At what point does a hero truly capture his creator's heart? Lukas from Night Demon tells us the moment author Lisa Kessler became his...
Hello out there… This is Lukas from Night Demon. I know this is called a “Character Confession”, but I thought I would “out” my author today.
See, I was the hero of Book 2 of a trilogy. Call me the middle child.
Don’t get me wrong, I know Lisa liked me as she wrote me. (She’s a sucker for a tortured hero and I was the poster child for tortured at the beginning of Night Demon.)
But I didn’t feel like she loved me. I felt like her heart still belonged to her first born, to Calisto from Night Walker. Maybe it was his Spanish accent, or the way he always answered questions with another question. I don’t know, but I tried to win her heart.
My first kiss with Gretchen definitely made her heart flutter. But that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to be her one and only. At least for this book.
I’m happy to tell you it finally happened.
First off, I should probably let you know that I’m a Night Walker. We can shift into our spirit animal at will. Mine is a large great horned owl. This was also the scene where I discovered that Gretchen was afraid of heights and I needed to get her across the ocean to her Jeep before the sun came up.
So anyway, it took me until the midpoint of the book, but this is the scene when my author’s heart belonged to me and me alone. I promised her I would never let her fall…
Excerpt:
Gretchen nodded. “Agreed. So how do we get there?”“We fly.”
Gretchen jumped back from him so fast, he almost flinched.
“No. Way. No way.” She rubbed her hands up her arms while looking out at the water. “You are not suggesting what I think you are.”
She glanced over at him with panic in her eyes. “You’re not seriously thinking you’re going to fly me over there yourself.” She shook her head vehemently. “I’m not going to be flown over the ocean by a giant owl.”
Lukas took a step toward her, trying to get her to meet his gaze. “We don’t have time for anything else, Gretchen. You know I would sooner die than see you hurt. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“But you can’t die. Big difference. I’m all kinds of fragile, remember?” She faced the waves again. “No way. Impossible.”
Lukas closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. Holding her close, he whispered into her hair. “I swear I will not let you fall. I will never let you fall.”
She pushed him away, swiping at a salty tear on her cheek. “If I agree to this, and I’m only committing to if, then we need to get some things straight between us.”
He opened his hands to her, wishing he could calm her fears. “All right.”
“Good.” She started pacing along the waterline. “Tell me your real name.”
“What?”
“Oh come on, Lukas.” She stopped, placing her hand on her hip. “It’s not a tough question. I’ve heard you mutter in Russian under your breath. Smith doesn’t sound like a Russian name to me. If I’m putting my life in your hands, I want to know who exactly I’m trusting.”
Lukas pressed his lips together trying not to smile. “Stanislov. My real name is Lukas Stanislov.” Gods it had been centuries since that name rolled off his tongue. “Now can we get you back to the Jeep?”
“Not yet.” She walked toward him and rose up on her toes as she pulled him to her.
The moment her lips brushed his, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. Her body fit against him like she’d been fashioned for him from the beginning of time.
Before he was ready to let her go, Gretchen pulled back, her eyes searching his.
“Just in case this is it, I didn’t want to leave with any regrets.” She took a deep breath. “I must be insane.” She shook her head. “I swear to whatever gods might be listening, if you drop me I will come back and haunt you until the end of time.”
Lukas smiled. “Deal. Now don’t move.”
From that scene on, Lisa was mine. She wasn’t pining for Calisto or lusting after Kane (the hero from Night Thief) she was completely mine.
Mission Accomplished.
Night Demon (Night Series #2)
by Lisa Kessler
Deep within the Yucatan jungle, a demon has awakened...
Gretchen Finch’s job would be much easier if she weren’t alone in the jungle with a brilliant recluse whose every glance sets her on fire. But the more she focuses on her work, the closer she gets to unlocking the mysteries of a terrible creature—the Night Demon—that threatens the world as she knows it. Though her scientific mind tells her it’s impossible, she’s beginning to believe the ancient Mayan tales as the sinister jungle comes alive around her.
Lukas Smith has spent hundreds of years searching for answers to his immortal Night Walker nature. As a series of ancient glyphs become clear, he’s about to find out more than he’d ever hoped, but the more he learns, the more his fate intertwines with the Night Demon, and the harder it becomes to hide his immortal secret from the beautiful, intelligent Gretchen.
Together, they must find a way to stop the inexplicable violence and mass destruction surging across the earth before the Night Demon destroys more than just mankind.
About the Author:
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Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
She loves hearing from readers - LdyDisney@aol.com
Great excerpt! I will read this one, and I'm not into paranormal stuff. :D
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I love hearing that! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!!! I hope Lukas wins your heart too!
Lisa :)
Thanks so much for sharing, loved the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Mary!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt!!!
DeleteLisa :)
Lukas has a devilish streak. :D You can tell by the excerpt (which I loved) Thank you for sharing and hope we see more of him in the next story.
ReplyDeleteHi Sin -
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed Night Demon!!! :) And yes, the whole gang is back for Night Child... YAY!
And I agree, once Lukas allowed himself to love Gretchen we definitely saw a devilish streak... I really did love him and only him from that point on! :)
Lisa
Cannot wait to read this, Lisa! Picking it up this weekend and shall immerse myself.
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! I hope you enjoy the book Priscilla!!! :)
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
Didnt know a jungle could sound so good
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks Tami!!! :) With Lukas's abs just about anywhere would be good, right? :)
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
Great post! A true character confession! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa!!! Lukas definitely won me over... :)
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
GREAT cover!!! snagged my interest!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm in love with the cover too... Ok... Maybe I'm in lust with the cover... Either way, I'm glad it caught your eye!
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
I loved the things Lukas said, how he won you over! Thanks for sharing Lisa.
ReplyDeleteHee! He's a really special hero and I did fall in love with him! :) I hope you will too Aurian! :)
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Lisa
Congrats on the release Lisa. I can't wait to read more about Lukas :)
ReplyDelete