A Touch of Darkness
Key Series
Book One
Yelena Casale and Tina Moss
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance
Publisher: City Owl Press
Date of Publication: 3/2/2015
ISBN: 978-0-9862516-0-3
ASIN: B00QJKUAUU
Number of pages: 295
Word Count: 75k
Cover Artist: Tina Moss
Book Description:
Cassie Durrett dreams of the darkness. And lives the nightmare. She's working for a tightwad boss at a pretentious NYC diner, dealing with paralyzing pain that doctors can’t diagnose, and trying to hide her hands that glow purple whenever she ...well, whenever.
So, when mystery man, Gabe, walks out of her dreams and into her life to spout some nonsense about her being a mythical creature, she chalks it up to one more crazy thing to add to her it’s-a-crappy-life list. Yet, when his predictions start to come true, she'll need his help to beat back the darkness-spawned creatures invading her reality.
Pretty soon Gabe has her running half way across the country in search of answers. As a bond grows between them, Cassie worries not about losing her mind to the paranormal madness, nor her life to hellish monsters. Rather her deepest fear is surrendering her heart to a powerful man fallen from grace.
FIRST PLACE in 2014 Readers' Crown Award for urban fantasy.
FIRST PLACE in Central Florida RWA's Touch of Magic
contest for paranormal romance.
Available at
Excerpt:
Cassie moaned as the remnants of the attack wore off. She opened her eyes to stare into her dream man’s gaze. Oh, just great. I need to dream about him again? Her body already tingled with pleasure at the familiar vision. A trench coat molded to his tall frame. Across his chest, droplets of water clung to a black shirt, then dripped down to run over his dark jeans and heavy boots. Gabe. The name came to her. How do I know his name’s Gabe? Reality flooded back with a vengeance, the whole encounter snapping into focus as if the picture emerged from a snowy TV. What she didn’t recall was what happened after and why this man was now here, in her apartment.
Her gaze darted around the room, looking for something to use as a weapon. Bookcases lined the far wall with plenty of thick books inside, but she’d never make it past him to reach the shelves. A tiny statue of a marble angel stood on top of the old TV just a foot out of her reach. Next to the TV sat an opaque yellow vase with a couple of long-stemmed white calla lilies. Neither the statue nor the vase, she decided, would be adequate for the job. When she couldn’t find a satisfactory weapon, she opened her mouth to yell.
Before she could utter a sound, Gabe moved so fast she saw him in nothing more than a blur. His hand covered her mouth and he breathed into her ear. “You fainted. I had to get you home, off the street. Please don’t scream. I mean you no harm. I promise.” As if to punctuate his last words, he took his hand away.
Cassie suppressed the rising terror as she considered the situation and chose anger instead. She narrowed her eyes and curled her hands into fists.
“How did you find out where I live if I was unconscious?” she said, her body tensing in the fight or flight response.
“Your wallet. I went through it.”
“Oh...” Her hands remained fisted.
“You’re a strong woman, but you shouldn’t direct your anger at me.” He went to touch her shoulder, but she flinched away. “Look,” he said. “There’s something we need to talk about. But first tell me, how long have you had these headaches, this pain?”
“How do you know about them?” Her voice raised an octave higher.
“I just know. I also know what they mean. Do you?” He seemed eager to hear the answer.
“I’ve had these episodes forever,” Cassie said, unsure why she answered him. “They’ve been getting worse lately.” Her head titled to the side. “Are you a doctor or something?”
“And have you ever felt any other feelings or sensations during or after the headaches?” Gabe went on, ignoring her last question.
“Yes...Maybe...But how on earth would you know?”
“Tell me more,” Gabe insisted, his voice flowing smooth like water.
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Enough. I’m not telling you anymore until you tell me what the hell is going on, who you are and what you want from me.”
Cassie heard him whisper under his breath, “Easy...” It seemed more instructions to himself than to her. She ignored it and waited for his answer.
“Cassie, I know everything I’m going to say will sound crazy to you, but you’ve got to listen to me. Haven’t you ever wondered at all the weird things happening to you over the years, at the feeling you get with the headaches, the energy?” She was about to interrupt but he raised his hand to silence her and continued, “This is not going to be easy for you to understand but...there’s more to you than you think.”
And I thought I was crazy. Cassie started to tremble. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well...you’re not exactly...technically...you’re not...” He struggled with whatever he was trying to get out.
“Just say it.”
Gabe locked his gaze with hers. She didn’t look away. She couldn’t.
“You’re not completely human.”
My Review
I really liked this one!! Great story, fantastic characters, and an interesting story line. And yes, I normally don't do angels and demons, but I loved them in here. There's some crazy things going on for poor Cassie and she not only has to figure what's going on, but who to trust, and how to save her life and the rest of the world. Oh boy right!
So, Cassie seems normal, except she had a very tragic past and some weird headaches that almost debilitate her, and some odd intuitions. You see, Cassie knew he was adopted, but she loved them whole heartedly. Then, they died horribly, in front of her. And after all these years, she finally finds out who her birth parents are, and does that present a whole new set of problems when those doors open. You see, Cassie must make a lot of choices. She must not only choose sides between the demons and angels, but that decision will affect the whole world.
Gabe is some kind of crazy. LOL You know, he's an angel, and they are not human. They don't think like a human. The don't act like a human. So, when he falls, must follow the rules of Earth and humans. This is over whelming and quite nutty. He made me giggle. And Rafe, well let's jut say I love him too!!
The writing was well done and very easy to follow. I loved how the ending totally surprised me, because I wasn't expecting THAT!! I was definitely intrigued and the plot line kept me turning the pages. And I have a feeling things are only going to get more complicated from here on out. I look forward to more and what's to come! 4.5 PAWS! :)
Author Interview
Yelena Casale and Tina Moss Interview
First, tell me a little about your book J….
Cassie Durrett dreams of the darkness. And lives the nightmare. She's working for a tightwad boss at a pretentious NYC diner, dealing with paralyzing pain that doctors can’t diagnose, and trying to hide her hands that glow purple whenever she ...well, whenever.
So, when mystery man, Gabe, walks out of her dreams and into her life to spout some nonsense about her being a mythical creature, she chalks it up to one more crazy thing to add to her it’s-a-crappy-life list. Yet, when his predictions start to come true, she'll need his help to beat back the darkness-spawned creatures invading her reality.
Pretty soon Gabe has her running half way across the country in search of answers. As a bond grows between them, Cassie worries not about losing her mind to the paranormal madness, nor her life to hellish monsters. Rather her deepest fear is surrendering her heart to a powerful man fallen from grace.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know?
Yelena: Reading was my first passion, followed very closely by writing – both since I was a kid. Through the years, writing was a part of my life in one way or another but it wasn’t until after college, and after meeting Tina, that I realized that I want writing to be a very serious part of my life.
Tina: Writing became a part of my life at a very young age. I was five when I wrote my first poem, seven when I wrote my first short story, and nine when I wrote my first “book”. I was serious about it all through college, but didn’t really enter the arena of the publishing world until Yelena and I started collaborating.
What inspired you to write your first book and what was it?
Yelena: It was a combination of a challenge and meeting a friend who shared the interest for writing and reminded me how much I love it. As far as the genre, I have always enjoyed romance and fantasy, and I just got into the urban fantasy at the time. It was a no brainer.
Tina: It was a Jumanji-style adventure based on Monopoly. Did I mention I was nine? J
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Yelena: Our characters and experiences in the novel are not based on anyone, or any specific events, per se but there are definitely bits and pieces of personalities we’ve come across in some of the characters.
Tina: My hub certainly likes to think so. I’ll let you guess which attributes he thinks are based on him. But, really it is a combination of life experiences and tidbits of different personalities.
How do you choose when/which characters die in your books?
Yelena: Any time a character dies, the reason and the timing has to have a good reason and have meaning to the story. It should not be a forced event for the purpose of moving the story along.
Tina: Well, since I threaten to kill of a character pretty much every time Yelena and I sit down for a writing session, I’d say that it’s a miracle any are left at all. Seriously, it is always organic to the story. Although, I reserve the right to have a takeover by ninja-robots or alien-zombies at any time. You’ve been warned.
Who do you look up to as a writer?
Yelena: I can name many authors that I look up to, especially in my genre, but I will say instead that I look up to writers who love their craft, always strive to improve it and produce amazing stories that entertain, emotionally touch the reader and make them love (or hate) the characters. As far as actual names, my writing idols include classics like Alexander Dumas, Michael Bulgakov, Ray Bradbury and, among my own genre, Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh and Faith Hunter.
Tina: J.R.R. Tolkien will always be the epitome of fantasy for me. Yet, modern day in my genre include: Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Jeaniene Frost, and J.R. Ward.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Yelena: I’m not a fast writer, and sometimes that frustrates me. I would love to be able to write more and faster. But what is more important to me is a good story written well.
Tina: Time. I’m convinced I’d be more productive if days were 36 hours and I could sleep for 16 of them. Otherwise, plot holes drive me to distraction. I can’t write further until I’ve solved them.
What book are you reading now? Or what genre?
Yelena: I’m alternating between historical fiction and urban fantasy.
Tina: I’m reading Evangeline Anderson’s sci-fi romance, Brides of the Kindred. She’s up to the fourteenth in the series and each one is better than the last.
Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?
Yelena: This awesome cover was designed by our own Tina Moss and I absolutely love it!
Tina: Aw shucks. I love graphic design. It’s almost as fun as writing. J
Did you learn anything from writing your books and what was it?
Yelena: While writing A Touch of Darkness, we had to learn about what it means to co-write and find the most effective and productive ways to work together. I believe our co-writing process is much more streamlined now and we know each other’s writing styles well. Also, each and every book one writes teaches the writer something as long as the writer is open and receptive to the lessons.
Tina: I feel a little spoiled by the experience. Co-writing with Yelena was very natural. Our styles fit so well and complimented each other so easily that we never had any big problems. We’ve just learned how to do it better and quicker after the first go around. Now, if we just had those 36 hours days.
If you could be one of your characters, who would you chose?
Yelena: I think I would choose Cassie because I can see a little bit of myself in her. I’m more of an introvert but over the years I definitely expanded my horizons and overcame some fears. Cassie grows in many ways from the first time we meet her through the end of the first book.
Tina: Hmmm….I kind of want to be Val. Demon-king of Las Vegas? Not a bad gig. Ok, so he’s the villain, but really he’s such a complicated character. I want to get inside his head more
Yelena: Thank you and we love you!
Tina: We appreciate our readers SO MUCH! If you enjoyed AToD, please consider joining Team Ninja. We do awesome giveaways and extra special snippets just for our ninjas.
About the Authors:
Yelena Casale is an award-winning author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she moved to New York at thirteen. Being very curious, she has been a devoted reader and writer since childhood. As a 2nd degree black belt and instructor in Shotokan karate, an avid traveler, and history and art enthusiast, she weaves universal themes with martial arts philosophies into her stories. She lives with her amazing, supportive husband and the best Siamese cats. In her spare time, she reads, paints, watches cool shows on TV and tries to get more sleep.
Website: www.yelenacasale.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Yelena_Casale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yelena.casale.5
Tina Moss is an award-winning author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and New Adult novels. She lives in NYC with a supportive husband and alpha corgi, though both males hog the bed and refuse to share the covers. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching cheesy horror flicks, traveling, and karate. As a 5'1" Shotokan black belt, she firmly believes that fierce things come in small packages.
Website: www.tinamoss.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Tina_Moss
Tour giveaway
5 eBooks of A Touch of Darkness
$10 Amazon or BN gift card
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