Can you tell readers a little bit
about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
For most of my life, I’ve gobbled books up in every
genre from biographies to romance. Mystery novels were my favorite go-to and
kept me awake long after my family went to bed. In 2006, at the age of 45, I
fulfilled a lifelong dream and became a police officer in a rural Arizona
community. I’m now a detective specializing in sex crimes and the last thing I
want to read, when I finish my shift, is a mystery novel. To truly relax, I escape
the real world and immerse myself in vampires and werewolves. For this same
reason, I write paranormal romance, and fulfill my need to fix the world, one
alpha male character at a time.
What inspired you to write this
book?
As a child, I fell asleep writing stories in my
head. I continue to use this technique as a good way to relax and clear my mind
of the day to day stresses from my job. The world of Fang Chronicles developed
during many sleepless nights and I finally decided to put it on paper. I always
knew I would write, but needed to reach a point in my life where I was ready to
sit my butt in a chair and do it. Writing is one of the biggest stress
relievers I have and the friendships I’ve developed with readers are
priceless.
Do you
have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch
or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character
develop as you write?
After developing and stowing characters in my brain
at night, I spend my days off work typing them. I always have a well-developed picture
of each person but for some reason they seldom cooperate. They argue, fight,
whine, and use bribery to get their way and more often than not they win. As
the keyboard controller, I always have the last say, so if you ever wonder why
I kill someone off it’s because I’m a vindictive writer and I refuse to loose
every battle.
Can you tell readers a little bit
about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from
our normal world?
In my world of Fangs, vampires and weres discovered
after hundreds of years fighting that they are the key to the other’s survival.
Each pack of weres is ruled by a vampire, but with longevity there must be a
catch and mine is the ability to produce children. For weres—breeding with
humans is the only way to procreate. Between mates, the desire for offspring is
strong but sacrifice of the very love that binds them is the only way they can fulfill
their longing. Throw in deadly werecats with a few evil vampires and Fang
Chronicles exists in secret alongside our everyday lives.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes, I first started blogging about my true-life
adventures of being a mid-life police detective. My blog turned into a book and
then I wrote the first Fang Chronicles, Amy’s Story. Since then I’ve published
three additional books—Bad Luck Officer, F C: Emily’s Story and F C: Zenya’s
Story. I’m currently writing Bad Luck in Small Town based on a homicide
investigation, and F C: Mandy’s Story.
Do you find it difficult to write in
multiple genres?
No, it saves my sanity. When writer’s block hits I
work on another book in progress. I maintain two blogs, Twitter, and Facebook
accounts though this year I hired an assistant to help with the popularity of
my Fang Chronicles books. Please don’t worry though, if you send me an email,
or private message on Facebook, Brittany passes them on. Her primary function
will be author guest posts and interviews on the Fang blog, soon to be featured
on Fang Fridays.
When did you consider yourself a
writer?
For me there’s a difference between the words writer
and author. From the first word I put on paper, I became a writer. The road to
author took longer. Being self-published has been an extended journey but I
will never forget my first fan letter. I printed the email and placed it in my
wallet. It’s still there today and will always be my defining moment when I
claimed the title of Author.
What are your guilty pleasures in
life?
I have many pleasures but with age I’ve learned to
leave guilt behind. Chocolate, red wine and hard rock music are prevalent in my
home. My preferences lean toward Hershey’s, Dona Sol sweet red, and Buckcherry.
My husband is well-aware of my (Buckcherry, lead singer) Josh Todd fantasies.
Other than writing, what are some of
your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
Since early childhood I’ve loved animals. I’ve had a
pet scorpion, tarantula, and many fish through the years but nothing warms my
heart like dogs. Charlie, our one-hundred and sixty pound Rottweiler, is ruled
by Duchess, our ten pound Chihuahua. They both trained me and my husband to
provide treats and obey all commands.
I’m also an avid gardener with a small piece of
paradise in my backyard. It includes a goldfish pond, strawberry patch, and
assorted vegetables and herbs. In the spring, I’m sporting dirty hands while
holding earthworms and ladybugs but in summer, you’ll find me reading next to
my waterfall on my favorite lounge chair and holding a tall glass of ice tea.
What was the last amazing book you
read?
Anything and everything by Ilona Andrews. I’m a huge
fan of this husband and wife writing team. I need them to write faster but gosh
life comes to a complete standstill in my house when I gobble up their latest
book so I’m probably lucky they don’t.
Where can readers find you on the
web?
My blog http://fangcronicles.wordpress.com
has all the latest Fang news but you can also find me on Twitter @delenmcclain
and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/delenmcclain
I also blog all things cop at http://badluckdetective.com
Would you like to leave readers with
a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Fang Chronicles: Zenya’s Story
Nicolas’s
body was giving out. Lack of food, torture, and the loss of his pack had
finally taken away his will to live. The next beating would be his last. No
vampire had visited him in weeks. When he got here, he swore he would take cats
with him when he died, but that wasn’t going to happen. Thoughts of revenge
barely managed to get past his pain and suffering. His friends would need to
handle the retribution for the murder of his pack.
He
fell asleep thinking of death.
A
small ray of light entered his cell. His cloudy mind knew this was it. Did he
have a burst of energy to fight one last time? He didn’t think so.
He
heard the steps of a single cat coming closer than normal. Maybe it realized he
was so close to death it no longer mattered. A shadowed form knelt beside him.
The cat was inches from his body.
A
thread of hatred broke through his agony.
Fuck
yes, he would be taking one of them with him in death. Every bit of alpha’s
power he possessed brought him to his knees, and his restrained arms
successfully wrapped around the throat of his enemy. His weak hands should have
been able to twist the head off, but this death would take longer. He would
slowly squeeze every drop of air from the monster’s body.
With a clouded but glinting gaze, he looked
into the face of the man beneath his death grip. Zenya’s green eyes stared;
panic evident and her small hands came up to grasp his. She was a female cat
and one that he knew. The shock caused him to loosen his grip, but her terror
remained, and low gasping words came from deep in her throat.
“Amy
sent me.”
His
fingers relaxed. His raspy words sounded in her ear. “Helping me won’t keep you
from death.”
She
was taking deep breaths but never looked away. “Fine, but kill me when you no
longer need me.”
“That
can be arranged.”
Available at
Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance Ebooks.
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