Interview with Lisa Kessler

So, tell us a little bit about you. What makes you tick? 

Let’s see…  I’m a married Mom of two.  When I’m not writing, I’m often singing around San Diego.  Music definitely motivates me, so every book has a playlist to help me keep moving forward.

Lisa is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky winner. For a chance to win, please leave a comment with your email address in the following format" parayournormal(at)gmail(dot)com. We will announce the winner on Sunday.

How long have you been writing and who or what inspired you to write?

I started writing for fun in the 90’s and in 2000 I took the family to New Orleans.  During the trip, I visited a palm reader.  At the end of the reading as she was walking me out of the shop she stopped me at the door and said, “Can I ask you something?” “Sure.”  She asked, “Are you a writer?” I shook my head with a shrug. “Not really.  I do write every night, but it’s just for fun.”  She smiled and I swear her eyes twinkled.  “You’re going to be a famous writer someday.”

I left the shop in a daze, and 6 months later I had the first draft of Night Walker done and my first short stories published. It took a few rewrites to get the book anywhere near publishable, but she definitely planted the seed to seek publication. J

Now on to the important bit, your book. Can you tell us about it?

When I decided to write a novel, I wanted to write a vampire book, but I wanted them originated in the Americas instead of Europe.  I also wanted to tie in local San Diego history.  Finding an unsolved mystery about the attack on the Mission De Alcala in the 1700’s, Calisto’s story came alive.  The tagline on the book really nailed the heart of the story.  “He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…”

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

Keep practicing your craft.  I find short fiction to be a great place to try new things and expand without the fear of “ruining” your novel.  The more you write the better you get… J

Are there any new authors you are interested in for us to watch out for and why should we watch out for them?

She’s not “new” but she hasn’t hit any lists just yet…  If you haven’t read Jeri Smith-Ready yet, you’re really missing out!  She has a fabulous WVMP Vampire series and a new YA Shade trilogy out that are both incredible.  She manages to keep the story dark, but her characters still have a clever wit.

Is this your first book?

Yes.

Do you have plans for more? 

Yes, I’m currently editing Night Demon which is the second book in the Night Series.  There will be three books and a novella.

Which comes first the character or the plot?

For me it’s the character.  The plots usually come as I’m writing.  For the Night Series, the plot for book 2 came alive when I met the character in Night Walker.

Describe your main characters in a single word.

Oh that’s hard! LOL  Calisto – Sensual and Kate – Haunted.

Okay, now you can tell us more about them?  

Calisto has waited over 200 years to find his lost love.  By the opening of the book he’s lost hope and bitterness has taken root.  Kate has come back home to San Diego after a painful break up with her fiancé. Ever since childhood she’s been tormented by the same nightmare of a woman being chased by a man on horseback.  When she meets Calisto she can’t explain the connection she feels to him, and for the first time, her dreams start to change.

What do you think about book trailers? I like book trailers! 

I think it’s important to keep them from being too long though.  We live in an ADD society.  I don’t think most people will give a book trailer more than 2 minutes.

What is your favourite scene?

One of my favorite scenes is the moment Calisto and Kate cross paths for the first time.  He remembers her instantly even though he hasn’t seen her face in over 200 years, but she has no memory of him so he’s forced to keep his distance… J

Can we read it?

Kate watched them wander off before kneeling closer to the cross. Unable to stop herself, she traced her finger along the T in the center.

Behind her, someone cleared his throat. Kate jerked her hand away and shot to her feet. When she turned around she found a tall, dark-haired man staring at her.

Her cheeks flushed with heat. She hoped he hadn’t witnessed her touching the relic. She waited for some kind of admonishment, but he didn’t say anything.

Not with words.

Something in his dark eyes captured her. His gaze wandered over her face like a tender caress, and strangely, instead of screaming for Lori and Edie, she caught herself imagining his touch on her skin.

“I hope I did not frighten you,” he said.

His deep voice resonated through the empty courtyard, and the intimate tone weakened her knees. The hint of a Spanish accent didn’t hurt, either. Nervous laughter escaped her before she could contain it.

Her face warmed all over again. “Just a little startled. I didn’t see anyone else out here.”

He stepped closer without encroaching on her personal space, his eyes locked with hers from beneath thick lashes. “Forgive me.”

She swallowed hard and prayed she wasn’t blushing. “No problem.” She looked away before she embarrassed herself even further, focusing on the cross. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

“Si.” He nodded slowly. “Yes, it is.” His barely there smile made her think he wasn’t referring to the flowers or the cross. “I am Calisto. Calisto Terana.”

Expectation hung as heavy as the scent of eucalyptus, as if he waited to hear something more than just her name.

“I’m Kate.” Instead of offering to shake his hand, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The honor is mine, Kate... ” His accent colored the vowel in her name. It had never sounded more beautiful. She reminded herself to breathe.

When he hesitated for a moment waiting for her to speak, she realized she hadn’t shared her last name as he had. She flipped through a rapid pro and con mental checklist, and decided it couldn’t hurt. Maybe they would meet again.

 “Bradley,” she said.

 A sexy smile curved at the corners of his lips. “I hope this will not be our last meeting.”

She glanced around the shadowed courtyard, feeling vulnerable, and almost gave in to her first instinct—to run. But she remembered her promise to herself. Be strong. Take action. She lifted her chin and said, “I guess you never know.”

With a smile that said he had every intention of seeing her again, he tipped his head. “Buenos noches, Kate Bradley.”

Her heart raced and her palms sweated when she realized he meant to leave. No man made her palms sweat. Ever.

His gaze held hers for a moment, full of unspoken promises she didn’t understand. Without another word, he walked away. 

Where can readers connect with you?

          http://Lisa-Kessler.com

             http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter

            http://facebook.com/NightSeries

           http://goodreads.com/LisaKessler

Where can readers purchase your book?

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Night-Walker-ebook/dp/B005EYT7JW/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Barnes & Noble - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Night-Walker/Lisa-Kessler/e/9781937044138

Books on Board - http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=1063616