Shane K.P. O'Neill's Blog, page 6

Friday Reflections

THE LOVE DYNAMIC by SHANE KP O’NEILL

Up until now I’ve limited myself on my blog to writing solely about my books, or featuring articles related to vampires or the horror genre. So I’ve decided to use Fridays, wherever possible, for writing about my thoughts on other issues away from books and movies in the horror genre.

With the irreconcilable collapse of my marriage, issues relating to that have obviously been dominating my thoughts and I wanted to exorcise them here.

Are men and women meant to co-exist together? I know there is an emotional and, indeed, a physical need for such an attachment. As well as this there is a deeper need and desire to be loved, especially by the one we ourselves love. But how many of us ever have this need properly fulfilled or, on the other hand, how many of us actually manage to fulfill that need in the person who desires it from us?

I have seen a lot of the world and known a lot of women, been involved sexually and otherwise with far more than I ever had a right to, but I have given my heart to very few. Through all these experiences I have never had this need fulfilled, nor have I been able to fulfill it in those who have sought it from me. What is the reason for this serious flaw in the human character? I am flawed I know, as are those I have loved. What is it in us as a species that we struggle so emphatically in this area? I know my case isn’t unique. I only have to look at the divorce rates in the various countries around the world and all the unhappy people around me to know that.

So I ask why is it that men and women fall down in this area? Gary Chapman has many insights into this dynamic with his love language books. He correctly talks about the in-love phase we go through as couples, which lasts on average about two years. From there couples usually have two alternatives. Quite often they remain together in long and unhappy marriages and put up with their situation, or they break up and search for that in-love feeling again. The lucky few find that deeper love that replaces the in-love and find the balance needed to keep their relationship stable. But even then, many still don’t last the course.

Why is this? In all my years I still cannot understand how two people can love each other so much, as was the case in my marriage, and then finish up virtually hating each other. Is it because men and women are too different to be able to bridge the gaps that exist between the sexes? For sure, men and women are very different creatures and, in the majority of cases, rarely ever understand each other on the level we need to function in perfect harmony. Is it because what we think is real and true love is actually nothing more than lust? Even though we do all those things we would never do in the rationality of our everyday lives and go to great lengths for that other person that are far and beyond what we would normally do. Is it nothing more than lust that drives us to do this and not what we construe as real love? Is it just a primal need to mate with the one we so desperately desire? I am beginning to think this could well be the case. How else can you rationalise going from what we conceive as being madly in love to being so emphatically out of love? If it isn’t a case of that deep lust being gone, then what is it?

I don’t have the answers and it is likely that I never will. The one real lesson I have learned from it all is this. If you are a man who will love your children, then be very sure of the woman you choose to have them with. All that glitters is not gold for beauty really is only skin deep. How long it has taken me to realise that. They say time heals all wounds and generally that is true. As difficult as it is and as painful as it is, that pain of losing a partner you love, be it acrimoniously or through bereavement, will fade and dull eventually. However, the pain of losing a child remains day after day and year after year. This I know so so well. That pain never dulls. That pain never goes away. It is a raw, festering wound that eats away at the very essence of who you are. It eats away at the vitality that makes you who you are. This has been life’s toughest lesson for me and the one that will haunt me for all of my days. The love dynamic? You may not agree with me, but I believe it to be a myth.

Interview and Spotlight on The Seraphine Muse Blog 26.11.12

On November 26th 2012, I was featured on The Seraphine Muse blog and interviewed by KaSonndra Leigh. I have posted the interview below.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I’ve been interested in and loved Dracula for as long as I can remember. I used to baby-sit my kid sisters at quite a young age and with my parents out I got to see quite a few of the old Hammer horror movies, and especially those with Christopher Lee as Dracula. And then, at a later age, I discovered the real historical Vlad Dracula.  I always felt it had been my destiny to write, and therefore I wanted to write about Dracula.  But I wanted to do something grandiose with him and epic in scale.  I hope I will achieve that with The Dracula Chronicles series by the time I am finished with it.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes, definitely.  In my younger days, and even in my earlier drafts of my books, I used to write sprawling prose and very long sentences.  Whereas I felt some people would like and appreciate that, I thought that the majority would not.  I wanted to write in a way that would hold appeal for everyone, knowing different people have different levels of literacy. I wanted to reach people who speak English as a second language and maybe even people who read very little or even not at all.  Therefore, I completely changed my style. I focused on making my work much more concise and trimmed it down considerably.  I took out longer words and substituted words that are easier to understand, I shortened my sentences noticeably and concentrated on fluidity and readability.  I made it my goal to have something on every page to keep my reader interested so that when I delivered a shock, they would feel it.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Yes, I’m interested in a few and looking to expand all the time on the people I read, as I like to read a lot.  New writers who have caught my eye would be Luke Romyn, Alexandra Anthony, Samantha Young (whose success pleases me no end), and Joseph Beekman.  I appreciate one or two of these have been around a while, but they’re all new to me.  I’m also very interested in reading the works of A.k. Kuykendall. His books look mouthwateringly good.

What are your current projects?

The Dracula Chronicles. This project actually first saw life 20 years ago, but has been a serious entity for the last 9. There will be 8 Chronicles in all.  Each of them is a mammoth project individually and they each offer a lot to my readers.  I have just released a prequel to the series, ahead of the pending release of Bound By Blood.  This is called Birth Of The Monster, and is available on Kindle from Amazon.

I’m also working on a series of short horror stories, called Tales Of The Black Sabbath, which will be available as individual entities and then together in an anthology where I’ll probably give each a different ending.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Sure, I’d love to. I have so very many excerpts to choose from, but will try and use one no one has seen before.

Chapter 14 – November, 1494. Dracula’s oldest living enemy, Vintila Florescu, sits alone at home awaiting death. His son and heir, Victor, has been murdered and his head sent to him in a box.

The men paused to reflect on their conversation.  Florescu had heard enough.  He stepped away from the window and sat down in his chair.  It was the most plausible explanation for what had happened.  But to murder his son and then send him his head?  That was personal and indicated a real grudge.  Could his nephew dislike him that much?  It gave him plenty to ponder.

He gazed at Victor’s head where it had spent the last four days on the table in front of him.  His tears had long dried up now.  They would do Victor no good.  He was a broken man.  If Death were to call, he would be welcomed.  He sighed hard and then, drinking the last of the wine in his cup, he drifted off to sleep.

His dreams took him back to another time.  He was much younger then.  Dead bodies littered the streets from the fighting.  Smoke hung over the city from the buildings that burned in the aftermath.

A woman stood naked at the gallows.  A rope hung around her neck.  He grinned at her, though she did not seem afraid.  Even then as her moment of death was upon her she showed only strength.  She stared at him, her eyes full of hate.  He hated her as much, but secretly admired her resolve.

Her face remained engrained there in his mind.  He pushed her down naked on her bed.  The bed she had only ever shared with her husband.  He forced her to watch in the mirror, as he took her from behind.  Holding her by the hair their eyes met in the glass.  The first silent exchange of hatred passed between them.

He then sat in a chair.  One after another his men took turns with her while he watched.  He loved every one of her cries though she fought hard to stifle them.  Pound the Draculesti whore his men encouraged each other.  One at a time they did.

Her face remained there.  Purple and swollen it turned as the rope tightened around her neck.  Her legs dangled free, kicking aimlessly against the cold night breeze. A tongue black and swollen protruded from her mouth.  Her eyes bulged as the noose slowly choked the life out of her.  Yet still they burned into his.

He turned his focus on a man much younger than he.  A son crushed by the image of his mother dangling from a rope.  One who had already brought himself much honour on the battlefield.  Battered and bruised, he looked up defiantly.  On his knees he cursed them, each and every one.

Florescu looked down at the hot coals nearby.  He picked out an iron, its metal red and glowing.  A thousand sparks flew against the darkness when he blew on its tip.  The young man eyed it with fear.  He struggled against those who held him down.  It did him no good.

He pressed the hot iron against soft flesh.  A loud hiss followed by the most horrible scream.  Then silence as the molten iron ate through all in its wake.  Flesh and bone melted into one.  He saw a blinded convulsing body thrown down into an open grave.  It was an image he could not escape.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, absolutely. It was my ambition to write a novel or novels in which I re-created the world in which the real Dracula lived and breathed.  I have seen a few noble attempts at this by other writers, but none that satisfied me as a reader and a student of his life and times.  So I took it upon myself to attempt this and to do it within the scope of my premise – Lucifer trying to ascend again to Heaven through the destruction of the institution of the Catholic Church – was definitely a challenge.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Probably trying to do that which I spoke of in the last question, without altering any true historical fact.  I have had to carefully manipulate real historical fact and real historical figures to fit around my plot.  I absolutely loved doing this, but at times it proved quite a difficult task.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Absolutely.  When conducting such extensive research on a project you are sure to be better educated as a result, even in areas you know well.  This was true for me.  I also stumbled upon many legends, which I have used in all the books, in spite of the fact their historical accuracy might be deemed a little dubious.

I also learned how to be better at my craft.  However good, or bad, a writer may be, writing and writing will always improve them.  This applies to me too.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Yes, definitely.  The Dracula Chronicles will not disappoint.  They will open your eyes to a breathtaking new world.  It is labeled a Gothic horror, but it is so much more than that.  One of the aspects that make this series so exciting is that it crosses over into many genres.  It is a sprawling historical adventure, a paranormal fantasy and a romantic tragedy laced with erotica.  On the surface it might appear to be a man’s book, but it is far from that.  It is a book for women too.

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

Well, as an historian myself my biggest fear was to make an error with my historical content and be pulled up on it by an expert in the field.  Therefore, I have had to be meticulous with my preparation to ensure I got it right.  And then to maintain historical accuracy around my premise threw a few obstacles my way that I had to negotiate.  I also wanted to create a fresh Dracula legend that lovers of vampire lore would like and admire and that was uppermost in my mind as I put this project together.

Read the full spotlight and interview at The Seraphine Muse

EMMA EDWARDS FEATURE

It is that time of the month again and my guest author for the month of March is my good friend from South Wales, Emma Edwards.  Emma is also a writer of the vampire genre, with two books currently out in her new series, Sanguinary and Imbrued.  Emma is also an advocate for vampire writers so it is wonderful to have her here today.

Would you bleed for the one you love?

Angel Harris has always had a thing about vampires, but not so much the killer that is claiming victims in the city where she lives and works. The press are calling him ‘The Vampire’, because the victims are found drained of blood, with bite marks to their necks.

Ash is the lead singer in a local rock band. Angel is drawn into his world when she is asked by her boss at the local newspaper to investigate rumours of blood drinking within Ash’s band.

Ash and Angel bond on a deep level and she finds herself welcomed into this group of supposed blood drinkers.

But the body count continues to rise and Angel will soon find out that ‘The Vampire’ is closer to her than she ever would have believed. Will the writer survive to tell her story?

Sex, blood and rock n roll.

Bio :  

Neo-gothic Welsh wordsmith Emma Edwards has written since childhood. She worked in Business Administration, married and nurtured her beloved kids, but it was only when they started to get older that she had the time to create, write and publish her first novel Sanguinary and more recently the follow up, Imbrued.

At thirteen, Emma watched The Lost Boys and ever since, she’s had a thing about vampires, so it was inevitable that they would be the focus of her debut novel. She doesn’t just write paranormal though; there are projects on the way that are grounded in reality like concrete.

Emma’s writing style is sassy, sharp, dynamic, uncompromising and tends to the dark side. Let’s just say it’s never going to be rainbows and fluffy bunnies with Emma. Okay, there is one fluffy bunny in Imbrued, but he doesn’t last long!

 

1. Hi, Emma.  Can you tell us who you are and why you’ve chosen this genre?

Emma: I live in Wales and have been writing since I was a teenager.  I love reading and a love of reading led to a love of writing.  It’s taken me a while to actually get something published but I got there!  I’ve written in the Vampire genre because (as my character Angel would also say) I’ve always had a thing about Vampires. Ever since I watched The Lost Boys when I was 13 I have been enthralled by Vampires, going on to watch every Vampire film and read every book (well almost all, some are not to my tastes!)

2. I love that word, enthralled.  It is how I have always described the effect Christopher Lee had on me when I was younger.  Oddly, The Lost Boys was never one of my favourite vampire flicks, yet I hear many people talk about it the same way you have.  I obviously missed something.  But we clearly both love vampires so I ask you, what is it about vampires that you find captivating?

Emma: Great question!  And it’s puzzling me!  Especially as when I fell in love with the whole notion of vampires they were not generally the charming, handsome creatures of some books today, they were more likely to eat people than date them!  In the opening chapter of Sanguinary we find Angel talking about watching The Lost Boys as a young teen and falling in love with all things vampire.  And that is also me, not that Angel and I have much else in common mind!   I fell in love with David, of The Lost Boys, even although he wasn’t as pretty as some of the film Vampires these days, especially when he was vamping out.   But captivated I was!

3. What are you hoping to bring to the vampire legend that we haven’t seen before?

Emma: My vampires are different to the paranormal, undead creatures that are the vampires of legend.  My vampires are otherwise humans who have a physical need to drink blood.  So my vampires are more ground in reality, which is hopefully something that people will find a little different.

4. Yes, I would have to conceive, for me,  that is a new take on the vampire legend, but this is what we want when we read a new vampire novel.  So, do you like any other writers in this genre? Have any of them influenced you?

Emma: When I was younger and discovered vampires I loved Anne Rice’s books. Stephen King has always been another favourite author of mine, although he is not so much Vampire genre, with the exception of Salem’s Lot.  But I would say that every book that I have ever read had influenced me, not so much in my writing style but making me want to write myself.

5. Hmm, you obviously didn’t see that as your cue to say, “Why, Shane, you of course.  Sigh, never mind.  But I have to agree with your answer entirely.  Do you have a favourite vampire book or movie?

Emma: I have already mentioned The Lost Boys, which will always hold the most special place in my heart.  And, this is a dark secret because this film wasn’t particularly well received but I did enjoy the film version of Queen of the Damned and the soundtrack was awesome!

6. Okay, there you go again with the vamp movie I didn’t like so much.  Time now for the nitty-gritty.  Tell us something about your book and series.

Emma: Sanguinary tells the story of Angel, an aspiring writer who gets drawn into a world of blood drinking when she meets and falls for the lead singer in a local rock group, Ash.  Whilst the two connect there is a killer claiming the lives of young girls, leaving their bodies ex-sanguinated.  The path of true love doesn’t run smooth for Ash and Angel and plenty of fireworks ensure, whilst the killer draws closer.  My characters aren’t perfect people, they are all damaged and broken in different ways, which I hope brings a more grittier reading experience.  Imbrued is the follow up to Sanguinary and continues Ash and Angel’s story, although a new danger has appeared to threaten Angel and the Vampire’s safety, this time in the form of a Vampire Slayer.  So the Sanguinary series fuses my more modern, real Vampires with traditional Vampire lore.

7. Is that a new word there, Emma? Ex-sanguinated (winks).  Back to you again, if you were meeting someone for the very first time, what would you say to pique their interest in your work?

Emma: I don’t usually have to!  I have a friend who does it for me.  Wherever we go, she always starts a conversation about Sanguinary, recommending it to anyone who would listen!

8. I wish I had a friend like that.  A question now that I’ve been wanting to ask you since I first picked up your book…I’m not sure if I’ve seen as much erotica in a vampire novel as in yours. I have always believed vampires to be very erotic creatures, as mine are too. Was this at the forefront of your mind before 

beginning this series?

Emma: Absolutely not!  I never meant for my writing to end being quite so erotic…and I never really realised how much sex is in that book until people have been pointing it out to me!  Like a few other things with my books it wasn’t planned, it just happened!

9. Indeed, as all good sex should.  Are there going to be any more stories about Angel and Ash? If a movie was to be made from your books,   who would you choose to play them on-screen if you had the power to choose?

Emma: Imbrued is the second part to the Sanguinary series, which is available now.  I am also working on the third book at the moment.  It was always going to end at three…but now I’m not so sure….although it all depends very much on how book three ends.

It would be amazing to see Sanguinary made into a movie!!   And as for who I would like to play them, that’s a question that I find really hard.  Firstly, I think that when a person reads a book they will have their own image in their mind of what that character would look like and for every person that would be different and I wouldn’t like to shatter that image with an actual actor.  Besides that, I am in complete infatuation with Ash and I can’t think of a man alive who can compare!  Although, me and my cousin have had a conversation in the past where we discussed how, in the event of Sanguinary being made into a film we would love to be on the interview panel and spend some time appraising all the potential Ash candidates!

10. Thank you, Emma. Is there anything you would like to say to us or share before you go?

Emma: I would just like to say thank you very much for hosting me, Shane and thanks everyone for listening!  Also, I would like to leave you with an excerpt from Sanguinary.

http://www.facebook.com/SanguinarySeries
http://www.emmaedwards.net
https://twitter.com/EmLEdwards

 

Excerpt

The DJ spoke into his microphone, ‘We have a new band performing in Domain tonight.  Welcome to Erebis.’

The stage was dark and nothing stirred.  The chattering continued for a while until people started to wonder why there was no music and conversations died off.  Even the mosh pit stilled.  A strange quiet descended slowly and an air of expectation began to build.  All this for a band that most people had never even heard of.

The hush went on a while longer and most people’s attention was given to the stage.  All lights in the club dimmed more than they already had been.

Through the darkness the deep thump of the bass drum began.  A repetitive sound that I could feel thudding in my chest like a heartbeat.  It continued alone for a few minutes, building the sense of anticipation.  The bass guitar joined the drums, adding rhythm but holding the constant beat.  The build up was slow and I found myself getting caught up in the excitement.  The crowd remained extraordinarily silent for a club.  Then the lead guitar began, shaping the song more but keeping the same steady pace.  The stage was still in darkness, no musicians could be seen.  The music snaked out of the shadows.  The three instruments continued, yet people did not become impatient, the steady tempo seemed to have them hypnotised.  And as the pace of the drums increased I found my heartbeat picking up with it.

The stage lights beamed suddenly, illuminating the whole stage but there was only one thing that caught my eyes.  A figure was standing in the centre of the stage, his back to the crowd, arms spread out wide, his head bowed forward, one leg crossed in front of the other.  Black, tousled hair reached past his shoulders to his bare back, he was wearing only black leather trousers.  A tattoo reached right across and halfway down his back, from shoulder blade to shoulder blade.  It was a bat, wings splayed out.  The lights were on for only seconds, and then it was dark again.  A few more heartbeats to the rhythm of the drum and the lights were back, this time the singer had turned to face his audience.  His eyes were fixed on some point at the back of the room, above the heads of the people below him, both of his hands gripped the microphone stand.  He began to sing, his voice deep yet soft, a whispering caress that I felt physically; a shudder went through me.

He stopped, ran a hand through his hair and looked towards the back of the stage.  There was a second of silence as the music paused with him.  And then kicked back in heavy.  The tempo of the song was turned up and the guitars screamed.  The singer grabbed the microphone from its stand and bent forward slightly as he began to sing again.  His voice had changed completely, this time he was screaming the words, his voice raw, harsher with a growling edge.  A cheer rose from the crowd and the mosh pit went wild at the thrashing rhythm of the song.  He didn’t smile, did not acknowledge the appreciation.  He maintained an arrogant look and continued his singing as if no one but him existed in the room.

I could do nothing but stand and stare in amazement at the sheer essence of him.  He was absolutely stunning.  His bare chest and stomach were well-defined with muscle.  He just had it.  That certain something that could make him a rock god.  He had the arrogant demeanour to go with it; that said he knew it.  But there was an edge to him too, even from a distance there was something in his eyes that said he wasn’t one that I would want to cross.  I was mesmerised by him.

I tried to take a moment to appreciate the effort that the rest of the band were putting in.  They played hard, even though they were in the shadow of the singer.  As a whole they were completely amazing.  I reminded myself that I wasn’t there as a music critic but as a journalist.  I also realised that I wasn’t the only one who was captivated by him, there were a growing number of groupies gathering around the edge of the mosh pit.  Attractive girls, hoping to catch his attention.  But the singer’s eyes never met anothers.  His gaze went through the crowd, sometimes he stared straight ahead but his intense eyes never rested on anyone.  The band were going down well with others who were actually interested in the music.  People were dancing and cheering.  Their first song ended and already they seemed to have won over the audience.

The next song began, this time coming straight in with heavy guitars and drums.  I turned my attention to the guitarist, who was nearest to me on the left of the stage.  He had dark spiked hair which turned to red at the ends.  He looked more like he was enjoying himself than the singer did, he had a hint of a smile and a wicked glimmer in his eyes.  From my angle I couldn’t see the drummer very well at the back of the stage, just a bleached blonde head.  The bassist was thin with long straight dark hair, he looked serious, his gaze was mostly directed at his guitar.  It wasn’t long before my eyes were back at the singer, who was stalking the stage.  At one point he came right over to the left of the stage where I was.  Closer up I could see he had a number of other tattoos.  There was an ankh on his left bicep and some letters running down the inside of his right arm.  He has numerous others that I didn’t get the chance to observe, as he went down on one knee, bent over the microphone and sang intensely.  The girls next to me screamed and hands reached out to touch him.  And even though I believed I was above such things, I yearned to reach out for him too.  To run my fingers down his sweat slicked chest.  I held back though and a moment later he had strutted to the other side of the stage.  And I could breathe again.

They played tight and they played hard.  No missiles fell from the balcony above.  I didn’t move until Erebis finished their set and then not for some time afterwards.  The DJ began playing music but for a short while there was an air of despondency where the crowd seemed disappointed that the band had left.  It didn’t last and soon the mosh pit was manic again.

Feeling strangely deflated, I made my way to the toilets; three bottles of lager and an hour watching the stage had left me quite desperate.  Afterwards I was intending on getting myself another drink whilst I pondered my next move.  After visiting the toilets I saw the singer was already waiting at the bar.  He was still wearing the leather trousers, but he had covered up the previously bare torso with a black t-shirt.  There were a couple of girls who had also noticed him.  They were watching him and talking to each other, giggling.  They seemed to be goading each other into approaching him.  I had no time to waste, I had to get to him first.

Taking a deep breath I walked over and stood next to him at the bar.

‘Hey,’ I said.

He didn’t look at me, he continued staring straight ahead, waiting to be served.  He seemed much bigger close up than he had on the stage.  He was tall and strongly built.

‘Can I get you a drink?  I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your gig,’ I said, raising my voice to be heard above the music.  I hoped that I didn’t sound too much like a groupie.  On the subject of which, I noticed that the other two girls were moving a little closer.  As I glanced at them I saw that their previous laughter had stopped, they looked quite annoyed that someone had gotten to the gorgeous singer first.

‘Yeah, I’ll have a whisky,’ he said, still not looking at me, which made me feel even more like a groupie.  But, ah his voice, his speaking voice was just as mesmerising and beautiful as his singing voice even in that one short sentence.

I asked the barman for two whiskies, thankful that it wasn’t David.  Whilst the drinks were being poured I watched him in the mirrors on the back wall of the bar.  Vampire or not he definitely cast a reflection.  But that wasn’t the main thing that I concluded…to go with the body of a god he also had the face of an angel.  A fallen, dark, dangerous angel.  He was impossibly beautiful with sharp cheek bones, a strong jaw and a full firm, very kissable mouth.  He stared straight ahead, not once had he even acknowledged me with so much as a glance and I was beginning to think that there was a downside to his looks.  He seemed an arrogant bastard.

The barman put the drinks on the bar and I handed over the money.  He knocked his drink back in one gulp and I did the same, feeling the fiery liquid slide all the way down my throat and into my stomach.  It felt pretty damn good.  He banged his glass back down and then he turned to me and caught me with his eyes that were deep and dark.  His eyelids were coloured with black shadow and his eyes lined with black kohl which emphasised their darkness.

As our eyes met something happened that I didn’t expect.  It was an actual physical jolt, some strange connection that unnerved me.  I had never experienced anything like it before.  I didn’t believe in love, never mind love at first sight.  I’d experienced lust at first sight many times.  That moment when my eyes would meet with somebody else’s and there would be an instant physical attraction, an immediate wanting.  A need that could be easily sated by having them, which I usually did.  But the moment my eyes met with his my stomach lurched so much that I felt sick, but it wasn’t just physical.  There was something that clicked deep inside me.  And I’m not talking about feeling horny, although there was that too.  Something much deeper than sex.  I had no idea what any of it was but it left me shaken.  It almost brought me to my knees.

Before our eyes had locked he had seemed infallible but there was a momentary look of surprise on his face and I thought that he must have felt something too.  It fleeted across his features though and it only took a heartbeat for his expression to change back to arrogant again.

I tried to go on sounding confident, but there was a tremor in my voice. ‘Well, I hope to be able to see you. . .’ I gave him a smile and purposely gazed down his body and back up to meet his eyes, which only gave me another jolt, no less powerful the second time. ‘. . .perform again sometime.’

He didn’t smile, just nodded imperceptibly with a slight frown.  I walked away, my heart pounding.  How I had managed to stay cool I didn’t know.  I tried to fight the urge to turn back to look at him.  But I had an irresistible need to see him again.  I also wanted to know if those other girls had approached him.  I wasn’t sure why it bothered me so much when I found that they had.  The girls were talking to him, giggling again now that I had gone.  But his dark eyes were still on me.

Interview on Livia Ellis Blog 24.10.2012

This is the first interview I ever did for The Dracula Chronicles on Livia Ellis’ blog on October 24th 2012. As far as I know it has been removed from there, but I have pulled it up from my archives.

“I can say after having read his forthcoming Bound By Blood, that his attention to historical accuracy and detail is no less than remarkable.” – Livia Ellis

1. Did you always want to be an author? If not, what else would you have done?

Yes, from a very early age. From the time I was 8 or 9 years old I felt it was my destiny to become a famous writer. I started writing my first stories and poems around that age. I’ve taken my time to try and make my dreams a reality, but after many years of hard work I’m ready to give it a go. I’m my own worst critic and wasn’t prepared to take that step until I was sure my work was as good as it can be. I never wanted to do anything else in life other than be a writer.

2. Would you rather win the lottery, or end up writing the next big book?

Definitely the latter. It is great to have money and there is of course a financial incentive to trying to be a writer. But more important than that for me would be the recognition from a person in the street that I am great at my craft. I want people to know me for my writing and to say that I’m a good writer. If a stranger was to walk up to me and ask me to sign their copy of my book, that would be the greatest thrill of all.

3. Describe your writing style.

I like to think my style is easy and fast. In the old days I used to write sprawling prose with incredibly long sentences. And then I thought, even though there would be people who would appreciate that, the masses probably wouldn’t. So I fine-tuned everything and cut and condensed it all down. I dropped many big words that I used to use and substituted in words that the guy or girl in the street might more easily understand. I concentrated a lot on readability and fluidity in my work and it changed my style completely. I want to make my reader desperate to reach the next page and to give them something on every page. And so for that reason I never draw the story out. It is as concise as it can be so when I deliver a shock, you will feel it. People say my writing is very cinematic and they can imagine themselves there in the thick of it all as though they were watching a movie. That pretty much sums it up I think.

4. What is the most difficult for you to write: Characters, conflict, emotions?

I’m not sure really. I have been lucky in that when I decide to sit down and write, it just flows. All three are important to give a story real depth and I’ve always striven I suppose to use all three together. I always give my characters depth, be they good or bad, so that my reader will be able to identify or feel for them in some way. And I have taken great pains to work on the emotional side of all my characters to allow my reader inside my characters’ heads and hearts so they can know what they are thinking and feeling. I think it is very important to do this.

5. Was your road to publication a stroll in the park or the voyage of the damned?

I think it is the voyage of the damned for 99.9% of us and it has been much of the same for me. For about 7 years now a lot of the powers that be in the publishing world have known about me and my work, but for one reason or another it hasn’t happened so far. When I first tried to get my books out there the reason I was rejected over and over again was because Elizabeth Kostova’s, The Historian’ was coming out. I can tell you that a few people have read both mine and hers and none of them could understand why I was passed over for that reason. The offers I did receive weren’t to my liking. I felt from those experiences that the only way to avoid being exploited and ripped off would be to go it alone and build a niche for myself in the market. I know I have a great product and a story that people will fall in love with. I just had to be prepared to learn the ins and outs of the industry and put the work in to get my name out there, and that’s what I’ve done.

6. Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?

The Dracula Chronicles are a work in progress. In all there will be at least 8 Chronicles and each is a mammoth project on its own. I’m releasing Book 3 first, Bound By Blood, to give my reader the vampire first. This chronicles the period from Dracula’s death in 1476 and takes my reader up to 1612. Then I plan to release Book 1, The Gates Of Babylon, which begins with Dracula’s birth in 1431 and goes as far as 1456 where he wins back the Wallachian throne. Then Book 2, Descent To Darkness, will cover the period in between and bring the three volumes together. Then I shall release each Chronicle chronologically until we reach the present day. I’m also hoping to release a book of short horror stories early next year, titled Tales Of The Black Sabbath.

7. Where do you get your ideas?

I’ve always been an historian and I’ve always had a special love for the period in which Vlad Dracula lived. It followed on from there that I would always write about him. I’ve read virtually everything there is out there about him and felt no one had ever really captured the true essence of the man he was. For that reason I wanted to bring this period of history to life, because it is one of the most fascinating of all. When John Petherbridge read my first book it delighted him that I had introduced him to a period in history he knew nothing about or would have had no interest in. Aside from that my ideas come from a variety of sources. I always have something I am working over in my mind. But for example, the other day, I wanted to pen a short story and asked my wife to throw some ideas at me. She said 3 words… “Necromancer, dead wife.” From that I wrote Orchid, which will feature in my short stories anthology.

My Top 5 On-Screen Vampires

After a gruelling last week I wanted to do something fun and light-hearted for my blog today. I have decided to post my 5 favourite on-screen vampires. There are so many to choose from and everyone will no doubt have their favourites, but here are mine.

5. Bill Paxton as Severen

At #5 I begin with movie legend,

4. Klaus Kinski as Nosferatu

At #4 is another movie legend and star of many spaghetti westerns, I remember saying to my father when I was a kid, after seeing Max Schreck as Nosferatu, that Klaus Kinski would be perfect in the part. Little did I know that in 1979, a few years before, he had actually played the role of the legendary vampire. And how awesome he was too. I never tire of seeing this.

 

3. Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt

At #3 is a modern-day great, , who gave us the iconic on-screen delight that was Lestat de Lioncourt in Interview With The Vampire. When he was originally cast in the role the writer of the book, the wonderful Anne Rice, was openly critical of the choice. She later changed her view on this and rightly so. He was brilliant as Lestat, and the bad boy of the movie that I’m sure his female fans adored. The thing is, many of us adored the part he played and the result is that Lestat will really be immortal for all time.

2. Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac

At #2 is my favourite actor of the modern age, . Mr Pitt, as we all know, played the part of Louis de Pointe du Lac opposite Tom Cruise’s Lestat in Interview With The Vampire. It has been very hard not to have him as my #1 choice. On screen he was almost mesmeric in this part. In fact, I have rarely seen any actor with the on-screen presence that Pitt had in this movie. He was brilliant. The only reason he never made my choice at #1 is because he was essentially a good guy, a vampire with a conscience that battled against the less scrupulous Lestat. I have watched this movie maybe 20 times and I’ve no doubt I will watch it another 20.

 

1. Luke Goss as Jared Nomak

Now when I first sat down to watch Blade II I had no idea of the delights that awaited me. In it I saw a vampire so bad that the images are engrained in my memory forever. Do you all remember who it is I’m referring to? In the early 1990’s we had a glut of boy bands in the pop music world. One of the first ones to appear in the UK, if not the first, was a band called Bros, made up of twins Luke and Matt Goss. Now these guys had so many young female fans that it wasn’t at all cool for us guys to express any kind of an interest in them, especially those of us that listened to Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden day in day out. So imagine my shock when I saw Luke Goss there before my eyes in the opening scene of the movie. I mean, he was WOW… so bad ass that I thought I was dreaming. Yes, Luke Goss was cast as Jared Nomak, a vampire that feasted on other vampires and he was so awesome in the part and as scary as you could ever hope your vampires to be. Luke Goss as Jared Nomak is undoubtedly my #1 choice.

 

And finally..

I can already hear people complaining there is no inclusion of any of the on-screen Draculas here. Some of these performances have been masterful, most notably from Gary Oldman, Frank Langella and Louis Jordan among others. But of course, the greatest of them all was Christopher Lee’s Dracula. His vampire is without reservation, in my opinion, the vampire of all vampires. It is the character that terrified me as a kid and got my hooked. I’m sure there are hundreds of thousands of others who would say the same. Because he is so iconic I didn’t want to include him on any lists, even at the #1 spot. I wanted to give Christopher Lee’s Dracula a special place at the end and dedicate this blog post to him, and say thank you for all the delightful and scary moments he has given me.

I give you as Dracula…..in The Prince Of Darkness.

BOUND BY BLOOD – VOLUME 1 FREE ON AMAZON, FACEBOOK AND GOODREADS EVENTS

Hosting an event on Facebook at 19:00EST on Friday 22nd February. Chat, music, competitions and giveaways and hopefully lots of fun. Join me here!! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS.

Get my newly-published novel, THE DRACULA CHRONICLES: BOUND BY BLOOD – VOLUME 1 absolutely FREE on Kindle for 3 days on the 22nd 23rd and 24th of February beginning 03:00EST

From: February 22, 2013 03:00AM(EST)

To : February 25, 2013 02:59AM(EST)

Venue: Amazon US & UK

Download it here

THE DRACULA CHRONICLES: BOUND BY BLOOD – VOLUME 1 is on Goodreads Listopia currently ranked:

#1 New Series 2013
#1 True Horror
#1 Books With Awesome Atmosphere
#1 Demons, Mystics & Black Magic
#1 Good vs Evil
#1 Books With Biblical Angels & Demons
#1 Gothic Supernatural Action Thrillers
#1 Bloody Good Historical Science Fiction
#1 Back In Black
#2 Brilliant Books
#2 Best Books Featuring Dracula
#2 The Ultimate List Of Vampire Books
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#10 Vampire Books…
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#13 Indie Books – Paranormal Fiction
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#20 Great Vampire Books That Aren’t Twilight
#22 Best Adult Vampire Book
#29 Best Gothic Books Of All Time
#80 Best Horror Novels

As his moment of death looms Dracula suffers the ultimate betrayal. The champion of the Catholic faith in Eastern Europe realises it is Lucifer who is coming to claim him. However, Lucifer does not want his soul. Instead he bites into Dracula’s neck and then offers his own blood to drink. Dracula suffers his mortal death. But he re-awakens. Immortalised with Lucifer’s blood coursing through his veins, the two are bound by blood for eternity. But Lucifer has groomed him for this day. He lays out the task before him. Dracula is to destroy the institution of that which he has championed for so long. By bringing down the Catholic Church he can undo the Crucifixion and turn man against God once more. If he succeeds then Lucifer will ascend again to Heaven and signal the end for all mankind.

5* The way the author blends dark graphic horror with moments of wondrously soft sensitivity and sensuousness, and fiction with true historical fact is truly a stroke of genius and the mark of a truly gifted writer. If there is a better vampire/horror book out there then I have yet to read it. A truly remarkable piece of work.

5* Very good, extremely good—Shit, your work was fantastic Mr. O’Neill. If you ever need a fellow author to write a forward to your next book or chronicles—give me a ring. I’d be honored!

5* A thrilling and intense read, THE DRACULA CHRONICLES: BOUND BY BLOOD: VOLUME ONE is both a horror thriller and a tale of religious power plays. Looking forward to the next installment.

5* Overall, this is an engrossing and entertaining book that will delight readers who love historical fiction, vampires or a combination of both. I was impressed by its scope and I highly recommend it. Moreover, I look forward to reading the next chronicles.

5* “Dracula Chronicles” stands apart from the thousands of others such as the prequel novels inspired by original gothic classic “Dracula” and other novels that are included in “vampire erotica” or “vampire soap opera” drifts.

5* Originally I thought this book would turn out to be something like “The Historian” with it’s factual or close to thereof accounts of times past, but it was SO MUCH BETTER. Whereas The Historian took me months to plod along through, I easily finished this book in a matter of days for lack of ability to put it down.

5* I read the story with very little knowledge of the subject so I particularly appreciated the historical authenticity which he gives to a household name. The play of good vs. evil is irresistible.

5* But there’s little doubt that some readers who do miss the old days when vampires were truly intimidating and evil will kick their heels to read the rest of this story after the first book is finished.

5* It’s so great to have new vampire books to read. I don’t think I’ve seen any better than these stories. Now I have to wait for the next one. Not too long I hope.

5* Wow, I so loved this book. Real vampires, real horror, a dark Gothic story, and sad too. I’m going to tell everyone I know about The Dracula Chronicles.

5* This book was all I hoped it would be. It introduces us to the darkest and most chilling of premises, the ultimate battle of good versus evil, and this is a real treatise of evil. The way the author blends fiction with real historic events is breathtakingly good, and the use of real historic figures such as Machiavelli and Martin Luther a true stroke of genius. It’s so good it makes you wonder if this is truly fiction, or fact.

4.5* Putting aside my disdain for horror, I will give you an honest review of this author’s work. I really enjoyed the character created by Mr. O’Neill, and to be honest, I was impressed to find that I felt for Dracula and all his trials. Especially when faced with the truth of his destiny. The attention to historical detail is remarkable, and the author takes you on a wonderfully detailed voyage through time as Dracula travels the Earth.

To Mr. O’Neill I say:

Well done. You are a skilled writer and wonderful story teller. You created a very realistic character in Dracula, and had me feeling for him in spite of who he is. It is refreshing to step away from the Hollywood vampire genre (which I avoid like the plague) and get a look into the world you have opened up for us. There are many people who will be thrilled to dive into the adventure you have created. I was intrigued and eager to know what lay ahead. The twists in plot were refreshing and unexpected.

AMAZON

5* Author Shane KP O’Neill’s novel encompasses all of my favorite niches: folklore, historical, facts, myths, etc. A probable and possible piece of memorable literature that, though different in every way, mirrors, in feeling, that of the infamous Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Yet the story the author creates, here, of the Dracula legend is definitely darker, more descriptively captivating, and truly more plausible.

5* Shane K.P. O’Neill’s story is as rich in historical context as it is in vampire lore. Setting Dracula up as a pivotal figure in the Protestant Reformation, even going so far as to have him encounter Martin Luther, is a stroke of genius. The relationship between vampirism and the church is explored, as is the connection between vampirism and sexuality… and thankfully in a very un-TWILIGHT way. To Dracula and his brethren, sex, like their need for blood, is merely a baser instinct that must be satisfied.

5* Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, of the House of Drăculești, becomes a pawn in the age-old battle between good and evil. In his attempt to return to Heaven and dethrone God, the fallen angel Lucifer sets his plans into motion. He grants Vlad immortal life as a vampire and commands the Voivode of Wallachia to wage war against the Catholic Church no matter what the cost. Author Shane KP O’Neill blends facts, folklore and myth and goes beyond them in creating a darker and more plausible account of the Dracula legend.

5* Just because here we are talking about a series of novels which create difference with its own treat of Dracula tale, the 15th century history, religious and mythological episodes, yet embellished with reformist and unconventional ideas. You readers must be prepared for an overdose of violent and sexual imagery and blood baths that you used to watch only on the silver screen too. While opting for a kind of narration which keeps visuality and lengthy dialogues in the foreground, it would not be wrong to claim that O’Neill greatly facilitates the job for those who like to fantasize while reading. The first book “Bound by Blood” which is deepening with a complicated fiction is the first piece of a project that is substantially artsy and scary but self-assured at the same time.

5* The author provides a NEW spin on the Dracula tale that even a hard core enthusiast like myself could accept because of how well written it was and how well the story progressed. There are so many elements and characters in the plot line which, along with the new perspective, make this a truly deep and delightful read.

5* While this is not a story to be read on a carefree day at the beach, it is a piece of literature which is riveting and stays with the reader long after the read. There is violence and horror in the book, but the reader never gets the sense that the characters’ acts were done to titillate the reader, but rather were pertinent to the story. This series will be a “must read” for anyone interested in the story of Dracula and “real” vampires. Nice job, sir!

5* I love to read, so I try to pick up a book whenever I can. Fiction and specifically horror, are my true loves. So when I picked up Bound by Blood Volume 1, I was hoping for a good read. I didn’t get that. I got a great read. Writing about Dracula’s origins in all it’s bloody glory is no small feat, and author Shane O’Neill embraces this with wonderful imagery and brutal honesty. Through all the great historical descriptions, the book moves at a good pace and the author gets you interested in the characters, especially Vlad himself. Dracula has not seemed this fresh in years, and I highly recommend you, the reader to embrace your inner vampire and read this book. I can’t wait to read Volume 2. Well done.

5* I’ve read many books and watched a lot of action films and the way Shane writes his scenes, I can surely see the fighting in motion, each slash, each stab, with guts galore. Not only does this book have gooey goriness, it also has an actual story surrounding a family that is bent on revenge upon their enemies, upon themselves and anybody else that slighted them.

Victoria Embers – Redemption

I asked Victoria Embers, a writing friend of mine to send over an excerpt of her latest book, Redemption (My Vampire Lover Part #2) so I could share it with you today. It’s steamy, hot, and I know you guys will love it. I’ll be a part of Victoria’s Redemption Release party tonight. She has graciously invited me to join and promote my books too. I’ll be giving away something fun, so be sure to check us out. Here is the Party Event Link and information

Read Conquest (My Vampire Lover Part #1) for Free on Amazon. Victoria included the first two chapters of Redemption in the free download as well.

About Conquest (My Vampire Lover Part #1)

Caroline, a werewolf and princess of the Golden realm, has discovered a new love in her vampire captor. She’s willing to risk everything, even her life, to prove to him she loves him and has forsaken all others including her family and her pack.

About Redemption (My Vampire Lover Part #2)

Before Caroline fell for her vampire lover, she met Raphael, a warrior of the Dark realm under difficult circumstances. Raphael’s father, the dark lord Asmodeus is killing off her family and presents Caroline as a pet to Raphael. Caroline has secrets of her own and wonders if the vampire willing to help her escape an enemy or friend? Realizing he must take action, Raphael works quickly to persuade the werewolf beauty who has claimed his heart to leave with him at once if he has a chance of setting her free.

Buy Redemption on Amazon here

Giveaway

Victoria is holding a giveaway today on my blog to celebrate Redemption’s release. Comment on the article below, including your email address and tell us what you think of the excerpt included. The person with the 12th and 22nd comment will receive an eBook of Redemption from Amazon.

Questions

What did you learn while writing Conquest and Redemption?

Because I write in the fantasy genre under another name, I simply wanted to try something new. It wasn’t easy at first. I struggled greatly with trying to figure out what I wanted to write about and if I really could write romance.

Releasing the short story, Conquest was a smart idea and a totally bad idea. It got my name out there, but it also anger people greatly that they didn’t have more to read. The story was only 2,500 words. Don’t ask me what I was thinking. Since releasing it in November 2012, it’s been downloaded as a free eBook some 60,000 times so I know people are looking at it. I added the first two chapters from Redemption to the short a few weeks ago and that seem to have helped the negative complaints.

I’m anxious to see what interest Redemption generates and see if readers like my version of paranormal romance. I watched so many of my favourite romance files, read love poetry, and tried my best to really think about the concept of ‘true love’ and not letting an opportunity for love pass you by. That was my focus. It was great fun and I hope to be writing another novella in the series for a May release. We’ll see how it all goes.

What is the theme of the overall series, My Vampire Lover?

I love the romance novels where the lovers want to be together, but can’t. I like the idea of Caroline and Raphael wanting to be together, but because they come from different worlds it is a big struggle for them.

What inspires you to write?

Actually I’m new to all of this. A friend suggested I sit down and write the story I have been telling her and that’s what I’m doing. It’s a new adventure for me and I’m very excited about doing something creative. Simply, I like to think of this series as a love story I’m writing. Once I complete it, I’ll look to the next story to write.

How many books to you anticipate will be in this series?

Probably 4 novellas. I’ve already started work on My Vampire Lover Part #3 and hope to have it out by the summer.

I’d like to thank Victoria for being on my blog today and wish her the best of luck with her Release party and the success of her series, My Vampire Lover. Be sure to leave a comment after you read the excerpt.

EXCERPT from Redemption (The following excerpt is for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY)

He smiled at me smugly and focused his attention on my hips. I followed his gaze. He wrapped both of his hands around mine as I held his c*ck against my naked belly. He stroked my hands, and then opening up the palms of his large hands, he quietly encouraged me to assume the task. When I took charge, he mumbled, “You’re stronger than you think.”

A fever of blushes covered my face. “Oh my goodness, did I hurt you?” I wanted to blush again, but his declaration, that he felt something quite literally when he had met me surfaced in my mind and sent me into oblivion. True love. I gazed up at him, marvelling at the look of pleasure on his face. True love.

He moaned and rocked his hips gently into my hands.

I rubbed the head of his c*ck with my thumb, feeling a sweet stickiness at the tip.

Raphael moved his hand between my thighs and rubbed my cl*t, his fingers pumping inside me a few times.

My hips met his movements and I groaned, feeling the warmth of his manhood slide between my legs.

“I don’t want to control these feelings I have for you.” He gathered me up in his arms. “I don’t know where they came from. Maybe it was the wolf chant that did it. I don’t know for sure, but I know I feel this.”

A slight smile crossed his lips. He embraced me tightly and then picked me up in his arms.

I placed my hand over his heart. “True love,” I whispered as the words expelled out of my mouth in the form of a few short breaths. Could it be?

“This can’t be wrong, Caroline. I don’t want to deny the possibility of the love we can have. Say you agree?”

“I think I already love you, Raphael. I’ve never known anyone like you. You’re a glorious, magnificent vampire.”

When I felt his easing himself into me, my body melted. “Oh my god, yes,” I cried out. “Yes! Yes!” Wanting to increase our pace, I started to ride him with a newborn intensity. The warmth of his blood raced through my veins. “I’m yours,” I cried out. “I’m yours!”

“Shh,” he said. “Don’t listen to my blood. I don’t want you to be my servant or blood source. Equal.” With his muscular arms, he brought me up and down a time or two, shifting the rhythm of lovemaking to a slower urgency. “I want us to be equals. I want to cherish this moment forever. I want to look in your eyes as I’m inside you and know if we are never to be together again we had this one moment, out here in this wasteland.”

“By this rock,” I purred, letting him assume control.

“Not too fast, my sweet. Savor this feeling.”

I smiled down into his striking, pale blue eyes, watching how they glowed in the low light. His dark eyelashes fluttered now and again, but he refused to take his eyes off of me as we made love in such a desolate place. I grew hotter by the minute witnessing the desire in his stare. I studied him. There was an inherent strength in his features, almost a haughtiness I could visualize him giving to others he disliked. For me, in that moment, that strength was etched across his face with a look of devotion and confidence I had never seen before. The turquoise blue in his eyes brought out a growing passion I could see that was all for me. This could be my destiny, being with this man forever. If I was as bold as I had just been taking him in my hands, a future with this vampire could be in my grasp. But it meant sacrificing everything. Just for him.

When I felt myself about to climax, my head fell backwards and I gave myself up to him completely. I let him lead the way and delighted in the ecstasy of his deliberately slow pace. Waves of warmth rushed through my body as I neared orgasm. I’ll remember this moment forever.

“Slowly, my sweet. Slowly.”

I screamed the first time I came. His hands rhythmically worked my hips up and down on his cock, refusing to stop. He increased the speed of his movements ever so slightly. I was helpless to stop his lovely hastened pace. My heart raced rapidly and I wanted to slam my body into his, feverishly, insanely, erotically like I was in control of him, like he was there to please me and only me.

“Shhh,” he said. He gathered me close against his chest. “That’s the blood talking. Don’t listen to that. It’ll pass. Focus on this.” He pulled me upwards and let me slide down again on his massive manhood. “Come for me again, Caroline.”

About the Author

Victoria Embers splits her time between being a stay-at-home mom and reading vampire fiction. She believes good romance should make you purr while good erotic fiction should make you scream, but in a good way of course. Embracing her love of vampires and werewolves and the naughty situations they find themselves in, she’s currently writing an erotic short stories series called My Vampire Lover with a blend of paranormal romance and erotica featuring, you guessed it, vampires and werewolves. Learn more about Victoria at www.myvampireloverseries.com

April Reign Feature

It’s the 3rd Monday of the month, which means it’s that time again. This month my author spotlight falls on the beautiful and talented April M. Reign, who has now given us a dozen offerings in the vampire/horror genre. Her latest book, Dhellia Has A Conscience came out on February 1st. I was fortunate to catch her despite her busy schedule and ask a few questions about her and her new book.

*

She may be the daughter of Satan, but DHELLIA has a conscience. She’s run away from Hell to escape her undesirable duties as princess of the underworld. A three-

month road trip to “upstairs” convinces her half-human side that Earth is where she belongs.

Unfortunately, Lucifer isn’t seeing things her way. Her brother, who is a soul catcher and her protector, snatches her away and hides her in the apartment of a bumbling wizard who casts a cloaking spell on her, and a geeky vampire rock ‘n roll singer who is allergic to human blood.

DHELLIA gets a job in a law office and suddenly, her future is full of possibilities—that is, until a collision of fate and destiny create the perfect storm,

which puts her and her friends in peril. Once again on the run from Satan’s minions, Dhellia and her friends must find a way to survive while she discovers the powers that lie within her.

DHELLIA is a darkly funny, fresh and sassy, fast-paced series about a young woman whose birthright is the underworld—she’s mad as Hell about it, and is determined to beat the Devil at his own game!

 

Shane: Hi, April, and welcome. Can you tell us who you are and why you have chosen this genre?

April: My life revolves around writing. I started out writing poetry, moved to short stories and eventually started writing novels. Born and raised in Southern California, I’m a single mother of two fantastic, might I add, understanding sons.

In the first stages of writing novels, I wrote what I knew: Romance. After I wrote a couple of books in that genre, I realized that I truly enjoyed writing mysteries. So, I wrote a couple of books in that genre as well. Then, my love for paranormal and supernatural enticed me to write a few books in that genre.

I now have five different series/sagas that I’m writing multiple books in and each of those series/sagas is in different genres. Additionally, two of my series are written in third person and the other three are written in first person. That truly gets confusing.

 

Shane: You sound like a girl after my own heart. Writing over so many genres can’t be easy. Naturally, I want to press you on your vampire books and your stories in the paranormal/horror genre. What is it about this genre that you find captivating?

April: The entire paranormal genre is fascinating because it’s something that many of us only experience through what we read or what we see on television. Therefore, it’s a world that can be morphed based on the writer’s imagination.

 

Shane: Yes, absolutely. What are you hoping to bring to the vampire legend or genre that we haven’t seen before?

April: In my book Dhellia has a Conscience, my vampire, Jonas, is allergic to human blood. I posed that question to myself. What if we, as people, were allergic to human food but we could sustain ourselves on animal food? I think it makes Jonas a very likeable character and it’s something I haven’t seen thus far.

 

Shane: I’ll be interested now to find out what Jonas does for sustenance. Do you like any other writers in this genre? Have any of them influenced you?

April: I think there are many great writers and fantastic books out there in this genre. I’d say television has influenced me more than any other writer.

 

Shane: Okay then, do you have a favourite vampire book or movie?

April: All of them.

 

Shane: Tell us something about the plans you have for the series Dhellia, for which Dhellia Has A Conscience is the first and only release so far. Is there much more to come? Or alternatively, feel free to tell us about your other books, as you have quite a resume.

April: Dhellia has a Conscience will be a series of about nine to twelve books. Of course, I’ve only mapped out up to book three and I’ve already started writing book two. Dhellia, being the daughter of Satan, is on a mission to make her mark on the world, and she’s going to do it with her two sidekick roommates, a statistical wizard and a musician vampire. It’s a fun series and the cast of characters are phenomenal.

 

Shane: Staying on the subject of your books, if you were meeting someone for the very first time, what would you say to them to pique their interest in your work?

April: I never profile anyone, so I believe that each person is an avid reader whether it’s true or not. Therefore, I’d ask what genre they usually like to read. When they tell me, I lead them in the direction of one of my series or my stand-alone books. I’ve eleven to choose from, so I know they will be interested in one of them.

 

Shane: I have always believed vampires to be very erotic creatures. Do you look on them in the same way? Are your vampires of the erotic variety?

April: Yes and no. Yes because they are mysterious creatures who prowl around at night, sustain their existence on human blood and they shudder with excitement when they sense human fear. However, no, because they are also the walking dead who need human bodies to live. Wouldn’t that make them an intelligent being in the zombie species? I don’t find that so erotic.

My vampires in The Turning Series are cold and calculating. They have a blood bank where they chain up humans and feed on them until the humans are dead. Then they throw the carcasses in the Sombra pit so they can rid the evidence. (Sombras are a servant to my vampire’s in The Turning Series.) It’s not so erotic.

 

Shane: Have you drawn any inspiration from anyone in the real world for Dhellia, Gavin or Jonas?

April: Only Dhellia. She has my spunk and humor. She’s witty and sarcastic and that’s how I am at times, if I know you well enough.

 

Shane: If Dhellia makes it to the big screen and you have the power to choose whom you want to play the roles of Dhellia and Damien, who would you choose?

April: That is tough. I’d want the female character to be beautiful, sassy, and innocent, yet driven to get what she wants. And Damien could be played by any dark, mysterious young male.

 

Shane: Thank you so much, April, for joining me today. Is there anything you would like to say to us or share before you go?

April: I hope that your readers enjoyed my interview and I’d love it if they took a moment to check out one of my sites and one of my books. Indie authors need good readers too.

 

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SHANE KP O’NEILL AND THE DRACULA CHRONICLES ON AUTHORSdB

This week I’ve been busy with promotional work for The Dracula Chronicles.  I have finally signed up to the website AuthorsdB, which is a resource for authors that looks very similar to the imdb.com website for the movie industry.  I think this is a great innovation for writers and has the great benefit of putting all vital and relevant information about your books, i.e covers, blurb, descriptions, links, reviews, and awards & rankings all on one page.  A great idea and I reckon an excellent promotional tool for the future.  If you read on you will see my page.  Check out the website and the other 300 excellent authors you will find there.

Already on AuthorsdB? Why not drop me a comment on my profile page?

5 Greatest Horror Movies Ever

Hi everyone.

This week I thought I’d try something different, a little more novel. I’m going to list what I think are the 5 greatest horror movies of all time, or the 5 that had the greatest effect on me of the many hundreds that I have watched.

5 – The Evil Dead

It’s sad to admit this, but I was already a teenager, though barely, when this movie came out. Although a comedy at times, this remains a classic horror story set on the frequently-used premise used in the 1980’s of teenagers getting cut up or murdered in the woods. The difference here is that it wasn’t a psychopath doing the killing, but an inherent evil released by a book. Any movie that has a “Book of the Dead” is always going to be fun and scary anyway…. But none were as good as this one. The scene at the beginning where one of the girls is attacked and killed by the vegetation is legendary. I recall this movie being banned when it as released on video. That just added to the appeal for us teens. We loved it and I’m pretty sure we all still do.

4 – Eden Lake

This is the most recent of the movie in my top 5. Has anyone seen it? I have to say the scene at the end completely turned my stomach and only one other movie I’ve ever watched has done that. Therefore this one will always stay with me. Essentially it’s about a couple who escape to a quiet location for a romantic weekend alone. To their misfortune they are disturbed by a gang of obnoxious youths who begin to terrorise them. When the guy, Steve, confronts them he is subjected to the most brutal and horrifying attack, instigated by the gang’s leader, a right little **** named Brett. It results in Steve’s death and Jenny running for her life as they brutally hunt her down. The final scene was a real shocker and the guy playing Brett’s father, an English actor named Shaun Dooley, was truly sinister. I have to say he is the same in every part I’ve seen him play, one scary individual for sure. This is so worth a look.

3 – Salem’s Lot

No list would ever be complete with at least one vampire movie. Of course most would agree that Interview With The Vampire is arguably the best of vampire movies, but it isn’t scary…Salem’s Lot is. I admit I was only around 13 years old when I saw this first, and it totally scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t sleep properly for ages and had nightmares for just as long. This was a great movie with some truly great actors led by the brilliant James Mason. The scene in this movie where David Soul made a makeshift crucifix and said the 23rd Psalm as Danny Glick’s mother came back to life in the mortuary was absolutely terrifying and one of the best of all time.

2 – The Exorcist

This movie could easily stake a claim as the greatest horror movie ever and few could argue the point. It is the story of the young Regan possessed by a quite nasty demon and a priest’s lone battle to save her. A true horror classic. I have to say this movie has probably scared me the most of any. I guess being an Irish Catholic, I have a thing about demonic possession – it really strikes a chord with me. This movie was also blessed with a very talented cast, led by the inimitable Max Von Sydow. Old Max also starred in another favourite of mine, Needful Things.

1 – The Omen

For me the ultimate horror movie is The Omen. It is the story of a sinister plot to place the anti-Christ into the home of the American ambassador in Rome, soon to become the American ambassador to Great Britain. Of course, there are those who are aware of the heinous scheme and the beauty of this movie is how the evil (most likely from the hand of Lucifer himself) that protects Damien, destroys all who try to kill him. The murders are brutal, even though you know they’re coming, and terrifying and the climax in this story is fantastic and nail-biting. Added to that was the most brilliant music score of any horror movie that I know of, written by the great Jerry Goldsmith. The way the atmosphere builds as the first Latin chants begin is electrifying. I also had a personal interest in this as my mother told me from a very young age I was related to Gregory Peck. His performance was as immaculate as always, and supported by a great cast, a great director and a great musical score. This is the ultimate in horror for me. The 2nd movie in the series, Omen 2, was also a classic horror with the greatest of twists and good enough to make a top 10 of all time for me.

There have been so many great horror movie over the years. Other favourites of mine were Pet Sematary, Needful Things, The Shining, The Amityville Horror, Saw, Jeepers Creepers, The Fog, Night Of The Living Dead, Halloween, Nightmare On Elm Street, Paranormal Activity and The Ring among so many others. Sadly I could only choose five for this list. If the choice was yours, what would you pick for your top 5?