Featured Author:

C.J. Galaway

1.  Please introduce yourself. Tell us a little about the person behind the pen.

Hi my name is C.J. Galaway and Bite Marks is my debut novel.  I have self published on all major e-book markets and am in the final stages of having a paperback for sale on Amazon.  I live in the Charlotte area and am an avid reader as well.  My reading like my writing spans several genres.  When not writing or working  I can often be found playing Runescape online with friends.

2.    What made you decide to write (the genre of your book), were there any influencing factors, or were any of the stories based on true events. 

It actually was built around a scene that popped into my head on a snowy night stuck in the house with nothing to do.  One random page out of the blue, and it sat for several years until I found it again and after reading it saw the story unfold before me.

3    .How do you promote your book, and do you find that difficult or just par for the course

I’m learning and adding new ways to promote the book, but right now it’s mostly through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and word of mouth.  I’ve just discovered Goodreads and am looking for every avenue possible to further promote the book.  It’s a learning process and at times it’s frustrating because it feels like no one is around to help.  But having said that I have found a network of amazing independent authors out there willing to offer their help if you ask for it.

4.   Do you remember your first review and how it made you feel?  (If it was a bad one, also tell about your good one too).

Yes, I do.  It was on Amazon’s UK site for their Kindle books.  The person who read it gave it a glowing review and ended with that he was waiting on the net book.  I remember reading it and thinking wow, this is really happening and that I really need to get started on the next book.

5.   Tell us about your book and if it’s a series and how the public is reacting to this book.

The title is Bite Marks and it’s the story of Angela Stewart, a young woman who is enamored with the Hollywood image of vampires.  When she meets Amanda and finds out she is a real vampire, she asks to be made one and it changes her life in ways she never thought possible.

So far the feedback I’ve been getting is really good.  What has surprised me are the people who are recommended by a friend and say that it isn’t their typical book to read, but end up liking it.

6.    Can you share any and all links that are important to you as a person and the book?  (You can relate more to a book if you know more about the author).

I have a few sites up that I try to update on a regular basis.  I can be found both on Facebook and Twitter if you search for C.J. Galaway.  I also have a blog at cjgalaway.blogspot.com which I try to visit and update often.  Plus I have two websites that are up but undergoing some fine tuning and should be completely bug free soon I hope.

www.bitemarksthebook.com and www.cjgalaway.com

7.  I’ll wrap it up with this question since “7” is a lucky numberJ.   Can you share an excerpt from your book, and I’d like to thank you so much for taking time to share your book with me. Please share as much as you’d like.

This is a small taste from close to the beginning of the book.  I hope you enjoy it.

The sounds of the city fade away as I walk through the park.  It’s not crowded, but quite a few couples are taking advantage of the war night by spending it outdoors.  Stepping off the path, I move into the shadowed areas of the park.  It’s quiet and I smile as I make my way through the trees.  The dark, secluded areas of the park are always my favorite places to be.

“You are a very handsome man.”  The words drift to me and I stop to hear where they come from.  A man and a woman are in the small clearing ahead, kissing.  I move to get a better look and realize it’s the crazy chick from the bar.  I gasp as her kisses trail down his throat and she tilts his head back.  Her white fangs glisten briefly in the moonlight before she buries them deep into his neck.  The sight of her drinking this man’s blood excites me and my breath comes in short pants timed perfectly to her swallows, as if I were drinking with her.  I lightly lick my lips as she finishes drinking from this man and tosses him casually aside.  A wave of excitement mixed with revulsion washes over me as she cleans herself much like a cat after a kill.  I tense as she turns and sees to look directly at me.  There’s no way she can see me here, I’m too well hidden.  Closing my eyes I quickly count to ten, like that will help me to stay hidden from her, because I’m not sure if I want to be seen right now.  Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I open my eyes and Amanda and the man are gone.  A strange mixture of emotion passes through me as I stare at the empty clearing.  I truly believe she was telling me the truth about what she was last night.  I really, really need a drink, I think as I walk to the nearest exit.

********

                The Esquire Club is packed as I walk in and look around.  I need a drink in the worst way.  I stand at one end of the bar and order a double shot of Jack.  As my drink is served I see that Amanda is standing at the other end of the bar waiting to be served and she is all I see.  I can’t explain why, but all I can think about is becoming a vampire, whatever it takes.  Draining my glass I make a beeline straight for the other end of the bar, not stopping until I’m standing beside her.  She turns and smiles at me and suddenly I’m terrified of this beautiful woman.  I take a deep breath to try to steady my nerves.

“I saw you in the park and I believe you now.”  I pause briefly and the rest tumbles out.  “I wanted to be with you, drinking his blood too and it felt like I was.  Make me a vampire.  I’ll do whatever you ask of me.  I’ll be your servant for the rest of my days…please do this for me.”  Amanda studies me for a moment, and then smiles.

“I will honor and answer your plea, Angel, for it comes from your heart.”  She takes a step closer to me.  “Follow me and your new life will begin.”  She leads me across the dance floor and I willingly follow, even though my heart is pounding so loudly I can barely think or breathe.  I may be going to my death for all I know.

*** C.J. Galaway is a very good colleague of mine and I STRONGLY URGE you to check out her book.