Veronica
Wyndham had no idea that vampires were real, let alone that her new favorite
customer—Tall Dark and Handsome—just so happened to be one. And she never
imagined she’d overhear a robbery plan with murderous potential while eating
lunch in the park. Making those kinds of enemies just wasn’t a good way to
spend a day.
Seth Hunter knew he should have been
grateful for Veronica’s unintentional help in exposing the traitors, but all he
could worry about was how much danger she’d just landed in. Instinct had him
taking it upon himself to keep a protective eye on her, but even then he had to
keep his distance. If she found out the truth about the world around her, she
would surely get Caught in Darkness.
1) Tell
us about the world your novel set in.
My novel, Caught in Darkness (Night Shadows 1), is
set in a world a lot like ours. There’s just one noteworthy
difference—vampires, werewolves, witches, and people called Slayers are real.
The supernatural element lives in the shadows, mostly, but is spread out all
over.
Caught
in Darkness focuses on a vampire Family in Baltimore
and a human woman who stumbles into their world without even knowing it!
2) What
makes your world/character different from other books in the same genre? (eg:
does your vampire sparkle in the sun?)
My vampires do not
sparkle! But they don’t catch flame in the sun, either. Technically, they can
walk in it, but not without consequence. So most of my vampires dress in long
sleeves and layers and wear sunglasses. Being caught in the sun drains their
energy, and burns them in a similar way ordinary humans get burned if they
touch something hot for too long. They’re still susceptible to things like
stakes to the heart and decapitation, because really-die somehow, and of course
they’re dependent on blood. I should specify, non-werewolf blood.
The vampire society in my
Night Shadows series functions as a sort of nation unto itself, hidden from
sight of the rest of the world. Though there are Families scattered all over,
like the one in Baltimore that is explored in Caught in Darkness, those Families are themselves all subservient
to the First Family. The First Family is ruled by the Vampire Queen, the oldest
remaining Original. She sets the laws for all vampires.
Slayers are also relevant
in Caught in Darkness, and it’s
important to know they’re more than just “people who hunt monsters.” True
Slayers, with the capital “s,” are a unique type of evolved human with the
ability to sense the presence of werewolves and vampires. Most Slayers, as long
as they have a little training or their heritage is strong enough, can tell
which species they’re sensing long before they lay eyes on their target. They
can also use this ability to track the creature, to an extent. In addition to
their sixth sense, Slayers have faster-than-normal reflexes and heal quickly
from most injuries. This doesn’t make them immortal, or immune to vampire
bites, but it gives them a chance of winning in a fight against something
stronger and faster than the ordinary human.
3) What
is your favorite type of Paranormal story to read?
Oh, gosh! I think
ultimately I’m torn between vampire and werewolf, which is why I included both
simultaneously in my Night Shadows series.
I love the sexy mystery
that so often shrouds a good vampire love story. But I also love the fiercer,
protective nature of an Alpha wolf. Both are a little cliché, but easily draw
me in and bring a smile to my face!
4) Is
this book part of a series?
Yes! Caught in Darkness is Book One of my Night Shadows series.
Currently there are four books available in the series, and I am working on the
fifth!
5) Do
you believe in the paranormal? If so, have you ever had a paranormal
experience?
Indeed I do believe. I
mean, I’m not sure I believe in *vampires and werewolves* but I believe in the
paranormal itself. And since you already asked, I’ll share a bit about why
(really, it’s all my friend’s fault)!
Put simply, my best
friend (who shall remain nameless) grew up in a haunted house.
I visited her many times
during our youth, of course, and witnessed several belief-inspiring things.
Pictures falling off of walls and flying across rooms, for instance. A
self-starting vacuum (that was not *supposed* to be a self-starting vacuum, let
me be clear! It wasn’t even plugged in). The radio/stereo system in her room
would spontaneously turn on and off sometimes as well.
A personal favorite was
watching as a childhood tiara that was on display on a bookcase, on the second
story landing, suddenly lifted and flew halfway across the house (landing
downstairs)!
These are examples of
instances I witnessed myself. I’ve heard many more stories from her regarding
her house!
6) Did
you use any historical facts in your book? (eg: Salem Witch Trails if about witches)
Does ‘the existence of
the city of Baltimore’ count? Because aside from that, I’d have to say no!
7) Any
deleted scenes you wished you had kept in?
Honestly, I wrote and
re-wrote this story several times, so my answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘definitely
no, it’s perfect!’ It took me a long time to get it the way it is, and I am
very happy with the final product.
Did it change a lot
during the rewrites? Absolutely. One version was a short story for a writing
class, if I remember right! But this was the first version I was happy enough
with to submit for publishing. So while there are a couple of scenes I still
remember from one of the old versions, I wouldn’t try to re-insert them even if
I had the opportunity.
8) Are
you planning on writing more in the paranormal world?
Of course! The majority
of everything I write is paranormal. In fact, I tend to just describe myself as
a paranormal romance author and not bother with, “well, except for that one
book…”
So while, every now and
then, I will dabble in contemporary, the paranormal world had best get used to
me. I’m not going anywhere!
9) What
are your upcoming projects?
Thank you for asking!
I’m currently working on
Night Shadows 5 (which I’ve tentatively called Chosen by Blood, but I think that title will change). Without
giving too much away, readers can expect to finally learn what goes on behind
the scenes with the First Family. They met the Queen of Vampires, Trista, in
Book 3 (Stayed for Alpha), but in
Book 5 we get to really *see* her. She’s not the heroine, though. Spoiler
Alert! Her daughter, the ‘Vampire Princess,’ is actually the star of the story!
(Yes, I said “daughter.”)
Night Shadows 5 also sees
the return of a few familiar faces from Caught
in Darkness—and I’m not talking about a ‘shout out to the couple from Book
One.’ But I won’t specify who. I don’t want to spoil the ending of Book One for
anyone who hasn’t read it!
I intend to focus solely
on this project from now until it’s completed, as I’m already past the halfway
point. (Also I don’t like having multiple open projects. It’s hard on my muse.)
Once Night Shadows 5 is completed and submitted, I may indulge in a standalone
if the urge is there. Otherwise I’ll switch mental gears and begin work on the
next book in my other ongoing series, Dark Light!
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