E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 45
May 22, 2014
Character Interviews + Giveaway: Shadows and Light by Melissa Haag
Today we have three fun character interviews to share with you from SHADOWS AND LIGHT a collection of three parnormal novellas by Melissa Haag. There will also be a chance to enter a fab giveaway!
Character Interviews
Willam, the hero with a shadowed past from Reap the Shadow, Slay the Light, agreed to speak candidly with the author regarding his thoughts about Pheobe. This interview is spoiler free.
Melissa: You went away to college then moved back to be close to Pheobe. Why?
Willam: I knew what was coming and couldn't leave her to face it alone.
Melissa: That’s the only reason?
Willam: One of a few.
Melissa: Why were you homeschooled?
Willam: When the people around me started to show signs of aggression, I needed to do something to shield them. Isha, my sister, helped me see what it meant to care like that. It was hard to be around other people. But never Isha…or Pheobe.
Melissa: What was your reaction when you first met Pheobe?
**Willam looks down for a moment**
Willam: Shock. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful, so perfect. She didn’t react to me as if I was a pariah. She made room for me and included me. I knew that first day; she was mine.
WarWolf: Half-breed introduces a new, emotionally enhanced werewolf. This spoiler free interview gives us a little insight into just how enhanced Declan is.
Melissa: When Ema first meets you, you’re in a bar crying. Doesn’t seem very manly…
**Declan frowns at me.**
Declan: I'd just lost my father.
Melissa: Um, no. That was several years ago.
Declan: I had a little too much to drink. The beer made my eyes water.
Melissa: Nice try. Are all werewolves so...sensitive?
Declan: There's nothing wrong with having emotions or showing them. If you're sad, what's wrong with crying? If you can't vent it, you can't move forward.
Melissa: All right. What did you think of Ema the first time you saw her?
**Declan grins.**
Declan: Tight.
Melissa: Excuse me?
Declan: You know, emotionally blocked up. She was sitting there so straight and stiff. Barely moving or looking around. No smile or anything. But, man, did she look pretty. There was no way I was going anywhere but to her house.
Melissa: Without giving anything away, what's your favorite memory of your time traveling together?
Declan: That's a tough one. There are so many great moments. If I had to choose...bathtub.
Melissa: Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
Declan: Warlock treehouses' rock!
The author managed to interview the leading man, Racer from Moved, about the circumstances that led up to Gillian’s move. This interview is spoiler free.
Melissa: How did you get talked into renting out the upstairs apartment?
Racer: There wasn't much of a talk. Larry asked if anyone was living in the apartment upstairs. I said no. He told me someone would be within twenty-four hours.
Melissa: Why wasn't there a tenant?
Racer: I like living alone. Tenants are disruptive, needy, intrusive…
Melissa: What was your first impression of Gillian?
**Racer gives me a cocky grin**
Racer: Disruptive. Needy. Intrusive.
Melissa: What about now?
Racer: Close to perfect.
Melissa: Close?
Racer: She still thinks she can wander around on her own, and when I don’t give her the space she needs, she threatens to start acting like an inmate again.
Melissa: Some of her stunts were pretty funny.
Racer: You weren’t on the receiving end.
Shadows and Light by Melissa Haag.
Three paranormal novellas
Reap the Shadow, Slay the Light
I don’t know what I am, but I’m not human…and neither are the creatures that killed my mom. Running will only carry me so far because there’s a darkness within me, ready to destroy me, and a burning light, begging for escape. It’s the light that screams to my pursuers and works them into a frenzy. Though the darkness might kill me, releasing the light might kill us all…
WarWolf: Half breed
Ema fights to suppress her werewolf emotions and deny her warlock powers. It isn’t easy being a half-breed, but she is determined to slide through life unnoticed by either group. When the warlock leaders team up with humans to force paranormal registration, Ema believes she must choose between her two unwanted worlds. An unexpected companion shows her not all emotions are bad, and power has its benefits.
Moved
“Werewolves are real but the legends are wrong…”
It’s the secret Gillian’s father has tried to keep from her and the reason he’s so overprotective. But, he goes too far when he exiles Gillian to a house in the middle of nowhere. Her new landlord, Racer, is more like a cute jailer who has strict orders to keep her safely trapped.
Battle lines between independence and obligation are drawn as Gillian decides just how far she’s willing to go to win back her freedom. And Racer needs to decide what he’s willing to endure to keep her close.
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Melissa for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Melissa Haag and her books, please visit her website.
Shadows and Light Giveaway
The author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card and 2 Ebook copies of Shadows and Light by Melissa Haag.
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway--giveaway winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Which novella are you most looking forward to reading?
Character Interviews
Willam, the hero with a shadowed past from Reap the Shadow, Slay the Light, agreed to speak candidly with the author regarding his thoughts about Pheobe. This interview is spoiler free.
Melissa: You went away to college then moved back to be close to Pheobe. Why?
Willam: I knew what was coming and couldn't leave her to face it alone.
Melissa: That’s the only reason?
Willam: One of a few.
Melissa: Why were you homeschooled?
Willam: When the people around me started to show signs of aggression, I needed to do something to shield them. Isha, my sister, helped me see what it meant to care like that. It was hard to be around other people. But never Isha…or Pheobe.
Melissa: What was your reaction when you first met Pheobe?
**Willam looks down for a moment**
Willam: Shock. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful, so perfect. She didn’t react to me as if I was a pariah. She made room for me and included me. I knew that first day; she was mine.
WarWolf: Half-breed introduces a new, emotionally enhanced werewolf. This spoiler free interview gives us a little insight into just how enhanced Declan is.
Melissa: When Ema first meets you, you’re in a bar crying. Doesn’t seem very manly…
**Declan frowns at me.**
Declan: I'd just lost my father.
Melissa: Um, no. That was several years ago.
Declan: I had a little too much to drink. The beer made my eyes water.
Melissa: Nice try. Are all werewolves so...sensitive?
Declan: There's nothing wrong with having emotions or showing them. If you're sad, what's wrong with crying? If you can't vent it, you can't move forward.
Melissa: All right. What did you think of Ema the first time you saw her?
**Declan grins.**
Declan: Tight.
Melissa: Excuse me?
Declan: You know, emotionally blocked up. She was sitting there so straight and stiff. Barely moving or looking around. No smile or anything. But, man, did she look pretty. There was no way I was going anywhere but to her house.
Melissa: Without giving anything away, what's your favorite memory of your time traveling together?
Declan: That's a tough one. There are so many great moments. If I had to choose...bathtub.
Melissa: Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
Declan: Warlock treehouses' rock!
The author managed to interview the leading man, Racer from Moved, about the circumstances that led up to Gillian’s move. This interview is spoiler free.
Melissa: How did you get talked into renting out the upstairs apartment?
Racer: There wasn't much of a talk. Larry asked if anyone was living in the apartment upstairs. I said no. He told me someone would be within twenty-four hours.
Melissa: Why wasn't there a tenant?
Racer: I like living alone. Tenants are disruptive, needy, intrusive…
Melissa: What was your first impression of Gillian?
**Racer gives me a cocky grin**
Racer: Disruptive. Needy. Intrusive.
Melissa: What about now?
Racer: Close to perfect.
Melissa: Close?
Racer: She still thinks she can wander around on her own, and when I don’t give her the space she needs, she threatens to start acting like an inmate again.
Melissa: Some of her stunts were pretty funny.
Racer: You weren’t on the receiving end.
Shadows and Light by Melissa Haag.
Three paranormal novellas
Reap the Shadow, Slay the Light
I don’t know what I am, but I’m not human…and neither are the creatures that killed my mom. Running will only carry me so far because there’s a darkness within me, ready to destroy me, and a burning light, begging for escape. It’s the light that screams to my pursuers and works them into a frenzy. Though the darkness might kill me, releasing the light might kill us all…
WarWolf: Half breed
Ema fights to suppress her werewolf emotions and deny her warlock powers. It isn’t easy being a half-breed, but she is determined to slide through life unnoticed by either group. When the warlock leaders team up with humans to force paranormal registration, Ema believes she must choose between her two unwanted worlds. An unexpected companion shows her not all emotions are bad, and power has its benefits.
Moved
“Werewolves are real but the legends are wrong…”
It’s the secret Gillian’s father has tried to keep from her and the reason he’s so overprotective. But, he goes too far when he exiles Gillian to a house in the middle of nowhere. Her new landlord, Racer, is more like a cute jailer who has strict orders to keep her safely trapped.
Battle lines between independence and obligation are drawn as Gillian decides just how far she’s willing to go to win back her freedom. And Racer needs to decide what he’s willing to endure to keep her close.
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Melissa for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Melissa Haag and her books, please visit her website.
Shadows and Light Giveaway
The author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card and 2 Ebook copies of Shadows and Light by Melissa Haag.
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway--giveaway winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Which novella are you most looking forward to reading?
May 20, 2014
Goodreads Giveaway: Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens
Goodreads.com is giving away 3 paperback copies of BURNING BRIGHT, the third full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. Enter to win!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens Giveaway ends August 17, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens Giveaway ends August 17, 2014. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
May 19, 2014
Q+A with Terry Maggert (Mask of the Swan)
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Terry Maggert! Terry is that author of The Forest Bull and Mask of the Swan.
Q+A with Terry Maggert
E.J. When did you begin writing?
Terry: I’ve always written, even since childhood, but everything changed for me when I began to explore writing horror and fantasy. My first novel was actually a grim romance, but I decided it was a bit too odd for public consumption. I blame that on monster movies I watched as child (and too much food coloring or paint chips in my diet).
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Terry: I grew up on fantasy and science fiction—love it, have always loved it, and I’ll never stop reading it. I’m old enough to remember when vampires were bad, then good, then bad, and now, maybe somewhere in the middle. I fell in love with Anne McCaffrey’s dragons a long time ago, and that started me on the road to devouring all of the fantasy I could read. I really like clever stories—to me, being clever is much harder than being detailed, and a lot of paranormal stories are actually quite complex. I hope that my books meet or exceed that standard. As for my own series--I’m not a true Southerner, but I found that I love the culture. I mean, sweet tea? Biscuits? Pinto beans? I accept! There was one “southern” thing that was completely new to me-- roadside crosses at places where people died in car accidents. I started wondering, “What if someone, or something used a roadside cross for a very dark reason?” I wrote a story about a ghoul and her human helper, who roam the American Midwest using a roadside cross to lure teenagers to their death. From that, I created characters that would hunt that ghoul, but with a dollop of humor and a relationship that is unusual, to say the least.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Terry: Oh, without a doubt I would like the power to make my six year old eat on command. Trust me, I’d be a kajillionaire.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Terry: It’s funny, it’s sexy, and it has characters from today as well as the past that make us realize the world is a lot more complicated than we might think. I like villains who want to be good, and heroes who enjoy being bad. Delphine is one character who took me by surprise—I love her and the conflict that she feels. She has to feed from humans, but she doesn’t want to, and deep down, I think she has a very pure soul. Elizabeth is evil. Period. But why she’s evil interests more than just the fact that she is consistently trying to create chaos. I like that Waleska is stunningly beautiful but has terrible manners, and Risa is smart but loves bad music, and Ring loves them both and knows just how damned lucky he is.
It might seem unusual to write about three lovers who really fit, but when you see how their lives are woven together, it works. They love each other because they understand how hard it is to kill. Another point to my story is my belief that we expect a certain degree of cruelty from beautiful women. I hope that my stories address that assumption by showing that evil can be beautiful—or in other words, don’t judge a book by its cover (unless I’ve written it!).
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Terry: Ring looks like Jim Caviezel, but much funnier and not as serious. I mean, he’s in a three-way, there isn’t much reason to mope. Waleska, or Wally, as we know her, is the perfect tall blonde with freckles, and she’s crude and funny. Without hesitation, I would cast Jennifer Lawrence, I know she could pull it off. Elizabeth is beautiful but cold—I see Kate Beckinsale pulling that role off quite well. For Risa—that’s probably the toughest, because she’s an Israeli, she’s smart, dusky, and has the kind of intelligent beauty that is more subtle. Risa is also quite petite, so Natalie Portman or Mili Avital would be great in that role. The blonde bombshell, Delphine, is really tough, but in a pinch, I think I would ask Scarlett Johannson to dye her hair and have at it.
Mask of the Swan (The Fearless #2) by Terry Maggert
Killing immortals is easy. Becoming one is hard. When three lovers (Ring, Waleska, and Risa) take a vacation after losing a fight with an elegant monster named Elizabeth, their time for healing is cut short by a new threat, and this time, innocent blood will spill. Reaching for the crown of Hell, Elizabeth gathers Archangels around her to fuel her power-mad ascent-but she has powerful enemies who will fight her every step of the way, including Delphine, the 2400 year old succubus hooker who knows that inside her beautiful body rests a very human soul. Joined by an honorable priest who finds himself in the middle of a war he never knew existed, and a demigod and his partner, the stage is set for another round in the battle to determine how much of Ring, Waleska, and Risa is still human, how tough their immortal side can be-and how far they are willing to go to protect the people they love from the reaches of a creature who would burn their world to ashes.
Release Date: February 5, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Terry for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Terry Maggert and his books, please visit his website.
Q+A with Terry Maggert
E.J. When did you begin writing?
Terry: I’ve always written, even since childhood, but everything changed for me when I began to explore writing horror and fantasy. My first novel was actually a grim romance, but I decided it was a bit too odd for public consumption. I blame that on monster movies I watched as child (and too much food coloring or paint chips in my diet).
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Terry: I grew up on fantasy and science fiction—love it, have always loved it, and I’ll never stop reading it. I’m old enough to remember when vampires were bad, then good, then bad, and now, maybe somewhere in the middle. I fell in love with Anne McCaffrey’s dragons a long time ago, and that started me on the road to devouring all of the fantasy I could read. I really like clever stories—to me, being clever is much harder than being detailed, and a lot of paranormal stories are actually quite complex. I hope that my books meet or exceed that standard. As for my own series--I’m not a true Southerner, but I found that I love the culture. I mean, sweet tea? Biscuits? Pinto beans? I accept! There was one “southern” thing that was completely new to me-- roadside crosses at places where people died in car accidents. I started wondering, “What if someone, or something used a roadside cross for a very dark reason?” I wrote a story about a ghoul and her human helper, who roam the American Midwest using a roadside cross to lure teenagers to their death. From that, I created characters that would hunt that ghoul, but with a dollop of humor and a relationship that is unusual, to say the least.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Terry: Oh, without a doubt I would like the power to make my six year old eat on command. Trust me, I’d be a kajillionaire.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Terry: It’s funny, it’s sexy, and it has characters from today as well as the past that make us realize the world is a lot more complicated than we might think. I like villains who want to be good, and heroes who enjoy being bad. Delphine is one character who took me by surprise—I love her and the conflict that she feels. She has to feed from humans, but she doesn’t want to, and deep down, I think she has a very pure soul. Elizabeth is evil. Period. But why she’s evil interests more than just the fact that she is consistently trying to create chaos. I like that Waleska is stunningly beautiful but has terrible manners, and Risa is smart but loves bad music, and Ring loves them both and knows just how damned lucky he is.
It might seem unusual to write about three lovers who really fit, but when you see how their lives are woven together, it works. They love each other because they understand how hard it is to kill. Another point to my story is my belief that we expect a certain degree of cruelty from beautiful women. I hope that my stories address that assumption by showing that evil can be beautiful—or in other words, don’t judge a book by its cover (unless I’ve written it!).
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Terry: Ring looks like Jim Caviezel, but much funnier and not as serious. I mean, he’s in a three-way, there isn’t much reason to mope. Waleska, or Wally, as we know her, is the perfect tall blonde with freckles, and she’s crude and funny. Without hesitation, I would cast Jennifer Lawrence, I know she could pull it off. Elizabeth is beautiful but cold—I see Kate Beckinsale pulling that role off quite well. For Risa—that’s probably the toughest, because she’s an Israeli, she’s smart, dusky, and has the kind of intelligent beauty that is more subtle. Risa is also quite petite, so Natalie Portman or Mili Avital would be great in that role. The blonde bombshell, Delphine, is really tough, but in a pinch, I think I would ask Scarlett Johannson to dye her hair and have at it.
Mask of the Swan (The Fearless #2) by Terry Maggert
Killing immortals is easy. Becoming one is hard. When three lovers (Ring, Waleska, and Risa) take a vacation after losing a fight with an elegant monster named Elizabeth, their time for healing is cut short by a new threat, and this time, innocent blood will spill. Reaching for the crown of Hell, Elizabeth gathers Archangels around her to fuel her power-mad ascent-but she has powerful enemies who will fight her every step of the way, including Delphine, the 2400 year old succubus hooker who knows that inside her beautiful body rests a very human soul. Joined by an honorable priest who finds himself in the middle of a war he never knew existed, and a demigod and his partner, the stage is set for another round in the battle to determine how much of Ring, Waleska, and Risa is still human, how tough their immortal side can be-and how far they are willing to go to protect the people they love from the reaches of a creature who would burn their world to ashes.
Release Date: February 5, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Terry for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Terry Maggert and his books, please visit his website.
May 18, 2014
The Midnight Spell Giveaway Winner
Congratulations Yun-a the winner of
The Midnight Spell Book Giveaway
here at From the Shadows! Yun-a will receive an ebook copy of The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye.
Thank you to all who entered!
**Giveaway winner selected using Random.org**
Thank you to all who entered!
**Giveaway winner selected using Random.org**
May 15, 2014
Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens
It's time for a cover reveal! Feast your eyes on the cover for BURNING BRIGHT, the third full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens.
Keep reading for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Cover Reveal
Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3) by E.J. Stevens.
Burning down the house...
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady--with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Previous books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
Burning Bright Cover Reveal Giveaway
We are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner!
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 30, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Pinterest, and on her Blog.
Keep reading for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Cover Reveal
Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3) by E.J. Stevens.
Burning down the house...
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady--with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Previous books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
Burning Bright Cover Reveal Giveaway
We are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner!
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 30, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Pinterest, and on her Blog.
May 14, 2014
Q+A, Book Excerpt + Giveaway: Shadow Fire by Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Kimber Leigh Wheaton. Today we have a special book excerpt from SHADOW FIRE by Kimber Leigh Wheaton and a fun Q+A with the author. We are also hosting a fabulous giveaway. Keep on reading to enter!
Q+A with Kimber Leigh Wheaton
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Kimber Leigh: I've always enjoyed writing—used to write all sorts of short stories in high school and college. A couple years ago, my son reached an age where he was more independent. Suddenly I had this free time, and for a while I didn't know what to do with it. The idea for Shadow Fire hit me out of the blue one day. It grabbed ahold, and I was a woman possessed. One month later I had my first draft. There was no planning, no outline. Ashlyn, Zane, and Taranis were in my mind, and their story needed to be told. I loved writing Shadow Fire and Stolen Moon soon followed. Writing has become a passion. Life would be dull without it.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Kimber Leigh: I've had an interest in the paranormal since I was a child. I love all sorts of mythology and folktales. My bookshelves are filled with books on the paranormal that I've collected through the years. I have a novel, Tortured Souls - The Orion Circle Book 1, coming in July about a group of teenage paranormal investigators. In that series I plan to really explore the supernatural world: ghosts, cryptozoology, werewolves, vampires—you name it. I just find the whole supernatural world fascinating.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Kimber Leigh: I'd love to be a shapeshifter. I love animals and think it would be fun to be able to shift into an animal… as long as that shift is under my control and not tied to the moon or other event. I'm thinking a dragon or a griffin—it would be so cool to fly! Besides, can you imagine the look on the neighbors' faces when a giant blue dragon appears in the front yard? Yeah, still think you can steal my trash can?? Go for it! I dare you…
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Kimber Leigh: Shadow Fire is a lighthearted, fun adventure with a touch of whimsy and a sweet romance. It definitely takes its cue from the RPG video games that inspired it. It's the first novel in a series of standalone fantasy romances. No cliffhanger endings here! Written for readers who like their characters silly at times and their 'ever-afters' happy.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Kimber Leigh: This is a rather difficult question for me to answer. I always pictured Shadow Fire as an animated movie. I also tend to see my characters more as anime than real people.
I think Princess Anna from Disney's Frozen would be a great in Ashlyn's role—no question. Princess Anna not only looks a bit like Ashlyn, but she's loyal, determined, and sweet.
For Zane, I'd have to choose Kratos Aurion from Namco's video game Tales of Symphonia. Kratos is lacking Zane's sense of humor and ethics, but I think he could pull off the role quite well. They're both amazing swordsmen, and Zane shares some of Kratos' wisdom as well as his more serious nature.
Taranis is really hard to cast… slap a red wig on Miroku from InuYasha and he might do a good job as Taranis. Miroku is quite similar to Taranis in many ways. They're both guys who are a bit too fond of the ladies which tends to get them in trouble… but they're also loyal, courageous, and fun-loving.
Shadow Fire Book Excerpt
Every step I take is one step closer to death.
Hiking through the dense underbrush, I try to calm my frayed nerves and control the fear threatening to overwhelm me. Twigs and tendrils of ivy grab at my ankles as I continue to forge ahead, forcing me to wrench away from their skeletal grip. The sunlight is fading, signaling the end of another day, but this is no ordinary day.
A loud crack pierces the air. I freeze in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. Whipping my head around, I try to locate the source of the sound. My heart pounds in my chest, the erratic rhythm painful. These woods are full of predators, some animal, some monster, but the worst… human. Taking a deep breath, I listen to the surrounding woods: birds chirp, insects hum, and small animals scurry about as if they have no care in the world.
Lungs burning, I force myself to continue walking. I didn't collapse three weeks ago when this whole fiasco started, and I won't give in now. My family needs me to be strong.
The trees become sparser as I approach the edge of the forest. My shoulders slump when I pass the tree house we used to play in so many years ago. Any other day when I'm this close to home after a long day of hunting, I'd smile, breathe a sigh of relief, and perhaps look forward to dinner. Today there will be no raucous family meal, no solace in entering the peaceful village, and nothing to smile about.
The villagers will be awaiting my return, skulking in the shadows, desperate to catch a glimpse of the walking dead girl.
I've dealt with the whispers and pointing for three weeks with my head held high, my anxiety hidden behind a mask of indifference. I don't want them to see me like this, trembling in fear, broken. They've taken everything I am, every hope, every dream I've had for the future and smashed them to pieces with little hope of salvation. The townsfolk of Verdane decided my fate and they chose death.
The elders told me being Chosen is an honor. Either they are ignorant or apathetic. Every five years for the last twenty, a teenage girl has been chosen by the town, via secret ballot, to undertake this dangerous quest, never to return. Perhaps if the elders had to forfeit their lives instead they wouldn't be so quick to label it an honor, they'd call it what it is…a sacrifice.
Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.
Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.
Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.
Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal
As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Add to Goodreads.
***Shadow Fire Tour Giveaway***
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash.
To enter, use this Rafflecopter form. This is a tour giveaway. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
What did you think of the book excerpt?
Q+A with Kimber Leigh Wheaton
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Kimber Leigh: I've always enjoyed writing—used to write all sorts of short stories in high school and college. A couple years ago, my son reached an age where he was more independent. Suddenly I had this free time, and for a while I didn't know what to do with it. The idea for Shadow Fire hit me out of the blue one day. It grabbed ahold, and I was a woman possessed. One month later I had my first draft. There was no planning, no outline. Ashlyn, Zane, and Taranis were in my mind, and their story needed to be told. I loved writing Shadow Fire and Stolen Moon soon followed. Writing has become a passion. Life would be dull without it.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Kimber Leigh: I've had an interest in the paranormal since I was a child. I love all sorts of mythology and folktales. My bookshelves are filled with books on the paranormal that I've collected through the years. I have a novel, Tortured Souls - The Orion Circle Book 1, coming in July about a group of teenage paranormal investigators. In that series I plan to really explore the supernatural world: ghosts, cryptozoology, werewolves, vampires—you name it. I just find the whole supernatural world fascinating.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Kimber Leigh: I'd love to be a shapeshifter. I love animals and think it would be fun to be able to shift into an animal… as long as that shift is under my control and not tied to the moon or other event. I'm thinking a dragon or a griffin—it would be so cool to fly! Besides, can you imagine the look on the neighbors' faces when a giant blue dragon appears in the front yard? Yeah, still think you can steal my trash can?? Go for it! I dare you…
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Kimber Leigh: Shadow Fire is a lighthearted, fun adventure with a touch of whimsy and a sweet romance. It definitely takes its cue from the RPG video games that inspired it. It's the first novel in a series of standalone fantasy romances. No cliffhanger endings here! Written for readers who like their characters silly at times and their 'ever-afters' happy.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Kimber Leigh: This is a rather difficult question for me to answer. I always pictured Shadow Fire as an animated movie. I also tend to see my characters more as anime than real people.
I think Princess Anna from Disney's Frozen would be a great in Ashlyn's role—no question. Princess Anna not only looks a bit like Ashlyn, but she's loyal, determined, and sweet.
For Zane, I'd have to choose Kratos Aurion from Namco's video game Tales of Symphonia. Kratos is lacking Zane's sense of humor and ethics, but I think he could pull off the role quite well. They're both amazing swordsmen, and Zane shares some of Kratos' wisdom as well as his more serious nature.
Taranis is really hard to cast… slap a red wig on Miroku from InuYasha and he might do a good job as Taranis. Miroku is quite similar to Taranis in many ways. They're both guys who are a bit too fond of the ladies which tends to get them in trouble… but they're also loyal, courageous, and fun-loving.
Shadow Fire Book Excerpt
Every step I take is one step closer to death.
Hiking through the dense underbrush, I try to calm my frayed nerves and control the fear threatening to overwhelm me. Twigs and tendrils of ivy grab at my ankles as I continue to forge ahead, forcing me to wrench away from their skeletal grip. The sunlight is fading, signaling the end of another day, but this is no ordinary day.
A loud crack pierces the air. I freeze in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. Whipping my head around, I try to locate the source of the sound. My heart pounds in my chest, the erratic rhythm painful. These woods are full of predators, some animal, some monster, but the worst… human. Taking a deep breath, I listen to the surrounding woods: birds chirp, insects hum, and small animals scurry about as if they have no care in the world.
Lungs burning, I force myself to continue walking. I didn't collapse three weeks ago when this whole fiasco started, and I won't give in now. My family needs me to be strong.
The trees become sparser as I approach the edge of the forest. My shoulders slump when I pass the tree house we used to play in so many years ago. Any other day when I'm this close to home after a long day of hunting, I'd smile, breathe a sigh of relief, and perhaps look forward to dinner. Today there will be no raucous family meal, no solace in entering the peaceful village, and nothing to smile about.
The villagers will be awaiting my return, skulking in the shadows, desperate to catch a glimpse of the walking dead girl.
I've dealt with the whispers and pointing for three weeks with my head held high, my anxiety hidden behind a mask of indifference. I don't want them to see me like this, trembling in fear, broken. They've taken everything I am, every hope, every dream I've had for the future and smashed them to pieces with little hope of salvation. The townsfolk of Verdane decided my fate and they chose death.
The elders told me being Chosen is an honor. Either they are ignorant or apathetic. Every five years for the last twenty, a teenage girl has been chosen by the town, via secret ballot, to undertake this dangerous quest, never to return. Perhaps if the elders had to forfeit their lives instead they wouldn't be so quick to label it an honor, they'd call it what it is…a sacrifice.
Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.
Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.
Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.
Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal
As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Add to Goodreads.
***Shadow Fire Tour Giveaway***
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash.
To enter, use this Rafflecopter form. This is a tour giveaway. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
What did you think of the book excerpt?
May 13, 2014
Q+A with C.S. Yelle + Taking Angels Book Giveaway
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author C.S. Yelle! C.S. is the author of TAKING ANGELS.
Keep reading for a chance to win Taking Angels by C.S. Yelle!
Q+A with C.S. Yelle
EJ: When did you begin writing?
CS: 1987 right out of college. After an 11 year break, I have been writing steady since 1998.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
CS: A lot of people around me who I respected really enjoyed that genre. I found it fit well with my Fantasy background so it was an easy transition for me. It definitely made me a better writer.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
CS: I am fascinated with the ability to teleport. To be able to jump from one place to another in an instant would be incredible and for a person who spends many hours driving each week, the time saved would be awesome!
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
CS: Good vs. Evil, True love or forbidden love, everything and everyone you love at risk, oh, and car chases. You have to love a car chase.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
CS: Britt Anderson – AnnaSophia Robb
Allister Parks – Alex Pettyfer
Kendal – Cameron Bright
Angelina Parks – Emma Roberts
Taking Angels (The Angel Crusades #1) by C.S. Yelle
Britt Anderson went along with everything the doctors said for nearly four years, but she was still dying at eighteen. The cancer had won leaving her without a future, without any options, and without control. No control, except for how she would leave this world. As Britt tries to end her life by going into the frigid waters she realizes her mistake. She struggles to get back to shore, to cry out for help, but her atrophied muscles are useless and the frigid water steals the breath from her chemo-scarred lungs. Despite her father’s attempts to reach her, she flies over the waterfall.
When Allister Parks finds Britt’s fragile body on the riverbank something calls out to him. Ignoring the warnings of his sister, Allister brings Britt back from the edge of death. The only problem is that an Eternal like Allister isn’t allowed to touch those who have already passed from this world. It is forbidden; an infraction punishable by death.
As Britt relishes her new cancer-free life and senior year of high school, her very existence threatens Allister’s place in this world. Allister struggles to keep Britt a secret from the Eternal Council and out of the hands of the only Eternal who already knows the truth: the one who stole her guardian angel.
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you C.S. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about C.S. Yelle and his books, please visit his website.
***Taking Angels Book Giveaway***
We are giving away a Taking Angels ebook to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a message on this post and include your email address so we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 29, 2014 midnight EST.
Keep reading for a chance to win Taking Angels by C.S. Yelle!
Q+A with C.S. Yelle
EJ: When did you begin writing?
CS: 1987 right out of college. After an 11 year break, I have been writing steady since 1998.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
CS: A lot of people around me who I respected really enjoyed that genre. I found it fit well with my Fantasy background so it was an easy transition for me. It definitely made me a better writer.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
CS: I am fascinated with the ability to teleport. To be able to jump from one place to another in an instant would be incredible and for a person who spends many hours driving each week, the time saved would be awesome!
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
CS: Good vs. Evil, True love or forbidden love, everything and everyone you love at risk, oh, and car chases. You have to love a car chase.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
CS: Britt Anderson – AnnaSophia Robb
Allister Parks – Alex Pettyfer
Kendal – Cameron Bright
Angelina Parks – Emma Roberts
Taking Angels (The Angel Crusades #1) by C.S. Yelle
Britt Anderson went along with everything the doctors said for nearly four years, but she was still dying at eighteen. The cancer had won leaving her without a future, without any options, and without control. No control, except for how she would leave this world. As Britt tries to end her life by going into the frigid waters she realizes her mistake. She struggles to get back to shore, to cry out for help, but her atrophied muscles are useless and the frigid water steals the breath from her chemo-scarred lungs. Despite her father’s attempts to reach her, she flies over the waterfall.
When Allister Parks finds Britt’s fragile body on the riverbank something calls out to him. Ignoring the warnings of his sister, Allister brings Britt back from the edge of death. The only problem is that an Eternal like Allister isn’t allowed to touch those who have already passed from this world. It is forbidden; an infraction punishable by death.
As Britt relishes her new cancer-free life and senior year of high school, her very existence threatens Allister’s place in this world. Allister struggles to keep Britt a secret from the Eternal Council and out of the hands of the only Eternal who already knows the truth: the one who stole her guardian angel.
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you C.S. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about C.S. Yelle and his books, please visit his website.
***Taking Angels Book Giveaway***
We are giving away a Taking Angels ebook to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a message on this post and include your email address so we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 29, 2014 midnight EST.
May 11, 2014
Chasing Prophecy: Book Blitz Giveaway
Today we shine the spotlight on CHASING PROPHECY by James Moser.
Keep reading for a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon Gift Cards!
Chasing Prophecy by James Moser.
Chasing Prophecy is the story of Mo, a teen boy just trying to survive high school in the mountain town of Boulder Creek, Washington. Boulder Creek is an isolated and mysterious place, proud of its reputation as the “Bigfoot Sighting Capital of the World”. Mo falls in love with a girl named Prophecy who lives with a group that some call a commune and others call a cult. When she disappears, Mo must find the courage to face the monster that her family has become. Chasing Prophecy is a heartwarming contemporary coming of age story. This book chronicles the adolescence of one boy who must transform himself to save the girl of his dreams.
Release Date: January 2, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
***Chasing Prophecy Giveaway***
The author is giving away $50 Amazon Gift Cards to 3 lucky winners!
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a book blitz giveaway--the winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends May 20th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Keep reading for a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon Gift Cards!
Chasing Prophecy by James Moser.
Chasing Prophecy is the story of Mo, a teen boy just trying to survive high school in the mountain town of Boulder Creek, Washington. Boulder Creek is an isolated and mysterious place, proud of its reputation as the “Bigfoot Sighting Capital of the World”. Mo falls in love with a girl named Prophecy who lives with a group that some call a commune and others call a cult. When she disappears, Mo must find the courage to face the monster that her family has become. Chasing Prophecy is a heartwarming contemporary coming of age story. This book chronicles the adolescence of one boy who must transform himself to save the girl of his dreams.
Release Date: January 2, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
***Chasing Prophecy Giveaway***
The author is giving away $50 Amazon Gift Cards to 3 lucky winners!
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a book blitz giveaway--the winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends May 20th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 8, 2014
Ghostlight Audiobook Release + Giveaway
We are celebrating the audiobook release of GHOST LIGHT, the second full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens, with a giveaway!
Keep reading for a chance to win 1 of 6 Ghost Light audiobooks!
Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2) by E.J. Stevens.
Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.
With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it's bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear--Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.
Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she's in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her own?
If Ivy doesn't find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.
Praise for Ghost Light:
"Another brilliant installment of the Ivy Granger series."
-My Urban Fantasies
"I love being told a good story and they just don’t get any better than this. There is romance, action, mystery, plenty of things that go bump in the night, all told with humor and style."
-Paranormal Romance Guild
"I really enjoyed this book—I've really enjoyed this whole series—and can recommend the book, and series, to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, and books that treat the Sidhe in a more realistic manner."
-Now Is Gone
"Ivy Granger is back and better than ever in the second full-length installment of this amazing urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens...It’s an exceptional story and I loved every second of it."
-Twilight Sleep
"If you're a fan of Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs kind of Urban Fantasy then you will love the Ivy Granger series. Go on give it a go!"
-My Keeper Shelf
Now on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
Other books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
Add to Goodreads.
***Ghost Light Audiobook Giveaway***
We are giving away 6 audiobook copies of Ghost Light by E.J. Stevens!
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to anyone who may download audiobooks from Audible.com. Giveaway ends May 30, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
Keep reading for a chance to win 1 of 6 Ghost Light audiobooks!
Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2) by E.J. Stevens.
Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.
With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it's bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear--Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.
Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she's in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her own?
If Ivy doesn't find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.
Praise for Ghost Light:
"Another brilliant installment of the Ivy Granger series."
-My Urban Fantasies
"I love being told a good story and they just don’t get any better than this. There is romance, action, mystery, plenty of things that go bump in the night, all told with humor and style."
-Paranormal Romance Guild
"I really enjoyed this book—I've really enjoyed this whole series—and can recommend the book, and series, to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, and books that treat the Sidhe in a more realistic manner."
-Now Is Gone
"Ivy Granger is back and better than ever in the second full-length installment of this amazing urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens...It’s an exceptional story and I loved every second of it."
-Twilight Sleep
"If you're a fan of Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs kind of Urban Fantasy then you will love the Ivy Granger series. Go on give it a go!"
-My Keeper Shelf
Now on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
Other books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
Add to Goodreads.
***Ghost Light Audiobook Giveaway***
We are giving away 6 audiobook copies of Ghost Light by E.J. Stevens!
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to anyone who may download audiobooks from Audible.com. Giveaway ends May 30, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
May 6, 2014
E.C. Hibbs' Top 10 Favorite Vampires + Tragic Silence Book Giveaway
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author E.C. Hibbs! E.C. is the author of TRAGIC SILENCE.
Since Tragic Silence is a fresh take on vampires, I asked author E.C. Hibbs to share her Top 10 Favorite Vampires. Read on to discover her answers and to win a Tragic Silence ebook!
E.C. Hibbs' Top 10 Favorite Vampires
Count Dracula – Dracula by Bram Stoker
How could I not include this guy? Dracula is one of my favourite classic novels, and even though I love seeing all the different takes on him in movies and spin-offs, it’s the original incarnation of him which I think the most of. The one who wasn’t in love with Mina Harker. But, saying that, my favourite film version of him is the Francis Ford Coppola one with Gary Oldman. That did add the love story, but I didn’t mind because of the way he was played. Another reason I really like Dracula is because even though a lot of vampire tropes originate from him, there are some things in the book which are often overlooked in modern vampires. He never turns into a bat; he instead crawls down walls like a lizard. He can go out in the sunlight. And he does age, but not in the way you might expect.
Eli – Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
This is probably my favourite modern vampire story. The book is amazing and the film adaptation is just beautifully put together. And Eli’s character is the centrepiece of everything for me. Eli is a twelve year-old child who was turned into a vampire by a nobleman centuries before she meets Oskar. The two strike up a friendship which appears to evolve into innocent love. I really like this take on vampires because it shows a friendship between the creature and a human, rather than romance or antagonism. But another reason why I love it is because you’re never quite sure of Eli’s motives. Is she an innocent child trapped in immortality seeking a companion, or is she manipulating Oskar into becoming a caretaker to carry out her vampiric wishes? Eli is ambiguous in more ways than one, and that’s what draws me to her so much.
Carmilla/Countess Mircalla Karnstein – Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Carmilla is a vampire novella that came out 25 years before Dracula, and it’s clear that Bram Stoker took inspiration from it. The main character is one of the first female vampires in popular literature, and she has all the cunning and charm of most Victorian vampires. But she also sleepwalks and suffers from very sudden mood swings. I love her backstory and the connection she has with Laura, especially the way they meet and become friends after a carriage accident outside Laura’s house. Carmilla is one of my favourite classic vampires, and writing this has made me really want to read it again!
Selene – Underworld
This was actually a tough one to call between Selene and Viktor, but I decided to go with Selene because of how determined she is as a warrior. I really enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t interested in the finer aristocratic pleasures of being a vampire, and was instead obsessed with avenging the memory of her human family from centuries ago. To this end, she has become vicious and cold, and it’s only through her relationship with Michael that she is able to rediscover the ability to love. She’s very strong and her character arc is great, especially when she has to decide where her loyalties lie.
Sinclair Copley – Blood and Ice by Robert Masello
Sinclair is a vampire who I think slips under the radar for a lot of people. His character is very interesting to watch throughout the story, because of how much he changes. He begins the novel as a typical middle class Victorian gentleman, patriotic and wealthy, but his experiences of battle and vampirism cause him to become bitter and hard. He loses faith in humanity, and so begins to lose his own, with only the sure knowledge that his beloved Eleanor must always be with him. There’s something about him which I really don’t like, but yet I feel sorry for him at the same time.
Marlow – 30 Days of Night
I’m basing this mainly on the film rather than the comics, because I never finished reading the series. But Marlow is one of those vampires who really creeps me out. He’s the leader of the troupe which comes to Barrow, Alaska during the polar night, with the intention of feasting on the trapped residents. I really liked how these vampires are very naturalistic and almost animal-like in their behaviour and actions. There’s no doubt that they are undead, but they don’t have any kind of grace which you might see in other kinds of vampire. But despite clearly being driven by the simple want of blood, they are still cunning enough to plan the entire attack, manipulate living people, and cover their tracks, and that’s all seen most clearly in Marlow. Creepy!
David – The Lost Boys
This is my favourite movie that has teenage vampires as the main characters. David is the leader of the ‘lost boys’: a group of biking kids who constantly hang around the Santa Carla Boardwalk and generally cause trouble. It’s never made clear exactly how old he is, but he has an arrogance about him, which I think is partially from being a ‘bad boy’, and also because a lot of vampires have that trait. The thing which I really like about David is how much he enjoys himself. He never shows any remorse for the things he does, and it’s almost as though he sees killing and danger as a game. In that respect, he behaves a bit like a child, just wanting to have fun forever, and I can see the original links to Peter Pan in him. Plus, when he’s in full-out vampire mode, he looks brilliant. Those eyes have been stuck in my head for years!
My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
It’s been a while since I read this book, but it had a definite impact on me. It’s set in 17th century Transylvania, long before the vampire became a cloaked, fanged, well-spoken villain. And the vampires in this story have nothing in common with the usual image we give them. These creatures are inspired by the original folklore of Eastern Europe, when they were seen as more like zombies with a bloodlust. There’s nothing suave or cunning about them, but like zombies, they just appear to be an unstoppable force. In that respect, they’re similar to the vampires from 30 Days of Night. But here, they are still bound by the traditional methods of repelling, like not being able to cross running water. It was very refreshing to see!
Lestat de Lioncourt – The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
How can anyone not love the Brat Prince? He’s got to be one of the most charismatic, vain, enthusiastic vampires out there. And all the levels to his character are brilliant. I love how he often contemplates some pretty big philosophical questions in regards to what he has become, which I think are more poignant because it was never his choice to be a vampire. He can be quite brutal, but also selfless, and tragic in how lonesome he tends to be. And he becomes a rock star in the 1980s. That’s just awesome.
Count Franz Szekelys – Blood Sinister by Celia Rees
I tend to think of this book as Dracula for younger readers, because there are a lot of similarities to the Bram Stoker novel. But Blood Sinister is still a good story on its own, and one of its strongest points is the two main characters’ interactions with the vampire. The story jumps between Ellen Laidlaw, a young lady in Victorian London; and her distant descendant, Ellen Forrest, who is seriously ill with a mysterious illness of the blood. Both of them come into contact with Franz Szekelys, who begins as a character very like Dracula, but then is able to integrate himself into modern society. He’s a classic vampire, but creepy in his own right, and it’s nice to see his behaviour change between the two different time periods.
Tragic Silence by E.C. Hibbs
When tragedy strikes Bianka Farkas one night in her native Hungary, she loses more than a friend and her mobility. Some things are harder to understand. Waking up in a hospital, Bee struggles to remember exactly what happened the night she was attacked and witnessed a brutal murder. Memories of a mysterious figure plague her as well as bizarre and terrifying changes in her over the next few years. Facing this new horrifying reality with a surprising ally, Bee finally has the chance to take her revenge but at what cost?
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Suspense
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you E.C. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about E.C. Hibbs and her writing, please visit her website.
***Tragic Silence Ebook Giveaway***
The author is giving away an ebook copy of Tragic Silence by E.C. Hibbs to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so that we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 21, 2014 midnight EST.
Who are your favorite vampires?
Since Tragic Silence is a fresh take on vampires, I asked author E.C. Hibbs to share her Top 10 Favorite Vampires. Read on to discover her answers and to win a Tragic Silence ebook!
E.C. Hibbs' Top 10 Favorite Vampires
Count Dracula – Dracula by Bram Stoker
How could I not include this guy? Dracula is one of my favourite classic novels, and even though I love seeing all the different takes on him in movies and spin-offs, it’s the original incarnation of him which I think the most of. The one who wasn’t in love with Mina Harker. But, saying that, my favourite film version of him is the Francis Ford Coppola one with Gary Oldman. That did add the love story, but I didn’t mind because of the way he was played. Another reason I really like Dracula is because even though a lot of vampire tropes originate from him, there are some things in the book which are often overlooked in modern vampires. He never turns into a bat; he instead crawls down walls like a lizard. He can go out in the sunlight. And he does age, but not in the way you might expect.
Eli – Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
This is probably my favourite modern vampire story. The book is amazing and the film adaptation is just beautifully put together. And Eli’s character is the centrepiece of everything for me. Eli is a twelve year-old child who was turned into a vampire by a nobleman centuries before she meets Oskar. The two strike up a friendship which appears to evolve into innocent love. I really like this take on vampires because it shows a friendship between the creature and a human, rather than romance or antagonism. But another reason why I love it is because you’re never quite sure of Eli’s motives. Is she an innocent child trapped in immortality seeking a companion, or is she manipulating Oskar into becoming a caretaker to carry out her vampiric wishes? Eli is ambiguous in more ways than one, and that’s what draws me to her so much.
Carmilla/Countess Mircalla Karnstein – Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Carmilla is a vampire novella that came out 25 years before Dracula, and it’s clear that Bram Stoker took inspiration from it. The main character is one of the first female vampires in popular literature, and she has all the cunning and charm of most Victorian vampires. But she also sleepwalks and suffers from very sudden mood swings. I love her backstory and the connection she has with Laura, especially the way they meet and become friends after a carriage accident outside Laura’s house. Carmilla is one of my favourite classic vampires, and writing this has made me really want to read it again!
Selene – Underworld
This was actually a tough one to call between Selene and Viktor, but I decided to go with Selene because of how determined she is as a warrior. I really enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t interested in the finer aristocratic pleasures of being a vampire, and was instead obsessed with avenging the memory of her human family from centuries ago. To this end, she has become vicious and cold, and it’s only through her relationship with Michael that she is able to rediscover the ability to love. She’s very strong and her character arc is great, especially when she has to decide where her loyalties lie.
Sinclair Copley – Blood and Ice by Robert Masello
Sinclair is a vampire who I think slips under the radar for a lot of people. His character is very interesting to watch throughout the story, because of how much he changes. He begins the novel as a typical middle class Victorian gentleman, patriotic and wealthy, but his experiences of battle and vampirism cause him to become bitter and hard. He loses faith in humanity, and so begins to lose his own, with only the sure knowledge that his beloved Eleanor must always be with him. There’s something about him which I really don’t like, but yet I feel sorry for him at the same time.
Marlow – 30 Days of Night
I’m basing this mainly on the film rather than the comics, because I never finished reading the series. But Marlow is one of those vampires who really creeps me out. He’s the leader of the troupe which comes to Barrow, Alaska during the polar night, with the intention of feasting on the trapped residents. I really liked how these vampires are very naturalistic and almost animal-like in their behaviour and actions. There’s no doubt that they are undead, but they don’t have any kind of grace which you might see in other kinds of vampire. But despite clearly being driven by the simple want of blood, they are still cunning enough to plan the entire attack, manipulate living people, and cover their tracks, and that’s all seen most clearly in Marlow. Creepy!
David – The Lost Boys
This is my favourite movie that has teenage vampires as the main characters. David is the leader of the ‘lost boys’: a group of biking kids who constantly hang around the Santa Carla Boardwalk and generally cause trouble. It’s never made clear exactly how old he is, but he has an arrogance about him, which I think is partially from being a ‘bad boy’, and also because a lot of vampires have that trait. The thing which I really like about David is how much he enjoys himself. He never shows any remorse for the things he does, and it’s almost as though he sees killing and danger as a game. In that respect, he behaves a bit like a child, just wanting to have fun forever, and I can see the original links to Peter Pan in him. Plus, when he’s in full-out vampire mode, he looks brilliant. Those eyes have been stuck in my head for years!
My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
It’s been a while since I read this book, but it had a definite impact on me. It’s set in 17th century Transylvania, long before the vampire became a cloaked, fanged, well-spoken villain. And the vampires in this story have nothing in common with the usual image we give them. These creatures are inspired by the original folklore of Eastern Europe, when they were seen as more like zombies with a bloodlust. There’s nothing suave or cunning about them, but like zombies, they just appear to be an unstoppable force. In that respect, they’re similar to the vampires from 30 Days of Night. But here, they are still bound by the traditional methods of repelling, like not being able to cross running water. It was very refreshing to see!
Lestat de Lioncourt – The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
How can anyone not love the Brat Prince? He’s got to be one of the most charismatic, vain, enthusiastic vampires out there. And all the levels to his character are brilliant. I love how he often contemplates some pretty big philosophical questions in regards to what he has become, which I think are more poignant because it was never his choice to be a vampire. He can be quite brutal, but also selfless, and tragic in how lonesome he tends to be. And he becomes a rock star in the 1980s. That’s just awesome.
Count Franz Szekelys – Blood Sinister by Celia Rees
I tend to think of this book as Dracula for younger readers, because there are a lot of similarities to the Bram Stoker novel. But Blood Sinister is still a good story on its own, and one of its strongest points is the two main characters’ interactions with the vampire. The story jumps between Ellen Laidlaw, a young lady in Victorian London; and her distant descendant, Ellen Forrest, who is seriously ill with a mysterious illness of the blood. Both of them come into contact with Franz Szekelys, who begins as a character very like Dracula, but then is able to integrate himself into modern society. He’s a classic vampire, but creepy in his own right, and it’s nice to see his behaviour change between the two different time periods.
Tragic Silence by E.C. Hibbs
When tragedy strikes Bianka Farkas one night in her native Hungary, she loses more than a friend and her mobility. Some things are harder to understand. Waking up in a hospital, Bee struggles to remember exactly what happened the night she was attacked and witnessed a brutal murder. Memories of a mysterious figure plague her as well as bizarre and terrifying changes in her over the next few years. Facing this new horrifying reality with a surprising ally, Bee finally has the chance to take her revenge but at what cost?
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Suspense
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you E.C. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about E.C. Hibbs and her writing, please visit her website.
***Tragic Silence Ebook Giveaway***
The author is giving away an ebook copy of Tragic Silence by E.C. Hibbs to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so that we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 21, 2014 midnight EST.
Who are your favorite vampires?
