And the Winner Of #THECAINLETTERS Contest Is....

It amazes me how wildfire spreads when you post a 'contest' or 'quiz' or something like that on Google+ or Facebook. Like moths to flame. So it was a little overwhelming to see the response to the particular contest I had posted on the blog here to not only get a teaser of the upcoming book, THE CAIN LETTERS, but to get the full first chapter in its entirety if you just answered one question!

I had to refrain from 'voting' myself, because, well, I know the answer, of course! But it was great seeing many of the responses, and even after posting a deadline for when voting would stop, people still kept on voting!

I know you vamp crazies out there are blood-hungry, but that was a bit overboard! I loved it, though.... You're showing your love.

So Who Won the Contest for THE CAIN LETTERS?

I'm pleased to announce: one out of several was reachable enough for me to notify, one who actually got the answer right. And hopefully at this moment, he's reading the first chapter.

CONGRATULATIONS, DANNY, FROM BIERSACKLAND!

Enjoy. And I hope the work tantalizes your horrific taste buds enough to find out what else happens.

We're Getting There, People....

Less than a month away.... Those revenants of the undead are close. You can feel their cold breath on your skin. Their long fingers are ready to grasp your throat. Can you wait any longer?

You're going to have to....

COUNTDOWN TO #THECAINLETTERS: 25 DARK DAYS LEFT

(One More Thing)

Very soon, there will be another 'contest' -- THIS time, it's to win a free copy of the entire book.

Are You Ready for an Excerpt Teaser From #THECAINLETTERS?

I can't keep you waiting any longer.... The buzz is getting louder, isn't it? Yes, it is. And we can't wait for the wickedness to parade itself toward us and feast on our lifeblood. I mentioned a while ago that there was going to be a little bit of a 'teaser'....

So Do You Want One? You Want That Teaser of the Upcoming Novel "The Cain Letters," Debuting on the 18th of December?

Of course, here's the catch: you might notice that there's a bit of mystery behind this excerpt, plus another character I haven't even introduced. Obviously, the context's missing. But here's a little game -- a wicked game -- I want to play with you, and you can play that game right here, right now. But you can only play if you read the excerpt....

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“You know, Miss Alexandra Glade, it will never end.”

She stopped, perplexed at his comment. “What?”

Cardinal Felix Delgado stared at her, darkened eyes cutting through the computer screen. Without the standard band collar around his neck, the Cardinal seemed an intimidating man himself, albeit an old one. Mostly, the scar gave him the air of bitterness and hardness, not typical of most holy men.

“Revenge.” he said.

Again, he never failed her. He always triumphed to cut her to the heart with one word, bringing her back out of the shadows to remind her that her life is her own in the light. The sick cycle of evil hardened most souls, contaminating everything good and noble with its pettiness and indifference. Good people raging against evil, hating hate, gnashing at the gnashing of teeth, it was an infection that described evil to a tee. It fed off of everything. And it seemed that the only way to conquer evil was to turn swords to plowshares.

She stared him down, eyes narrowed. “I will make it end.”

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Oh, and one more thing....

(The winner of this game gets to read the full first chapter of the book in its entirety....)

3 of the Most "Interesting" Vampires in Our Culture Today

Sorry, Edward -- no sparkly vampires here (no offense, Stephenie). And I'm exhausted by all the "Originals" and "Vampire Diaries" going around with the sexy teen crowd. When I say "interesting," I honestly mean offbeat. Weird. And, yes, a bit creepy. Of course, the kind of creepy I'm talking about is the kind that doesn't necessarily make your skin crawl, but makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, and a little bit odd. But, lastly, I like me a vampire that has an interesting story behind him. So forgive me if I don't have anything that may be considered current. I'm all about the inmortal. The timelessness. "Lost Boys"? Yes. "Fright Night"? Oh, you got it.... Heck, I'm even on board for such properties as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Underworld.

These Three "Interesting" Vampires, Though, Take the Cake for Me, From a Nostalgic and Creative Standpoint

I want everyone to understand something, though: I like the classic stuff. Garlic, stakes, coffins, crazy eyes, and all the blood and guts. That's my glory. But every now and then, I like a lot of the imagery and story to mix it up a bit and try something new, such as....

• 'Salem's Lot -- The great Stephen King loves vampires as well, and he knocked it out of the park with this doozy of a story, featuring a vampire that honestly could be more creepy than any feral giant bat of a beast. Something about little kids that act a little creepy that makes the whole vampirism thing that much freakier.
• Fright Night II -- Off the wall. Funky. Freakish. Even cool. Like "The Lost Boys," Fright Night echoed the nostalgia of the campy vampire for me to such great effect, but when you take a look at this dude on roller skates, you'll be mesmerized.
• Dracula 2000 -- I like creativity (but you already know that). And when you combine Gerald Butler (THIS IS SPARTA) with the legend itself along with a clever twist, as far as literary genius goes, Wes Craven, you are a GOD.

Don't Get Me Wrong: I Have Many Other Inspirations as Well

That's just the beginning. But this gives you a taste of the mythology and the culture phenomenon that is the vampire. We're not just talking about European romantics with the pale faces and fierce eyes, nor are we all about the wicked beasts with the freaky noses. I like oddballs. There's so much room for inventiveness in this genre.

Revealing the Main Characters of #THECAINLETTERS

Okay.... I couldn't resist. It had to be done. Like the bloodlust echoing in your dark veins does this craving to call out to the masses the reveal of the main set of characters to this novel. This creation of mine. A representation of the dark matter of my mind personified into some hellish demon.

Okay, Okay, I'll Get Off My Horrific Soapbox Already!

Yes. I'm long-winded. So I'll try and make this quick and painless. You may have seen throughout social media the tease of some characters featured in the upcoming book "The Cain Letters," book one of the "Divine Covenant" series. But here are now, I'm going to reveal the names of those characters. Only the names. That's it.

(You can't make me reveal anything more. You'll all just have to wait until the 18th of December. No ifs, ands or buts. Deal.)

• Kyan Tanaka -- Yep, that's that assassin's name you're looking at right here.
• Marcus Brennan -- Cherish the innocent look of this brainy college student, because you just might see his brains splattered all over the floor very soon (or not, you'll never know!).
• Breed -- Talk about a freakishly frightening revenant. With wings, too (and he's not even the main villain).

And, of course, our heroine. The reason why we're going to read this book. A pretty close interpretation of Alexandra Glade in all her glory. Vixen vampire hunter. Feast your eyes on her....

(and, yes, she does look a lot like a certain MMA legend now, doesn't she?)

So what does #AlexandraGlade from #THECAINLETTERS look like? This MMA legend comes pretty close.Like I said.... Don't mess with her.
Posted by The Cain Letters on Sunday, November 8, 2015

Question of the Day: What Makes a Great Vampire?

Interesting question, right? And I ask that question not only as the author of the mytho-religious thriller and mastermind behind the upcoming novel THE CAIN LETTERS, but as an aficionado of the horror genre, particularly regarding our favorite monster of old, dating back to biblical times and spanning the globe in different cultures: the vampire.

We've Seen so Many 'Versions' of the Vampire, Though: Which One Ranks at the Top?

Difficult question to ask and answer, I guess. The culture, though, deserves praise for having such rich history and mythology ripe for literature and stories, both on the silver screen and printed paper. But perhaps this isn't about what makes a great vampire, period -- but, rather, what can make a great vampire to you!

After all, we all have different 'tastes' (in blood).

• Sex Appeal? -- For sure, vampires are indeed sexy. One look at these two vixens, and you'll agree with me (even though one of them technically is not undead). But does that necessarily define a vampire? I THINK NOT.
• What About Comedy? -- It's amazing that the culture has represented quite a few comedians with the fangs and pale skin, and after awhile, the 'behaviors' some bloodsuckers exhibit can get laughable over time, which is more than what I can say for these two undead freaks.
• Or Coolness? Emo? Teen Romance? -- Aaah, yes. Thank you, Stephenie Meyer. We salute you. But in all seriousness, what makes a truly 'cool' vampire with the shades and dark clothes anyway? Is it this guy or this guy? You be the judge.

Tough Choice? You Bet! Sink Your Teeth Into This One and Let Me Know What You Think....

Even when the literary industry and entertainment market for film and television starts getting a bit tired of the joi de vivre of the vampire, one thing's still for sure: you've got to love the style of the strigoi!

What's Lurking Inside Pierre Roustan Today?

You might've heard through the grapevine that there's a particular novel set to debut on December 18, 2015. If that's the case, you are not hearing voices. At least those sort of voices. But here's the question everyone is begging to ask:

Why Now? Why This Novel? WHAT Is This Novel? What ARE the "Cain Letters"?

I ask the question for you, specifically, given the fact that some who know me well might already know that such a saga has graced the literary industry before, a long time ago, and this debut may be considered a re-release, which I say to the many: yes, it is. But there's a reason behind it.

You see, friends.... There is actually a third book out there. It just hasn't been published, yet.

It's the continuation of the saga started long ago (and, yes, you'll see the second book "re-launched" as well, very soon, hush, hush, it's a secret!). So the bottom line is I wanted new readers to witness the story from the beginning, giving them the ability to prepare for that fateful day when the third book sees the light of the sun (and hopefully doesn't perish like the vampires do).

And one more thing: there will be a fourth book. But enough of that. Soon enough, you'll see.

So Stick Around: the Story of Cain, Alexandra, and a World of Damnation Will Soon Be Revealed to You (for the Second Time, for Some)

And if this is the first time for you. Welcome.

Please visit my Google+ and Facebook as well as the pages for THE CAIN LETTERS (Google+ and Facebook) to learn more about this darkness about to unfold....