Bio: Alice Quinn lives in York, England. After watching a fire demon kill her mother, she moved in with her aunt, half-brother Julian, and super-hot alpha werewolf, Ethan Jefferies. Before the death of her mother, Sophie Quinn, Alice was your average human, working in a deli and dreaming of a better life. Things have changed, if supernatural creatures aren’t trying to kill her, they’re determined to control her—in the name of keeping her safe.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Alice Quin, and I am a Vampwitch— half witch and half vampire. Vampwitch—it sounds cool, unless, of course, you’re the one who is the Vampwitch. Life is complicated when you are half of something. An anomaly that shouldn’t exist.
Up until Mum died at the hands of a fire demon, named Arison, I thought I was a regular human. But then I didn’t know monsters of the supernatural kind really existed either. Now I’m stuck with a dad, Nathaniel Quinn, who I wish had stayed dead, not undead, a half-brother, and master vampire, Julian Quinn, who thinks he knows what is best for me, and an aunt, Mum’s sister Dorothy, I disappoint on a regular basis.
My best friend, Polly Palmer, is the only one of us celebrating my new supernatural powers. But then she thinks I can go around zapping people like superwoman and fly through the sky on a broomstick. Superwoman had it a lot easier, I can tell you.
There is this group of supernatural beings called MAMS (Magic Against Mixed Species – kind of a dumb unoriginal name if you ask me) that want to kill me. They don’t like the fact that Mum and Dad did the nasty and produced me. Apparently, I weaken the whole supernatural species.
Is your life now as you envisioned it? If not – then why?
Before Mum died, I was between jobs. I’m not sure how I envisioned my life to be before I became a Vampwitch. Something regular, I guess. A dog, a house, doing a spot of painting—I like to paint, not that I get the chance now. Maybe having a bit of fun before I got old. I’ve always wanted to travel. Visit far out places. Take a trip to the Amazon, or travel to the North Pole.
Now, with MAMS out there, and having to cram twenty-five years of supernatural knowledge in less than a few weeks, all I want is to make it to twenty-six.
Do you believe in monsters?
I never used to. Before my Vampwitch status, monsters were bad people who got locked up in prison. Now I know monsters exist because I’m one of them.
Do you believe in magic? How do you feel about it?
Even before Mum died, I believed in magic. Maybe not the kind of magic that supernatural’s have, but yeah, I believed. Earth is a magical place, if we open our eyes, and let it sweep through to our very core it can make us whole, removing our woes for a while.
I’ve always had a fascination with folklore. We seemed to appreciate the earth so much more when we believed in the Fae, creatures like the Selkie and Demi Gods then we do now. My Granddad is the Seelie King, so maybe my fascination with folklore stems from him. Not that we get on. For me, he’s just another relative that has come out the woodwork.
Would you die for those you love?
In a beat. There isn’t a day that goes by that I wish Arison had killed me, not Mum. We might not always get along, but Dorothy, Nathaniel, Julian, Oliver, Seberg, Polly, Ethan, Arthur, and Jack, are my family now. I’m not about to let them die because of me. So, if it comes to it, yes, I will die for those I love.
Who is your greatest enemy?
If you had asked me that question when I first learnt about my supernatural heritage, I would have said MAMS. Now, I’d tell you, my greatest enemy is me.
Tell us about your family?
Before, when Mum was alive, there was just the two of us. Now I’ve an aunt, Dorothy, mum’s sister, a Master Vampire for a dad, and half-brother, oh, and a granddad who doesn’t like me. But you know, I’ve also learnt recently, that family isn’t just about blood ties. Jack, who is a ghost, Arthur, an annoying, biscuit stealing gnome, my best friend Polly, and Ethan, who is an alpha werewolf, they are all my family. We don’t always like each other, but I know they’d do anything for me, and I’d do the same for them. But that’s family for you, life is filled with grey areas when it comes to family.
What is your greatest fear?
Being dead. I’m the first of my kind. No one knows if I’ll survive the transition to full vampire, or if I’ll become some crazy killing monster with no conscience. Then they’ll have to kill me for real, and there’s no more Alice Quinn.
I’m twenty-five, I don’t fancy ripping people’s hearts out and calling it fun. I’m not a violent person. When my brother, Julian asked me if I knew any fighting moves, I showed him my warrior two pose, he didn’t find it funny. But that’s as violent as I like to get, so turning into a monster, brings me out in hives. Not literally.
Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?
I hope so. Since embracing my inner Vampwitch I’ve learnt a few tricks. Of course, there is the fact that I’m unpredictable. Supernatural creatures don’t like that. They think magic gives them the ultimate power. A bit of cunning can out whit magic. Well, that’s what I’m hoping.
If I survive the death threat from MAMS, and don’t turn into a blood craving monster, my next quest is for everyone to stop calling me a Vampwitch and start seeing Alice Quinn again. It’s like I’ve lost my own identity. Everyone keeps saying I’m special, I’m not, I’m just a woman who wants to be able to make her own choices and live as normal a life as possible, without it being a big deal.
More short stories about vampires mingling in the pages of this anthology. Vampire Apocalypse vs. Last Vampire Survivor. Vampires with hemophobia or Asperger Syndrome. Vampires in the past and in the future, walking through the centuries because they can. Undead but immortal unless you manage to kill them. Merciless killers or merciful death givers – and even a little, shapeshifting vampire who doesn’t feed on blood.
Available on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, I tunes
Henry Fitzroy – formerly Duke of Richmond, bastard son of Henry VIII
Which book/world do you live in?
Anarchic Destiny – Book 2 of the Naturae Series
Tell us about yourself:
‘Dying’ when I was 17 was a trauma, but I was told if I became a vampire, I would still be able to fulfil my destiny to be King. Annoyingly, after I said yes to being made vampire, my half brother Edward was born, so I had to wait, hidden and captive for another 17 years, until he too died in 1553. But, when I found out about his plans for succession, I realised I’d been forgotten. I was no-one. I have to find my place in this new world, find a way to fulfil my destiny to rule.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I didn’t realise how liberating it would be to give up my soul, and so I would say my greatest strength is that I have no compunction about doing what is necessary to achieve my given purpose. I’m also super-fast, super strong, and, depending on the day or how I feel, super compassionate. Perhaps that is my weakness, but I still feel for the humans, even though most of my kind view them as fodder.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
The institutions in my world are the structures which enable people like me to rule – the Church, although I have wavering affiliation to it, and the monarchy. I’m ambiguous as to which of these institutions should remain once I get into power. On a personal front, I have few friends. Those I can count are Thomas Fairfax, a daemon, and, I suppose, my half sister, Elizabeth. She knows who and what I am, and means a great deal to me, possibly because I cannot influence her as I can mere mortals. She has the potential though, to be great, I have always sensed this about her and I hope that in the future our two realms can grow closer in proximity. Naturae is where I will set my sights though, the home of the fae.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
I have thought a great deal about this, and my opinion of what it means to be a hero, and a leader, was largely influenced by my father, Henry VIII. He had his flaws, to be sure, but he was driven to greatness by passion. A desire to grow his influence, be the best. However, I am of the mind that life should be preserved where possible. I regret losing my mortal life, and mourn the loss of my soul. I am not about revenge, or killing for the sake of it, but rather, people should be allowed to choose how they live, not die because of what someone else thinks. I think that makes me quite heroic, I will always stand up for liberty. That is my passion.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
She tries hard to make me into a sympathetic character, although I know at times I may make some choices which ordinary people could view as morally wrong.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Life is short, for humans. Make the most of it, live how you want to and with honesty and you will have no regrets when it is over. If, like me, you are destined to live a long life, then there is even more reason to be true to yourself, because hiding who you are will cause you untold miseries which you have your whole life to regret.
Which book/world do you live in? Shades of Night series
Tell us about yourself: Well, I used to be an agent for The Monster Defence Agency. We hunted vampires, ghouls, demons, ghosts…basically anything that wants to harm humans. My partner is a werewolf, the alpha in his pack, and he was by the book until I was turned into a vampire. The kicker is, I’m some sort of weird hybrid that can withstand sunlight.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
When I was a normal human witch, I could manifest anything I needed when I needed it. If I needed a sword or knife, bam, it appeared at will. Clothing, same thing. But I couldn’t call anything but objects. So that was a strength and a weakness, because it would be really convenient to enact my revenge on the bastard that turned me if I could just call him into existence before me. My biggest weakness is my alpha partner. I’ve been secretly in love with him since we were in the academy together. Come to find out, he felt the same, but any relationship was prohibited by the agency we work for. And they are militant about their rules.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
Robby, my partner and secret lover. The Monster Defence Agency (TMD for short) where we work. And the vampire who turned me, although I really want to drag him out into the sun for what he did to me.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
Heroism is your partner having your back in the middle of shit storm. It’s a firefighter running into a burning building to save a child. It’s a soldier recovering a fallen comrade through enemy fire. It’s a police officer shielding others from a wacko with a gun. It’s the child who stands up to the bullies picking on a weaker kid.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
My creator meaning the asshole who turned me?
Oh, you mean the author who created me. Well… she has a mean streak a mile wide, but she does give me what I need when I need it. But that does not mean she lets me off easy.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Find someone who doesn’t think of you as their property. Find a partner who views you as an equal partner in life and who adores you for all your faults and endearments. Once you find that special someone, do not let them go.
Will she forgive him of his sins, or fight their bond until her last dying breath?
Kora was left alone when the world crumbled, and the bloodsucking monsters invaded.
The vampires killed her family, her friends; everyone she had ever loved.
She waited for the moment they would enter her hideaway and snuff out her miserable existence for good. They never came though, and the revelation that she would be alone was too much… until she saw him.
Aldeon finds himself in a world that isn’t his own.
A place filled with so much of the crimson liquid that keeps his species sane, that even he cannot resist feeding.
Dhampirs have been ravenous for eons, delving into madness as their minds grew weak with hunger.
But now he is full again, left to await the time when the others return to their senses and join him.
A single scent dissipates all of his newfound revelations, and suddenly the tantalizing aroma is all that he can think about.
Everything changes when he gazes into the terrified eyes of a human woman, and another instinct takes hold.
Protect. Serve. Mate.
“Adult fans of Twilight and Darklight by Bella Forrest will love this new Vampire Paranormal Romance.”
Content Warning: This book does contain mature themes, such as but not limited to; sexual content, suicide and suicidal ideations, violence, and strong language. Not suitable for ages under 18+.
Brenna Harlow (if that’s even her real name) lives happily in her own fantasy land, drinking way too much coffee and reading an endless amount of smutty paranormal romance. She joined the land of the living only to share her love for the creatures of the night, and henceforth has claimed her throne at the Kingdom of Vampires and Fated Mates.
You can find Brenna in any coffee shop that provides free Wi-Fi, drinking her triple shot espresso and stabbing her keyboard to death.
Welcome to Brenna. Where were you born/grew up at?
Born and raised in Northern Georgia, on the cusp of Alabama and Tennessee. I’ve lived in North Carolina briefly, but otherwise I’ve stayed close to my roots. Would I love to move to the snowy mountains of Colorado? Yes. But could I manage being that far away from my family? Eh, probably not.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I read, and read, and read. Or I’ll fill the tub up and soak in a hot bath. If my kiddo is at her grandparents, I’ll stay in until the bath water gets cold and then fill it back up again. Something about the hot water calms my nerves, and it’s easy to immerse myself into my books.
How to find time to write as a parent?
Simple, write while she plays, eats, and sleeps. Haha. We take walks, and go outside. I read her bedtime stories at night, and watch Disney movies with her. She knows when Mommy is working she has to go and play with her millions of toys inside of her bedroom.
What inspired you to write this book?
I would say that reading a million books with tropes that I loved inspired me to write one of my own. Also, vampires have always and will always be my favorite creatures of the night. I cannot help it. It’s ingrained in my soul. I grew up on Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, The Vampire Academy, True Blood… I may or may not enjoy blood and biting tropes LOL.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I have the next two years pretty much outlined. So this year, I will be releasing the first FIVE books in The SoulBlood Series, one surprise novella that links to The SoulBlood Series, and one super secret anthology project. I’ll be releasing a demon romance standalone in 2022, and finishing off the SoulBlood Series (seven books total). We’ll see what happens after that. 🙂
What book do you think everyone should read?
I always, always recommend anything by Ruby Dixon. If you are new to her, please go pick up Ice Planet Barbarians. It’s the start to my ALL TIME favorite series! If you aren’t into sci-fi romance, you can try out her Fireblood Dragon series!
How long have you been writing?
I, like many others, have been writing since childhood. I think it all started when I was in middle school, and I became obsessed with the now-famous Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I wrote my first original story, about fated mates and high school romance, around that time. I started taking writing seriously in 2019, when I started writing on Wattpad for practice and found out that my writing was actually not that bad and something other people might enjoy.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Um, yes! Of course I read, how in the world would I get better at my craft otherwise? My go-to tropes are fated mates, captive romance, protective/possessive alpha males, anything with vampires, blood bonds, yadda yadda. I’m a hardcore romance reader and writer, through and through.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I don’t have a single favorite movie, but I have a favorite genre/sub-genre of movies. Any guesses? Haha, I love horror. Way over the top love, lowkey obsessive. If I don’t indulge in at least one horror flick a week, then something is wrong. My favorite sub-genre of horror is creature films, whether that be zombies (my all-time fav) or aliens, vampires, werewolves, etc.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
As a person, my spirit animal is most certainly a raccoon. Funny story, I actually rescued and rehabilitated one as a teenager. They’re kind and very similar to a cat, though a little less domesticated. But as an author who writes about vampires, I’ll go with a bat as my spirit animal. Anything that sucks a little blood and only comes out during the night totally fits my aesthetic.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I do a ton of market research before writing. I’ll pick up a few top sellers and read them, analyze the tropes, and find out what makes readers gravitate towards that particular book. I’m an avid reader, so my market research is normally just my leisure reads. Before I begin plotting, I outline my characters like crazy. If they are professional NASA scientists, then you best believe my search history is all about what the heck a scientist at NASA does. Most of my plot is all about romance, suspense, and horror/tension. I don’t need to do much research on that, but places, environment, weather conditions… Yeah, authors do a ton of learning with each new project.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. Writing good books is a profession. I am constantly learning new things about the craft and the business side of this career, but it has never been ‘just a hobby’ for me. (Okay, maybe when I was a kid it was a hobby, but not anymore.)
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I prefer to write listening to sounds. I have a playlist that I listen to on Spotify called ‘Lofi Beats for Ghosts’ and it has single-handedly gotten me through almost every draft I have ever written. When I go in to revise and do line edits, I normally turn on my WIP playlist. Current band obsessions are Haley Henderickx, Big Thief, Modest Mouse, Fleet Foxes, Grouper, and a ton of other indie rock/folk tunes.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I’ve found that I work best when focusing on one book at a time. I normally section out blocks of the month and devote those days/weeks to my WIP. Same goes with revising, if I’m editing one book, I find it difficult to be drafting another. I’m just weird like that.
If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
I’ll most certainly get tons of shade for this, but if I could take Stephanie Meyer’s place and write Twilight the way it should have been written, i’d do it in a heartbeat. Or maybe Rachelle Mead… Her Vampire Academy series gave me life while I was in middle school. Props to her!
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
So when I was in my late teens, I read a book called Stray by Rachel Vincent. It’s a steamy paranormal romance about werecat shifters, and the FMC Faythe Sanders gave me so much life. She’s strong, knows what she wants (kinda), and kicks ass. It’s so hard to pick a single favorite character from all of the amazing books I’ve read, but she is high on my list.
A day in the life of the author?
*Opens front door* Hello, and welcome to a day in my life. *Gestures wildly to the debris of toys that cover the living room, put there by one tornado of a toddler.*
In this home, we drink coffee non-stop. Here, have an espresso. *Shoves cup of triple shot into your hands* Let’s get on with the tour! Oh, don’t mind my messy bun and leggings, I always look like this.
Here is where you’ll find my computer, which currently has sixteen tabs open, most of which serve as a distraction from the writing I need to be doing. Never mind all that, hows your coffee? *Child screams in the background*
You get the gist.
Advice they would give new authors?
Just don’t stop, and do not get caught up in all of the marketing advice that can easily consume all of your time- time that would be better spent just writing the damn book. Write, and write more, and for the love of all things holy, please do not create your own cover. Yes, you need an editor. Yes, you need a marketing plan- but only once you have the book! Or multiples, if you want to try your hand at rapid releasing. Do NOT get caught up in all of the marketing tactics like I did. Yes, you need to know them. However, you don’t need to know them all in the first month. Slow down.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Witchy, Moody, Anxious, and Nerdy.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Why yes, I’m glad you asked! Sometime at the end of the year, I have plans for a novella featuring my two main characters for book one. 😉 I’ll leave it up to the imagination on what exactly it’s about, but here’s a clue. “Happily Ever After can be rounded, by two.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in (Name of book)?
Of course! Book one, Blood at Dusk, follows the life of a woman named Kora and a Vampire named Aldeon. Their paths cross, of course. (It wouldn’t be a love story without that, haha). Kora was a Senior at Nashville State Community College before the end of the world came. She was a vegan, bookworm, and partied with her sister on the weekends. Nowadays, she deals with a lot of anxiety and grief (as to be expected).
Aldeon is a vampire from the world know as Azure. He doesn’t remember how he, or his people, got to earth. His mind has cleared from the fog of bloodlust, but his species is still mad, tearing through the human and animal population on this new planet. He wants to help the, but when he meets his fated mate- a human, he has to choose. Save her, or stay true to his kind.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
My most favorite thing about writing this book was sharing my struggles with a select group of writing friends. They have grown into an amazing community who lends a helping hand to all those who need it. Without them listening to my endless rants, I don’t know what I would do. I especially wouldn’t have been able to get this book written without my amazing friend and critique partner, Winter. I owe this all to her.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
The concept for this series was a combination of reading a dragon series that I loved (the male main characters inspired my dhampirs’ protective/possessive/alpha nature) and a dream. Daydream might even be a better world. For a whole month, I would lie in bed and visualize the scenes, and then the next day I would write them. It really was a beautiful process.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Psh, I already have. I wrote this book in a month, and then rewrote it completely a few months later, and then sent it through betas and rewrote pieces of it again, and then changed things one more time before my editor got ahold of it. It’s as good as I can make it at this point.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Kora would most certainly be Emilia Clarke, and Aldeon would probably be… Hm, maybe Joseph Morgan with long black hair. *shrugs* Aldeon is a hard character to cast.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Yes, for sure. My books are not meant for young readers, and there are very mature themes involved. Also, I hear a lot of smack about ‘weak’ heroines. Let me be clear, my characters may seem weak in the beginning (I mean they’ve survived an apocalypse, I feel like they deserve a little credit for that already) but each and every one of them turn their weaknesses into strengths by the end of the book. This is called a character arc and for me, it’s important.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Haha, all of the steamy scenes are my favorite. And anything with heightened emotion. The dream about Cece (my FMC’s dead sister) made me cry on my first reread, and then the scenes with Aldeon when he’s super sweet and loving towards Kora… ❤ Heart melts.
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I would say Aldeon, because he’s a hottie, but I feel like that betrays my sisterhood with Kora. I’m weird and totally think of her as a BFF. So, I’d choose to spend my day with her. Maybe we would go and scavenge a book store, or talk about all of the beauty in life. I think she would appreciate that conversation.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They come from my imagination, though I feel like I may inject parts of my self into them at times. Like Kora enjoys books and is an animal lover. Those are totally quirks of mine. She’s also a little bit softer spoken, which is totally me. Aldeon is super protective, and overthinks sometimes. Also me.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yep! I’ve written 4(ish) that have never been published, and three novels that were published using my legal name. I’ve unpublished those books, and hope to one day rerelease them under this pen name. 🙂
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Blood orange, or maybe strawberry lemonade. Or forest scented, mixed with a tinge of vanilla.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Nitro Cold Brew from Starbucks. And I need to have a candle lit before I begin writing. Don’t ask me why, I just do.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? What are common traps for aspiring writers?
I do a basic outline. I like to know what ‘beats’ I need to hit, and I know how the story starts and ends. Those points never change while I draft, but before each chapter, I do a summary. Things change while I write, but I roll with it. I’m not sure what I would do without a simple outline.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It takes me a month on average to write my first draft. Most of my drafts tend to be around 45-50k. After that, I’ll decide how much needs to be rewritten and then focus on that for another month. At that point, the manuscript is normally clean enough that I can manage a couple of weeks of self edits before sending it to my editor. From the first line to hitting publish, it normally takes 2-3 months. (That is for a full length novel.)
Content Warning: This book does contain mature themes, such as but not limited to; sexual content, suicide and suicidal ideations, violence, and strong language. Not suitable for ages under 18+.
Brenna Harlow (if that’s even her real name) lives happily in her own fantasy land, drinking way too much coffee and reading an endless amount of smutty paranormal romance. She joined the land of the living only to share her love for the creatures of the night, and henceforth has claimed her throne at the Kingdom of Vampires and Fated Mates.
You can find Brenna in any coffee shop that provides free Wi-Fi, drinking her triple shot espresso and stabbing her keyboard to death.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. I’m a vampire. Not the kind you’re thinking of, but a species called a Dawn Fang. In fact, I’m the first one due to this thing called the Great Cataclysm. It washed over the world and turned my execution into a rebirth type of thing. Now, I’m faster, stronger, and immune to the sun. A few accidents later and I realized I could make more of my kind, which resulted in me creating a kingdom called Nytefall. I’ve been leading the Dawn Fangs for a few decades now and it doesn’t get any easier. Running a gang of vampiric thieves is one thing. Now, I have to run a kingdom in the face of a civil war, sun-worshipping priests, hunters, usurpers, and all manner of enemies. The worst part is that I can’t kill all of them if I want to prove to mortals that Dawn Fangs aren’t monsters. Not that I haven’t considered it.
How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?
The mess I’m in is rather complicated. As far as I know, I haven’t done anything to anger this vampire hunter. He calls himself Alastyre and keeps ripping the heads off vampires. Swears he’s the one who’s going to kill. Scary part is that he might not be wrong since he’s the strongest enemy I’ve ever faced. Nobody else has managed to match my power and primal brutality like this guy. So, I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done in over one hundred years. I have to train and get stronger in order to stop this maniac from killing my people and destroying my kingdom.
Do you believe in monsters?
Of course. I am one. Don’t go thinking all monsters are heartless beasts that can only destroy. Sure, that’s basically the definition, but that way of thinking is why Dawn Fangs are having trouble. We are vampires, which makes us monsters. Yet, we’re able to live like mortals, so we’re in the middle. Personally, I think any species can be seen as a monster in certain situations.
Do you have a moral code? If so what might it be?
I guess you could say that I do. Hard to tell since I use illusions to trick people, especially in battle or when I’m stealing. Guess you could say that my moral code depends on who I’m dealing with. If I’m facing an honourable person then I’ll act the same. Pit me against a jerk and I’ll do whatever it takes to either kill them or knock them down a few thousand pegs. One constant rule I have is that you don’t draw children into your fights. They can join when they grow up, but let them be kids before that time.
Would you kill for those you love?
I’ve proven that I would on several occasions. Not only for the woman I love, but my friends too. They’re my family and I’m going to protect them with this great power I’ve been given. In return, they watch my back and make sure I don’t surrender to the monster in my soul. Guess that desire to retain my humanity makes the whole killing for loved ones rather strange. It makes sense if you’re a vampire.
Would you die for those you love?
Tough one here because you can only do this once. It would have to be a very specific situation. My sacrifice would need to result in my family being safe for the rest of their existence. Otherwise, I’d get myself killed and they’d still be in danger, which means I made a mistake.
How do you define ‘heroism?’
Heroism is the ability to stand by your convictions and defend others. It’s very easy to change your mind or abandon people to save your own skin. In fact, I’d say most people do this once they’re challenged. Those with heroism ignore their own survival instinct to make the world a better place. Although, to be honest, I don’t have that much use for the mortal version of heroism. For a vampire, it’s closer to having the ability to control your destructive tendencies for the good of your people.
What is your greatest skill/asset?
I would have to go with my illusions, which work off my cunning. Sure, I can shatter mountains with my fists. My Lord’s Rage allows me to get even stronger at the cost of my self-control. Those work for slaughtering enemies and physical obstacles, but they can be undermined. My illusions are much more difficult to get around and they create opportunities for my strength to be used. I can create decoys, false attacks, or mask my true form to confuse my enemies. That and it’s simply fun to mess with people.
What is your greatest weakness (we won’t tell)?
This is the big question. In fact, it’s the reason I’m on this ridiculous training quest while my friends are trapped with Alastyre. I need to figure out my greatest weakness in order to overcome it. After decades of never feeling threatened, I can’t imagine what it would be. Could be overconfidence, but I’m trying really hard to stay humble while I rule a kingdom. I really wonder why people can’t just show up and tell me the answer here.
Do you believe in god(s)?
Definitely. I come from Windemere, which has active gods. There’s a whole pantheon that lives on an island and watches the rest of us. They have this rule against physically interfering in events because of past mistakes. Actually, I recently had my first god encounter. The guy was a jerk and I’d have punched his face in if I didn’t think he’d smite me.
Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?
Yes to both quests. I believe I will find a way to become stronger and defeat Alastyre. There’s no reason it wouldn’t happen since I always find a way to win. I need to be patient and think hard about the problem. That or beat up whatever’s in my path until they give me what I need.
My other quest is the big one. I want to prove that Dawn Fangs can live amongst mortals without posing a danger. This is possible since we can eat regular food and drink blood without killing. The biggest hurdle is that we’re still vampires, so people see us as monsters. Doesn’t help that we have a civil war going on between Nytefall and those who wish to stay in the shadows. Once I get that cleared up, the big quest will be nothing more than a simple test of patience.
What do you think of your author/creator?
He’s got a pretty good imagination, but I have a major grievance. It took the moron about 15 years to get to my series. He pretended to be me in this imagination game for about a year, but then shelved me for nearly half of his life. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that he’s given me the spotlight, but I waited so long and I can see that my time isn’t going to be as long as that of his previous heroes. We’re definitely going to have to chat once he goes to bed.
Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After spending many years fiddling with his thoughts and notebooks, he decided that it was time to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house with only pizza and seltzer to sustain him, Charles brings you tales from the world of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and drawing you into a world of magic.
In the magical world of Windemere, Clyde was your average vampire thief who ran a gang of criminals. Then, the Great Cataclysm struck in the middle of his execution and transformed him into a new breed of monster. Able to retain his strength in the sun and possessing a heartbeat, Clyde realized he could pass as mortal. He also learned that he could turn old-world vampires into what would come to be known as Dawn Fangs. For years, he has defended the hidden kingdom of Nytefall as he waits for the day vampires and mortals can coexist. It doesn’t help that he really enjoys fighting and keeps looking for trouble.
Synopsis:
After years of defending Nytefall and the Dawn Fangs from all enemies, Clyde may have met his ultimate challenge. Matching the destructive vampire in power and ferocity, Alastyre the hunter is the first to make him feel fear. Before he knows what is happening, Clyde has been driven from his home while his friends remain trapped with this new threat. His only hope is to find a way to become stronger and return to reclaim his kingdom. Yet, how can a monster who splits mountains with a single blow become more powerful?
Brief Excerpt:
The instant the longbow clatters on the floor, Clyde and Alastyre vanish for a moment and reappear on opposite sides of the courtyard. The force from their failed strikes create matching blasts of air and they whirl around in unison to face each other once more. Another charge results in the combatants crashing together, the shockwave sending a circular wall of sand billowing away from them. Palms pressing against each other, they appear to be evenly matched until Clyde is struck by a swift headbutt. Having been caught by surprise, his back-leg bends and he loses the leverage that was preventing him from being forced away. With his knee on the ground, he is bent backwards and left open for another shot to the face. It is only by increasing his Lord’s Rage that he avoids falling and musters the strength to shove Alastyre to the side. He dislocates his wrists to free his hands from the hunter’s grip and creates four illusions of himself to gain time to heal. With his own body masked to blend into the nearest boulder, the Dawn Fang crouches in order to pounce on the first opportunity. Instead, he has to leap away when his enemy ignores the decoys and punches exactly where he is lurking.
“I’ve studied your tactics, so your tricks are pointless,” Alastyre says as he throws the cracked boulder over his shoulder.
“Guess I’ll have to take you seriously then,” the Dawn Fang retorts with a grin.
Why should readers buy this book?
The only reason to buy this book is because it’s a fun adventure. I write to entertain with humour, exciting action scenes, and colourful characters. Like my other books, War of Nytefall: Savagery is pure, relaxing escapism.
OUT NOW—The Long Night by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985) #PNR #vampire #paranormal #reverseharem #whychoose #rhromance #reverseharemromance #military #uniform
Blurb:
Forever is a long time for a vampire… but is all that about to change for Lailah?
Lailah’s neighbour, Loulou, is well known for hosting wild, extravagant events, so as Lailah heads over there for the much-anticipated annual Halloween bash, she thinks she’s prepared for pretty much anything. Soon after arriving, though, she discovers Loulou has outdone herself—and presented Lailah, who, as well as being an actual vampire, has come in fancy dress as one, with the opportunity to have a little joke at her own expense.
What Lailah’s not prepared for, however, is the appearance of three gorgeous men in uniform. Their out-of-place getup piques Lailah’s curiosity, and as polite conversation turns to flirtation, Lailah gets the weirdest feeling nothing is ever going to be the same again.
But how will Luke, Leo and Jack react when they discover Lailah’s vampirism isn’t just for Halloween?
Note: This novella has been previously published as part of the Duty Bound with Bite anthology.
I’m prepared for pretty much anything on my way to my next-door neighbour’s house for her Halloween party. Loulou is well known across north London for her wild, extravagant events, a few of which I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of—they’re always good fun. So I’m expecting something spectacular—she wouldn’t let me help, or even have a sneak peek at the decorations, so whatever she’s gone for will be a complete surprise to me.
The nearest streetlamp to our houses is providing just enough light to show off her outdoor decorations. I smile as I push open her fake-cobweb-covered front gate, duck as a plastic bat swoops toward my head, then make my way up the garden path, which is lined with creatively carved pumpkins, the tealights nestled inside each helping to illuminate the way to the door.
For all intents and purposes, I’m walking through a graveyard. Headstones in varying states of decay litter the grass. Noises ring out periodically—the hoot of an owl, the howl of a wolf, the yowl of a cat. There’s even a dry ice machine secreted somewhere, as a sinister, low-lying fog hovers over the ground.
I jump and gasp as I pass a large tree to find a decrepit, bloodstained zombie grinning at me from behind its trunk. Tutting, then chuckling at my own silliness, I mount the three steps up to the porch, where more of the same greets me, as well as some macabre smiling skulls, blood dripping from their mouths and spiders crawling from their eye sockets. It’s great, it really is, but there’s nothing unusual about any of it. This is Loulou we’re talking about—I’m waiting for the ‘wow’ factor, that extra something she’s thrown in to make her party an event that’ll be talked about for weeks, maybe even months, to come.
A sign with Gothic blood-red print is fixed to the door.
PARTY THIS WAY. ENTER IF YOU DARE.
Obviously, I dare. With a roll of my eyes, I depress the door handle—which has a large plastic spider hanging off it—and step inside. It’s only a few minutes past the official start time for the party, so it’s still pretty quiet. I’m fine with that—it gives me the opportunity to have a good look around at what Loulou has done with the décor before it gets too busy, too heaving with bodies. Live ones, that is. The dead ones dotted around the place don’t seem to care one way or the other.
I don’t bother announcing my presence to my neighbour—we’ll find each other before long. Instead, I immediately start exploring, exchanging the occasional polite nod with other early partygoers as we pass. The scent of pumpkin spice hangs in the air. So far, so typical—more cobwebs, spiders, pumpkins, skulls, bats, black cats, ghosts, witches, zombies, black floaty material draped everywhere, creepy music…
Then something catches my eye. Toward the back of what is usually Loulou’s enormous living room—the properties in this area, including mine, are huge—is a sectioned-off area. A partition, designed to look like an old stone wall. It’s dark, gloomy, spooky. I love it. And that’s before I notice the sign affixed to the arched doorway embedded in the wall.
THE VAMPIRE’S LAIR
A snort escapes me, and I quickly look around to make sure nobody noticed. I’m alone, thankfully—probably the others are diving into the drinks and snacks which are most likely laid out in the dining room, getting their hands on all the best stuff before other people arrive.
I open the door carefully, since I don’t know how sturdy this whole shebang is, and I don’t want to wreck it—Loulou’ll kill me—and enter, eager to find out exactly what Loulou thinks a vampire lair looks like.
You’d think she’d have an idea, really, given she lives next door to one. Not that she knows, of course—I don’t make a habit of announcing my true nature to people. It just results in disbelief, asking for proof, which then often leads to screaming and freaking out. I just can’t be doing with that kind of drama. Therefore I keep my supernatural status to myself, and move around just often enough to ensure people don’t start to notice I haven’t aged a day since they first met me.
*****
Author Bio:
Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight, and The Heiress’s Harem and The Dreadnoughts series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 170 publications to her name. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Join her Facebook group for exclusive cover reveals, sneak peeks and more! Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. Subscribe to her newsletter here: http://www.subscribepage.com/lfnewsletter
New vampire Cheryl and century-old vampire Nightshade both have had a relationship with the one who turned them into otherworldly blooddrinkers. These two are engaged in emotional and physical battles, charged by hidden agendas, laced with attraction and repulsion, all of it amorous, amusing, dramatic and deadly. The crucible that completes the triangle brings them together but also keeps them apart: Aleron, who is MIA, or is he?
Enemies. Each with their own endgame. Compelled to form a fragile alliance where every encounter crackles with as much attraction as repulsion. This fast-paced, modern vampire novella vibrates with danger, treachery and Dark Romance. The plot twists and turns, the stakes are the highest, and nothing is as it seems.
Nancy Kilpatrick is an award-winning author. Her publishing credits include 22 novels, over 220 short stories, 6 collections of her stories, 1 graphic novel, 1 non-fiction book and, as well, she has edited 15 anthologies. She lives in Montreal and her work is published in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and has been translated into 8 languages. These are the genres in which she has published: dark fantasy, horror, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, erotica. Details can be found on her website below.
Library of Erana 