THE BROTHERS' KEEPERS by Matthew Peters

THE BROTHERS’ KEEPERS
by Matthew Peters

Most of us are familiar with Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, and Jesus’ purported spouse, Mary Magdalene. But what about Jesus’ siblings? What role did they play in early Christianity?

Contemporary Jesuit and renowned religious historian Nicholas Branson is about to find out…and the answer will shake the foundations of the Judeo-Christian world.

It all starts with the murder of a United States Senator in a confessional, and the discovery of a strange religious document among his possessions. At the urging of his FBI friend, Branson joins the investigation. His effort to uncover the truth behind the murder draws him into the search for an eight-hundred-year-old treasure and into a web of ecclesiastical and political intrigue.

Accompanied by a beautiful, sharp-tongued research librarian, Jessica Jones, Branson follows a trail of clues, from the peaks of the awe inspiring French Pyrenees to the caves of war-torn Afghanistan. Along the way, shadowy powerful forces trail the pair, determined to keep safe a secret buried for centuries.

EXCERPT
Father Rawlings drained his cup and set it on the table. “What I’m about to tell you may sound ridiculous and melodramatic. At best it will seem the stuff of conspiracy theories and spy novels. However, I assure you it is not.” He fixed Branson with a steely gaze. “As God’s soldiers, we are engaged in a battle, Nicholas. As real as any battle ever waged. The war we fight has raged for centuries, but the battle we fight now could well be the last. And we, you and I, the Roman Catholic Church as a whole, must emerge victorious. Nothing less than the foundations, the stability of the Christian world is at stake.” He smiled again, this time with bitterness.

“Of course it sounds unbelievable, even paranoid, but believe me, it is neither. I choose my words carefully. I don’t make bold assertions I cannot support. I assure you I am telling you exactly how things stand, exactly what is at stake. Before I go on, however, I must demand a pledge from you, your promise to help the Church in the epic struggle in which we currently find ourselves. We require your guarantee, your warrant if you will, that you will use all your energies, resources, and powers to secure the interests of the Church, and that you will let nothing deter you from the task at hand. With this binding agreement comes an inexhaustible supply of resources: anything and everything you deem necessary to accomplish your mission. But I must have your pledge before we proceed.” Rawlings rose from his seat, motioning for Branson to stand as well. “Before you give me your answer, listen again to Jesus’ words: ‘He who is not with me is against me.’ Nicholas Branson, tell me now: Are you with our Lord, or against Him?”

~Buy THE BROTHERS’ KEEPERS:

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-MuseItUp Publishing

AN INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW
-What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, and throughout my life, have been I’m good at it. However, it wasn’t until a decade ago that I truly discovered what writing and literature meant to me. I’d had an earlier experience, where the poetry of the Romantics, especially Shelley and Wordsworth, got me through a difficult period. But in 2005 things really bottomed out. An important relationship ended, and it was then that I turned to fiction for hope and inspiration. I truly submerged myself in great literature for the first time in my life, and it redeemed me. Ever since, my heroes and heroines have been writers. I consider myself with a tremendous debt to repay all those who’ve come before, and all those who may turn to literature in their darkest hour.

-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?

What an interesting question! I think I’d ask Jessica Jones, one of the protagonists in THE BROTHERS’ KEEPERS, for a date  But more importantly, I’d sit down with Nicholas Branson, the other protagonist, and have a serious discussion with him about the choice he makes at the end of the book. I can’t reveal that here, but let’s just say it helps propel us into the next historical thriller/mystery.

-Give us a fun or interesting fact you learned researching this book.

That Jesus had siblings, brothers, and perhaps even a sister. This may be well known to other people. But having been raised Catholic, there was very little discussion on the role James and other siblings may have played in early Christianity. Hence, the book.

-Which of your characters would you go out for pizza with?

I’d definitely go out for pizza with Nick and Jessica, my protagonists. I’d even like to get together with one of the main Cardinals in the book, Dottrina, though I’d make sure to watch my back if I did so.

-If you could go back in time and give your pre-published self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t query an agent or publisher until you have your absolute best work in hand. If you can afford to, hire a content editor and a copy editor to go through your manuscript prior to submitting. It can make all the difference in the world.

-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?

I’m game to try anything. Currently, I write literary and genre fiction, so I am willing to give just about any genre a shot. That having been said, I think it would be difficult for me to write erotica without sounding cliché. Come to think of it, I think it’s difficult for anyone to write erotica without sounding cliché. But Anais Nin comes to mind as a successful example.

ABOUT MATTHEW

Dual diagnosed* from an early age, Matthew Peters dropped out of high school at sixteen. He went on to obtain an A.A., a B.A. from Vassar College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University. He has taught various courses in a variety of disciplines throughout North Carolina. He is committed to increasing the awareness and understanding of the dual diagnosed. In addition to The Brothers’ Keepers, he is the author of Conversations Among Ruins, which features a dual diagnosed protagonist. Currently, he is working on a sequel to The Brothers’ Keepers.

*The term dual diagnosed refers to someone suffering from a mood disorder (e.g., depression) and chemical dependency.

Find him online:

-website
-blog
-Facebook
-Twitter @MatthewPeters65

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Comments

  1. Hi Mary,

    Thank you for hosting me!

    I look froward to hearing from your readers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Enjoyed your interview today...especially that line about watching your back while having pizza with Dottrina.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Karen,

      Thanks for stopping by!

      You know, it's a funny thing about Dottrina. I had a blast writing his character! I won't say anything specifically, to avoid spoilers, but, as I mentioned in the interview, I wouldn't want my back to the door of any room he entered. Nevertheless, I would love to sit down and talk with him.

      I hope you have a great weekend, Karen. Thanks so much for visiting me at each of the stops along the way!

      All the best,
      Matt

      Delete
  3. Interesting questions and answers. It's fun to think of characters as having lives outside of the book they are in with thoughts and dreams of their own.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for stopping by Ken and Anne!

    It is interesting to think of characters having lives outside of the book, isn't it? It makes them seem more real and adds an extra dimension to them.

    If ever I'm having difficulty trying to figure out a character, I think of one of the most helpful suggestions I've ever received. I try interviewing her/him, as if he/she were a real person. You take what you know about the character, and then answer the questions accordingly. It really seems to help.

    By the way, that was a terrific review of Praise Her, Praise Diana that you shared today.

    I'm looking very forward to reading it.

    All the best,
    Matt

    ReplyDelete
  5. These were interesting questions and answers. I smiled thinking about you having pizza with Dottrina, watching your back. Of course you mentioned pizza was your favorite food in another interview. I probably could have pizza with anyone also. I'd just make sure I sat in a booth with my back to the wall.

    Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for coming by, Susan.

    Yes, pizza with Dottrina. I think I'd be okay if I could see the pizza being made, and Dottrina always kept his hands where I could see them :-)

    Please let me know how your new mystery is coming along when you get the chance. I loved The Ginseng Conspiracy and I'm just about ready to start Murder Under the Tree. Kay Driscoll is such a great protagonist. I could definitely see myself having pizza with her and her friends. I was going to say that I wouldn't even mind having my back to the door, except trouble seems to follow those ladies. Hhmm...

    Thanks for the well wishes. I hope you and Bill have a great weekend, too.

    All the best,
    Matt

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have yet to read your novel, Matthew, but am looking forward to it! You gave some nice teasers in this interview. I also appreciated your insight into the Romantics and classic literature. I'll be anticipating more of your blog tour stops...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jenny,

      Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.

      I, too, look very forward to reading Save Me and to having you on my blog.

      Congratulations on landing a contract with a Big Five publisher! That is such great news.

      You are not just an excellent writer, but a decent person as well. What a great combination.

      I hope you enjoy The Brothers' Keepers.

      All the best,
      Matt

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