R.A. Evans's Blog, page 15

New deal with distribitor means Asylum Lake is going global!

Have I mentioned how fortunate I am to be working with the great people at Schuler Books & Music on my self-published novels Asylum Lake and Grave Undertakings?  My titles are printed on their super-cool Espresso Book Machine. It's been a learning experience for all involved as Asylum Lake has surpassed all of our expectations – so much so that we've amended our agreement and signed on with a distributor to bring my thriller to an even wider audience.

The good people at Schuler Books are outsourcing the printing of Asylum Lake for mass-market distribution. They'll still be printing copies on the Espresso for local sales, but are turning the work over to a commercial printer to handle the mass market stuff.  What exactly does this mean? Well, for one it means that distribution channels will now be pitching my title to chain stores, libraries, and other retailers. It's definitely a beautiful day in my little neighborhood.

So let's celebrate together. I need to keep people talking about Asylum Lake – both to help with this new distribution partner, as well as launch the release of the sequel Grave Undertakings in May. So this is what I'm offering. Between now and April 30th, each Amazon sale for Kindle will receive a free download of Grave Undertakings when its released in May.  The same goes for Smashwords and its multiple e-book format offerings. And for those of you who prefer the traditional printed page, all print orders of Asylum Lake in April will receive an autographed copy, the official Asylum Lake bookmark, and be put on a list for the first run of Grave Undertakings – also autographed. With e-book pricing at $2.99 and the print version at $15.00 there's never been a better time to dive into the mysteries of Asylum Lake.

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement. With the release of Grave Undertakings the tale that began with Asylum Lake will come to a close, but I'm already hard at work on my next dark thriller FLIGHT, and if I can brag for just a moment – it's going to be awesome!

U.S. Air Marshal Liz Downie thought she had lucked out with her assignment – a half-empty red eye from London to the states. The passengers – an odd assortment of State Department staffers freshly plucked from the embattled U.S. Embassy in Iraq. These arent your usual friendly skies, however. Tucked into the passenger jet's shadowy cargo hold hides a secret the U.S. Military will do anything to protect – and Liz Downie everything to stop.

Where do you run when you are 33,000 feet up?

Flight
The new novel from R. A. Evans
Scheduled for take-off soon

 

Who is Dr. Wesly Clovis and what are his GRAVE UNDERTAKINGS?

Brady's search for answers intensifies as he and his companions pick up the trail of the illusive Dr. Wesley Clovis. As the mysteries surrounding the man's sinister plans begin to unravel, Brady is left to ponder just what could lead a man to such Grave Undertakings……

December 23, 1972

Eerie, Indiana

The methodical footsteps from down the tiled hallway of the Pleasant Grove Psychiatric Hospital were as precise as a metronome. Their thunderous echo reverberation ended abruptly at the registration desk.

"May I help you," the middle-aged, overweight secretary asked without looking up from her finely-manicured nails.

The man's baritone voice was formal beyond reproach and she flinched beneath its weight. "Indeed. I am here to finalize the transfer of care for one," pausing as he produced a thin file from an oversized black case, "Collins, Lionel J."

The receptionist looked up from her polished nails into the ageless face of Dr. Wesley Clovis. Silver hair flowed from beneath his puritan hat, while a starched white collar concealed his throat under a cloak the color of midnight. His hungry smile widened below cold blue eyes.

She accepted the file, paging nervously through the paperwork, before reaching for the phone.

"If you can wait one moment," she replied, gesturing toward a small cluster of uncomfortable plastic chairs. The man nodded, his smile unflinching, and remained rooted to the floor.

A short while later a boy was led by two white-clad orderlies from behind the locked doors at the end of the hall. He was small and frail with a mess of auburn curls falling over his brow. He struggled beneath the weight of an oversized suitcase.

Clovis turned from the uneasy receptionist with a nod and cast his stern gaze upon the boy. He waved the orderlies away with indifference, his eager eyes drinking in the Lionel's fragile form.

"Son," the cold greeting was accompanied by a firm hand falling across the boy's delicate shoulder, "are you prepared to shed the shackles of this prison?"

Lionel looked up into the man's cold blue eyes and smiled warily. "Yes, sir," he replied, his coppery eyes holding the man's stare.

Dr. Wesley Clovis smiled down at the boy. He glanced briefly at the gawking receptionist, slowly tipping his black hat, and escorted his new patient down the hallway and out the doors of the institution.

One week later, Marie Quinn's name would be listed among the deceased, just one of dozens of victims claimed by a devastating fire of unknown origin. Her identification only made possible by the distinct red polish of her charred fingernails.

There is still time to dive into the mysteries of Asylum Lake before the dark secrets of Grave Undertakings are unearthed in May. On Amazon Kindle for only $2.99 and Autographed Print for $15.00

"Asylum Lake" by Grand Rapids author R.A. Evans (Chapbook Press, $15) has a striking cover design that should entice many new readers. It's an intriguing psychological tale set in the small fictional town of Bedlam Falls in northern Michigan. It introduces Brady Tanner, who's been successful as a Chicago journalist, but is trying to escape the realities of the tragic death of his wife and their unborn child. The death of Tanner's father causes Tanner's return to the small old house where he spent many summers as a youth. It also brings back fond memories, as well as thoughts about the time he almost died. The town has grown significantly since Tanner left. The huge state mental institution (which closed in 1958) still looms darkly on the shores of the lake. His former girlfriend April has moved back to town to take care of her father, who has Alzheimer's; her young daughter Abby is pivotal to the plot. Evan's paperback debut jumps back and forth between decades, including scenes of a violent mass murder by a teenager and other assorted deaths. The pacing picks up in the last half as Tanner, with the help of police officers, diligently unearths a variety of horrific dark secrets of the mental institution. In a realistic manner, not all of Tanner's puzzling questions are answered, although many deadly past events are significantly clarified. This is the first of a planned series of books showcasing Tanner. The next volume has him learning more about the background and the fate of the asylum's elusive last director, Dr. Wesley Clovis. Asylum Lake is a taut tale liable to raise significant goosebumps. Evans, a former journalist, has worked in marketing and public relations for the past 15 years; he's an adjunct faculty member at Grand Valley State University.

–Ray Walsh, Lansing State Journal

Write What You Know: Guest Post by Author Charlie Courtland

'Write what you know,' is probably the worst and best advice I've received during my journey as a writer. This nugget of wisdom was bestowed upon a group of eager and aspiring creative writers (including myself) at an introductory college level writing course. I was hungry to learn the secret to penning the next classic story, and instead I got, "Write what you know." I observed two reactions to this statement. Some students in the room nodded, agreeably. Others, like myself, pursed their lips, cocked their jaw, and assumed the arms-folded-across-the-chest position. Write what I know?! How boring! I live it everyday. I don't find any of it interesting, why would someone else?! Yes, these were my thoughts. And yep, up went the wall.

Here is why I believe it is terrible advice to give a green, aspiring writer. In my experience, generic statements lead to limitations and immediately draw borders around where a writer has the courage or permission to go. I've read numerous stories in roundtable seminar classes that are not much more than a therapeutic exercise and purging of hurtful events. I call it journaling or semi-memoir writing. In other words, when a writer hears, 'Write what you know,' they sometimes interpret it literally as, 'Write about you.'

Honestly, I didn't become interested in writing so I could immortalize my tragic past on the written page. For me, 'Write what you know,' conjures up the same anxiety as if a person were asking me to strip off my clothes and prance around a courtyard naked holding a sign reading, "I am not normal." I remember looking around the classroom thinking, I don't want these people to know me, or my innermost thoughts and feelings. Of course, I was clever and backed up my own superior intellect by pointing out (to myself) that this was crap advice because it also excluded the exploration of certain genres such as, sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction. Writers of these genres did not know what it was like to live on plant Alpha-Eggnog, fight a mystical beast with ten arms, or struggle as a prostitute in Victorian London. It was my belief that all writers should imagine and if necessary, research. Ha! This is supposed to be f-i-c-t-i-o-n. I'm in this class because I want to make stuff up, really good stuff. Soon, I realized I was just as far off course, albeit on the other side of the aisle, as those sniffling journal writers I despised. I was the anti write what you know girl.

As I climbed the academic ladder rising from the lowly 100 levels toward the superior 500 classes I began to understand exactly what that vague advice (or the intent) of it was supposed to mean. We all come from somewhere armed with a toolbox full of knowledge that most take for granted. Whether it is good, bad, painful, embarrassing, it is unique because of the moment and our perception. You don't have to live some adventurous life to have insight. "Write what you know," means to draw from all aspects of experience. Start with the basics. For me, I'm a Caucasian female who grew up in the mid-west and was raised by a single mother. Factor in events, school experiences and those interactions with other people. Let's face it, I'm never going to know what it's like to be a black man in the south, but I have experienced discrimination – as a woman. See what I'm saying?

So let's get back to those genres I mentioned above. Since I write historical fiction, I will explain how I used, "Write what you know," and applied it to a story. I carefully selected a character that I felt I could connect and relate to, Elizabeth Bathory. What? Wait, you ask! Before you jump to thinking I'm a murderous blood-bathing psycho hear me out. After reading her history, I focused on points of similarity. 1. She is a white female 2. She had a strong, brazen personality. 3. She suffered abuse, was a fighter and survivor (to a fault) 4. She rebelled. 5. She was a fiercely protective mother. 6. She learned at a young age to use sex and beauty to get what she wanted or needed. These were just some of the notes I made and when it came time, I drew from my own personal experiences channeling feelings and images to fill in my character. Is Elizabeth and Amara really the author (me)? Of course not! But, they have bits of me in them. I don't know what it's like to face Turks in the 16th century, but I know what it feels like to be intimidated, helpless or lonely. I can relate to abandonment and confinement. Couple that with an overactive imagination, poof, you're writing what you know!

About Charlie

Charlie writes under the nom de plume, Charlie Courtland. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis on creative writing, and a minor in Criminology. Born in Michigan,  she currently reside in the Seattle area with my husband and two children.

Charlie founded Bitsy Bling Books to give a voice and free review forum to indie and self-published authors. However, the site is not limited to only these books. She also reviews mass market and books released by mainstream large publishing houses. She's fair across the board. A good book, is a good book. (CLICK HERE to read her review of Asylum Lake.)

 

Charlie's Books:

Dandelions in the Garden (historical fiction)

The Hidden Will of the Dragon (historical fiction)

The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno (horror)

 

 

 

Shay Fabbro's trailer for THE CHOSEN has parked in my Trailer Park

I do like a good novel trailer, and Say Fabbro's trailer for THE CHOSEN is top notch. These visual representations are becoming an integral part of the author platform. See for yourself what a book trailer can do to generate buzz for your title. Congratulations on your success, Shay! CLICK HERE to visit my Trailer Park and see how authors are utilizing video to promote their work.

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Shay Fabbro's THE CHOSEN has parked in my Trailer Park

I do like a good novel trailer, and Say Fabbro's trailer for THE CHOSEN is top notch. These visual representations are becoming an integral part of the author platform. See for yourself what a book trailer can do to generate buzz for your title. Congratulations on your success, Shay! CLICK HERE to visit my Trailer Park and see how authors are utilizing video to promote their work.

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7 Deadly Questions w/ author Steve Umstead

1. In your debut sci-fi thriller Gabriel's Redemption you introduce readers to the character of Evan Gabriel, a futuristic Naval Commander with an unsettled past and a chip on his shoulder. What was your inspiration for this gritty hero?

It's funny, as the main character wasn't inspired by one particular individual – or any individual at all. The opening scene is one I've had in my head for years, way back to my high school years messing around with pen and paper. When I finally got the motivation to sit down and create a full novel using that opening scene, the character grew exponentially out of that one specific scene. The troubled past, the family memories, the uncertain future, all came out of that first scene. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a slam-bang things-blowing-up breathtaking open, but I felt it had a great depth in showing who Evan Gabriel was, and the rest of the story flowed from there.

As an aside, my younger son's name is Evan, and while I don't want to reveal anything else about the book's plot or twists, a couple other family names figure into the characters. However I certainly can't say my 10 year old was the inspiration for a dishonorably discharged Special Forces soldier!

2. When writing Gabriel's Redemption did you feel bound by current known and accepted rules of science or did you turn your imagination loose on the what if's?

Actually yes, I do feel bound by actual science to some extent. I'm a big fan of the near-to-mid future settings in books I read; the military feel, the newly-explored planets, realistic ships and propulsion, weapons and tech that are naturally (in my opinion) derived from existing technologies. So obviously that translates to what I like to write. I like the fact that a layman (or laywoman) can pick up the story and not be overwhelmed or bombarded by overly-complex systems, and someone who normally reads outside the science fiction genre (including my wife!) can still enjoy the story. I suppose the story has something for everyone; some so-called "hard" science fiction (with some theoretical technologies and genetics) for the die-hards, and near-future, perhaps more "realistic" scenes (settings here on Earth and within the solar system). Think Avatar more so than Star Wars in terms of science and technology.

3. I understand Gabriel's Redemption has received some official acknowledgment. Talk to me about making it through to the second round of Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Contest.

I was floored when I read the listings of the first round qualifiers a few weeks ago. I had only heard about the ABNA in passing back in early January when the novel was still undergoing edits, and I thought it would be fun to enter. At the very least, it gave me a deadline to complete the edits! As the weeks went on, I chatted with more and more fellow authors who had submitted work, and quite honestly I wasn't holding out any hope. I mean, I had literally just finished my first full-length novel – how could Amazon possibly pass that on to the next round? Seeing Gabriel's Redemption listed on the announcement page was quite a thrill. I'm glad to see the judges recognized top quality work! (tongue in cheek)

4. I have to ask which side of the hotly contested battle you fall – Star Wars or Star Trek, and why?

Easy answer – Star Wars, hands down. Sure, that may raise some hackles in the science fiction community, but I saw Star Wars (still far and away my favorite movie of all time) as a seven year old, and it literally changed my life. From that age on I was fascinated with space travel, astronomy, science fiction. I still to this day think Han Solo is the coolest cat in the galaxy. My first memories of Star Trek are watching reruns in college; the early ones are fun, but campy. That being said, the most recent 2009 reboot movie was fantastic. I just think Star Wars, and George Lucas, got the technology right (if right would be the proper word) more than Star Trek (let the flaming from Trekkies begin).

5. Rumor has it you are up to your elbows in writing the next installment in the Evan Gabriel trilogy. What can you share with readers about where the story will take them?

Ah, can't reveal too much! I think I'm about to the upper biceps right now. The biggest I can give away is that Evan Gabriel does NOT die at the end of Gabriel's Redemption. I can give you a sneak preview – the next in the trilogy will be titled Gabriel's Return, and it involves just that, a return. Gabriel is drawn back into a past location for a new mission, and memories that haunt him will make this new mission perhaps the most difficult he's ever had. Most of the characters from Gabriel's Redemption will of course be joining him – what are friends for if not to help each other out? And of course, being part of the same Gabriel trilogy universe, political intrigue and plot twists will be involved…

6. When, not if, they launch the Evan Gabriel movie franchise, which actor would you like to see portray Evan Gabriel?

Wow, thank you for the not-so-subtle compliment! That's certainly not anywhere near my radar range; I'm just enjoying telling a tale and having others enjoy reading it. Movie franchise – now that you say that, it makes me think of my writing techniques. I write scene-by-scene, visualizing small chunks of the story in my head and then plugging them into text on the screen, shifting scenes around where needed. I write like I imagine, and that's probably why some people have told me that the book reads like a script, or felt like they were watching an action-science fiction movie.

Anyway, back to the question at hand. While I'd love to blurt out, "Harrison Ford!" (think about it – he played Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan, and the President of the United States – can he get any cooler?), he'd be slightly on the wrong side of 35. I just recently put up a bio page for Evan Gabriel on my blog (steveumstead.com/bio-of-evan-gabriel), and if you take a quick peek you'll see a headshot of an actor I used for motivation while writing (I use Scrivener to write, and it has built-in character worksheets with the ability to import a photo to help better visualize the character). That actor is David Paetkau, who plays Sam Braddock, a SWAT-type police officer in the little-known CBS drama Flashpoint. I always thought of that character as being similar to how I envisioned Evan Gabriel (looks, attitude, checkered past), so if Mr. Paetkau is available in a couple of years, perhaps I'll have a three movie contract to offer him. (Now that I write this, maybe Paetkau influenced Gabriel more than I realized?)

7. Where can readers go to learn more about you?

I'm still stumbling across more and more outlets where authors can show their wares and network with other authors. I think at last count, I had TEN different "landing pages" where my information could be found. At this point, the best and most efficient way to find me or my work would be my blog (www.SteveUmstead.com); there you'll find links to me on Twitter, Facebook, GoodReads, Independent Author Network, as well as links where to find Gabriel's Redemption in ebook format for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, iPad, and more. It's a great big busy world out there!

CLICK HERE read my official review of Gabriel's Redemption.

About Steve

Steve Umstead has been the owner of a Caribbean & Mexico travel company for the past ten years, but never forgot his lifelong dream of becoming an author. After a successful stab at National Novel Writing Month, he decided to pursue his dream more vigorously…but hasn't given up the traveling.

Steve lives in scenic (tongue-in-cheek) New Jersey with his wife, two kids, and several bookshelves full of other authors' science fiction novels. Gabriel's Redemption is his debut novel.

The only thing we have to fear is…

I respect Franklin Delano Roosevelt immensely, but he was dead wrong with his "only thing we have to fear is fear itself" bravado. FDR never had to plan for a zombie apocalypse or battle the nefarious forces of the underworld. Hell, I bet Mr. Roosevelt would have sung a far different tune had he so much as dipped his toe in the murky waters of Asylum Lake.

But that's neither here nor there. I may not agree with his statement about fear, but I do take it as a personal challenge to make my readers suffer with horrifying delight as they turn the pages of my novels – fearful of what they may find, yet giddy at the very thought of how terrible it may be.

That being said, it's not as easy as it used to be to scare people. Thanks to television, movies, video games, and the walking horror that is LADY GAGA people have become desensitized to most things frightening. I have even fallen victim to this epidemic of numbness. There was a time when Vampires were scary. Stephen King's Salem's Lot introduced readers to Straker – quite possibly one of the most frightening vampires ever imagined. Now, thanks to Twilight, we have the new breed of vampire. You know, the kind that wears make-up, uses hair-gel, sports six-pack abs, and makes teenage hearts swoon. We now have an entire generation who will never understand the darkness, depravity, and unquenchable thirst of the vampire.

We still have zombies, right? I hope so (crossing my fingers), although recent treatments of the undead including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has me questioning how long these flesh-eaters have before they too become nothing more than a punchline.

So with vampires out of the equation and zombies tap-dancing precariously close to the edge of coolness, what does that leave? Easy – only the darkest, and most twisted of all things to fear – man. Let's be honest, monsters are fun, but the reality of what one man is capable of doing to another is by far more frightening. Man is the one monster that reigns above all others. And, the one monster whose actions we will never become numb to. We know their names and faces – Manson, Bundy, Dahmer, Gacey – and we remember their crimes. I'll see your zombie and raise you one Jeffery Dahmer!

With monsters you know what you're getting. Fangs, pale skin, and a penchant for moonlit strolls – probably a vampire. Rotting flesh, guttural groaning and a limp – I vote for zombie. But with the human monster, it's what's going on inside, behind the toothy grin and sky-blue eyes, that you have to fear.

So what do you fear? I'm dying to find out…muah ah ah ah!

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E-books vs Print: Is it time to turn the page?

What if my next page-turner doesn't have any pages?

As I write this post I am up to my elbows in finalizing the formatting and interior lay-out for the print version of my new thriller Grave Undertakings (sequel to the acclaimed Asylum Lake). The entire frustrating process has me questioning the future of my titles in print. The far-less cumbersome e-book formatting has been done for some time and it begs the question: am I committing author suicide if my next page-turner doesn't have any pages at all?

Don't get me wrong, I love print books. I still haven't invested in an e-reader (although I have read e-books on my laptop. I guess I'm just old-school when it comes to books – as a reader that is. As an author I have to take a good hard look at the bottom line and time investment of having my books available in print.

It's not just the formatting, cover art, and printing that takes time, either. There are separate channels of promotion that are tackled when your book is in print. And as any self-published author will tell you, time is everything. Most of us are juggling careers, families, and this writing dream on the side. The more time it takes us to edit, format, and promote a title the less time we actually have to write.

Let me break it down like this. Asylum Lake was printed on an Espresso Book Machine. For those of you unfamiliar, it's a $100,000 color copier ripped right from the pages of the future that prints, cuts and binds a title in less than 4 minutes. When I started down the path of self-publishing the e-book craze was in its infancy and the emphasis was still all about print. It costs me $10 a book to print – whether I am printing one copy or one-hundred. I couldn't be happier with the finished 6×9 product.

At a $15 cover price, I receive $5 on each sale of Asylum Lake. That's a nice round figure that adds up quickly, right? Well, yes and no. I get paid royalties twice a year. Asylum Lake was published in July of 2010 so I have received a grand total of one royalty check. If I had to guess I would say that I have provided roughly 75 copies of Asylum Lake for review and marketing purposes. The quick math puts that investment at $750 in print fees and doesn't even include the shipping. That investment has landed me some wonderful reviews in traditional media outlets, but just to recoup that investment I had to sell 150 copies of Asylum Lake. You see where I'm going with this, right? Everything is more expensive with print.

Without giving specifics, I've done fairly well with sales of Asylum Lake. I had 300 paid pre-orders via the official Asylum Lake website before the book even went to print and was able to use that capital to have more copies printed and on-hand. You see, I released the book online in early 2010 one chapter at a time over the course of six weeks. That's six free chapters – just enough to get people hooked. Within two months of that first July 2010 printing the facebook fan page for Asylum Lake had swelled to more than 600 fans – all reviewing and discussing the book.Readers from across the globe were actually talking about my book. It was quite a rush.

Fast forward to when reality sets in. I plateaued. I do marketing & public relations for a living and I was at a loss for what I could do on a shoestring budget to continue the momentum. I did radio interviews, TV interviews, had my book featured on Top 5 lists, did multiple author events at libraries and bookstores, and even was the subject of newspaper article detailing my success as a self-published author. All of these activities increased local sales, but I wasn't making a dent beyond the 150 mile radius of where I live in West Michigan.

And that is the conundrum I am now faced with. Asylum Lake was a fairly big deal locally and with the upcoming release of Grave Undertakings I am confident that interest will again rise, but my goal is a reach beyond my own community and state.

Recently, I started to promote the e-book version of Asylum Lake via Smashwords and Amazon and have had some success. It's still time consuming, but there are so many options at my disposal. I can tweak the cover art or description of Asylum Lake with the click of a button. I can use the Kindle Boards to promote and discuss how my title stacks up against others. I can generate coupons and giveaways on Smashwords for discounted and free copies. The possibilities are nearly endless.

So here I sit, roughly 45 days out from the release of Grave Undertakings, and I wonder – what if Grave Undertakings wasn't on bookshelves?  Is it time to focus all of my attention on this brave new e-book frontier? Vanity says I couldn't live with myself if I weren't able to walk into a library or bookstore and see my own titles next to those of the iconic Stephen King or his very talented son Joe Hill.

What are your thoughts – as readers and authors. Are print books a dying breed?

A Blovel Idea: I'm letting you decide whether the story is novel-worthy

I write a lot. I even find myself taking breaks from my writing by – you guessed it – writing something else. Lately that something else has been a project of the fantasy genre. I've never written fantasy, although I grew up reading it. I guess somewhere along the way my thinking, and thus writing, took a left turn into the horror realm and never returned – until now.

Can a write fantasy? I have completely no idea but I'm willing to give it a try. And just to make things interesting I'm putting the future of this project into the hands of those who frequent this blog. I'm launching this as a BLOVEL in the form of  weekly posts and your feedback will determine how far the project goes.

So without further delay, I present for your reading pleasure the prologue to my new BLOVEL -

Broken Vow: Widowmaker's Return

The sun began its slow climb – breaking the horizon over the wind-swept desert with a flash of color and near blinding light. A solitary figure stood upon the crest of a tall dune, wrapped from head to foot in flowing robes the color of death, his unblinking gaze fixed on the rising sun. From deep within the darkened hood two yellow orbs reflected the sun's rays.

"Beautiful," the figure thought aloud. This was a scene replayed each morning as he greeted the rising sun with a mixture of both deep regret and fear. Sunlight was lethal and it took every ounce of concentration and strength he could muster to stand atop the dune and stare death in its glowing eye. But he did so, each morning, without fail. This monumental effort a constant reminder of the life he had lived – and lost. But mostly, the sun's rays fueled his anger and rage at the world and at those in particular who had transformed him some four centuries before into a creature of unquenchable thirst and unmatched anger and violence.

Standing atop what had once been the Sun Palace, a sparkling structure of crystal and magic built into the cliffs and waterfalls that once served as the Westland's seat of power, his thoughts turned to his beloved. For the briefest of moments her scent filled his nostrils – an aroma of rose petals and scented oils. It was quickly replaced, however, with the smell of burning flesh. He raised his hands and looked on in shock and fascination as the skin from his fingers began to smolder and peel away. Thrusting his hands deep into the folds of his robe, he cleared his mind of all thoughts and again concentrated on the rippling colors spilling over the sand towards him.

Beads of sweat began to pour down his face and sting his eyes. From deep within his chest the heat of a hundred suns spread throughout his body – yet still he stared across the horizon into the dawn of a new day. Finally, lowering his gaze, Demorra called upon the winds and with a heavy sigh stepped into a swirling wall of sand and disappeared. The distant howl of jackals echoed across the desert as the winds slowly subsided.

Bestselling author Daniel Levin to answer 7 Deadly Questions

Chances are you've stumbled across Daniel Levin's New York Time's bestseller THE LAST EMBER – easily one of the most engrossing novels I've read in the last year. Praise for his thriller has been universal and many are comparing his debut to the works of Dan Brown – not bad company if you ask me!

I'm sharpening my claws in preparation for Daniel's appearance on 7 Deadly Questions. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading THE LAST EMBER I encourage you to check out Daniel's website and see what all the buzz is about.

Thanks for your continued support of this author interview series. More exciting announcements will be made int he coming weeks!

Daniel Levin earned his bachelor's degree in Roman and Greek civilizations from the University of Michigan.  He graduated Harvard Law School with honors and clerked for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel.  He was a visiting scholar at the American Academy in Rome in 2004 and practiced international law in New York.  He currently lives in New York City, where he is working on his next novel