A.J. Pengelly is the pseudonym for renowned author and inspirational speaker Anne Jones. Previusly, Anne has written in the genre of self-development and spirituality, with her books being translated into over seventeen languages. Her debut novel, Master Of The Keys combines her interest in spirituality with a fast-paced thriller.

1. Master of The Keys is your first novel, although you have had books published before. What made you decide to give fiction a go?

After six self-help books that were based on my life and spiritual experiences I thought it would be fun to write a novel – well a thriller actually - where I could let loose my imagination! However, the basis of the story and some of my heroine’s experiences are based on things that actually happened to me.  I have been using powerful healing symbols for years and have shared them with people all over the world who have attended my workshops and read my books. I felt it was time to share them with a wider audience which was one of the motivators for writing the book. 

2. How would you describe Master Of the Keys, and who would you say it is aimed at?

I suppose Mystical Thriller best describes the book. It’s the story of a young woman who finds a sense of herself and her reality transformed as she discovers that she has a powerful and mystical past as a High Priest from ancient Egypt. She eventually comes to terms with the fact that she holds the key to ancient symbols that can empower anyone who chooses to use them.  I aimed the book at people who enjoy adventure and mystery also those who may already be opening to the possibility of their own untapped personal powers. Although it’s based on spiritual truths it’s a light read and, my friends who have read it say its “not too spooky”! 

3. Even though the book is set in present day, there is a big tie to ancient Egypt. What inspired you to write about the ancient Egyptians?

I have had several visits to the temples and burial grounds of the pharaohs along the Nile and each trip I have had some amazing spiritually inspired experiences.  In meditations I have been shown myself as a priest in ancient times and some of those “sightings” have been incorporated into the book.  I believe that in the days of Ancient Egypt there was a far closer connection between the “gods” and mortals in a similar way that we experienced here in England in the days of Avalon. This makes for an interesting mix of ancient and modern; the material world and the spiritual.

4. There is also a big theme of spirituality and personal discovery. What message would you most like readers to take with them from the book?

In the twenty years since I discovered my own ability to heal and manifest I have realised that we have amazing powers that are just not used and lie untapped within each of us.  In our dense and material world it’s hard to believe that we can actually heal ourselves and others and that we have a force of will that can manifest what we need or desire. The symbols (the keys) are a way to cut through the doubts that we have of our own abilities and they trigger these personal powers.  I would love readers to try out the symbols for themselves and open to their own unused personal powers for the good for themselves and others.

5. Master of The Keys is the first in a new series. What can we expect from the next book in the series?

In the next book Charlie visits India with Andy for a holiday. Unfortunately, Andy gets seduced by an Indian beauty. Charlie befriends a street urchin who takes her to a fortune teller/astrologer in a nearby temple who tells her that her next challenge is to find the antidote to the love spell used on Andy and to discover the true power of the heart and love. In her ensuing adventures that take her through India, Tibet and Nepal she learns how to heal and clear old binding vows and karmic ties and finds that there is far more to our hearts than ever she could have imagined.

6. Other than the Masters series, what writing plans do you have?

I am in the process of writing a musical with a couple of my friends – that’s an exciting new venture for me. The musical is called Artaban – The Musical and is based on the book The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke.  It’s the story of what happened to the fourth king who didn’t make it Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.  It’s a lovely story and we are very excited about the project as we have written some great songs. The message is that the journey is as more important than the goal – which is close to my heart as so many of my clients get quite desperate to know what their life purpose is when really it’s what we do from day to day for other people and ourselves that really counts.  I am also considering another non-fiction on the Power of the Heart.

7. Which do you think is more difficult to write, fiction or non-fiction? And which do you enjoy more?

Ah, a good question!I think the first book of any new genre is the difficult one as there is so much to learn.I find it easier to write non- fiction as I just have to share what I have learnt but it’s far more fun to write fiction!

8. Which books/authors do you feel have influenced your writing style the most?

I’ve always enjoyed page-turners of all kinds but I particularly enjoy the work of crime writers Ian Rankin, Lee Child, Michael Connelly and the forensic science writer Kathy Reichs as they all keep such a great pace through their stories.  Only when I started writing did I learn that this is quite a challenge but it’s been fun learning. I have actually thrown as much in the bin as is left!