Today I am so thrilled and delighted to welcome editor and author Danielle Thorne as she discusses her new release from Desert breeze Publishing, “Death Cheater”! Congratulations and welcome!
Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog today, Regina. I’m so excited to share the news of my next release, DEATH CHEATER, a young adult inspirational paranormal from Desert Breeze Publishing.
It’s interesting, as the ebook industry grows, how different genres are popping up all over the Internet market. I’d have to say that besides Inspirational Romance, Inspirational Suspense is one of my favorite genres to read.
Now, when I say my new book is an Inspirational Paranormal, I’m not quite sure if that’s a category or not, to be honest! Perhaps I’m drawn to this label because of the foundation of my faith and my beliefs of life after death. Writing DEATH CHEATER didn’t just give me the opportunity to explore a new audience, it gave me a chance to reach deep into what I feel waits for us after this life. Targeting the young adult market felt very natural as I dredged up distant memories of high school; crossing over into the paranormal was a fun little treat.
In DEATH CHEATER, Athena Gray lives vicariously through her sister because people in general avoid her. Whether it’s strange things like dead butterflies fluttering to life, or the time she saved her dying grandpapa just by willing him to live, Athena knows that she is different. The only person who doesn’t seem to think so is Dan, the most popular boy on Omega High School’s baseball team. But even Dan can’t understand the reason she acts haunted, until a spirit roaming the local historic burial mounds takes an interest in people Athena cares about.
It’s my intention to make a three book series following Athena as she finishes high school and begins college. Her experiences with the other side will be poignant, yet at the same time chilling, when the situation calls for it. While it’s fun to investigate what lies beyond our earthly realm, I feel it’s important to be respectful and delicate. I hope readers connect with Athena and her young adult angst, but at the same time, I also hope the stories give a little reminder about who we are, where we come, and where we are going. Life is about love, no matter what you believe, and love is all around us. We just have to reach out to find it.
You can check out DEATH CHEATER at
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-259/Death-Cheater-Danielle-Thorne/Detail.bok
~Danielle Thorne
Blogging as The Balanced Writer at http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com
Excerpt:
A low rumble echoed around me, and the tall, dark trees went still. Not even a leaf stirred. My heart hummed, and a tingle of apprehension made my palms damp. A snarl came from the shadow of a tangled thorn bush, and soft, padding footsteps shuffled in the late afternoon gloom. My breathing went ragged with fear. Maybe it was a raccoon or an angry squirrel.
Athena.
Whipping around, I stared hard into the murk. A voice. It sounded gentle, but at the same time it sent chills down my arms. I glanced up through the hooded canopy of tree branches and tried to see heaven.
God?
There was a growl, and the terror I’d been holding at bay zipped up my spine into my skull. I was sure my long hair stood on end, like when kids touched the electrostatic generator at the science museum.
Something was coming for me, and it wasn’t something from the woods. It’d been following me all day. Maybe even my entire life.
Congrats on your new release, Danielle. Death Cheater sounds very interesting. I can’t wait to read it. Wishing you mega sales and fabulous reviews!
Hi Anne and thanks for stopping in today! I’m with you, this is a must read and I can’t wait!!
Dani, congrats on the new book. It sounds really interesting and almost “Ghost Whisperish.” That would really appeal to me because I LOVED Ghost Whisper. LOL!! Sadly, I never had a chance to watch the show regularly because of my schedule.
What inspired you to come up with the story?
Smiles
Steph
Hi Steph, so great you popped in, thanks very much. You’re right, it Is G-W-ish!! For sure Dani’s series would make a good show, too! Huggin’ ya
Hi Danielle. I am amazed at your multi-genre talent. I have read all of your other books and this one is very different but no less compelling. And I believe this is the only published book you have written in the first person which makes the chilling episodes even more immediate to the reader. This excerpt made me want to read more and I’m far, far from a YA reader! I wish you the success you so richly deserve with this new venture into the YA world. And who better than the mother of four boys reaching YA could write to encompass their interests. Linda
Hi Linda, thanks for visiting and for your insightful comments. So true that Danielle is such a multi-genre talent. Everything she writes is wonderful to read. Thanks!!!
Sounds super, Dani and I’m glad you’re going to continue on and make a series of the stories. Here’s hoping for great success!
HI Jillian and big hugs to you, thanks for stopping by today! So nice of you and your warm comments are really great. I second that motion for Dani’s great success!
Thanks Regina. I love to support my fellow writers.
Welcome, Danielle! Congratulations on this fantastic release. The excerpt is awesome. All the best to you for success and sails — oops, make that SALES!!!
Thanks for having me, Regina. And thanks to all of you for stopping by! Much appreciated!
DEATH CHEATER was inspired by a small Tennessee town my parents once lived in and the ancient burial mounds nearby. To be honest, one day my son asked me what a “Death Cheater” was…and the idea was born. Come to find out, he didn’t mean “death cheater,” he meant, “death eater,” — the ghouls from Harry Potter. So although the two stories have nothing in common, a little slip of the tongue and a Tennessee town gave me the idea.
Wow, Danielle, that’s so interesting! it’s amazing how a small slip like that can produce such a ripple effect!
Danielle-sounds like a great book.I do not know anything about the great state of Tenn.REGARDS BEN SMITH
Danielle- its a pleasure to read your book and the cover art is very good also.Your readers will be educated and informed about the great state of Tenn.REGARDS BEN SMITH
Hi Gail and thanks for visiting! It’s always so nice to hear from you!! Hugs, Regina
Hi Ben and thanks for stopping by! You make a good point about learning about culture from Danielle’s work. Glad you could come by today.
Wow! Danielle. I love your excerpt.
I enjoyed the interview and wish you the best with this new book and the series.
The cover is beautiful.
Gail and Ben–thank for coming by and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy Death Cheater if you have the chance to read it!
Danielle, your book sounds compelling. I like your unusual dub of ‘inspirational paranormal’ genre. I wish you much success.
Thanks Jude!
Wow! Danielle, you already have my hair standing on end and spine tingling shivers racing up and down my spine. And from just this little tiny excerpt. Brrrrrrrr!
Sounds like you had fun writing it.