Inspiration and a Contest

So many things can inspire a book or a series. It can be a person, a place or an object. You don’t always know where a story idea will spring from, but sometimes you do.

When I started the Whisper series, I knew I wanted to write about a New England town filled with supernatural creatures. Though I’ve lived in New England all my life, I never get tired of its natural beauty. Spending time in the woods and looking at the mountains are among my favorite activities. Those sights and trails definitely inspired certain parts of the town of Whisper. Several of the stories have woodsy scenes, such as the one in which Edmond and Tobias of Black Cat fight his vampire relatives. I would like to share some photos of places in New England that I referred to when I wrote the Whisper series.

These particular photos were taken in New Hampshire. The places in these photos have been a source of inspiration to me in so many ways. They make me feel peaceful, remind me of good times spent with family and friends and they have provided me with ideas for plots, characters and settings in several stories.

What places do you find inspirational?

Contest

To enter this contest you must be 18 or over.

To enter for the chance to win a pdf download of a Kate Hill or Saloni Quinby Changeling Press ebook (winner's choice of title), please comment. Tonight at 10pm EST a winner will be selected from the comments. Thank you!

Whisper 4: Black Cat

by Kate Hill

(M/M Vampire/Shapeshifter)

From Changeling Press


Vampire Edmond Chancellor and cat shifter Tobias Crawford have had a not-so-secret affair for over three hundred years. Edmond wants to bond with Tobias permanently, but Tobias has reasons for keeping his distance.

On a chilly December night, both men turn to past memories for guidance, but it's a present danger that makes them realize that time is precious, even to men who are practically immortal.

The Following Excerpt from Black Cat is for readers 18 and over.

In a woodland area miles from the boundaries of Whisper, Tobias caught the scent of other vampires. His gut tightened and his heart turned to proverbial ice in his chest. He had wanted so much to believe that Edmond could be trusted, that he believed in the ideals he preached, yet here he was, consorting with members of a family that had allegedly disowned him.


Three vampires -- tall males with dark hair and pale blue eyes -- met Edmond in a clearing. Hidden downwind in the shadow of trees, Tobias watched.

To his surprise, instead of a friendly greeting, the vampires drew swords and simultaneously attacked Edmond.

Tobias tensed as Edmond drew his blade. He parried, thrust and moved with the grace of a dancer. After several moments, he disarmed one of his opponents and pierced his heart. No sooner had the vampire dropped than one of the remaining two fired a pistol at Edmond’s chest.


If not for a sudden shift of his stance, the bullet would have struck his heart, killing him. Instead it grazed his upper arm.

Anger surged through Tobias. Couldn’t the Chancellor family ever fight fair?

Without hesitation, Tobias leapt onto the back of the vampire who had fired the pistol, knocking him face down to the dirt. He broke his neck, then drove the vampire’s own silver blade through his heart.


Edmond glanced at Tobias in surprise, but his attention shifted to the last vampire, who attacked him savagely with his sword. Steel clanged in the otherwise quiet night, but the fight was short-lived. A master with a blade, Edmond destroyed his opponent within seconds.


Panting, Edmond turned to Tobias, who shifted to his human form. Naked, he approached his vampire lover.


Sliding his arms around Edmond’s neck, he held his gaze. Edmond’s breath fanned his face. Sweat misted his brow and the scent of blood from his injured arm filled the air. Tobias glanced at the wound. Due to Edmond’s vampiric nature, it had already started to heal.


“I’m sorry,” Tobias whispered against Edmond’s lips.

Edmond didn’t speak, but kissed Tobias back with months of pent-up passion.

Their tongues thrashed against each other and Edmond curled his fist in Tobias’ hair.


About Kate Hill

Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate Hill started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.

When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her family and pets.

She enjoys hearing from readers and she can be contacted at katehill@sprintmail.com. Visit her online at http://www.kate-hill.com.

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