Interview and Giveaway (Intl) with Paranormal Romance Author Sara Reinke

Please welcome Sara Reinke to Book of Secrets today! 

Dark Passages is the latest book in your Brethren series. Please tell us about it.

Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

Karen has always felt an inexplicable attraction to Tristan. More than just the fact he's strikingly handsome, it's as if being with him is something natural, comfortable and right. But soon a brash choice on his part leaves her heartbroken and confused, and a sadistic new enemy will put their newfound love -- and their lives -- to the ultimate test

How does Dark Passages tie in with the previous books in the series?

Dark Passages takes place shortly after the ending of the preceding book, Dark Passion (Book 3), in which both Tristan and Karen were introduced. Readers get to catch up with some of their favorite characters, like Brandon Noble, in Dark Passages, as well as get to know others, like Michel Morin, a little better. I add in a new character, Tristan’s uncle Mason, who I think readers will really enjoy. And of course, the story’s villain, Jean Luc, is one of the Davenants, the rival clan to both the Nobles and Morins who have been around, causing trouble, since Dark Hunger (Book 2).

What makes the vampires you've created unique from other paranormal romances?

Part of the fun in creating and building the world of the Brethren has been reimagining a lot of the common stereotypes and tropes we associate with vampires. For example, I decided that the Brethren weren’t immortal or immune to injury. In my mind, their metabolisms are heightened, so much more accelerated than that of a human, that they’re able to live a long time—centuries, compared to our shorter spans—and can heal rapidly from just about any but the most catastrophic illness or injury. But they’re still mortal; still vulnerable. I wanted my vampires to be, to humans, as wolves are to dog—genetically similar in almost every way, and yet different in key aspects inherent to their nature.

How do you develop your plots and characters?  Do you use any set formula?

Not that I’m aware of. Usually I come up with the characters and ideas for future stories while in the midst of works in progress. Tristan is a terrific example. He was originally meant to be only a secondary character introduced in Dark Passion (Book 3). But I wound up really liking his personality as I wrote him, enough so that I thought he needed his own book, a storyline where readers could find out more about him—and so could I.

Besides writing, what are your other passions in life?

Definitely my family. In addition to writing, I work full-time and go to nursing school in the evenings, so spending time with my family is definitely one of my favorite indulgences. Sometimes there’s no better escape from the stress of everyday life than to just kick back on the couch with my kids beside me, a quilt around all of us, and my husband making us a gigantic bowl of popcorn to share.

Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

Other than the fact that I write just about anywhere? LOL. Seriously – I used to have a beautiful little home office dedicated solely to my creative writing. I had my desk, my computer, my inspiration posters—it was very much my sanctuary. Then I had kids, and life completely changed. No more office, no more dedicated time or place for writing. It’s very much catch-as-catch-can with me, whether it’s early in the morning before anyone else is awake or late at night after everyone’s asleep.

In closing, is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

Readers can check out the promotional video for Dark Passages: Tristan & Karen at my website: http://www.sarareinke.com/. At the Flash version, you’ll also find an exclusive “About the Brethren” page that fills readers in on the series to date, and the different characters introduced so far.

Plus, for a limited time, readers can subscribe to my e-Newsletter and receive a FREE ebook copy of Dark Thirst, Book One in The Brethren Series. There’s no better way to be introduced to the world of the Brethren vampires than with the book that started it all!

About the Book:

Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

Karen has always felt an inexplicable attraction to Tristan. More than just the fact he's strikingly handsome, it's as if being with him is something natural, comfortable and right. But soon a brash choice on his part leaves her heartbroken and confused, and a sadistic new enemy will put their tentative love -- and their lives -- to the ultimate test.

Excerpt:

Tristan Morin shoved Karen Pierce back into the nearest wall and pressed his mouth against hers. The warmth of her lips, the sweetness of her tongue, saliva and breath—it was enough to strip the senses from him.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, because it was all he could do not to wrench her head back by the hair and sink his teeth into the hot, pulsating length of her carotid artery. His canines had extended, dropping from recessed grooves in his gum line. His pupils had enlarged, an ancient, primitive reflex that left them dilating wide enough to nearly swallow the visible portions of his irises and corneas. In this sudden, extremely light-sensitive field of vision, Karen’s pale skin seemed to glow, miniscule droplets of perspiration glistening against her face like diamonds.

“No.” She shook her head defiantly, her cheeks flushed, her blonde hair askew, her blue eyes glossy and round with eager anticipation.

He reached between them, ripping open her blouse with a single, forceful yank. Buttons popped loose, scattering against the floor. She wore no bra beneath; he drew back long enough to shrug his way out of his own shirt, then pushed himself into her, feeling the incredible heat of her body, the bullet points of her nipples against his chest.

“Tell me to stop,” he pleaded again, because if he didn’t, he was going to feed from her. And I can’t do that. God help me, I can’t.

Giveaway Details:

  

Sara is giving away signed paperback copies of Dark Thirst and Dark Hunger, as well as a download of Dark Passages to one person who leaves a comment on her book tour. Click HERE for Sara's tour schedule. The the more tour stops you comment on, the better your chances of winning!  International entries are welcome.  Please leave a way to contact you in your comment.  Good luck!