Interview with H.D. Thomson

I’d like to welcome our guest today, H.D. Thomson. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Shrouded in Darkness. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure! It's the first in a three book series, all tied to one secretiveness and malignant pharmaceutical company.

If Jake Preston doesn’t stumble upon a miracle and soon, he’ll endup dead. And even if he does, he still might end up dead with a clever killer hounding his heels. He believes that the one miracle and antidote to save him is in Margot Davenport’s house, across the country and miles away from Boston. Somewhere locked in her home is the key to reversing an experiment that is killing him with each breath he takes.

Margot doesn’t particularly care if she ends up dead. She’s lost everything she’s ever cared for. A divorce and the loss of her job as a corporate lawyer has left her with little faith in herself or in anyone else. Most importantly, she’s lost the one person on this earth she’s looked up to and cherished–her brother, Johnny. His death in a car accident has devastated her, and she can’t find the willpower to pull herself from the chasm she’s fallen into. Her only solace is at the bottom of a wineglass. Having moved back to the small town in northern Arizona where she was raised, she’s made a point of isolating herself both mentally and physically from everyone other than a few chosen friends. Little does she know that her life is going to explode into chaos and the person behind Johnny’s death is coming after her.

Shrouded in Darkness is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I wanted to stress how a person’s motivations, life direction is never straightforward. Many a person will conceal their inner self, either for fear of retaliation, rejection or because they have dark, ulterior motives. Nothing is always as it appears in life and in people.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always loved paranormal books from the moment I opened a Dean Koontz book. I also love romance, so putting the two together just seemed natural.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I started reading some of the older books by H.G. Wells and Oscar Wilde. Some of them are such dark books, and I do love writing dark. I started thinking ‘what if’, and the idea of Shrouded in Darkness was formed.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

I don’t really have a favorite book or site. Scientific Magazine has given me some wonderful information and ideas. I usually look for articles on certain paranormal topics.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Oh that would be Jake hands down! He’s such a tormented soul but I just love how he’s dealt with all the obstacles I’ve put him through. His faith in life is amazing. I wish I had as much faith as he does in the book.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I don’t interview but I do start off with a character sheet, but it’s really not in depth. Over time the characters start growing in my head and a lot of the time they lead me in areas in the story I don’t expect.

Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

I actually start researching a subject and try to make it as realistic as possible. Other than that I just kind of wing it and let it form itself.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Dean Koontz. I love all his earlier works. I actually used to read him and his pen name Leigh Nichols. At the time they were my favorite authors and I hadn’t a clue they were one and the same! I love the spiritual aspect of how his characters overcome such heart wrenching obstacles.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I think guest blogs. Mainly just getting out there and being visible.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have two more books in the series. The next one is Shrouded in Mystery, which is about John Davenport, a man who wakes up with amnesia and suspects he might by Clark Kent. He’s determined to uncover his past and someone else is just as determined to make sure he doesn’t, even to the point of killing again.

Thanks, H.D!

To celebrate her book release, H.D. Thomson is offering a free book of Shrouded in Darkness to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.

H.D. Thomson moved from Ontario, Canada as a teenager to the heat of Arizona where she graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in accounting. After working in the corporate world as an accountant, H.D. changed her focus to one of her passions-books. She owned and operated an online bookstore for several years and then started the company, Bella Media Management. The company specializes in web sites, video trailers, ebook conversion and promotional resources for authors and small businesses. When she is not heading her company, she is following her first love-writing.

Check out author’s website at http://www.hdthomson.com/. Buy Amazon, Barnes and Noble.