#samplesunday Kiss of the Wolf

Morning everyone!

It's that time again. This time, I wanted to bring everyone back to the 2nd installment of my Darkness Unleashed series, KISS OF THE WOLF. Currently I have 3 novels out for this series and I'm hoping to release the final installment sometime next month.

Blurb:

A promise made is more than he’d bargained for…

Fiery and strong, Kara has always walked alone. Though she retains the same gifts as her sister, she is sent on a journey of her own. One that takes her out across the Baylo Sea and into a dark world of demons.Had she known the danger that followed her, or the man who’d save her life, she might have reconsidered.

Sent to find Saleene’s sister, Zachius is plagued with the vision of the woman who haunts his dreams. Though he swore an oath to his friend to save Kara, he never imagines the woman he would find would be the same as from his dreams. Torn between his duty to protect Kara and keep her safe, he finds that there is more at stake than just their lives.

Can he save her from the evil before it’s too late….

or will he be the one needing to be rescued.

EXCERPT:

Zachius reached behind his head, soreness from weeks of travel crept across his body. He swore he would find a better way to get back home, the knot in his neck a constant reminder of the lack of comfort he’d found on the ship. He had been cramped in the small boat, one he swore was older than the gods themselves, traveling across the Baylo Sea for longer than he could recall. Looking up to the sun, he prayed he could fulfill his promise to Dartian and Saleene. He had vowed to find Saleene’s sister Kara, to warn her, and if needed, keep her safe from harm. Short glimpses of his dreams still haunted him though. Visions of a red haired beauty with eyes the color of the deep emerald visited him every night. Could it be possible the two were one and the same? He shook his head as he pushed the idea aside; sure it was just a coincidence.

“How much farther until we reach land?” He asked the captain. Fatigue and annoyance laced his words, even though he tried to keep them neutral. The man who ran the small vessel rarely spoke to anyone other than his crew. He’d done what he could to help on the boat, but his thoughts continued to drift to his quest. Though the crew was engaging enough, he found his mind continued to drift toward his first meeting with Kara and what he would say. Part of him hoped she was not the woman from his dreams, that she would be something completely different, yet somewhere inside he knew she would be.

“We are very close to the island you seek, sir.” The captain’s rough voice broke through his thoughts. “See...there in the distance...those are the peaks of Ahska.” Zachius’ gaze followed the direction the old man motioned toward, his eyes taking in the snowcapped mountains. A shudder moved through his body. Something evil had already made its way to this small island and if Kara was anything like her older sister, she was already knee deep in the middle of it.

“How close can we get to the island?” His gaze drifted to the rough waves that crashed against the side of the boat. He knew that even though he could see the bottom, it was likely that it was much farther than he would like.

“I’m afraid, maybe another few feet, is as close as we dare to go.” The man’s voice held a hint of apprehension. He had listened to the tales the men told over the previous nights. They believed the island was cursed. For once, he would have to agree. If the evil he had already met had engulfed the island, it would not be safe for any of them.

“I understand, captain, just get as close as you can. I’ll make my way from there.”

As the boat neared the outer banks, Zachius grabbed his pack, swinging it over his shoulder as he vaulted from the deck and into the shallow water, his feet thudding lightly as he landed. Without a glance back, he took off into the forest, his mind focused on finding the woman he had vowed to protect. Whether she’d accept his protection or not was yet to be determined. Behind him, he could hear the boat back out of the shallow waters and head back to sea. Each of the men had asked him if he was sure he wanted to go. Their intentions were understandable, but he had told them he had to. Each one had nodded their understanding.

The moment he stepped into the forest, a thick cocoon of cold enveloped him, sending shivers across his skin. The impact was so strong it stopped him in his tracks; his first instinct was to turn around and leave. Shaking his head, he cleared his mind. It was a trap meant to turn strangers away. He wasn’t about to fall for it, not if she was nearby.

“I don’t think so.” He refused to let anything stop him. He had come too far and his every instinct told him she was close. He needed to be here. He was firm in his resolve to locate her. How to find her was more of the problem. His contacts had advised him that a woman who fit her description had come to the island, but where she had gone they could not say. Unsure of which direction to take, a sound on the wind alerted him to a disturbance in the area. The moment he closed his eyes he picked up the howl of a male wolf, a warning to other animals of something wrong in the area. Something about the sound caught his attention, as if she was also calling for help for more than just herself. Then he heard it, the one thing he could not mistake for anything other than a woman’s voice softly floating on the breeze.

“Kara.” He whispered.

Turning toward the sound of her voice, Zachius vaulted through the deep lush foliage, his energy renewed. He needed to find her. If the voice of the wolf held true, danger was close. Old weathered tree branches blocked his advances, roots reached up to keep him from moving forward. It was more than a coincidence, he thought, and pushed even harder past the barriers that continued to be put in his way. He was not about to fail after getting so close, not when he still had the energy to fight. Pulling his sword out, he slashed at the obstacles, refusing to stop.

As he entered a clearing, he found a rundown cabin, its door, and windows gone for what appeared to be many years. Looking inside he could tell someone had used it recently. Smoke still drifted up from the used fireplace. Moving his gaze around the interior of the cabin, he found a small piece of cloth. Picking up the fabric, he knew it was from a blouse made of soft cotton, its forest green color faded from continual use. Bringing the fabric to his face, he breathed in, the scent of jasmine filling his nostrils.

Kara.... It had to be her, he was sure of it. It could be no other. Her scent filled his mind and soul until he knew he could find her anywhere, no matter what she looked like or where she hid. He placed the piece of fabric in his pack and moved out of the cabin and back into the woods, his stance solid as he made his way toward the east and the coming battle.

Okay everyone, that is the snippit for this week. Hope you enjoyed the read. You can find this novel at Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes and Noble Smashwords and if you want a print copy you can get it here

Happy reading and writing!

R.G. Porter

New release alert! Scottish Whispers

Happy Friday everyone! Yes, I have a new book out. Well technically, it was released on Monday, but this week has been chaotic at best for me. So, without further delay, let me introduce you to my newest adventure, SCOTTISH WHISPERS.

First off, isn't he hot? That is Jimmy Thomas who is taking on the role of Erick in this  novel. Can't help but adore a man in a kilt. Now for a bit about the book.

Blurb:

A man who protects the balance between worlds.
A woman who is haunted by her past.
A group of demons wanting both their souls.
A twist of fate that binds them both together.

Jena wanted nothing more than a nice quiet vacation in the highlands of Scotland, what she got was much more than her travel brochure ever described. Toss in a man who is more arrogant than any she's met in the past, and demons hell bent on driving her insane, and her vacation is about to turn extremely chaotic.

Finding Erick half dead from a gunshot wound, Jena learns there is more at stake than just her fear of falling in love. If she doesn't hurry Erick might die and the demons of her nightmares will finally win what they've been after.

Their souls.


<waves self> Yes, we have demons in this novel as well. And yes, it is a re-occurring theme for me. Can't help it. :)

Now for a bit of a snippit of this new release. Hope you enjoy.

EXCERPT:

Black, grey, and crimson filled her mind. Screams and cries for help echoed in her ears, their voices held more agony than she could stand. Heat moved across her body. Jena’s eyelids fluttered open. Shadows danced across the area just out of reach. Where was she?

“Come to us Jena. You still belong to us.” The monsters from her past crept back to her present. They reached out to her, begged her to go with them. Her body ached as she tried to move, her mind hurting with the onslaught of the cries of pain.

She shook her head in denial. “Go away. I won’t follow you.” Defiance laced her words.

“You cannot avoid us. We will always be here. You are coming to us. It will just take time.” Their coupled voices rang through her body in a shudder of chills. "You can't escape us.”

“Never. I’ll never belong to you. Leave me be.” Jena tried to move but found she couldn’t. Her mind shouted out that this couldn't be real, that it was just a nightmare due to her fatigue. She closed her eyes as her heart began to beat out an erratic palpitation. If she didn't know better she swore it might burst.

Their voices grew in magnitude, the hiss of their anger stronger with each passing moment. “Just wait, we are patient. Soon you will have no choice, we will get you.” Jena could feel their hands reach for her, their long tendril fingers grasping her nightgown. She thrashed at their advances, her fingers hurting from the effort. "Nothing can stop the inevitable Jena, you will come to live in the darkness and pain. You will suffer much at our hands."

She braced herself against their advances. Her mind was tired from fighting. All she wanted to do was just fade into the darkness. To let it all just go as it was destined to. Still, her stubbornness took over her need for peace. “Go away.” She screamed. Her voice cracked in the dryness of the abyss she was locked in. Just when she swore she would drown in the thick evil of the beings that hunted her; warmth spread across her skin.

“Jena…” His deep baritone voice penetrated her web of fatigue and terror. Her eyelids drifted back open, a haze of reds and blues filling her vision. Soft water dripped in the distance, the calm of the wind moving across her body.

“Where am I? Who’s out there?” She called out. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t move her body. Whatever was at work was stronger than she was. The warmth of a hand caressed her cheek, sending shockwaves through her body. A blanket of calm covered the area.

“I’m waiting for you my love.” Her gaze moved from the large hand up the arm to land on his shadowed face she still could not see. Once more, she could only make out the steel blue eyes staring back. So full of pain and sorrow she wanted to nothing more than to take it away. He'd saved her sanity more times than she could say, yet she still couldn't help him.

“Who are you?” She asked. His accent was not American and the sound sent her whole body into an uproar of feelings. She felt she knew him, somehow, on some distant level.

His eyes filled with warmth. “I’m your destiny. Save me.” Again sadness filled his voice. What could hurt such a powerful looking man? Jena found her arms reaching out for him. She wanted, no needed, to hold him close. She needed to chase the sadness from his eyes. Still, his words made her heart ache.

Where to buy:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Okay all, well that's enough from me today. Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday and an even better weekend.

Happy reading and writing everyone!!

R.G. Porter

Inspiration...

So, I've been MIA for a few bits. So much has been going on in the last few weeks that I'm still playing catchup. One thing that I had someone ask me recently, is where do I find inspiration when I write. This is such a tough question, not because it is limited, but because it is endless. One thing I did recently, was take a trip over to the UK to visit family. I always enjoy going back to visit because the country is beautiful. It's also amazing to see so much history that emits from every pore of the country. One of the places we went to visit was this fantastic place.

This is from Lincoln Catherdral. I'd wanted to visit this place for a very long time. One reason, is because (after doing ancestory research) I found that I had ties to this fantastic building. But I degress. The structure is huge and to see how long it has been in existance gives my mind over to thoughts, images and stories. I mean, how can one not let their mind wander when you wander among these walls.

It's still hard to believe how tall this structure is. Then to get close to the building, to feel the stone underneath your fingers, the history that flows through each wall is just overwhelming. I would have loved to spend more time there, but the weather was a bit colder than I'm used to. :)

But what I would love to do one day, if given the chance, is spend time in the Wren Library. It was why I went. I could just imagine flipping through the knowledge and old books that remain within its walls. The inspiration, for me, would be beyond words. We were able to see part of the outside, and though it is much less impressive, it holds a dear place for me.

What's interesting about this, is the three slates of stone on the grass are actually grave markers. Too see their dates, it just amazes me every time. We talk of old buildings and history here in the States, but we have nothing on Europe. The buildings, structures, and history there is huge. That alone, allows for ones mind to wander. For me, I can find so much to write about with the atmosphere out there that the storylines would be endless.

So that's my bit of input. So tell me, those who visit this blog, what inspires you?

As always, happy reading and writing everyone.

Warm regards,

R.G. Porter

IWU Blog tour Guest Laura Yirak

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm happy to introduce Laura Yarik to our little blog today. So, without further delay, let's get this party started. :)

RG: So Laura, tell us a bit about yourself.

Laura: Good day to you all.  My name is Laura and I am very happy to be a guest here today. As things go along in the writing realm, I have to say that I’m finding that I like to dabble in this and that. It’s plain fun! My favorite is genre is occult, but I have a dark poetry book, and many illustrated children’s books.

RG: So, tell me about your book:

Laura: My new book due out at the end of April/early May is a psychological thriller. They really do get me going.

Kill the Whale

Abandoned at her family’s beach house in Ocean Shores, Washington, Jenny, off her psych meds, is plagued by secrets. It’s all she can handle, until a stranger begins his torments.
Follow her trials to their dramatic conclusion in this disturbing tale.

Ocean Shores is a beautiful ocean town. On its good days, it’s beautiful, sunny; with lots of beach activities, but it has a dark side—dark Washington weather. It’s the perfect place for a spooky beach story.

RG: I'm so into psychological thrillers. I'm trying them myself, and they are a blast to write, but yours sounds fantastic!

RG: What’s your writing process like?

Laura:  I usually get a basic idea, come up with a title, and chug at it on the computer, outlining as I go on notepad—nothing too complicated.

RG: What do you do when you’re not writing?

Laura: When I am not writing, I play with my kids and help them to explore the world. We camp, hike, and BBQ (when the weather permits).

Personally, I enjoy watching a scary flick or two or three…haha.

RG: I adore horror flicks. Especially if I find I need a bit of inspiration. :)

RG: What made you decide to self-publish your work?

Laura: I want to entertain.

RG: Have you ever submitted your work to a traditional publisher? Would you consider doing so in the future?

Yes, I have. I found it to be quite boring—the waiting process, and I would not submit again. I like to get out there and get it done.

RG: What has your experience of self-publishing been like so far? Would you recommend it to other writers?

My experience has been wonderful. I highly recommend it to other writers. There are no deadlines; you can write what you like. The freedom of it is liberating.

RG: I could not agree more. It's beyond exciting and the business is forever changing.

RG: What have your marketing strategies been so far? How successful were they? Any advice for new indie writers?

Laura: All of my books are with Amazon’s KDP Select program currently. I like it as it’s easy. I set up promotions and let the books go where they will. This program works for some and not others. I would give it a try as I think writers should experiment.

For new indie writers—build up your book list and roll from there, try different social media sites, build up your fan base.

RG: How would you respond to those who argue that self-published books are of inferior quality to traditionally-published ones?

Laura: I don’t argue with them. I let the readers decide.

RG: What type of genres do you like to write and read?

Laura: I read romance novels.

RG: Pantser or plotter?

Laura: Pantser.

RG: I'm right there with you! :)

RG: What is your favorite Holiday food?

Laura: Turkey dinner—WOO!

RG: If you could have any animal as a pet what would you have?

Laura: Birds.

RG: Where would you live if given the chance?

Laura: A beach without crazies J

RG: That would be great, except our voices always follow us. :)

Come visit Laura at her Amazon Page or her Blog

It was great having you with us today Laura. Your blog is fantastic and your books sound wonderful. Feel free to swing by again anytime.

As always, happy writing and reading everyone!!

Warm regards,

R.G. Porter

#samplesunday WHEN DARKNESS FALLS

So, I've been a bit out of the loop for the last few weeks due to being on holiday in the UK. First, let me say, I adore that country with all my heart. So peaceful and serene. Now that I'm back it is Sunday and I figure, why not do another sample for all my readers out there. Since my horror novel has been doing fairly well recently, I'm going to use that one for today. I hope you all enjoy.

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Excerpt:

 

She needed to tune them out, even for a short while. Reaching deep into her pocket, she found her one saving grace, her iPod. Flipping through the playlists she found what she was looking for.

Dark, hard rock. It was another taste she and Lisa had shared. The hard, dark, foreboding, and emotional lyrics had a way to pull her to a new place. It was something she needed right now.

In the distance, she could hear the girls chattering on, but it didn't matter. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the cold glass once more. The sounds of the music wrapped her in a buffer and took her away. Some of the words held meaning for her; others were just random lyrics that she could lose herself in. In the end it didn't matter. All she wanted was to be tucked away from the world, even for only a short while.

Every note drew her in. She could see the world in a different light. Her sister was still around, and the friends she had known all her life were back to the way they used to be. Life hadn't changed them yet. Her mind drifted back to a time when they all got along, and outside influences didn't bear down on them. It had been a good time, a fun time. She allowed the visions to continue, her body relaxing for the first time in weeks.

Don't lose yourself. Gwen stiffened at the voice. In her mind, she could feel a presence move.

Don't go. The voice echoed behind the hard beat of the guitar. It wasn't part of the lyrics, she was certain. She had listened to this specific playlist so many times she knew each verse by heart. These words weren’t part of it. Opening one of her eyes, she found the others still deep in chatter. By their actions alone, they hadn't heard it. So either her mind was playing tricks on her, or she was really over the edge. Neither one was high on her priority list at the moment.

Twisting down into the seat she shrugged off the words. Wave after wave of electric guitar and drums drowned out the world for a few more minutes. Her mind eased as the notes hit a peak and came back down. No amount of therapy did as much good as her music did.

A sharp kick to her shin and her eyes shot open. She turned to find Lexi staring back at her.

"What the hell was that for?" Her hand rubbed the edge of her leg.

"You looked like you were falling asleep." She edged closer. "Just because we are in the car doesn't mean you can tune us all out. Besides, I need someone to keep me sane while they chatter."

Gwen leaned into her friend. "You want to bet?"  She held her breath for a second. "I agreed to come out; can’t you all be happy about that? All I want is quiet, and that's impossible with them talking so much. I just want to try and listen to my music till we get closer."

Lexi tried to speak but stopped as she chose her words. "Gwen."

Gwen released the breath she had held and leaned closer. "Look, I understand why you all are doing this, really I do, but I didn't want it."

"That doesn't mean you didn't need it." The stark seriousness in her friend's eyes spoke volumes.

"Lexi, I'm not drowning in my sorrows or being destructive. I don’t drink myself to death at night or do other stupid things. I promise that. It's just still an adjustment for me. All of it is." She didn't want to mention about hearing her sister's voice, not right now. "A part of me is gone, forever, and it will take more than a trip to help that pain go away."

"Gwen, I know—"

"No Lexi, you don’t. Lisa was my sister, my twin for God’s sake. We felt and thought everything the same way. Now she's dead, a part of me died that day with her." Her head hurt to think about it. "Try losing a piece of you. It's not fun or easy."

Lexi reached out. "I do understand."

She shook her head. "No you don't. You want to; I believe you do, but you can't. No one can unless they have been through it. Losing a family member, a parent is heartbreaking enough, but to lose someone who is essentially part of you, that's very different." She squeezed her hand. “You’re one of my best friends, and I love you dearly for your concern, but this is going to take time to get past.

“It’s fine, I get the point.” Lexi squeezed her hand back. “You helped me through rough times when I bit your head off. I’ll do the same.”

Gwen nodded and backed over to her end of the seat. Lexi turned and looked out the window, her silence a clear sign she had hit the target dead on. Gwen hadn't wanted to be curt, but it was the only way to make her understand. Lexi was the one friend she didn't mind being honest with. Unfortunately, her brutal honesty could be a bit much, even for Lexi.

Hope everyone enjoyed that. You can find WHEN DARKNESS FALLS at:

Amazon US Amazon UK and Print Version

Happy reading and writing everyone!!!

Warm regards,

R.G. Porter

Sample Sunday- Keepers of Water (Guardian's of Nature Vol 1)

Okay, I've not done one of these for a bit. I've decided now is a great time to do a sample sunday for my newest release KEEPERS OF WATER. This is the first in my Guaridan's of Nature series and follows Arieana as she tries to stop the renegades from destroying mankind.

A promise to save her brother's soul unearths a conspiracy she was not prepared for...

Arieana’s brother has been murdered by her own people in a world not their own. Forced into breaking ancient law, she ventures into the human realm in search of her brother's soul. Once she steps through the Veil, she realizes the renegades are up to more than just punishing a few humans. They want to destroy the race itself.

Forced to forge an unlikely alliance with the very race responsible for the storms tearing her world apart, she finds out more of her past than the elders want. With the war started, each clue they uncover leads them closer to the first of the elemental relics, and a chance to save mankind.

Together they must work side by side to stop the renegades…

Before time runs out for both worlds.
 EXCERPT:

Arieana woke with a start. Her muscles ached from the onslaught of the vision and her body was drenched with sweat. She attempted to search for the link to her brother but found only a void of darkness.

Rydan. Her heart felt shattered. The only family she had left was now gone. Brutal as his death was, she knew he had shielded her from the brunt of his pain. Every ounce of her wanted to yell out, but she found her throat had gone hoarse. The fanatics' desperation was worse than she had first imagined, and now it had hit a level none of them had expected. They had a plan.

She turned toward the window and the forest outside. Droplets of water still clung to the leaves of the trees from the morning dew, yet it didn't help. She felt disconnected from everything. All she wanted was to die, to join Rydan in the darkness. Losing him had killed what was left of her heart.

Why hadn't he listened! She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry, to fight and tear the universe to pieces for taking her brother away. Her eyes filled with tears she couldn't control and her body shook with a mixture of anger and despair. They would pay for his death; she would make sure of it.

"Rydan," she whispered, "I am so sorry, my brother. I should have found a way to keep you safe." Each word tore at her soul. She wanted him back.

Pulling herself out of bed, she walked across the cold tiled floor, still unable to accept he was gone. She made her way to the bookshelf and reached for the tome she had been reading. She needed to change her focus, keep herself busy, or she would crawl back into bed and hide under the covers. Unfortunately, she saw merits in both choices.

Many of the books held the history of her people, but this one book contained much more. The night her parents had died, she had found a note addressed to her, written in her mother's hand. Short words led her to a passage, hidden within their home, and the book it contained. Ever since that night, she had been immersed in what she read. The text was full of the ancient language and history that had been banned from their teachings.

She read day and night, absorbing what she could. It was her solace and escape from her loss. There were things she remembered her mother and father discussing, but she had always been just out of earshot. She now wished she had paid more attention and had tried to find out. What she did remember were the words her mother had imparted, a few nights before both her parents were killed, and now burned into her memory.

My daughter, there is much of our and the other worlds that you do not know. Light and darkness, race against race, is how some see it. When the rift began is unclear. If you read into the texts of our history, there is much that is withheld. Depending on who you speak with, there are different variations to the truth, but none know which are correct. Centuries have passed since our world began to feel the effects of the humans' negligence. Many tried to influence and repair the Earth, but the waves of their destruction continue to overflow into our world. It is because of this that others have taken it upon themselves to right the wrong. Many agree something must be done, but their call to arms was too extreme for most.

After that night, she had done everything she could to find out more. What she did find wasn't always pleasant. No wonder her parents had always told her some secrets were meant to remain hidden. Knowledge in the hands of some became deadly. It was then that the Dark Warriors were created.

The day the Dark Warriors had vanished across the Veil was the day her brother had been called into service. He had been tasked with tracking down the traitors and doing what he could to protect the humans. Now, more than ever, she wished she had been able to talk him out of it.

Arieana's mind turned back to the room and home she had lived in all her life. The night she lost her parents, it had become her and Rydan's place. Though he was rarely around, she had always left his room as he had. "Messy but with purpose," he had said to her, more times than she could count. It had always made her feel like he was there. Now, it was all that remained of him.

She moved through the hallway into his room; his bed was still unmade after his last visit. Draped across the back of the chair hung one of his shirts, one she had nearly washed yesterday. It still held his musky scent.

"Damn you, Rydan. Why didn't you listen?" Her heart hurt more than anything she had felt in the past. Even the air felt heavy in her lungs. She wanted him home, safe, not dead in a world so far away. She held on tightly to her only reminder of him and closed her eyes to fend off the tidal wave of sadness she felt threatening to envelop her.

Anger and frustration boiled deep inside. "I'll find you and bring you home," she whispered. It was her vow and promise to both of them.

Such darkness and pain had surrounded him in death that it made her skin crawl. She had always known it would come to this. How many times had she warned the Council that those who opposed the fanatics were in danger?

The room grew colder. Ice formed along the wooden shelves that lined the walls. Her temper was bordering on dangerous. Rydan's death had sparked a fury she had reined in for a long time.

"Arieana?" A quiet voice pulled her back from the frigid darkness.

She turned to find Aeryn at the doorway. She couldn't miss the fear in her friend's eyes. She couldn't blame her.

"Hello, Aeryn. Now is not a good time." She turned to face the window and then looked back at her friend. "What do you want?"

Aeryn moved carefully about the room, her hands brushing against the icicles. "I see you've received some bad news. What's happened?"

"You may not want to be here right now." She wanted to destroy, to find her brother's killers and rip the flesh from their bones. "It would probably be safer if you weren't."

A warm breeze from her left moved across Arieana’s cold skin. "I'm not going anywhere. Now tell me what has happened to have you so distraught."

"Rydan is dead." The words ripped open new wounds.

"No…!" Aeryn paused. "It can't be true." Her hands quivered. Arieana knew that her brother had meant as much to Aeryn as he had to her. "He can't be dead. I would have known."

 "No, you couldn't have known. He always made sure he shielded you from his work." The pounding in Arieana’s head increased. "He tried to shield me from what he felt."

"You felt it, didn't you? Why would he hide it from me?"

"He had his reasons," Arieana answered. She didn't want to cause any more pain.

"I want to know and feel what you felt."

Hope you all enjoyed the snipit! Have a great week. You can purchase KEEPERS OF WATER at the following locations.

Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes & Noble Print

Happy reading and writing everyone.

R.G. Porter

Crossing genres, vampires and writing

Happy weekend everyone! I know I know, I've not written much on my blog lately. Things have been, for lack of a better word, crazy here. I'm nearing the release of my epic fantasy KEEPERS OF WATER and have also been plotting some new stuff. One of the items I'm working on starting involves vampires, but not in the way my other vampire book was. This made me think a bit about the direction of that species and how it relates to the ability to cross between genres.

Most of those who have read my work know that I tend to write mostly fantasy based novels. That was true up until my release of my horror novel WHEN DARKNESS FALLS. Since then I've decided to expand what I write and see where it goes. I have to say, it's almost scary the different catagories some of the plot ideas can range into. For instance.

My upcoming release KEEPERS OF WATER could easily be put into high fantasy, epic fantasy or even urban fantasy. More and more the lines are become blurred between genres. Where once an author was forced to stay true to one line of writing, we are now breaking through those barriers and writing what we want. I think this option can ultimately lead to so many more fantastic books for readers to have available to them to read. Though some may still remain focused on one line, many authors are embracing this change.

Along with this change, I've also noticed more authors expanding the genres they write. Some great indie authors are venturing into both fantasy, mystery, thrillers and other outlets. Though this might seem daft to some, it is a great thing. You get fresh new voices, but it also allows the mark of these great authors to be exposed to a great audience that might not otherwise know of their work. The biggest issue I can see with this, is if you have readers that are turned off by the other genres you might right. Hopefully, if you can keep things catagorized well enough, it shouldn't allow cause a stir of waves from your readers.

So what am I doing that will be crossing things over you say? Well for one, I have a short novella I am going to be starting next month titled BLOOD, WINE, and RAZOR BLADES. Catchy isn't it? :) This one has a vampire who is a lead dectective that works on crimes. In this one, Vampires are part of society, even though there is still animosity between the races. Think of this as more of a supernatural mystery murder type novel. Vampires, magic, humans and an unsolved murder. SO much fun.

So I guess my ramblings today is mostly that, genres are no longer the cut and dry they used to be. Whether this is good or bad will always be left up to the reader to decide. From my standpoint, as both a writer and reader, I think it is fantastic. My question to you, my friends, is what is your thought?

As always, happy reading and writing everyone!

R.G. Porter