Please make welcome Kristina Rienzi, author of Choosing Evil,
Ensouled Trilogy, Book 1, a Paranormal Suspense/Paranormal Romance.
Publisher: Midnight Frost Books
Date of Publication: November 25, 2014
Word Count: 70k estimated
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copy of Choosing Evil.
Book Description
Serafina Murano is no stranger to the paranormal. All of her
life she’s lived harmoniously alongside demons. Damon Serpe is a conflicted
demon on a mission. Unexpectedly, they collide into each other’s lives and are
inexorably drawn to one another.
Dark deadly secrets, gut wrenching betrayal, and elusive
questions haunt her and have her entire life. Instinctively, Serafina realizes
Damon holds the key to her understanding. If she trusts him, can he help
decipher her recurring nightmares and unravel the mysteries surrounding her?
On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, she must select her
path and make a difficult choice. One which will change her, and perhaps the
world, forever.
Will Serafina embrace the truth and face her evil?
Would you?
Book Trailer
Let’s Interview!
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always been intrigued by people who are considered to
be evil, whether a known serial killer or the normal next-door neighbor. It’s
terrifies me to think I know someone, only to find out I had no idea what was
really brewing inside of them. I wanted to take the concept of evil to the next
level, writing a story that would not only make the readers question evil, but
the characters as well.
How did you come up with the title?
Choosing Evil is the heroine, Serafina’s true dilemma. She
must make a decision from which she will never be the same, one that will
challenge her to choose evil.
What made you choose the main setting for your book?
Choosing Evil takes place in the fictional versions of the
Jersey Shore towns I love, which also happens to be where I live. There’s
something so mysterious about the Jersey Shore to me. I wanted to capture the
feeling of living with the unknown in your small little beach town.
If you had to sell your book based on one run of dialogue
(start quote to end quote), which would it be?
“What does evil mean to me? The ferocious monster inside of
me, the one I never recognized.”
Tell us about your book cover and how it relates to your
story.
The wings on fire are a symbol at the core of Choosing Evil.
In the story, it’s a branding for the paranormal (demons), one that both
identifies and crucifies them. It’s a reminder that they will never live a
blessed life, and that they can never escape the pure evil within.
It’s time to promo. What is your favorite marketing tool?
I love Twitter! It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s
also such a strategic and useful tool when you get the hang of it. Hashtags are
often misused, but when used properly, they can widen your reach to readers you
might otherwise not have been able to access on other social media platforms.
I’m a huge fan! #amreading :-)
What genre/genres do you prefer to write? Are there other
genres you’d like to write in the future?
I don’t have a preference in terms of what I’ve already
written (paranormal/suspense/horror/sci fi), but I would love to tackle a
traditional mystery in the near future. My stories have elements of mystery for
sure, but a true mystery is quite different from what I’ve ever written. It’s a
genre I consider to be a challenge and I’m always up for a good challenge! I’m
a plotter by nature, and mysteries lend themselves to detailed plots. Once I
get the paranormal suspense bug out of my system, you’ll see a mystery novel
with my name on the cover.
Do you write books in series? If so, share a bit about the
series you currently have published or are coming soon.
I do! I Choosing Evil is Book 1 in the Ensouled Trilogy. I’m
currently working on its sequel, Breaking Evil, which I hope to release in
2015. I’ve also started an entirely different series with the first book,
Unleash the Wicked about an unsuspecting witch at the Jersey Shore. I love my
paranormal beach people!
Excerpt
Already late, Serafina began sprinting toward her building.
She was still deep in thought and failed to pay attention. A second later, she
slammed into what felt like a brick wall. Her coffee cup filled with mocha
latte went flying, landing all over an impeccable pinstriped suit.
She stopped breathing when she faced the victim of her
morning beverage. A handsome bronzed man, almost two feet taller than Serafina,
stood in front of her. His irises were so light they looked almost clear. They
held a world of intrigue and reeled her right in. Those iridescent opal eyes
were magnificent and haunting, telling her almost everything she needed to know
about him. He was a demon.
His smile was perfection, revealing a set of incredibly
beautiful teeth. He was stunning and he wasn't human. Serafina wiped her moist
palms on her dress and gave him a half-smile. "I'm so sorry." She rummaged
through her purse for napkins or tissues, not fully understanding why the
universe had chosen this moment, a time when her best self wasn’t present, to
meet a gorgeous demon, like him.
"No problem, I’m Damon.” His smoky voice made her
shudder with pleasure.
"Serafina,” she lowered her voice but it didn’t sound
natural and it wasn’t nearly as sultry as she wished it had been. She stepped
forward to shake Damon’s hand and her heel caught on the pavement. As she began
to tip over, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up straight, all in one swift
motion. Now attached to him, her arms wrapped around his waist in desperation.
When she realized what she was doing, she shuffled away from him and tried
regain her balance.
"Are you okay?" His expression showed his concern.
"I'm fine. But, I didn’t have my coffee yet." Serafina tried to flatten the wrinkles in her
dress and right herself.
Damon laughed, catching her off guard. Relieved, Serafina
laughed too. She didn’t expect her attempt at humor to work. Given her morning,
she didn't think there was any wittiness in her to begin with, let alone, for
it to come with such ease.
When Serafina’s laid eyes on the mess she had made, her
posture went rigid. It was a coffee crime scene, straight out of a forensic
textbook. Luminal would have exposed her caffeine attack for all to see. For
her assault, she should have been handcuffed on the spot. "I've ruined
your clothes.”
Damon brushed himself off and buttoned up his suit jacket.
"I’m fine.”
"Yes, you are." Serafina meant to say it in her
head, or at the least under her breath, but it had come out of her mouth loud
and clear. Her face became hot in an instant, so she began fanning
herself.
"This might sound like a line, but I’m glad you bumped
into me. Where are you from?” Damon’s eyes twinkled, but his question sounded
forced as if he already knew her answer.
"Home, today that is.” She failed horribly at making
another joke.
“But I've lived at the Jersey Shore all of my life." She
tried to redeem herself "And, yes, it did sound like a line.” He was
definitely the new one in town. "Did you move here recently?"
Damon shook his head. "I'm as new as you. I've lived in
Rivershore for many years. I work in Maroon County and for just as long."
Rivershore was an upscale town not far from where she grew
up in the modest beach town of Silver Lake. Although she had worked in the city
for several years, Serafina spent all of her free time at the Jersey Shore,
mainly Maroon County. Even more coincidentally, Serafina would turn thirty
years old soon, so Damon was technically the same age as her. Demons never aged
past the age of thirty.
From what he said, they had shared the commonality of living
and working in nearby towns. So, it didn’t make sense she had never seen him before.
Clearly, he had a knack for hiding. However, many years in demon terms could
have been any amount of time since demons were practically immortal.
She studied him for more reasons than one, although he was
striking and easy to admire. Damon’s exquisite appearance reminded her of a
model or an actor. He had a rugged look, yet he was polished. He wore his
expensive suit coupled with his five o'clock shadow as if it were a fashion
statement. His ebony hair was long enough to push behind his ears. He was a
unique mix of a tattoo artist and a Hollywood movie star. The combination
really worked for him.
Serafina’s eye contact with him was firm but her muscles
lost all of their tension. “Where exactly do you work? I can’t believe I’ve
never seen you before.” She felt weak as she visually devoured Damon. She was
certain she would have remembered him if she had seen him before. The fact
their paths had never crossed was inexplicable to her. Then, so was the
supernatural. Humans living with a paranormal reality made anything possible.
Right as Damon was about to answer, his watch alarm went
off. He silenced it. "I've got to run, but it was nice meeting you,
Serafina. I hope to bump into you again, and soon.” He touched her arm lightly in a goodbye
gesture and once more flashed his award-winning smile.
By the time Serafina summoned the nerve to reply, "Me
too," he was already gone.
About the Author
Kristina Rienzi was born and raised at the Jersey Shore where she still lives today. Her debut paranormal suspense novel, CHOOSING EVIL, is being published by Frost Books on November 25, 2014.
Professionally, Kristina has been active in the writing
community as a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in
Crime-Central Jersey, Romance Writers of America and New Jersey Romance
Writers, serving as Chair of the Literary Book Fair in 2013. Kristina has her
Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling and her Senior Professional in Human
Resources Certificate, working in both fields throughout her business career.
Personally, Kristina is married and a doggie mommy to
Pekingese and Shih Tzu pups. Although a lover of New Jersey, she dreams of one
day moving to Hawaii and living the “Aloha” way. When she’s not writing, she
spends her time reading, watching paranormal investigations, rooting for her
West Virginia Mountaineers or relaxing with her loved ones, wine in hand.
Kristina is currently working on BREAKING EVIL, the sequel
to CHOOSING EVIL, as well as another paranormal suspense novel, UNLEASH THE
WICKED, about an unsuspecting witch at the Jersey Shore.
Website: www.kristinarienzi.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kristinarienzi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinarienziauthor
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Thank you for hosting me today!
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