Today is the First Day of a New Book

Alistair here ~ and today is the day I began a new book. With The Black Wasp (book 3 of the Vampires of Crimson Cove series) in the editor’s hands, and not a lot going on besides some book marketing and the disposal of an old sofa, I figured I might as well do some writing. Since I’m dying to find out what happens next, I’ve decided to dive right into book 4 of the Crimson Cove series which, for now, I am referring to only as TMR.

TMR picks up where The Black Wasp leaves off, and given that it hasn’t even been released yet, I can’t say a whole lot more about it except that things have really changed for my protagonist, Cade Colter. The Black Wasp not only introduced new characters, but new motives as well – and those motives are what will drive TMR and leave poor Cade with some pretty big fish to fry. And by “pretty big” I actually mean huge.

To simplify it, he’s in way over his head, and when The Black Wasp comes out (this summer!) you’ll see why. Even as I was writing today, I realized just how much Cade is underestimating his situation and how little he actually understands. I’m currently feeling very bad for him, but I can’t help it – I’m a sucker for the drama. There’s nothing more fun than a character who’s bitten off way more than they can chew (insert evil laugh here.)

With so many endings on the horizon, I’m feeling especially excited about the new project (not only was The Black Wasp recently finished, but Tamara and I are creeping up on the climax of our next Thorne & Cross standalone, Spite House, as well as wrapping up the final scenes in Shadowlands, book 4 of The Ravencrest Saga), and no doubt adding to my excitement is the fact that this, the beginning, is my favorite part of the book. It might sound strange to say I prefer the beginnings and (and even the middles) to the endings, but I do – and not just in the books I’m writing, the ones I’m reading, too. Endings just kind of depress me, I guess, but the good news is, you can always start the next one – so, that’s what I did.

I wish I could tell you more about it, but for now, I need to keep its secrets close. When The Black Wasp comes out in the next month or two, maybe I’ll be able to say more …

Until then, happy reading, writing, or whatever it is that makes you shine, and just because, apropos of nothing, here’s me with my familiar, Pawpurrazzi, who oversees all my writing.

~Alistair

Writing with Pawpurrazzi, sometime last year

Behind the Book: Gretchen and Her Corset

Little known fact: Gretchen VanTreese, she of the crimson corset, was originally introduced as a throwaway character who was meant to die in her first and only scene, but the moment I started writing her, she took over the page, and ultimately took the plot to new, twisted depths I never would have dreamed up on my own. Her notorious corset is just one of the many diabolical delights she’s given me …

The Crimson Corset, book one in The Vampires of Crimson Cove series, is available in all formats at Amazon.com

Sweet screams,

Alistair

From The Black Wasp

A description of Gretchen VanTreese, through the eyes of the local sheriff, Ethan Hunter.

Gretchen was originally meant to be a very minor character who dies right away, but here we are, three books into the series, and she’s still alive (in a manner of speaking) and biting. Sometimes characters do that, and I’ve learned to let them. Gretchen’s presence has changed the DNA of this series in ways that have surprised – and pleased – even me.

~ Alistair

P.S. – The Black Wasp, book 3 in the Vampires of Crimson Cove series, is coming soon

CANDLE BAY is Available in Audiobook!

Tamara Thorne’s CANDLE BAY is now available now on audiobook!: https://adbl.co/3qJl3bl – Narrated by the one and only Jamison Walker!

Shrouded in fog on a hillside high above an isolated California coastal town, The Candle Bay Hotel and Spa has been restored to its former glory after decades of neglect. Thanks to its new owners, the Darlings, the opulent inn is once again filled with prosperous guests.

But its seemingly all-American hosts hide a chilling, age-old family secret. Lured to the picturesque spot, assistant concierge Amanda Pearce is mesmerized by her surroundings – and her seductive new boss, Stephen Darling. But her employers’ eccentric ways and suspicious blood splatters in the hotel fill her with trepidation.

Little does Amanda know that not only are the Darlings vampires, but that a murderous vampire vendetta is about to begin – and she will be caught in the middle. For as the feud unfolds and her feelings for Stephen deepen, Amanda must face the greatest decision of her life: to die, or join the forever undead.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro says, “Tamara Thorne has an uncanny knack for combining the outrageous with the shuddery, making for wonderful scary romps and fun reading.”

Book Quote of the Day

Book Quote of the Day

Book Quote of the Day

From The Silver Dagger

The Crimson Corset is Available in Audiobook!

It’s been a group effort but after much work and many months, The Crimson Corset is available in audiobook! Here it is, next to me and the narrator, Allen Andrews, who did a bang-up job with all of my characters (though I’m particularly fond of his take on bookstore owner, Dora Langley.) I thought we’d look nice next to Gretchen VanTreese, undead femme fatale and self-proclaimed star of the book, in her very special crimson corset (you’ll have to give the audiobook a listen to find out what’s so special about it, but trust me, it’s special.)

Check out the audiobook at: https://amzn.to/38ns7DY

And for more about Allen, visit: www.allenandrewsactor.com

For me: https://alistaircross.com

An awesome blurb from Jay Bonansinga, New York Times bestselling author of THE WALKING DEAD series:

Come with us and Live Forever

Candle Bay – https://amzn.to/2GEkduq – “Tamara Thorne has an uncanny knack for combining the outrageous with the shuddery, making for wonderful scary romps and fun reading.” ~ Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, author of the SAINT-GERMAIN CYCLE

The Crimson Corset – https://amzn.to/3jEZm8W – “Put Bram Stoker in a giant cocktail shaker, add a pinch of Laurell K. Hamilton, a shot of John Carpenter, and a healthy jigger of absinthe, and you’ll end up with Alistair Cross’s modern Gothic chiller, “The Crimson Corset” – a deliciously terrifying tale that will sink its teeth into you from page one.”~ Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WALKING DEAD: INVASION and LUCID

Darling Girls – https://amzn.to/3iCS9EM – “With Darling Girls, Thorne & Cross have united their brutal and sexy vampire sagas, conjuring a riot of vibrant characters all charging toward a clever, chilling conclusion of bloody mayhem and carnage.”~ Michael Schutz, author of Edging