I’d like to introduce the author in the following interview. It was nice getting to know Claudine a bit better. Stay with us for an intriguing excerpt of A Darker Rain and follow her on her tour for more chances to win a $20 Amazon gift card.
Claudine, I prefer to drive a manual transmission as well. Odd coincidence…
What is your greatest temptation:
In men: Clever, funny, fit – with an appreciation for the simple things in life
In food: Chocolate in any form – milk chocolate, dark or white, they’re all good
In clothes: Casual, comfortable – you won’t find any stiletto heels in my closet
What is your greatest weakness (example: buying shoes)?
Buying e-books and music. I have an enormous collection of each and am always on the lookout for something new that appeals. I should consider buying stock in Amazon and Apple.
If you could have any kind of car, what would it be?
That’s tricky because I don’t know how to drive a standard. So while I find a variety of high-performance sports cars appealing, the reality is I need an automatic. My preference is for two-door coupes that handle well. My characters, on the other hand, have no issues with driving a standard. Ryan Cole drives an Audi TT (although the model isn’t specified in the book).
Your dream home – mountains or ocean?
Definitely ocean. There’s something elemental about the ocean – the sounds, the scents, the rhythmic power of the waves. I love to snorkel and I indulge whenever vacation travel brings me to a tropical beach. My bucket list includes swimming with wild dolphins.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I suspect most writers get stuck now and again. Whenever I feel blocked, I take a break from what I’m working on to create some space for fresh ideas to percolate. I generally have more than one creative work in process at the same time so I tend to go with the flow, working with whatever ideas arise. I also sometimes write chapters out of sequence within the same book, if that’s what comes up. So I may stop working on a scene that I’m stuck on and move on to another scene or chapter that’s easier to express.
What are you currently working on?
I recently published my first novel, A Darker Rain, which is the first book in the Ryan Cole action-adventure series. The series follows a team of investigators who tackle unconventional security threats, including those posed by beings and technology from other worlds.
I’ve finished a first draft of the second book in the series and I’m working with my editor to get that book finalized and ready for publication. In the second book, Cole and his team are on the hunt for a spaceship that has crashed in the Mojave Desert, while someone from Cole’s past engages him in a dangerous investigation that puts him in the crosshairs of his greatest adversary.
At the same time, I’m also writing the third book in the series, in which Cole and his team go head-to-head with a new and dangerous threat – an alien that feeds on human blood – while Cole has to deal with the implications of newly discovered alien technology.
Are you nervous about friends reading your book?
Not really. I’m happy with the book and how all the pieces came together. I’m also pleased with the feedback I’ve received so far. I’m excited to see how the book’s path will unfold and who else will connect with it.
Where are you from?
I live in Toronto, Ontario. It’s an awesome city – Canada’s largest – offering a wealth of things to see and do, interesting neighborhoods and plenty of greenery. There are also many coffee shops here that serve as good locations to people watch and contemplate book plots.
If you could hop on a plane now, where would you go?
That’s a tough question because there are many places I’d like to visit. I’d like to continue exploring the U.S. Pacific Northwest, since that’s where the Ryan Cole series is set. I think I’d like to explore Oregon and the Oregon coast, as it represents the central setting of the third book. Given my love of oceans, I’d also like to visit the islands of Hawaii, especially Kauai.
Have you ever been abducted by aliens? 🙂
Nope. And I don’t know anyone who has. I would, however, be delighted to meet some friendly aliens. I’m sure they would have a lot of fascinating stories to share.
The Ryan Cole series is set in a modern day Earth where beings from other worlds have started playing a more active role in the day-to-day affairs of the planet. Some of these beings have darker intentions, offering advanced weapons and technology to their nefarious human allies. As Cole discovers, it isn’t always easy to discern friend from foe, especially since many of the new arrivals to the planet have taken on a human form.
~~~~~~~~ Thanks Claudine. Now, here is that exciting blurb and excerpt promised:
BLURB:
“It’s definitely not a good time to be going into the woods of Hawkley Ridge.”
When a red-eyed wildcat starts threatening ranchers in the Pacific Northwest, Ryan Cole
recognizes the danger is far more menacing than the ranchers realize. Cole specializes in tackling unconventional security threats, particularly those with alien origins.
His investigation puts him in the crosshairs of Antoine Drake, an international arms dealer with a penchant for weapons from other worlds. Both men are hot on the trail of powerful alien artifacts known as guardian stones.
Cole and his team of investigators embark on a dangerous quest to recover the guardian stones before they can be assembled into the ultimate alien weapon. To succeed, Cole must also decipher the wildcat’s deadly secrets.
But in the woods of Hawkley Ridge, it’s easy for the hunter to become the prey.
A Darker Rain is the first book in the Ryan Cole series.
EXCERPT:
“An alien capable of assuming human form might also be capable of assuming a human form with specific details, like the retinal pattern of a dead man.”
“How do we fight that?”
“We figure out what makes them tick, and then we find a way to counter them. Just like we do when we confront any other type of military threat.”
“I’m glad we have you on board,” said Beecham. “I trust you’ll make this your top priority.”
“You know we will,” Cole replied. “So, do you have any plans for this morning?”
“Why do you ask?” queried Beecham.
“I have a briefing with members of my team at ten. I thought it might be valuable for us to compare notes. We’ll even provide the coffee.”
Beecham looked thoughtfully at Cole, feeling a sense of relief. “Will that rogue Dalton be there?”
“Of course.”
“Hmm … And what do I get out of it? I can’t see any point paying you guys your exorbitant fees if I have to do all the work.”
“We’ll see about that,” said Cole. “Do you like cats?”
“Cats? No, I’m a dog person myself. Why?”
“Because I think you’re going to find this cat especially interesting.”
“Well, that seems fair,” said Beecham.
“Why’s that?” asked Cole.
“Because I think you’ll find what I have in the back of this SUV especially interesting.”
Claudine will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e434158
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Darker Rain is Claudine Kapel’s first novel. She lives in Toronto and enjoys books, music, and travel. When not working as a consultant, she can be found writing, reading, or contemplating what else may be out there.
The second book in the Ryan Cole series is planned for release in 2014.
Claudine loves to hear from readers. You can reach her by e-mail at claudine@claudinekapel.com.
Available for purchase on:
Amazon-US http://www.amazon.com/Darker-Rain-Ryan-Cole-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00HHF4E8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388776108&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Darker+Rain
Amazon-CA http://www.amazon.ca/Darker-Rain-Ryan-Cole-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00HHF4E8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397007047&sr=1-1&keywords=a+darker+rain
Apple iBookstore/iTunes-US https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-darker-rain/id784213486?mt=11
Apple iBookstore/iTunes-CA https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/a-darker-rain/id784213486?mt=11
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-darker-rain-claudine-kapel/1117923653?ean=9781483513324
Kobo Books http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/a-darker-rain
Follow Claudine’s tour at:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/03/virtual-nbtm-book-tour-darker-rain-by.html
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