Megan O'Day seems to be navigating the unpredictable relationship with Geoffrey Drake, her centuries-old vampire guardian angel, rather well. But then his past suddenly rips him from her, forcing her to face the unknown future alone in the gripping sequel to The Stage.
Still bound to Geoffrey through the power of the Link despite his unexplained absence, Megan's mind is flooded with his haunted memories. While she relives the darkest moments of his previous life, she discovers his attachment to a woman who bears a striking resemblance to her.
As she questions Geoffrey's love for her, she strikes up a dangerous alliance with Geoffrey's brother, Alexander, who is also a vampire. She hopes that he will help her find a way to rescue Geoffrey: instead, he seems to be awakening new emotions and desires within her.
As the past and present collide, Megan struggles to fend off Alexander's dark seduction. Is Geoffrey truly beyond the reach of her love forever? If not, what must be sacrificed to bring them back together again?
The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour only
Excerpt
I began to hear a sound as they were speaking; a small child’s voice, whispering to me. Her high pitched voice, singing a lullaby and I recognized the notes. It was Greensleeves, the same one my mother had sang to me when I was a child. Without thinking, I walked forward, ignoring them as they reached out for me.
“Megan, stop!” I heard them say yet I went in. Suddenly the room was full of sunlight. It was a child’s nursery, with light blue walls and soft white curtains at the lovely double sided windows that opened on to a huge oak tree, whose branches reached out to the window’s ledge. A small robin sat on the limb, singing. I turned to see toys and stuffed animals around the wooden floor that was covered with a multicolored throw rug. Shelf after shelf of books and nick knacks were all around the walls. Then I saw her in the corner, slowly moving back and forth in the rocking chair, holding a doll, gently stroking its hair. She looked up and I saw eyes, one green and one blue. Her light brown hair was tied up with a yellow ribbon, and she wore a pale blue dress with lace and bows. Her legs had the familiar white tights that I remembered as well as black Mary Jane’s on her little feet.
“Hello there,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Hello. Who are you?” I asked walking toward her, still looking around, totally amazed at what I was seeing, experiencing.
“Well, I’m you of course.” She said, coyly. She jumped up and reached out for my hand. She looked at the cute little tea set on the table next to her.
“Will you join me for some tea with my dolly?” She asked in her little voice, so sweet and innocent. There was something I was supposed to be doing, but what was it? I couldn’t remember. Wasn’t there someone with me, right before I saw her? No, I must’ve of imagined that. Where else would I want to be besides here?
“Yes, I’d love to. Would you like me to pour?” I said, sitting down and crossing me legs as she sat in the little chair beside me.
Interview
What are four things you can’t live without?
Answer: First and foremost…my family, they’re my reason for rising each day to see the sunrise and the same reason for treasuring the sun setting. Time flies too fast to not realize the treasures of today…because tomorrow is no guarantee. Then I suppose my dog, who is a PomTeese mix, named Sir Snuggles…because he’s the king of snuggling, he always knows when I’m sad, depressed or craving to be alone as he’s the perfect antidote. His loyalty and love have no bounds and he’s my shadow no matter where I go. Music is a must in my life, whether that be classic Beethoven, sixties Motown, 70’s disco, or my personal favorite 80’s MTV era though modern pop can catch my ear too. Throw in some Icelandic Goth Rock or even classic show tunes…I love all types of rhythmic notes. One more…hmmm…I’d have to say a piping hot Pumpkin spice hot chocolate at the first onset of autumn, my favorite season of all. As I don’t drink coffee or tea, never could get past the bitter flavor, hot coco is my drug of choice.
What is your favorite television show?
Answer: Oh crap, this one’s a tough. Growing up I LOVED “Happy Days” plus “Laveran & Shirley” as well as “Little House on the Prairie” and add “Night Stalker” plus “Dark Shadows” (see a theme yet? Lol). Now as an adult, I fell hard for “Friends”, who didn’t, right? Then along came “ER” with George Clooney long before “Gray’s Anatomy” (which I’ve actually not watched). Then CBS debuted “Moonlight”, a Vampire detective show that unwisely was canceled after only 1 season, huge mistake for CBS because the next Vampire craze wave was just brimming to explode. So I found myself having to feed my genre-loving obsession on HBO with “TruBlood”…one word…EPIC! However alas…that didn’t last forever so along came “Vampire Diaries”…which kind of sorta of followed the books…loosely and now my genre continues with the spin off from that show “The Originals” that is sadly on it’s last season…why?????? Ug…so soon I’ll have to find a new show to feed my insatiable appetite for all-things Vampires.
If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Why?
Answer: Lestat from The Vampire Chronicles: He’s arrogant, snobby, foolish…yet reckless, brave, eventually becomes wise beyond even his belief capabilities and he continues to learn, whether that be something boring as how to use any device in the digital era or to talk philosophy, music, and love with Louie.
What have you got coming soon for us to look out for?
Answer: I’m currently working on The Stage Chronicles: Enter Stage Right Book 3, which will find our leading characters dealing with a totally new screwball that life has thrown at them. Plus add on a totally different story & characters, just because I don’t have enough of them chatting in my head 24/7. A/V is a paranormal sci-fi fantasy that again takes place in the Seattle area and surrounding suburbs.
What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Answer: Any of Anne Rice’s works, whether that be The Vampire Chronicles or The Lives of the Mayfair Witches, or even The Wolf Gift Chronicles. Though I must bestow the honor of highest inspiration to Stephenie Meyer of The Twilight Saga, The Chemist, and The Host.
Catherine Russell was born in Tacoma, Washington and raised in a small town just south, South Hill, Puyallup. At the time South Hill was a heavily wooded area and far off the beaten path. Growing up she had the forests as her fantasy world along with the wild animals. She lived with her parents and an older sister. There are a few similarities from her own childhood that have carried over in to her first novel, “The Stage”. As a child, she did have a small dog named Toto, whom she would quite frequently roam the woods with. Her childhood home still stands, and is still nestled in the woods even though South Hill has undergone an extreme makeover since she lived there. She enjoyed hours of day dreaming and playing in the woods, which in turn fed her fantasy world of make believe.
The Stage Chronicles site http://www.thestagechronicles.com/
Barking Rain Press site https://barkingrainpress.org/exit-stage-left/
Amazon link for The Stage Chronicles Book 2 Exit Stage Left https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Stage-Left-Chronicles/dp/1935460889
Amazon link for The Stage Chronicles Book 1 The Stage https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Stage-Left-Chronicles/dp/1935460889
Twitter for The Stage Chronicles https://twitter.com/CathyMRussell
Facebook for The Stage Chronicles https://www.facebook.com/thestagechronicles/
Instagram for The Stage Chronicles https://www.instagram.com/thestagechronicles_/
Giveaway
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
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