Welcome to Book Flame's 13 days of Halloween Madness!
Today I would like to welcome H.M. Ward author of the Demon Kissed Series for joining us here at Book Flame.
Interview 1. Do you research real events legends or myths to get ideas?
Once in a while I’ll pull in something from history to spice things up. In CURSED, the second book in the best-selling DEMON KISSED series, I researched the Roman catacombs. I was aware of them and their uses prior to writing the book, but I’ve never been in one. I think they are fascinating. Tombs reveal things about the past – what was important, beliefs in the afterlife, reflections of family, honor, and station.
2. What inspired you to write the Demon Kissed series?
Demon Kissed is very loosely based on an obscure Bible verse in Revelation. I spun that idea into the angelic Martis, and made up the rest of their backstory and how the Martis came to be. The Valefar were created because the Martis needed an evil counterpart. As I was writing, it became clear that the Demon Kissed series was going to be about a girl who was wanted by the Martis and Valefar. She’s caught in the middle and is supposed to turn into a monster because of it, but she’s a good person. And that’s the premise that spurs the entire story!
3. How old were you when the writing bug hit you?
I’ve always loved writing. I wrote my first novel without realizing that was what I was doing. It was Peter Pan fan fiction. That is one of my favorite books! I was in seventh grade and ended up with hundreds of pages of my handwritten story. It was a big mess, but I loved doing it and that’s what writing is all about.
4. Would you rather walk through a graveyard at midnight or spend the night in a spooky abandoned house?
Hmmm. I’d rather walk through a graveyard at midnight. Actually, I think I have walked through a graveyard at midnight. Not on purpose. I wasn’t zombie hunting or anything. I lost track of time and found it at the back of an old park. I like reading the epitaphs so I walked in and was looking around.
5. Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes what are you going to be this year?
Dressing up as a slutty pirate always sounds like fun – I like corsets and big hats with feathers. Other than a Halloween costume, when do you get to dress like that? Never! This year, I have no idea what I’m doing. I may dye my hair purple and dress up like a Small World doll. That works with the corset and big hat too. See? I gotta theme going on!
6. What was the first horror story you remember reading?
I was in third grade and the teachers were shushing a story some kids were telling – because it was ‘true.’ There was a condemned psych hospital nearby that was abandoned. The story was about a crazy guy who escaped while the hospital was still open and slaughtered young girls. The story goes like this: There was a girl that ended up home alone and the escaped crazy guy that got into her house. She called her dog to hide in the attic, but he wouldn’t come. Frantic, she ran up the attic stairs alone, feeling her way through the dark. To her delight, the dog was already up there. She could feel his furry hide and warm doggie breath on her face. Her heart was about to explode out of her chest, as she heard the floorboards creaking downstairs. The girl sat there, terrified. Her dog scooted closer to her, panting. She rubbed his head for a while as the dog drooled into her lap, while she was waiting for the crazy guy to give up. It was possible he would think there was no one home and leave. But, the footfalls got nearer. She prayed he wouldn’t notice the attic stairs. She could hear him walking around below her. Her grip on her dog tightened as she heard him pacing just below. The sound of footfalls walking back and forth continued until she couldn’t stand it another second. That was when she heard the sound of whining – coming from below. It was an animal sound – the kind of whine her dog made when he was afraid – but her dog was up in the attic with her. With her heart racing she grabbed the dusty chain to turn on the attic light and screamed. She was looking straight into the face of the crazy man. Her dog was crying below as the crazy man sliced and diced the girl in her own attic. The story isn’t true, but it had girls freaked out for months.
7. Have you ever visited a haunted house?
I visited a haunted hotel! Does that count? The Driskill in Austin is supposed to be one of the most haunted hotels in the United States. We went there for my birthday last year. While I didn’t see any ghosts, we did have one that liked to flip off the lights. One bulb would turn off and turn on again. They have a ghost who likes to play with the lights. Apparently he came to tell me happy birthday.
8. What is your favorite scary movie?
I’m a total weenie. I watch scary movies on mute and ad lib so it’s funny. I think the scariest movie I ever saw was Interview with a Vampire. Stop laughing. I told you, I’m a weenie. Movies on mute is way more fun.
9. Do you have any fun Halloween experiences you can tell us about?
The most fun Halloween is yet to come! Every October the immortal Ivy Taylor (heroine of Demon Kissed) turns 17 years-old-again. I was thinking about the almost 40,000 member fan base and how difficult it would be to shove that many people into a bookstore to do a signing, so I came up with another idea. I’d love to have a costume party celebrating Ivy’s birthday on Halloween! That’ll be a great way to meet the super awesome fans that helped push the DEMON KISSED series onto the best seller lists! I suspect that won’t occur until the series is finished. Or until I can’t wait any more because it sounds like so much fun!
In celebration of Ivy Taylor’s birthday DEMON KISSED is available for FREE via Smashwords for a limited time! https://www.smashwords.com/
Thank you for asking me to be a part of Book Flame's 13 Days of Halloween Madness! Make sure you check out TORN (Demon Kissed #3) scheduled to be released on November 15, 2011. For more info on the Demon Kissed series you can visit the official website at:http://www.DemonKissed.com or chat with the author on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Thank you!
Holly Ward
Thank you for stopping by Book Flame, It was great fun interviewing you.
Demon Kissed Series
Demon Kissed( Demon Kissed #1)
Demon Kissed( Demon Kissed #1)
"The Valefar boy tricked Ivy Taylor into kissing him, but he took much more than a kiss - he stole her soul and left her within inches of death. By surviving, Ivy is drawn into the conflict between the Martis and the Valefar. The war between these two immortal forces has raged for millennia without distraction. Until now.Ivy is an anomaly-she is the only person who has ever walked away from a demon kiss alive. Her survival gives her unique and deadly abilities. Too powerful to ignore, Ivy is a threat to both armies. These two ancient enemies will stop at nothing to kill the seventeen-year-old.
Surviving is nothing new for headstrong Ivy, but her survival has never depended on another person before. This time it does. And if she misplaces her trust, she's dead. To her horror, she starts falling in love at the worst possible time-with the enemy. He appears to be protecting her. But she can't be certain if he is trying to help her, or help himself to her power. For Ivy, trusting the right person is the difference between love and survival, or a deadly demon kiss. "
Cursed (Demon Kissed #2)
"Ivy's on her way to kick ass and save Collin from the horrors of the Underworld. Along the way she discovers that the truth won't set her free. Deep-seated deception leads Ivy closer to her destiny. But, being queen of the demons is not the destiny she wants. Ivy will have to overcome lust, power, and love if she wants to survive. This is the 2nd book in Demon Kissed series by H.M. Ward, featuring heroine Ivy Taylor. "
~Torn ( Demon Kissed #3) expected publication :November 2011
~Satan's Stone ( Demon Kissed #4) expected publication January 2012
About the Author
A little bit about Holly’s awesome adventures…
H. M. Ward is the author of the best-selling Young Adult series: Demon Kissed.
I’m a native New Yorker who relocated to Texas. Hee Haw, Yo! Texas grew on me, so I stuck around, although I totally love New York and go back every chance I get.
My formal education consists of a Bachelors degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University. I’m currently matriculating through the Masters of Divinityprogram at the Graduate School of Theology at ACU. Theology has always fascinated me. It has so many facets, and cuts so deeply into the human condition, that I submerged myself and kept going.
I have always loved creating. As a child, I wrote and painted. As an adult, I painted and wrote. The two compliment each other in my mind. My words spread like paint across the paper, and I enjoy forming them into an emotional encounter for the reader to experience.
One of the best things that I ever learned was from a preaching class I took at ACU. They told us words can build worlds, which is why writing appeals to me so much. Paint takes the viewer only so far, showing them a single moment that is frozen in time. However, words can construct living, breathing worlds, while showcasing their grandeur and vastness. In short, it’s awesome!
So what gives with the name? Sublime Romantic
Let’s do a wiki definition: The sublime is a form of expression in literature in which the author refers to things in nature or art that affect the mind with a sense of overwhelming grandeur or irresistible power. It is calculated to inspire awe, deep reverence, or lofty emotion, by reason of its beauty, vastness, or grandeur.
I like to make sublime things, and I’m a hopeless romantic.
I believe in true love, and was lucky enough to find it and keep it.
I love somber, melancholy stories and music.
I play the cello, and competed when I was younger.
I LOVE playing in pit orchestras.
And I’m infatuated with the theatre. Backstage, when the lights are down, and the theatre is empty offers a ghostly hallowedness that is so alluring, I could sit there, listening to the silence forever.
Little kids bring me joy like nothing else in this world.
The giggles of a child are like Pixie Stix for the soul.
And dogs love me, although I only admire them from a distance. It’s quite awkward, actually.
I have middle child syndrome.
I have curly hair that puts Side Show Bob’s untamed mane to shame.
My favorite number is 3.
I’m a professional artist & photographer.
And I have the best fans ever!
Connect with H.M.Ward
- Website: http://www.demonkissed.com/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DemonKissed
- Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4330590.H_M_Ward
- Purchase:http://www.demonkissed.com/order.htm
this was so fun, and Demon Kissed Series is one of my favorites :)
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