Release of Book 3 of
The Gates Legacy Series
Ascension
by Lorenz Font
Release Date: January 8, 2015
Published by The Writers Coffee Shop
Genre: FICTION / Romance / General / Paranormal /Supernatural
ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-364-5
~~SUMMARY~~
Rohnert is descended from a long line of pure-blooded vampires ruled by the Vampire Council. Quiet and principled, he is known for his combat expertise and is beloved by peers and students alike. When his former ally, Goran, becomes the Council leader and the killing starts, Rohnert strikes out on his own.
The vampire race is in upheaval when he discovers a black book that contains the wisdom and history of his people. Rohnert refuses to support Goran’s tyrannical rule and has no interest in ruling himself, no matter what the book foretells. He allies with freedom fighters led by the indomitable Harrow Gates. However, the prophecies fail to prepare him to handle one passionate and determined human doctor.
The last thing Shelly Anderson wanted was to fall in love. After meeting enigmatic and reclusive Rohnert, her resolve quickly crumbles. Their one night together ends in a nightmare. She is determined to carry on without him, but Rohnert’s unexpected reentry into her life derails her plans.
While she teaches him how powerful a human’s love can be, Rohnert realizes the lengths he is willing to go to keep her close and safe, even if it means violating a long-standing decree among pure-blooded vampires to keep their bloodlines intact.
When Goran begins to kill off the remaining Vampire Council Elders, Harrow’s rebels urge Rohnert to step in. It isn’t until harsh reality comes knocking at his door that his choice becomes clear. Rohnert must do whatever he can to save the people he loves or risk losing them forever. However, the reluctant savior may already be too late to protect the lives that matter most.
Interview with Lorenz:
- How did you come up with the idea for The Gates’ Legacy series?
My
take on these popular creatures spun from a conversation with a friend. He
asked me what happens if a vampire has Aids. The question got me thinking.
I couldn’t give an answer right away, but the idea stayed with me. It took me a few days to sit down and write the first chapter. After that, I still had no clear foresight of what I wanted in the story, so I didn’t force it. After a few months, I started thinking about the question again. To be honest, when I began writing, I only had a vision of the beginning and end, and certainly didn’t plan on writing a series. As soon as chapter two of Hunted was underway and Harrow became alive in my head, scene after scene started popping and I found myself writing a chapter per day. That is a lot considering I didn’t have an outline.
When all of it became real in my head, there was no stopping me. Harrow is sick and hunted. The Vampire Council is out to get him. The concept is simple, but the integration of sub-plots and colorful characters added ‘meat’ and excitement to the story. By the end of Hunted, the ideas for the next books in the series were firm inside my head.
I couldn’t give an answer right away, but the idea stayed with me. It took me a few days to sit down and write the first chapter. After that, I still had no clear foresight of what I wanted in the story, so I didn’t force it. After a few months, I started thinking about the question again. To be honest, when I began writing, I only had a vision of the beginning and end, and certainly didn’t plan on writing a series. As soon as chapter two of Hunted was underway and Harrow became alive in my head, scene after scene started popping and I found myself writing a chapter per day. That is a lot considering I didn’t have an outline.
When all of it became real in my head, there was no stopping me. Harrow is sick and hunted. The Vampire Council is out to get him. The concept is simple, but the integration of sub-plots and colorful characters added ‘meat’ and excitement to the story. By the end of Hunted, the ideas for the next books in the series were firm inside my head.
- Harrow is not like most guys – alpha male material – and yet we can’t help but fall in love with him for his sensitivity. Is he based on someone in your life? How’d his character come to be?
Harrow is a unique character that
sprung out of nowhere. He is not based on a real-life person. When the idea for
Hunted was conceived, I only have a
name and circumstance surrounding the character. As the story progressed, he
became much more prominent and took over. Everything I wrote was dictated by him
and the people he dealt with. Harrow is a kind soul and he is not afraid to
show his tender side. The more I write him, the more real he becomes. Maybe
this will come as a surprise, but I actually had several interesting
conversation with him.
- Tell us about Tor?
Tor is a fun character to write. He
is a gritty, in-your-face type of guy, and he is not afraid to say things as he
sees them. He has a great banter with Harrow throughout the first book and they
feed off each other. Tor gets along with everyone. He is loyal and has a soft
spot for women. There are many moments wherein he provided the comic relief in
tense scenes.
- Jordan is a tough woman hell-bent on revenge. What do you have planned for her in the future?
Jordan is
unpredictable. I’m sure you will agree with me if you have read the story
already. She dances to her own beat and takes crap from no one. She’s a loosely
based on someone I know. *grins*
I can’t
say much about her role in the future books except she’ll be pivotal in the end
of book three which is Ascension.
- You created a colorful cast of side characters. Which one(s) was your favorite to write, and do you plan to feature them more in future books?
Gee, aside
from the major characters, Jethro (Hunted)
is one of my favorite. Though he is a minor character, I found him
giggle-worthy every time he graces the scene. I love the way he dress and talk.
Yessur!
Another
character that I found engaging is Alonzo (Ascension),
Zo for short. He is Rohnert’s sidekick and lightens up the dark mood whenever
he opens his mouth. He is a fun character to write, especially his salsa-outing
antics.
Another
noteworthy character to mention is Aemerria. She will be introduced in book 4, Reckoning, and you will find her
intriguing after the first mention. She is going to be a pivotal character in
the 5th book, Redemption.
- What other projects are in the works for you?
Currently,
I’m in edits for Reckoning, Book 4 of
the series, slated for release on June 4. I’m very excited about this
particular installment because I will be introducing a new ‘rare’ breed of
vampires. If you have been following the series, each book focuses on a
particular character and their love interest. Reckoning features Cyrus and Isidora, and their struggles to
embrace their new identities and their role in each other’s lives. Reckoning is a very special project for
me since I wrote the story while doing four edits at the same time, on top of
promoting Pieces of Broken Time,
which was released last July. If not with the help of my dedicated beta-readers
and friends, Tbird, Wendy and Claudia, who were willing to read while I write
because of my deadline to produce the manuscript, I wouldn’t have finished the
story and still maintain my sanity.
We are also
prepping up for the March re-release of Indivisible Line, a romantic thriller
set in the beautiful land of Beaver, Alaska and of course, my favorite, New
York City.
These are
all my projects for 2015. Then I plan to spend the rest of the year promoting,
gathering my wits and hopefully catch my writing mojo again. It has been a
crazy 2014, but I feel so blessed to be surrounded by a supporting group of
family and friends.
- Tell us about your journey to becoming published.
I can’t
say the path was clear and easy. I had my share of heartaches. Many writers,
I’m certain, will agree with me when I say that rejection is a part of the
deal. It is almost a ‘rite of passage’. I’m glad it didn’t take long for my
stories to find a home. Each time I submitted a manuscript, I didn’t sit around
and wait, I kept writing. All it takes is to have the right mindset, motivation
and attitude.
- Which authors influence you the most?
Let’s just say I love reading Stephen
King’s, JR Ward’s and Nicholas Sparks’ stories. These are authors whose writing
evokes a multitude of strong emotions in me. I have their stories in book form,
on my Kindle, and audio book collections.
~~EXCERPT~~
The flimsy door was torn off its hinges like a piece of cardboard. “What the hell is going on here?” Rohnert’s voice rattled everything around them, sending the bottles of precious anesthetics to the floor with a loud crash. “Don’t you ever knock?” Shelly wobbled to the nearest chair and flopped onto it clumsily. “I heard you cry. What’s wrong?” Rohnert rushed to her side, ignoring her question, and placed his hand on her belly. It could have been the warmth of his touch or some quack medicinal magic, but her back felt instant relief. Shelly had wanted to deny him the privilege of connecting with their unborn child. Instead, she smothered a moan at the glorious reprieve he brought to her. She was much too proud to acknowledge how his presence soothed her. “Nothing’s wrong. I probably pulled a muscle when I bent down to pick up the scissors.” She tried to move away from him, to disconnect herself from his touch. Cheryl took one look at Rohnert, and without a word took her leave. Mort scrambled to his feet and followed suit. Rohnert kept his hand on her back. “You’re lying.” He peered at her. Shelly bit her tongue to keep herself from lobbing another furious retort. She looked away, focusing on the exit. He had no right to look so attractive and virile, and her heart shouldn’t be hammering against her chest the way it was. Under his close scrutiny, she felt vulnerable, naked almost, and she hated the sexual stirring in her gut. “You look tired.” “I’m fine. It’s my normal. I have to go to work now.” “You’re done working for the night.” Rohnert’s eyes bore into hers. The command in voice would have sent others seeking for cover. She was no pushover. “You’re not telling me what to do.” Shelly stood up and bolted past him. Rohnert was quick to restrain her, and he spun her around to face him. “I’m not doing this to annoy you. You have to look after yourself and our child. Your schedule doesn’t allow you enough rest.” Sure. He was going all gallant on her, showing concern. It was a bit too cozy and little too late. “No, it isn’t,” he said, answering her unspoken words. “I left because I wanted to protect—” “Oh spare me the details. You left because you’re afraid to show you care. Now that I’m pregnant, you come waltzing back into my life to take control. If you’re concerned for the child’s well-being, don’t be. I’m going to let It know who the sperm donor is.” She watched his face harden. “Do not call our child It. We’re going to give him a name, and I’m not just a donor. I intend to be a part of his life every step of the way.” So he had been eavesdropping. Just for kicks, she pushed on. “And how do you propose that we go about doing that?” Shelly held Rohnert’s gaze with enough challenge to discourage any man. His features softened, and his eyes crinkled. “I want a ceremony to bind us. I don’t want my son to be born a bastard.” As in getting married? Her chest felt weird all of a sudden, inflating at the prospect, but she tamped down her excitement. Where in hell does this man get these silly notions? “And if I won’t do it?” Rohnert smiled, exposing the tips of his fangs. “You won’t deny your child the life he deserves.” Too cocky for his own good. Shelly snorted and shook her head. “This child deserves to live in peace away from the killings and without the fear of getting killed.” It was obvious that she’d struck a nerve when his nostrils flared. Shelly stifled a smile. “I will protect my child with my life.” He pulled her closer until their faces were almost touching and held her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You won’t get rid of me, even if you try.” Without giving her a chance to answer, he cupped her face with his big hands and captured her mouth in a hungry kiss, demanding her to respond. Shelly planted her palms against his chest and pushed. Rohnert didn’t budge. He growled against her lips and deepened the kiss, rendering her breathless and weak in the knees. Her hands relaxed then fisted in his jacket, finally feeling the burn of his mouth. Oh, God. How could she think straight? She prided herself on being tough, and she usually stuck to her resolve. Yet Rohnert short circuited her brain, making it difficult to think of anything but getting him between her legs. His hands wound down to the small of her back and pressed her body until there was not a hairline of space between them. She felt lightheaded. This had to stop. She wasn’t going to . . . Shelly moaned, unable to stop herself from touching his face. If she were truthful with herself, she wanted this and needed him like air. She also needed a doctor. It was obvious she was sick in the head. She had vowed not to allow him walk all over her, and look at what was she doing—allowing him to trample her will and moaning like a sex-starved kitten while he did.
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her vampire novels Hunted and Tormented, the first and second book of The Gates Legacy Series, Indivisible Line, a romantic thriller, Feather Light, an erotic romance and Pieces of Broken Time, a military romance.
Lorenz’s perfect day consists of writing and lounging on her garage couch, aka the office, with a glass of her favorite cabernet while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.
Lorenz lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between her full-time job and her busy writing schedule.
Be sure to look for books one and two if you haven't read them yet!
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Praise for Ascension
"The best way for me to describe Ascension is, come for the smoking hot vampires and stay for the action, suspense and gut wrenching drama. It’s not hard to fall under the spell of the visionary creation of Lorenz Font." - Jolene, Valley Girl Gone Country
No comments:
Post a Comment