Interview with Hep Aldridge, Author of Buried Treasure

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Buried Treasure Lost Worlds: A Search for Aztec Treasure?

I really fell in love with the idea of treasure hunting as a teenager, while living in New Mexico in the mid-sixties. Hearing the stories of hidden/stolen gold, lost mines, and caches of treasure hidden throughout the region, only fueled my interest.

There were a number of stories/legends of the Aztec bringing Montezuma’s treasure out of Mexico, in 1521, passing through the area around Las Cruces, where I was living, They supposedly crossed the Organ mountains into the Tularosa basin heading north, trying to escape the Spanish conquistadors ravaging their land. That story/legend became the basis for my new book.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Buried Treasure Lost Worlds: A Search for Aztec Treasure, what would they be?

Colten X. Burnett- “I Won’t Back Down” Tom Petty & Heartbreakers, Dimitri- “Highway to Hell” AC/DC Doc- “Riders on the Storm” The Doors, Joe- “Crazy Train” Ozzy Osborne, O’Reilly- ‘Danger Zone” Kenny Loggins, Reggie- “Hit me with your best shot” Pat Benatar

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I like to read Action/Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Archaeology. Yes, they are also my favorite genres to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

“The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology” James O’Kon PE, “Treasure Hunter” W.C. Jameson, “A Few Bad Men”, Maj. Fred Galvin USMC (Ret.)

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I have two, one would be Colt and the team’s first encounter with the “wolf,” not realizing what it really was and the follow-up Freemen/wolf encounter. Building on that, the teams subsequent contacts with him developed the wolf as more of a major character in the book, as well as a possible recurring character in Colt’s life. The weaving in of Native American mythology and their Spirit World made for an interesting addition to the story.

The second would be the planning and implementation of the raid on the Freemen’s compound. It’s always fun to resolve conflict with the “bad guys” in a big way. As Dimitri would say, “Go Boom!” Creative use of modern weapons and technology and a little out-of-this-world tech from my previous books, are always part of the Risky Business Team’s playbook.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I prefer to write at night and always listen to instrumental music when I write. Classical, Epic orchestral i.e. Two steps from hell, and new age electronic relaxing music.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I like the quote attributed to Hannibal Barca (218 BC) as he prepared to cross the Alps with his war elephants. His generals did not believe it was possible and he supposedly said, ““Aut viam inveniam aut faciam” Latin for “I shall either find a way or make one”. This is the motto I chose for Risky Business Ltd. A fitting motto for a treasure hunting enterprise, I thought.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The feeling of being part of the story, being there with the characters. Feeling what they feel and vividly experiencing the environment.

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