My guest today is Linda Lee Williams. Hello! Welcome back to Writing in the Modern Age!
It’s such a pleasure to have you here again.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can
we get it?
Brothers of the Night is the fourth and final book in my “Blood
& Company Series.” The novel ties
all of the books together and solves a tragic mystery: Who killed Stefan and
Ambrose Slater’s parents…and why? The
story unites characters from the other books, whose lives are altered by their
association with the Slater vampire clan in Old Town, Chicago. As with the previous books in the series, the
story revolves around families, friends, and the power of love.
The novel came out on July
20th. It’s available on Amazon, along with
the rest of the series.
Brothers of the Night is the fourth and final book in my “Blood
& Company Series.” The novel ties
all of the books together and solves a tragic mystery: Who killed Stefan and
Ambrose Slater’s parents…and why? The
story unites characters from the other books, whose lives are altered by their
association with the Slater vampire clan in Old Town, Chicago. As with the previous books in the series, the
story revolves around families, friends, and the power of love.
That's great! I also had a book release on the same day! What are the odds? :)
So, is there anything specific that
inspired you to write Brothers of the Night?
Yes! I needed to wrap up the series and find
closure for my characters.
Yes! I needed to wrap up the series and find
closure for my characters.
I know exactly what you mean...
Let's try another question.
Who do you hope to reach with this book? Do you have a specific audience in mind?
I write from the heart. I think that’s the best way to connect with
an audience, regardless of genre. My
stories would appeal to people who enjoy delving into the lives of quirky
characters—in this instance, vampire-human hybrids—and the drama of family
life.
Sounds great to me!
As a fellow author, I know this is a tough question, but let's try it anyway.
Which of your books is your favorite? Give us a one liner as a teaser.
Elsewhere: Torn between two lovers…but is one of them real, or
imaginary?
Riveting! And I can personally vouch for Elsewhere as I have read it. Such a great book, with some extremely unique characters.
Let's tackle some general questions, all right?
Sure.
What book that you read in the past, would you say, inspired your love of reading or writing?
That’s a tough one, Marie. I’ve been an avid reader and writer since I
was a child. If I had to pick two
novels, from way back, I’d have to say Gone
With The Wind and Pride &
Prejudice. Both left me with a sense
of time and place and the knowledge that life hasn’t changed much over the
centuries. People still desire the same
things…
I agree. Those are some great picks! And I have a weakness for Jane Austen novels.
So, what does your writing process look like? Do you plot everything out before you write? Or, are you a pantster?
Sometimes characters suggest
themselves to me; other times, ideas. I
work hard to develop both. The story
grows from there. I like to write a
loose outline. For my protagonists, I
compose dossiers. I need intimate
knowledge of the main players before I dare tell their stories. Surprises occur along the way—natural
offshoots of the plot—but I’m a planner, not a pantster.
All right.
What subject have you always wanted to write about, but never had the chance to?
I’ve written about
schizophrenia, alternate realities, vampire-human hybrids, reincarnation,
aliens, ghosts, and even rock stars.
That covers quite a bit of imaginary ground, I think!
Well, you're certainly right about that! ;)
So...I
looked over your website and noticed your tagline is 'Contemporary romance with a paranormal twist...Love Changes Everything.' Could you elaborate on that for us?
I’m a cross-genre author. Although I write love stories set in modern
times, my books don’t fit neatly into contemporary or paranormal romance,
especially by today’s definition. The
“twist” is just that—an unusual slant.
The underlying theme of all my
books is the power of love—how its presence or absence shapes us and affects us
all of our lives. Once you fall in love,
your heart is never yours again. You’re
forever changed, for better or worse.
Very true, Linda.
So...what project do you have planned next? Or is that a secret?
I’m working on a novella titled The Breadth of the Soul, which I hope to
have finished in time for the Holidays.
Oh, we look forward to it! :)
Is there anything you'd like to add? Any special advice for your fellow writers?
Be true to yourself as an author
and to your vision for your story. Learn
everything you can about the craft of writing, from the creative part to the
technical side.
In the absence of an editor,
rely on beta readers for story content and plot flaws. If you’re not an expert grammarian, find
someone more proficient to look over your manuscript. Make sure you have a proofreader or two as
well.
If you can, join a critique
group. Find writers’ groups on Facebook,
Google+, and LinkedIn. You’ll need the
camaraderie and the support. If you
become discouraged, remember what Hemingway said: “We are all apprentices in a
craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
Indies: Set aside a budget for
marketing. Sales evaporate and you’ll
disappear into oblivion if you don’t constantly promote your books. For a while, I was diligent about placing
ads, joining Facebook events, and giving my eBooks away for FREE. When I stopped, I dropped.
That's great advice! Thank you, Linda!
And thank you for stopping by Writing in the Modern Age! It was such a pleasure to have you! :)
Readers, here is the blurb for Brothers of the Night.
Herschel Kohler harbors a terrible secret…and simmering
resentment. Although he hides the
knowledge from his wife, Trudy, she senses the darkness within her vampire
husband.
Hundreds of miles away, Stefan Slater receives cryptic notes
in the mail. His brother Ambrose’s
daughter experiences strange dreams and ghostly visits. Can a six-year-old girl, two brothers, and a
group of friends solve a tragic mystery dating back twenty-five years? Will Stefan and Ambrose find closure? Or will the shocking truth shatter the Slater
family?
Here is an excerpt.
His eyes flew open and he sat up, his heart pounding
in his ears. Caught in the throes of his
dream, or whatever it had been, he was sure he still saw his mother’s radiance
fading away—although that could have been a trick of his imagination and the lamplight.
A lance of grief, harsh and sharp, impaled him. The pain stole his breath. He clenched his fists until his hands
trembled and his head swam. A strangled
sound escaped him and the dam broke, releasing his pent-up tears. His shoulders convulsed with his muffled
sobs.
Trudy rushed into the office, and he choked back a
gasp. Her materialization startled him
almost as much as his mother’s. She
dropped next to him on the sofa and clasped his hands. “Oh, my God, Herschel. What’s wrong?”
It was amazing how fast he could turn off the
waterworks. He averted his head, trying
to avoid her prying gaze.
She grabbed his chin.
“Goddamn it, Herschel, look at me.
What’s wrong?”
Her eyes, soft blue pools, drew him in. He clutched her to him, kissing her face, her
ear, and her neck. “Trudy, Trudy…” he
murmured, running his hands over her body, cupping her breasts through her
T-shirt.
Fluid filled his mouth and he sank his fangs into her
flesh. Her scent and the warm, coppery
sweet taste of her blood calmed him.
Along with the tranquility came an infusion of guilt. He hadn’t meant to bite Trudy; he’d only
wanted to feel close to her. Why did he
have to remind her he was a vampire at this moment, when all he’d wanted to do
was tell her he loved her?
Author Bio
Linda
Lee Williams writes "contemporary romance with a paranormal
twist." Her stories revolve around
imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life
issues. Currently, she has five
published novels and is part of a cookbook anthology.
After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative
writing classes and formed a writers' group.
An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she's called Maryland,
Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in
her surroundings.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Additional: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/
Linda's Books:
Elsewhere: Torn between two lovers…but is one of them real, or
imaginary?
Riveting! And I can personally vouch for Elsewhere as I have read it. Such a great book, with some extremely unique characters.
Let's tackle some general questions, all right?
Sure.
What book that you read in the past, would you say, inspired your love of reading or writing?
That’s a tough one, Marie. I’ve been an avid reader and writer since I
was a child. If I had to pick two
novels, from way back, I’d have to say Gone
With The Wind and Pride &
Prejudice. Both left me with a sense
of time and place and the knowledge that life hasn’t changed much over the
centuries. People still desire the same
things…
I agree. Those are some great picks! And I have a weakness for Jane Austen novels.
So, what does your writing process look like? Do you plot everything out before you write? Or, are you a pantster?
Sometimes characters suggest
themselves to me; other times, ideas. I
work hard to develop both. The story
grows from there. I like to write a
loose outline. For my protagonists, I
compose dossiers. I need intimate
knowledge of the main players before I dare tell their stories. Surprises occur along the way—natural
offshoots of the plot—but I’m a planner, not a pantster.
All right.
What subject have you always wanted to write about, but never had the chance to?
I’ve written about
schizophrenia, alternate realities, vampire-human hybrids, reincarnation,
aliens, ghosts, and even rock stars.
That covers quite a bit of imaginary ground, I think!
Well, you're certainly right about that! ;)
So...I
looked over your website and noticed your tagline is 'Contemporary romance with a paranormal twist...Love Changes Everything.' Could you elaborate on that for us?
I’m a cross-genre author. Although I write love stories set in modern
times, my books don’t fit neatly into contemporary or paranormal romance,
especially by today’s definition. The
“twist” is just that—an unusual slant.
The underlying theme of all my
books is the power of love—how its presence or absence shapes us and affects us
all of our lives. Once you fall in love,
your heart is never yours again. You’re
forever changed, for better or worse.
Very true, Linda.
So...what project do you have planned next? Or is that a secret?
I’m working on a novella titled The Breadth of the Soul, which I hope to
have finished in time for the Holidays.
Oh, we look forward to it! :)
Is there anything you'd like to add? Any special advice for your fellow writers?
Be true to yourself as an author
and to your vision for your story. Learn
everything you can about the craft of writing, from the creative part to the
technical side.
In the absence of an editor,
rely on beta readers for story content and plot flaws. If you’re not an expert grammarian, find
someone more proficient to look over your manuscript. Make sure you have a proofreader or two as
well.
If you can, join a critique
group. Find writers’ groups on Facebook,
Google+, and LinkedIn. You’ll need the
camaraderie and the support. If you
become discouraged, remember what Hemingway said: “We are all apprentices in a
craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
Indies: Set aside a budget for
marketing. Sales evaporate and you’ll
disappear into oblivion if you don’t constantly promote your books. For a while, I was diligent about placing
ads, joining Facebook events, and giving my eBooks away for FREE. When I stopped, I dropped.
That's great advice! Thank you, Linda!
And thank you for stopping by Writing in the Modern Age! It was such a pleasure to have you! :)
Readers, here is the blurb for Brothers of the Night.
Herschel Kohler harbors a terrible secret…and simmering
resentment. Although he hides the
knowledge from his wife, Trudy, she senses the darkness within her vampire
husband.
Hundreds of miles away, Stefan Slater receives cryptic notes
in the mail. His brother Ambrose’s
daughter experiences strange dreams and ghostly visits. Can a six-year-old girl, two brothers, and a
group of friends solve a tragic mystery dating back twenty-five years? Will Stefan and Ambrose find closure? Or will the shocking truth shatter the Slater
family?
Here is an excerpt.
His eyes flew open and he sat up, his heart pounding
in his ears. Caught in the throes of his
dream, or whatever it had been, he was sure he still saw his mother’s radiance
fading away—although that could have been a trick of his imagination and the lamplight.
A lance of grief, harsh and sharp, impaled him. The pain stole his breath. He clenched his fists until his hands
trembled and his head swam. A strangled
sound escaped him and the dam broke, releasing his pent-up tears. His shoulders convulsed with his muffled
sobs.
Trudy rushed into the office, and he choked back a
gasp. Her materialization startled him
almost as much as his mother’s. She
dropped next to him on the sofa and clasped his hands. “Oh, my God, Herschel. What’s wrong?”
It was amazing how fast he could turn off the
waterworks. He averted his head, trying
to avoid her prying gaze.
She grabbed his chin.
“Goddamn it, Herschel, look at me.
What’s wrong?”
Her eyes, soft blue pools, drew him in. He clutched her to him, kissing her face, her
ear, and her neck. “Trudy, Trudy…” he
murmured, running his hands over her body, cupping her breasts through her
T-shirt.
Fluid filled his mouth and he sank his fangs into her
flesh. Her scent and the warm, coppery
sweet taste of her blood calmed him.
Along with the tranquility came an infusion of guilt. He hadn’t meant to bite Trudy; he’d only
wanted to feel close to her. Why did he
have to remind her he was a vampire at this moment, when all he’d wanted to do
was tell her he loved her?
Author Bio
Linda
Lee Williams writes "contemporary romance with a paranormal
twist." Her stories revolve around
imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life
issues. Currently, she has five
published novels and is part of a cookbook anthology.
After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative
writing classes and formed a writers' group.
An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she's called Maryland,
Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in
her surroundings.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Additional: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/
Linda's Books:
I’ve written about
schizophrenia, alternate realities, vampire-human hybrids, reincarnation,
aliens, ghosts, and even rock stars.
That covers quite a bit of imaginary ground, I think!
Well, you're certainly right about that! ;)
So...I
looked over your website and noticed your tagline is 'Contemporary romance with a paranormal twist...Love Changes Everything.' Could you elaborate on that for us?
I’m a cross-genre author. Although I write love stories set in modern
times, my books don’t fit neatly into contemporary or paranormal romance,
especially by today’s definition. The
“twist” is just that—an unusual slant.
The underlying theme of all my
books is the power of love—how its presence or absence shapes us and affects us
all of our lives. Once you fall in love,
your heart is never yours again. You’re
forever changed, for better or worse.
Very true, Linda.
So...what project do you have planned next? Or is that a secret?
I’m working on a novella titled The Breadth of the Soul, which I hope to
have finished in time for the Holidays.
I’m a cross-genre author. Although I write love stories set in modern
times, my books don’t fit neatly into contemporary or paranormal romance,
especially by today’s definition. The
“twist” is just that—an unusual slant.
The underlying theme of all my
books is the power of love—how its presence or absence shapes us and affects us
all of our lives. Once you fall in love,
your heart is never yours again. You’re
forever changed, for better or worse.
Very true, Linda.
So...what project do you have planned next? Or is that a secret?
I’m working on a novella titled The Breadth of the Soul, which I hope to
have finished in time for the Holidays.
Oh, we look forward to it! :)
Is there anything you'd like to add? Any special advice for your fellow writers?
Be true to yourself as an author
and to your vision for your story. Learn
everything you can about the craft of writing, from the creative part to the
technical side.
In the absence of an editor,
rely on beta readers for story content and plot flaws. If you’re not an expert grammarian, find
someone more proficient to look over your manuscript. Make sure you have a proofreader or two as
well.
If you can, join a critique
group. Find writers’ groups on Facebook,
Google+, and LinkedIn. You’ll need the
camaraderie and the support. If you
become discouraged, remember what Hemingway said: “We are all apprentices in a
craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
Indies: Set aside a budget for
marketing. Sales evaporate and you’ll
disappear into oblivion if you don’t constantly promote your books. For a while, I was diligent about placing
ads, joining Facebook events, and giving my eBooks away for FREE. When I stopped, I dropped.
That's great advice! Thank you, Linda!
And thank you for stopping by Writing in the Modern Age! It was such a pleasure to have you! :)
Readers, here is the blurb for Brothers of the Night.
Herschel Kohler harbors a terrible secret…and simmering
resentment. Although he hides the
knowledge from his wife, Trudy, she senses the darkness within her vampire
husband.
Hundreds of miles away, Stefan Slater receives cryptic notes
in the mail. His brother Ambrose’s
daughter experiences strange dreams and ghostly visits. Can a six-year-old girl, two brothers, and a
group of friends solve a tragic mystery dating back twenty-five years? Will Stefan and Ambrose find closure? Or will the shocking truth shatter the Slater
family?
Here is an excerpt.
His eyes flew open and he sat up, his heart pounding
in his ears. Caught in the throes of his
dream, or whatever it had been, he was sure he still saw his mother’s radiance
fading away—although that could have been a trick of his imagination and the lamplight.
A lance of grief, harsh and sharp, impaled him. The pain stole his breath. He clenched his fists until his hands
trembled and his head swam. A strangled
sound escaped him and the dam broke, releasing his pent-up tears. His shoulders convulsed with his muffled
sobs.
Trudy rushed into the office, and he choked back a
gasp. Her materialization startled him
almost as much as his mother’s. She
dropped next to him on the sofa and clasped his hands. “Oh, my God, Herschel. What’s wrong?”
It was amazing how fast he could turn off the
waterworks. He averted his head, trying
to avoid her prying gaze.
She grabbed his chin.
“Goddamn it, Herschel, look at me.
What’s wrong?”
Her eyes, soft blue pools, drew him in. He clutched her to him, kissing her face, her
ear, and her neck. “Trudy, Trudy…” he
murmured, running his hands over her body, cupping her breasts through her
T-shirt.
Fluid filled his mouth and he sank his fangs into her
flesh. Her scent and the warm, coppery
sweet taste of her blood calmed him.
Along with the tranquility came an infusion of guilt. He hadn’t meant to bite Trudy; he’d only
wanted to feel close to her. Why did he
have to remind her he was a vampire at this moment, when all he’d wanted to do
was tell her he loved her?
Author Bio
Linda
Lee Williams writes "contemporary romance with a paranormal
twist." Her stories revolve around
imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life
issues. Currently, she has five
published novels and is part of a cookbook anthology.
After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative
writing classes and formed a writers' group.
An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she's called Maryland,
Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in
her surroundings.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Additional: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/
Linda's Books:
Herschel Kohler harbors a terrible secret…and simmering
resentment. Although he hides the
knowledge from his wife, Trudy, she senses the darkness within her vampire
husband.
Hundreds of miles away, Stefan Slater receives cryptic notes
in the mail. His brother Ambrose’s
daughter experiences strange dreams and ghostly visits. Can a six-year-old girl, two brothers, and a
group of friends solve a tragic mystery dating back twenty-five years? Will Stefan and Ambrose find closure? Or will the shocking truth shatter the Slater
family?
Here is an excerpt.
His eyes flew open and he sat up, his heart pounding
in his ears. Caught in the throes of his
dream, or whatever it had been, he was sure he still saw his mother’s radiance
fading away—although that could have been a trick of his imagination and the lamplight.
A lance of grief, harsh and sharp, impaled him. The pain stole his breath. He clenched his fists until his hands
trembled and his head swam. A strangled
sound escaped him and the dam broke, releasing his pent-up tears. His shoulders convulsed with his muffled
sobs.
Trudy rushed into the office, and he choked back a
gasp. Her materialization startled him
almost as much as his mother’s. She
dropped next to him on the sofa and clasped his hands. “Oh, my God, Herschel. What’s wrong?”
It was amazing how fast he could turn off the
waterworks. He averted his head, trying
to avoid her prying gaze.
She grabbed his chin.
“Goddamn it, Herschel, look at me.
What’s wrong?”
Her eyes, soft blue pools, drew him in. He clutched her to him, kissing her face, her
ear, and her neck. “Trudy, Trudy…” he
murmured, running his hands over her body, cupping her breasts through her
T-shirt.
Fluid filled his mouth and he sank his fangs into her
flesh. Her scent and the warm, coppery
sweet taste of her blood calmed him.
Along with the tranquility came an infusion of guilt. He hadn’t meant to bite Trudy; he’d only
wanted to feel close to her. Why did he
have to remind her he was a vampire at this moment, when all he’d wanted to do
was tell her he loved her?
Author Bio
Linda
Lee Williams writes "contemporary romance with a paranormal
twist." Her stories revolve around
imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life
issues. Currently, she has five
published novels and is part of a cookbook anthology.
After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative
writing classes and formed a writers' group.
An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she's called Maryland,
Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in
her surroundings.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Additional: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/
Linda's Books:
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lee-Williams/e/B00CB1K7SG
Additional: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/
Thank you for featuring Brothers of the Nights on your blog, Marie. It was fun doing the interview as well!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Linda! Always lovely to have you here...;)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood interview. Great series. I read every one and loved them. Those male vampires can bite my neck any time!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Especially Ambrose...;)
DeleteYou ladies are so funny. You know, I like my vampire guys--but I'm not so sure could embrace that lifestyle. I give Abby, Heather, Norah, and Trudy a lot of credit...
DeleteAwesome interview...gotta love Linda ! I sure do <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
DeleteThanks, Jennifer. You're a sweetheart!
DeleteWhat a great interview!
ReplyDeleteLovely to have you here, Teri!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Teri! Thanks for stopping by...
DeleteGreat interview.
ReplyDeleteAlways great to see you, Isabel! :)
DeleteThank you for reading and commenting, Isabel.
Delete