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In conversation With Bestselling Author Lloyd Pilling Tosoff

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Lloyd Pilling Tosoff books have been a huge hit with readers setting off shockwaves on social media streams, which is not surprise since each and every one is a phenomenal work of literary art. “Children of Pleiades, Rise of the Henge” is a must read this season, and we believe it will hit the bestseller list very soon given the level of excitement it continues to generate.

“Children of Pleiades, Rise of the Henge” is the first book in this two book series, taking readers deep into a fascinating world, one where the children of a sacred bloodline are haunted by a murder perpetrated by an ancestor. The struggle between good and evil plays a very real role in this epic story, which is very much a human drama but it is also teeming with superstition and folklore, including an otherworld of pixies, faeries, angels, and legends of visitations from star men.

Pilling Tosoff takes readers on an epic journey, and recently we caught up with him to learn more about this talented writer, his work and when his next book is coming out.

“Children of Pleiades, Rise of the Henge” is a two-part series, which is quite brilliant, what was it like for you to write a series? What was your biggest challenge, and conversely what was the most fun aspect for you? 

The truth is, it was not intended to be a series. The project started to take shape in 2012 as a historical fiction novel influenced by my writing hero, Ken Follett. After writing several highly descriptive passages such as the following: “Blue shadows cast by trees that lined the beaten dirt path kept a chill in the early morning air as the foliage on low hanging branches lit up golden from the first rays of the rising sun that spilled onto the forest floor. The reddish tint of the treefall carpeted the ground between massive trunks of ancient oak trees and filled his nostrils with a pleasing musty smell. Tiny bluebells perfumed the air with a delicate fragrance, hanging their curved tepals as if bowing in reverence to the sun. The glory of the morning made Gwain’s heart soar with the joy of being alive.” I soon realized that there is only one Ken Follett, and I was going down a rabbit hole that would lead to nowhere. I retained the idea of an ancient historical theme but decided to make it a human story of murder, lust, jealousy, envy, and the gamut of earthly emotions set against the background of superstition, folklore and legend that stirred the hearts of the people of Briton at the time. Over a period of several years, while writing a few other novels, the project became very lengthy, so I decided to cut it in half and make it a two-novel series. The biggest challenge was researching the history of henges, belief in an Otherworld, religious practices of the day, and ensuring the historical aspects of the story were accurate. I am not sure I would label the writing process as “fun” and would rather say I love to write because I know how to get inside the heads and hearts of my characters.

You have written eight epic books, which have caused a stir in the literary world. I know this is a bit like asking you which of your children you love the most, but I am going to ask anyway – do you have a favorite book you have written? And why is it your favorite? 

“Escape from Konigsberg” received a flattering Kirkus review and wonderful response from my readers. Based on a true story, it follows a young Prussian boy, Walter Heinrich as he watches his beloved home of Königsberg, East Prussia fall into communist hands during the last days of WWII. Faced with unspeakable tragedy, the scholarly 16-year-old bravely escapes, along with his two young sisters on what may have been the last coal train to Berlin where Walter begins a quest that changes his life forever.  A coming-of-age war novel that touches the heart and evokes deeply felt emotion tells of the terrible atrocities that befell the German people in the wake of a brutal war. Kirkus described it as a realistic rendering of a horrific period in German history, and “beautifully depicted” in its portrayal of a romantic affair in the midst of the destruction of the 700-hundred-year-old mediaeval city at the hands of the Red Army and the Allied bombing campaign. It is my favorite novel because of its real-life depth, in a story of love, loss, and hope.

Covid has been challenging for most people, what has it been like for you to keep your creativity flowing during this time?

My wife/editor and I live on a secluded acreage in the heart of the west coast Canadian rain forest. I am a lone wolf for the most part, so the lack of social contact during this pandemic has not been particularly mind altering as I have spent the last decade producing a large body of artistic work. I would say that I have not been affected artistically by Covid 19. We miss our children and other family members but hopefully things will begin to normalize as the pandemic is mitigated by the soon to be available vaccines.

You are both an author and a songwriter, telling stories in different ways. What inspired you to start writing books, and do these two modalities have things in common that you find compelling?

In short, they both use words. As a writer, musician, and painter, however, I can tell you that all art forms are inspired and emerge from the same creative place. My daughter Amanda is a prominent jazz composer and recording artist and we often talk about the creative process as the expression of artistic language. As a writer I love words, but I also recognize that at a prima facie level, they are at best symbols somewhat removed from the primal level of subtext and emotion. The language of all art forms can be simply stated in my view as the persuasive and articulate use of light, space, form, color, movement, and sound. Words, whether in a song or in a novel, must connect the reader or listener to an emotional experience through the use of the aforementioned aspects that are at the ground of all artistic expression.  

I am now a huge fan of your work. Is there another book in the works?

Part two of the Children of Pleiades series, “The Curse of Nordumaal” will follow “Rise of the Henge”, likely in June of 2021. After that, I have a Canadian Crime Thriller, “Black Diamond Conspiracy”.  Thirty-one-year-old former airline baggage handler, Jason Black miraculously survives the crash of his light aircraft near the town of Canmore in the Canadian Rockies. After lifesaving brain surgery, he awakens from a coma with no memory of who he was before the crash. Black is helped to uncover his past by the young woman who discovers the severely injured pilot as he lay slumped over the controls of his downed plane. The recollection casts a shadow over his second chance at life when he finds out that he was involved in a diamond smuggling ring. Forced into finding diamonds missing from the crash site, he faces the wrath of the mob boss and pursuit by a rogue cop for a double murder he did not commit.

You can find out more about Lloyd Pilling Tosoff and his work on his website. https://lloydtosoff.com

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Lifestyle

Gutiérrez F Studio Masters the Art of Unforgettable Events

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Photo Credit: Gutiérrez F Studio

Byline: Katreen David

Every great love story deserves a walk down the aisle straight out of a fairytale. From the conceptualization to the perfect centerpiece, boutique event planning companies like Gutiérrez F Studio can puzzle the details together to craft an event that tells the bride and groom’s story. 

Today, where wedding ideas are beautiful yet veer toward feeling recycled, Gutiérrez F Studio imparts a sense of uniqueness, identity, and human connection to every event it brings to life. 

“Everyone has access to the same Pinterest boards, but our mission is to create events that are truly unique. We aim to make every detail tell a part of our clients’ stories,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez, the founder and lead creative of Gutiérrez F Studio.

Knot Your Average I Do: Crafting Experiences

From the very first consultation, it is clear that the Mexico-based event studio is anything but run-of-the-mill. Each project is a culmination of a deeply personal journey, guided by a commitment to crafting experiences that are both visually elegant and emotionally reverberant.

At Gutiérrez F Studio, the magic of a well-crafted event is not just about grand visuals; it is about creating experiences that age gracefully into core memories over time. 

The nuptials designed by Gutiérrez F Studio are out to resonate deeply with the people they celebrate. As a full-service event design and production studio, Gutiérrez F Studio specializes in transforming visions into reality through custom architectural design and art. It comprises a team of warm, reliable, and innovative creatives.

What truly speaks volumes about its signature brand is the dedication to delivering seamless, end-to-end service that covers every aspect of the event. The team meticulously plans and manages every detail, collaborating exclusively with top-tier suppliers for quality that is second to none. This encompasses aspects that engage all the senses, such as top-tier audiovisual elements and menus curated by world-renowned chefs. 

The studio has put its name on the map as a master of storytelling, a notion that is evident in even the minutest of details. “We don’t just follow trends. Instead, we create atmospheres that blend romance, elegance, and innovation, tailored to reflect each couple’s unique love story,” notes Fernando Gutiérrez. “Our aesthetic is concept-driven, meaning every event we design is a one-of-a-kind narrative brought to life in creatively curated spaces.”

From 2017 to Forever

Over the next 12 months, Gutiérrez and his team will actively explore opportunities to expand their target locations, aiming to bring their bespoke event design and production services to new international markets. So far, they have been the go-to brand across Mexico and Europe.

Since its founding in 2017, Fernando Gutiérrez’s company has completed over 320 projects, earning clients’ trust locally and globally. From the beaches of Mexico to its rapid expansion into the scapes of Spain and Italy, Gutiérrez F Studio has been rendering exceptional events worldwide, proving that the celebration of love is a universal language. 

“Whether we’re planning events in Mexico or across the ocean, we hope to create moments that our clients will look back on fondly,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez. 

For every bride and groom that the team works with, Gutiérrez F Studio promises that each walk down the aisle is the start of a new fairytale that is entirely their own.

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