Interview and Giveaway: Glimpse of Darkness by Nicole Delacroix

Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.

I was born in Frankfurt, Germany, my mother is a German national and my father was in the US military.  My father was military so we moved around a great deal, and making friends for me was difficult.  So my mother bought me a diary when I was 10 and I would scribble in it all the time. From that point on, I learned to live in my head and write everything down, so I guess I owe my mother for making me into a writer.  I currently have the one publication in Paranormal/Fantasy, but I’ve completed a second submission in the Non-Fiction/Humor genre .

Tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.

Glimpse of Darkness is book 1 of a planned 4 book series that will follow the main characters, Daniel and Charlie, all over the world in a search for her missing father and her missing birthright.  Without giving too much away, there will be twists and turns along the way as well as an alternative history to some interesting events in history.  I’ve flushed out the story from beginning to end long before I began working on the first book, so I know exactly what will happen in each volume of the series and I know where the story ultimately ends.  My only “up in the air” item is that I was toying with the idea of making it a trilogy instead of 4 full books, so the number of volumes may change, but the story remains the same.

Are you a mom?

I am not currently a mom, although I’d love to be a mom.  I am going to be a new Auntie very soon, and I’m sure I’ll be more obnoxious than the mommy J

Have you ever based your book or characters on actual events or people from your own life?

Ha!  I wish, I’d love to be half angel, but I’m more like half devil… okay more than half.  But to answer your question, no I don’t think there was any one event in my own life that inspired the story.  I think I was just interested in angels and the way we view them and started thinking of how I could say what I wanted to in an entertaining way. 

Is there a theme or message in your work that you would like readers to connect to?

I have a deep passion for the subject that I write about, and I hope that comes through in my writing.  I love my characters; they are more like family than made up people in my head.  I like the fact that my main character is a strong female character, she doesn’t know it, but she is.  Also I’ve incorporated real places that I’ve had the honor of visiting or living in/near into my story, so I hope the love I have for these places comes across in my story.   I’d like to think that my own personal thoughts about how, as a species, we tend to misinterpret too many things would help my readers think about how they view the world and hopefully see some things in a new light.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a pretty honest person and I have a habit of oversharing.  Not sure that anyone would be particularly surprised by that.  Also, I’m not afraid to say what’s on my mind, possess a large vocabulary, and am fluent in pith, sarcasm, double entendres and profanity – and I’m not afraid to use them.   I’m also in love with everything British, especially Graham Norton’s talk show.  I’m probably a bit of an over-sharer since I’m working on a project to see how brave everyday people are where I’ve devised a very in-depth and personal survey, so I’ve actually answered 50 of the most excruciatingly personal questions known to mankind on my website.  (More information than anyone would ever want on me)

When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

I'm an avid reader (what writer isn't?) and I try to read a book a week.  I'm also a huge Sci-Fi fan, so anytime there is a new SciFi movie out, I'll be first in line (Can't wait for the new Star Wars!).  Other than that, I work a full time job as an IT Professional and am excited that I'm going to be an Aunt very soon.

Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don’t write romance) do you wish you had written?

50 Shades of Grey series – I don’t write romance, but I was disappointed by parts of that series and I would love to revamp it.

Is there a genre(s) that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?

I’m lucky to have a best friend that constantly challenges me, she’s challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and write a horror/ghost story.  Not my genre for writing, but I love the stories and it’s forcing me to flex those writing chops.

Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

I would love to be an angel.  Especially having the abilities that I give to my angels, that would be so much fun.  I think I’m a bit of an oddball, as I tend to like the periphery characters more than the main characters.  For me, my favorite character is a tie between Fifi and Mo, they are so very distinctly different characters and their backstories were the most interesting to write.

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

It actually is part of a series.  Glimpse of Darkness is book 1 of a planned 4 book series that will follow the main characters, Daniel and Charlie, all over the world in a search for her missing father and her missing birthright.  Without giving too much away, there will be twists and turns along the way as well as an alternative history to some interesting events in history.  I’ve flushed out the story from beginning to end long before I began working on the first book, so I know exactly what will happen in each volume of the series and I know where the story ultimately ends.  My only “up in the air” item is that I was toying with the idea of making it a trilogy instead of 4 full books, so the number of volumes may change, but the story remains the same.

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

I’m currently working on several things.  I’m focused on book two – the sequel to Glimpse – which is titled Blind Horizon.  In addition, I kick around a ghost/horror story and a World War II story I’ve been formulating.  My pet project is a non-fiction book that focuses on bravery, tentatively titled How Brave Are You?  I’ve finished that book and am currently shopping around literary agents.

What book are you reading now?

Currently I’m reading several books, mostly for review.  Slapshot of Love by Gary Pearson, The Haunting of Wolfe Haven by Debbie Heaton, The Birth of Death by Joseph Macolino and The Universe Builders by Steve LeBel.

What is in your to read pile?

Jason Jones Voyages of the White Skull, Bev Stout Secrets of the Realm, and Sariah Wilson The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back.  All three are really interesting new voices.

Glimpse of Darkness

Volume 1: Chronicles of the Cursed

Nicole Delacroix

Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy

ISBN: 1497335930 

ISBN: 978-1497335936

ASIN: B00JWUOMIU

Number of pages: 367

Word Count: 68183

Cover Artist: Javier Charro

Amazon   BN

Book Description:

Charlene (Charlie) Bennett is a simple waitress in the wilds of Hyder, Alaska whose father has just gone missing. Isolated and alone, her fathers' disappearance is nothing new to her, but this time things are a little different.

For starters, there is a handsome stranger, Daniel that has come to town and while Charlie has never taken more than a passing interest in strangers, she has an immediate and intense attraction to this one. Secondly, she's soon to find out that this stranger isn't what he appears. He's about to throw Charlie's entire world into a major upheaval.

Now Charlie has to decide if she believes this strangers' incredible story and follow Daniel or if she wants to stay in the only home she's ever known for an uncertain future and an absentee father. As she comes to terms with what Daniel shows her, she realizes that he's the only true thing in her life and leaves everything she knows behind to follow the handsome stranger.

Excerpt:

Daniel finally turned to her and acknowledged that she was there. "You've guessed right. We are just ahead of the cannery and yes we are going to catch a cannery truck. There is a shipment leaving in about 15 minutes that will come this way.  When they come this way the pack will delay the driver so we can sneak onto the back of the truck. What I need you to do is wait until I give the signal to go and then run to the back of the truck quickly and quietly without drawing any attention. It's imperative that the driver does not know we're on the truck.  He can never see us if he does this whole thing will fall apart.  Do you understand?" Charlie nodded, she didn't like the plan, but she would do what Daniel asked of her. 

"We will stay in the back of the truck until they get to Washington state and then we can make our way from there. But it's very important that until we make it out of town and on the highway that you don't say or think anything. Focus on your music, keep your eyes closed and try not to listen. If you hear something make sure it doesn't break your concentration Charlie, it's very important. I can't block you and both our lives depend on you keeping quiet. I know you're tired and upset and I haven't been very forthcoming, but we're almost out of here. You've had your life in my hands up to now and the only way I can return the trust is to tell you that my life is in your hands until we make it out of town. All you have to do is focus on the music in your head; can you do that for me?"

Charlie felt the gravity of his words and hoped that she could come through for him.  She would definitely try her very best to do exactly what he wanted her to do.  She had managed to grab her ear buds when they were leaving the cabin, she figured she could dig those out and put them in. They weren't completely noise canceling but when she had them in she found it easier to focus.  Besides she could put her MP3 player on and the music could just play helping her focus even more.

Daniel started to look a little relieved that she was taking his words to heart and coming up with the best solutions to keep them both safe. He relaxed his grip on her hand a little letting her know that he understood what she was thinking and was on board with her plan.

They hadn't been sitting very long when they heard the unmistakable rumble of the oversized cannery truck in the distance. She figured they had about 5 minutes before the truck made it to where they were hiding. Her adrenaline was pumping and her tiredness eased up and she was on pins and needles waiting for the truck to make it around the curve.

It seemed like forever before the truck lights showed on the horizon meaning that the truck was about 3 minutes away.  Daniel looked focused on what was going on and the pack was on edge as well. It was clear a plan was in play but Charlie was clueless as to what exactly it was. All she knew was her part in it, pay attention get to the back of the truck without being seen.

It wasn't long before the noisy truck was making its way around the curve and picking up speed.  Charlie started to let her doubts creep in, how were they going to be able to jump on a moving vehicle. When without warning the answer to her unspoken question showed itself. The missing pack members were corralling a wild black bear on the other side of the road. It was clear by their behavior that they were going to push the bear into the road in front of the truck about 30 feet ahead of where Charlie and Daniel were hiding.

Charlie started to worry that the bear would make it across the road before the truck could make it, when the rest of the pack moved into action. They ran up to intercept the bear and block it onto the road, there was no escape as the truck barreled down on the bear. Since the curve in the road had hid the bear, the truck slammed into the poor animal. As soon as they heard the tires squeal, Daniel pulled Charlie up and they both ran to the back of the truck. Daniel quickly cut the seal on the truck as the wolves started howling loudly.  Sound cover to pull up the door so they could jump in, the pack had thought of everything. 

Only Charlie worried that the bear may have damaged the truck too much for it to continue its journey, but she didn't have to wait long as she heard the bear growl and the pack disperse and the unmistakable sound of the cab door closing. Soon enough her fear was squashed as the truck lurched into movement. Charlie dug out her MP3 player and ear buds and started listening to music.  She had her classical mix playing David Garrett so she was instantly lost in the music. 

About the Author: 

Nicole Delacroix was born in Frankfurt Germany to a German mother and American Military father. Her parents instilled in her a deep love of the written word and a profound respect for literature in all forms. So it's little wonder that from the moment she could first write she knew that writing would always be a part of who she is. From short stories to dabbling in scriptwriting she passes her time with her day job as an IT professional but feverishly writes well into the night. Her passion for literature encompasses many different genres but her heart beats true with fantasy and science fiction. She's fiercely loyal to friends and family and is eagerly awaiting the day when she can move to London England, her childhood dream.

Web:  http://nicole-delacroix.com/

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