Happy Holidays to all of you! I wish you nothing but success, health and happiness in the New Year. Despite the uncertainty of the economy and all the bad news permeating the airwaves, I find much to be thankful for. A wonderful family, great friends and relatively good health for all of us. I know not everyone out there is so fortunate and all that I can offer is encouragement. Things will get better. They always do. Yes, things are bad now, but it is not the end of the world, despite what the media and our elected leaders may tell us. We’re lucky that most of us live in a world of freedom and opportunity. Where you can succeed by your own hard work and inventiveness. This is something we should all remember as we face down the gloom and doomers.
Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but I have adopted a philosophy that always seems to help me through the bad times. And that is whenever there is a recession or a downturn or some other negative event, I refuse to participate! That’s right. When things are bad there can also be times of tremendous opportunity. For example we just refinanced our house and saved a ton of money each month. Because the housing industry is in such turmoil lenders are begging for good customers. We had banks tripping over themselves to get our loan. As the old saying goes, sometimes when a door closes, a window will open. Opportunity out of chaos.
It’s hard and it’s scary during times like these, and I’m no stranger to them myself. I’ve been without work, heavily in debt, with no health insurance and a family to support. But you make it through. You keep your head down and push on. Then one day you look around and things aren’t so bad anymore.
I just want to say as we head into the new year to keep your head up. Keep smiling. Refuse to participate in the bad times. This too shall pass. Also, buy more books! At the very least reading will allow you to escape from your troubles for a few hours!
In a prime example of burying the lead, and on a more relative note, as you can see from the headline I HAVE FINISHED BOOK 2 IN THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR TRILOGY. Done. Finito. It is called The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate and will be published in September of 2009. I will also tell you that the cover for the book, which I can’t reveal yet, will be knocking the socks off of all you. So stay tuned for a reveal and sneak peak excerpt coming up soon.
The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail appears to be selling well. I’ve heard from the German folks that it’s a big best-seller in Germany this year. It’s hard for me to imagine but it’s exciting nonetheless. Book One has also garnered some great reviews including this one at www.templarhistory.com. Check it out.
Also, speaking of Templar History, as many of you know I’m a big fan of the comic book both as a literary
and an art form. If you want to read a fascinating comic on the history of the Templars, I highly recommend Outremer by Stephen Dafoe. It’s available here. It’s first rate and a great introduction to the Templar origins.
Be sure to keep an eye on my events page also as I begin posting my 2009 appearances. I’ll be attending New York Comic Con again this year and have the great good fortune to be speaking on two different panels. I’ll also be attending IRA in Phoenix in February and the Texas Library Association in Houston in April.
Many thanks for all of your support in 2008! I’m excited and looking forward to 2009.
Have a safe and Happy Holiday!
Your authorness,
Mike
