Author Lisa Kessler on Reading as Escape

Welcome guest authorLisa Kesslerto the blog today!

See below for her giveaway!

Lisa's here to talk about her vampire romance Night Walker, a GDRWA Booksellers' Best Contest Finalist for Best Paranormal and Best First Book, and to talk about the importance of reading to a writer. Read on...
Hi everyone! Thanks for letting me visit the blog today! 
As a writer, I think it’s really important to keep reading.  There are a few reasons why…  It helps to know what’s being published in your genre.  It’s great to support other writers you know by reading their books and maybe even leaving a review on Goodreads.  But for me the most important reason is for my sanity!
Right now I still work a full time day job, and then I go home and write and edit all night.  It’s a crazy busy schedule, but I always reserve my lunch hour at work for reading. I treasure that hour to lose myself in a great book!

I’ve learned that I really need that reading time to allow my mind to escape into another world without deadlines, and bills to pay! LOL When I don’t make the time to read for pleasure, I can feel my frustrations creeping up on me.  My fuse gets shorter, and when I get home at night to write and/or edit I have a hard time focusing.
This might be a good time to meet the villain from Night Walker.  He’s extremely focused on his goals, and they’re not the goals his Monastery thinks they are…

Blood marred the stone wall of his modest dorm room. His knuckles stung each time his fist slammed into the rough rock. Pain cloaked the bitterness and rage that festered inside him.The monsignor had passed him over. Denied his chance at his destiny.        Again.It would be Brother Cardina who would fly across the Atlantic Ocean to San Diego. Brother Cardina would watch over the Night Walker and witness immortality with his own eyes.Grinding his teeth together, he struck the wall once more, imagining it was Brother Cardina’s pious face, but he held back, careful not to hit too hard. Bruised and bloodied flesh could go unnoticed within the ancient walls of the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo, but broken bones would not help his cause.Pain burned up his arm, calming him. He stepped back and basked in the ache.Brother Cardina was no match for an immortal blood drinker.He moved closer to the wall, drinking in the earthy scent of his blood. He would get his chance. Staring at the fresh crimson stain, he stuck out his tongue and allowed himself a long, slow lick. He closed his eyes and smiled, resting his cheek against the wall. For now, he would be patient.Clenching his raw fists, he opened his eyes and stared at his pencil sketches of ravens. His chance would come.Soon.

So why do you read?  And what are your favorite books to read when you need an escape from the real world?

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her… 
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life. 
She’s haunted by dreams of her own death… 
After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand. 
They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries… 
Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again. 

Find Lisa Kessler on the Web at:Website | Twitter | Facebook

Thanks for being here, Lisa! Lisa is giving away a signed paperback of Night Walker, a signed Night Walker poster and a $25 Amazon giftcard! Isn't that awesome! So leave her some comment love and enter on the Rafflecopter form!
Thanks for reading,
Laura