Birthday: A Poem

I am feeling a bit introspective this week due to the death of a friend recently. So here is a poem.

Birthday

Why are birthdays so profound?
The years sound out like death bells,
For the lost, those that shot,
their load too soon,
Those that fell, the hours spent waiting,
The messages not sent, the letters not written.
The times you betrayed yourself,
Not wanting to climb the mountain.

I feel lost and found,
At least I know I can wait,
no longer,
The time has come to do,
Something.
Something great for those I love,
I cannot abandon hope,
That I have one last shot, of straight, dark rope,
to pull us through the rotten defile,
and take us over the final mile.

Hottest, Coolest WWII Gadget Vote Results!

The first three places are:

Focke-Achgelis Fa 223
Focke-Achgelis Fa 223

1st Place, with 6 votes: Focke-Achgelis_Fa_223 – A dual rotor helicopter

When Otto Skorzeny was planning his raid to abduct captured Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from the Albert Rifugio hotel on the Gran Sasso in September 1943, his original choice of aircraft was a Fa 223. The Fa 223 would be able to land directly in front of the hotel.[14] However, the chosen aircraft broke down while en route, and Skorzeny instead was forced to use a Fieseler Fi-156.[14]

The Drache could transport cargo loads of over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) at cruising speeds of 121 km/h (75 mph) and altitudes approaching 2,440 m (8,010 ft). Continue reading “Hottest, Coolest WWII Gadget Vote Results!” →

Vote now: Hottest, Coolest WWII Gadgets!

Focke-Achgelis 330 Gyroglider
Focke-Achgelis 330 Gyroglider

It’s time to vote!
To celebrate the release of my new book in January, December Radio, which describes what might have happened had the Nazi’s built a viable nuclear bomb, we are voting on the hottest or coolest gadget in WWII. The nominations, with links so you can read more information, are below the voting box. Make your choice carefully.

You have 6 votes per person. Please give 3 votes to your favourite (click the yellow vote button between each vote), 2 votes to your second favourite (click the yellow vote button between each vote) and 1 vote to your third favourite. Click ‘View Results’ to check you have voted.

Voting closes Sunday 13th December at midnight GMT. Continue reading “Vote now: Hottest, Coolest WWII Gadgets!” →

When: Part 3 to the Ordo Lupus Series?

I have often been asked this and the answer is 5 November!

The Synchronicity Code cover
The Synchronicity Code cover

The Synchronicity Code – Part 3 in the Ordo Lupus is finally here!
It will be only $1.53 until 12 November, after which it will rise to the standard retail price which will be at least $4.99. You can already order copies.

The Synchronicity Code on Amazon: https://bit.ly/amsync

Description
An immortal Greek mercenary abandons his quest to meet Christ in Jerusalem so he can rescue a dying archaeologist.

The mercenary, Zosimyache, is a libertine vampire who travels through time, aloof from mankind. He is looking for absolution but things become more complicated when he finds out that the archaeologist is a werewolf.

With only three days to live, the werewolf persuades Zosimyache to help him rescue his lover, the beautiful but treacherous witch, Georgina, from Hell.

But Zosimyache will get a bigger surprise than he could ever have imagined in the struggle to save Georgina.

A cosmological thriller that will open your eyes and close the book on the Ex Secret Agent trilogy, but Zosimyache’s story will go on…

Grab your copy for only $1.53 today!

Do we have a future?

nuclear bomb mushroom cloudIf we don’t stop destroying the planet and making wars, we have no future.

Read my latest treatise on war, December Radio, when it is published by A-Argus in January 2015:

Based on real events.

February 1945: despite the Allies turning the tide of war, the Nazi’s are almost ready to test their ultimate weapon off the coast of America. A weapon which could win them the War.

Two Dutch brothers are thrown into a chaotic world of spies, traitors and scientists when Arnaud is incarcerated in a concentration camp as a dissident and forced to work on the secret weapon project. Their mother begs his older brother, Carl, to find him and bring him home.

A fascist who loves only smart clothes, jazz and women, Carl disowns his brother. But after witnessing a murder, he is forced to hold a mirror up to himself.

Arnaud is desperate to stop the project. But he is dying, hanging on, hoping his brother will come…

Bargain offers!
The third book in the Ordo Lupus series, The Synchronicity Code, is out on 5 November. To celebrate this the Halloween classic, Ordo Lupus and the Temple Gate – Second Edition (the on with the original Secret Codes), will be only 99 cents on 30 October.

And don’t forget that with the release of The Synchronicity Code, you will have all the clues you need to win the $500 Prize offered with the free book Vampire – Find my Grave.

First unprompted story written by computer?

An iPad
An iPad

This was created by an iPad

While on Holiday in Spain more than a year ago now, my partner’s iPad appended a story manuscript with this at the end of the file, gradually adding to it over a period of weeks:

Lopressor
Copyright © 2013 by my partner’s iPad (Serial Number on Enquiry)
All Rights Reserved

Hello again hello hello we’re just now hello hello hello how are you doing my dear Lopressor

I named it Lopressor for copyright reasons (I want to protect the iPad!).

Just look at this masterpiece of fiction, assuming it is fiction! Not only has it constructed a full sentence but it has created a name from nowhere. Lopressor is not a name used in the work of fiction in the rest of the file. This is a completely new name. Not only has the iPad created a story, but has invented a name. It’s also interesting that the name ‘Lopressor’ is almost an anagram of ‘Processor.’ Continue reading “First unprompted story written by computer?” →

Win! Who can equal Shakespeare in 21st C?

Lazlo Ferran Competition: Who might equal Shakespeare in the 21st Century?
Who might equal Shakespeare in the 21st Century?

Win ebook: Who might equal Shakespeare in the 21st century?

See further down for competition to win a free copy of my next eBook.

Here is the latest news…

Editing
I have just finished editing an illustrated novel for a very talented new writer. It’s very exciting work and I can’t wait to see the finished product but it is all top secret at the moment. I will announce the book here when it’s published.

New Novels
I have the basic framework for two scifi novels in my head and of course there is the second Wartime novel and the third installment of the Ordo Lupus series, both of which are with publishers and agents. I am hoping for to get signed but, if not, I will publish myself. If you want the very latest on release dates, competitions and free offers, sign up for the Newsletter. The next issue will go out in late September or early October. Continue reading “Win! Who can equal Shakespeare in 21st C?” →

Keeping up to date with Lazlo Ferran

Ordo Lupus and the Temple Gate - Extended Edition coverHi All
I wanted to let you know that I will only be posting every second Monday from now on. I have to focus very hard on my latest novel and the real world tends to intrude as well so I don’t have to much time.

If you really want exclusive inside information on what I am working on, what is coming up, competitions freebies AND THREE FREE THRILLERS, then you need to sign up for the Lazlo Newsletter.

You will always find a page with the link to the Newsletter in the menu at the top of all my blog pages.

North Korea – The Korean War

Kim Jong-un - Supreme Leader of North Korea
Kim Jong-un – Supreme Leader of North Korea

First of all, because this is a post which includes information about air warfare, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of victims from the terrible Shoreham Air Show crash on Saturday.

I am working hard on a new book. I don’t want to reveal the plot but I will give you a clue:

With all the tension between North Korea and South Korea at the moment, it’s sad for me to think that my father fought for the United Nations trying to push back the oppressive North Korean regime when it invaded the South in 1950. Lim Jong-un has taken over from his father now but sadly, the regime still starves its citizens and shakes its fist at other countries. Of course the conflict has a complex history and if you don’t know much about it, here is what wikipedia says about the Korean War: Continue reading “North Korea – The Korean War” →