Guest Blog with Mayra Calvani

First of all, I’d like to thank Roxanne for putting together this virtual book tour and for having me as her guest on this her super-cool blog!
Today I’d like to share with you how and when I got into the paranormal, as well as the name of the author who’s been my biggest literary influence.
My love for the supernatural began at an early age. By the time I was twelve I was already hooked into the dark, mysterious world of vampires, werewolves and witches. The culprits? Early black & white films of mummies, werewolves and vampires which I watched when I was about 9 or 10.
Then there was that time—don’t ask me how—when I ended up in the cinema watching The Omen. It was kind of a stupid accident and, of course, I covered my eyes with my hands for most of the movie...but I have to admit that the experience left a mark on me forever. Later in my teens, I became an avid fan of The Twilight Zone series, Peter Cushing movies and I also loved flicks such as Tales from the Crypt and Creep Show. But, oddly, I wasn’t an avid reader of the supernatural yet. My shelves were filled with Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
It wasn’t until my early twenties, when I discovered Stephen King, that I began reading horror and supernatural stories. But horror has so many subgenres...I like atmospheric, moody, gothic, bizarre horror; the kind of horror that is suggested and not clearly, obviously presented. Nothing too graphic or too bloody for me, thank you very much. J
Toward my late twenties, my best friend introduced me to Anne Rice and her world of beautiful and sophisticated vampires...and I was hooked for life. Of course, I also fell in love with her rich, lovely, baroque writing style and her exploration of history, philosophy and religion. Throughout my writing career, Rice has been my biggest literary influence and, in my opinion, no other vampire author has come close to her yet. There’s a very seductive quality about her work that is partly due to her writing style and partly to the way she combines the commercial with the literary.
Unfortunately, the present market is overflowing with vampire fiction, so much so that I’ve stopped reading vampire novels—well, this might be a lie, I admit, as I’ll read one if the premise is original enough. J
What about you? Are you a fan of Anne Rice? What vampire authors or books do you love?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for checking out my supernatural thriller, DARK LULLABY! I really appreciate your support!   

May 2 Promo and reviewKindred Dreamheart http://kindreddreamheart.blogspot.com/
May 3 Guest Blog (have)Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 4 Guest Blog (have)The Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
May 5 Promo Books, books the magical fruitHttp://www.booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com

May 6 ReviewRamblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer – www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com

May 8 Interview and PromoCarly Fall - Where Fantasy Meets Romancehttp://www.carlyfall.com/dark-lullaby-by-mayra-calvini
May 9 Promo and reviewPicked by Poisonhttp://www.pickedbypoison.com/
May 14 Guest blogJ.D. Brown's Book Blog   http://DarkFantasyBookClub.blogspot.com
May 15 Guest BlogSoliloquy http://kaitlinmichelle.com
May 20 Excerpt/PromoRead2Review.com http://read2review.com
May 23 ReviewReviews By MollyHttp://reviewsbymolly.com
May 25 Guest blogDarlene’s Book Nookhttp://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com
May 27 ReviewBooks, Books, and More Books http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
May 28 Interview and reviewFroggaritawww.froggaritasbookcase.net
May 30 Interview and reviewStorm Goddess Book Reviews & More- www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com
May 30 Guest Blog Paranormal Romantic Suspense,http://sjclarke.com/blog-2/


Dark Lullaby
By Mayra Calvani

Blurb:

At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. Soon, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her–her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.

The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.

But nothing, not even the stunning splendor of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…

*Dream Realm Awards Finalist!

What readers are saying…

“Mayra Calvani is a masterful storyteller… Dark Lullaby is complex and compelling…” –Habitual Reader


“Dark Lullaby is an atmospheric paranormal horror that grips you from page one and refuses to let go until you’ve raced, breathless, to the end.” –ePinions


“Dark Lullaby is a page-turner. A horror story from the top shelf! You’ll love it.” –5 stars from Euro-Reviews


“This is a terrific horror…” –Harriet Klausner


“Dark Lullaby will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages.” –Cheryl Malandrinos, The Book Connection


Author bio:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. A reviewer for over a decade, she now offers online reviewing workshops. When she’s not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com. Join her mailing list and receive the first two lessons of her book reviewing workshop, as well as her free ebook, Reviewers Talk About Their Craft.

Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/mcalvani

Facebook Fan Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayra-Calvanis-Fan-Page/162383023775888