Invasion Universe – Joan Hall

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: Reverie Sterling

Occupation: 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: Hi, Rev. How you doing?

Reverie: Hey, Stace. Been too long. Wish we were chatting under better circumstances.

Staci: So, you think it’s bad, too, huh?

Reverie: 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: (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: 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:

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!

Hey, everyone. I’m super excited today to share my review of the latest book in the Astral Conspiracy series by D. L. Cross.

I’m not a big science fiction fan, but this author has changed my mind!

Blurb:

He’s running from Astrals. Running with Black Ops. And running toward the end of the world.

Landon Thorne belongs to an elite group: he’s one of the few people who have ever accessed the Akashic Record. He discovers a weapon that could defend the Earth.

The Astrals want to stop him. The government wants to control him. Even his allies are hiding something.

Through it all, he has one purpose. One compulsion. He’s drawn to the Georgia Guidestones.

His journey is fraught with danger – bandits, cannibals, and ancient booby traps — but when Landon finally reaches the Stones, even he is surprised by what he finds. If he can decipher the code, he can save the world.

If he can’t? His discovery may destroy him – along with the rest of the human race.

The Stones is a taut, fast-paced Indiana Jones meets Falling Skies style thriller that spans the globe and digs deep into humanity’s past, unearthing mysterious artifacts and clues to aliens’ motives for invading our world. It is the second book in the Astral Conspiracy Series, set in the world of Platt and Truant’s groundbreaking Invasion Universe – the original series with over 1000 5-star reviews.

D.L. Cross has a flair for high-stakes, heart-pounding thrillers that will keep you up late into the night.

My Review:

D L Cross has another winner on her hand with The Stones, the second book of her Astral Conspiracy series. The story picks up where The Gate left off.

Landon Thorne discovers a new weapon that could defend the world but several groups want to stop him. The government, rogue agents, aliens. He embarks on a journey to the Georgia Guidestones where he finds what could be the key to survival.

The action is fast-paced. Every chapter is a cliffhanger that keeps you wanting to know more.

The characters are three dimensional—from a power-hungry AATIP agent to a priest who believes he’s been placed on earth to save people from the end times. Not to mention the bazaar aliens.

Cross has a unique way of bringing depth to the characters in what is usually a plot-driven genre.

I highly recommend this book and yes, I’m already reading the third of the series, The Nine.

Five stars for this one!

Amazon Link