IDEAS: Where do they come from... with N. J. Walters

Ideas: Where do they come from?

By

N. J. Walters

I’ve been writing for a few years now and one of the questions readers ask the most is, “Where do your ideas come from?” I’ve given the same answer every time I’m asked. “They come from everywhere.”

Now, I’m not being flippant or dismissive of their question. It’s the truth. Ideas are everywhere you look—books, magazines, television, songs, the news, the mall, real life… The list is endless. Most authors see the same things everyone else does on a day-to-day basis, but authors ask that all-important question: What if?

Harker’s Journey, the first book in my Dalakis Passion vampire series, started in just that way. I’d been thinking about writing a vampire story and, of course, that got me thinking about the grandfather of all vampire books, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I pondered about the original characters and asked that all-important question: What if? What if a descendant of Jonathan Harker had to retrace his steps and go to Transylvania to meet with a mysterious client? What if that descendant was female? Thus Johanna Harker was born. And who was her mysterious client? He was none other than Cristofor Dalakis, the eldest of the three Dalakis vampires. The story of their romance unfolded from there.

Now we’ve all seen the women’s magazines while we’re waiting in line at the checkout at the grocery store. The headlines blare: “How to drive your man crazy in bed? Seven sex tips, etc…) I started asking myself the question: What if the heroine was reading an article about how to seduce a man— Seven Sex Positions That Will Drive You Both Wild—and trying to hide it from her brothers? And what if the man she’d had a crush on for years returns home for the summer? That’s the premise for Erin’s Fancy and let’s just say things got steamy from there.

I’ve used retail settings in my books quite often. Why? Because I worked in retail for about twenty years. I know it well. As for songs, I use them for inspiration. Nickelback’s “Never Again” helped inspire the beginning scene in Craving Candy. Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life” and Annie Lennox’s “Love Song for a Vampire” set the tone for the story of vampire Stefan Dalakis in Stefan’s Salvation.

Talking with a romance chat group online inspired my story “Sunshine for a Vampire” in the Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology. We were chatting about how vampires always seem to be tall, dark and brooding. I wondered: What if a female vampire was short, plump and blonde? How would that affect her relationship with other vampires? Would she be an outcast? Thus, my Cinderella-style vampire romance story was born.

Now, I love the Washington Irving story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and wanted to base a book around it. I decided my heroine would be an academic researching legend in literature and it brings her to Sleepy Hollow at Halloween. Add in an immortal shadow warrior and a headless horseman who may or may not be real and Out of Shadows took off from there.

 BLURB: OUT OF SHADOWS

Dovina Horne has arrived in Sleepy Hollow to study the legend of the horseman. She believes it’s only a myth until she’s threatened by a horse and rider while walking on a deserted trail in the woods. Only the sudden appearance of a warrior saves her from the horseman’s sword. She feels an instant connection, both sexual and emotional, to this protective stranger.

An immortal warrior of the Shadow Realm, Hadeon’s mission is to protect Dovina at all costs. He knows the horseman is not what he seems, but something more powerful and sinister in disguise. The longer Hadeon spends with Dovina, the more he wants her. He finds his way into her bed and her heart, but their relationship is doomed. He is an immortal from the shadows and she is a human filled with light. But when the final battle comes, they must use all that is between them if they hope to survive.

As you can plainly see, ideas come from everywhere. Writers find inspiration everywhere. So if you see us at a café somewhere staring off into space, remember we’re not daydreaming, we’re busy asking that all-important question and plotting our next book.

What if…

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Check out all my books at http://www.njwalters.com

http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/ (newsletter group)

Congrats, HOTCHA12 you WON!!!

Congrats Hotcha12!!!  You won a PDF copy of A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker!!!  Thanks to everyone who came and commented :)

-Brandy

A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker

First of all, thank you Brandy for having me on your blog today. Hope you’re doing well! I’m Mysti Parker, author of A Ranger’s Tale, my debut novel, available at Melange Books.

***For one lucky commenter on this post, I’ll give a free .pdf of my book, so please leave an email or contact link in your comment and I’ll draw a name on Thursday, March 24. ***

I hope you’ll all enjoy my post today!

Write What You Know

            When I began this crazy ride on the “writing bug”, as I so lovingly call it, I read a fabulous piece of advice. “Write what you know.” I was nodding my head in solemn agreement until I was shaking my head in shame. I’m a full time wife and mama of three. What the heck do I know?

           

As you can imagine, I was quite downtrodden by this realization. Especially when I read about writers who had lived much more worldly lives—literally traveling around the world, attending writing conferences in the Bahamas, scuba diving, hang-gliding, climbing Mt. Everest. If they had other occupations besides writing, they were way cooler than mine. They were doctors, lawyers, college professors. They’d all read 50,000 books and had written 10,000. I could never aspire to such great things, sitting here pecking at my little keyboard while my two-year old son climbs the “mommy jungle gym”.

           

Nevertheless, I kept pecking away, surrendering to the bug’s direction and after a while my thinking changed. It was a “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” kind of thing.  The key to writing what I knew wasn’t Out There beyond my grasp. It was inside me, around me, hidden away in my memories, experiences, and every interaction I’d had with the people I love most in life.

           

With a new spring in my step (or typing fingers), I ran with this new idea and as a result, I think my writing has a truer voice now. In every story I write, themes of family, marriage, children, trust, forgiveness, and unconditional love emerge. And it took nothing more than really looking into who I am. The “who” is so much more than just a mom.

           

Growing up in rural Kentucky, I learned what it was like to live just above the poverty level. I lived through my grandmother’s death from Alzheimer’s and my mother’s death from lung cancer. Last year, my stepdad became ill and had to be placed in a nursing home, and my nephew died—it was a rough year. Through these hard times, though, I understand what it’s like to grieve, to be a caregiver, and to keep going when it feels like the world should stop for my heartache. Pain from events like these inspired this line from A Ranger’s Tale—“Clocks ticked, insistent reminders of time moving on when we didn’t want to”.

As in everyone’s case, my life hasn’t been a complete downer. The joys and blessings far outweigh the losses. On March 29, 1989, I became a Christian at the age of twelve. Faith has played a major role in my life, and comes out in my stories. It’ll be more evident in my work in progress, Serenya’s Song.

Of course, love is at the core of my romance tales. At the age of sixteen, my husband and I began dating and have been married for almost fourteen years now. Still very much in love, he inspires the romantic aspects of my stories. We’ve had three beautiful children. I was blessed to be able to deliver them all without so much as a pain pill and nursed them all for a year apiece. Being a mom is the best and hardest job I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Consequently, marriage and children play a big role in A Ranger’s Tale and many of my other stories too.

Other aspects of life as I know it—a degree in biology, working in various service industries, books, movies, games, cooking, and other hobbies—fuel my writing as well.  I’m happy and proud to say that there’s a lot more to Mysti than “just a mom”.  So, if you think you’re in the “just a ___” camp, think again. Frank Cottrell Boyce summed my thoughts up quite succinctly in the article “The Parent Trap: Art After Children”. He says, “What is "me", if not the sum of all my relationships and obligations?” (http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/aug/01/art-children-pram-hallway)

Maybe you’re a mom, a grandmother, a nurse, a dental hygienist, a teacher, a librarian, a computer programmer. Whatever you are, you’ve got a whole treasure chest of inspiration right inside and right around you. Use it, run with it, and give your writing a voice only YOU can give. Write what you know, because even if you haven’t climbed Mt. Everest nor have three PhDs under your belt, the sum of your experiences is a story in itself.

Now, grab a cup of coffee, and read or write a good tale!

Check out Mysti’s blog, Unwritten, where she hosts author interviews, talks about writing and more! www.mystiparker.blogspot.com

      In the fantasy world of Tallenmere…

The high elf, Caliphany Aranea, nearly a century old, has never been allowed to travel farther than a few miles out of the capital city of Leogard. Her father, Sirius, leads the Mage Academy, and after losing his only son, he expects Caliphany to take his place one day. The trouble is, she doesn't want to study magic and doubts she'll ever be as good a wizard as her father. She dreams of leaving Leogard to explore the world and strike out on her own--lofty goals for Sirius' daughter, who also happens to be King Leopold's niece.

When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap her while she dreams of faraway lands, half-elf ship captain and ranger, Galadin Trudeaux, comes to her rescue. From their first chance encounter, to the finale, where Caliphany must decide where her heart truly lies, she and Galadin will face more adventure, more love, more heartache, than they ever thought possible. Through it all, they discover the power of forgiveness and of a love that stands the test of time in A Ranger’s Tale.

Find A Ranger’s Tale at Melange Books.

http://www.melangebooks.com/authors/mystiparker/parkerarangerstale.html

CONTEST! WIN A BOOK TO HELP A BUDDING (OR HOPED FOR) WRITING CAREER

Hi!

I'm, Cynthia MacGregor, author of 54 conventionally (that is paper) books and some 50-odd-e-books, some of which are fiction and more of which are nonfiction.

More to the point, I'm the author of five of the eight books in the "Get Yourself Published" series of mini books from the Living and Learning imprint of Secret Cravings Publishing.

Naturally I want ot encourage people to buy my books.

More to the point, I want to encourage people who have a dream of writing but have not yet actually sat down and written a book, or people who ave hesitantly tried their hand at a book but have not yet really gotten their writing careers cranking.  I want to encourage them to follow their bliss, write those books and make them the best they can be.

And, in an effort to accomplish both those goals, I am giving away one free-e-copy of anyone of my 50 or the 8 minibooks in the series.

Each book contains 50 hints, tips or pieces of information.  The topics are:

~Writing your first book

~Writing believable fictional characters

~Editing your own books (before submitting them)

~Writing for children

~Ghostwritting

(the above 5 were all written by me)
and also

~Writing an e-romance

~Outlining

~Do Research

(the above 3 were all written by Lori Paige)

The books were all published by the Living and Learning imprinting of the Secret Cravings Publishing.  If one or more of the 8 addresses aspects of the writting process that you feel you could use some help, with the price is very write:  They are only $2.99 apiece.  You can order them at http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/

OR YOU CAN WIN ANY ONE OF MY FIVE BOOKS IN THIS CONTEST...

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:

1- Decide which book you want to win ( remember only one of the five I wrote are up for grabs.  I can't give away another writers books even if she is afriend.)

2- Write a short essay (no word count specifications) on why you want to become a writter or improve your writng skills (if you are already writing)

3- Send me your name, email addy, your choice of book if you win and the format that you would like to recieved if you are chosen. Send these to cynthia@cynthiamacgregor.com  By March 30th . Essays maybe sent in the body of the email or as a separate attachment in doc. docx or rft.

4- I will judge the essays on sincerity content to writing abitlity, and award ONE winner her or his choice of book from among the  five.

Wherever you are in your witing career ~ whether you have several books already written or are still in the wish -could-write-a-book- to stage success, satisfaction and sales to you..


Cynthia MacGregor

Cynthia MacGregpr's 54 conventionally published (paper) books and roughly 50 e-books cover a wide range of subjects, predominantly nonfiction but also a few novels and encompass books for both adults and juvenile readers.  She has also ghostwriten for clients- again in both fiction and nonfiction, adult and juvenile genres.
A freelance writer/editor Cynthia lives in Southern Florida and says " There is no one in the world I'd want to trade lives with."  Cynthia is also host her own and producer of "Solo Parenting",  a TV show seen Saturday mornings @8  0ver South Florida on WHDT and the site owner of both http://www.thesoloparent.com/ and http://www.thepublicapoligy.com/ 

Cynthia website is  http://www.cynthiamacgregor.com/


I would like to thank everyone who has participated in this contest.  and helped me to welome Cynthia.  Don't forget to enter the question/steps above them.

*Contest* Heather Kuehl's NEW RELEASE BLOOD MOON!!!

Dear Readers,

I'd like to share my latest release with you today. BLOOD MOON is the third book in the Sarah Vargas series, picking up right where MALEVOLENT DEAD left off.

BLOOD MOON Blurb: After she broke her contract with the Blood Moon Corporation, Sarah Vargas knew that it was only a matter of time before they came for her. What she didn't know is what lengths they would go to make sure that she had no where to run. Everyone Sarah has every relied on is in danger during a time when friends become enemies, and Sarah quickly realizes that the Blood Moon Corporation will never give up until she is dead. The Blood Moon Corporation is coming, and even Sarah doesn't think she can make it out alive.

When I sat down to write BLOOD MOON, I knew that there was a possibility that this would be the last book starring Sarah Vargas. I wanted to make sure that most of the plots and subplots were tied up neatly, and the ending satisfactory. Of course, there are some things that readers will ponder over well after the book ends (What in the world IS Dez?!), but that's the magic of paranormal. BLOOD MOON is written in the first person, so what Sarah knows the readers know. After much thought I discovered that, as awesome as Sarah is, she doesn't know everything about the world she lives in, hence the addiction of an adversary with wings who breaths fire.

All proceeds from Blood Moon will be going to MUSC Children's Hospital. Please visit http://www.musckids.com/ for more information about this wonderful children's hospital.

"Sarah reaches out, grabs hold and drags you through the story with her. Non stop suspense, scorching hot love, or is it just lust, scenes and enough paranormal nasties to keep you away from the cemetery permanently make this book one you've gotta read." Said You Gotta Read about MALEVOLENT DEAD. Book one of the series, FADE TO BLACK, reached #1 on Fictionwise.com's bestseller list for fantasy ebooks. More information about the entire Sarah Vargas series can be found on my website, www.heatherkuehl.com, in The Books section.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Chapter One of BLOOD MOON, but be warned, it has MALEVOLENT DEAD spoilers within it. Excerpt (before final edits):

At times, I loved my mentor. It was a pity the BMC let him go. So many people like me needed a teacher like him.

Just like Jared’s death, the BMC’s abandonment of Dom made no sense. Why would they get rid of one of their best teachers?

I gasped as it came to me as clearly as a premonition. I felt my connection with Damian flair as my mind went into shock, putting pieces together that I didn’t know fit. It couldn’t be…

It made too much sense not to.

I looked up at Dom. “Why didn’t the BMC save you from Marcellus?” I asked with my voice barely above a whisper.

It was the most obvious question, one that should have been asked the moment the vampire necromancer died. I had been too busy grieving over Jared to think straight.

Damian kept the metaphysical lines between us open, listening but careful not to say a word to distract me. I could feel him in my head, and I didn’t mind, one less person to tell.

Dom looked into my eyes and I could see indecision filling their black depths. He sighed as he backed away, and I thought that he decided not to tell when he faced me and said, “They ordered me to kill you.”

“And?” I asked. My blood ran cold. I felt the wolf inside me tense, preparing for an attack.

“And I refused,” Dom growled with disbelief written on his features. “Sarah, you’re like a daughter to me. I could never cause you harm.”

“What did the BMC do?”

“They said that they understood. The next day they sent me to take out Marcellus.”

I licked my lips. “They sent a vampire to kill a vampire necromancer?”

“Yes, that’s…” Dom froze. “They set me up.”

“No. I don’t think they did.”

“How do you figure? Sarah, I was controlled…”

“By a creature sent here to kill Damian, not me.”

Dom cocked his head to the side, and I screamed with frustration that he wasn’t putting it altogether.

“Think about it Dom! There are four people that I can fully trust; you, Donavan, Jared, and Damian.”

“Go on.”

“They sent Marcellus here to kill Damian. If he had succeeded, that would have taken care of one of my four. In doing so, the throne of Charleston would have been open to him, and I would be out of a safe place to live. Donovan should have killed you for killing his Weres. I should have been kicked out of the Clan for letting the dead Weres happen on my watch. Luckily, Donavan is more understanding than the BMC give him credit for. I would have been out of another safe house as well as a Clan to protect me. You, a vamp would sacrifice his own life to keep me safe. Jared…” I couldn’t say any more, and Dom started nodding as he thought it over.

“I can’t believe they would do this,” he said.

Donavan came over as Dom said these words. “Who?”

“The Blood Moon Corporation,” Dom and I said in unison.

“We’ve got to tell Damian,” Dom said as he dug into his pocket for his phone.

“There’s no need,” I said before he could pull it out. “He’s been in my head listening since I figured it out.”

I felt Damian’s anger rise to the surface, and suddenly I saw Damian as though I actually stood in his office. His black hair, once long enough to touch his knees, now barely brushed his shoulders. His plum-colored eyes burned with anger as he pulled book after book off the bookcase against his back wall.

Oh, and incase you were curious, I do have plans for a fourth Sarah Vargas book. Only time will tell when I'll get around to working on. I've got quite a bit on my WIP list.

Buy Links

Blood Moon: Book Three of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press

Malevolent Dead: Book Two of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press

Fade to Black: Book One of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press

Promises to Keep w/ Eternal Press

Coming Soon

Epiphany w/ Decadent Publishing (TBA 2011)

Visit Heather Kuehl online at 

Heather Kuehl's website 
Heather Kuehl's Blog
Heather Kuehl's Facebook Page   
Heather Kuehl on Twitter

***CONTEST***Heather Kuehl will be giving away a book to one lucky commentor.  Please leave your email address with your comment so that Heather or I can contact you if you win!!!

I hope you have enjoyed all 3 of Heather's posts as much as I have over the last few days.  I hope the rest of your week is great : )

-Brandy
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com

Heather Kuehl is her to tell us about Malevolent Dead...

Hello! I’m Heather Kuehl and I am an author with Eternal Press. I prefer writing paranormal/fantasy/romance, but I have been known to dabble in other genres. The book I want to share with you today is my paranormal romance entitled MALEVOLENT DEAD. This title is the second in the Sarah Vargas Series, FADE TO BLACK being book one.

MALEVOLENT DEAD picks up six months after FADE TO BLACK left off.

Werewolf Sarah Vargas thought all she had to worry about was the Blood Moon Corporation's retaliation. She never dreamed that another vampire would arrive, disputing Damian's claim over the throne to Charleston, SC. To make matters worse, he is no ordinary vamp; he's a vampire necromancer. He's exceptionally hard to kill, and Sarah will have to do what ever she can to keep those that she loves safe... Even if it means doing the unthinkable.

"Sarah reaches out, grabs hold and drags you through the story with her. Non stop suspense, scorching hot love, or is it just lust, scenes and enough paranormal nasties to keep you away from the cemetery permanently make this book one you've gotta read." Said You Gotta Read about MALEVOLENT DEAD. More information about MALEVOLENT can be found on my website, http://www.heatherkuehl.com/, in The Books section.

 

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Chapter One of MALEVOLENT DEAD:

The night is dark, full of violence and mystery. The cycle of the moon rules all. I stand outside, gazing at this thing that controls me three days a month. Once upon a time I thought werecreatures and vampires were in fairy tales, alive only in books and in the imaginations of humans. Now, I hunt them for a living. My tiny fortune grows daily with every kill.

My name is Sarah Vargas, and I am a werewolf. But I wasn’t always a Were. Five years ago a werewolf attacked me and tore my throat out. I was clinically dead, but by some “miracle” I survived. I knew something about me was different. I just didn’t feel human anymore. That day my human side was killed. Although I am alive, I hardly feel like it. I have one goal: to pay back the Were that killed me.

But first, there is business to attend to.

I am in an alley in Boston, Massachusetts. Not a good place for a girl to be alone, especially at night. I cross my arms, letting my hands slide over the knife sheaths on my wrists. I’m starting to get impatient while I wait for my partner. I don’t really know what his deal is. All I know is he has a vendetta quite like mine. I take a drag on my cigarette, impatience starting to get the better of me. As I exhale, he turns the corner, walking purposefully toward me.

Jared Fontaine is the epitome of a bad boy rocker. Numerous tattoos cover his arms. His eyebrow is pierced along with his lower lip. Today he wears black jeans tucked into his boots. A blue muscle tee shows off

his perfect physique. A black leather duster hides his many blades and guns. His wavy brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail, exposing scars on the left side of his neck. He is heavy metal hot, and he knows it.

“Who does the BMC want us to kill today?” he asks. His thick British accent still makes my knees weak, even though we have worked together for the past six months.

The BMC, or the Blood Moon Corporation, is a group of bounty hunters and politicians. I joined them soon after I was turned into a Were. They consist of just about every type of supernatural creature, and even a few humans. According to rumors, the BMC was originally called the Blood Moon Guild. It is said that a vampire, Were, witch, and shifter formed it during the Black Plague. The Blood Moon Guild formed to try

and keep the rouge Weres and vamps in line. Note the word “try.” The founder of the Blood Moon Guild hired bounty hunters into their payroll once they realized their attempts weren’t good enough. By 1928, the

Blood Moon Guild dropped the title of Guild and added on the title of Corporation. It is much like a corporation now, with locations all over the world. We get assignments to kill. For the right price that is. Some of us have preferences. I don’t like killing humans unless they are pure evil. I’m not sure if Jared has any stipulations about killing. I’ve never bothered to ask.

“Our assignment is to go Charleston, South Carolina and eliminate two vamps,” I say. I don’t bother with a greeting. It is straight to business with us.

“Do we have names?”

“Jackilin and Jerrikin Skyner.”

“Aren’t those the vamp twins? Didn’t the BMC have a hit out on them before?”

I take another drag. “Yes, but they killed the last bounty hunters that crossed their paths. They want us to give it a go.”

“Any reason?” Jared asks.

“Werecreature murders. A lot of them.”

Jared smiles. He knows I don’t like Weres “Why agree to this?”

I narrow my eyes. I hate to be reminded of my dislike for my own race. “The price is right.”

Jared nods, his eyes showing that he really doesn’t believe a word I say. I don’t care. Jared’s just my partner, and I don’t give a shit about his opinions.

“When do we leave?”

“Within the hour. We’re taking a red-eye flight out.” I toss the still smoldering butt on the ground and turn to walk back toward my apartment. I feel Jared’s eyes watching me as I walk. He reminds me of a hawk watching its prey. I feel like an insignificant mouse.

I’m so preoccupied with Jared that I almost miss it. The faintest scent of a wolf. Not just any wolf, but the one that attacked me. I stop dead in my tracks and sniff in the scent. It isn’t much, but it’s enough to tell me

he’s nearby. My breath catches in my throat. Am I really this close to my goal? My newest assignment surfaces in my mind. “Damn,” I mutter. In a matter of hours, I’ll leave this creature to ruin more innocent lives. I close my eyes, taking the scent to memory. I vow that when I return home, I’ll find and kill him. He’s lucky this time, but his luck is about to run out.

I stand in front of my apartment door, keys dangling in my hand. I close my eyes and send my wolf instincts to search my home. Not my literal wolf of course, just the essence of my Were self. I smell and taste the air. I listen. When I’m certain no one is inside, I unlock the door and let myself in.

My apartment is small; perfect for little bounty hunter me. The kitchen, living room, and dining room are all open. A one bed, one bath abode. My apartment looks like that of any other female in her late

twenties lives here. Lavishly decorated and fully stocked with food. My bedroom, on the other hand, is anything but. Blades cover the walls. It is my workout room. My death room.

Get your copy today at www.eternalpress.biz or at www.Amazon.com 

Thank you for checking out MALEVOLENT DEAD! Don't forget to keep an eye out for the third book in this series BLOOD MOON, due out in March 2011.

BLOOD MOON Blurb: After she broke her contract with the Blood Moon Corporation, Sarah Vargas knew that it was only a matter of time before they came for her. What she didn't know is what lengths they would go to make sure that she had no where to run. Everyone Sarah has every relied on is in danger during a time when friends become enemies, and Sarah quickly realizes that the Blood Moon Corporation will never give up until she is dead. The Blood Moon Corporation is coming, and even Sarah doesn't think she can make it out alive.

Buy Links 

Malevolent Dead: Book Two of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press

Fade to Black: Book One of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press

Promises to Keep w/ Eternal Press 

Coming Soon 

Blood Moon: Book Three of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press 03-07-2011 

All proceeds from Blood Moon will be going to MUSC Children's Hospital. Please visit http://www.musckids.com/ for more information about this wonderful children's hospital.

Visit Heather Kuehl online 

Heather's website 

Heather's Blog

Heather Kuehl on Facebook

Heather Kuehl on Twitter

Fade to Black by Heather Kuehl

Hello! I’m Heather Kuehl and I am an author with Eternal Press. I prefer writing paranormal/fantasy/romance, but I have been known to dabble in other genres. The book I want to share with you today is my paranormal romance entitled FADE TO BLACK.

FADE tells the story of a werewolf bounty hunter named Sarah Vargas. Sarah has only one goal in life; to kill the Were that attacked and changed her. However, a slew of werecreature murders send Sarah and her partner, Jared Fontaine, on the mission of their lives, ending with a discovery about Jared’s past that might destroy them both.

FADE TO BLACK reached #1 on Fictionwise.com’s bestseller list for fantasy eBooks and has been praised as “one kick butt action-adventure ride from start to finish” by Dark Diva Reviews. More information about FADE can be found on my website, www.heatherkuehl.com, in The Books section.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Chapter One of FADE TO BLACK:

The night is dark, full of violence and mystery. The cycle of the moon rules all. I stand outside, gazing at this thing that controls me three days a month. Once upon a time I thought werecreatures and vampires were in fairy tales, alive only in books and in the imaginations of humans. Now, I hunt them for a living. My tiny fortune grows daily with every kill.

My name is Sarah Vargas, and I am a werewolf. But I wasn’t always a Were. Five years ago a werewolf attacked me and tore my throat out. I was clinically dead, but by some “miracle” I survived. I knew something about me was different. I just didn’t feel human anymore. That day my human side was killed. Although I am alive, I hardly feel like it. I have one goal: to pay back the Were that killed me.

But first, there is business to attend to.

I am in an alley in Boston, Massachusetts. Not a good place for a girl to be alone, especially at night. I cross my arms, letting my hands slide over the knife sheaths on my wrists. I’m starting to get impatient while I wait for my partner. I don’t really know what his deal is. All I know is he has a vendetta quite like mine. I take a drag on my cigarette, impatience starting to get the better of me. As I exhale, he turns the corner, walking purposefully toward me.

Jared Fontaine is the epitome of a bad boy rocker. Numerous tattoos cover his arms. His eyebrow is pierced along with his lower lip. Today he wears black jeans tucked into his boots. A blue muscle tee shows off

his perfect physique. A black leather duster hides his many blades and guns. His wavy brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail, exposing scars on the left side of his neck. He is heavy metal hot, and he knows it.

“Who does the BMC want us to kill today?” he asks. His thick British accent still makes my knees weak, even though we have worked together for the past six months.

The BMC, or the Blood Moon Corporation, is a group of bounty hunters and politicians. I joined them soon after I was turned into a Were. They consist of just about every type of supernatural creature, and even a few humans. According to rumors, the BMC was originally called the Blood Moon Guild. It is said that a vampire, Were, witch, and shifter formed it during the Black Plague. The Blood Moon Guild formed to try

and keep the rouge Weres and vamps in line. Note the word “try.” The founder of the Blood Moon Guild hired bounty hunters into their payroll once they realized their attempts weren’t good enough. By 1928, the

Blood Moon Guild dropped the title of Guild and added on the title of Corporation. It is much like a corporation now, with locations all over the world. We get assignments to kill. For the right price that is. Some of us have preferences. I don’t like killing humans unless they are pure evil. I’m not sure if Jared has any stipulations about killing. I’ve never bothered to ask.

“Our assignment is to go Charleston, South Carolina and eliminate two vamps,” I say. I don’t bother with a greeting. It is straight to business with us.

“Do we have names?”

“Jackilin and Jerrikin Skyner.”

“Aren’t those the vamp twins? Didn’t the BMC have a hit out on them before?”

I take another drag. “Yes, but they killed the last bounty hunters that crossed their paths. They want us to give it a go.”

“Any reason?” Jared asks.

“Werecreature murders. A lot of them.”

Jared smiles. He knows I don’t like Weres “Why agree to this?”

I narrow my eyes. I hate to be reminded of my dislike for my own race. “The price is right.”

Jared nods, his eyes showing that he really doesn’t believe a word I say. I don’t care. Jared’s just my partner, and I don’t give a shit about his opinions.

“When do we leave?”

“Within the hour. We’re taking a red-eye flight out.” I toss the still smoldering butt on the ground and turn to walk back toward my apartment. I feel Jared’s eyes watching me as I walk. He reminds me of a hawk watching its prey. I feel like an insignificant mouse.

I’m so preoccupied with Jared that I almost miss it. The faintest scent of a wolf. Not just any wolf, but the one that attacked me. I stop dead in my tracks and sniff in the scent. It isn’t much, but it’s enough to tell me

he’s nearby. My breath catches in my throat. Am I really this close to my goal? My newest assignment surfaces in my mind. “Damn,” I mutter. In a matter of hours, I’ll leave this creature to ruin more innocent lives. I close my eyes, taking the scent to memory. I vow that when I return home, I’ll find and kill him. He’s lucky this time, but his luck is about to run out.

I stand in front of my apartment door, keys dangling in my hand. I close my eyes and send my wolf instincts to search my home. Not my literal wolf of course, just the essence of my Were self. I smell and taste the air. I listen. When I’m certain no one is inside, I unlock the door and let myself in.

My apartment is small; perfect for little bounty hunter me. The kitchen, living room, and dining room are all open. A one bed, one bath abode. My apartment looks like that of any other female in her late

twenties lives here. Lavishly decorated and fully stocked with food. My bedroom, on the other hand, is anything but. Blades cover the walls. It is my workout room. My death room.

Get your copy today at www.eternalpress.biz or at Amazon.com

Thank you for checking out FADE TO BLACK! And don’t forget to look for the sequel, MALEVOLENT DEAD, available now, and BLOOD MOON, due out in March 2011.

MALEVOLENT DEAD Blurb: Werewolf Sarah Vargas thought all she had to worry about was the Blood Moon Corporation's retaliation. She never dreamed that another

vampire would arrive, disputing Damian's claim over the throne to Charleston, South Carolina. To make matters worse, he is no ordinary vamp; he's a vampire necromancer. Exceptionally hard to kill, Sarah will have to do what ever she can to keep those that she loves safe... Even if it means doing the unthinkable.

BLOOD MOON Blurb: After she broke her contract with the Blood Moon Corporation, Sarah Vargas knew that it was only a matter of time before they came for her. What she didn't know is what lengths they would go to make sure that she had no where to run. Everyone Sarah has every relied on is in danger during a time when friends become enemies, and Sarah quickly realizes that the Blood Moon Corporation will never give up until she is dead. The Blood Moon Corporation is coming, and even Sarah doesn't think she can make it out alive.

Buy Links:

Fade to Black: Book One of the Sarah Vargus Series w/ Eternal Press

Malevolent Dead: Book Two of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press 

Promises to Keep w/ Eternal Press

Coming Soon:

Blood Moon: Book Three of the Sarah Vargas Series w/ Eternal Press on 3/7/2011

All proceeds from Blood Moon will be going to MUSC Children's Hospital. Please visit http://www.musckids.com/ for more information about this wonderful children's hospital.

Visit Heather Kuehl online at

Heather's website
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Congrats Skhye

Congrats Skhye!!!  You won 'A Different Life: A Valentines Day Save' by Kristal McKerrington.  I will send you the contact info :)

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-Brandy