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So, you've made it this far, have you? It takes dedication to find this page hidden deep within the Tagonist Knights Website.

Congratulations! 

As a reward, I present to you five new ways to immerse yourself within this novel. Some of it is insightful, other aspects of it is meant to make you laugh and smile. Hopefully, by the time you're done, you'll be eager to explore the book if you haven't already, or take a moment to read through it once again knowing what you do now.

“What we create. What we bring into this world. The lives we have experienced. All of which may provide a light in a dark world to guide others towards achieving their dreams.” - Artemis

Say Hello - The Cast of Twin Flame

“When I hear music, I sometimes feel her there with me. It is her song that I yearn to hear.”

Belinti

Dancer

“Sometimes how we connect with someone else can’t be put into words, it is an experience that only the soul can feel.”

Tammy

Flautist

“The only way I will ever emerge from the darkness is to expose my light to the world, and not let it be hidden any longer by a cloak of shadows.”

Artemis

Singer

“Being alone doesn’t mean you’re not loved.”

Nashota

Violinist

“Sometimes what makes us unique isn’t easy to see on the surface. We must hide it from the world and in turn, we ourselves become lost to what we are rather than embracing who we are.” - Manal

Relevant Images

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“One should not be defined by what they are. Pigmentation of the skin should not force someone into a specific path.” - Artemis

Origin Story:
A Different Idea

The original concept was that the story starts out with a man losing his wife to a long term illness. This would later be reflected in the death of the mother of Artemis in how she knew she was dying months before she passed. The man joins the talent competition because his wife was a singer who never fulfilled her dream of doing so on stage.

He has no singing talent at all but goes anyway. When he attempts to sing, suddenly he does so beautifully. The spirit of his wife gives him the ability to sing. Eventually people see her spirit with him on stage. This is reflected in the final chapter where the pair are seen together on stage, one being a kind of spiritual light.

The story was too depressing for me to write. I hate tragedy, I don't enjoy writing about tragic events, and starting off a story that way was too painful for me. So, I shelved the idea for years until I discovered the idea of a Twin Flame. Two people from separate parallel worlds existing next to one another and connecting with each other on a spiritual level felt perfect.

 I wanted them to be unique and that's when I thought of the sun and the moon. That concept molded their appearance. Also, it was then I had the idea of bringing Gemini, the Tagonist Knight, into the story playing a role in both narratives, in each reality.

By pure coincidence it was my 20th book published at the end of 2020. Twins, Twin Flame, Two, all being themes. I couldn't have planned it better. I loved it.

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“There is a feeling within me, with her I am not alone. I have felt her presence, like the light of the moon in the depths of the night.” - Belinti

Easter Eggs and Inspiration

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Irish Divinity

Belinti gets his name from Bel, a Irish god of the sun that reflects his Irish heritage.

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Incan God

The second half of Belinti's name is Inti, the sun god of the Incan Indians which reflects his mother's heritage.

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The Sun

Belinti is meant to represent the sun. Red hair, golden eyes, bronze skin, energetic, and a powerful presence.

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Divine Name

Artemis is named after the Greek goddess of the moon, twin sister of Apollo who was the sun god.

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White Mask

The mask that Artemis wears is a homage to the one worn by the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera.

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The Moon

Artemis symbolizes the moon, which is why I chose her particular skin tone and sensitivity to light.

Casual Fashion

Duel Name

Tammy means "Twin" which hints at the truth of why she is there at the competition.

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Eight Sisters

Belinti along with his siblings represent the nine muses from Greek Mythology.

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The Luck Child

Beltini mentions his father is the 7th son. The 7th son of the 7th son is the "Luck Child" in Irish folklore.

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New Moon

Artemis begins the story wearing all black to represent the darkness of a new moon.

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Hidden Meaning

The name Nashota means "Twin", hinting at the truth of her being at the talent contest.

Violin Shop

Why that?

I chose a violin for Nashota because it is my favorite instrument.

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Inner Glow

On page 12, 990 refers to 1990, the year the episode of Star Trek: The Next generation:  Transfigurations first aired. In it, a man glowed with pure energy.

Flute Origins

On page 12, 992 refers to 1992, the year the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Inner Light first aired. In it, Picard plays a tin whistle.

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Unlikely Choice

Tammy plays a tin whistle because I needed a second instrument and I loved the episode "The Inner Light". 

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Important Dates

On page 11, 909 and 910 refers to 1909 and 1910, the years the Phantom of the Opera was first published as a serial in '09 and as a book in '10.

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On Broadway!

On page 11, 986 refers to 1986, the year the Phantom of the Opera musical was first performed.

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Passionate Artist

In Chapter 2, the man Nashota is referring to is Logan, from the novel: Eye of the Beholder.

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Real Life Performer

Antoinette is inspired by Toni Watson, known as Tones and I. She began as an Australian busker.

Sunset

Sunlight

Antoinette refers to Belinti as "bright and shiny" on page 18, another comparison to the Sun.

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Flute Story

The narrative told by Tammy of the man seeing his culture vanish is the plot to the Star Trek: TNG episode: The Inner Light.

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Violin Player

Nashota dancing while playing a violin is inspired by a Lindsey Stirling who does both.

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Story Background

Eternal Illumination is a play on the title "The Inner Light", which the song's backstory refers to that TNG episode. 

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Moon Goddess

Selene is a moon goddess representing the moon itself.

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Important Name

Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer who was the first to place the sun, not the Earth, as the center of the Universe.

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Last Name

Carl Sagan was an astronomer who I admire for his teaching about science, both past and present.

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Dancing Grandpa

On page 33, Belinti's grandfather doing a jig refers to Grandpa Joe dancing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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One small step...

Neal Armstrong is the first man to step foot on the moon.

Twin Girls

Two of a Kind

Tomasa and Didymus are names that mean "Twin".

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Pixar Origins

The story of Nashota's grandparents is based on the opening of the movie "Up".

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Camera Man

The camera man is named after Benjamin Bratt, the voice of Manny, a camera man in the movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

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Interviewer

Anna is named after Anna Faris who did the voice of Sam Sparks in the movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

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Astrology

Belinti's maternal grandparents were born on May 21 and became engaged on June 21. The astrological sign, Gemini (the twins), is May 21-June21.

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Calculations

Elbert is named after Elbert Frank Cox, the first black person in the world to receive a PHD in mathematics.

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Perfectionist

Elbert’s last name is honor of Katherine Johnson, who did mathematics for NASA.

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Logical Thinking

Elbert Johnson represents the left side of the brain, reading, writing, and mathematics.

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Time Travel

The story of Felicty and Christopher told by Tammy is found in the novel: In a Heartbeat.

Star Cluster

Starshine

Danica, Hokulani, and Zornitsa are all names that mean "star". Belinti is the sun, another star.

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Two by Two

On page 65, the pairing of animals and a large boat is a reference to Noah's Ark.

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Artistic

Manal is named after Manal AlDowayan, a contemporary artist from Saudi Arabia

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Creative

Manal's last name is in honor of Dia Azzawi, a painter and sculptor from Iraq.

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Creative Thinking

Manal Azzawi represents the right side of the brain, creativity and problem solving.

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Musician

Janis Nicks is named after Janis Joplin who was a singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s.

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Songwriter

Janis Nicks is named after Stevie Nicks who was a singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s.

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Emotional Aura

Where the first two judges is the mind, Janis represents the soul/spirit of a prson.

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Being Themselves

Nico is named after Nico Tortorella, an actor who came out as gender fluid.

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Inspiration

Nico's last name comes from Asia Kate Dillon, a non-binary actor.

Workout

Get Physical

Where the others represent the mind and soul, Nico represents the body and the physical self.

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Native Langauge

The non-English words that Belinti uses are of the Quecha language, a modern version of the language once spoken by the Incan Indians.

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Irish Origins

Belinti makes a reference to a leprechaun rather than a genie to hint at heritage with Irish folklore.

Fishing Town

Home Sweet Home

I looked up a small Irish town on a map to get an idea of where Belinti grew up. It does exist!

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High Fashion

A bespoke suit from Savile Row is the most expensive men's suits in the world.

Violin Shop

Expensive Treasure

A Stradivarius violin is the most expensive violin in the world.

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Methuselah

The oldest living plant is the Great Basin bristlecone pine, the tree that Artemis mentions in her story.

Full Moon

Moonlight

Belinti only feels comfortable at night during a full moon, a representation of Artemis who makes him feel safe with her.

Sunset

Illumination

Belinti feeling more comfortable surrounded by light continues the theme of him being the Sun.

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Warmth

Belinti prefers the warmth and high temperatures, more of him being the Sun.

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Facing Rejection

Lindsey Sterling auditioned on America's Got Talent, facing the same criticism that Nashota does.

Night Sky

Darkness

Artemis feels most comfortable at night, in darkness, symbolic of her being the moon.

Ice Texture

Lower Temp

Artemis prefers colder temperatures since the moon comes out at night.

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Temporal Mail

The movie involving time travel and a mailbox is a reference to: The Lakehouse.

Starry Sky

Star Sisters

All eight of Beliniti's sisters are names that mean "star" in some form or another, just like he, the sun is a star.

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Differences

On page 132, the "night an day" comment is another reference to the pair being the sun and the moon.

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Cosplay

Aaron is named after Aaron Rabe. known for his costume designs as a cosplayer.

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Storyteller Quote

On page 118, the quote "When a voice..." is from the novel: Tapestry of the Second Born.

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Puzzle Pieces

On page 132, Artemis hints at the symbolism of the four judges: Mind, body, and soul.

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Insurance Duck

The joke about the duck selling insurance refers to Aflac Inc., which uses a duck mascot.

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Group Singer

Michelle is named after Torine Michelle from Norway.

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One of Four

Alan is named after Alan Walker, a British-born Norwegian DJ.

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Two of Four

Kenneth is Keneth Nilsen, a Norwegian music producer known as K-391.

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Three of Four

Mattias is named after Mattias Braan, a Swedish DJ known as Mangoo.

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Four of Four

Martin is named after Martin Tungevaag, a Norwegian artist who goes by his last name.

And now... My Favorite.

Early on I knew that Tammy and Nashota would be the same person, somehow existing in two separate worlds at the same time. What better way to introduce the world to Gemini, Knight of the Rose. She became the second introduction of a Tagonist Knight, the other being Paradox who played an increasingly larger role within the Sunfire Chronicles. Having the opportunity to use the text I created for her for this website and put into one of my novels was an incredible moment for me. It allowed me to explain how this wonderful union between Artemis and Belinti took place and introduced one of the Tagonist Knights.

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“Please don’t say disparaging words about your behavior or yourself. If you are to be both damsel and dragon, I will adorn myself in my armor to save you from your own forked tongue and to protect the gentle soul that I first met.” – Artemis

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