E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 90

Spirit Storm News + Giveaway!

Santa's elves have been whispering in my ear with rumors that Spirit Storm, the second book in the Spirit Guide series, would be available in various ebook formats in time for the holidays and they were right.  Thank you Santa!

Spirit Storm is now available in Kindle format at Amazon US and Amazon UK and in various ebook formats at Smashwords.  NookBook format coming soon to Barnes and Noble.

Spirit Storm will be available in print January 2011.

To celebrate Spirit Storm's holiday ebook release, I am giving away an electronic copy of Spirit Storm to one lucky winner!  Two additional winners will receive postcards featuring the gorgeous Spirit Storm book cover.























To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so I may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow).  This giveaway is international!  Giveaway ends January 31st midnight EST.

Guest Author Interview: Robert J. Duperre

Please welcome today's guest author Robert J. Duperre!  Robert is the author of The Fall (The Rift, #1) and contributed to The Gate: 13 Dark and Odd Tales.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Robert:   It all started as a kid. I used to spend a lot of time alone in my bedroom (sometimes forcibly), and I used those hours to write and draw comic books. Once I hit high school, I'd gotten the bug. I used to write thirty page English papers like they were nothing. Of course I got A's on them - probably because the teacher got tired of flipping page after page when they had so many other papers to correct. Combine that with my love of Clive Barker, Anne Rice, and Douglas Adams, and a writer was born.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Robert:  The mystery of life intrigues me. As a younger adult, I considered myself an atheist - until, that is, that I realized how much I longed for the spectacular, for the mystical.

Paranormal is special for another reason, as well. It allows us to create situations that are real-world equivalent and place them in the realm of the fantastic. This creates a needed buffer between the occurrences on the page and world the reader exists in. It allows the story to tell its tale, to send a message from a safe distance, which is paramount to engrossing the audience and not alienating them.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Robert:  I'd probably want to be a vampire - for the immortality. I'm (ahem) scared to death of death. The only problem is that I'd have to turn my entire family into vampires, as well. I wouldn't want to go through eternity alone.

(As for the blood drinking part...not really appealing, but hey, immortality has its price, right?)

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Robert:  The Fall is dark, scary, and sometimes graphic, but it also has a huge heart. The characters are believable and flawed, folks we can relate to and root for. The story is simple on the surface but more complex once a few layers are peeled back. There is terror, angst, a sprinkle of romance, zombies, and a mysterious evil force. Who could ask for more?

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Robert:  I'd want to stick with some lesser-knowns, just so they can own the role and not have someone say, "Hey, that's Robert Pattinson!" (Actually, that response would likely be, "Hey, that's Edward!" now that I think about it.)

For Josh and Kyra, the two primary characters, I'd have to go with Paul Dano (the son from Little Miss Sunshine) and Jaime Ray Newman (Kat Gardner from the television version of Eastwick.) I have Dano in there because a) he's the right age, and b) he has that quiet, intelligent feel to him and is an obviously attractive guy, but not perfectly so. As for Newman, she's also the right age, and she has a glow about her. I'd love to see her dirtied up a bit for the role. I think she'd nail it.

As for my mysterious leader of the dead? It'd definitely be Julian Sands. He was the inspiration for the character, so it'd be sublime to have him in the role.























The Fall (The Rift, book 1) by Robert J. Duperre.

An ancient evil, trapped in the ruins of a lost Mayan temple for centuries, has been unleashed. It takes the form of a deadly virus, one that causes violent insanity in the living and the recently departed to rise and walk. It spreads around the globe, throwing the world into chaos and war. As it progresses, those in the States who find themselves far away from the epicenter watch it unfold with unbelieving eyes. From Washington D.C. to Dover, New Hampshire, regular people are hurled into an existence outside their control, left to deal with catastrophic situations that they find themselves unprepared to handle. Life becomes a nightmare, and that nightmare is spreading. 


Thank you Robert for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Robert J. Duperre and his books, please visit his website.

Book Trailer: Spirit Storm

The book trailer for Spirit Storm, the second book in the Spirit Guide series, is now up on YouTube here.



If you missed it, the She Smells the Dead trailer is available here.

Update:  A little elf just informed me that Santa expects Spirit Storm to be available in Kindle and various other eBook editions before Christmas!  Print editions are still on track for early January 2011 release.

Guest Author Interview: Sarah Ettritch

Please welcome today's guest author Sarah Ettritch!  Sarah is the author of Rymellan 1: Disobedience Means Death, A Tragic Romance, and The Salbine Sisters.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Sarah:  I was a late bloomer. I only started to write seriously when I was in my early-forties (I'm creeping up on my late forties now).

EJ:  What brought you to the fantasy genre?

Sarah:  My muse. I don't decide up front what genre of story to write. I write whatever my muse throws at me and figure out the genre later. I like to read fantasy books, and I enjoy computer role-playing games with fantasy settings, so it's not surprising that I ended up writing a fantasy story.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Sarah:  I'd love the ability to read the minds of animals. Having said that, finding out what my cats are thinking might scare the heck out of me or scar me for life. What's going on in their little heads when they do that "staring into space" thing?

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Sarah:  The Salbine Sisters has a touch of romance, two strong female protagonists, and an engaging story that twists and turns to its end. You can download the first chapter at the book's website, where you'll also find information about the main characters and Salbine lore.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Sarah:   Interesting question! For Lillian, a younger (and plumper) Judi Dench. Lillian is a strong but vulnerable woman, the sort of character Dench plays well. For Maddy, Ellen Page. She's about the right age, and I've always visualized Maddy with dark hair.























The Salbine Sisters by Sarah Ettritch.

She gave up everything to become a Salbine Sister, member of a religious order of powerful female mages. But when Maddy nearly dies while trying to draw forth elemental fire, she learns that Salbine has withdrawn from her the gifts every sister works to master. Feeling trapped in an order to which she no longer has any right to belong and believing herself unworthy of the love of Lillian, one of the most powerful mages in the sisterhood, Maddy begs the abbess to let her travel to another monastery to research her condition.  On her journey, Maddy's faith in both herself and Salbine are tested to their limits. When she attempts to draw fire and fails horribly, frightened townsfolk throw Maddy into prison. Fearing that the abbess will never learn her fate and rescue her, Maddy resigns herself to a short and brutal life.  The only bright spot in Maddy's existence is Emmey, the pickpocket with whom she shares a cell. Through her and the steadfast love of Lillian, Maddy learns that Salbine's purpose is not always the same for everyone, and that love and compassion are more valuable than magic.


Thank you Sarah for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Sarah Ettritch and her books, please visit her website.

Book Review: Hex Hall

Hex Hall (Hex Hall, book 1) by Rachel Hawkins.

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.  By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.  As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.


Teens with paranormal powers are supposed to be safe at Hecate Hall.. .   But someone, or something, is killing students.  Sophie, a young witch who misused her powers and risked human discovery, has been sent to Hecate Hall on the orders of the Council.  The Council is the ruling body for Prodigium, people such as witches, faeries, vampires, and werewolves, and their orders are law.  Hecate Hall is a special boarding school, secluded from human society, created to "protect and instruct shapeshifter, witch, and fae children who have risked exposure of their abilities, and therefore imperiled Prodigium society as a whole."  Unfortunately for Sophie, Hecate Hall is being plagued by student deaths and her one friend and roommate is the prime suspect.  I found Hex Hall to be an engrossing, fast-paced paranormal read filled with mystery and young romance.  These characters are completely believable, the mystery is incredibly suspenseful, and the romantic tension kept me frantically flipping pages.  I found myself unable to put this book down!  I can't wait to read Demonglass, the second book in this series.

I highly recommend Hex Hall (Hex Hall, book 1) to readers of mystery, paranormal romance, young adult, urban fantasy and especially to fans of paranormal suspense.

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.


Hex Hall on Amazon.
Hex Hall on Goodreads.

Book Review: A Spy in the House

A Spy in the House (The Agency, book 1) by Y.S. Lee.

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady's companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant's home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.


A strong female sleuth and an intriguing mystery .   A Spy in the House is a fabulous mystery set in Victorian London.  This story begins with young Mary about to face the gallows for thievery.  In a fabulous twist of fate, Mary is whisked away to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls where her adept mind and independent streak are cultivated.  When, at the age of seventeen, Mary makes an inquiry to the headmistress about her future prospects she learns a dangerous yet exciting secret.  There is a secret organization, The Agency, hidden within Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls.  Women are often overlooked in Victorian society and The Agency has found this to their advantage.  The Agency is in need of young women with Mary's skills and disposition and she is readily employed as a spy, but will Mary be able to keep her temper and stubborn streak in check?  Will she remain undetected long enough to survive her first mission?  An amazing beginning to an exciting mystery series.  Mary is my favorite kind of heroine.  I loved this book so much I immediately ordered The Body at the Tower, the next book in the series, for myself and gifted both books in the series to family and friends.

I recommend A Spy in the House (The Agency, book 1) to readers of mystery, suspense, romance, young adult, and especially to fans of historical mysteries with a strong female heroine. Fans of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, the Study series by Maria V. Snyder, and the Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King will love The Agency series by Y.S. Lee.

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.

A Spy in the House on Amazon.
A Spy in the House on Goodreads.

Bite Before Christmas Character Interview: Rose + Giveaway

"A good many things go around in the dark besides Santa Claus." –Herbert Clark Hoover

IN A NEPHIL'S WORDS: A HOLIDAY INTERVIEW WITH ROSE

The Yuletide beckons! With winter's chill comes twinkling lights, the smell of pine, and the warmth of the hearth calling us home to share the season with family and friends.
Whether pagan or Christian, the dark half of the year brings a sense of beauty and mystery; we somehow become more aware of, and in awe of, the Universe.

To celebrate the season of angels, I felt it only appropriate to welcome a guest who carries the celestial lineage in her very genes. Please welcome Rose, the Nephil daughter of one of Heaven's finest warriors. Please make her feel welcome; she is usually a loner, and tends to be wary of those she doesn't know.

DANI: Hello, Rose. Welcome and happy holidays. Thanks for taking time out to chat today.

ROSE (nodding abruptly): You're welcome.

DANI: I see that your boyfriend, Skriker, is with you.

(Rose rolls her eyes. Skriker waves excitedly, grinning.)

ROSE: Yeah, he insisted on tagging along.

SKRIKER: This here's Dani, baby. She's a cool chick.

ROSE: I know who she is, Skrike, thank you. Look, there are cookies over there—go check them out. (sighs) Sorry, Dani, please continue.

DANI: Tell us about yourself, Rose. You are half angel, correct? Also called a Nephil. Word on the street is you are the last Nephil on earth.

ROSE: That's right. I'm the first Nephil born in millennia; there were other Nephilim born way back, a whole wave, but they were destroyed. I am a very…strange creature.

DANI: Your father was a warrior in the Holy Army, correct?

ROSE: That's right. He was banished…Jesus…I don't know how long ago. Centuries and centuries. I think it was during the Crusades, but I don't recall for sure. Anyway, he was given a chance to go home, to earn his wings back…and he would have to kill my mother to do it.

DANI: Your mother, Psyche. She was an artist?

ROSE: Yes. A wonderful artist—talented far beyond her years. She was like magic in my father's eyes because of what she could create. He fell for her hard and gave his wings up a second time for her, accepted every condition that Heaven threw at him so he didn't have to leave. They loved each other so much…it breaks my heart that he was allowed to be with her so little after I was born. It's a long story, and someday it'll be told, but that's me in a nutshell.

DANI: This blog post celebrates the beginning of the holiday season, a time that most folks look forward to immensely. How do you celebrate Christmas or Yule, being half angel and all? Is it a big deal for you?

ROSE (her mouth twisting): Truth be told I'm not very big on the whole Christmas thing. I hate being in churches, or anywhere that there are lots of angel images or states, because it makes me feel like their eyes are on me. Like my Heavenly 'family' is staring me down and judging my every move. Angels are not as fluffy as all the Christmas cards make them out to be, and there are too many of them around this time of year for my taste.

DANI: So you never celebrated Christmas with your mother, or with Skriker now?

ROSE: I celebrated with my mother before she died. She loved Christmas and I loved it then, too. But I was just a kid…after she died, it was never the same for me again. I do celebrate with Skrike, because he loves it, and because I love him, but it's more for him than for me. Strange, I know.

DANI: That is strange. Skriker's half demon.

ROSE (chuckling and blushing): I know, go fig. He loves churches, as all demons do, and I hate them. I told him that if, IF, he can ever convince me to marry him, I will not do it in a church.

SKRIKER (his mouth full of cookie): I'd do it in a church.

ROSE: You'd do it anywhere, Skrike, and I hear that you already went the sex-in-a-church route before we met. Shush.

DANI: How do you and Skriker celebrate Christmas or Yule? I take it you don't go to mass or the local bonfire…

ROSE: I don't. Skriker tries to when he can—his mother raised him Catholic and it still sticks to his ribs, I think. Yeah, I know…a half Swedish, half demon guy who is also Catholic…it's all irony with him. Anyway, if I can't convince him to go on a hunt with me during Christmas, we usually spend it at his apartment. I go with his flow…he's big on decorating. So was my mother, so I guess that's why he can get me into it. Sometimes Harry, Skrike's patron and adopted father, and his daughter, Gretchen, swing by for dinner. But usually it's just the two of us. Skrike's the cook and the maid in this relationship, so he takes care of everything.

SKRIKER (winking): My Rosie just lies around and looks pretty under the lights while I do all the work.
 (Rose blushes again, smiling)

DANI (laughing): What a crazy holiday gathering! A tattooed half demon cooking and cleaning, a half angel lounging under the tree, and two werewolves popping in with the champagne. I love it! What is your favorite meal at these holiday feasts?

ROSE:  I don't really eat. Being half angel, it's not really necessary. Skrike eats like a pig, on the other hand, so I let him cook what he wants. Usually he does the whole Swedish meatball and lingonberry sauce thing. I usually just drink lots of champagne and leave it at that while he and the weres eat up.

DANI: Do you exchange gifts?

ROSE: Sometimes. Skriker usually goes all out with his bottomless wallet.

DANI: What's the best gift he's bought you so far?

ROSE: My own Harley. My Ducati Monster was wrecked on our first hunt together and he bought me a new bike for our first Christmas together. Sweetest thing ever.

SKRIKER: Of course, I prefer her to be perched behind me on my saddle with her crotch squished against my ass, but she's an independent gal, so I can't fault her that she needed her own ride.

ROSE (jabbing him playfully, giggling): Skrike, you moron.

DANI: One hell of a gift! I'm jealous! Now, a big question I'm sure all of our readers have on their lips is: would you/do you kiss under the mistletoe? Anything else under the mistletoe?

(Skriker snickers. Rose shoots him a nasty look.)

SKRIKER: Oh, Dani, you have nooooo idea, baby—

ROSE: Shut up, Skrike! You already had your interview at Paranormal Romantics, so for the last time, hush! My turn now!

DANI: Ooh, a little tension here! Moving on. You say your mother loved Christmas. I hope this isn't touching on too sore of a spot, but do you have any favorite holiday memories?

ROSE (sadly): That's okay. It's a good question. Yeah, I do have a favorite memory, from the last Christmas that my mother was alive. I was five years old. My mom had been raking in some nice money from selling her artworks—finally—and so she wanted to give me the biggest Christmas she could afford. It was just the two of us, of course, but she did so much for me. She decorated like crazy: silver and blue and purple glass balls, silver tinsel, a million white lights like a fairy world. I remember levitating the tree ornaments, laughing as I watched them float, and she never once told me to be careful. Having a child who could levitate things didn't even phase her at that point, you know? The funniest thing was when she went to put the angel tree topper up. I must have looked at her like she was nuts because she asked my why I didn't like it. I told her it didn't look like a "real angel", that a real angel would look like my father, who was rarely permitted to be with us. And you know what she did? She made a new tree topper, just for me. A dark-haired male angel topper with red feathered wings. She presented it to me on Christmas Eve and I was so happy I almost squealed. We sat under the tree with my mother's handmade topper looking down on us, and I remember saying, "Now daddy can watch over us from the tree." I woke up in the middle of the night and saw my father there, by the bed, looking down at me, before I fell asleep again. We didn't see him again until just before my mother was murdered, so that whole Christmas is something I still treasure.

(Rose wipes a mist of tears from her eyes. Skriker hugs her and kisses her cheek.)

ROSE: Thanks, honey.

SKRIKER: No worries, babe.

DANI: Wow. That's a beautiful memory, Rose.

ROSE: Yes, it is. I hope it stays with me forever, especially because I'm immortal.

DANI:  Absolutely. Do you look to any spirit guides during the Solstice?

ROSE: If I'm going to look to any guide, it's going to be my father. We may chew each other's heads off half of the time, but he's got my best interests in mind and can swing power that Skrike and I can't even touch. Plus he's my Guardian (sighs and rolls her eyes) so keeping him off my ass is an impossible feat.

DANI: Your Guardian? As in 'guardian angel'?

ROSE: You got it. Usually Lailah, the Angel of Conception, assigns the Guardian. But my dad was bonkers when I was born and insisted that no angel other than him was worthy of Guarding me. The bastard doesn't even have wings anymore and he still manages to stick his nose everywhere. Really, really annoying.

DANI: How does your dad feel about Skriker?

ROSE (snorting): How do you think my father reacted when he discovered that I was screwing a half-demon punk?

DANI: Gotcha. Well, it looks like Skriker ate all the cookies, so that means we're about out of time. Anything you'd like to say to our readers today?

ROSE: Treasure your loved ones…you never know what may happen to them.

DANI: Excellent advice. Thanks for joining us.

ROSE: You're welcome, Dani.

SKRIKER(waving): Bye, Dani! Love ya, baby!

DANI (laughing): You, too, Skrike! Kiss, kiss!



















Danielle D. Smith is an author of dark fantasy, horror, and erotica novels. She is also an apprentice tattoo artist in San Diego, CA.

To learn more about Danielle D. Smith and her books, please visit her website, her blog, or check out her previous author interview here at From the Shadows.






















**Black Dog and Rebel Rose eBook Giveaway**

We are giving away one pdf eBook copy of Black Dog and Rebel Rose to one lucky reader!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is international!  Giveaway ends December 20th midnight EST.


Black Dog and Rebel Rose on Amazon.
Black Dog and Rebel Rose on Goodreads.

Book Review: Nevermore

Nevermore (Nevermore, book 1) by Kelly Creagh.

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he'd rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can't help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.  Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.  As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.


Her world is unraveling...in more ways than you can imagine .   Nevermore is an intriguing beginning to a paranormal young adult series.  Isobel Langley has a charmed life, or so she thinks.  She's popular, dating the hottest football player, and is queen of her school's cheerleading squad.  Varen Nethers is the dark, brooding, intellectual goth guy in her English class.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in Isobel and found myself wishing, over and over again, that this book had been told from Varen's perspective.  The supernatural elements of this story, though at times confusing, were intriguing.  Creagh combines historical fact and the haunting works of Edgar Allan Poe to create a suspenseful urban fantasy world.  This book ends with a cliff hangar and I look forward to giving the next book in the series a try. 

I recommend Nevermore (Nevermore, book 1) to readers of paranormal suspense, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and especially to fans of young adult fiction. 

Source: This book was purchased by me for review.

Nevermore on Amazon.
Nevermore on Goodreads.

Series Review: The Morganville Vampires

The Morganville Vampires (1-8) by Rachel Caine

Welcome to Morganville, you'll never want to leave. 
So, you're new to Morganville.  Welcome, new resident!  There are only a few important rules you need to know to feel comfortable in our quiet little town:
Obey the speed limits.
Don't litter.
Whatever you do, don't get on the bad side of the vampires.

Yeah, we said vampires.  Deal with it.

As a human newcomer, you'll need to find yourself a vampire Protector--someone willing to sign a contract to keep you and yours safe from harm (especially from the other vampires).  In return, you'll pay taxes...just like in any other town.  Of course, in most other towns those taxes don't get collected by the Bloodmobile.
Oh, and if you decide not to get a Protector, you can do that too...but you'd better learn how to run fast, stay out of the shadows, and build a network of friends who can help you.  
--excerpt from "Introduction", The Morganville Vampires

Review
Highly addictive urban fantasy adventure series for readers of all ages.  I usually review each book in a series separately, but this series made pausing to write a review after each book impossible.  Every book in this series ends with a major cliff hangar and I found myself needing the next book like a fish needs water...or a vampire needs blood (these books are like chips, you can't stop at just one). This series begins with Claire, young brainiac extraordinaire, who, at the age of sixteen, is attending college at Texas Prairie University in Morganville.  TPewwww isn't her first choice school, or second, or third, but her parents think a small school is a good place for a young girl to start her higher education.  Unfortunately their misguided attempt to protect her leave her dumped in a town full of vamps.  Thanks mom and dad.  If you're not a fan of paranormal books with school settings, don't worry.  This book is not a rehashing of Harry Potter...not by a long shot.  The Morganville Vampires is a series that illustrates the importance of friendship, the beauty of first love, the resilience of youth, and the kinetic potential of the brainy girl next door...all within the framework of a chilling urban fantasy world.  Morganville is a vamp filled town where vampires and humans coexist...for now, but their tenuous peace is more like a house of cards and Claire just may be the stiff wind some folks have been waiting for. 

This review is for Glass Houses, The Dead Girls' Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, Fade Out, and Kiss of Death.

I highly recommend The Morganville Vampires to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, young adult, supernatural suspense, and especially to fans of fast-paced vampire fiction.

Look for my review of Ghost Town (The Morganville Vampires, book 9) by Rachel Caine in the near future.  Rachel Caine is also author of the popular Weather Warden series.  Click here for my review of Ill Wind (Weather Warden, book 1).

Source:  These books were purchased by me for review.

**Looking to pick up the series?  The first eight books are available in mass market paperback and qualify for Amazon's 4-for-3 bargain pricing.**

Guest Author Interview: Martin Treanor

Please welcome today's guest author Martin Treanor!  Martin is the author of The Silver Mist, Who's Charlie featured in the Spinetingler Anthology of Short Stories, and contributed to They Bite.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Martin:  Do you know, I can't really give an answer to that? I suppose I've always tinkered in some way or another. I then began setting something permanent down in 1998, with the groundwork for a short story called, 'Who's Charlie?'

It was a supernatural piece, based on the idea of invisible friends in childhood. It took many years, and much editing, before it found its readership. I had sold quite a number of other stories before I thought to resurrect the story, and was lucky enough to secure publication in 'Spinetingler', along with a place in that years' anthology - and also a flattering review by multi Bram Stoker Award winner, Jonathan Mayberry.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Martin:  That would be my compulsive desire to discover new things. I am one of those who are curious, to the point of obsession, about anything and everything - the more obscure the better - and what could be more obscure than the mysterious world of our dark and hidden selves.

For me, the realm of the psyche is a universe in itself, a place of creation and death. What lies inside, we project into the outside world, and perhaps our perceptions are such that they manifest as matter and reality. These are the paradigms that I explore in my books and stories, and which feature strongly in my forthcoming novel, 'The Silver Mist'.

Most people prefer to sever the connection with the otherworld of their souls, viewing it as a place too dark and veiled to consider. For me, it's a compulsion - the need to ask, 'What if?' I'm compelled to take that journey inward, to examine what comes into existence - and, if it arrives with sinister undertones, then all the better.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Martin:  Ah! Good one. I think that, if I could have any single supernatural talent, it would be telekinesis. This is something that has always fascinated me since I was a kid, my childhood brain twisted and swelled with movie images of people who could move and do external things with their mind - especially 'Carrie', and following that, 'Firestarter' and 'Scanners'.

It is something that crops up to a small degree in some of my work and, if I had such ability, would use it hang the blasted washing on the clothesline, something that peeves me no end.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Martin:  Normally, I theme my stories on the traditional patterns of the supernatural - albeit through a speculative approach. With 'The Silver Mist' though, I wanted to go further than the classic archetype, and consider the deeper essence of the psyche, the foundations of mind and matter, and open for an alternative explanation to the established definitions of existence.

I chose to address this through the eyes of someone who would be seen as being at the fringes of society. In many ways a hidden person who, in turn, views the world from an alternative perspective, allowing for the story to develop through her understanding of the reality in which she exists, bringing forth all the dark implications that such understanding might invoke.

The reader is taken on a journey - well a series of journeys - down to the secret recesses of the soul and, just as the main character comes face to face with the unseen aspects of her own inner fears, so the reader is exposed to the murky world within us all - or perhaps outside … or maybe both?

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Martin:  With regards 'The Silver Mist', for the leading role, I would cast Irish actress, Elaine Cassidy - it would probably involve an good degree of facial effects, however she has a style and finesse that would fit the part perfectly - as 'Runt' in 'Disco Pigs', with Cillian Murphy, she was excellent. If I remember right, she won an award for that role.
As the supporting character, I would cast another Irish actress, Laura Pyper, whose eyes are so alive, and she performed a fabulous Jane Fairfax in the BBC's 2009 adaptation of 'Emma'.

As to another of my novels - as yet unpublished - working title: 'Drawn to the Dark' - I would cast Ellen Page in the lead role - she was brilliant in 'Inception' - and, for the three main supporting roles, I'd cast English actor John Simm (so nefarious as 'The Master' in 'Doctor Who'), English actress Naomi Harris (Tia Dalma in 'The Pirates of the Caribbean'), and iconic Irish actress, Brenda Fricker - who I would also cast in 'The Silver Mist'.

I just wouldn't like to be picking up the pay-bill.

*****
The Bite Before Christmas special treat!  Martin has graciously offered us a chance to read his holiday short story 'Not A Scratch' here.

Thank you Martin for joining us here at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Martin Treanor and his books, please visit his website.