Author Cynthia Cooke loves scary stories–and romance! Which makes her a perfect fit for paranormal romances from Harlequin Nocturne. Cynthia guest blogs today about her new book out this month, Black Magic Lover, and what gives her chills…
by Cynthia Cooke, author of Black Magic Lover (Harlequin Nocturne, September 2010)
“I talk to dead people.”
Five little words and they strike terror into your heart. Your mind immediately flashes to a scared little boy desperate for help and you tense, just a little. Ahhh, scary stories. How I love them. And that’s why I LOVE Nocturne. Not only can we write scintillating stories that get our blood pumping, but throw a hot guy in there to ride to the rescue and life is good.
My latest Nocturne, Black Magic Lover, is set deep in a Louisiana swamp where things definitely go bump in the night. We have voodoo magick and creepy stalkers and, yes, a hero who can see dead people. Even though he wishes to God he didn’t. And what’s worse, he can see those touched by Death’s decrepit hand himself. Those who are about to die.
Just thinking about it gives me chills. What gives you chills? How about a cemetery where all the graves are above ground, a swamp so thick with algae, even the trees stand up on their knees. A house so old, the wood creaks and groans, begging for release. And yet, people live there. People thrive there. And you have to wonder, how? Why? What secrets are locked away behind their dark doors?
Ahhh, yes, I love Louisiana. Love the swamps. The history. The exotic mysticism. And, of course, New Orleans. Birthplace of Lestat, the Witches of Mayfair, and so many other wonderful titillating tales.
What are your favorite scary stories? What keeps you up at night? What has you turning the pages because you’re afraid to turn out the lights?
Afraid to breathe….
Can’t wait to read BLACK MAGIC LOVER, Cynthia! I love heroes tortured by the life they must live despite their desires, and that end up rescuing everybody because they’re so strong and noble at heart. Yum!
I love love love the scare of black magic, probably because of the evil power of its ultimate source. I get all spooked out over devil stories, where the devil takes some devious human form–like in the movie The Devil’s Advocate, or Alexandra Sokoloff’s The Price. Omg, just thinking about it gives me chills!
Hi Katherine!
Thanks for visiting me!! I know what you mean — I loved the Devil’s Advocate and Alex’s books are awesome! I’ve always been drawn to all things supernatural. I guess it’s the uncertainty of it all, not too mention the overwhelming almost unbeatable power these villains have, but somehow, time and time again, our heroes are able to dig down deep and pull it out in the end. Gotta love that!
Hey Cynthia
My favorite scary stories come from Edgar Allen Poe and an anthology edited by Alfred Hitchcock. I pull our these two hardback books every Halloween.
The Tell-Tale Heart is a prime campfire ghost story.
The Alfred Hitchcock book are a bunch of short stories. One of the scariest ends with a moth attacking a boy who spent the whole story pinning butterflies and moths in collections.
In a lot of the old books and movies, they know how to add suspense to a story without all the special effects. While space battles are nice, I sometimes wonder if we haven’t lost some story tension aspects given the current state of technology.
Hi, Cynthia! Love the blog, and can’t wait to read Black Magic Lover. What gives me the chills, or the creeps? Evil without remorse which is, to me, pure evil, especially if they have charisma or a likable quality. Ugh, gives me the shivers just thinking about it. I guess that’s why I try to write my terrorist bad guys the same way.
Hi Beth!
You are so right. While CGI and all the special effects are great, sometimes it feels as if we’ve just moved from one special effects scene to the next with no real thought put into story. Which is why I was so disappointed with Avatar. The potential was there for a great movie, and instead we got great special effects with a so-so plot. I was hoping for so much more.
Ooh, Diane I know what you mean. I instantly thought of Ted Bundy when reading your post. I am an avid fan of Criminal Minds, and their villains always seem to be like that. I guess they have to be or they wouldn’t be able to get anyone to go near them. Creepy!!
Cynthia,
Love scary stories and the paranormal. And I’m especially fond of vampire and psychic stories. Can’t wait to read yours.
What scares me? People. Sociopaths and narcissistic crazy stalkers! And they’re out there…
Thanks Lilly! Have you ever heard of that book The Sociopath Next Door! Now THAT was scary. They say sociopaths are usually very successful because they don’t mind who they step on on the way up the ladder. Though not all of them kill people, but still… I just sayin….
Aloha Cynthia,
I am hoping to read your title. I really love the premise!=)
Thanks!!!
Thanks so much everyone!!
BLACK MAGIC LOVER looks right up my alley I cant wait to read it .
I agree about Louisanna I hope to visit there one day I love everything I ve heard,read and seen about it .The stories that scare me are the ones like Scream and I know what you did last summer the kind that could happen freak me out and after watching that type of movie it takes weeks before Ill go outside after dark alone lol.