[Note from Frolic: We’re so excited to have author Kristen Proby guest post on the site today! She’s talking about her journey from contemporary to paranormal romance. Take it away, Kristen!]
In preparing to publish my newest romance, Shadows, on October 29th, I’ve had so many messages from readers asking me why. Why have I suddenly decided to write a paranormal romance, with the creep factor of a serial killer? Rather than give a short answer, I decided it might be best to write a thoughtful, cohesive article about the book, and where my mind was when writing it.
First of all, my heart and soul will always be committed to sexy, contemporary romance. That will never change. 99% of what I write and release will continue to be in the genre I love, and am well-known for, so no need to panic if paranormal romance isn’t your jam!
Since I was a young reader, I loved getting lost in stories that had a little piece of magic in them. Have you ever read Nora Roberts’s trilogies, set in Ireland? There are faeries and ghosts weaved masterfully into her stories. And in her more recent books, she’s gradually introduced more witchcraft (the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy is a great example of this) and even serial killers. I love reading her books, and have been a long time fan of hers.
Another author that writes in this genre that I just can’t get enough of is Kay Hooper. The Bishop Files, a long running series that features FBI agents with special psychic abilities, and serial killers is one of my very favorites! Ms. Hooper is the queen of writing a chilling tale.
And, let’s not forget the amazing series on Netflix, You, which is from the book of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. That show is INSANELY amazing. So much so that I’ve watched the first season twice.
So, because I’m a fan of this particular genre, it makes sense that as a writer, as an artist, I’d want to try my hand at writing something similar. The story of Shadows, and the three sisters at the core of the story, has been in my head for roughly two years. They’ve been talking, wanting their story to make it onto the page, but frankly, I didn’t have time for them.
I have three other on-going series that fill my time, and my reader’s time as well. So, I had to wait until the time was right to start on Shadows.
Because of the subject matter, it made sense to release this book at Halloween. I know a lot of us who love to sink our teeth into something a little spooky at this time of year, so this past summer, I sat down and got to work.
And a serial killer took up residence in my mind.
I can honestly say that writing this book was the hardest, and most rewarding project of my career to date. The romance is there, but woven in amongst it is a quest, magic, psychics and witches.
And a killer.
I absolutely loved writing this story. And for those of you who’ve asked, yes, there will be more stories in the series, each released at Halloween until the series is finished.
I’ve also been asked if I believe in what I wrote, if I have any first-hand experience, and how I researched for the book.
I do believe in mediums and psychics. I think there is a lot happening around us that we can’t see. As for the rest? Ghosts and potions? I don’t know. Everything in Shadows is from my imagination. I don’t know anyone who actually sees shadows, and, to my knowledge, I don’t have any friends who can conjure up a love potion. I simply sat down to write, and made it up as I went. Shadows is 100% fiction. I did use Google to research terms, so I didn’t get everything wrong, but the meat of the story is from my mind.
And so, with that said, I hope you’ll take the time to read Shadows, the first installment of the Bayou Magic series. I do suggest, however, that you keep the lights on while you read.
Best wishes,Â
Kristen
About the Author:
Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.Â
During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.
Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.Â
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.
Connect with Kristen:
Shadows by Kristen Proby, out now!
I am never alone. Not even when I am alone.
I see the unquiet dead, the souls that wander through the French Quarter.
They can’t move on, and I can’t stop seeing them.
I wear malachite for protection, and I control what I let in. It’s the only way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.
An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.
Open myself up to Cassian.
If I do, it could spell his death.
But if I don’t, it’s mine.
