Character spotlight ~ Eric Wilson's Cal Nichols

Today the spotlight shines on..............................Cal Nichols




















When I asked novelist Eric Wilson to share about his character, Cal Nichols, Cal himself decided to visit! Can't get better than the character himself sharing about his own life :) Be sure to read Cal's story in Eric's Field of Blood and the just released, Haunt of Jackals.

Thanks Cal (& Eric!):~

Brief physical description

Cal Nichols...Being one of those raised from the grave when the Nazarene died and was resurrected (Mt. 27:50-53), I am immortal. I've changed looks to hide this fact, but I'm tall, broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped, with tan skin and green eyes that sparkle with flecks of gold. My hair is dark brown, but I often wear it dyed a golden-wheat color.

Actor/famous person

Once, while sporting a beard, I was told I looked like Richard the Lionhearted. Of course, that was hundreds of years ago and you wouldn't know what he looked like, would you? I guess a more modern example would be a young Viggo Mortensen (but I do have a penchant for all things Lord of the Rings, so don't quote me on it).

Strengths and weaknesses

I have deep empathy for mankind, but my own desire for companionship led me into a one-night-stand with a mortal woman. We had a daughter named Gina Lazarescu, a half-immortal. I'm still wrestling with my human guilt, trying to understand forgiveness and the grace that has passed on to my daughter.

Quirk (if any)

In my attempts to stay up with modern culture, I tend to butcher slang phrases. For example, I might mix "walking a tight rope" and "follow the narrow road" and say: "You're walking a tight road."

Your inspiration for the character

I suppose my author, that Eric guy, was inspired by the scriptural saints raised from the tombs, as much as by his own desire to someday walk through walls and live in a glorified body. Who doesn't want that? One day we'll all be together with the Nazarene!

Background to the story

You've read my background in the earlier questions. I'm immortal. My daughter's half-immortal. I've grieved the Nazarene by my moral failure, and yet I'm standing strong, raising up Those Who Resist and training the youth to fight the Master Collector and his minions who want to add us to their Collection of Souls. Too bad for them.

We have the power of the Nazarene Blood flowing through our veins!

Thanks for stopping by Cal ~ we appreciate it greatly :)


This weekend, I have two special spotlights and a fabulous giveaway from Robert Liparulo and his characters Xander & Toria. So stay tuned to celebrate the release of the next Dreamhouse Kings story, Timescape!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Field of Blood

Character spotlight on Gina Lazarescu

Visit Eric's website

Buy Eric's books at Amazon or Koorong

Teaser for Eric Wilson's Haunt of Jackals

Love Eric's work ~ here's what's coming up next!

Read my review of Field of Blood here.

Character Spotlight ~ Eric Wilson's Gina Lazarescu

Today the spotlight shines on..................................................Gina Lazarescu


Eric Wilson's interest in writing began as a young boy and his love of different cultures and fascination with Eastern Europe established as he travelled there with his then missionary parents to distribute Bibles.

No doubt Eric has many stories to tell from his subsequent trips to Europe and China as an adult, though maybe none more intriguing and God inspired than the story detailed in his Author's Note at the start of Field of Blood! It is worth buying the book just for that....so out you go and get it!

Here's Eric's take on his main character from Field of Blood ~ Gina Lazarescu.


Brief physical description of your main character

In the Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy, Gina Lazarescu is the central character, starting with book one, Field of Blood. She is a Romanian Jewish girl, with bronze skin, dark unruly hair, and deep-brown eyes. She also has scars on her neck and arms. These are the results of an ultra-religious mother who believes she can bleed her daughter's sins away through cutting. Gina knows no differently, and accepts this stoically, yet with the sense that something is not right. She wants to turn away to the beliefs--or lack thereof--of her atheistic friends, but she can't escape the spark of faith that still resides in her heart.

Gina's pic is on the cover of the book. She wears a pair of ruby-orb earrings that actually contain drops of the Nazarene Blood. It will be her choice, though, to decide whether or not to ever partake of that Blood.

Strengths and weaknesses

Gina is a survivor. She likes the feeling of hard work and accomplishment. She wants most of all to reach out to the orphans of her country, giving to them the proper love she knows intuitively she has lacked. As she gets older, she begins to rebel against her mother's superstitions, and in so doing she also pushes away the love of those closest to her, especially when tragedy strikes.

Quirk (if any)

When Gina is annoyed, she counts teeth with her tongue and tries to think of one good deed or thought to counter her annoyance.

Your inspiration for the character

I wanted mainly to portray a character caught in the web of religious fanaticism, trying to escape without totally abandoning the truth hidden beneath all the lies.

Background to the story

Gina's story starts at age 12 in a village of Romania, right before the fall of communism. She ends up on the run, with her mother, and finds out secrets about her heritage that go back 2000 years to the time of Christ. Her ability to survive the threats of undead enemies will depend upon her willingness to embrace the truth of the One who conquered Death.


Thanks Eric for this insight into Gina ~ any time you want to expand on Cal Nichols, let me know :)

On Monday, I'll be offering a fascinating look at Siri Mitchell's latest characters Marget and Lytham, from her Elizabethan novel, A Constant Heart.

Don't miss it!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Field of Blood

Visit Eric's website

Buy Eric's books at Amazon or Koorong

Field of Blood by Eric Wilson

From a tortured childhood in Romania to a confusing and meandering existence in America, Gina Lazarescu has a feeling life isn't quite as it seems. Yet her imagination would never have taken her down the path reality leads her on as she struggles to understand her mother's ritualistic torment and discover the meaning of the mark on her forehead no one else sees.

Released from their bondage under the piece of earth known as The Akeldama, the place where Judas Iscariot's body hung and bled out, the Collectors or undead stalk their human prey.

They are out for blood.

They are out for Gina.

The battle for the human heart and mind is portrayed with chilling reality in Eric Wilson's latest novel, Field of Blood. Written with a rare level of intensity and keen discernment, Gina's journey is fraught with heartache, loss and turmoil, a true reflection of our own lives as we straddle the fine line between tumbling towards evil and striving for the light.

The layers in this story are numerous and sometimes a little overwhelming but there is a sense it is intentional and the following books, Haunt of Jackals and Valley of Bones, will lay it all bare. As one would expect with a story of vampires, gruesomeness is required yet Eric never oversteps the mark. That being said it won't be a book I share with my grandmother! Eric combines traditional folklore with Biblical wisdom in a unique and challenging way and will thrill those who love a stimulating story with substance and an edge. Field of Blood confirms Eric's place as a masterful storyteller and though I hesitate to use the word in the context of this book, will garner himself a legion of devoted readers!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Eric's website

Buy Field of Blood at Amazon or Koorong

Check back on Thursday for my Character Spotlight on Gina and soon, my interview with Eric.

The Christian Manifesto's Field of Blood Giveaway

I have just received my copy of Eric Wilson's Field of Blood and it is definitely calling to me from my TBR pile ~ LOL!

Check back soon for my review and interview with Eric but in the meantime you have the chance to win one of 20 free, autographed copies of Field of Blood at The Christian Manifesto blog.

All you have to do is click here to visit the blog and enter.

Hope you win!

Official trailer for Eric Wilson's Field of Blood

Coming in October, 2008 from Thomas Nelson is the first in Eric Wilson's epic Jerusalem Undead Trilogy, Field of Blood.

The trailer and book will appeal to many of you, especially Davo!

Field of Blood Book Trailer

I am really looking forward to reading Eric Wilson's newest series, commencing with Field of Blood which I previewed here. It releases from Thomas Nelson in October, 2008. I'll be sure to review it :)

Check out the trailer and a message from Eric and be sure to show the men in your life too!

Relz Reviewz Extras:~

Visit Eric's website

Check out the Undead Trilogy website

Buy Eric's books (there's lots of them to read while waiting for Field of Blood!) at Amazon or Koorong (Aust)