Hey everyone! I’m over the moon excited to have my friend, fellow author, and Story Empire compadre as a guest today. Staci and I go back a few years. We met online and quickly developed a friendship – one I’m eternally grateful for.
She has just released the fifth and final book of her Astral Conspiracy Series under the pen name, D L Cross. Believe me when I say she turned this gal into a sci-fi fan. Each book was a page-turner. Today, you’ll meet one of the main characters, Reverie Sterling.
Staci, take it away!
Ciao, Joan. I’m delighted to visit again today. And a happy morning to all your readers.
I’m here today to talk about my Astral Conspiracy series. It’s technically science fiction, as it’s part of the acclaimed Platt and Truant Invasion Universe, but my saga is as much thriller as it is sci-fi, so I thought I’d have a little fun with my marketing and include pages from the top-secret government files on my main characters.
Today, I’m sharing info on Reverie Sterling.
DOSSIER
Name:Â Reverie Sterling
Occupation:Â Second-in-Command in the Persica, Georgia branch of the alien resistance
Of Note: Former EOD expert, US Army; honorably discharged
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW BETWEEN AUTHOR (Staci Troilo a.k.a. D.L. Cross) AND CHARACTER (Reverie Sterling) ON ASTRAL DAY (the day the world is alerted to the approach of alien ships) via video conference. (Video is eyes-only, file #4041971-V, director’s approval required.)
Subject photo available, file #4041971-G
Staci:Â Hi, Rev. How you doing?
Reverie:Â Hey, Stace. Been too long. Wish we were chatting under better circumstances.
Staci: So, you think it’s bad, too, huh?
Reverie:Â Aliens are on their way to Earth. When has an invading army ever been a good thing?
Staci: Well, we don’t know they’re invading, per se. Just that they’re coming.
Reverie:Â (rolling her eyes) Since when are you glass-half-full? That used to be me.
Staci: That’s right. You used to be optimistic. But ever since you came back from—
Reverie: I’m not going to talk about that. I told you a thousand times, that topic is off limits. I’m home now. War stays in the war zone.
Staci: I’m just worried about you.
Reverie: (softly smiling) And I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. We’ve got a ton of provisions. Set up places to sleep, places to eat. Got a latrine, showers. A well-stocked armory. Well-effing-stocked. Anyone comes here for the wrong reasons—human or alien—we’ll be ready. Not that I expect anyone will be able to find us.
Staci: Good. That’s good. So, what’s the plan?
Reverie:Â Boss has us searching for stragglers. Bringing in anyone who needs a place to go before things get FUBAR.
Staci: There’s no guarantee things will get that bad.
Reverie: More like there’s no guarantee they won’t. Not much standing between us and what’s coming. And who knows what’s on their tail? I know we’re set for whatever comes. Are you?
Staci: I’ve got some protein powder and some bottled water.
Reverie: That’ll last a week, tops. Why don’t you get your butt down here? I’ll save you the quarters next to mine. You can earn your keep by teaching the kids grammar or something.
Staci: You’ve got kids there?
Reverie: People in such close quarters, it’s only a matter of time. Until then, you can cook. You still make Easter pizza?
Staci: At Easter. And very few of the ingredients are nonperishable, so I couldn’t make it for you, anyway.
Reverie: Well, I know you’ll whip up something wonderful with what we’ve got.
Staci: I can’t leave my family, Rev.
Reverie: Well, there’s always a spot if you need it. If you can reach me. God only knows how long we’ll have phone and Internet serv— (call drops)
Reverie makes her debut in the Astral Conspiracy series in book two, The Stones. You can read a brief synopsis of all five books below, and each one has links to its product page and a purchase link.
The Gate: When the hypotheses of disgraced ancient alien theorist Landon Thorne prove to be true, he travels across the globe in search of a way to communicate with—and perhaps stop—the approaching alien armada. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Stones: The invasion couldn’t be prevented, but there is a chance the Astrals can be driven away… if Landon Thorne can reach the Georgia Guidestones, unearth its secrets, and decode the mystery before the aliens stop him. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Nine: Landon Thorne and his team of resistance fighters seek a cipher to decode the message accompanying a cache of alien artifacts they’ve unearthed, but the government, a clandestine cabal, and the Astrals themselves stand in their way and might not only put an end to their plans—they might put an end to their lives. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Twins: When all factions converge for a human-versus-alien showdown, resistance fighter Reverie Sterling gets help from the least likely source. But even then, it may be too late for everyone she loves to make it out alive. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
The Lab: In the final showdown between Earthlings and Astrals, twins Asha and Vonn insist their long-lost grandfather has a plan to save humanity. It’s a long-shot, but the resistance takes it—and no one is prepared for the consequences. Full Blurb | Purchase Link
About Staci Troilo/D.L. Cross
D.L. Cross has loved science fiction ever since she was a young girl and fell for Major Don West on television’s Lost in Space. To this day, she still quotes the show, though her favorite lines were spoken by the robot and the antagonist. Parallel universes or alternate realities, aliens or dinosaurs, superpowers or super viruses, time travel or AI… no sci-fi theme is off limits and all of them fascinate her. D.L. Cross also writes other genre fiction under the name Staci Troilo, and you can find more information about all her identities and all her work at her website: https://stacitroilo.com.
Connect online:
Website | Blog | Troilo Amazon | Cross Amazon Troilo BookBub | Cross BookBub | Troilo Goodreads | Cross Goodreads Social Media
I just want to end with another quick thanks for you hosting me today. And a thanks to all of you who are visiting. This post was as fun to write as the stories were, and I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Grazie!
43 Responses
So grateful to you for hosting me today, Joan. It’s always fun to be here. Thanks so much!
It’s always a pleasure to have you. Loved this series! Probably the only sci-fi books I’ve read cover to cover. 🙂
Great interview. I really felt for Reverie in the books. I’ve just finished reading book 5, and I absolutely adored this series! 🙂
I liked her, too. She tried to be so tough on the outside, but she was so broken on the inside. I really did feel for her.
I can’t believe how fast you blazed through the series. But I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks, Harmony.
Reverie was a favorite character. I did feel for her. And I agree, this was a fabulous series!
Thank you, Joan, for hosting Staci today. What a great interview and lovely venue! My kindle packs the entire series and I’m looking forward to the journey through the Astral Conspiracy series. 😊
I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Gwen.
Thanks for stopping by, Gwen. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did.
I’m slower than everyone else it seems, but I’ve met Reverie and really liked her character.
Her last name came from one of my favorite people. 😉
Thanks for the kind words.
That’s what I heard. It’s a good name for a good character.
I also liked Reverie.
I’m really liking Reverie – look forward to meeting her. And I also want to know what Easter pizza is.
It’s an Italian tradition we make every year. The dough is kind of sweet and has a lot of eggs in it. (Also makes delicious bread.) The filling has hearty chunks of ham, pepperoni, red pepper capicola, genoa salami, my family put in black pepper capicola but I omit it and use soprasata instead, hard boiled eggs, mozzarella, and ricotta. I say “filling” instead of “topping” because it’s a stuffed pizza (top and bottom crust). Put an egg wash on it before you bake it. It’s kind of pricy and very decadent, so it’s a nice treat coming off the sacrificial season of Lent, but you wouldn’t want it all the time. Well, my son might. But it’s really a once-a-year thing. (Though I admit we usually make extra, freeze some, and take them out in the summer when we really don’t want to cook.)
Thanks for liking Reverie. She’s one of my favorites, too.
Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my mouth. That sounds absolutely wonderful!
Now I’m wanting some Easter pizza! Thank for stopping by, Teri.
Another great character interview. Reverie was a complex character and one of my favorites in this series. I think this whole promo tour is so clever and I hope it brings a ton of readers to this well deserving series. I finished book 5 days ago and the characters are still swirling around inside my head.
Great to see two of my favorite ladies together today. Wishing you all the best, Staci, and many thanks for hosting, Joan!
It’s not often books and characters linger with a reader. Especially with someone who reads as much as you do. That really means a lot to me. Thank you, Mae.
I love the concept behind the guest post.
Thanks for visiting today, Mae. We both share a fondness for Reverie.
These interviews are just such a clever idea, Staci. I’ve enjoyed every one of them. And I’m almost finished with my re-read of The Gate, and eager to start on the second in the series. It’s just as good as I remembered, with some conniving characters I really don’t like and some very nice ones I do. I’m going to try to review these as I read each one so I don’t get too far behind on them. So far, an easy 5 stars on this one, for sure. 🙂
I hope it only gets better from here, Marcia. Many thanks.
The interviews are a cool idea. I’m confident you’ll love the rest of the series.
I suspect you’re right, Joan. So far, so good, for sure. 😀
Reverie is awesome! She doesn’t take no bull from anyone, yet she has a soft side that rears up in unexpected moments. Great interview- I want pizza now! lol
Easter pizza does sound good.
Reverie is one of my favorites. It’s that gooey center under the tough shell that gets me every time.
Thanks, Jacquie.
Yes, I’m wanting pizza as well!
This interview read like two old friends talking. Oh wait, it is two old friends talking. 🙂 Reverie knows you well, Staci. Great interview!! Thanks for hosting, Joan!
She and I are pretty close. I think of all the characters in this series, I know her best. Thanks for noticing, Jan.
Reverie was a favorite. Yes, I think she and Staci are good friends. Thanks for stopping by today, Jan.
And I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.
Famous last words! LOL I am loving this tour, Staci.
Hi, Joan!
Famous last words, indeed 😊
Hello to you, Sue, and thanks for visiting.
She’s very much like me in a lot of ways. I didn’t realize how much of me I wrote into her until I started seeing quotes of hers popping up here and there. She’s… feisty.
Yep. Famous last words. Thanks, Sue.
She’s a favorite character of mine, especially now in The Lab:) Great interview.
Thanks, Denise. She’s one of my favorites, too. She was the second character I conceived of, and I just clicked with her. I “get” her on a very deep level.
I liked Reverie. Strong but had some insecurities. Thanks for stopping by, Denise.
A great interview of Staci and Reverie. What a clever idea to introduce the characters! Thank you for hosting, Joan!
Thanks, Miriam. Glad you liked it.
My pleasure, Staci!
It is a clever idea. Having read the books, I can say these interviews are spot on! Thanks for visiting, Miriam.
Oh, I love the interview even more. It let me take a peek at the characters. Thanks, Joan.
I loved the character interview, Staci. Best wishes. Thanks for hosting, Joan
Thanks, John.
Thanks for stopping by, John.