Book Review: Night Demon by Lisa Kessler

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed Lisa's first book in the Night series, Night Walker, and that enjoyment continued by far with the second book, Night Demon. As I was reading, I was struck by how much Lisa's writing reminds me of Anne Rice. I absolutely loved how she incorporated Mayan history and legend in the book; something that Rice does frequently in her novels, mingling bits of history and legend in all of her books. I also felt like I had more of a connection with Lukas and Gretchen. I'm not sure why, but Lukas really grabbed my heart. Quite possibly it was the tortured soul/loner aspect of his character that drew me to him. I'm a sucker for those types of characters.

I can't wait for the next book in the series. It seems Calisto, Lukas and company have quite a lot of adventure and danger ahead of them. I also can't wait to read what's next for Lisa. I know she has a new series coming out, the Moon series, with the first book titled Moonlight. Lisa has a very exciting future in the paranormal genre.

About the book:
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.

Read my interview with Lisa HERE

Visit Lisa:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | 
Amazon Page

Night Demon Blog Tour: Interview with Lisa Kessler and {Giveaway}

Welcome, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by to answer some questions today.

Hi Michelle! *waving* I love visiting your blog! 

M: I have been friends with you online for going on five years now. Back in my MySpace days, I remember reading your weekly short stories and loving them. I also loved hearing about the progress on your novel(s). After all of your hard work over the years, can you tell us how it feels to finally become a published author?

It feels AMAZING to finally have my books out in the world. Getting published is definitely the toughest goal I have ever achieved. And hearing about my characters through readers’ eyes is magic. It inspires me to write the next book!

M: I am not big on paranormal romance normally, but I really like your books. The way you incorporate historical elements reminds me of Anne Rice and she is my favorite author. Is having history present in your novels important to you?

Anne Rice is definitely one of my favorites! But when I set out to write vampires, I felt like she really covered European vampires and I wanted to bring something new to the table… That’s when I decided to research ancient civilizations in the Americas. The Mayan connection felt perfect, and my Night Walker world came to life.

M: You're currently working on Moonlight. Can you tell us anything about it? This is a different series from the Night series, correct?

Yes. Moonlight is Book 1 in my new Moon Series. Moonlight was a finalist in the RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Writing with the Stars contest. While it was in the contest, I sold Night Walker and put the Moon series on the back burner. I’m SUPER excited that my werewolf pack from Reno, NV will finally be jumping into the world. It’s a VERY different series from my Night Walkers. It’s more contemporary and gritty, more like urban fantasy with the happily ever after of paranormal romance. Can’t wait for you to read it!

It’s also up for pre-order now with the blurb if you want to take a peek!  

http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-The-Moon-Series-ebook/dp/B00CGFGS3A/ 

M: Tell us more about yourself. I know you're also a singer and you're married to a fabulous guy named Ken Kessler. What are your other loves and passions in life...besides writing, of course?

Besides writing, music is a huge passion for me. I also love to read, but reading time has been super scarce lately. And you know Disney is another major love in my life. I go to Disneyland as often as possible, and my Disney pin trading collection is almost embarrassing it’s so big! LOL

M: What authors do you credit with inspiring you to become an author?

There are so many!!! LOL Anne Rice, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Kelley Armstrong, Christine Feehan, and many more…

M: I know you probably don't have much time for reading, but are you currently reading anything right now? What are some of your favorite books of all time?

Favorite books of all-time: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Tale of the Body Thief and The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, The Stand and The Shining from Stephen King and The Door to December by Dean Koontz

Right now I’m really enjoying reading The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens and Let it Bleed by Jeri Smith-Ready.

M: Any advice for those of us who aspire to follow in your writing footsteps?

Don’t ever give up and keep writing. Because story-telling is a craft, you get better the more you do it, so keep writing new material and keep reading authors you love. It’ll help you grow and strengthen your craft as a writer!

Lisa, thanks again for stopping by today. I wish you much success with your new release, Night Demon.

Thanks for the great questions Michelle!!! 

Visit Lisa:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page

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Book Launch! Night Demon by Lisa Kessler

Today we are celebrating the launch of the incomparable Lisa Kessler's Night Demon, second book in the Night series. Please join me in congratulating Lisa on this momentous occasion!

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.

Goodreads – Amazon – B&N

Also, check out the first book in the series, Night Walker, as well as the prequel, Night Thief.

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.

Website – Facebook – @LdyDisney

To celebrate the launch of Night Demon, Lisa is giving away four prizes: A $25 Amazon gift card, a Mayan Glyph necklace, a signed paperback of Night Walker, and an ebook of Night Thief. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

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