Laura Braley: March 2013

The loneliness gnawed at him hard. He had gone to visit his family several times over the course of the following years and had witnessed firsthand the sorrow in their faces when they thought they’d lost him. He watched his parents from the shadows and saw their hearts were broken, not knowing what had become of their son. Eventually, they passed away, and Harrow felt loneliness like a knife speared permanently in his heart.

He was indeed a freak, as he’d been branded by Tor, but not for the reason Tor had concluded. Harrow was a vampire with a conscience, a disease, and a shaky future ahead of him. He was fucked — as fucked as he could get.

Excerpt from Hunted

Today I'd like to welcome author Lorenz Font! She has recently released her first full length novel, Hunted, the first book in her exciting series, The Gates Legacy. I was fortunate enough to work with Lorenz during the writing and final production of her book. She is an incredibly talented lady, and I'm thrilled that she took time out of her busy schedule to drop by.

So Lorenz, please tell us, as a new author, what was it like going through the submission process?

I can’t say the path was clear and easy. I had my share of heartaches. Many writers, I’m certain, will agree with me when I say that rejection is a part of the deal. It is almost a ‘rite of passage’. One good thing about my publisher is their quick response to my query email. For a newbie like me, nail-biting and constant checking of email is expected. I can’t count how many times I opened my email hoping to hear from a publisher. Each time I submitted a manuscript, I didn’t sit around and wait, I kept writing. All it takes is to have the right mindset, motivation and attitude. I’m glad it didn’t take long for my stories to find a home.

Hunted, Book One of The Gates Legacy

Deep in the heart of New York City’s underworld, a horrible disease is ravaging the vampire community. The Vampire Council is on a crusade to obliterate those infected, and Harrow Gates is target Number One. The unwitting source of the plague, he suffers from the same nightmarish symptoms as his victims. The world he'd been thrust into was cold, cruel, and intent on eradicating him, and the legions of afflicted vampires he created with his bite.

A bounty hanging over his head, satisfying his hunger has become an enormous challenge for Harrow. The less he feeds, the more hideous and painful his lesions become. Constantly running for his life and learning new tricks to survive, Harrow is in no position to refuse when Pritchard Tack offers him a unique opportunity. Pritchard not only gives Harrow a new beginning, but also a purpose and a chance to rectify the chaos he created in the vampire world. However, the multi-billionaire has an agenda of his own.

Jordan is a reluctant new vampire and a woman on a mission. After the demise of her family and her own transformation at the hands of Goran, the ruthless leader of the Vampire Council, her only focus is revenge. Constantly faced with one frustrating dead-end after another, a stroke of luck leads her to an underground facility that she suspects is the lair of the monster for whom she is looking.

Upon learning more about the truth behind the secret bunker, Jordan must fight against her growing feelings of friendship and concern for the facility’s inhabitants. One man in particular threatens to pull her heart away from her sworn mission. There is something behind Harrow’s dark lenses that unsettles the hardened female. Once again, she trembles and hungers for something other than red-stained revenge. Is love strong enough to override her hate-fueled thirst for vengeance?

And how did it feel to actually hold the book in your hand for the first time?

Holding the book? It feels like heaven at my fingertips. Nothing beats a book that pulses in your hands, like its breathing and living. I had tears in my eyes when I opened the package which contained the author proof copy. It’s an unbelievable feeling to finally hold a book that bears my name. Call me sentimental but I consider the physical book as a reward for all the work and long hours I’ve put in. It proudly proclaims that I have arrived, and I intend to stay.

The characters in Hunted are vibrantly written. As the many layers of the story unfolded, I found myself drawn deeper into their lives through Lorenz's skillful storytelling. Here's another excerpt from the book:

“There really isn’t a second scenario, we’re dead set and conceptually right about the first one.” Pritchard chuckled. Harrow hissed under his breath, unable to control his hunger any longer. “You need to feed. I know Tor rudely interrupted your dinner. Intel confirms that needle in your pocket, meant you’re not advocating the spread of the disease, am I right?”

Harrow shuddered before nodding. His could feel his strength fading and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. This human, in all of his infinite wisdom, should give him his neck and be done with.

“I know what you’re thinking Harrow,” Pritchard laughed without humor. “I’m not the enemy here, or your dinner. I will take you to a cell for now, where you will be fed donated blood until we find a cure for that ailment. Neither of you are prisoners here, but until we are certain that you’re not a threat to us humans, you will not be allowed to move around freely.”

Pritchard rose to his feet. “Follow me,” he told Harrow.

“What about these damn cuffs on our leg, we’re not animals you know.” Tor said and his voice thundered through the room. He was already up on his feet and facing off with Lambert, who was sporting a push dagger, notably of Dangeran material.

“They are trackers, in case you are out there,” Lambert motioned with his hand. “We will know how to find you.”

“Just like we’re dogs, right?” Tor said distastefully.

“Yes, but very special dogs,” Lambert said, taunting as he grabbed Tor’s elbow and shoved him forward to follow Pritchard and Harrow. They were already walking down the long corridor that eventually led them to a windowless suite. The furnishings were top-rated, lavish to be exact. There were two king-sized beds, a state of the art sound system sitting next to a giant television, expensive looking art adorned the wall, and plush carpeting to boot.

Fantastic stuff! I had a hard time tearing myself away from the rich narrative and brilliantly crafted world that Lorenz created in the hidden depths of New York City. My final question for Lorenz.

Was it worth it?

Even if the path is long and uncertain, I’m going to put more time, energy and everything I have in every piece I write. It’s well worth the effort. After all, it’s a dream come true.

Thanks so much, Lorenz! I appreciate your stopping by.

The second book has already been written and is scheduled for release later this year. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in this exciting series.

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. Hunted, the first book of The Gates Legacy trilogy, is her debut novel. Written in forty-five days, the grueling writing schedule was a personal challenge, even though she thought it was madness at first.

She enjoys dabbling in different genres with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

She currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. Lorenz spends most of her free time writing while also working as a Business Office Manager for a skilled-rehabilitation hospital.

You can check out earlier stops, and follow the rest of Lorenz's blog tour, with the schedule below.

3/5: Sydney Logan-- www.sydneylogan.com

3/6: Jennifer Garcis-- itlnbrt.com

3/7: Wyndy-- wyndydee.wordpress.com

3/8: Nails233-- http://nails233.blogspot.com

3/9: Anna Crosswell-- martinitimes.com

3/10: Credoroza-- http://fandomfanatic.blogspot.com

3/11: Faye-- http://freshfiction.com

3/12: Leslie-- www.storeybookreviews.com

3/13: Estelle Mars-- http://estellemars.blogspot.com

3/14: Ali-- http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com

3/15: Lori’s Book Blog-- lorisbookblog.blogspot.com