Welcome to ‘The Next Big Thing’ blog tour. Huge thanks to my HPT blog-buddy, Victoria James for tagging me to continue the chain. Thank you too for everyone else who thought of me. I’ve tagged two more writers at the bottom of this post.

The idea is that we all answer the same ten questions about our current or next release, which means I get to talk about Blood Shadows. *smirks* Any excuse…

What is the title of your latest book? 

It’s called Blood Shadows and it’s the first book in the Blackthorn series.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The concept for Blackthorn starting evolving about sixteen years ago. For my first teaching job, I’d moved to a big city over 300 miles away from everything I knew. My sense of direction is appalling anyway, so it was no surprise that, walking home one night, I got lost. I ended up in a very isolated and run-down area. Iron bars were on windows. Metal shutters were on doors. The place was dead. I was terrified, but the idea for Blackthorn was born – dark paranormal stories set in an urban, gritty backdrop of social unrest, where vampires brush shoulders with humans. It instantly became a dystopian world where humans were calling the shots, where there was segregation and prejudice. It was the perfect environment to breed conflict between characters, particularly my heroes and heroines. Blackthorn inevitably developed into a backdrop for dark and intense romances that will eventually each play an integral role in the future of Blackthorn.

I’ll talk about what inspired Blood Shadows in a question I’ve been asked a little further along…

What genre does your book fall under?

It comes under the broad umbrella term of Paranormal Romance, under the subheading of vampire fiction. Within that, it could be summed up as a dark and romantic urban thriller. It’s fairly graphic in places so not for anyone of a sensitive disposition!

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? 

This is such a hard question because I never have anyone in mind when I start writing characters. When I was asked to provide some Pinterest images for the cover designer for Blood Shadows, it was more a blend of features and visible attitude. Considering how vivid Kane and Caitlin are to me, the models he selected are scarily close to what I have in my mind.

Based on characteristics I’ve seen in various roles, I’d say Elisha Cuthbert (House of Wax), Eliza Dushku or Kirsten Dunst for Caitlin. Kane is particularly tricky. Because of the eyes, I think Wentworth Miller might be able to carry him off. I also think Jensen Ackles could play him when he’s in really bad-guy mode. I think the best match would be Henry Cavill though. I’ve never seen him in action and only discovered him on Pinterest, so I’ll have to see if I think the same when I see him move!

You can check out what I mean by going to my Pinterest boards. You don’t need to be a member to look.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Caitlin has four days to persuade Blackthorn’s most lethal vampire to help destroy what killed her parents before it kills her, but not only does Kane despise everything she stands for, she’s already a part of his own dark intentions.

Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

I’m published by Bookouture – an absolutely awesome bespoke publisher founded by ex-Harlequin marketing controller, Oliver Rhodes. What can I say? I like the personal touch. 😉 Best of all, Bookouture didn’t want to change me or my stories. I think Oliver is very tuned-in to readers and he’s got a genuine respect for authors, two traits that were obligatory to me in handing over my stories. Working with Bookouture just felt right from the outset.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

From what I remember, the first draft was written in about three to four months. There was ‘layering’ for about a further two months. Bookouture got in touch soon after I started subbing so I then went straight on to revisions, which was primarily weaving in plotlines to join the subsequent books together.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’ve been told the stories would appeal to readers of Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward, which is incredibly flattering.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired to write paranormal romance over twenty years ago because I couldn’t find any in my local bookshop. It wasn’t quite so prevalent back then, certainly not in the UK.

As to what inspired Blood Shadows, it must be ten years or so since I first came up with the idea so I can’t place it exactly. I remember seeing a film where there was a chase down a back alley along a chain-link fence and I immediately thought of an agent responsible for keeping vampires in order in Blackthorn. I love strong heroines so I wanted to make the agent a woman. The bad boy vampire was inevitable. I’d only ever written a few opening scenes for the novella and then came back to it for NV 11. From there I structured the story properly, let it develop naturally as I wrote and let Kane and Caitlin take over. Kane actually ‘rewrote’ the last few chapters himself from what I had originally planned. I love it when that happens!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Can I cheat and let some of the New Voices comments I had say it for me?

• “This is exceptional.”
• “Kane is super hot and the ultimate bad boy…’
• “Gripping, steamy and a hot, dangerous hero – great stuff.”
• “Sexy, scary, exciting and really interesting novel touches.”
• “Absolutely beautifully written.”
• “The chemistry between your hero and heroine is almost tangible.”
• “…the story that I truly believe could make a big, big splash in the genre.”
• “…a kill-me-now hero and I-wanna-be-her heroine.”
• “Hard to realise I am reading a book, not watching the action unfold on TV.”
• “Sex appeal in spades.”

So, interview over, I am now going to tag the fabulous Tima Maria Lacoba and Aimee Duffy with the same ten questions. Good luck, ladies!

But before I go, if you haven’t seen me mention it on Facebook, I have another interview to come. I’m soon going to be interrogated by my publisher over on the Bookouture website (eek!). If you’d like to join in – if there is anything you are itching to ask me about Blackthorn, Blood Shadows, Kane, Caitlin, even me as an author – feel free to send your questions to me, before Thursday, via the comments box below or you can email, tweet or Facebook me. Be as imaginative (or probing) as you like – it’s more fun that way!

xxx