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"FANS OF MARCOUX'S OTHER BOOKS WILL WELCOME THE RETURN OF JESSIE MERCER AND HER LOVER, TAYLOR ANDREWS, from Back to Salem and mentions of Sidney and Anastasia from Façades. In addition, the Freemasons, the Sumerians, the Catholic Church, the Trilateral Commission, and other secret societies are all players in this WELL-RESEARCHED THRILLER."

— Books to Watch Out For

"Thrilling ... One of the BEST NOVELS I've read in a long time!"

— Laura Placeres, Darker Side of the Moon

Podcast from Darker Side of the Moon, Alex Marcoux talks about Freemasonry and her book "A Matter of Degrees" http://darkersideradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=88888890

"A Matter of Degrees by Alex Marcoux crosses literary boundaries the same way that it crosses centuries, nations, and time and space itself. Marcoux skillfully weaves ancient tales of the mystery religion of ancient Egypt into the present day mystery, yet carefully conceals how the two interrelate until the very end. The tale is FILLED WITH TWISTS AND TURNS, and the revelations at the end should surprise even the most jaded mystery reader. . . . A HEART-THUMPING RIDE through Jessie's world as she searches for her brother's killer and finds much more than she bargained for. This page-turner WILL FULFILL THE FONDEST WISHES OF THOSE WHO LIKE A NICE THICK, MEATY, MYSTERY READ."

— Anna Furtado, East Bay Voice, L-Word.com

"In A Matter of Degrees, author Alex Marcoux—who has been called the "lesbian Dan Brown"— trumps The Da Vinci Code because she doesn't just take on the Vatican and the Sacred Feminine, but builds on the anti-Biblical and the seemingly interconnected world of fraternal organizations, including the oldest and largest: the Freemasons... Marcoux does a brilliant job of snagging even the most reluctant reader in the intrigue, in ancient myths and history, in the grand-conspiracy theory of world control that, even after nearly 300 pages, you hate to have her wrap up."

— JoAnne Myers, Inside Out Hudson Valley

"FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT and prepare for a wild ride. In A Matter of Degrees, Alex Marcoux has brilliantly twisted religion, Freemasonry, reincarnation, and Egyptian mysticism into a rollercoaster ride of suspense. Think you know what will happen next? Think again!"

—Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Gone

"Mix a little Dan Brown conspiracy with a little Philip K. Dick sci-fi and what do you get? A Matter of Degrees, the new blockbuster mystery thriller by Alex Marcoux! Weaving A GENRE-BENDING TALE OF CONSPIRACY, COVER-UPS, AND MURDER, Marcoux returns to the game with beloved characters from her earlier novels Façades and Back to Salem, bringing them together in an explosive mix of spine-tingling action! A Matter of Degrees IS AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD READ and SHOULD NOT BE MISSED!"

—Sherry L. Stinson (outlookpress.com)

"A multilayered story of intertwining lives and loves. . . . FAST-PACED AND SUSPENSEFUL, this novel will sweep you into an exciting world of conflict and intrigue and the ultimate conspiracy."

—Robin D. Owens, PRISM and RITA award winner; Author of Heart Mate, Heart Thief, and Guardian of Honor

"Alex Marcoux is a rare writer. She can weave AN ENGROSSING, EXCITING, AND ROMANTIC TALE THAT LEAVES YOU TOTALLY SATISFIED and wondering when the next book will be written. This is a compelling story and Alex is a welcome voice in the literary world."

—Kris Radish, bestselling author of Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral, Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn and The Elegant Gathering of White Snows

"If you were drawn into the contemplation of ancient secrets and the societies who still guard them today by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, GO ONE STEP FURTHER and infiltrate one of those societies, the Freemasons, in Alex Marcoux's vividly imagined new novel. Moreover, for those who like suspense meted out by strong women, THERE ARE HEROINES HERE WITH COURAGE TO SEND CHILLS UP YOUR SPINE-AND TO BREAK YOUR HEART."

—Lynn Vannucci, Author of Coyote and Revolution in the Garden

"I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! . . . A riveting look at the Freemasons and conspiracy theories with a paranormal twist—a must-read for any Dan Brown devotee. This book is for anyone who ever wondered what happened behind the closed doors of a secret, all-male society, and for anyone captivated by strong women who aren't afraid of operating outside of the box."

—Christine Goff, two-time Willa Literary Award Finalist; Author of Death Takes a Gander

Your work has been compared to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. What do you think of The Da Vinci Code?

It was a fun read! And I love reading books that force us to consider possibilities outside the box, or even out of our comfort zone.

When writing A Matter of Degrees were you influenced by The Da Vinci Code?

No. Not at all! A Matter of Degrees (AMD) was written before Dan Brown's book was even published. A friend who had previously taken a sneak peek at A Matter of Degrees recommended that I read The Da Vinci Code after she read it. It was then that she realized certain parts of my book weren't fiction.

What does it mean that you take the Da Vinci Code to another level?

I don't stop at the implication of the royal bloodline (Jesus and Mary Magdalene) and go beyond. The book gets into Freemasonry and world control by secret societies, I show the connection of the Masons to the Knights Templar, the royal bloodline, all the way back to ancient Egypt, and even ancient Sumer.

I noticed on your website that you have a title -- Keeper of the Royal Secret...just who really bestows that title?

To be honest – I don't know! I wasn't aware that someone actually holds the title "Keeper of the Royal Secret."

How does the Keeper of the Royal Secret relate to you?

It is my understanding that Freemasonry contains a secret, often alluded to as the Royal Secret. Some speculate that this mystery was lost ages ago in ancient Egypt during the legend of Hiram Abiff. Others believe that it was lost with the demise of the Knights Templar in 1307. While there are some who suspect that the secret is alive and well and contained within the Thirty Third and last degree of Freemasonry.

In A Matter of Degrees, one of my characters (Jessie Mercer) is driven by an unseen force to solve a murder. But what's really driving her is her soul's purpose to uncover Freemasonry's Royal Secret. This is a karmic situation for Jessie, as in a previous life—in ancient Egypt—she had failed to expose the truth about freemasonry.

Do you expose the Royal Secret?

I do reveal the Royal Secret which I admit sits outside many people's comfort zone. Including my own (at least it did when I first started doing the research for this book). Of course, this is my own creative conjecture on what secret would warrant blood oaths to protect. Is it the real Royal Secret? Do you think the Freemasons would tell me if it were?

When you were writing this book, did you have a particular message in mind for your readers?

I'd like it think of this book as a vehicle which encourages people to think outside the box, perhaps even out of their comfort zone. I think it's great that we explore issues like spirituality, religion, history, or even world control. I love it when people read it and are willing to explore some of these concepts!

And for those readers who just don't like being outside the box, I hope they can enjoy the fun read.

Speaking of religion, what is your view on Christianity or religions in general?

My view on Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or any faith is the same – it's all good! I believe there's a hundred different ways (religions) to seek the ONE God. Any faith, theology, philosophy, or doctrine which encourages us to seek truth is admirable!

How did you get the idea for the book?

I think writers instinctively listen and look at things to give us inspiration. In early 2000 I heard a comment at the writers' conference, and while it appeared to be absolutely outrageous, I thought it'd make a good basis for a book. That's when I started doing research. And one of my strengths as a writer is my instinct and my ability to marry my research with my creative imagination. I actually do workshops with other writers on how to tap their intuition to heighten their creative process.

Coming soon.