So, it's come to that wonderful time of the year again. A time when my father becomes a scrooge, my mother begs to have the tree up for longer than two days, and my husband fails miserably at 'getting' the hints I leave on a daily basis. Yes, 'tis the season to be jolly and all that jazz.
Anyway, in the wonderful world of books and Authorsville, there is a lovely little showcase going on throughout the month of December, showcasing 24 talented novelists, who just so happen are offering some little goodies to go along with all the Christmas cheer.
The Story Behind The Shadow World Series
(warning, you may need a tissue)
Within the Shadows was originally written way back in 2010, when it was then known as 'In the Shadows'. The book had been in partial draft from 2008, but, me being the ever pessimist, I thought, "nah, this won't sell" or "people won't like it" - yes, I am human. But, after having my little boy in 2009, my sister Pamela spurred me on after having read the draft, and loving it. Then our family went through the terrible loss of my sister's little baby son dying in the summer of 2009. It was a devastating time for all of us. We are a close knit family, and are very private, and when the news hit that Liam had passed, our world crumbled.
You see, there are three girls, me being the eldest. And fate played a rather bizarre little trick on all three of us: we were all pregnant, with boys, all due within months of each other. I had Rory in April 2009, Genevieve had Eoin in May 2009, and Liam was due in August. It was exciting. The three of us, our growing bumps, the new lives we were excited to welcome into the family - the whole process of 'sharing' such an amazing experience, and then it fell apart.
I cannot describe to you the ache I felt, the guilt that my own little baby was fit and healthy, and there was my sister,touching her huge round bump, and her child lifeless inside. I was angry with God, angry with the doctors for not spotting the warning signs the week before. I wanted to help her, but there was nothing I could do. My heart and soul broke.
Sometimes, when I try to imagine what it was like in that delivery suite as my nephew was born to eternal life, I cannot comprehend the utter fear or anguish I feel knowing that the room was full of silence. A silence filled with tears, broken hearts and dreams.
When we laid Liam to rest 3 days later, I don't think, to this day, I've ever felt grief like it. I would never wish that kind of loss on anyone.
Now, as you can imagine, having a baby is tough enough, especially when the blues hit, but, I fell into a deep depression. One that saw me going through the motions, on auto-pilot, doing all the things required of me, but not really 'being' there.
Flash forward six months, and I decided then, that I owed it to both Pamela, and little Liam, to complete the book. And I did. I wrote the final script within 12 weeks - back then, a record for me.
I poured my heart into the book. Much of the darker elements, interwoven themes and motifs are representations of that darker time in my life. I believe each character in the book embodies a part of me (most writers do). I suppose you could say that all the layers, the finer details, stuff that could be missed, in a sense, immortalizes the grief, and I couldn't be more prouder.
Within the Shadows is dedicated to Liam, and now that it has been optioned and in development for film, I feel like the soul of the story will live on, surpass any of my original dreams and expectations. How amazing is that?
This book is a story about broken dreams, loss, anger, betrayal, and self discovery. It is a journey from the deepest, darkest pits of hell; a manifestation of finding the courage to take on those demons. To go to battle with the darkness, to overcome the pain.
Yes, there are vampires, shadow creatures and dark entities - but c'mon, I'm a writer :)
Blurb
Living on the razors edge, Giselle Bergman's life is torn apart by her cheating boyfriend. Little does she realize that he is the least of her worries when her long term friend, Alex, reveals a secret long hidden, and introduces to his family and a new, darker world; a world of lies, deceit and corruption.
Thrown from one problem straight into another, the razors edge gets thinner and sharper, testing Giselle's sanity and vitality. Never truly knowing who her allies are, Giselle soon learns not to trust anyone, not even herself. How far will Giselle run to escape what fate has dealt her?
Will she truly be free from the shadows that not only want her soul, but have her reborn as their Queen?
Join Giselle on a journey that is only beginning... Not even she can hide when living within the shadows.
If you would like the chance of winning an eBook of Within the Shadows I am giving one reader the chance of winning this book, and you can also enter the 24 Days of Christmas Spotlight Event, which is below.
So, to be in with a chance of winning, just comment, and you are automatically in for the running.
Be sure to visit the event so you won’t miss any of the giveaway’s or awesome author posts. Click here to visit the event page for 24 Days of Christmas Author Showcase. We have an amazing line up of authors for the month!
December 1 Willow Cross
December 2 Jennifer Malone Wright
December 3 Rose Shababy
December 4 Author JH Glaze
December 5 Ednah Walters
December 6 K.B. Miller
December 7 Nely Cab
December 8 Cat Miller
December 9 Karen Lynch
December 10 Stacey Rourke
December 11 Kristen L. Middleton
December 12 Julie Gilbert
December 13 Elizabeth Kirke
December 14 Brae Wyckoff
December 15 Belinda Boring
December 16 Derinda Love
December 17 Melissa Haag
December 18 Julieanne Lynch
December 19 Joann H. Buchanan
December 20 G G Carver Author
December 21 Cambria Hebert
December 22 Rue Volley
December 23 Lachelle Redd
December 24 Kristen Anne Inger Iversen
ALSO! A huge thank you goes out to the organizer of our little event, As You Wish Tours! Go check out as you wish for all your book promo needs. Readers can find some amazing books there as well.
Good luck to everyone who enters and thank you for letting me share my story with you!
To Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD, PLUS an ebook from each of the authors listed above, simply enter the giveaway below.
Merry Christmas
