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"Trails of Injustice" is HERE.

Posted by sdesapio 8 years, 10 months ago to Books
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Have you devoured the Ayn Rand library? Do you find yourself in search of books with similar themes that incorporate Objectivist principles?

Look no further.

Introducing readers to modern day vigilante Hank Rangar, the series kicked off back in November of 2013 with the very well received “Pendulum of Justice” earning an Amazon rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars ( http://amzn.to/1FAn3qZ ).

We’re very proud to announce that the DK Halling writing duo, Gulchers Dale Halling (dbhalling) and Kaila Halling (khalling), have just released their highly anticipated second book in the Hank Rangar series: "Trails of Injustice" ( http://amzn.to/1Pz4M3G ).

BUY THE BOOKS NOW:
Pendulum of Justice: http://amzn.to/1FAn3qZ
Trails of Injustice: http://amzn.to/1Pz4M3G

We recently sat down with the husband and wife team for an exclusive Galt’s Gulch interview...

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SERIES OVERVIEW

Q: Can you provide a brief (140 character) summary of Pendulum of Justice?
A: How far will Big Washington go to bury life saving technology? One man is about to find out.

Q: Can you provide a brief (140 character) summary of Trails of Injustice?
A: Hank Rangar is righting the wrongs of a government that thinks it's above the law. Think ATF Fast and Furious on steroids.

Q: Are there going to be other books in the Hank Rangar series? How many?
A: Yes. We are working currently on a prequel-Hank as a cyber warrior for the military.

The 3rd book in the series we have also just started writing which will center around the EPA's land grab strategies. As usual, there will always be cool tech and inventions, good food and smart, beautiful women.

We have ideas for a couple more and plan to have at least 7 in the series.


A DEEPER DIVE

Q: How did you come up with idea for the Hank Rangar series?
A: We started to draw up plans for more of an epic-but as we got going, the allure of a James Bond, Robin Hood, Zorro type episode series just appealed too strongly. This allows us to take on a lot of different situations and concepts. It's also consistent with the idea that freedom is never a one time battle. We knew we wanted a moral vigilante for readers to escape through, who are frustrated with government tyranny.

Q: Tell us about Hank Rangar - is he, as his name implies, a blend of Hank Rearden and Ragnar Danneskjold?
A: There is almost no Hank Rearden in Hank Rangar. There is Ragnar, because his goals are similar to the "real" Robin Hood of legend. We have often lamented that we know relatively little about Ragnar and his motives. I think Rand wrote some scenes about Ragnar's adventures which were cut. We mused about what would compel a person to become a vigilante like that.


AYN RAND & OTHER INFLUENCES

Q: How big of a role does Ayn Rand’s work and Objectivism play in your writing?
A: We are trying to show the application of Objectivism to real life situations occurring in the US and the world today. We do not try to flush out the philosophy in the book; in fact, Rand and Objectivism will never come into the story directly. Interestingly, many Objectivists who have read our work, find Hank's vigilante side a conflict. We set out to show that Ragnar was consistent with his philosophy. Actions have consequences.

Q: Like Atlas Shrugged, is your book meant to serve as a warning, or is it already “now, non-fiction”?
A: Our books are a "now-non-fiction!" That's a wake up call.

Q: Other than Ayn Rand, what other writers, philosophers, political figures, etc. influenced your work?
A: Too many to mention them all. Let's go with Creighton, Clancy, Fleming, among many others for this work. My former professor, author of "First Blood" (the Rambo series), David Morrell.

Philosophers? Locke plays a large role, Aristotle, we mention Francis Bacon in Trails of Injustice. All of the Enlightenment philosophers play some role in our work.

Our work is not shaped by any political figures-rather a career of working with inventors. These inventors are heroes and we demonstrate this in our books.


WRITING PROCESS

Q: What’s the process for writing together as a team (e.g. How do you collaborate, what are some of the challenges, what are some of the benefits)?
A: Db always says "We wrote this book together and are still married."

We map out a structure and major plot points and chooses scenes that we are inspired to want to write. If you think about screenwriting, often it is collaborative and this is no different. We review each other's stuff and continue to always add tension to the plot and detail to our characters.

An ongoing challenge is that we may not agree on the exact direction (in fact we are arguing over how to best answer these questions :)). There ultimately is compromise.

But the benefits include, bringing together our different skill strengths and bouncing ideas off one another, keeps writer's block away.

Q: Any advice for aspiring writers?
A: Attending writer's conferences, being part of a writer's group, reading books on writing by authors are all great ways to get inspired and get started.

As well, for the first book we actually got a software program to help us with developing characters and plots. We haven't used it since, but I think that program was key in getting us to first base. The hero's journey is essential to understanding the development of our main characters.

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Own the Hank Rangar series now:

Pendulum of Justice: http://amzn.to/1FAn3qZ
Trails of Injustice: http://amzn.to/1Pz4M3G

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Get your official DK Halling Gear: http://www.zazzle.com/hank_rangar_pendul...

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From Kaila and Dale...

SPECIAL THANKS TO Galt’s Gulch Producer minnipuck who served as the developmental editor on Trails of Injustice. It was great collaborative effort of like minds!

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    Posted by $ minniepuck 8 years, 10 months ago
    I'm in love with the series. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. You are both amazing people and storytellers. Now I'm just waiting for the novels to be made into movies!
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    • Posted by khalling 8 years, 10 months ago
      What a sincere pleasure to have met you and been able to exchange some professional value. What a great community of individuals we have in the Gulch. Such varied backgrounds we have and expertise. secret: I always check into the Gulch with the first sip of coffee in the morning-that's right-quick work email check and then checkin in with the Gulch. You all knew it, anyway :)
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 8 years, 10 months ago
    Bravo! I love Hank. He doesn't tolerate evil and he doesn't compromise his principles and he lets people reap the consequences of their actions.

    I loved sitting at his sand bar too. It has a great view and the very best of company.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years, 10 months ago
    Vigilanteism is not that hard to understand. Mix someone righteously indignant who sees obvious injustices like most Gulchers with someone who lacks the patience of a Galt, and it is not at all hard to see how one can turn into a vigilante. The temptation toward vigilanteism is great for some of us (including me), but I know that I would never get away with it like Ragnar was somehow able to do. Congratulations on the new book. I am taking a five minute break from writing myself right now.
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  • Posted by khalling 8 years, 10 months ago
    Thanks Gulchers! We are pleased to share the most recent Amazon rankings for Pendulum of Justice-

    #26 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Medical
    #29 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Medical
    #29 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime > Vigilante Justice

    Great way to wake up this morning!
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  • Posted by xthinker88 8 years, 10 months ago
    5.0 out of 5 stars awesome read! ripped from the headlines!, May 20, 2015
    By Mark Steele

    Verified Purchase(What's this?)
    This review is from: Trails of Injustice (Hank Rangar Thriller Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
    The scenario played out in this book is fiction. But, unfortunately, given the recent revelations about fast and furious and other law enforcement overreach, it could just as well be fact. Except here, the good guys win (oops, spoiler). In real life the good guys only win if they join the fight.
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