My latest novel is generating quite a sensation both in literary circles and in the "Tarot" community. This was somewhat deliberate on my part. I've been a "Tarot journeyer" for 35 years, since I picked up my first deck, a Waite-Smith Pixie deck in 1972. The Tarot is, perhaps, the richest source of visual archetypes, and appeals to creative people, generally, although I was never sure if a mainstream novel would appeal to broad audiences if deliberately flouting its Tarot-roots. Films and Books review seems to put that doubt to rest: "The tarot-themed characters are inspired. An author to watch." Statistics were on my side as well: • 1.7 million tarot decks sold in the last year (Nielsen Bookscan stats) • 50 million (estimated) Tarot fans worldwide (Wise Tarot Magazine) My novel, The Last Troubadour is the first in a trilogy of historical epics focused on the founding of the Inquisition, a quest for a Holy Relic, the Cathar Crusades, and the history of the Tarot. Reviews have been stunning: "Brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways. A writer of abundant talent." Booklist, David Pit "Derek Armstrong is good." Michael Korda, editor in chief emeritus, Simon & Schuster Ultimately, I wrote The Last Troubadour out of my thirty-five year passion for all things Medieval, Cathars -- and the Tarot. The Last Troubadour is first and foremost an epic fiction adventure and the quest of the hero. "Kudos to Derek Armstrong ... this is a wonderful work of art, and I highly recommend it to all who are interested in the Tarot, in the history of the 13th century, and in a mystery that crosses many boundaries!" Bonnie Cehovet, Aeclectic Tarot Reviewer Although The Last Troubadour is certainly mainstream as an adventure — an epic story based on real history that reshaped our entire world in the Middle Ages — I'm focusing most of my "reach-out" to the Tarot Community. Although there have been books focused on tarot-themes, they've been sporadic and certainly not enough to fulfill my own "lust" for Tarot fiction. The sequels to The Last Troubadour — The Last Quest due out Fall 08 from Kunati and The Last Stand in 09 — will continue my Tarot themes. My new thriller, a sequel to the popular The Game — a satirical comedic thriller that "bashed reality TV" — has Bane partnered up with a new character who reads Tarot cards to help solve crimes, due out in March 08. The book, MADicine, should satisfy fans who crave more of the sarcastic and funny Alban Bane (modeled on my real-life Scot mother Anna Kane) with more Tarot adventuring. I suppose I've found my two niches: • "Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways." Booklist • "The Tarot-themed characters are inspired." Films and Books. I plan to continue my "tradition" of blending satire, comedy, adventure, suspense and Tarot in most of my future projects. In fact, Kunati Books plans to published a tie-in Troubadour Tarot Deck in 2008 to celebrate. It will be illustrated by famous illustrator Kam Wai Yu who designs all of Kunati's incredible book covers and has hundreds of International Creative Awards to his credit.