Why am I doing this?

You know, blogging is a pain in the ass. It really is. It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's just that I started this blog to promote my book (soon to be "books") but I'm horrendous at promoting myself. Ironic actually, as I used to be the news promotions producer/editor at a local TV station until I was laid off in March (thanks, Ivan...you're doing a bang up job there). So, now I do contract work, leaving me some time to pursue the writing thing and to blog. It's a good thing, right?

So why can't I do this?

Blogs are as ubiquitous as atrocious drivers in Ottawa and they're all fighting for your precious time as you surf the Net. I've read a bunch. They mostly have headlines like "15 Tips Writers Must Know" or "How to Get an Agent" (I'm still waiting for the "Why artists comparing themselves to the Beatles have their heads up their ass" blog but since I haven't found it yet, so maybe I'll do that one myself.)

See, I don't have any tips to offer. I don't know how to get an agent. All I have is a book that I want you to read.

Maybe I'll let the readers speak for me -

An Intriguing Spin,

By	Toni Osborne ) (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

If you have a passion for stories about the lost treasure of the Cathars and love mysteries surrounding the Templars and you enjoy adventures linked to the Holy Grail and Church scandals, you will probably love this novel. With "The Judas Apocalypse" Mr McNeil puts an intriguing spin on these subjects.

Dr Gerhard Denninger an archaeologist is approached by the infamous Grail hunter Otto Rhan, with a fantastic story about a long buried manuscript, a key to finding the famous lost treasure of the Cathars and needs his help to find it. If this was the entire premise, it would have been an average mystery but Mr McNeil adds more intriguing elements to the story: it takes place in the 40's during WW11; Dr Denninger is working for the S.S. and a member of Himmler's Ahnenerbe (the heritage bureau). Helping Otto Rhan will put him in a delicate situation and in a dilemma with both Hitler and Himmler who had dedicated much money to find the Holy Grail and religious artifacts believing it would help them win the war.

After a short introduction you mistakenly think the story is going to be on the drab side but things start to go wild and take many twist and turns when Dr Denninger finds himself in the back alley of Carlotta's (a period club), from then on there is non stop action. The dialogs all through reflect the characters diversity as the story unfolds but I wonder if the language in the 40's was as colourfully spoken.....(Occasionally a little overdone on the raw side). Although the plots at times were far fetched and improbable (solders fighting amongst themselves while the enemy is in their proximity), just the same it made for a fantastic read.

I couldn't help imagining a Hollywood screen play with Harrison Ford as the lead character :).... Wishing Dr Denninger long life and hoping to see him in a sequel someday ... Congratulations Mr McNeil on a very entertaining first novel.

Canadian author's debut novel is - Fascinating, Compelling, Interesting, PAGE TURNER,

By	Selena Robins (Canada)

Dan McNeil's vivid description, compelling and lyrical prose will submerge you into a fascinating read with this page turning, fictional, and historical suspense. Emotional, charging and an excellent novel, which I highly recommend.


They do it so much better than I, don't they?