that name significant? Thomas Locke: Yes. Hyam was used in 17th and 18th century England by the Jewish community. In 1655 the Protestant ruler of England, Oliver Cromwell, abolished all restrictions that…
Posts Categorized: Legends of the Realm Series
Readers Weigh in on ‘Emissary’
Here are excerpts from early reader reviews of Emissary, my epic fantasy novel that releases January 6, 2015. Tracie Heskett, on her blog: 5 stars – excellent Thomas Locke gives readers the ingredients for great fiction in his new epic fantasy, Emissary: characters we care about, an inward and outward quest for the hero, and…
Q&A With Thomas Locke: Does ‘Emissary’ make any political statements?
Q: Does Emissary make any political statements about hot button issues? Thomas Locke: I had not even considered that until you asked! One potential hot button issue is the concept of lines of power deep inside the earth that can be tapped. It’s a bit like what Native Americans talk about when they describe the…
Video Book Trailer for ‘Emissary’
Here’s the video book trailer for my upcoming epic fantasy novel, Emissary, which releases January 6, 2015. What do you think?
A New Kind of Review for a New Kind of Story
I’d like to share three reader reviews of Emissary from Emmanuel James Boston, Dave Milbrandt and Steve Hilton. I suspect you’ll enjoy each reviewer’s unique style as much as I did! Mystery embedded in mystery By Emmanuel James Boston, originally published on his blog Thomas Locke delivers something to his readers that, by all measures,…
Q&A With Thomas Locke: How do you hope to encourage ‘Emissary’ readers?
Q: Is there any lesson or encouragement you hope to instill in readers of Emissary? Thomas Locke: I most want to take readers back to the type of story that meant so much to me as I was growing up. During our formative years – up until around age 30 – we are reinforcing our…
Christian Fiction’s Growing Mainstream Appeal
I am so impressed with an article in Library Journal by Julia M. Reffner. In “Crossing Over,” Reffner examines the multitude of changes in the fiction market, and explains the growing mainstream appeal of what used to be called “Christian fiction.” In the section, “Testing new waters,” Reffner writes: Also seeking new opportunities is best-selling…
First Reader Reviews of ‘Emissary’
My publisher generously provided Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of Emissary to a number of volunteer reviewers. As these reviewers receive their books, they’ve been emailing me their first impressions. I thought you might enjoy their comments: “I already read it! Incredibly compelling speculative fiction! It warrants great reviews!” -LaVonne Svenhard “I received my…
Q&A With Thomas Locke: Define ‘Epic Fantasy for Modern Readers’
Q: Why did you choose to write epic fantasy and technological thrillers for the mainstream market, when many of your recent books have been contemporary suspense for the inspirational market? Thomas Locke: For the past several years I have grown increasingly concerned over the all-pervading darkness that nowadays forms the core of both character development…
Discover how
it all began
in this explosiveprequel to Trial Run
Journey into
the Realm
with this ebookshort from Emissary
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