My novel Lightbearer launches from Bold Strokes Books on Monday, December 14. The story begins in Boston on the night Lucifer learns of a celibate religious group, the Wise Virgins, and of signs that the prophesied Apocalypse is imminent. Lucifer, seemingly retired from the business of seduction and devilry, reluctantly returns to the fray to currupt the Wise Virgins and avert destruction.

It's odd that you can trot out taboo material without probing too deeply--usually something satirical or just for shock value--and you can pitch it. But if you explore a taboo in a way that leaves people shaken or challenges a sacred myth, well then you may hear "Thank you for your interesting query but it isn't right for our list." Because that's really the taboo, not so much an action but the injury to some long held belief it represents. As satire the taboo becomes a punch-line, as sensation it becomes a curiosity--going there is the end point. It never gets to the heart of the matter. True taboo-breaking goes right to the spot that makes us squirm, sets up camp and starts digging there.

It has been a long path to publication. My editor, Jennifer Knight, is of the opinion that because of the controversial nature of the novel it was unlikely that a major publisher in the US would pick it up (maybe in Britain). Many thanks to kindred spirits like Jennifer and gutsy indy publishers like Len Barot at Bold Strokes Books.

To read my interview in the Bold Strokes Newsletter click on the link:

http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/Newsletter/BSBnewsletter-dec09%20final.pdf