:

Blood Riders Book 3

To save his missing daughter a distraught slayer must venture deep into the heart of darkness

Legendary vampire hunter Anton Yoska is on the edge, tormented by the rumour that the precious child he once thought dead is still alive and lost in a world of monsters.

One creature alone knows for sure what happened to Gretchen, but Terek Modjeski won’t divulge his secret – revelling in the twisted power over his long-time foe.

Despairing and drinking heavily, Anton stumbles from near disaster to near disaster as he puts his team in jeopardy, testing their friendship and loyalty to snapping point.

Only one diabolical solution is possible – to confront Terek in his maximum security cell and force the bloodsucker to end his game of cat and mouse. But making the cunning infernal talk will mean employing brutal methods that go against every code Anton has ever lived by, forcing him to become as much of a demon as the leeches he hunts.

Face to face with the evil, taunting vampire, the desperate slayer takes a decision that will change his destiny forever – sending him hurtling into danger to confront a terrifying truth about his lost child that risks not only his sanity but the future of mankind.

:

:

Q&A

– Which character would you like to be in this book?

I shouldn’t really admit it, but the hero – vampire hunter Anton Yoska  – is a romanticised version of me. He embodies the bravery and noble streaks I’d like to have, if I wasn’t so selfish, lazy and constantly anxious.

–  Do you always take a book/ereader wherever you go?

No, sometimes I like to stay as far away from  words as possible. It’s difficult to read a story without critiquing it or comparing my style to the author’s. In fact, I know I’ve found a truly talented author when I can take off  my critic’s hat and just be sucked into the joy of the plot and characters. At other times, reading can feel like doing homework!  

– Say someone asks if they can use your name in a book. Would you rather be the ‘good one’ or the ‘bad one’?

The baddie every time. They get the best lines, the most dramatic deaths and are never boring or easily ignored. When I’m writing my villains, I try to give them some endearing or likeable quality – I love the conflict this creates for the readers. Even when a baddie is thoroughly evil, I like to show that this is the result of some incident that changed their destiny or attitudes. The most compelling villains are noble people who’ve gone over to the dark side.  

– Do you prefer to read/write standalones or a series?

As a reader I prefer a series and I can perfectly understand why someone would want to continue spending time with characters they’ve come to know and love. But as a writer, I’d go for a standalone every time. Trying to develop a character over several books is hard work, as is making sure you haven’t repeated anything from a previous instalment or contradicted something you said two books earlier.  

However, as I have now fallen in love with the characters in Blood Riders (I have a particular soft spot for Quintz) I am looking forward to writing their next adventure  – as, like everyone else, I want to know what happens next!

– Where can I find you when you are reading?

In bed, mostly. I can’t get to sleep unless I’ve read for half an hour. It calms my mind after a hectic day. Before all the lockdowns, I’d have also said I read on long plane and train journeys.

In terms of era and location, I love Terry Pratchett Discworld stories and anything set during the Napoleonic Wars – especially on board Royal Navy ships. I tend not to read anything set in Transylvania as I spend too much time there already.            

 – Where can I find you when you are not writing/reading?

Watching movies on TV or listening to music – everything from ‘80s classics to Lindsey Stirling pop violin tracks. If you’re lucky you’ll find me baking. There is always cake in our house. Not good for the diet!

– Can you walk past a bookstore without going inside?

Only because I do the vast majority of my reading on my Kindle Fire. But like most people I find bookshops mysterious and alluring places and love going into them when I’m buying gifts for others.

– What are you most proud of?

For a great number of years I was a short story writer, so having my first novel  Crimson Siege accepted for publication was a huge thrill. As was the first time I had a short story broadcast on BBC Radio 4. There’s nothing to compare to having an actor bring your words to life.

– What goes through your mind when you see your new book in your hands for the first time?

I should say joy and pride, but normally it’s just relief. It can be such a long, tiring slog to write a novel that holding the physical book presents tangible evidence that you made it to the finish line!  The real buzz comes from seeing positive reviews and getting emails from readers, knowing that they’ve loved the story and characters.

 – What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Two pieces of advice.

1/Don’t believe all you read about “overnight success” authors hitting the big time. Most have been slogging away unnoticed for a decade or more learning and honing their craft. It takes time, dedication and effort to achieve success – and getting loads of rejections along the way is all part of the journey.

2/ Readers make up their mind what they think of your story in the first few sentences. Catch their attention, enflame their emotions and pique their curiosity. Start with something imminent and exciting. We’re in the drama business – be dramatic.

Thank you, Jay Raven and Rachel’s Random Resources.

:

About the author 

Jay Raven is the author of Gothic chillers and historical horror reminding readers that the past is a dangerous place to venture, full of monsters and murderous men. He blames his fascination with vampires, witches and werewolves on the Hammer Horror films he watched as a teenager, but living in a creepy old house on the edge of a 500-acre wood may have something to do with it.

:

Author Links 

website http://www.jayraven.com

twitter: @JayRavenAuthor

facebook: www.facebook.com/fantasywriterjayraven/

:

:

Book Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P9L5NV2

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P9L5NV2

 

 

Blood Riders Book Two

In 19th century Europe the most deadly vampire-killing weapon ever devised is up for grabs – and both the Undead and the living will stop at nothing to possess it…   

It’s a legend, a fairy story parents tell frightened children to make them sleep. Basium Lucis – Daylight’s Kiss – the fabled compound that recreates sunlight in a bottle, and incinerates bloodsucking monsters on contact.

Vampire hunter Anton Yoska doesn’t believe in its existence or the whispered rumours of its creation by Leonardo Da Vinci 250 years before.   

But when a mysterious Hungarian arts dealer claims to have uncovered the long-lost formula, Anton’s cynicism is shaken to the core as he is tasked to procure the pyrotechnic marvel for the Vatican’s centuries-old battle with the vampire sect known as the Brethren.

In a desperate race to beat nosferatu forces intent on destroying the wonder weapon, and cold-blooded gangsters who desire the Alchemist’s most prized invention for their own aggrandisement and riches, Anton is caught in a maelstrom of double dealing and lies..

Traps loom at every turn, and nothing is what it appears, but acquiring the Basium Lucis is the least of the his problems  – for the ferocious Modjeski vampire family want retribution for his slaughter of their clan chief a year before. And old flame and rival slayer, Nadia, has her own devious plans to thwart Anton’s quest.

As time runs out and predators circle, the beleaguered hunter realises he’s been tricked into a suicide mission. But Anton Yoska won’t go down without a fight – and he doesn’t care who he takes to Hell with him.

 

 

Spotlight Post

Thank you, Jay Raven and Rachel’s Random Resources

 

About the author

Jay Raven is the author of Gothic chillers and historical horror reminding readers that the past is a dangerous place to venture, full of monsters and murderous men. He blames his fascination with vampires, witches and werewolves on the Hammer Horror films he watched as a teenager, but living in a creepy old house on the edge of a 500-acre wood may have something to do with it.

 

Author Links

website www.jayraven.com  

twitter: @JayRavenAuthor

facebook: www.facebook.com/fantasywriterjayraven/

 

 

Book Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083V891T9

Amazon Uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083V891T9

 

 

Book One – Bell, Book and Candle

A Chilling historical tale of lust, sorcery and devastating revenge

No female dares spurn the lecherous advances of Sir Henry Cruttendon, 17^th Century England’s most reviled nobleman. To do so risks a retribution that would terrify the Devil himself.

But Elizabeth Fiennes is no ordinary woman, blessed with stunning beauty,  intelligence and guile. Coming from an influential family, she believes she is safe.

What she doesn’t understand is that the Earl is determined to satisfy his lust and plans to use the wave of witch trials, fear and superstition  sweeping the countryside to force her into his clutches.

And as he springs his malicious trap it triggers a chain of unholy events plunging hunter and prey into a maelstrom of deceit, terror and depravity – leaving them both staring into the face of true evil…

 

 

Q&A

1. Did or do you like to read comic books/graphic novels? Which ones?

I have to admit I’ve never read a graphic novel. I know – it’s incredible, isn’t it! But if I was going to, I’d probably choose the Judge Dredd series. I loved the movies, and their sly humour interwoven with the explosions and mean, moody dialogue. I love Men in Black and Hellboy, so I’d check them out as well.

I’m not that fond of Superheroes because I always think that having a special power gives them an unfair advantage in any face-off with the bad guys. The only caped crusader I have time for is Batman – it’s the car, right? Partly, but he’s more believable because he is just an ordinary person who gets his crime-fighting advantage through ingenious gadgets. In my dreams I could be Batman.

2. Whom did you inherit your love for books/reading from?

I grew up in a house full of books. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t read, so I literally inherited a love of fiction from my parents. And I was very lucky in going to schools that had well stocked libraries. I devoured all their Sci-fi titles so I think writers like Isaac Asimov, John Wyndham, H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury were a very important influence and helped shape my tastes and ambitions. Back in those days short story collections were still immensely popular, so when I started writing professionally, I naturally gravitated towards producing short stories – for magazines and small press anthologies, only moving on to novels years later.

3. When you need a murder victim or someone you can diagnose with a serious disease or someone who is involved in a fatal accident do you sometimes picture someone nasty you have met in real life and think ‘got you’ LOL?

Everyone who has insulted me, snubbed me, cheated me, underestimated me, taken my last bar of chocolate or otherwise incurred my wrath, ends up dead – as one of the characters in my stories. The more they’ve upset me, the gorier their fictional fate. Revenge is a dish best served up cold – and in print!

4. How do you come up with the names for your characters?

I’m very picky choosing character names – that’s because I believe that a character’s moniker goes a long way in helping suggest their personality and background. Readers will happily accept a witch called Lilith as it suggests a timeless, ethereal, magical character but they’d struggle to believe a sorceress called Jenni because it is too mundane and too modern, and doesn’t – if you’ll forgive the pun – conjure up any mystical connotations.

I always try to give villains surnames with a hard, almost grunting, consonant sound at the beginning – Kravnik, Drubrick, Modjeski, Marek. And, as I set many of my Gothic horror stories in Eastern Europe, I tweak names to make them sound more Slavonic – Thomas becomes Tomas, Victor becomes Viktor, George becomes Georg and the like.

5. Do you write other things beside books (and shopping lists 😉 ?

I can’t keep my butterfly mind under control and it constantly bombards me with ideas for all sorts of different plots, eras and genres. That means that I’m just as likely to wake up with a comedy idea buzzing in my brain as a spooky one.

My answer is to write under two names – I create humour stories under my real name Iain Pattison and Gothic horror/ dark fantasy novels and short story collections under the pen-name Jay Raven. I’m currently focusing on my Jay Raven output – but even then, it’s sometimes a struggle to choose whether my next book will feature witches, vampires or twisted fairy tales.

6. If a movie or TV series was made from your books, would you be happy with the ‘based on’ version or would you rather they showed it exactly the way you created it?

That’s an intriguing question. I’d have no problem with seeing my work interpreted or re-imagined, with a sympathetic screen adapter coming fresh to it and bringing new insight to the plot and characters. But that involves a lot of trust. A bad adaption where the author’s original vision is mangled can destroy a book’s magic and credibility.

If I had a choice, I’d prefer to have my books adapted for television rather than appear as movies. There are two reasons for this. Some stories are just too complex and too densely plotted and populated to be squeezed into two hours. Important sub plots and minor characters have to be sacrificed. TV lets a story breath.

In addition, some movie companies buy the rights to a popular series, but will only make the first book into a film – to see how it plays with audiences – and if it doesn’t make enough money, they abandon their plans for the rest of the series.

7. Who would you like/have liked to interview?

Sadly, the two authors I’d liked to have interviewed are both no longer with us. I’d have loved to have met Terry Pratchett – the king of comedy fantasy. His Discworld novels are sheer genius, packed with gags, insight and adroit observation of human foibles.

The other author I’d have really enjoyed meeting was Angela Carter – the writer of The Company of Wolves. She was famous for her magical realism books such as Night at the Circus, The Magic Toyshop and the Infernal Desire Machine of Doctor Hoffmann.

I’m told my dark fantasy reminds people of her work and I’d think we’d have had very intense, otherworldly conversations – sprinkled with laughs and chills. 

8. Do you have certain people you contact while doing research to pick their brains? What are they specialized in?

Not really. I do all my research on Google! My books are set in an imaginary sinister-edged wonderland of malice and magic, which bears very little resemblance to the real world. All my Gothic horror is set in the past – ranging from 17^th century England to 19^th century Transylvania, and apart from making sure there are no obvious historical inaccuracies I let my imagination have full rein.

9. Is there someone you sometimes discuss a dilemma with?

If I’ve hit a plotting problem, I’ll chat to other author friends, but beyond that I tend to talk out any dilemmas and doubts with my wife Liz. She’s very good at spotting holes and inconsistences in the work and brings welcome fresh eyes to any project. But, ironically, she’s not a huge fan of the type of stories I specialise in. In fact, if she hates something, I write I know it will sell well!  

10. What is more important to you: a rating in stars with no comments or a reviewer who explains what the comments they give are based on (without spoilers of course)

Don’t get me wrong – having anyone read and rate your work is wonderful, but star scores on their own are considerably less helpful than full reviews with comments. If, for example, someone gives a book three stars, with no explanation, all that tells the author and other potential buyers is that the reader didn’t have a fully satisfying experience – but not why.

It could be that they’d spotted a flaw in the plot, characterisation, descriptions, or believability – something that could influence other people making a choice about reading the book. If they’d left feedback it could offer the author a chance to tweak and improve the novel.

On the other hand, people sometimes give poor scores for the most arbitrary of reasons – they don’t like fiction written in first-person, they didn’t read the blurb properly when buying it and the book genre or style isn’t what they expected or even that the paperback version of the book arrived in the post damaged!

Comments allow other readers to read the criticisms and see if they judge them valid or something trivial that wouldn’t put them off.  

Thank you, Jay Raven and Rachel’s Random Resources.

 

About the author 

Jay Raven is the author of Gothic chillers and historical horror reminding readers that the past is a dangerous place to venture, full of monsters and murderous men. He blames his fascination with vampires, witches and werewolves on the Hammer Horror films he watched as a teenager, but living in a creepy old house on the edge of a 500-acre wood may have something to do with it.

If you would like to be informed of new releases, enjoy free short stories and access exclusive giveways and competitions, please subscribe to Jay’s monthly newsletter on his website at http://www.jayraven.co.uk

 

Author Links 

website http://www.jayraven.com

twitter: @JayRavenAuthor
facebook: www.facebook.com/fantasywriterjayraven/

 

 

Book Links

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snare-Witch-Book-Bell-Candle/dp/1795017155

http://www.amazon.com/Snare-Witch-Book-Bell-Candle/dp/1795017155

 

Welcome to a world of cruelty, hexes and treachery, where malicious magic rules and you are but a single necromancer’s spell away from eternal terror.

From malevolent medieval magicians  to Wild West witches, this spellbinding volume by a master of the macabre is packed with frightening fables guaranteed to send a supernatural chill down your spine.

Amongst the haunting historical horror stories, you’ll meet:

• A half-crazed girl locked up in a high security mental hospital by those accusing her of causing a devastating earthquake.
• An impoverished French noblewoman who’ll stop at nothing to marry her daughter to a wealthy prince – even if it means dabbling with a dangerous love potion.
• The hated public executioner Pandora whose fabled box has already killed 55 men – without leaving a trace of violence on their bodies.
• Wily witch Merta who uses all her wits and trickery to turn the tables on the corrupt Mayor who wants her burnt alive at the stake.
• A faery mage without conscience or pity with the perfect plan to make Mankind turn on itself – and all it takes is one innocent baby.
• A drought-stricken frontier town that seeks magical help from the local Indian tribe to make it rain, but learns it comes at a terrible cost.
• The doubt-ridden King, plagued by nightmares of his death, who consults an enchantress to learn the most of hidden of secrets: just when the Grim Reaper will claim him.
• A Mid Western widow who is convinced her homesteading husband is still alive, held hostage by a sorceress.

If you’re thrilled by exciting dark fantasy tales, with cunning twists, edge-of -the seat tension and unexpected shivers, you’ll love Game of Crones. Pick it up today. If you dare…

 

 

Q&A

***

– When and where do you prefer to write?

 I’m lucky enough to have my own home office so I’m able to spread out my notes, plot cards, discarded print outs and other detritus. It’s a total tip but I know where everything is “filed”. Every six months I have to do a clear up and it takes the best part of  a day.  I sometimes get approached by writing magazines to take part in their “where I write” features and have to politely decline. I couldn’t let their readers see what a mess I work in!

When I’m working on a project I write solidly in the mornings – in three 45-minute bursts, broken up by short screen/ drink breaks. I have a power nap early afternoon, and try to squeeze in a second writing session from 4pm for a couple of hours. The late afternoon spurt can be the most productive – the sleep really seems to help replenish my imagination.

– Do you have a certain ritual?

I write to music. I stick on my earphones, call up Spotify on my laptop, and block out the outside world. The music I listen to varies depending upon the mood I’m trying to create. If I’m writing anything atmospheric or spooky, I’ll listen to rock violinist Lindsey Stirling or pianist Ludovico Einaudi. If, however, I’m writing something humorous I’ll listen to Madness.

I love Spotify because it allows me to either listen to a particular artist’s entire playlist, or more unusually, pick a favourite song and listen to all the different cover versions.

– Is there a drink of some food that keeps you company while you write?

Coffee – gallons of the stuff. And too many biscuits and doughnuts for my own good. Writing is very draining mentally and I find the sugar keeps my energy levels topped up. But it comes at a cost – at the end of a writing project I need to go on a mini diet!

– What is your favourite book?

That’s a tougher question than it seems. I have loads of favourite books and authors. But if you were dumping me on a desert island with only one thing to read, it would have to be A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Christmas, plum pudding, scary ghosts, a telling glimpse into Victorian history and hardships, the wonderful setting of old London and a hateful main character who finds redemption. What’s not to like?

– Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?

I’d love to bring out a series of comedic steampunk novels. It would combine two of my great loves – off-the-wall gadget-filled science-fiction and quirky humour packed with film references and very bad puns.

– Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?

Oh yes. All the time. I sometimes feel I should read out a caution to everyone I meet. “I must warn you that anything you say or do may be used in my next book.” I especially love people with unusual mannerisms. I recently meet a priest who kept nervously touching his face and I thought it would be a wonderful device to use in the opening story in Game of Crones to show how, no matter what he did to hide it,  baddie Mayor Gustalf was insecure and open to manipulation.

– Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?

No, but I should. Instead I end up scribbling frantically on anything that comes to hand – napkins, the backs of envelopes, receipts, in the margins of bills, the back of my hand! Of course, it’s a law of the universe that inspiration strikes in the most awkward places at the most inappropriate times. I try to be organised and transfer the ideas to a Word file later, but don’t always succeed. Sometimes I’m too cryptic and weeks later I can’t remember what King must die means.

– Which genre do you not like at all?

I am quite narrowly focused in my what I like – fantasy, sci-fi, comedy and crime. Beyond that not much appeals. I’m sure I miss out on a huge number of great reads by having a closed mind.

– If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?

I think a collaboration with Anne Rice would be a blast. I am completely enthralled by vampire fiction and she is the queen of the genre.  Unfortunately Angela Carter, whose macabre poetic tales were mesmerising,  is no longer with us – but readers have said they see elements of her influences in my work so I’d have loved to have co-authored a Gothic horror novel with her.

– If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?

I was actually lucky to be able to do this just a few months ago when I visited Transylvania to soak up the spooky ambiance and visit some of its creepiest buildings and hear its vampires legends first hand – I managed to absorb loads of juicy terror tit-bits which I hope to be able to incorporate into the sequel to Crimson Siege.

Thank you, Jay Raven and Rachel’s Random Resources.

About the author

Jay Raven is the author of Gothic chillers and historical horror reminding readers that the past is a dangerous place to venture, full of monsters and murderous men. He blames his fascination with vampires, witches and werewolves on the Hammer Horror films he watched as a teenager, but living in a creepy old house on the edge of a 500-acre wood may have something to do with it.

If you would like to be informed of new releases, enjoy free short stories and access exclusive giveways and competitions, please subscribe to Jay’s monthly newsletter on his website at www.jayraven.co.uk

Social Media Links 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fantasywriterjayraven/

Twitter: @JayRavenAuthor

Website: www.jayraven.com