The Spotlight is on The Vampire From Hell

Welcome to our Saturday Spotlight here on Not Enough Time in the Day. As promised, author Ally Thomas returns today to shine the spotlight on her newly released volume series The Vampire From Hell (Parts 1-3). It's available in both ebook and print formats. If you click on each of the covers below, you will be taken to the site to purchase your particular format choice. So now that the "bookkeeping" is out of the way, let's learn a bit more about this series from Ally herself. 

ebook format

In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind your story.

The description I wrote for the first part of my series, The Vampire from Hell sums it up best. Rayea is the oldest daughter of Satan and she feels the origin of vampires started in Hell, and it started with her. Rayea isn't daddy's little girl, even if he is the most powerful fallen angel around. He wants her to take an active role in the family business. But she's not interested in his schemes for world domination. Instead she wants to spend her time shopping on the Internet, rescuing humans from a horrific eternity, and practicing martial arts with her seven foot hellhound. Then one day everything changes. She's turned into a vampire by her father.

What is she running away from (literally or figuratively)?

Rayea is really running from her definition of who she sees herself as being when she is with her family. She loathes her father, Satan and her sister, Stephanie because they are just not nice people. Rayea wants to define who she is as a person and a vampire and move on.

What is the theme at the heart of your story?

For me, the theme is overcoming one's obstacles no matter what they are.  It's about having the confidence to step forward, accomplish what you want to accomplish, even if you aren't sure at the moment that you can succeed, but still trying and ultimately realizing your potential or your dreams. 


In the Vampire from Hell series, Rayea struggles with letting fear affect her and becoming a confident person.  She's quite capable as a vampire to defeat her enemies, but sometimes she has her doubts in her skills. She doesn't trust people very easily because of her past. She struggles with opening her heart up to love and finding someone she truly wants to be with, so "living happily-ever-after" is going to be quite a feat for Rayea if it does indeed happen for her.

Print format

What message do you hope readers take away from this story?

It may sound grandiose, but really it comes down to " don't let fear stop you." If there is something you want to accomplish in your life, set your sights on it, don't take no for an answer, and go for it. That's it. That's what I want readers to take away from my stories, especially this series, the Vampire from Hell. It's the whole reason I'm now writing. 


I struggled for many years to write. I wanted to write vampire stories, but I just didn't think I had anything to say that anyone would want to read. I struggled with a lot of self-doubt. I didn't trust in my own abilities. Finally I threw caution to the wind in September 2011, took a short story class, wrote a twenty-page short story that became "The Vampire from Hell (Part 1) - The Beginning," and got it published.  When I offered it as a free download on Amazon and saw how many times a week it was being downloaded and got emails from readers saying they wanted to learn more about Rayea's story, I decided to step into the writing arena and go for it.

What inspires you to write?

Despite still having a full time job writing online lessons for clients, I get up in the morning early and write. That's why this series is being released in installments or parts, so I can keep sending out Rayea's story to readers. When it first started, I wrote for myself. Now I write because I want to share Rayea's story with my readers. They want to know more about her and her adventures, so that's what keeps me going.

Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?

That's a good question. I'm not totally sure. I think really they are character driven. Rayea in the Vampire from Hell is driving this story. I sit down to the computer and we have a big discussion about what I want to say and about what she wants to tell her "online friends" as she calls them. She's writing each installment as an article for her blog, so we have to make sure it all lines up together...if that makes sense. :)

What are you working on now?

I'm actually working on a spin off of my current series. I worked in a new character, Grace who Rayea tries to save in "A Vampire on Vacation (Part 3)" that I just released In July. Grace falls for Rayea's ex-boyfriend, Death (he also goes by Demetri) and so things will get complicated for Grace and Demetri as they work on their relationship in this new paranormal romance called Fanged Destiny (Fanged Love #1). It will be out in late September.




To learn more about Rayea's adventures and the new paranormal romance series from Ally Thomas, stop by her website today.

http://allythomas.wordpress.com/

Thursday Thirteen with Vampire from Hell author Ally Thomas!

Hello and happy Thursday! Today I have a special treat for you. For the Thursday Thirteen spot, I have authors submit the first thirteen sentences or the first thirteen lines of their book. I thought it would be fun to give you BOTH options from special guest Ally Thomas. Her Vampire from Hell series is very popular with both young adult and adult readers. If you love vamps, you will enjoy this series.

So on to today's feature. First let's look at the first thirteen sentences from A Vampire on Vacation (The Vampire from Hell: Part 3)

Sometimes even vampires have to pay for their sins.  My case is no different than anyone else’s.  Wait!  What am I talking about?  My case is like no other case.  My name is Rayea and I’m probably the only vampire created in Hell.  As far as I know, I’m the only vampire in existence anywhere.  I mean do witches or werewolves or zombies for that matter have to face Judgment Day?  Seriously?  I’d like to find one and ask him.  Yeah, my case is different, and then some.

Being summoned to the Golden Skull Bar in San Francisco by J only adds to my worries.  I’m currently drowning my sorrows with a bottle of tequila.

Why is J sending Death?  Am I really about to die? 

Whoa! That reached out and grabbed your attention didn't it? How about we now compare it to the first thirteen lines from Chapter 1 from Ally's website.

Sometimes even vampires have to pay for their sins.  My case is no different than anyone else’s.  Wait!  What am I talking about?  My case is like no other case.  My name is Rayea and I’m probably the only vampire created in Hell.  As far as I know, I’m the only vampire in existence anywhere.  I mean do witches or werewolves or zombies for that matter have to face Judgment Day?  Seriously?  I’d like to find one and ask him.  Yeah, my case is different, and then some.

Being summoned to the Golden Skull Bar in San Francisco by J only adds to my worries.  I’m currently drowning my sorrows with a bottle of tequila.

Why is J sending Death?  Am I really about to die?  Death shows up when people die, or are about to die.  Is it my turn?  Can a vampire forged out of Hell be killed?  Is this part of the ‘greater plan’ as J calls it?  What am I missing?

Immediately the painful memory of the mind meld J gave me during our conversation at Blick’s home surfaces at the back of my skull.  Will dying feel like that?  I visualize my brain turning to a globby mess of orange jello and oozing out of my ears.  “It probably will be a lot like that,” I mutter to myself.

If you're anything like me, Ally has you hooked! Once you start reading, you will have a hard time putting the book down. So check out her links below and get lost in Rayea's world. I promise, you won't regret it!

Blurb

As a vampire from Hell, Rayea’s life is rather complicated so when she’s given an opportunity to take a vacation on Earth, she jumps at the chance. In the third part of the Vampire from Hell series, Rayea travels to Earth hoping to meet her online friends, leave her disturbing past with her father behind her, and embark on a new future without her meddling family. The Vampire from Hell is a novella series and is being released in installments. 

Links to Excerpts

The Foreword - http://allythomas.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/a-foreword-by-a-voice-from-the-blood-realm-a-vampire-on-vacation-part-3-sample/

Chapter 1 - http://allythomas.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/chapter-1-sample-a-vampire-on-vacation-part-3/

Chapter 2 - http://allythomas.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/chapter-2-sample-a-vampire-on-vacation-part-3/

About the Author

Ally Thomas loves writing fantasy and paranormal books about vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, and any furry monsters who go bump in the night. She enjoys imagining new origins for these traditional creatures and seeing where it'll take her.

Ally lives in the south with her husband and unproductive furry co-workers including two cats and a dog. She is currently working on the next installment of the fantasy paranormal series, the Vampire from Hell and the upcoming paranormal romance series, Fanged Love. 

Where to find Ally

Website - http://allythomas.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004VY7JB4

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ally.thomas11


The Vampire from Hell Book Page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/thevampirefromhellbyallythomas

Ally on Twitter - https://twitter.com/alleyalex 

Make sure you stop in again on July 28th. Ally will be joining us for Spotlight Saturday and sharing her compilation novel that includes all three parts of Rayea's story so far. 

Until then, Blessed Be.

Today's Spotlight is on author Amelia Mah

I'd like to welcome Amelia Mah today to Not Enough Time in the Day. She's graciously agreed to be our first Saturday Spotlight author. Fangs Rule: a Girl's Guide to Being a Vampire and her new release Amy Mah Vampire (Night Life) document the ups and downs of being a teenage vampire. Let's get started shall we? Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi my name is Amy, ok my full Vampire name is: Lady Amelia Mistress of the Night Mare but I prefer to shorten mine to Amy Mah (Vampire) or just Amy to my friends. For those who do not know me I should point out that I used to be a feral vamp living in the outside world raised by humans until I was discovered and adopted into Vampire society. In the human world life was very difficult for me, I knew I needed blood but did not know how to get it, all I had was human books and films telling all kinds of stuff that was useless like I can change into a bat, and that is so not true as I tried it and all it does is make you look stupid as you flap your arms up and down! It was while living with humans I started writing my own little journal, recording what it is like being a teenage vampire, I know that a lot of it will be very obvious but I started it when I knew very little about Vampire-ing…


What inspires you to write?
Well I have lots of stories playing in my head so it’s either become a writer or start wearing white jackets that tie your arms behind your back.  If it was not for being able to step into my own world I expect I would go crazy.




Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
The characters. The plot just seems to happen on its own. Nothing is ever planned. I just provide the fingers on the keyboard.

In what ways are your characters like you? In what ways are your characters not like you?

The main character is just like me.  Yes, she is very like me. In fact we both have the same name! Ok so we are a little different, like she can hang from the ceiling by her foot claws where as I would be lucky to hold onto a ladder with two hands.

 

I based her on my own childhood and yes I did have a very odd upbringing. I remember sleeping on roofs as a child. Well we had a flat roof and it was so much fun on a hot summers night to wear PJ’s and snuggle up in a sleeping bag staring up at the stars and yes my PJ’s did have bats on them. Ho, those were the days!

 

I now own panties with bats on! See I did say I was crazy. I will try and add a pic of them to this just to prove it. 

What are the recurring core issues in your stories?

I can remember all the embarrassing stuff that all teenagers go through and I show that they are the same when you happen to be a different species and to this day I still think boys happen to be a different species with or without fangs.

In the book I talk of the problems with simple things like wrapping a tower around yourself when coming out of a shower, this sort of thing definitely comes from my high school days where for fun girls used to pull off other girls towels so you had to run after them naked, apart from the writing has it affected me? Well if ever see me wear just a towel in company nowadays I would be the one with that comes with a belt!  

My vampire world has lots of rules and when something happens then there is a reason for it. You can see how the main characters run up against rules and what happens to them when they do. Normally it is very funny to watch.

Why do you think you are drawn to these types of characters/plots again and again?

I try to put myself into a situation and then look around and think heck how would I get out of this. As I said, the world has rules and my characters are not super heroes.

Just because a vampire has better teeth than most people all it means is they need to brush them more often! 

What are your favorite fiction genres to read from?

I love funny novels.

What are your favorite non-fiction genres to read from?

History, yes I so love history.

Where can we find your book Fangs Rule: A Girl's Guide to Being a Vampire and your new book Amy Mah Vampire (Nightlife)?

 Signed and post free just visit my website:  www.fangsrule.com

Or this page: www.fangsrule.com/buy.htm

Even on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Mah-Vampire-Night-Life/dp/1874192626/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1342656390&sr=8-3&keywords=amy+mah

And

http://www.amazon.com/Fangs-Rule-Girls-Guide-Vampire/dp/1874192480/ref=la_B004SYA8JM_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342656424&sr=1-1

Give the core premise behind your story.

Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. 

They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few.  Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire.

At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne!

In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it.

And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (well at least not on the first date).

When and where does your book take place?

With a world filled with blood sucking denizens of the night (vampires) you want me to give you a location? Ok, think of it as America and as to the time well, about right now. ;)

Who is the heroine?

Amy Mah who is a teenage girl that finds she is stuck as a teenager for far too long.

What drives her?

Day to day living, the same that drives most people.

What is she running away from (literally or figuratively)?

Mostly humans that want to kill her just because she has better teeth than they do.

What about her will make readers sympathetic to her?

Anyone who is a teenager or lived through the teenage years will know her problems.

 What is the theme at the heart of your story?

Growing up and being different

Will your new book be part of a series?

Yes I hope it is, but it will depend if people buy this one. If they do then it will be the first in the Night Life series.

Last Year I did a book which is a guide to help to understand my vampire world it is called FANGS RULE: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire”

Its done as an A to Z of what to expect to happen as a teenage vampire, a self help book if you will. The guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal. Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you?

Very good point, Amy! Where else can we find more about you and your books?

You can find me at my website http://www.fangsrule.com and at The Vampire Book Realm http://www.vampirebookrealm.com/

Thank you so much for joining us here today, Amy! Life as a teenager is rough enough, but being a vampire on top of it has to be even harder. 

As an extra special treat, here are two of Amy's videos for you to enjoy.