To pitch and woo
At long last, Darkest Rendezvous is finished and I can't tell you how pleased and excited I am that it is. You know that feeling you get when you finish reading a really good book and look up to see the rest of the world continuing on while you're either completely shattered or just feeling warm and toasty from a satisfying ending? Well, my characters took me along on a wonderful tale of love, friendship, intrigue and betrayal and the end result is the same. Before I move on to The Emperor's Paramour, however, it's time to find me some representation which I always try to do before running straight to self-publishing. February appears to be the kick off to this year's manuscript pitching contests and so starting February 11th, I will take my sparkling new book and dive into the fray with #pitmatch on Twitter.
In the meantime, let's meet the cast, shall we?
Main Characters
Miss Persephone Greaves
A Zombi, part of a newly elevated type of zombie that has become cultured and sophisticated enough to find a place among highborn society. Having recently come out, Persephone's first season is far more lively than she could have hoped coming from such a lowly station. She adores her father and her friends and hates to see any strife among them. Everything she says and does is with their wellbeing and expectations in mind.
Count Nicodemus von Shroud
Vampyre. He is the eldest son and new Count of Sanguine Ligurio after the mysterious death of his father. He constantly locks horns with his mother who insists on trying to control him like she did his father. He is calm, cool and collected except when it comes to Persephone. He is drawn to her despite knowing they could never be.
Mr. Rufus Bane
Werewolf. Chief of the native Lupis Tribe, Rufus strives to lead and protect his people the best way he knows how. Constant opposition comes from the camp of his deposed cousin, especially when he makes it a habit to congregate among the Undead. He, too, is drawn to Persephone's beauty and delicate nature, yet there's something else he can't quite put a finger on.
Lord Lucius Newmont
Ghoul. Incredibly weathly and influential though his kind makes the rest of the Undead nervous. He and his sister, Emaline, have been unofficial members of the Greaves family since the death of their parents during the war. Persephone will be an excellent asset to his home and he will wed her whatever the cost.
Supporting cast
Dr. Sebastian Greaves
Zombi. A physician of high renown, he dotes on his daughter and wants only the best for her. Though somber and intense, the successful and ambitious Lucius is the best match for Persephone. So when her head is turned by the dashing vampyre and rugged werewolf, Sebastian sees no other way to save his child from ruin than to run interference.
Lady Emaline Newmont
Ghoul. Poised and elegant, Emaline is best friend and practically older sister to Persephone who she trains to comport herself among the Beau Monde at the insistence of Dr. Greaves. Her sophistication and cool demeanor is tested often by Zaviera.
Miss Zaviera de la Muerte
Calaca, a jolly and animated skeleton typically found in the Caribbean and regions in South and Central America. Zaviera is the second oldest daughter and fourth child of seven in the de la Muerte family. She is bold, lively and sometimes crass but she adores Persephone and would never do anything to harm her. Her greatest pleasure is in tweaking Emaline's nose and shocking the establishment, which she can do with minimal repercussions since her father is chief exporter of the world's jewels and silks to America.
Countess Sabrione von Shroud
Vampyre. The epitome of elegance, the formidable Countess rules New York's illustrious Four Hundred. She is of good breeding, married well and will tolerate nothing less than perfection from her children. She knew there would be those who managed to claw their way into society that would set their sights on the von Shrouds and Sabrione was ready to ensure the guttersnipes never got close enough to sully her bloodline.
Miss Calantha von Shroud
Vampyre. An almost exact copy of the mother she cannot stomach, Calantha decided long ago that she would be bound to only he who is worthy of her and has the ability to dote on her in a way that browbeating becomes unnecessary. Though to her mind, the growing presence of all these upstarts among them is making it far more difficult to find one who is so worthy.
Raoul and Cristof von Shroud
Vampyre. Jolly and gay twin brothers who share a very close connection. In a cold and turbulent household, the brothers clung to each other for warmth and protection never to be separated no matter what anyone has to say about it.
