31 Days of the Paranormal presents: “Chandrea – The Return of the Avatar Queen” by Marlene Wynn @MWynnAuthor

The Author 

Marlene Wynn

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

“Chandrea – The Return of the Avatar Queen”

Where are you from? 

Originally, Bountiful, Utah. Now…Virginia Beach, VA

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

On the day Crown Princess Chandrea is born, her kingdom is attacked and her parents are brutally assassinated. To save her life, Chandrea has several spells cast upon her and is sent through a magical portal to Earth to live in secrecy. On her 23rd birthday, the spell reverses itself, and Chandrea suddenly finds herself back on her birth world, Itova. There, she discovers that she is the queen of a decimated kingdom and one of the most powerful sorceresses alive. She also learns that she is expected to gather an army to defeat the tyrant queen, Leilah. Completely out of her element, and missing the only home she knows, Chandrea is overwhelmed. But she soon realizes that she may be the only one with the power, both political and magical, who can save the people of Lyrunia. 

What is your favorite supernatural creature and why? Feel free to go into detail. Make us now proclaim that this is by far, our favorite supernatural creature.

I think fairies are my favorite creatures. They are usually immortal, have vast amounts of power, and live in really cool places. 

If you could be any paranormal/supernatural being, what would it be and why? Is it the same answer as above. If not, why not?

Same as above.

Tell me what the best current paranormal themed TV show is and why everyone who hasn't seen it absolutely needs to go and watch every single episode. Marathon style.

GRIMM! Love that show and the special effects / make-up they use. They’re very creative on the monsters they bring out and the problems that the main characters have to face. 

One of my favorites. I never miss an episode. Love the whole concept of Grimm's fairytales not being fairytales but more like a detectives log of all the things they have tracked and killed. Awesome take. Nicole

What is your favorite Paranormal book? Why is this one your favorite? 

It’s more of a series than an actual book. I love Jim Butchers “Dresden Files” series, which includes, wizards, werewolves, vampires, Summer / Winter Fairies, and more. Jim has an extremely dry sense of humor and is very talented at bringing his characters to life on the pages. His books are super creative, and each and every one keeps you involved to the very end.

As everyone knows (or should by now,) I am into Vampires. Who is your favorite fictional Vampire and why is this one your favorite? 

I’m torn. I love Cian in Nora Roberts “The Circle Trilogy” series. Watching him tear through his personal walls and learn to love again was really interesting. He tries so hard to be indifferent and uncaring, but love of family and friends prevail. Yet, Thomas Raith in Jim Butcher’s “Dresden’s Files” is fascinating to get to know. He is the main character’s half brother, and is torn between the human world and the demon dwelling inside of him. He wants to just live his life in peace, and tries very hard to, but just can’t seem to find that happy medium. Oh, and they are both super sexy!

Cian! One of my top five for sure! Nora Roberts and Christine Feehan made me realize what I should be writing about. Nicole

Who is your least favorite fictional Vampire? 

Honestly, I think I really loved to hate Cian’s evil counterpart (and his maker), Lilth. She’s mundo creepy with her baby-boy-toy-vampire. 

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

At the beginning, I just sat and wrote, but the more complex my storyline became, the more I needed to have a timeline. I’ve created a detailed Excel spreadsheet listing my characters and a brief synopsis of where they are and what they are doing at any given time. It has made my storyline very tight and I honestly couldn’t write now without it. 

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

LOL…No. 

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

Though I love Jim Butcher for the reasons I listed above, Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series were the ones that made the biggest impression on me. Sometimes, I swear they almost taught me how to live again…and better! Not to mention he is a fantastic story teller! 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

Personally, I love thick books that have several main characters, and they all end up going different directions only to meet up at the end to “solve” whatever it is that needs solving. But…have you ever written something like that??? It’s HARD. But, I love it and (thanks to my nifty Excel spread sheet I spoke of earlier) I think I’ve done a fairly good job of it!

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

I think it’s a little of both. As you create your character, they begin to create themselves. How do they talk or think? How do they move? What are their responses to the world around them? The hard part is ensuring that you stay true to each one when you are writing a scene with several people involved!

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

I think that’s part and parcel, as the characters come from the author. I don’t know that you CAN’T write yourself in, even if it is only in a tiny way. J

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak. 

God…I wish! No, I’m still working the 8-5 grindstone. Hopefully, one day, I’ll recognize that dream, and become a full time writer. But until then…back to my “day job”. L

If you could have an hour alone with any fictional paranormal creature, who would it be and what would you be doing? Feel free to explain. 

I think I would have to choose the Shape Shifter from my own novel! He is super cute, full of fun, and a really great guy!  How awesome would it be to spend time with a shape shifter who could become anything that lives? Would you like to ride on a dragon? 

Do you enjoy Halloween. Why or why not? What is your favorite part? 

I love Halloween, and am sorry to say both my kids are now too old to Trick or Treat. L When I was a kid, there was a woman in my neighborhood who built a massive cardboard box maze in her yard for Halloween. Each year the maze was different and the kids would line up down the block to go through it. A few years back, I decided to try my hand at that. I collected a TON of those heavy appliance boxes, a million rolls of duct tape, and set to work. It took forever, but it was well worth it. I have never seen kids (and adults) enjoy themselves quite so much. I even had groups of teens go in, and the screams of joy made my entire night. Unfortunately, my back won’t let me keep building these mazes, but I love the memories.

Are you completely opened minded about the paranormal or are you a skeptic? 

I think I’m in the middle. I know that there are a whole lot of things out there that no one can completely explain, but none of the truly “amazing” things happen where they can be seen by a lot of people. So…I’m biding my time. If it happens, it happens. If not…it’s always fun to imagine! 

What made you write a paranormal themed book? Where did the idea come from? 

Have you ever read a book or gone to a movie that left you reeling with wonder? For me, that sensation wasn’t just because the story was good, but was more awed reverence for the AUTHOR. It was humbling to imagine someone being able to create such an amazing storyline. And, I had often wondered if that was something that I could do, until one day, I thought…”Why not?” and tried. And got hooked! 

Do you only write paranormal books or do you write in other genres? 

I’ve only written the one book, and it is a series, so, no, not yet!

Who did your book cover? Are you totally happy with it. Do you feel it correctly represents your book?

My cover artist’s name is Fiona Jayde (http://fionajaydemedia.com/) and I am more than happy with her. I asked her for a cover that would convey the “child of two worlds” theme, and I’ve gotten more compliments on that cover than I would have ever believed! Fiona rocks!

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

Instead of only seeing the story from one character, I’ve made my storyline have numerous Point’s of View, including that of the “evil” queen. Personally, I think this rounds out the story much better than only one person’s view point, and helps the reader to understand where each character is coming from and why they act the way they do. 

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

Not yet…I’m too new myself!

Links to follow her work:

· Website / blog:

 http://www.marlenewynn.com

. YouTube Book Trailer:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzJpY3nai34

· Facebook Page:

 http://www.facebook.com/MarleneWynn.Author

· Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/MWynnAuthor

· Amazon (print and ebook):

http://www.amazon.com/Chandrea-Return-Avatar-Queen-1/dp/147911569X/ref=la_B00LXDY2Q6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405710834&sr=1-1

· Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22605642-chandrea---the-return-of-the-avatar-queen?from_search=true

· B&N:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen-marlene-wynn/1119974196?ean=2940045646550

· Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458953

· iBooks:

http://www.itunes.apple.com/us/book/chandrea-return-avatar-queen/id900663270?mt=11

· Kobo:

http://www.store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen

31 Days of The Paranormal Presents: Cover reveal of Darkest Reaches by Brandy Nacole @authorbnacole

Read a Blurb:

Kayson and the other fallen angels have risked their lives to keep Sabrina safe as she recovered from a Hell hound’s bite. Just when she began to improve, Hell was unleashed as the hounds attacked, and kidnapped Sabrina. 

Now, only days after the fight between the fallen and the hounds, Kayson is determined to find Sabrina and bring her back from Hell. The only thing standing in his way is a dangerous fallen angel named Iraja. Iraja has the means to find Sabrina, but he doesn’t do favors without a price. 

Sabrina is now facing the nightmare she’s been running from since being turned into a vampire a century ago: her eternal condemnation to Hell. Knowing her only chance of survival may rest by playing nice and turning Hell hound Falon against Lucifer, Sabrina gives into the bitter darkness and now has to fight to remember the good soul she truly is. But when she discovers the role her and the innocent human Emma are forced to play, will her fear get the better of her, and will she be lost forever? 

In the third installment of the Spiritual Discord series, the will to survive is tested, worst fears become a reality, and for one, betrayal becomes the only option.

About Brandy Nacole

Gemini Brandy Nacole is a writer of urban fantasy books. She is the author of the Shadow World series and the Spiritual Discord series published by Ponahakeola Press. A reader from a young age, Brandy has always loved folklore and stories of beings that go bump in the night. 

Brandy lives in Arkansas with her husband, three never stopping kids, two snooty cats, two very lazy bearded dragons, and one mellow turtle. She is a member of the Ozark Romance Authors in Springfield, Missouri. Whenever she’s not reading or writing, Brandy is spending her time outdoors wheeling, hiking, playing amateur photographer, and enjoying a good laugh.

You can find Brandy Nacole on:

Her website: www.brandynacole.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbrandynacole

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorbnacole

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/BrandyNacole

Blog: www.brandynacole.blogspot.com 

Pre Release Blog Party for Ghostly by Brooke Kennedy

Ghostly Blog Tour

Ghostly by Brooke Kennedy

Release Date: October 31, 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23007101-ghostly

Synopsis

Briar Summers never thought she would end up in the creepiest house on the block in a city far away from her home. Florida’s sun doesn’t quite fit well with her pale skin and dark clothing, but the weather seems nice enough. After all, her life has been one roller coaster after another and she’s ready for things to change. 

What she didn't expect was ending up in a haunted house with spirits ready to claim her for their own devices.

It's no longer easy to tell who's alive and who's not. 

It's no longer easy to decipher what's black and white. 

A ghostly shade of gray is all that's left.

(this is a paranormal romance/horror/na crossover. Includes adult situations and not recommended for readers younger than 18)

RSVP to the Facebook Online Release Party 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1491412094448166/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

About the Author

Brooke is a self-proclaimed geek and day dreamer. She enjoys music, books, family & friends, and spending time with her husband and cat. She has obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in mental health counseling from Tennessee Technological University. She is the co-author of the Ethereal Underground trilogy.

http://www.brookekennedy/org

https://www.facebook.com/beneaththesilvermoon  

Rafflecopeter giveaway on facebook page

Twitter emera_lazzaly

Ethereal Underground http://www.etherealunderground.com 

Dream Cast

Excerpt

A slamming noise in my bedroom woke me up just as I dosed off to sleep. I sat straight up and hugged the covers close to me in fear. At first I thought I was having a nightmare from my past, one of those that used to haunt me. Then I realized I was alone in my room. It was deafeningly quiet, nothing but me and the cold draft in the room, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I wasn’t alone.

“Dillon?” I whispered into the darkness, but there was no response. My little brother would have answered.

The old floors creaked, showing that someone was there. My heartbeat sped up, followed by a churning in my stomach that promised to make me hurl if I didn’t do something. A whimper escaped me, and I threw my hand over my mouth to hide it.

At eighteen, I had already been through a lot in my life, but nothing compared to the intense terror that ran through me at the thought of someone sneaking up on me while I was alone in my room.

My eyes adjusted more so to the dark, and I relied on the moon shining in my window to light up anything. As I looked across the room at my closet, I could see the outline of a person hidden in the shadows of my bedroom. At least, I thought it looked like a person. The only features that stood out were the dark eyes and the lips that curled into a devious smile.

A chill ran down my spine, and goose bumps took over my pale skin.

“Who are you?” I demanded, trying to sound brave although I was freaking the hell out on the inside.

Whatever it was didn't move from the corner. Watching me. Studying me. My body started to shake, fear creeping over my skin as my mind started shifting from its sleepy state and registering that there was someone in my bedroom.

I reached over with a shaky hand to my bedside table and flicked the button on the lamp, sending light into the room. I turned my attention back to where I had seen it.

Nothing was there.

31 Days of The Paranormal presents: @pswinnauthor #IndieSpotlight of P.S. Winn author of Phases

The Author:

P.S. Winn (Pamela)

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

I have 17 books from preschool to supernatural suspense

Where are you from?

I am from Montana, but have spent time in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. I do love small towns though.

In what genre do you write?

I write in almost every genre, except erotica. I have some kid’s books, some Young adult and 10 novels with a lot of conspiracy, supernatural, mystery and suspense.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

Let’s talk about my newest novel, “Phases”. It is a story about George, a man with a secret that takes over his life during the full moon phase. His wife has been helping him deal with the problem. When she is killed in a car accident George has to ask a new friend to help. Jake is a creative writing teacher and new to the small town. This supernatural thriller is more than just a horror novel; it is about friends helping each other and also includes a few stories in the story, including Jake’s own novel and some stories written by his students. 

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

When I write I put down the words that come from a lot of my dreams. I write every book long hand before I type it up. For me the words and story just seem to flow when my pen hits the paper. My outline is more like a description of my characters and what I feel they look like and what their personalities are. If I make an outline for where the story needs to go the characters change it anyway.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

The time I wanted the world to see my work the most is my one true story. “Suppression” it is about an inventor who actually holds a patent that can be used to burn garbage with no pollution and creates energy. That story is one that all should know about and I feel there are many more like this man. I do like when I am editing a book and while reading it I think wow, that is awesome.

 Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself? 

I edit my own books and do the covers although on “Lies in Shadows” my son helped me edit the picture for the cover. (Actually an old house on my property) 

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

When I read the book “Grapes of wrath” by Steinbeck I was blown away with the emotion he brought to the story. I was so shocked and pleased when a review on one of my books compared it to that great man. I read a lot, over 2300 on Goodreads and have written 515 reviews on Amazon, so I have a lot of new authors. I think though with my books as well as there the reader contributes so much to the story. Every person reading a book will take away something different from it because we all have been given this great thing called imagination. I love it!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The challenges I find out exactly in the writing, it is the promoting that is the hardest challenge for me, I never was much of a sales person anyway. I am however someone who writes any chance I get, maybe why I have published 17 books in 2 years. (October is my 2 year anniversary since I began publishing)

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

About Characters, wow what do you say about those people? Always taking over and doing what they want. Sometimes it is hard to understand how they came from my mind when they have such different feelings than I do sometimes. 

 Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

12. I think I always write a little of not only myself but also friends and family in to each of my books. Life does influence what you write, both good and bad. I don’t trust the government, so I have a lot of conspiracy and the characters in positions of power are usually not very nice.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I quit my day job about 3 months ago to pursue writing full time, although I don’t think I am writing any more or less than I did when I was actually at a “day job”. In fact I don’t know how I ever did both, plus I have raised 7 children and now have 18 grandchildren. That helps keep me busy and also gives me a lot of feedback on the stories.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

Going back in time I would like to either be someone back in the New Testament just to know what did or didn’t happen or be someone like Edgar Cayce, to be able to see aura’s and help people, awesome. The character in my book “Obligations” can do this after he comes back from a near death experience. 

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

I hope my books stand out not because they are in a certain genre, but because they bring more than one to the tale.

 In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

There are a lot of sites that will let you list your books for free and also wonderful people like yourself that offer author interviews. You never know which one will get you the most sales, but it doesn’t really matter because writing is about one person saying, I loved that book or tells a story of how your book changed their life or helped them with something. I had a reader whose daughter was pregnant and having some problems carrying the baby. She was put in the hospital and hooked to a monitor. The yet to be born baby had an erratic heartbeat. The Mother (grandmother) pulled out her kindle and read one of my rhyming children’s books aloud and the heartbeat steadied to normal. Is that like the greatest story ever and makes what I do, the best job in the world.

Links to follow her work:

Facebook Page: www.facebook,com/pswinnbooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/pswinnauthor

Website: www.amzon.com/author/pswinn

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/P.-Winn/e/B00E6XAR82

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/P-S-Winn?store=allproducts&keyword=P.S.+Winn

#IndieSpotlight of CS Dixon @CrickChris Author of Fly on The Wall.

The Author

C S Dixon

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

I have seven books out currently, so it’s not easy to choose, but I will go for ‘Fly On The Wall’ which is a horror/mystery short story. This is the second of three in the same genre, the first was ‘Shadow’ and the most recent is ‘Dead and Buried’

Where are you from?

I am now living in South Wales with my wife, but I am exceedingly English and was born in the county of Northumberland in England. I have traveled widely and this is now the sixth country I have lived and worked in after my native England, The Czech Republic, Taiwan, Greece and Thailand.

In what genre do you write?

I write across a number of genres, horror/mystery/erotic/romance/noir/fantasy and poetry, I do like the challenge and diversity of writing in different genres and this also reflects my eclectic reading tastes too!

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

‘Fly on the Wall’ is about a man trapped in a room, is he in the middle of a terrible nightmare or is it all real? He is alone, something else enters and then a fight for survival begins…..you are never sure from one moment to the next, what is going to happen and why!

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

I’m very much a seat of the pantser, I do make some brief notes about plot, but basically I do sit down at the computer and go with the flow. 

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

Without sounding arrogant, I’ve been writing professionally as a journalist/editor and now author for more than 32 years, so I do write to be read. I’m never complacent, it’s corny, but you are only as good as your last story or feature.

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

I do have an editor, he does proof my stories. I usually choose the images for the covers myself but he then makes the covers.

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

That’s a tough question, as a writer and reader who enjoys the diversity of many different genres, I have many from those varied categories. There’s never been just one author, who has influenced me, I am very much my own person. My parents read my sister and I stories each night when we were young. Over the years I have always counted Poe, Lovecraft, Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hammett, Tolkien, Dorothy B. Hughes and Chandler as some of my favorites. I’ve been writing almost as long as I’ve been able to read.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

A good question again as I mentioned earlier, I thrive on challenges, but I do sometimes find the ending of a story a test, while I know how the denouement will be, it’s the getting there that can be an issue. I don’t suffer from writers’ block, but the current story I’m crafting, another horror/mystery tale has given me some sleepless nights as I wrestle with the finish!

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

I find the characters drive themselves, on the same ghost story I am writing, I literally cried at the demise of one character.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

I don’t. There is the cliche’ that a writers’ first story is autobiographical, but I think that is indeed a cliché’. In my erotic writing, I do however, employ a mix of actual and imagined experiences, the readers will have to guess which are fact and fiction!

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I have enjoyed a range of careers from professional acting, youth counselling, journalist, (including ten years in radio sport with the BBC), sales, retail and teaching. I continue to teach full time at a language school, this does pay the bills, while I try to do most of my writing at the weekends.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

Another good question, there are so many, It’s probably an obvious choice but I would go for one of my favourite women-Marilyn Monroe another Gemini and she was never a dumb blonde! Apart from her beauty, a conversation with her would be interesting to say the least.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

I guess this is blowing your own trumpet time, well I think powerful descriptions, compelling narratives, believable characters and realistic dialogue and good pacing, to keep the readers interested!

 In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

I wish I could find one single way to promote and market my books, I do enjoy the interaction of social media in its various forms, but at the same time it can be a chore, the endless round of tweets, posts and entries on sites. As you know, it’s always a fine line between devoting time to social media and writing!

Places to follow the work of CS Dixon.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-Scott-Dixon-freelance-writerin/356479151040182

Twitter: @CrickChris 

Website/Blog: 

http://www.freelance-writer.in/articles.htm

Amazon: Amazon.com: C S Dixon: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Amazon.co.uk: C S Dixon: Books, Biogs, Audiobooks, Discussions

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/c-s-dixon

Smashwords: Smashwords – About C S Dixon, author of 'Shoe Horny', 'Dead and Buried', 'The Making of Melissa', etc.

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cdixon1408/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=155704963&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7124544.C_S_Dixon

See the trailer here:

31 Days of The Paranormal Presents: J. Cameron McClain @jcameronmcclain Author of The Five Watchers Trilogy

J. Cameron McClain

What made you write a paranormal themed book? Where did the idea come from?

First of all Nicole, thanks for giving me some space on your blog today! 

Okay, questions. As to the paranormal, I have a speculative fiction bent, so whatever I write, there’s a fairly good chance that there’s going to be SF, fantasy, horror, or other such deviance in there. In this case, the plot had to be a horror paranormal fantasy, because those genres—and a book and a movie—are exactly where the inspiration came from. 

Back in 2010 when I was finishing up my undergrad degree in English, I asked a professor to work with me on a directed study course that focused on apocalyptic literature. After running through a large number of possible works, we settled on a number of apocalyptic novels, one of which was I Am Legend. 

(And just because I want to share, the other apocalyptic novels were Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, Neville Shute’s On the Beach, Samuel Youd’s No Blade of Grass, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, and Revelation from the Bible. It’s surprising how few true end of the world novels are out there. Maybe because it’s not so much fun when we already know the end?)

Though Shelley’s work doesn’t have any zombies, it has plenty of plague, as does Revelation, so plagues were in the back of my mind throughout the course. While doing research on Matheson’s plague-focused work, I happened to come across an interview with George A. Romero on his Night of the Living Dead. The interview caught my attention because in it he noted that his film was inspired by I Am Legend, something I hadn’t known before. It took me some time to fully process what had been revealed to me, but soon after I graduated, I found myself going back to Romero’s comments, and then back to Matheson’s original story, with the first sparks of a story going off. 

Matheson is credited for coming up with the modern concept of “viral vampires.” Until I Am Legend, vampires (e.g. Count Dracula and Varney) were perpetuated via a mysterious ebb and flow of life-energy via a vampire’s bite and the drawing out of blood (and life essence, as well as the soul), or of the victim drinking the vampire’s blood. Matheson’s explanation of a pandemic is incomplete in the sense that he never clarifies what causes the pandemic, but in attributing a biological agent to the mix, he influenced our view of vampires—in a sense bringing them closer to human.

Arguably, however, Matheson’s contribution to modern horror—in the form of viral zombies—has had an even greater reach. Romero’s premise of the dead becoming reanimated, and the bite from the undead carrier creating another zombie has permeated media for decades. 

After I read Matheson’s novel (once again, and after a few guilty viewings of The Omega Man as well), I finally recognized the commonality of what I was being told by Matheson and Romero. The simple version: In essence, zombies are vampires. 

I Am Legend explains that there are two types of vampire: those who contracted the disease, then died, then became reanimated, and those who were permeated by the biological agent after they were dead and who were reanimated. Romero dumped the intelligent undead, deciding to focus on the siege story element (as he did even more successfully with the sequel Dawn of the Living Dead), but regardless, the origin to those mindless undead lies with the vampire race, courtesy I Am Legend. 

Once I recognized the common ground between the two creatures, I began to think about how I would approach the virus itself in my story. Because the story happens at the time the plague starts, I have created my own version of events to the patient zero scenario, linking them with vampires. 

I also thought quite a bit about the dynamics between the three groups. In a zombie outbreak, what would the effects be on vampires? There are some interesting discussions on the subject (including this article from Southern Fried Science http://www.southernfriedscience.com/?p=2528), that I think sums up the problems facing vampires in such a scenario—the same thing that faces any predator when their food supply is about to disappear. Having the vampires decide to ally with the humans in order to save them is only the start of things. 

So there you go. That is why I decided to write a novel in the Paranormal genre, and where the ideas are coming from. I’m hoping to be through with my second round of edits within the next few months, and launch Alliance within half a year. If the premise sounds intriguing, I hope you’ll keep the story in mind, and have a read when I publish it. In the meantime, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend is in print, and if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend you do so. It’s a bigger story than you might think.

J. Cameron McClain

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31 Days of The Paranormal Presents: Declaration: Book 3 of The Pagan Eyes Series by Rayna Noire @RaynaNoire

Declaration: Book 3 of The Pagan Eyes Series

BLURB

Declaration is book three in the Pagan Eyes series, but also can be read as a stand alone book.

Ethan finds himself trapped between the world he knows and the world that could be. A sadistic bully, an unsympathetic principal, and an unreachable love interest make high school difficult for Ethan. He feels like he’s living a lie, trying to blend in at school in an effort to keep his head attached to his body. 

Fear that he’s not the son his father wants negates the support his Wiccan family offers. An impromptu trip into the future saves him from an enraged bully while instilling doubts about where he really belongs. Somehow, he has to find a way to survive in his own world tossing aside his mask and doubts.

Early Comments

"An adventurous YA fantasy tale of time-travel, being happy with oneself, and the first blush of love." V.L. Locey, reviewer

"An inspirational and empowering read. Addressing many issues our society currently faces with the ability to overcome and preserve, Declaration is a tale of being yourself—enchanting at that!"- Stephanie Stamm, reviewer

Magic, Mayhem, Time Travel and…show tunes! A lot of laughter, a few tears and a big cheer for Declaration. A great coming of age story. Tamara Hoffa, reviewer

Declaration Excerpt 

Ethan hid in a dark doorway, panting, while he considered his options. No way Caulb and his felons in training would give up once they figured out he outsmarted them. Shouts echoing in the cavernous hallway alerted him. Danger was closer than he’d thought. Great. Weren’t schools supposed to be crawling with staff members looking out for the welfare of the students? Yeah, right. Too bad, he’d left his cell phone in Leah’s car. Not that it would have done him much good since the school used a dampener to keep students from texting in class.

If high schools were a theme park, then tenth grade was the roller coaster. It started uneventfully. The most stressful part had been fending off all the helpful staff members, who wanted to redirect him to the middle school, assuming, since he was shorter than a good portion of the girls, he wasn’t old enough for high school.

The voices veered off to the left, down the science corridor. A window of opportunity opened up. Ethan shot up the hallway to the gym, where the wrestling team practiced earlier. His father had nagged him to try out for the wrestling team. Even the coach asked him to give it a go, because they needed someone in his weight class. Most of his matches would forfeit due to not having anyone in his class or he’d end up wrestling a girl, the coach said. No thanks. He already had enough things to be teased about.

The dimly lit hallway stretched as if it were endless. Maybe this was a dream and he’d wake up soon. Caulb’s voice filtered down the hallway. His bass timber was menacing enough without the eerie quality of it bouncing off the metal lockers and taking on an almost mechanical quality. Caulb was a deadly droid, on the mission of annihilating anyone who didn’t conform to his standards. Unfortunately, no tip sheet existed to specify what his standards were. All Ethan knew was, he didn’t meet them.

The gym doors came into view. Sanctuary. He swung the door open with a gasp, unsure what he was going to say. All he had to do was stick close to the coach. Maybe he could say he needed to use the phone to call home. His eyes darted around the empty gym. Where was everyone? An image of the wrestlers in their spandex suits came to mind. They were dressed in their team apparel when he’d seen them earlier, which meant they were probably at an away meet, and why no one was in the gym. The lights illuminated the wooden floor and abandoned mats.

He took a few steps into the gym, stopped, and turned slowly, seeing no sign of following bullies, or an almost friend who stabbed him in the back. His lips pulled down into a frown, remembering the different expectations he’d had for the night, much different.

Watch the Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-bbmC5-QcU

 

Ever heard of Camelot? What about Avalon? Do you believe they were real? What if I told you they were?

Ever heard of Camelot? What about Avalon? Do you believe they were real? What if I told you they were? What if I told you that King Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere, Morgan Le fey and the lady of the lake were nothing more than a very powerful, very dysfunctional family? At this point, you are probably imagining every version of Arthur and his famed sword you have ever seen, read or heard. You are wondering which version this one is based on. Anyone who is familiar with the various Arthur/Merlin based legends Will have their own views on who they think was good and who they think was evil. They will have their own beliefs on what they think actually happened.

To those people I say; Forget everything you think you know right now. I'm serious. Whatever you have seen, heard or read is probably way off base. The Avalon Legacies is the story of one infamously powerful family that made one devastating mistake after another. A family that fell so epically from grace with The Goddess that she cursed their entire race, cast them out of their magical home in Avalon and slammed it's gates closed to earth until the day that they are able to redeem themselves. With no one left to continue the Fey teachings and the Christian Crusades spreading across Europe, mankind's ability to wield magic on this planet slowly disappeared. The histories of a once great King, noble family and wondrously magical race were slowly reduced to nothing more than legends and fairy tales. So much so, that most of the descendants of this great family don't even know who they are or that they are supposed to be redeeming themselves and the ones who do know have either hidden it, faked their death or have been on this fruitless quest for so long that they have lost the ability to think rationally.

The Avalon Legacies is not your everyday tale of good and evil. There is no straight black and white but instead, an everlasting gray area. Those you think are evil, may not be. Those you think are good, may not be and those who started off good may change due to their experience and vice versa. There are five legacies. Each one follows this family as they are tasked with each step toward redemption. With every step forward, they see only more steps. Behind every door, there always seems to be another and don't think that this path to redemption only leads back to Arthur and his family. Each legacy goes deeper and deeper into the past. Every creation was the direct result of something that happened to the creator. ( God or Goddess)  Whatever creator that may be.

The events that lead up to earth's first and forgotten Apocalypse, were set into motion long before God ever created earth. This family discovers that not only are they tasked with fixing the mistakes of their forefathers that lead to the death of magic on this planet but that some of those mistakes may have been manipulated by other creators. They discover that the creation of their race was directly related to a many century old feud between two of what the family finds out are many, many, many creators. The secrets that this family unearths during their quest will one day re write all that ever was and all that ever will be. If they can survive standing up to even the most stubborn and pigheaded creators in existence. That is.

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Ailis has spent her life pretending she didn't have powers and that things did not go bump in the night. Ailis is now a homicide detective. She is very good at her job and she's pretty sure the serial murders her unit is investigating aren't being committed by a human. In walks the most gorgeous man she's ever seen. What’s wrong with that? Ailis not only knows he's a vampire. she also knows he's the one draining child molesters and murderers and leaving an empty carcass for her to find. Her investigation unearths secrets about her ancestors that take her back to Camelot and the time of King Arthur and Merlin so she can right a wrong committed by her family hundreds of years ago. Can she trust this strange, lonely vampire to help her solve a mystery that could very well end up with her being life challenged herself? 

Dangerously attractive vampire, Kenneth has been around long enough to know there are no such things as coincidences. When he meets the undeniably strong willed homicide detective Ailis, he knows there's a good explanation as to why she looks identical to his long dead fiance. He just has to figure out what that might be. When his one hundred year nemesis shows up in Miami and tries to force Ailis to join him, Kenneth realizes her powers are worth something to even the worst of his kind. He pledges to protect her as long as he is still breathing. If those trying to keep her from fulfilling her destiny have anything to do about it, that won’t be long at all.

Reviewers Thoughts.

“I am really looking forward to the second book.” Diane C. Stanton

“Filled with action and suspense, one of the best paranormal romances I've read this year.”  P.J. Storm 

“This book is a draw you in tantalizing Novel you will start to read and realize you have lost yourself in it and can't put it down until you know every little detail.”

Mama Dukes 

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Legacy Foretold Book 2 of The Avalon Legacies

  It's been over twenty years since Ailis began her tedious quest to right the terrible wrongs her ancestors mistakes caused to not just earth but Avalon. Just when she and Kenneth are back in Avalon and it's gates are once again open to their people, they get wind of a Legacy. It seems there is to be a final test from their goddess. It seems she will need proof that they have learned from the terrible mistakes of Merlin, King Arthur and Morgaine. If the test is failed, they will lose their home forever. Only this time, it is their children that will be tested. Ailis and Kenneth can only prepare them and then stand by, knowing they cannot interfere while their home, people's lives and the lives of one or both of their children are at stake. Will Ailis and her family finally make up for the atrocities of her ancestors or will they lose it all and be forced out of their home with no hope of ever being one with their maker again? 

  Karma has a very important job. A job that comes with the gift of Excalibur. A job she never wanted. Karma is the Assassin of the Goddess and is charged with hunting supernatural being that don't follow the rules. She is becoming more and more convinced that Excalibur has powers of his own. Karma and X, as she calls him, are a team. Together, they are invincible. 

She also has a family legacy that consumes her every waking thought. Karma is supposed to be watching for a deceiver. Someone she will want to trust but shouldn't and is in a constant state of confusion. She does not know what the right choice is and is terrified of failing her entire species. Her parent's risked everything to save Avalon and if she makes one false move according to her legacy, she will undue all that they have accomplished. This time however; it will be permanent. The goddess has given her family one last chance to right their wrongs. 

  Can Karma control her infamous temper or will she succumb to the same fate as her ancestor, Morgaine?

Read a review. 5 Stars "Keeps getting better!"