What Does Evil Mean To You?
Have you ever considered what the word 'evil' means to you?
Is it defined by one's horrific actions or by their sinister thoughts? Or, is
it a primal force some can't escape, even one as simple as low self-esteem?
The question, "What does evil mean to me?" is at
the core of my paranormal suspense novel, Choosing Evil. It's something the
main character, Serafina asks herself regularly throughout the story as she
contemplates the path she will choose for her future.
The reality of this paranormal story is that each character,
whether human or otherwise, is charged with questioning evil. Although it may
seem like a stretch for us, since they're dealing with evil incarnate (actual
demons walking around in the flesh), evil is evident in our world, too. You can
find it everywhere, from the people who commit heinous acts to the shreds of
doubt we have about our own worth. As humans, our job is to reconcile that
experience and overcome the evil in the world (and within ourselves) so we can
find a place to live in peace.
My hope when you read Choosing Evil is to answer the story's
question: "What does evil mean to me?" If you find the answer is some
intrinsic aspect of who you are, my wish is for you to learn to embrace it. Be
it anger, jealousy or some other 'evil' within, remember you are human after
all.
So long as we don't allow those emotions to define (or rule)
us, we can learn to embrace the wonderful people we are inside.
Because in the end, we deserve to love ourselves, flaws and
all. No one is perfect. We are all works in progress, no different from my
paranormal characters in that regard.
So question evil, embrace your inner demons and ultimately
embrace the true, wonderfully flawed, you.
Choosing Evil
Ensouled Trilogy
Book 1
Kristina Rienzi
Genre: Paranormal Suspense/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Midnight Frost Books
Date of Publication: November 25, 2014
ISBN:9781502271228
ASIN:B00Q5CMY2E
ASIN:B00Q5CMY2E
Word Count: 70k estimated
Book Description:
Serafina Murano is no stranger to the paranormal. All of her life she’s lived harmoniously alongside demons. Damon Serpe is a conflicted demon on a mission. Unexpectedly, they collide into each other’s lives and are inexorably drawn to one another.
Dark deadly secrets, gut wrenching betrayal, and elusive questions haunt her and have her entire life. Instinctively, Serafina realizes Damon holds the key to her understanding. If she trusts him, can he help decipher her recurring nightmares and unravel the mysteries surrounding her?
On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, she must select her path and make a difficult choice. One which will change her, and perhaps the world, forever.
Will Serafina embrace the truth and face her evil?
Would you?
Excerpt:
Already
late, Serafina began sprinting toward her building. She was still deep in
thought and failed to pay attention. A second later, she slammed into what felt
like a brick wall. Her coffee cup filled with mocha latte went flying, landing
all over an impeccable pinstriped suit.
She
stopped breathing when she faced the victim of her morning beverage. A handsome
bronzed man, almost two feet taller than Serafina, stood in front of her. His
irises were so light they looked almost clear. They held a world of intrigue
and reeled her right in. Those iridescent opal eyes were magnificent and
haunting, telling her almost everything she needed to know about him. He was a
demon.
His
smile was perfection, revealing a set of incredibly beautiful teeth. He was
stunning and he wasn't human. Serafina wiped her moist palms on her dress and
gave him a half-smile. "I'm so sorry." She rummaged through her purse
for napkins or tissues, not fully understanding why the universe had chosen
this moment, a time when her best self wasn’t present, to meet a gorgeous
demon, like him.
"No
problem, I’m Damon.” His smoky voice made her shudder with pleasure.
"Serafina,”
she lowered her voice but it didn’t sound natural and it wasn’t nearly as
sultry as she wished it had been. She stepped forward to shake Damon’s hand and
her heel caught on the pavement. As she began to tip over, he grabbed her arm
and pulled her up straight, all in one swift motion. Now attached to him, her
arms wrapped around his waist in desperation. When she realized what she was
doing, she shuffled away from him and tried regain her balance.
"Are
you okay?" His expression showed his concern.
"I'm
fine. But, I didn’t have my coffee yet."
Serafina tried to flatten the wrinkles in her dress and right herself.
Damon
laughed, catching her off guard. Relieved, Serafina laughed too. She didn’t
expect her attempt at humor to work. Given her morning, she didn't think there
was any wittiness in her to begin with, let alone, for it to come with such
ease.
When
Serafina’s laid eyes on the mess she had made, her posture went rigid. It was a
coffee crime scene, straight out of a forensic textbook. Luminal would have
exposed her caffeine attack for all to see. For her assault, she should have
been handcuffed on the spot. "I've ruined your clothes.”
Damon brushed himself off and
buttoned up his suit jacket. "I’m fine.”
"Yes,
you are." Serafina meant to say it in her head, or at the least under her
breath, but it had come out of her mouth loud and clear. Her face became hot in
an instant, so she began fanning herself.
"This
might sound like a line, but I’m glad you bumped into me. Where are you from?”
Damon’s eyes twinkled, but his question sounded forced as if he already knew
her answer.
"Home,
today that is.” She failed horribly at making another joke. “But I've lived at
the Jersey Shore all of my life." She tried to redeem herself "And,
yes, it did sound like a line.” He was definitely the new one in town.
"Did you move here recently?"
Damon
shook his head. "I'm as new as you. I've lived in Rivershore for many
years. I work in Maroon County and for just as long."
Rivershore
was an upscale town not far from where she grew up in the modest beach town of
Silver Lake. Although she had worked in the city for several years, Serafina
spent all of her free time at the Jersey Shore, mainly Maroon County. Even more
coincidentally, Serafina would turn thirty years old soon, so Damon was
technically the same age as her. Demons never aged past the age of thirty.
From
what he said, they had shared the commonality of living and working in nearby
towns. So, it didn’t make sense she had never seen him before. Clearly, he had
a knack for hiding. However, many years in demon terms could have been any
amount of time since demons were practically immortal.
She
studied him for more reasons than one, although he was striking and easy to
admire. Damon’s exquisite appearance reminded her of a model or an actor. He
had a rugged look, yet he was polished. He wore his expensive suit coupled with
his five o'clock shadow as if it were a fashion statement. His ebony hair was
long enough to push behind his ears. He was a unique mix of a tattoo artist and
a Hollywood movie star. The combination really worked for him.
Serafina’s
eye contact with him was firm but her muscles lost all of their tension. “Where
exactly do you work? I can’t believe I’ve never seen you before.” She felt weak
as she visually devoured Damon. She was certain she would have remembered him
if she had seen him before. The fact their paths had never crossed was
inexplicable to her. Then, so was the supernatural. Humans living with a
paranormal reality made anything possible.
Right
as Damon was about to answer, his watch alarm went off. He silenced it.
"I've got to run, but it was nice meeting you, Serafina. I hope to bump
into you again, and soon.” He touched
her arm lightly in a goodbye gesture and once more flashed his award-winning
smile.
By
the time Serafina summoned the nerve to reply, "Me too," he was
already gone.
About the Author:
Kristina Rienzi was born and raised at the Jersey Shore where she still lives today. Her debut paranormal suspense novel, CHOOSING EVIL, is being published by Frost Books on November 25, 2014.
Professionally, Kristina has been active in the writing community as a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime-Central Jersey, Romance Writers of America and New Jersey Romance Writers, serving as Chair of the Literary Book Fair in 2013. Kristina has her Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling and her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certificate, working in both fields throughout her business career.
Personally, Kristina is married and a doggie mommy to Pekingese and Shih Tzu pups. Although a lover of New Jersey, she dreams of one day moving to Hawaii and living the “Aloha” way. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, watching paranormal investigations, rooting for her West Virginia Mountaineers or relaxing with her loved ones, wine in hand.
Kristina is currently working on BREAKING EVIL, the sequel to CHOOSING EVIL, as well as another paranormal suspense novel, UNLEASH THE WICKED, about an unsuspecting witch at the Jersey Shore.
Website: www.kristinarienzi.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kristinarienzi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinarienziauthor
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Thank you so much for hosting me!
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