 If you are yet to buy Limerence, then maybe I can convince you with a little taster? (As if you really need another excuse to go and buy it, what with it being full of all that dark, sultry, sexy paranormal awesomeness.) For those of you that have read it, maybe it will tempt you to curl up with Mr Breckt again... Here's a little teaser from chapter seven... just to tempt you that little bit more. Chapter 7. The pub is crowded and noisy with most of the staff from Delamere College. Even though it’s still relatively early, most people seemed to have clocked off for the weekend. My eyes check my phone for the fifteenth time in half an hour to see if Oliver has called me. He hasn’t. No new messages- my voicemail states again and I grumble as I drop it back onto the table next to my empty beer bottle. “I’m getting another drink if anyone wants one,” I call over to the rest of our group. Rachael, Mary-Lou, Eddy our resident science teacher, and the new sociology teacher Chris Mayer, are all perched on little stools around a small wooden table. He’s not as good looking as Mary-Lou had made out, but he is attractive. Rachael seems smitten with him and hasn’t left his side since joining us in the pub. I hope a couple of the others we normally drink with turn up later, I feel like a gooseberry. Oliver should be here also, but I’m guessing he’s stuck at work. I haven’t heard from him all day again. I can feel myself worrying about him, but since he still refuses to answer my calls or texts whilst he’s over there, there’s not much I can do. Anyway, the last thing that I want to do is get him into trouble by pestering. I’ve left him two messages and he knows where I’m going to be. I check my phone again as I stand. No new messages. I slip it into my jeans pocket and make my way over to the bar with Mary-Lou. “You okay, Mia?” She waves her money at the bartender trying to get his attention but he slips past and serves someone else. She mutters something under her breath. “Yeah, just waiting on Ollie. He should be here by now.” I glance towards the door as someone comes in, but it’s not Oliver. Mary-Lou’s eyes are following the bartender backwards and forwards “He’s working over at the new place right?” she asks distractedly, leaning forward with a sexy pout. He’s a young guy- much younger than Mary-Lou who’s closing in on forty. She’s attractive and charming but the bar man seems more intent on serving the younger women with more flesh on display. “Yeah.” “He’s just busy then, sweetheart. I wouldn’t worry. He’ll be here soon enough, unlike our drinks.” She leans further over the bar. “Hey, doll face, a drink sometime soon would be great!” The bartender looks up with a grimace. He finishes up with his customer and comes over to us. “Bout’ time, we’ve been waiting ages.” He raises an eyebrow at her. “What you having then?” he asks unconcerned. I think Mary-Lou is about to blow a gasket at his rudeness, so I step in and order our drinks. I order a beer for Oliver too, thinking he’ll be here soon. As we make our way back to the table, I can’t help but notice Rachael is draped across Chris, looking at him and laughing loudly at something he’s said. I frown, Rachael drinks more when she’s flirting and she flirts more when she’s drinking. It’s a vicious circle. Although not drunk yet, she is well on her way and the night is still young. They do make a cute couple though, and he seems to like her just as much. She deserves someone like him, someone smart and attentive. She comes across loud and arrogant but inside she’s a jumble of romantic mush no matter how much she tries to deny it. Two hours later and six beers down, I can feel I’ve drunk far too much. I have been ordering a drink for Oliver every time someone has gone to the bar thinking that he would be here soon, but then I’ve ended up drinking it myself when he hasn't turned up. Waste not, want not. Seems to be my motto tonight. Now I’ve drunk twice what I would normally drink in half the amount of time. “Mia!” Rachael shouts over to me, interrupting my conversation with Eddy about his ‘lovely, lovely daughter’ and ‘her clever, clever husband who works for a bank.’ “What’s up?” I take another swig of my beer, knowing even as I do it that I shouldn't have any more. “Chris and I are going to head over to The Red Room. Are you coming along?” She’s grinning at me from ear to ear, clearly smitten with him. I love The Red Room. It has live music at the weekends and holds special open-mic’ sessions that Oliver and I like to enter. I’m tempted to go, but I look at my watch, and see its past 9:30. Now I really am beginning to worry about him. I haven’t spoken to him since he left for work this morning. He said he would be finishing early tonight and would meet me here around 5:30pm, but I haven’t heard a peep. I decide to call him again. “Let me give Ollie a call- see where he’s at, babe.” I wobble when I stand and make my way outside where it’s quieter to dial his number. It rings and rings but he doesn’t pick up. Eventually it goes to voicemail and I leave yet another message. The fresh air makes my head spin. I have drunk way too much and decide it’s probably best if I make a move home. I haven’t eaten yet; maybe I could order Chinese for us when I get in? I think as I stumble inside and grab my bag. “I’m going to go home.” I kneel by Rachael’s chair. “Think I’ll wait in for Ollie, babes. I’ve still not heard from him and he’s not answering his phone.” She leans in and gives me a quick hug. “He’s fine, sweetie, you know what he’s like when he’s working. He probably hasn’t even noticed the time.” She looks at her watch as she says this and frowns right along with me. “Well, maybe his phone ran out of battery.” I see Chris eyeing up our conversation from over her shoulder with a grin. “Yeah,” I say without meaning. “Stop worrying, Mia; he’s a big boy now.” Chris leans over, placing his hand on Rachael’s knee. “I’m sure he’s fine. Just lost track of time I bet,” he continues, smiling even wider at me, making me feel even more childish than Rachael had. “Come with us,” he pleads. “Okay, okay, I’ll try and stop worrying, but I really do have to get home. I shouldn’t have drunk so much,” I laugh. “My head is not going to thank me in the morning.” Even as I say it, I know it will make no difference and that I will continue to worry until Oliver’s home with me. I give Rachael a kiss on the cheek and stand back up, the beer rushing to my head once again. Whoops. “Right, I’m off guys. I’ll see you Monday morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” I giggle, and do a big wave and a curtsy to everyone. “You want me to walk you home, love?” Eddy asks like a true gentleman, sipping his Diet Coke. I smile at him. “No, don’t be daft, I’ll be fine. It’s only a ten minute walk. Thanks though.” I smile appreciatively and head for the door. “Lovely to meet you, Chris. I look forward to seeing you around the college. Mary-Lou it’s been a pleasure- as always.” I do another big wave and leave into the cold night. The sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, and the air is beginning to chill as I pick up my pace to the apartment . I wrap my arms around myself wishing that I hadn’t had those last two beers. Or the four before them. I wonder for the umpteenth time what could have happened to Oliver. This is beginning to get silly; if he’s not going to answer my calls he could at least give me the courtesy of a phone call? Even a text would do. I’ve been sitting around all week wondering if he is alright and when he would be getting home. Well I’m not about to spend the next three months like he’d said it would take doing the same thing. Next week would have to be different. I need to speak to him about a lot of things. I wonder whether to mention what happened in the coffee shop with Mr Breckt. What would I tell him though? Your boss fed me some of my Banoffee pie. That just sounds ridiculous. He probably won’t even take me seriously. However, it had been more than just feeding me the pie; it had been raw and sexual. I know in my heart that something is happening between Mr Breckt and me. Something that a part of me deep down wants, but my heart does not. I love Oliver- that I do not doubt, but there is something about Mr Breckt that sets my body alight. I’m sure he feels it too; it can’t just be me, can it? Well, whatever is or is not happening. Nothing is going to physically happen. I am such a bad, bad girlfriend. I think for the millionth time this week. Footsteps interrupt my thoughts, and I glance behind me. Nothing. Even so, I pick up my pace. A chill runs down my spine for some inexplicable reason. I’m only round the corner from the apartment now; I cannot wait to get inside in the warmth and order some food. My stomach rumbles in joy at the thought of food and no more alcohol. I hear footsteps again and take another look behind me. Still nothing, but I am definitely spooked. I look round and notice that there isn’t anyone else about. A couple of the corner shops are shutting, the lights going off but no other signs of movement. I fumble in my bag for my key as I see my door approaching, and realise I am near enough jogging now. Too bad I’m not wearing trainers, I think as I trip over in my heels and land heavily onto my knees. Pain shoots up them and I cry out. Idiot. I stumble to my feet, my stomach lurching in protest at the too quick movements. The beer sloshes about inside me and my mouth begins to water. I panic for a moment that I am going to throw it all back up. I try to take deep, steadying breaths to settle my stomach back down. In through my nose, out through my mouth; in through my nose out through my mouth. I lean back against the wall and close my eyes. Well this is embarrassing. I laugh at myself for getting myself into this situation. “Mia, are you okay?” The sound of his voice does its usual trick on my stomach and flips. It’s more than my body can take, and I find myself heaving onto the floor, the contents of my stomach hitting the pavement in a loud and unattractive splat. His arms wrap round my waist as he holds me up, but I push him away. This cannot be happening. I think as I retch repeatedly. He reaches for my hair, to hold it back from my face. “Get off me!” I yell, as I wipe my face with the back of my hand. Sexy. I scowl at myself. Mr Breckt’s arms are around my shoulders again as I try to stand. I try to push him away but he’s made of stone and doesn’t budge. Looking into his handsome face, I expect to see pity, but instead there’s only concern, and perhaps a little annoyance. His strong arms hold me steady on my feet, which I am both glad and uncomfortable with. “Let me help you, Mia,” he says firmly. “Thanks, but I’m feeling much better,” I lie, fumbling in my bag for my keys. His hand holds them out to me, and I have a vague memory of dropping them and it’s all I can do to pray that I didn’t throw up on them. I take them and thankfully they’re dry. I struggle for a few moments to get the key in the little hole: the hole is small and the key is being difficult. I feel him behind me, waiting for me to open the door. His breath on the back of my neck, his proximity far too close and intimate. I want to shout at him to go away. Of all the ways I want him to see me, this is not one of them. What is he even doing here? My subconscious jumps in. Oh god, I am so embarrassed. My cheeks flush again and the sudden blood makes my head spin as I tilt to the side, but his arms are there to catch me. Of course they are. He takes my keys and opens the door, swiftly picking me up and carrying me up the stairs into the apartment before I can protest at his manhandling. I can feel his muscles straining beneath his clothes, and a flush runs through me. He unlocks the inner door and carries me over to the sofa, laying me upon it and wanders off. I keep my eyes closed whilst the world spins and I curse myself again for drinking so much on an empty stomach. I will never drink again! “Mia,” his voice is right next to me, his sweet breath blows on my cheeks and my eyes flutter open. “Drink this.” He hands me some water and I gratefully take it. I push myself up into a sitting position, slipping my shoes off as I do. Stupid shoes. I take a sip and then another, swilling it around my mouth and swallowing with a grimace. He is kneeling by me, his face expressionless as he watches my every move, his arms folded across his body. He is not in his typical suit, but jeans and a short-sleeved t-shirt. I can see the edges of a tattoo on his arms and his strong muscles under the material. My fingers twitch to stroke his skin and feel his muscles; heat surges through me. He notices me staring at him and his lips twitch in amusement. I blush again and look away. “I’m fine now, thank you.” I need him to leave. I can feel my pulse racing, as he looks me over, my loins quivering at the thought of him holding me again. “That was a very dangerous situation you just put yourself in, Mia,” he says. “You never know who could be out there.” My mouth takes over from me before I can think about what I’m saying. “What like you?” Stalker! “And I wouldn’t have been in that situation… as you put it, if my fiancé would have been with me like he was supposed to be,” I snipe back. His eyes flare at my ungrateful response. “It’s my fault that he is not with you?” he asks. I nod stubbornly. “Mia, if he cannot get his work done on time then that is not my fault. Maybe he should have a word with his employer. I am just the customer; a customer who is paying handsomely for his skills. And I am a business man; looking at businesses in the area. Don’t flatter yourself.” Damn him. There is no response to that. I know he’s right, and I have just embarrassed myself further. I’ll tell Oliver to speak to Bill tomorrow, and tell him that this isn’t fair, but even as I think it, I know that’s not what the problem is. I am the problem. Me and Mr Breckt being near each other, to be more precise. I set my glass down and stand on unsteady feet. I look up to his face, his expression is neutral, and I wonder what he is thinking. Does he feel the tension between us or is it just me? He holds my gaze; my breaths seem shallow and I feel a warmth emanating from him. I don’t know what to do with myself and feel suddenly awkward. Awkward and aroused. I take a step away, needing some distance between us but I slip on my shoes and begin to fall backwards. His strong arms are around me almost instantly, supporting me before I fall. His breath washes over me like sweet vanilla and I breathe him in. My heart feels like it’s going to bounce out of my chest, as we stay poised in our position. Me; bent backwards over his arm in a dramatic dip, like a scene from some old black and white movie. Him; staring deep into my eyes, his strong arms holding me in place. I am about to say thank you and pull away when the door opens and Oliver walks in looking tired and pale. He looks over at the scene in front of him, his eyes widening in anger. I look from Oliver to Mr Breckt in horror, realising what this must look like, and notice that Mr Breckt is grinning. His strong arms pull me up to standing, and I am against his chest, my heart beating maddeningly against him. “Ollie, this err… this isn’t what it looks like,” I stammer the typical cliché. What? It really isn’t what it looks like. However, it makes no difference what I say to Oliver, as he strides towards us, fists raised. Paperback http://bit.ly/LimerencePBUSA (USA) http://bit.ly/LimerencePBUK (UK) eBook http://bit.ly/LimerenceEBUSA (USA) http://bit.ly/LimerenceEBUK (UK) And don't forget, it's also up for free loan for KDP Select members.
2 Comments
 Last year I asked on my Facebook page if anyone was willing to fill in a short survival questionnaire for me and in return I would put them in the book, or at least use their name in the book. The response was amazing, and I got some great answers, for which I can't thank you enough. At the time, I also filled one in. Here's my answer to the questionnaire. I'm having a great time writing Odium,and it's thanks to some of your great and not so great answers haha. I'll be posting up some of the answers that you gave me as the time draws near to publication. So… it’s the end of the world as we know it. Zombies… the dead… the living-dead… maggot infested bodies… stinking, brain eating corpses… (well, I think you get who I’m talking about) are taking over the world. Your neighbours, your friends, your family members… they are all coming back from the dead, and they are hungry for braaaaaaaaaains… (and pretty much anything else they can sink their teeth into.) Let’s test your survival skills, and I’ll decide in my book on whether you live, die, or rise from the dead. Survival QuestionsQ1. So, what’s the plan? You must have a secret retreat or hidey-hole you've always thought about going to if things turned ugly right? Up in the hills? The big city? (are you mad!) Board up your house and camp in the basement? Between me and you… where is it? Well, I really shouldn't tell you if I'm honest. I mean I wouldn't want you all trying to sneak in to my hideout… Okay, I’ll tell you since you asked so nicely. It would be at my daughter’s school. There are 6-7 ft bars around the entire perimeter. There will be food there, books, first aid. There is outside space etc. I'm pretty sure it has its own generator. I would lock those gates tight and stay there. Q2. Wow, great hide-out, but how the hell are you going to get there? I think we’re going to need a car at some point. What car are you going to be on the look-out for? (You can’t drive you say! You’re doomed, doomed I tell you… Oh, so you know someone who can drive, okay, well what car are they after then?) I’d like to say that I would run there, but I wouldn't want to get cornered so I would take our car. Q3. Any clue as to where you’re going to find such a vehicle? Neighbour? Car garage? Or just see what you stumble upon? Randomly, do you think that you’re going to be looking for diesel or un-leaded? In the private car park at the back of the house. It’s a Toyota Rav 4 so it should do the trick, but there are tons of other cars there also, so we should be good for any circumstances. Q4. Phew… that was close! Right, so we’re on our way to your great hideout. We've got our wheels, but wait, we need to stock up on food! What are you going to be taking? Dry food? Fresh food? Canned food? Since it’s only round the corner and there is food there, I won’t need to take much food. The school should be pretty stocked with dried pasta’s and flour etc. I will take the canned food though. Shove them all in a back pack and make a dash for the car. They may weight me down, but they are also heavy if I need to swing the bag at a zombie. Q5. Where are you going to get it from? Scavenge house to house or supermarket stop? Just my house. Though, let’s be serious, there would be no way that I would be going to a supermarket. That would be madness. No, I would be going house to house once things calmed down. In each house there would be a possibility of finding survivors and if there were zombies, there won’t be to many in each house. Q6. What about medicine and bandages etc? Have you already got a good medicine box or are we going to have to stop for that too? If we’re going to stop, are we going to a chemist (smaller so less risk, but also less meds) or a hospital? (more meds but bigger danger) I've got a pretty good medicine box, and the school should have one also , but if I do ever need to get more first aid I will be going into small doctors surgeries. Never, I repeat, never a hospital! Q7. Hey, you any good with a gun? Do you know where we can get one? Nope, but my zombie survival team is excellent and so I think that I would be just fine. They can always show me, and I’m a really quick learner. Q8. Okay, so we have time to pack a ‘dream survival pack’ (I know, right!) What are you going to pack? Weapon, meds, food, space shuttle out of this madness? Okay, so I would pack some really sharp knives AND a knife sharpener for when it they get blunt. I would pack some ration packs for food and some canned fruit. Fruit is going to be a luxury very soon. My medicine pack would contain, some energy tablets, vitamin tablets, painkillers, bandages, sutures, antiseptic spray/cream, safety fasteners. I would be wearing my big doc martin boots and some thick socks, a t-shirt and hoody and some cargo pants- you know the ones with tons of pockets! My two luxury items would be, baby wipes (because those things can be used for everything!) and toothpaste and brush. Q9. Who would be in your ideal ‘zombie survival team’? Anyone you want, famous or not… My dream team would be, Tim JD (you are a genius when it comes to making things) San (since you have a massive stock of awesome weapons and he’s a chef) my auntie Milly (since she can cook anything and knows loads about foods and vitamins and zombie survival- she reads a lot of stuff ha ha) My best friend Kate (just because she would kick arse and I love her to death) oh, and The Australian guy who played Spartacus. The guy is hot and can fight! Q10. Okay, now realistically, who would be in your team? Kate, my auntie Milly, my hubby- even if he says he wouldn’t pick me (evil, isn’t he!) Duncan and Britta because they are so clued up on a zombie apocalypse it’s amazing. These people are all easily accessible to me, since they live pretty close, and I’m sure that they would all be bringing their family along too. Q11. Your house is being over-run. You have just enough time to grab three things- not including people- what are you going to take? (Question courtesy of JR) My dog. He is irritating as hell at times, but damn I love him. My Doc Martin boots- comfy and practical. A sharp knife! Q12. How are you for foraging in the wilderness? Do you know your poison berries from your magic mushrooms? Any tips? Nooooooo, I’m rubbish at stuff like this, but I’ve borrowed some books on the subject and am learning. I’ll probably still suck at it though.  Part Two: Multiple Choice (Red Highlights Answers)Q1. You see a crashed car by the side of the road. There’s someone inside screaming for help but they can’t get the door open. Zombies are getting closer and closer to the wreckage. What do you do? a. Leave them behind b. Stop and try and help them get out. c. Drive by loudly honking your horn to distract the zombies and hopefully give the people inside more time to get out. d. Drive by and shoot the people inside. Better to die by the gun, than die by the dead. Q2. What would be your weapon of choice? a. Gun (noisy but effective- well, if you can shoot anyway) b. Baseball bat (effective but messy) c. Bow and arrow (effective but you need to be a good aim, and then there’s retrieving the damn arrows afterwards) d. A knife (effectiveness is up to you really, but you like it up close and personal) e. Another answer (come on, let’s be inventive with this one!) Haha, yes I picked all of them! If I can only have one though I think that I would go for a bat. I’ve got a good swing on me- I hope, and I would hate having to get close enough to stab one! Urgghhh, unless San can show me how to use a sword and then I’d pick that! haha Q3. Your partner/loved one has been bitten, what do you do? (Question courtesy of San DK) a. Shoot them ASAP. You can’t stand the thought of them turning into one of them. b. Wait until the last possible moment before you kill them, and possibly yourself. c. Ignore the fact that they have been bitten, and hope for the best. (love does strange things to you.) d. As them to take their own life as you can’t do it yourself. e. Leave them as soon as you can. You can’t bare to see them change, but you also can’t bring yourself to kill them. Q4. You are desperately short on food and weapons. When you come across someone who has both. Do you… (Question courtesy of San DK) a. Kill them and take what you need. (Needs must!) b. Befriend them, then wait until dark and steal what you need. c. Explain your desperate situation, and hope that they will help you. d. Make out you know of a safe house close by and lead them to it, in exchange for food and protection. If they still wouldn’t help I would have to steal some from them I guess. I wouldn’t want to, but if I had no choice. Q5. You come across a zombie child not too far from you. Do you… (Question courtesy of San DK) a. Avoid the zombie at all costs. b. Kill the zombie. c. Kill the zombie and keep the head as a trophy. d. It’s a child zombie and you can’t stand the thought of killing a child so you just chop the arms and legs off, maybe even smash out its teeth. (Well at least it can’t do any harm now!) Kill it without a doubt. I wouldn't want to go near the thing, but a child should remain a child and the sooner it is dead the soon it can go back to be a child and not a zombie, even if it is dead. Q6. You’re with a group, a zombie horde is closing in on you. One of the group members are injured and are slowing you down. What do you do? (Question courtesy of San DK) a. Keep going as a group, and face whatever happens together. b. You and the group leave them to fend for themselves, so that you can get away. c. You make them feel guilty, until they tell you to leave them and save yourself. d. You tell the rest of the group to go on ahead, and you stay with the injured person and try to find a safe place to hide. I guess this depends on the type of person they were really. I’m sure that there are going to be selfish people in the group, and if this was one of those types of people I would still split them up from the group and try and save them, but if it looked like there was no hope I would kill them and leave them behind. I wouldn’t leave them to be eaten. Q7. Who do you fear the most in an apocalypse? a. The zombies. (obviously) b. Evil rogues up to no good. (obviously) c. Good-two-shoes. (Their stupidity is going to get them killed, obviously) d. Your family members. (obviously) I think both. People will turn bat-shit crazy when it comes down to it, but you can’t NOT fear the undead. Q8. How do you like your zombies? a. Fast b. Slow c. Not moving! (yeah, you can’t pick this as an option!) The only true zombie! Q9. Besides the obvious of people and pets, what are you going to miss the most from your previous life? a. Hot baths/showers. b. Safety. c. Coffee/tea. d. Food in general. e. Something else, please explain. Yeah, I highlighted it all, because I would miss it all. I would also miss the simplicity of life as it is. My warm bed, turning the heating on if I’m cold, going to the cinema, going swimming, sitting down and reading a good book… just life in general I guess. Q10. How bad do things have to get before you just give up and end it all? a. First zombie I see- I’m taking a bullet to the brain. b. As long as I’ve got food and a place to hide, I’ll keep on going c. I will never surrender! d. Other… tell me more. I’ve always said that if a zombie apocalypse happened I would put a gun to my head or whatever, but I think if it cam e down to it I would want to survive. Humans have that survival instinct in them whether they want it or not. I’ve filled in this questionnaire as if I didn’t have any kids. I’ll be honest, I can’t fill it in with their little faces in my mind. I can’t image or makes sense of them living in a world where the un-dead exist, so for me this was the only way to fill this in. As a big thanks for doing this- helping me save the world, or at least saving my sorry arse- you now get to have a part in my new book. I’m not promising that you’re going to live by the way. That’s all down to how clever your answers were…   As some of you may or may not know, I am part of a fantastic Indie book Imprint group called Breakwater Harbor Books. I was lucky enough recently to have a couple of the members read and leave me very positive reviews. I've added these to the bottom of this post for you to have a read of also. My interviewee today is one of my BHB brothers, Ivan Amberlake who has written a fantastic novel called, The Beholder. If you enjoy Urban fantasy/ paranormal then you should read this book. Especially as it is currently at the very low price of 77p! It is already getting fantastic reviews, so I'm sure that you will enjoy it too. Big love Claire http://amberlake-bookreveal.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/paranormal-romance-limerence-by-claire.html http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/559003826 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/556943743 Name: Ivan Amberlake Website: http://www.ivanamberlake.weebly.com/ Other contacts/social media sites: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ivan.amberlake Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6907727.Ivan_Amberlake Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvanAmberlake Link to Amazon page and or any other place that your books can be purchased: Amazon US Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00B7TG2DC Amazon UK Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B7TG2DC Where did you grow up? I grew up in Belarus, in a small, quiet town with a rich history and beautiful architecture. When did you start writing? During my post-graduate course I had way too much free time, and I thought I should try something I’d never tried before. As I am an avid reader, the idea of writing my own book always appealed to me, so back then was a favourable time for me to start writing. What made you start writing? Mostly the question of “Will I be able to write a book?” was what made me sit and type my first sentences. I got really excited when I realized that I can write something longer than a short story. From then on I kept sitting for hours and typing more and more. That was really exciting experience for me. Is it something that you have always wanted to do? To tell you the truth, I detested reading until the age of 15 when my English teacher offered me to read the first Harry Potter book. Writing a book was never on my mind until my university years, but I must say once you start writing a book, it’s difficult to stop. Now it’s what I really want to do, what I need to do, although there is often everyday life in the way. What is your favourite genre to read, and do you have any favourite books or authors you would like to recommend? I really enjoy urban fantasy and crime/thriller books. Too difficult to speak about favourite authors and books, there are too many of them. Right now I’m reading Velocity by Dean Koontz, and I’m rather enjoying it. What about to write? Definitely fantasy with a paranormal twist. I also have an idea for a crime/thriller book, but I can’t say if I ever get to writing it. I need to finish Books 2 and 3 of The Beholder Series first, then get to something new. Do you write full time? If not, what do you do? Unfortunately, no. Most of my day I teach English classes: morning, evening. I have only a couple of hours during the day, and an hour or two late at night, so finding even a few minutes for writing is bliss. Do you ever base your characters on anyone that you know, or are they solely from your imagination? In most cases, my characters are partially based on the people I know. That helps me see them in a clearer way. But I never just took a person I know and inserted him/her into my novel. Perhaps I should do that sometime. It must be fun actually.  ABOUT YOUR BOOK Tell us about your latest book. The story/plot.
My debut paranormal fantasy novel, THE BEHOLDER, is an action-packed, fast-paced story set in modern-day New York. Here is the description: Worlds of Light and Darkness are about to clash. And Jason will be in the thick of it. In Asunción, Minsk and Sydney, people die under mysterious circumstances. Each branded with an arcane sign, they are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When more people are missing, with similar signs appearing in and around their homes, Jason, an average New Yorker, realizes the victims are a riddle addressed to him. He is the final piece. Emily appears, the most beautiful woman with extraordinary powers and startling amber eyes, and tells Jason that powers dormant within him are about to wake. In the world of Lightsighted and Darksighted, he is the only person who can prevent Darkness from enslaving the world. He is the Beholder whose advent has been awaited for many years. Setting out on a journey with Emily, Jason discovers many improbable things like Sight, Soulfusion, the Hall of Refuge, but the greatest surprise arrives the moment he falls in love with Emily. What gave you the idea? There are a few threads in the book, and each of them is based on my ideas of the world around me. First of all, I always was intrigued by the idea of getting my mind into someone else’s body. That’s what Jason, the main character, is going through in the book. Then What genre is it? Urban/Paranormal Fantasy/Romance Who is your favourite character? I enjoy writing about all of my characters, good and evil. I love them in different ways. Jason, Debbie and Matthew, they are like siblings. Tyler is a very mysterious character, mainly because of his appearance and back story Emily is charming and irresistible. These characters are all different, therefore I enjoy writing about them so much. And worst? I’m not sure I can write about someone I don’t like, so I’m not sure if I have such characters. I think it will be up to the readers to decide if they like or dislike my characters. What are your hopes for it? Every writer wants his or her book to become a best-seller, right? Well, I do believe that I have a marketable novel, and all I need (as most of us do) is a little push at the start, mainly from people who don’t know me. I’m going to make my Kindle book free on Amazon and Smashwords soon, and if people leave their reviews on my book and give their honest opinion, they will help me get closer to that dream. What’s the next project that you’re working on? I’m working on two books right now. One of them is Book 2 of The Beholder Series called Path of the Heretic, and the other one is a YA Paranormal Fantasy called Diary of the Gone, which is about a boy who has to write in his diary to ward off the dead that keep haunting him. Not sure if this is going to be a novel or a novella, but I must say my wife and my friends really like the idea of this book. What’s the best piece of advice that you have been given in regards to your writing? A friend of mine, Yannis Karatsioris, once advised me to put my characters in hell, and make them find a way out of this hell. It was one of the best pieces of advice that inspired me to add more action (more chapters actually) into my book than there used to be. So put your characters in impasses then let them find a way out of there. That’s what people like reading about. A quick get to know the author! Five facts about you that people won’t know about you. Can you juggle? Ride a bike with no hands? Drink beer upside down? Something unusual… GO! 1. I can play the guitar, not like something romantic, but really heavy metal that gives most people a splitting headache. 2. I know I’ll have some good luck if a black cat crosses my path. In my country they are always considered bad luck, but I see them in a different way. 3. Even though my favourite number is 7, I cannot help admitting 13 brings me luck. I once purchased a lottery ticket that had 13 as a serial number, and the lottery took place on the 13th. To my surprise, I got back the money I spent on the ticket, and I never win anything. 4. I used to collect English dictionaries – glossaries, thesauruses, grammar reference books. That was the first thing I looked for in a book store. 5. I love sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory, Friends and some others. I can watch them over and over again, just can’t help myself. Five facts about your newest book that people won’t know. Some background history on one of your characters maybe? Maybe it was going to be called something completely different to start out with? Is it the same genre it started out as? 1. The Beholder started as a completely different book, and I had only one character when I started writing it. It was a while later that the other characters appeared. 2. I added romance into the book though initially I wasn't going to. 3. It often seems to me the book wrote itself—even in the first draft I found places I liked, but never remembered writing about. I don’t know if that happens to all writers or just me, but it’s a fascinating feeling. 4. I had a different ending to the book. It made my beta readers and editor so confused they kept asking to explain what was really going on in there. I eventually had to make a different ending, which most readers really like and find unexpected. 5. It took me about 3 years to finish this book—I really hope it will take less time for me to write the next one. Five facts about your next book… Name, genre, expected date of release… 1. It’s called Path of the Heretic. It’s Book 2 of The Beholder Series. 2. It’s still Urban/Paranormal Fantasy, but with a darker tinge. 3. I hope it will be published in 2014. 4. There will be more characters, more action, and more mysteries. 5. I’m planning a huge surprise at the end of the book. Three tips that you think might be useful for other authors… anything you want. It could be, to write a certain amount every day, only write after midnight and never get Gizmo wet (Sorry, that’s Gremlins not writers! My bad.) Maybe it’s some information that was given to you that has helped your process… 1. My first tip: Don’t stop writing. Once you do it’s really—nearly impossible—to get back to it. You’ll find too many reasons not to sit at your desk and go on writing a book. 2. Not to be tempted to do anything else, switch off your Internet. Just for half an hour a day—it’ll tremendously increase your chances to write something new or revise something old (at least that worked for me). 3. If you don’t have an editor, find a few friends who will care enough to read your book and offer you their sincere thoughts. I know it’s difficult, but you should try. And it would be cool if your friends were harsh in their critique, because that’s what actually helps a writer make his or her book better. As my fellow writer said, “Wouldn’t you rather get a harsh private critique than a scathing one-star review on Amazon?” I hope that’ll help.  I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a great book reviewer that I've followed for quite a while. I've personally bought several books upon her recomendations and or reviews, and I'm eagerly awaiting her review of mine now. She is a lover of paranormal books, and a lover of Indie authors. So, to an Indie writer of paranormal, she's kind of like a superhero, but without the cape- or maybe she has a cape, I didn't actually ask that question! So, without further ado, here she is... Hi Bella, first off What are your contact links? Website www.paranormal-bookclub.com https://www.facebook.com/ParanormalBookClub @paranormalbookc Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/group/show/48715-paranormal-book-club So, tell us a little bit about yourself. Well I am a mom of 4 and my husband is in the military, I live in CA right now but just moved here form Hawaii! I have lived in 7 sates and loved it all. I think Hawaii has been the best! I am into sports and books and love to listen to music;) I love all kinds of books and love talking to all the fans on Facebook, Twitter and the Blog! Where did you grow up? I grew up in Florida! Tampa Area! I know that with your husband’s career in the military, you have moved quite a lot, but what has been your favourite place to live and why? LOL, I love it;) Well as I said up top Hawaii has been the best and I hope we go back. But after that I have to say Oregon then New York! Do you remember the first book that you ever read? What was it called and is it this book that sparked your eternal interest in paranormal? Well I have to say the first book I remember reading a few times is called… 2 Young 2 Go 4Boys! I have read it a few times;) LOL It was not paranormal but the book that sparked that was Twilight and it was only 5 years ago. I have never been a huge reader till then!! What do you think it is about Paranormal books that you love so much? For me, it’s the unknown, the unusual and the fact that anything can happen. There are no restrictions. I think it’s just that it’s not real and oh how we wish we could have that non-real life. You know, like the fey world and the vampire world I would love to live it!!! What would be some of your all-time favourite books? (I won’t ask for just one!) Yes, never ask for one J OK here is a few….. UGH I know I will forget some;( The Mortal Instruments The Fever Series Captured in the Dark Tigers Curse Series The Fey Series The Immortal Rules Black Dagger Brotherhood Wicked Lovely Series Blue Bloods Sweet Evil The Collector OK I will stop now…LOL I have too many!! Are there any knew or relatively unknown authors that you would recommend to people and if so, why? HAHAHA you are killing me! There are too many Indie Authors too name! 1.CJ Roberts 2.Rachel Wade 3.Carly Wallace 4. Monique O’Conner James 5.A.Jacob Sweeny 6.D.C.Grace 7.K.A.Tucker 8.Kaiin Gow 9.Emily Gossett 10.Angela Corbett 11.Michella Warren that’s from my Best of 2012….. What do you think about the self-publishing trend? Do you think books that are traditionally published are of better quality than self-pubbed books? I do feel it's true for most really, I have read some amazing books from Indie Authors and I wish I was a publisher, I would publish them all!!!!!! Have you ever thought about writing a book yourself, and if so what would it be about? No I have not, I stink at it. I mean I would love too but no ;0) What is your favourite paranormal creature? Vampire, werewolf, Fae, witch, etc Vampire ,then Shadowhunter, then Fae Why? Well I think really I like them all and only vampire first because that’s what I have always loved since I was little and dressed up for Halloween as one a few times;) LOL What first attracts you to a book? Cover, title or blurb? Or is it a combination. COVER mostly COVER unless I am told I NEED TO READ!! haha Being a book reviewer, you must get a lot of requests to review peoples books. Do you find it hard when you really don’t like a book and what do you do about it? Well if I get a book that I don’t like after reading I try to express the things I DID not like, and that others might like it. I never bash an author or book. I do some times email the author and ask what they want me too do if I am not going to post a review with more then 3 stars! What pet peeves do you have with books? Is it bad editing, bad covers, plot holes, endings that you don’t like? I hate when there is a HUGE cliff hanger at the end and I have to wait for ever for the next. Besides that not too much!! Iam pretty easy!! LOL Your children seem to be growing into little book worms to, you must be proud. (I have three daughters and they all love books too, and are aspiring to be ‘just like mummy’ and be a writer.) What would be your hopes for your children?
LOL I have 2 and 2 boys ( I hope they love too read like the girls one day) the girls LOVE TO READ my books ;) …I want all them to be BIG readers. I love that it gives them time away from the real world and time to learn new things. I think it opens their minds to a whole lot of things and helps them understand more as well. I know it will help them when they get older too in college and life! Finally, are there any books that your children would like to recommend? The Mortal Instruments Alice in Zombie Land Janet Gurtler They have A LOT! Is there’s anything else that you would like to say, or your children? Let’s see….Just READ ONE and always share you experience with each book with others you never know what one book can do for one person!! Go Check Out Bella's Brilliant Site Here  Here's a new post for you all to read through of an upcoming author. The guy is super lovely, and extremely talented- if not just a little crazy- in a good way though ;0) I also asked him if he wanted to write me a short guest blog, alongside his interview, since he always has the most fascinating things to say, and well, you really should read it... Name: D J Meyers Website: www.thegargoylechronicles.com.au Other contacts/social media sites: http://www.facebook.com/thegargoylechronicles.com.au#!/thegargoylechronicles.com.au http://authonomy.com/writing-community/profile/3963612c-8a2b-4f51-af88-9cc4234015ce/dj-gargoyle-chronicles/ Where did you grow up? Melbourne, Australia When did you start writing? I wrote my first short story (published by my local school in a collection) when I was 11. I then spent years as a song writer, writing a musical and a play, before turning to long form prose about 9 years ago. What made you start writing? I started writing novels as a challenge, just to see if I had it in me, and while that remains to be seen, I have completed 17 novels (make that 18!) Is it something that you have always wanted to do? I have so many ideas running through my ancient gnarled stone face that I find it difficult to know sometimes. I have always been a writer, but I have always found different mediums to express myself. The novel has just allowed be to spread my wings a bit and fly off the belfry. What is your favourite genre to read, and do you have any favourite books or authors you would like to recommend? Oddly, I am not a big reader. I was once, and then I began to write, so now I don’t find the time, but when I do read I like to consume. I love the classics, big on Shakespeare, the Brontes, Dickens and Austen, but I also like more modern works. Harper Lee, J K Rowling, Douglas Adams, Stieg Larsson. I’m a mix of mystery and fantasy and adventure… and I love a good mind meld – nothing like a challenge. What about to write? I write like I think, with suspense and mystery, adventure and a bit of romance. I have no favourite setting, as historic, contemporary or futuristic all appear in my works… sometimes in the same novel! I travel a lot and I find stories everywhere I go. I like to create a plot with a challenge that I have to solve as I write. I enjoy nothing better than writing myself into a corner or going off on a tangent that I have to curl back into the main plot… as such I like to have multiple threads underpinning the main plot that can be as inconsequential as the reader would like them to be or as crucial – I give the reader a choice; follow the action or become really involved and follow the threads as well. I also like to pepper my plots with spicy bits of poetry and songs (some original and some classic)… something for the reader to delve into once they've finished, if they so desire... and desire is good! A good book should be deep enough on multiple levels for a second or third viewing. Do you write full time? If not, what do you do? I wish! I am an ex-English/History teacher who has spent years playing in bands by night and building computer networks by day. My actual title is a ruse, because there are so many facets to what I do, I defy description. Do you ever base your characters on anyone that you know, or are they solely from your imagination? Oh I like this question. I do both. I often start with a face, in a crowd or from popular culture. I then blend that with one or two more and create the character from there. I seem to need a face to relate to. Sometimes I will blend the characters of 2 or 3 people I know or have known to create a unique personality, but my current MC, a futuristic girl named Maia, is totally imagination. The weird thing is, I travelled interstate with work last week and I actually bumped into her in a hardware store. The young woman was so like my character it was scary, and she caught me staring at her… whoops! The odd thing was, like my character, she just stared back, totally unperturbed. There’s even a scene in The Maia Calendar that reflects such a moment, yet I wrote that scene a month ago!  About Your BookTell us about your latest book. The story/plot. My latest book is called The Maia Calendar (just finished first draft of epilogue woo hoo!) It is a prequel/sequel (work that one out – imagine yourself in a Whovian-type existence) to a time-travel trilogy I completed last year. What gave you the idea? I think I got the idea because of the whole Mayan Calendar thing in December 2012. I think I tried to imagine what it would be like to be in control of a calendar over time, from the perspective of a perfect future world that had no knowledge of the struggles of our current imperfect world. What genre is it? Like all my books it is somewhat cross-genre… a mixture of dystopian, science fiction, with a young adult bent and plenty of mystery (and a touch of history.) Who is your favourite character? Definitely Maia, the MC. She is somewhat whimsical at first, because life is good and there are no obvious pressures in her existence. However, she grows dramatically as her calendar implodes around her. She has to make tough snap decisions which often create a bigger mess, yet she toughs it out and is willing to sacrifice herself for others, and their future, by the end. And worst? Definitely her father; he is a bastard, from a family of bastards. He exists in a background theme where sometimes a family set of genes can just be bad, and power hungry. What are your hopes for it? I think that it is close to a published form and would work well as a lead off to my time travel trilogy. What’s the next project that you’re working on? My next project is called The Gargoyle Chronicles. It follows the life of a Gargoyle from creation (stone cutting in a masons workshop), to observing the world from the belfries of Notre Dame Cathedral, to becoming a war souvenir, to flight. It will be a set of short stories that run one into the next as the gargoyle observes the world over a millennium. It will be observational, but also fantasy, with a humorous tete e tete between two gargoyles as they watch the world go by! What’s the best piece of advice that you have been given in regards to your writing? The best piece is probably not to trust the opinions of friends. They are generally too nice, the real world of publishing is far less forgiving. Guest Post: Inspiration versus Perspiration? The gargoyle's jaws lather salaciously as he ogles the world about him, drifting off to the north of England...
“There was a time I can still remember on a windswept moor. I don’t remember exactly where that was or quite when, but I remember the bite of the wind as it cut through the thin cotton shirt that I wore. I remember how the sun held its poise on horizon’s edge, with the promise of a sailor’s delight on the morrow behind a fearsome looking bank of clouds.” Whitby, in the north of England, April 2008. Doctor Who was battling a giant wasp-man, David Tennant style, and the concrete floor of the dining room, in the basement of the B&B, was deserting those who had not worn shoes. I came here because of Frank Sutcliffe. I had a number of his photos hanging on my hall wall, but as Edison said… genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. I was about to find out why. The streets of Whitby are nothing if not steep and cobbled; just as difficult to stumble down as to scale. Sutcliffe’s Gallery beckoned, another picture for the hall wall, but it was closed for the weekend, and that was all I had. Inspiration had to be discovered elsewhere in this quaint seaside village, so I delved into the nuances of time, imagining sepia landscapes, and soon found myself by the River Esk. The wharf area was always peaceful at this time of night and it was especially luminous tonight due to a favourable full moon and the absence of the clouds that had dogged the sun earlier in the day. Only a solitary cloud, narrow and long with the wind, faded across the moon now, its edges illuminated fancifully as if it was lit from within. I wandered along the banks of the Esk between the wicker crayfish baskets and the ancient bollards. The archaic setting put a smile on my face. The Esk was as calm and misty as a mirror after a morning shower while I made my way slowly across the swing bridge to the opposite shore. The narrow alleys, that wound their cobbled way down the cliffs rising up above the town on this side of the Esk, now greeted me from the shadows. I poked my head into the shop windows and marvelled at their clutter of kitsch tourist goods and variety of sweets. A drool formed unwittingly as I ogled the Whitby Rock and its many varieties, but the other stone more prevalent here, the renowned Whitby Jet, was like black pools of mystery drawing me ever closer without falling in. Beyond the jet, the road here swung up sharply to the right and onto the 199 stairs that led up to the parish church and the ruined abbey. To my left was one of Whitby’s narrow sandy beaches, but I knew my destination… the ruins of Whitby Abbey. The climb up the stairs here was steep and exhausting… Edison was right; plenty of perspiration, yet inspiration eluded me. The Abbey was closed for the night, but on returning in the morning, I discovered my fabled Sutcliffe and captured the Abbey in all its eeriness… that was 597 steps, only 99 more to get back down! The wharves across the Esk were a pathetic excuse for a fun pier Brighton-style. I imagined peeking through the strands of my windswept hair to find that the bollard below the lighthouse, near the end of the old seawall, was draped with a mermaid; one whose tail formed a perfect aerial en pointe in fishnets. However, it was night in my imagination and the full moon shone quite brilliantly on her pale shoulders and arms, features of flesh that were quite distinct from her black dress and her long black hair. Her eyes reflected the dark depths of a midnight sea, the glint of the full moon like the splash of a cresting wave ebbing as she tossed her hair in the sea breeze. If only it was night… perhaps I could create that mood; embellish the whiff of fairy floss and the turn of the clown’s faces as they sucked the pennies from unsuspecting passers-by. I allowed myself the indulgence and emptied my pockets at the top of the queue… bound for the inner labyrinth of the Dracula Experience! Shouldering arms, there were six of us, darkness ahead… There was a scream in the distance, from somewhere we had yet to experience. I yearned to be there, because it was probably there... inspiration! I kept up with the others as they began to run. We bolted through webs we could not recall later, past scenes Winona would have been proud of, through doors and along a revolving tunnel that would have stirred our stomachs had we walked through it more warily. Finally, we burst through another door all slimy as if covered in blood reaching for a scream beyond it and bounded out into a narrow passageway to join the screams of hilarity and recognition of my five companions. Then we all heard it… him… that low terrifying rumble of a laugh… one of the girls screamed (as they do in these places) as a monstrous bat came swooping in from our right flank, but this bat had eyes that were all black with an intensity that drew the blood from our faces, and fangs that glowed white in the darkness. It swooped down and picked off the girl in front. The girl screamed and passed out as it sank its teeth into her neck. The rest of us ran across the bridge which almost threw us off sideways as it swayed (I contributed gladly to this, jumping maniacally for greater effect!) The apparition disappeared and Madame Guillotine appeared to our left, holding up the severed head of that beautiful redheaded girl… the girl we had just forsaken! We screamed again and ran on (waving our hands in the air somewhat limply), but we were now three… what happened to… more screams… and I found myself running with only one other. She held onto my hand gratefully, but she was cold – fear racked my body and sucked the life out of it as it had hers… “Quickly, in here…” She opened a door which seemed to be slimy, was that blood? Oh God, then I turned; her eyes were all black and her white teeth, glowing in the dark, dripped with blood… “Well now, Gargoyle… were you not warned about this place and those who did not return if they ventured out on their own?” WTF… I was out of there, screaming like a girl at a Bieber concert, running up the hill, beyond the Captain Cook monument, to the great circuit of Victorian buildings that over looked the North Sea. That’s where I saw it, the gold-rimmed plaque all royal blue, which read… Bram Stoker (1847-1912) Author of Dracula stayed here 1890-1896 On the flight home to Australia I sketched out my newest novel, born of one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration… To See the Sun became my first foray into the literary world of Gothic horror… having tasted just a little of my own by the Whitby wharf. D J Meyers www.thegargoylechronicles.com.au PS dearest Claire asked for something bloggish and short, but she should know better. When it comes to me, words are always gushing out like water through a gargoyles mouth in a thunderstorm! PPS all sections in italic are direct quotes from the novel To See the Sun (a tale of an Amnesiac Vampire) |
Subscribe To My Blog Archives
October 2017
BUY LIMERENCE HERE
|
RSS Feed
