Forrest
Wollinsky:
Vampire
Hunter Vol. One
Leonard
D. Hilley II
Genre: YA Friendly; Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Nocturnal Trinity Press
Date of Publication: March 13, 2016
ASIN: B01CZ4LKBQ
Number of pages: 266
Word Count: ~83,000
Book Description:
"Killing Vampires Since
1888."
I was born in Bucharest in 1880 in
the heart of the vampire population. At eight years old, I was considered a
freak of nature since I was already the size of an adult male. Other children
my age, and some of my teachers, shunned me.
Being rejected by one’s peers cuts
deeply. Then I met my first werewolf and discovered a master vampire was
plotting to kill me because of what I am. From that moment, my destiny stole my
future aspirations all men grow up wanting.
This is how my destiny begins.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
The Beginning
Bucharest, 1888
The wind howled
like an awakening banshee as it swirled and lashed around our snow-covered
cottage nestled in the barren trees at the edge of the forest. I was only eight
years old, but it was the harshest winter in my one hundred and thirty-odd year
memory.
My father had been
gone for several days, which wasn’t unusual. Mother had said that he was
hunting and should return soon, but the blizzard had set in with a fury,
burying the roads, fields, and the forest floor beneath several feet of snow.
Wherever he was, he’d be stuck for quite some time.
Snowdrifts lined three
sides of our meager cottage and the snowstorm had barely started. The outside
layers of snow helped insulate our rugged home. The warmth of the fire felt
like the heat of summer, making it almost easy to forget about the freezing
howling winds outside.
The hearth fire
crackled softly under a black bubbling pot of rabbit stew. Garlic cloves were
strung together above a basket of dried yams. We had enough food to last out
the week, which made me wonder why my father had chosen to hunt during the
worst of the blizzard.
About
the Author:
Leonard D. Hilley II grew up in
Fort Payne, AL, where his never-ending curiosity introduced him to the world of
biology and books. During his youth he was an avid insect collector and reared
butterflies and moths. His love for science eventually merged with his writing.
He currently resides in Marietta, Ohio, where he writes science fiction
thrillers, epic high fantasy, and YA mysteries.
Education: B.S. Biology; MFA in
Creative Writing
Leonard D. Hilley II is the author
of Predators of Darkness: Aftermath, Beyond the Darkness, The Game of Pawns,
Death's Valley, Shawndirea, and Devils' Den.
Leonard D. Hilley II also writes
short stories for YA. Two books were inspired by his love of biology: Rearing
Dragons in My Backyard and Fiddling Worms. He also writes a mystery series for
YA: Dee's Mystery Solvers.
@Deimosweb
Interview
Where are you from?
Marietta, OH
Tell us your latest news? Forrest Wollinsky: Vampire Hunter (Volume One) was released about a
month ago. The 5th book in my Predators of Darkness Series, The Deimos Virus: Target Earth, will release
early May. Forrest Wollinsky: The Blood
Mists of London (Volume Two) should be out in June.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have always loved reading. After reading nearly
every book in my school library, I started writing short stories, my own
comics, and wrote my first fantasy novel at age 10.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? 1993 was when I became serious about writing
and getting published.
What inspired you to write your first book? I couldn’t find any books that delved into
the type of fantasy I wanted read, so I let my imagination put one onto the
page.
Do you have a specific writing style? Generally, I follow Ray Bradbury’s advice:
“Follow your characters.” My characters write the story. I usually teach my
students that I am a note-taker. I follow my characters, eavesdrop on their
conversations, and write down their interactions. No one wants to read boring
characters without drive and motivation, and the majority of my characters tend
to keep readers’ attention.
How did you come up with the title? Forrest Wollinsky
is a background character in my novel, Succubus:
Shadows of the Beast. He was such an intriguing character that I knew he’d
have his own series.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers
to grasp?
How much of the book is realistic? Since the setting
is in Bucharest in the late 1880s, I did a lot of research about the area and the
culture, hoping to make it as accurate as possible.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events
in your own life? No.
What books have most influenced your life most? The
Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny, Watchers by Dean Koontz, and The Mist by
Stephen King.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider
a mentor? For my early writing, especially my sci-fi fantasy, I read a lot of
Dean Koontz. I carefully studied how he crafted plots, his characters, and use
of action and dialogue. But to be fair, there are so many other authors I have
read, too.
What book are you reading now? I just finished Monster Hunter International by Larry
Correia. I’m reading Succubus Blues
by Richelle Mead
Are there any new authors that have grasped your
interest?
I read Marshall’s Gully by Paul Counelis a couple of
weeks ago. This is based upon actual events in the author’s life that dealt
with horror and paranormal.
What are your current projects?
I am hoping to finish Volume Two of Forrest Wollinsky
within a few weeks. This book is set during the time of Jack the Ripper.
I have begun the opening for the 6th book
in the Predators of Darkness Series and look forward to writing it during the
summer.
I am about halfway finished with another sci-fi
thriller book, which is based upon true events that occurred in Alabama (where
I grew up) about possible government cover-ups.
What would you like my readers to know?
If you love cats, the Predators of Darkness Series has
a cat as one of the main characters. His name is Morton, and he was genetically
created with the ability to speak. He’s a regular smart aleck and steals the
show. He’s one of the main reasons I cannot wait to start the 6th
and 7th books in the series. One reviewer called him ‘Garfield on
steroids.’ He is definitely one of the most beloved characters in my books.
Tour
giveaway
10 digital copies of Forrest
Wollinsky: Vampire Hunter
love to read this book so would my daughter sounds amazing
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