Gina Rae Mitchell

Interview with L.J. Ambrosio, Author of the Reflections of Michael Trilogy |  Special Raffle with 3 Winners | #ComingOfAge #LiteraryFiction @GoddessFish @louis.ambrosio @FilmValor

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for the Reflections of Michael Trilogy tour.

 

Please join me for an interview with L.J. Ambrosio, author of the Reflections of Michael Trilogy. Learn more about the series, and don’t miss the special announcement about this series. L.J. is holding a very generous raffle, offering 3 winners their choice of a dragonfly pendant, a print copy of the book, or an Amazon/BN gift card.

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Excerpt from the Reflections of Michael Trilogy 

A Reservoir Man 

Michael had now become, after these last six months, a little more world-weary and worse for
the wear. Sitting on his bench, entering his last year at college. Michael still had not found his
soul or his truth. His emphasis on sex was unfulfilling and empty. He wandered in the shadowy
corners, the lightless streets leading to a dead end and the darkness of an empty truck.
Loneliness had become a fixture of Michael’s being. He longed for a few hours to be with Carol,
Claire, or Raphael.

One day, while sitting on the bench, Michael heard in the distance Otis Reading’s “The Dock of
The Bay” playing on a portable radio. The music came closer and closer and then quickly turned
to the Four Tops: “Reach Out (I’ll be There).”

Picking up his head, Michael saw this extremely attractive ethnic guy standing right above him.
Michael said ‘hello,’ and the young man answered.

“My name is Nick. Do you dance?”

Michael said, “Sort of, but I do not have much of a chance to go dancing.”

“You want to go tonight?” Nick asked with a smile, and he started to sing, “Baby I Need Your
Loving” by the Four Tops.

Michael became a little concerned about the message of the song, so he suggested that they
might talk over coffee before they venture out dancing. Michael decided to cut his next two
classes and have coffee.

They spent hours talking about their lives. Nick was older than Michael by nine years. Nick said
he had to prepare for graduation as did Michael. He was in the school for Education and would
be graduating that year.

He was first generation Greek from Cyprus and spoke fluent Greek. His family lived in Harlem
on 137th Street off Broadway. He had siblings, a brother and sister. Michael was taken by him.

He made him laugh and feel amazingly comfortable. Nick invited Michael to dinner Saturday
night. His mother would make Doimadakia, Humus, Tzataki and Moussaka. Michael agreed to
go.

Nick’s parents were great. His mother was shy, his father a little less. They spoke with a broken
accent, which Michael loved. They had a great dinner and talked a lot. Michael learned a lot
about Cyprus.

Nick said after dinner, “Dancing, right?”

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for the Reflections of Michael Trilogy

If the above links do not take you to your country’s Amazon page, please let me know, and I’ll gladly get a link for you.

Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share. Every penny helps to support this blog.

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About L.J. Ambrosio

L.J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York.

He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

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Interview with L.J. Ambrosio, Author of the Reflections of Michael Trilogy

Among all the characters you have created, do you have a favorite? If so, why does that character hold a special place for you?
Lily and Louie. Their relationship was pure and honest, their bond was caring. Lily quietly supported him on his opinions on corruption and his quest to be a partisan. He is an idealist who search for social and political justice. Not to hurt the feelings of Ron or Michael they are a favorite in a unique way –so much of Michael is me.

Ron is the anchor of the four; his journey is vastly different. Ron comes from a lower class than the other three characters. He is willing to fight to protect Rhonda and Michael; he carries the adventure through America with his innocence. His vision of God in the forest of Yosemite moves Ron to a spiritual enlightenment. Ron discovers Michael is gay. He is wounded and he feels cheated and used, that he was lied to. Ron leaves the house for good, but they had a promise that on Christmas they will meet on the Boulevard St Michel.

After that, Ron then has completed his rite of passage, the trial of fire and water. This gives him emotional strength to take Michael on his last journey—understanding his love, which is beyond sensual, is true and unconditional love. Ron sees the reflection of Michael actually being his own reflection, but for that one last moment in Paris, he is at one with Michael. He can go onward.

These characters are all in my heart every day. I think of them, wondering what they are doing. When I phase out, I will come back to reality, and I cry for them and how hard their journey was, but they completed their journeys with honesty. That is why after these days answering questions I decided I will write a fourth book and end the story.

 

What inspired the creation of the Michael Trilogy, and how did you produce the central concept and characters for this series?
All these feelings have been spinning in my mind, therefore all of it was inspired by my life, my friends, my family, and those that simply passed through. Especially all the friends, business associates, and others who died at a youthful age never to experience the journey or even their rite of passage, never expressing the completion of the spark that makes them creative.

I keep a list of these people in my daily planner and occasionally peek at the list and have a memory of them. I helped some to cross over into death, they gave me the ability to understand death. It is like war, why did they die at the youthful age of 19 years old, shot in Vietnam never to feel the embrace of love, the warmth and the security those moments give? All of this is the emotional and mystical that formed the creation of the trilogy.

The central concept is love and friendship; it is also about understanding the next guy.

 

What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from the Reflections of Michael Trilogy?

Love to the next person you might meet. Respect and caring for nature; it does hold an element of what God is. Sit somewhere and just think in a park, a forest, somewhere where you can become one with your surroundings.

Caring for every animal you have or have met; they have feelings and know a little more than you think. Rescue the abused dog; the dog has unconditional love for you. Take the journey to find yourselves no matter who or what you are. Help the young men or women enter the rite of passage; they will be stronger and more enlightened.

 

Can you describe your writing process? Do you follow a specific routine or have any unique habits when writing?

I must make this short because I will take up another 2 pages.
I write in my office, which is all glass and faces my lawn and overgrown plants.
I drink coffee, maybe a special gummy (martini is even better).
I think about my story all day, and after dinner, I sit in my office and write for two hours. I then check for spelling and syntax errors. The next morning, I re-read with a friend.
When I write, I just author the story. I get excited when the story comes out of my mind. It is so fast that I transcribe it a bit jumbled.

This how I do it. I am an artist. I have great insights, and I want to tell you about all of it. I hope you read my novels.

 

How do you approach writing and developing your female characters? Are there any aspects of their personalities or stories that you find especially important to highlight

I see no difference between a man and a woman, but men chase windmills as an adult as well as a child, women hold the fort. I have many women friends who were the best. Women are curious, men go right in.
So, I approach them as who they are what they do and how they resolve. Lily and even Rhonda, all of whom were special to me.

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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Giveaway!

L.J Ambrosio will award THREE randomly chosen winners a $20 Amazon/BN gift card, a print copy of the book, or a dragonfly necklace.

Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!

Official Tour Page for the Reflections of Michael Trilogy

Full Tour Schedule:

August 12: The Faerie Review
August 12: Country Mamas With Kids
August 13: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
August 13: Beyond Romance
August 14: Gina Rae Mitchell

August 14: fundinmental
August 15: Cookie Biscuit
August 15: Fabulous and Brunette
August 16: Kim’s Book Reviews
August 16: Elementary My Dear

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