Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway

Walking in the Shadows
Cassandra Giovanni

Seconds seem like a lifetime when the life you lived is slowly drained out of you by those who care not what you felt, hoped, or dreamed. When the darkness comes it is all-consuming; there is no light and there is no pain. It is the never-ending loss of hope that now consumes me as I die in his arms.

This is Abigail Martin’s nightmare. After her parents become the first victims of a serial killer obsessed with the vampire saga, "Crimson Reign," Abigail does the only thing that she thinks will save her from her parent’s fate–she becomes some one else. As Vera MacIntrye, she falls in love with the very handsome Tad Knightley, and then walks into her first day at her new school to see him standing at the front of the classroom. He’s every teenage girls fantasy, but as he writes “Mr. Knightley: AP British Literature” across the white board Vera realizes the one person who filled the gaping hole in her heart will soon rip it wide open again.

Vera struggles to adjust to being a ‘normal’ teenager with very adult responsibilities like paying the rent, buying groceries and making sure that lights stay on, while being drawn time and time again back to her off-limits teacher. What’s worse is he is drawn to her too, and their worlds refuse to stay apart when Tad finds Vera screaming in terror in the parking lot after the winter formal. The murderer has struck again and is getting closer to the next target–Vera. Tad will do whatever he can to save her, even if it means losing his dream job, but will it be enough when the murderer is closer than anyone ever thought?

Author Bio:
~Cassandra Giovanni is an avid writer of young adult novels and can’t wait to share her work with you. The genres of her novels include dystopian, paranormal, mystery and romance all aimed at appealing to adults and young adults alike. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. She began writing at a very young age, in fact from the moment she could draw she was telling stories that way. At age seven she won a contest in American Girl Doll to have a chapter she had written published. From that point on she was always writing, if not on paper than in her head. In May 2012 she published her first novel, In Between Seasons, which demonstrated her unique writing style and approach to the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction. On Halloween 2012 Cassandra released her second novel, Walking in the Shadows. This novel puts a new twist on the obsession of vampires in literature and explores some of the darkest parts of human nature, while still showing that there is always hope–if we only choose to believe in ourselves.
~Cassandra is also a professional photographer with areas of interest such as car features, floral and architecture. Her photography company, Gio Design Studios, will be transitioning into a publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company’s photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other love of her life their dog, Bubski. 

Social Media Links:
~My website: www.cgiovanni.com
~My blog: www.cgiovanniwrites.wordpress.com
~My GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094287.Cassandra_Giovanni
~Youtube video: http://youtu.be/sFcFwylsMTo
~My book merchandise store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CGiovanniWrites?ref=pr_faveshops&atr_uid=18947918

Guest Post: The Mind of a Serial Killer

Today we are going to be interviewing the serial killer from Walking in the Shadows. This has to be one of the creepiest things I have ever written, but in order to understand characters we have to get into their heads at least a little bit. It makes me wonder how Steven King ever sleeps…

Q: When did your obsession with vampires begin?
A: A better question would be when did my obsession with blood begin? I couldn’t tell you to be truthful. I've always been fascinated with blood; it’s never been creepy to me. I’ve always loved the smell, the feeling of it dripping down my skin…
(Interviewer cringes and moves chair further away) Q: So, besides blood you obviously do have a passion for vampires?
A: Of course, I mean who wouldn't?  Living forever and having power that surpasses everything on the face of the planet, plus new vampires have better chances than the ones in the old tales. They can walk among the living and in the sun and do as they please. Being a human is so mundane compared to that.
Q: Did your obsession begin with the Crimson Reign or have you always enjoyed vampires?
A: I've always enjoyed them but Cassandra Leigh certainly put a new spin on it that I couldn’t deny. I mean have you read the novels? If you haven’t you should.
Q: What has to crack inside someone’s skull to make them take the step from avid reader to killer?
A: (Rolls eyes) Nothing cracked inside of me. I just gained the confidence to take the steps needed to assert my control. I wanted to feel that fear—to feed off of it.
Q: So you actually enjoy the taste of blood?
A: Yes, of course. That’s part of the fun isn't it?
Q: Why did you choose the Martins?
A: I didn't choose them, they kind of where handed to me. They weren't as much fun to kill as the others, though. The drugs really knocked them out.
Q: Why did you stop your rampages after a few months?
A: Oh, well. I kind of got bored and my followers got a bit freaked out by all the media coverage. We stopped for a bit, but when the other movies released I couldn’t really resist. It made me want that power again, so I went after my passion.
Q: Is there really no pattern to the people you choose to kill?
A: Have you ever met a killer who didn’t form some sort of pattern?
Q: (Shakes head and swallows) Do you ever feel guilty?
A: Really, you’re going to ask that? (Laughs)
Q: So, you have absolutely no soul?
A: (Leans forward with a smile) Vampires don’t have souls.
Q: Aren’t you afraid you are going to get caught?
A: I’m smart. They don’t think there’s a pattern, so how pray tell, are they going to figure out who I am? Plus, I play out in the open. You would think it would be obvious, but then hiding in plain view is always a good idea.
Q: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. (Gets up and hurries towards the door.)
A: Thank you (Licks lips), sleep with one eye open.

Buying Links:
~Paperback:
  -Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Shadows-Volume-Cassandra-Giovanni/dp/1478118199/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357070285&sr=8-1&keywords=walking+in+the+shadows
  -My store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/113390564/walking-in-the-shadows-signed-copy
~Ebook:
  -Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Walking-in-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B009Y7Y6UK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357070285&sr=8-2&keywords=walking+in+the+shadows
  -BN.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walking-in-the-shadows-cassandra-giovanni/1113639395?ean=2940015893274
  -Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Walking-in-the-Shadows/book-o7AdM5hhJUGwlt3gyLyozA/page1.html?s=Q_X52UDRCkiWiJy9M0T1nw&r=1
  -My Store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115429357/walking-in-the-shadows-ebook?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=walking+in+the+shadows&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

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