CLEAN UP AISLE THREE! Legacy is Leaking (Ch 3)

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider is hopping all over the globe and readers demand a sequel! I am excited to inform you that the sequel, Rabbit Legacy is nearly done...and I absolutely LOVE it. This is an excerpt that is currently Chapter Three. Of course, it may be edited, moved or deleted altogether depending on how the final edit goes, but please enjoy reading about what happens when you transform from earthbound diety to lowly mortal and then are charged with apostasy by your former brethren...oooooo... check it out and leave me a comment! ~~ ellen
(Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider spoiler warning...but read it anyway!) 

Three

Nashville, TN
Oct. 31st, 9:00 pm


      The Rakum were on the hunt, Father Damien was their prey, and he’d let them in the house. Damien considered his options.
     He’d let them in. Why not? It was Halloween and they said the proper phrase. He’d been hearing it all night from the neighborhood children: Trick or Treat! But once these two burst in, they chased him to the stairwell of the tidy two-story colonial that he called home. Now on the second floor, he considered the three bedrooms and the toilet on the hall. Where could he hide? Could he hide at all?
     Damien tracked hastily toward the furthest room and paused.
     “Damien? Father? This pursuit is trying my patience.” The taunt wafted up to meet him from the first floor. They were coming up the stairs, the picture of wicked nonchalance.
     The intruders were Brethren. Underlings. But which two? He hadn’t gotten a good look at them when they burst in. In his day he knew them all by name but without seeing a face he could only guess. He had been god to them, for two millennia. One hundred thousand Rakum bent their knee to the Ten Fathers. It had been a glorious life. But now? He was an outcast. A traitor. An apostate.
     And now, these two subordinates, barely old enough to wipe their noses, had come to serve up justice of their own making. Or the justice of their new leader.
     Rufus Delouve.
     The oldest living Elder. Seven hundred and fifty years old with a heart as black as coal. Damien knew him well; had overseen his discipling under Jack Dawn. Had personally taught the youth the more complicated feats of telekinesis and apparent teleportation. It was ironic that the skills of self-preservation he taught the young Rakum centuries ago were now coming back to bite him. Literally.
     “Just surrender. We can do this the easy way if you just surrender.”
     The same voice. They were coming up the stairs calmly, side-by-side. Damien looked around, eyes wide, and then up to the ceiling. The attic access door was directly above him. With no express plan in mind, he yanked the cord and pulled down the mechanical step ladder. His knuckles rapped against his pocketed cell phone and he thought of calling for help. One name came to mind right away.
     Canaan. A Rakum Elder on the fence. Not guaranteed to help but neither was he a sure enemy. Living in seclusion with a mortal female, the Rakum Elder escaped the wrath of God that night at Assembly. And now, years later, only Damien knew of his location. He knew because he was a Father; very little got past him when he was among the Rakum.
     He’d contacted Canaan once, telepathically, six months after the debacle at the Cave. Damien was taking stock, counting allies and foes, when he stumbled across the Elder’s thoughts very close by. In a desperate attempt to keep her with him forever, the reclusive Elder from Britain was contemplating feeding his mate his blood. To keep her young. To keep her virile. To keep her period. Such an act would transform her into a Rabbit and such intentions carried much weight. With Damien only miles away, he picked up Canaan’s accidental transmission easily.
     In response to what he’d overheard, Damien made one simple telepathic relay to the Elder: “I’m watching you.”
     The Elder had sent back, “And who’s watching you?” Canaan’s response was hard to comprehend then, but he thought he understood now.
     They never spoke again. Damien’s telepathic abilities diminished over the first two years until just before his Change, he could only overhear the thoughts of those in his sight. Because of this, he found it easy to avoid contact with the remaining Brethren—Rakum and Apostate. Yet somehow, tonight, they had found him.
     They’d been watching him.
     Call 911.
     The notion occurred to Damien and he pursed his lips. Why not? The humans swore by it. Damien fumbled for his phone and dialed the three tones with his thumb without removing it from his pocket. He left the line open and said nothing. Sometimes in the movies, it worked…
     “We have other things to do tonight, Father. Plans. Come on.”
     This voice was different; higher and more sarcastic than the first. Damien narrowed his eyes. The respect he garnered as a leader of his people was hard to live without. Since that fateful night seven years ago when the Rabbit demoralized Abroghia, the High Father, Damien had been on the run. At the time, he did not understand the woman’s entreaty regarding her God, but he understood the end result. Those who refused to at least listen to her words would perish where they stood. So Damien attended, stood on the stage, right behind Beth Rider, standing abreast the leaders of their Kind. Nine Fathers stood broken and sullen on the platform that night; Johann, Theophilus, Umbarto, Amos, Yuri, Wornal, Kin, Duris and himself. Where were they now? Damien did not know. They went their separate ways that night, never to look back, lest an unseen force rip them apart. And Damien was the one unanimously chosen to protect Isaac…
     “Father, you’ll give yourself a heart attack trying to outrun us. Don’t be a fool…”
     Damien grimaced at the hateful words and sought an escape route. He was helpless; as helpless as that night on the stage. Standing behind the Rabbit as she prayed for their redemption. If he’d only known then what he eventually figured out seven years later. His mind went to her Rakum supporters who stood by her that night; Dawn’s Lieutenant Michael Stone, Tomás’ errant youngster David Walker, a competent Elder named Roman and Damien’s own blood son, Javier d’Millier. All but Stone had been transformed by then. The odor of human flesh filled the Main Hall that evening and nearly drove Damien mad.
     When the Rabbit gave them an option to save themselves by opening their minds to her words, he did so and was spared. Half of his Brethren consented to her offer of redemption and began a slow walk toward humanity. Twenty thousand transformed to fully mortal in the first twenty-four months. But there were those who rejected her words entirely and slithered off into the night. Damien was one of these. He took little Isaac and fled. The Rakum were destitute and vulnerable for the first time in their lives. When Abroghia deserted them, he took with him the spiritual protection that carried them as a Race since the Great Flood.
     “I can hear your bones creaking old man. What a sorry state. What a pitiful end to a great long life.”
     Damien scowled at the derisive comments; wounded by them. He scooted up the attic ladder carefully and covered the distance to the far window. The brute was right—his entire body ached.
     In the Cave’s Main Hall seven years ago, he listened to the Rabbit and afterwards went on the run. Running from God and running from the truth the Rabbit so innocently deposited in every listening ear.
A short seven days ago by a hasty confession of faith, like Michael Stone and the others, he was transformed into a mortal man.
     Ironically, if the two apostate hunters had come for him a week earlier, he could have defended himself. As a Rakum Father, he possessed powers beyond the imagination. He could burst a Rakum’s heart with a thought. With a glance he could incapacitate any assailant. But now? He was as helpless as a babe. He was human and more than that, an old man. When he sloughed off his Rakum spirit, he was left a wiry and bent seventy- year-old heart patient, taking diuretics and in need of a hearing aid. Damien had never been so frightened in his long life.
     “Oh my god, Damien! The attic? Where’re you going next? The roof?” The first Rakum taunted him as they climbed the ladder to the landing.
     Damien took in the entire attic in a glance and crossed to a small decorative window in the peak. On the lawn below, children played in the moonlight enjoying the clearest Halloween night in a decade. Tiny ghosts and witches crisscrossed the sidewalks, their miniature bodies glowing with chemically enhanced bracelets and necklaces that resembled fireflies in flight. One of the cherubs, probably nine or ten, glanced up then and Damien reflexively squint his eyes to focus on the features. For an instant, a split second really, the boy resembled Isaac. Damien scoffed and looked away, hidden from sight by the lack of light in the attic. Isaac was no longer a child as he was no longer innocent. He had grown into the image of his father and that was bothersome enough.
     Isaac Akaron.
     In the Semitic tongues, the name roughly translated He Laughs Last. Damien smirked inwardly. Indeed, the boy was their creator’s last laugh. The last Rakum ever born; High Father Abroghia’s final effort to reproduce himself.
     Isaac. The boy everyone secretly feared and openly abhorred.
     Isaac; who was foretelling the future before he could walk.
     Isaac; who was moved to the Chamber of Fathers at age thirteen to be trained up in private. What an experiment. It had never been done—take a young Rakum out of Group-Lair to be proselytized in the Cave by the oldest of their kind.
     But there had never been a Rakum quite like Isaac. Where was he? Was he safe?
Damien grunted at his memory’s flights of fancy and looked around the attic. There was no time to reminisce nor mourn lost sons. He was on the run for his life and the Rakum below were heading up.
     But wait…
     The two-foot in diameter window opened out.
     He could fit his body through there. He could go onto the roof. But what then? He couldn’t jump down. His arthritic knees ached at the thought.
     The Rakum were in the attic now only fifty feet away. Damien backed up to the window and faced them. Would he see daybreak? He’d waited two millennia to see the last seven sunrises; was that all he was to have? Damien was loathe to admit it, but he wished to see Javier; the last of his natural-born offspring. And little Isaac, whom now he considered a son. Rakum never developed parental bonds but he was human now. His heart ached to know them once more and see them in the light of God and His kingdom…
     “Rufus wants to see you Damien. For real. No tricks.”
     Tyson and Gage. Their names came to him now as he studied their faces in the moonlight that seeped in around him. Yet these two had been hitting the Dead Buzz; eating the flesh of corpses. The tale-tell signs were evident in the unnaturally bulging eyes, the drooping jowls and dripping saliva. They’d been at it a few months at least and Damien knew that if they did not stop soon, they’d lose all skin tone and upright posture. They were morphing into the dead.
     You are what you eat, after all.
     A thousand years ago, he’d seen it often, but the practice was outlawed in the 16th Century. Yet who remained to enforce the code of the Rakum now?
     No one.
     Tyson, shorter, greasy and rapacious nudged Gage roughly to get him moving. Gage gestured with a fat finger and spoke slowly as if addressing an errant child
     “We got Theophilus already. See—you won’t be alone. You guys can rehash old times.”
     Damien fumbled with the window latch behind him. Tyson inclined his head and bumped his fellow with an elbow. They were on to him.
     “Seriously.” Tyson hissed; a thread of black drool hanging from his slack lips. He lurched forward and    Damien held up his hand.
     “Stop.” His eyes flitted between the Rakum he once called servants. Damien took a deep breath. He was in terrible danger. And he was all alone.
     Or was he?
     “You are a pitiful old man, Damien. You can no more control us than you can your own bladder.” Gage chuckled and hurled a few more insults as he crept forward.
     Damien looked to the ceiling. The rafters were old and dusty; blue light danced on cobwebs set high for eternity.
     He was not alone. His confession a week ago proved it when he spoke to the God of the humans and was changed.
     Damien closed his eyes and lowered his upraised arm.
     “Into your hands, Master.” He muttered and dropped to his knees.
     Then everything happened at once.


     “Freeze! Police!”
     One uniformed officer cleared the attic opening and trained his gun on the two Rakum. Damien’s eyes came open in time to see Gage charge straight for him and then shove past to wiggle out the small window, the odor of decay trailing behind.
     “Freeze or I’ll shoot!” The officer called again as another armed cop entered the attic behind his fellow. Damien scooted to the side and fell clumsily onto his rump, his old heart beating painfully.
     “You better start runnin’ old man.” Tyson whispered as he too soared past Damien on the floor and shot out the window head first. Both policemen jogged after them in pursuit. Damien inched toward the window to peek out but instead of trick-or-treaters, staccato-lit patrol cars dotted the landscape.
     “You okay, sir?” A third police officer crawled into the space and headed for him. It was a woman, short but intimidating with her service pistol at half mast.
     Damien nodded his head and put out his hand.
     “Nice and easy, sir.”
     With her strong feminine fingers in his, Damien was helped to his feet and then supported on her shoulder to the exit. Another officer helped him down with gentle care and before long; he was tucked onto a gurney and pushed into a waiting ambulance.
     The humans rescued him. The mortals saved him from certain death…or worse.
     Damien received the care of the frantic but professional medics and stared at the red lights flashing in his vision. Rufus wanted him alive and he was holding Theophilus captive. Something evil was afoot. Damien glanced at the technician on his right who gave him a huge smile and swabbed his brow.
     “You’re going to be fine, sir. Just taking you to the hospital for a once over, but you look great. Vitals are great.”
     Damien smiled behind the oxygen mask. He was rescued in the nick of time. But this wasn’t the first time he’d been saved from death. He was saved the first time by God Himself. A week ago in his car on the way home from the store. The first time he spoke aloud to the Creator of the universe.
     Damien sighed and closed his eyes.
     He served a new Father now.
     And this one had only his best interest at heart.

BLOG INTERVIEW with Ellen, plus ADVICE for writers

Hello Rabbit Chasers! Today I was interviewed by a wonderfully talented writer by the name of Angela Greenlief. I re-posted her interview here so please go to her blog and check out her work in progress. It will be fantastic!
~ ellen 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Interview with Author Ellen C. Maze!
I am very excited to post my first interview on this blog. I did a review recently of Ellen C. Maze's debut novel RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER. It was only fitting that the next step be an interview.

Here it is:

To start off with, perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself--whatever you would like to share.

I suppose the most compelling thing about me now is my writing. I have done many things in my forty years, but this is the one thing that I have dreamed of doing since grade-school: being a published author.

In Junior High School, I dreamed of being a veterinarian, mostly because I loved animals. But one trip to the Vet School in Auburn changed my mind forever. In High School, I wanted to be a psychologist and hang a shingle in town. In college, I majored in Psychology and Sociology and found I had a sure knack for listening and helping people with problems. Then I got married after college and became a full-time mom for the next ten years. When I went to work again, I was an artist and worked from home. I was successful and sold paintings all over the world. Yet on the side, I was writing. And guess what I was writing? Vampire Tales. Yep. Just like I did in Middle School Creative Writing class! All I needed was the courage to work at writing full-time. That chutzpah didn’t arrive until 2009.


How did you get the idea for RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER?

Interestingly, the main plot point of this book – a writer is hunted by vampires because she writes about vampires – came to me in the seventh grade. I wrote a short story about a girl and her friend who were given a creative writing assignment, and they chose to write that their Math teacher was secretly a vampire. The teacher finds out, turns out that he is a vampire, and he kidnaps them for exposing him. The story ends with both of them being turned into vampires. Sort of short on plot and action, but hey, I was only twelve years old.

As I got older, this basic theme tumbled about in my head in my subconscious until in 2006, when I had completed Books One and Two of my Christian vampire series THE CORESCU CHRONICLES, I began writing Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. Not quite ready to publish, I started writing about a woman (Beth Rider) who wrote THE CORESCU CHRONICLES and her work threatened the true ‘vampires’ that lived in her world. This is how the two series are connected. When CORESCU CHRONICLES comes out, readers will get to see exactly why the vampires were chasing Beth Rider! Interestingly, RABBIT is aware of THE JUDGING (Book One of Corescu Chronicles) but THE JUDGING is not aware of RABBIT. Chew on that a little while!


For all those unpublished authors who read this, can you tell us how your journey of publishing RABBIT went?

My personal journey as this novel went to print was wonderful and exciting. In the next section, I will talk more about the different ways to get published, but for this answer, let me tell you how it went with Rabbit.

I did not seek an agent or editor for this book but wanted to publish it myself while I waited for THE CORESCU CHRONICLES to be picked up by a big publishing house and turned into the Christian version of Twilight. I researched dozens of independent publishers and printers and I ended up choosing an amazing Publisher (a Fortune 500 company) with an impeccable reputation and a promising future. Outskirts Press promised to not only turn my ‘baby’ into a beautiful product, but they would also promote and distribute it just like any big publishing house. So with a very small investment of $1500, Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider hit the shelves and immediately sold in 10 countries. You can see why I’m so happy. I will definitely use Outskirts for the Rabbit sequels too. I am so happy with this book and this company’s performance.

One last thought here, I would share that every writer needs to be prepared to self-promote. Every editor and agent is going to expect you to promote yourself vigorously. If you are a shy person and maybe unable to do this, you’ll need an advocate who will do it for you. Self-promotion is done online and in person. By mail and by phone. Email me if you need titles of great books about self-promotion and building an author’s platform.


What advice do you have for aspiring writers? And, what advice do you have for authors seeking representation?

Oh, I want to encourage and edify unpublished authors. In overview, there are two basic ways to be published: Traditional Publishing, where a publishing house either buys your book (along with the rights) and pays you varying royalties, or Independent Publishing, where you (usually) keep all rights and you provide the money to be published. For decades Independent Publishing has been tucked into a dark, shameful corner, but the industry is changing mightily. With the economy forcing the big Traditional Houses to buy fewer and fewer manuscripts, for as little as a thousand dollars, a writer can publish their own book.

I chose to go both routes and leave the rest up to God. I am taking the Traditional route with THE CORESCU CHRONICLES. This series has been approved by one powerful agent, but not picked up. And it is also sitting before three other agents/editors, awaiting approval or interest. So since I sent it out (I did my part), I am waiting to see what God will do with it. Now with Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider, I prayerfully sent this one to be independently published by Outskirts Press. Now I have a published novel that is widely accepted by people all over the world, and I can promote it while I wait for CHRONICLES to find a buyer.

So my advice to all writers is to 1) keep writing, 2) buy a copy of THE WRITER’S MARKET and GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS (both available in stores or online) 3) hone your craft through attending writer’s conferences and plugging into writers critique groups (you can find these all over, email me for lists), and 4) learn the business end of writing.

Last but not least, do not despair. Try to get an agent, try to rope in an editor. But if you have an excellent product and the industry just cannot see that, don’t be afraid or ashamed to self-publish. It’s a competitive world and we need your book!


Back to RABBIT. What is the most important message you wanted your readers to walk away with after reading this book?

RABBIT is a sexy and titillating book. Without taking it beyond a PG-13 rating, the novel takes you into the darkest areas of the human and inhuman heart. Still, every reader comes away with something gained. Something good. Read the reviews on Amazon, and you’ll get a peek at what the Rabbit Chasers (the readers) are seeing in this debut vampire novel.

Although it is never preachy or pretentious, RABBIT is written from a biblical worldview. The reader does not need to be a Christian or Jew to enjoy it, but every issue in the novel comes from the basic understanding of the world that is put forth in the 66 books of the Bible/Tanach. I am a Jewish follower of Jesus, so the book has some Hebrew elements that give the story a firm foundation readers can rest on comfortably as they follow the characters along.

This is a book about Faith and Redemption. In one perspective, people stand in one of two corners—they need redemption and haven’t faith yet, or they have been redeemed (by God) and have faith that God protects/loves/cares for them. In RABBIT, Beth Rider has faith to move mountains. The Rakum (vampires) and Cows (humans who voluntarily let blood to them) are either seeking redemption or seeking to destroy Beth and her faith.

I want my readers to identify with a character or two and then enjoy the ride. There is a plethora of personality types, some vampiric and some human, and every reader will be able to find their likeness inside to some extent or another. The beauty of it is, you can be like David (a young Rakum just realizing the truth about God) the first time you read it, and then more like Beth the next. I have heard reports from readers all over the world who love choosing their favorite character and then following them on the road to redemption.

Every reader who knows me personally says that I am Beth Rider. My answer to that is, yes, I am Beth Rider. But, what they don’t realize unless they are writers themselves is that I am also Jack Dawn (the bad guy), Meryl (bad guy’s minion), Javier (Rakum confused about God), and all of the rest. Every character is a piece of my personality. That might seem creepy but it’s true. Ask any writer. We’re all functioning schizophrenics!


Who are some of your favorite authors?

The first vampire book I read was Bram Stoker’s Dracula at age eleven. Oh boy. That was where it started. Then I read Robert McCammon’s vampire and werewolf stuff, then Anne Rice, and into the horror of Stephen King. These days, I’ve mellowed considerably and read mostly Christian Thrillers. My favorite authors are Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, Paul Bortolazzo, Eric Wilson, and Angela Dolbear (a brand new author you must google!).

One of the most important things an aspiring writer should remember is that to write, you must read—A LOT. So make a habit of reading other author’s work and writing reviews for them. Posting reviews on Amazon may seem lame, but as soon as your own book is published and you are selling on Amazon, every review you’ve ever written will direct people to YOUR book by proxy. So read and review all the time!


I know you've finished your second novel THE JUDGING. Can you tell us a little about it?

Oh, be still my heart. In THE JUDGING (Book One of the Corescu Chronicles), a priest named Corescu is turned into a vampire by an apparent demon. The priest refuses to reject God and thus assigns a divine calling to his blood thirst—he decides to kill only evil people and thus satiate his craving for human blood. Three hundred years pass this way, and in the present day, Corescu meets and falls for a lovely young woman who (along with a Christian friend) slowly bring the vampire to an awareness of his deeds. All along, he thought he was doing the will of God by killing the killers, but learns that there is one Judge and it isn’t him!

In a very real sense, THE JUDGING is a love story. Sure, there is truth stuck in there, but like RABBIT, the Christian element will not bang you over the head. The series has four installments, and the woman from Book One, Hope Brannen, will take all four books to resolve her relationship with the vampire Mark Corescu. The side stories regarding Tony Agricola (a righteous character who most knows God’s ways) and Paul Black (a young vampire) are entertaining galore and I can hardly wait to get these books into the hands of the readers.

THE JUDGING has three more books that wrap up the story-line. RABBIT has two more series installments and a possible Young Adult spin-off. In closing, I’ll share that I have several other novels in the works. I usually work on 2 or 3 at a time as the spirit moves me, and here are a couple more to watch for.

THE TALE OF JANE FROST, another unique take on the vampire tale, where bloodlust and longevity are part of a Satanic curse thrust upon a set of triplets. This one takes place within a Messianic Jewish Community and will be very compelling. You should also watch for GUARDED, the story of an ordinary and seemingly-average young man who is rescued over and over by a being everyone assumes is his guardian angel. What no one knows is that this being is actually a demon, keeping him alive for the devil’s purposes. Ever heard of having a Guardian Demon? Believe me, if the devil is keeping you alive, it’s for a nefarious purpose and you’d be better off dead! And the newest addition to my in-the-works pile is WAX, the story of a teen who sees demons and soon realizes that his calling in life is to thwart their work no matter the cost. A tough job for a seventeen year old boy!

Last words? Love one another.
God bless, Ellen

Ellen C Maze, www.rabbitnovel.com email rabbitnovel@aol.com

FANTASY Cons and the NEW AUTHOR

A month before my novel was published, I was invited to attend the Second Annual IMAGICON in Birmingham, AL. I was (and am) ecstatic! I can't wait! I will be able to sell my books, have book signings, and have a little speaking time too during the Con. This is so cool! My first convention as a published author! (Well, let's face it--it's my first convention at all!)

Today, I was invited to TwiCon 2010 (think Twlight Convention) in Las Vegas, NV. Wow! This one is about the same size, but FAR FAR AWAY in Neverland. A plane-ride from my home in Montgomery, AL. I priced the plane tickets for my hubby and I to go and we're looking at $377 per person. Shrug. That is doable. I mean, we have until July to pay, right? Then I priced the hotel. The convention center where the Planet Hollywood (hosting site) is costs $159/night for the cheap rooms. That's $477 for 4 days. A little steep, but who's to say I couldn't raise that money up too? Tonight as I was posting the news to my Rabbit Chasing pals on facebook, I recalled that I have a dear friend from my childhood that lives in Las Vegas... maybe he could let me sleep on his couch? Maybe bring in a cot for my husband? Hmmm... I'm not above asking him! He is a really cool dude and might just go for it!

So, I'm praying for guidance and we'll wait and see. The trip might be possible for less than a thousand bucks if I stay with my friend, and about $1500 if I hotel-up.

I'll keep you posted my friend! Yippee!
Life is a roller coaster and my seatbelt is frayed! AAAEEIIIiiiiiii!!!

RABBIT: Not Your TYPICAL Vampire TALE! (Book review)

 

BOOK REVIEW by ANGELA GREENLIEF   2/22/10

 

When I first saw this book, I had to wonder--What association can there be between a rabbit and a vampire? What is a Rakum? And, of all things, why are there "cows" in this book? 

 

But Ellen C. Maze cleverly ties all these things together in her novel RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER. This unique and spiritual novel takes the reader on a fast-paced, page-turning adventure as author Beth Rider finds herself thrust into a world she thought was only a myth to become a prophet of hope for creatures who, by their very nature, believed they were doomed from birth.

 

Maze's novel has no lull. From the very first page the action begins, and it does not stop until the last. The family of 100,000 known as the Rakum have lived along the same guidelines, the same ideals, for thousands of years. Until one unseeming author writes a fictional, and inspirational, novel about a priest, turned vampire, and the power of redemption. As this best-selling novel falls into the hands of members of the Rakum, they being to question their very existence, as well as the possibility of hope for the darkest of creatures.

 

Of course, not all feel this way. Just as some journey to find Ms. Rider to find hope, others are determined to destroy her...hence, she is marked as a "Rabbit". A rabbit is a person who carries the mark of the Rakum, a signal for others that she has been set loose for a delightful chase, and eventually--kill.

 

But Beth Rider is not your typical rabbit. She does not cower in fear of the Rakum, because she knows that through the power of prayer, the spirit of God, and in the end--her own special guardian angel, she can face any battle with the faith that she will be protected.

 

Ellen C. Maze does an incredible job of delving into the feelings of her characters--their temptations, their doubts, their motivations, and their fears. 

 

A typical vampire story? Far from it. This unique novel has a new twist of vampires that you haven't read before, and from the very first page you will find yourself engrossed in the world of Beth Rider and the obstacles she must face to help the darkest of all creatures.

 

By Angela Greenlief   Author of novel in progress THE WATCHER'S DAUGHTER.

Please visit her blog and check out her awesome novel in the works!

Seagal Fans Against 'Against the Dark' Vampire Film

What is the opposite of Bravo? (Insert answer here).

Steven Seagal brings us a vampire slasher film that has more holes than Swiss cheese--and I'm not talking about puncture wounds. Disjointed action sequences, nonsensical character development, minimalist and repetitive dialogue, as well as illogical plot advancement will make every viewer wish they'd rented the vampire movie that sat next to this one on the Blockbuster shelf.

I'm a Seagal fan--a HUGE one--so I trusted New Orleans Reserve Chief Deputy Sheriff Seagal to bring me some entertainment this fine evening. After all, he not only starred in the show, but produced it as well. But, to my sad chagrin, our `star' had maybe sixty seconds of face time the first 60 minutes of the movie. Later, the last thirty agonizing ticks of the clock, we saw him more often, but he was forced (by the script I hope) to deliver the same lines over and over.

Uttered at least four times each: "Make a clean sweep of the place." and "Let's go."

Fifty minutes in, he told us his name.
Little girl, Charlie: "Who are you?"
Seagal, "My name is Tao."
End scene.

The dialogue gods were no better to the protagonist Dorothy. She was forced to say ridiculous things like, "all these hallways lead to the same place..." and "all these tunnels lead to the same place..." (which I found incredibly odd unless the building was round, which according to the many aerial shots, it was not.)

And on and on.

Vampire fans, a word for you. There was a ton of neck-biting in this film, but you also have to put up with zombies-eating-flesh sequences (equipped with up close shots of intestines-for-dinner more than a dozen times) which are not sexy at all. In fact none of the vampire shots are even the least bit alluring. The vampires are actually simply mutants that fell victim to a virus that plagued the entire globe (I am Legend, anyone?). This movie will thrill those people who like bloody, gory, dripping-red internal organs zombie movies, not those who enjoy Twilight, The Lost Boys or Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula.

The obviously generous with his time Keith David stopped over for the afternoon to shoot his few scenes. He played a hard-nosed military general of uncertain personality and conviction who was forced to utter silly and trite lines throughout the show. And his decisions made no sense (which fit right in to the rest of the movie, now that I mention it). The director cut David's scenes into the rest of the vampire-hunting footage in such a way hoping to build suspense but unfortunately they all came off irritating and distracting to the flow of the film. (There was a flow???)

Long story short (too late), Against the Dark was only pretending to be a movie. It's really just a video game that you cannot stop playing until you get every last survivor and hunter out of the hospital. So crack your knuckles and grab up your game controller. We gots us some vampire's to chop up! Whoo-hoo!

My advice...watch the movie. Just don't expect too much.

Ellen C Maze, author Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider
24 5-Star Reviews the first 10 weeks. A Brand New Look at the Vampire Mythos!

Rabbit BETH RIDER Tweets and Facebooks

Fictional character Beth L Rider, from Ellen C Maze's smash new vampire hit, Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider is now Tweeting and reporting her status on Facebook! As events from the novel unfold, Beth will report her adventures from her point of view. A clever new way to enjoy a novel, and a provocative look into the lead character's psyche as she battles creatures she never believed in before.

From Beth's Profile on Facebook and Twitter: "I am a fictional character, being chased by real-life vampires in the new novel sensation, Rabbit:Chasing Beth Rider. I will share my adventures in novel time!"

Beth Rider Tweets on Twitter
Beth Rider reports on Facebook


Video Book Trailer for Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider

Let's go catch us some Rabbits people!
Ellen C Maze, author Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider

NEWEST BOOK REVIEW of Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider !!

Hello Rabbit Chasers!

I am very excited about this terrific review of Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. I want to share it with you! And please follow the link to the reviewers blog and check out all of her reviews.

~Ellen

Curling Up By The Fire -- Book reviews by Stephanie
My Thoughts 4.5/5 Stars
When I first started reading this novel, I had absolutely no idea what it was about. To my surprise, it had a supernatural element to it, and was about vampires. Then I thought it would be another stereotypical novel about vampires, glorifying their race (not that there's anything wrong with that, but I was looking to read something different at that time). I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of this novel and how different it was from the normal take on the vampire themes we have seen lately.

I love it when an author can take a legend or mythological idea and twist it so it becomes something new and interesting. This is definitely what happens in Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. Ms. Maze creates her own unique vampire race, the Rakum, with Fathers, Elders, clans, always keeping the amount limited to 100 000 in the world. Vampires in the novel are not created from humans, but are born from the Fathers with a human mother and are raised in one of the Elder clans. Their gifts are nurtured and developed and they are educated in their beliefs from the time they are small; each Rakum have to pass a series of difficult tests in order to be initiated as full adult Rakum. Interestingly, there are no female Rakum. Their world is ordered, civilized, and controlled.

Beth turns all this on its feet with her new book. She is converting hundreds of Rakum over to her cause just by the Rakum having read her book and beginning to question their existence and asking questions about God. Jack Dawn, worried and anxious about his race, tracks Beth down and marks her as his Rabbit, believing her to be a traitor to his race. Beth is shocked when she discovers from Michael why this has been done to her and Michael is astounded when he discovers that Beth is the Rabbit he is sensing. He senses something wrong about the whole thing and becomes her protector. The relationship between Michael and Beth develops slowly and as events throw them together, they are forced to depend on one another more and more. Michael especially begins to question why he is going against his brethren and everything he believes in to protect a human woman who is about to turn his world upside down. As we are led down Michael's path, we learn many truths about the Rakum and about Michael himself. Michael becomes Beth's 'Knight in Shining Armour' and I loved watching him take that path to enlightment and watching their relationship develop.

The many other characters in this novel were interesting and quirky, to say the least. I enjoyed the interaction between Elder Roman and Javier, and how they became more affectionate towards each other towards the end. As many of the characters became more 'human', they acted more human-like whereas the characters who didn't believe in Beth's books, became more evil and did more evil things. There was almost this yang-yang effect; as some people grew nicer and more forgiving, others grew more evil and attempted more desperate acts.

Despite the lightning-fast plot, with many twists, the novel gave you a lot to ponder. While it was a page turner, and had me hooked right from the very beginning, there were some deep philosophical ideas present in this novel. It dealt with faith, mythology, philosophy, evil and goodness, redemption, and belief in God. While it didn't go indepth onto these topics, they were certainly present, and I had to stop reading at several points so I could ponder some of the points that were made. I had to admire Beth's deep faith in God as it helped to keep her calm throughout many difficult situations that I'm sure I could not have faced with the same stoicism she displayed. Many of the Rakum questioned their own belief system and their own reasons for existence and it was interesting following their paths to redemption.

Verdict
This novel had a great plot, definite thrills, chills, and suspense to satisfy anyone, fantastic characters, and mythological elements. It hooked me right from the beginning and didn't let go, even after I finished reading it. It's a fantastic debut novel from an author whom I hope to read more about soon.

CHASING RABBITS on FILM? It could happen!

 

RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER..... THE MOVIE??????

Thursday, February 11, 2010, I met with Bradley Farris (Director, Cinematographer) of Magnolialand Entertainment to discuss Rabbit being made into a movie. They now have the novel and are going to work on a screen play. I’ll let you know as things develop. We're very excited at the possibility of working with this terrific company! Thanks for being there, guys! ~ Ellen http://www.magnolialandentertainment.com

To learn more about this exciting 5-STAR novel, go to www.rabbitnovel.com. 

Regarding RABBIT, Chasers have said: 

"CHALLENGES FAITH…

"Gives us A BELIEVABLE LOOK at vampires…

"CHARACTERS are SOLID and WELL DRAWN…

"The kind of story that COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN…

"A REALLY NEW IDEA which intrigues the "vampire" enthusiast and CHALLENGES …THE RELIGIOUS CROWD.

"Rabbit will SHAKE YOUR WORLD.

"GOT LOST IN IT...can't wait for the sequel!

"A TRUE PHENOMENON.

"One of the BEST NOVELS I HAVE EVER READ…

"Lightning paced plot THAT RIVALS the works of DAN BROWN or STEPHEN KING.

"Part LOVE STORY, part MYTHOLOGY, part VAMPIRE TALE and all heat, Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider is the very definition of PAGE TURNER….

"The story will HOOK YOU, HAUNT YOU and STAY WITH YOU well after you’ve turned the last page…  

"A FRESH and EXCITING rendition of the VAMPIRE mythos

"Ellen C. Maze spins a SUPERB and UNIQUE vampire thriller.

The Garden Key A PRECIOUS GIFT wrapped up in this DEBUT NOVEL

(Recently, I read an awesome book by first-time author Angela Dolbear. I have been changed by it and want to share it with all of you. As a matter of fact, I want to shout about it from the rooftops! But for now...this blog wili suffice! Love, Ellen)

The Garden Key, by Angela Dolbear, is a book that could literally change the world. I can say with all honesty that if every man and woman on the planet read this book and let its words sink deep into their souls; when they opened their eyes the following day, they would be transformed. Changed into people who love. Really love. And in a real sense, The Garden Key is about real love.

Told in first person, in a voice that I fell in love with immediately, The Garden Key sweeps you into the protagonist’s life; so much so, you feel like part of her story. You experience her joy, her triumph, her failures and her desire for redemption. And because the author walks so closely with God, it is impossible to not be encouraged in your own faith as you travel through novel-time with the main character.

Promos for The Garden Key entice the reader with comical, tongue-in-cheek, real-life phrases, dialogue and emotions. Honestly, I was convinced by one line from the web site which said something about ‘lust and cheeseburgers.’ But rest assured, the promises on the back cover can be trusted absolutely. As I read this book, I did indeed laugh often, and I cried with joy aplenty. I wept most when I reached the last page—do you know why? Because the novel ended.

Selfishly, I wanted it to go on and on and never conclude. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed this book so much (it was literally un-put-down-able), that when I got to the last 30 pages, I forced myself to stop reading. I would not pick it up for fear of finishing it. For over a week, I peeked at it next to my desk, carried it to my room to peek at it as I went to sleep—but I would not read on. I was terrified to see the last page. I was horrified that this wonderful, sweet, delightful, insightful and encouraging book was about to be finished. I have never read a book like this and I thank God that he led me to read it now. I have no doubt in my mind that I will read it over again many times.

And thankfully, the author hinted that she would write another. Praise the Lord.

Ellen C Maze, author Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider

BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD Boys... so fun to write!

(blogger does not claim ownership of photos)

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider FICTION/Fantasy/Paranormal Nov.2009
ON SALE NOW all over the place. OR Click the bookcover to the right to purchase or to learn more!

Let’s talk a little about antagonists.

When Rabbit was in the forming stages, I had a bad guy all picked out. His name was Jack Dawn. He was a bloodsucking Rakum, he hated Beth Rider (the innocent righteous character) and he was out to destroy her. But along the way…another evil head was raised up. And although ugly inside, this devil was beautiful to behold, which made him oh-so-fun to write. Mwuhahaahahaha!

So let me tell you how Beryl’s identical twin Meryl was born into this story.

During the course of writing, I needed Beryl to be in two places at one time. Beryl is a beautiful, angelic-looking Rakum (vampire-like race from the novel) with a very black irredeemable soul. He preys on the weaklings and serves his evil and cruel Elder Jack Dawn with total obedience and subservience. So one day, as I was tweaking the story, tightening it up for an eventual end...I realized that I needed Beryl to accost Javier’s human friend Simon to keep the story tense. But Beryl was busy with Jack. To solve the problem, I gave Beryl an identical twin and named him Meryl. This apparent split-second decision was everything but—it turns out that Meryl was in the story all along! But as the silly 'hand' that types the words, I just didn't know it yet.

As soon as I put Meryl's 1st scene in, he went right to work. He grew in every scene and added depth and meaning to his brother Beryl that I could never have gotten on my own. And the Twins grew into such important characters that in Rabbit: Legacy, the sequel, they will play a major role.

Wow. When you meet Meryl, you will love to hate to love to hate him. If you want to see what mean old Meryl did to poor abandoned Simon, read this older post where 'ellen was leaking' chapters. You can meet Meryl and see what he and his twin are capable of.

This gorgeous creature (Indian actor Roshan Hrithik) is in the photograph provided for today's post. Oh my. The devil often poses as an angel of light, and that describes Meryl and Beryl to a T...

END TIMES PROPHECY!!! A Little Book Review for You

A BOOK REVIEW/ NON-FICTION/ SPIRITUALITY
by Ellen C Maze, www.rabbitnovel.com

Book Review of a new End Times Prophecy teaching tool, ‘TIL ETERNITY by Paul Bortolazzo. Available on Amazon.com and at www.paulbortolazzo.com

Review Title: GO AHEAD AND BUY THREE COPIES...or you'll wish you did. January 21, 2010

`Til Eternity by Paul Bortolazzo is in a class all its own. Wait until you read it and you'll know what I mean. To more explain what I'm saying, follow me now...

SCRIPTURE: I can read the Bible for myself and see that 90% of the End Times prophecy teachings out there in the world do not jibe with what the Master taught His disciples. When I read Paul's book, suddenly everything fell into place and I can begin to make sense of what I've been learning all along. Paul backs every single portion of his teaching with Scripture in context. It is a very refreshing way to teach eschatology. As you read this book, you are constantly referred to a Bible verse or the verse is supplied for you right then and there.

CHARTS: Paul has some of the most beautiful charts I have ever seen that clearly show the timing of the events, the seals, the bowls, the trumpets... so easy to understand and see for yourself. And of course, the Bible passages are right there to help you along. You can view these charts on his web site, a link is provided on hi author page for you (click his highlighted name).

APOLOGETICS: Lovingly and with mercy, Paul reveals some heretical teachings by beloved big-name people. But frankly, church, the time has come for us to stop coddling these millionaires who are speaking heresy on the television and radio and not being held accountable. Paul names names... but hey - the time is short. Every person who utters blasphemy has put it on YouTube for the public to view, and in Paul's book you can get the link and hear/see for yourself. This is all in love, and it will open your eyes. If you want to remain blind and follow blindly, don't look. But also, you may miss an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and be better prepared for His return.

THE WARNING: Do not be deceived. Jesus warns us to pray and avoid false doctrines. Paul's book will take you to a clear understanding of the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit will confirm in you. Taste and see for yourself. Paul is available to confer with if you have questions. Visit his web site to chat with him (once again, link is provided when you visit his author profile).

THE BLESSING: To know Jesus and the One who sent Him; and to understand the events that lead up to, occur during and after His return.

God bless,

Ellen C Maze, author Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider
An undead tale for the discerning believer.

Rabbit: LEGACY LEAK--- Call the PLUMBER!

(blogger does not claim ownership of photos)

Anyone who follows this blog or belongs to the Facebook Novel Group knows that Canaan is my new favorite character in Rabbit: Legacy, the sequel to Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. Why do I love him so?

Granted, he’s not perfect—heck, he’s a blood-sucking Rakum with absolutely no idea of the morality we humans cling to. But he has a union with the mortal Marcy Haddle that is rarely witnessed between normal people.

Canaan, immortal and drop-dead gorgeous.

Marcy, 56 and beginning to look the part.

Canaan still sees her as that 16 year old girl from 40 years back. He loves her so much that it is so refreshing. But he recognizes the conundrum – he will live forever and she has maybe twenty years left. This dilemma plays into the plot of the book so read this novel excerpt and see if Canaan is a guy you could love too.
(forgive the weird grammatical formatting...my blogging skills are in their infancy!)


Chapter Four, Rabbit: Legacy


Canaan rubbed his eyes and nudged Marcy awake.

“Don’t you have to go in early tonight, C? It’s almost seven. We overslept.” Canaan switched on his bedside lamp while covering his eyes. Marcy groaned approximately three seconds as the gravity of his words sunk in before she jerked off the covers and hopped out of bed.

“Not again! God Canaan! Set an alarm!” More expletives trickled out as she stomped to the bath and slammed the door. Canaan chuckled and turned off the lamp.
Thirty-nine years together, and he never set an alarm. He didn’t need to. His internal clock though not error proof, was fairly reliable. Why didn’t she set the clock radio on her side of bed when they went to sleep each day? Canaan smiled. She enjoyed the drama. Marcy was at her best when under stress. Fifty-six years old with the energy of a woman half her age.

“Canaan! You up yet?”

Marcy’s edgy voice through the door got Canaan out of bed. He pulled on the sweats he’d left on the floor and headed for the kitchen shirtless. His reflection teased him as he passed the living room mirror. He was a big guy, well-muscled, with soft blonde curls that he kept quite short by Marcy’s request. His left side – shoulder, arm and chest – were black with thickly arted tattoos collected over the last three decades.

Marcy encouraged him the first time. She’d been with living with him two years, she was twenty, and the 70s were in full swing. He had to choose a crowd; the Hippies or the toughs. Canaan was no peace-loving beatnik. Leather chaps over jeans and a bandanna tied around his head suited him just fine. San Francisco, California; the place to find the best skin artists in the world and three of those were Rakum. Canaan had to use a Rakum tattooist because of the risk of contamination. He would bleed, and an Elder’s blood was nothing to leak lightly around humans.

‘Let me draw it.’ She’d said, batting her long reddish-brown eyelashes. Never one to resist her wiles, he consented. When the artist lifted his needle for the last time, her creative input was stained in his skin forever. Marcy had drawn a stylized wolf, crouching like a man, preparing to strike with claws sharp as razors.

‘This is where I shot you –right between his eyes.’ She’d told him as they studied it later in their hotel mirror. It suited him. When the novelty of it wore off a few months later, he went back for another. And then another.

‘Does it hurt?’ Marcy asked him after his fourth trip.

‘Yep.’ Canaan had replied smiling. ‘That’s why I like it.’

Marcy didn’t understand then, and now, thirty years later, the left side of his upper body was pretty much inked to capacity. Why not the right? Why not the lower body? Canaan shrugged whenever she’d ask. He had no conscious reason for only doing half. It just looked cool. And it made him look unstable. Dangerous and unpredictable.

Canaan laughed, flexed his biceps and gave himself a wink.

“COFFEE!”

Turning abruptly, Canaan reached the kitchen, laughing at the old girl. She had him wrapped around her finger and he regretted none of it. Four decades with the same mortal woman and he was still smiling. How many of his brethren could boast such a track record? None that he knew.

He yanked the pot from the coffee maker and filled it with tap water. As he went through the morning ritual, he listened to the sounds of Marcy’s shower. She was humming an old Platter’s tune, Twilight Time. Her voice was one of the many things he treasured about her. How many times had she sung him to sleep? Too many to count.

She’d be scrubbing her back by now with her loofa on a stick. She was manic with the thing, but her skin was silky smooth. She knew what she was doing. And then she’d wash her hair—twice. Marcy’s shoulder-length dark red hair was wavy bordering on frizzy when the barometer allowed. Canaan recalled that the first time he saw her, he noticed her hair.

And the gun she had trained on him.

The shower shut off in the back of the apartment and Canaan leaned against the counter in the dark kitchen nook. He needed no light and she would flip it on when she made it in. He could see every detail of the small space, and as he scrutinized the dustbunnies in the far corner, he pictured Marcy that first night. She was a hellion. But wasn’t she also a lamb?

Canaan grinned, rubbed his face, and let the memories wash over him. He loved reliving the night Marcy Josephine Haddle shot him in the back.



“Freeze scumbag!”

BAM!

Canaan was shoved forward by the thrust of the hit and he went to his knees to catch his breath. Sneaking up to the farmhouse was turning out to be a huge mistake. He’d audibly located the father, the mother and the little brother; all sleeping soundly in their beds. But even as he stealthily hunted the young lady that his nose told him was nearby, she had been stalking him. Possibly distracted by hunger and the excitement of taking such a young, reluctant buzz, Canaan did not realize he had been bested until he heard the shot. She shouted again for him to freeze and he slowly turned to meet her eye, braving another round if she was so inclined.

“Don’t try nothin’ funny, Mister, or I’ll shoot you again!” She spoke with a mouthy Southern accent and gestured with her weapon.

Canaan stayed on his knees and smiled at the youngster; sixteen years old, if a day, and ornery as a mule. With the full moon behind her shining through her almost burgundy hair, Canaan wondered if he should get to his feet. Her big hazel-green eyes flashed with victory and she called for her daddy through plump pink lips. Out of the corner of his eye, Canaan saw the inside light come on in the house. He and the girl were a good fifty yards away outside the hay barn. If Daddy was coming, he’d be another minute or so.

Canaan nodded his head to the girl and caught her eye.

“You’re a good shot. And brave. Ever shot a man before?” Humor in his voice, Canaan hooked his thumb toward his shoulder. “Look at my back. I want you to see what you did.”

The teen took his offer as a challenge and stepped forward, the rifle aimed at his head. Canaan removed his button-down flannel shirt and turned his shoulders as she circled behind him cautiously. She eyed his muscled build and managed a scowl.
“You deserved it, Mister. Somebody’s been poaching my daddy’s livestock and he said if I catch the guy he’d buy me a horse.”

Canaan nodded at her words and she stared at his back, the full moon providing plenty of light. He knew from long experience that such a wound would heal in a matter of moments and he listened for the girl’s reaction.

It came seconds later.

“Dang.” She whispered and stepped closer.

Canaan watched her, craning his neck to see her lean forward and reach out to touch his skin. Her cool fingers ran up and down the back of his shoulder several times before she withdrew.

“Doesn’t that just beat all…”

“Ever seen anything like that before, kiddo?” He asked, aware that the back door had opened and one or more Haddles were headed to their location.

“Sure.” The girl said and gingerly put her fingers to his back once more. “In the movies.”

Canaan remained as he was; shirt in hand, on his knees, his stomach rumbling now that she was within reach. He calculated his options as the dad approached. In ten seconds they’d have company. He could feasibly grab her and sprint out of sight. He had the ability. After all, he was a mighty Rakum Elder. Or he could murder whoever came around the corner and then carry on with his initial plans. Or…

“So what are you?” The girl whispered, lowered the gun and stood back for him to stand.

Canaan chuckled and came slowly to his feet. He towered over her but she did not back off. She was odd. She was different. And to Canaan, the combination coupled with the fact that she shot him in the back at close range made her special. And Canaan treasured rarity above all things.

“What do you say I am?” Canaan whispered so she would have to lean in to hear. She was fearless and that only intrigued him more.

“Hmmm…” The girl pondered his question and parted her lips.

“I will visit you tomorrow.” Canaan bowed a few inches and stepped back, allowing the huge maple to hide him in shadow. “Do not shoot me again.”

“My name is Marcy.” The girl whispered with a curious smile and Canaan backed out of sight. Her father reached her side with a shotgun balanced in his shaking hands.
Canaan remained hidden as he watched the teen explain away her antics without ever mentioning her trespasser.

The next evening he indeed visited her—in her bedroom. He was a gentleman and took her blood with restraint. But she asked him back, and the more time he spent with her, whispering in her room or watching the moon move across the Kentucky sky from the hay loft of the old barn, the more attached he became. Until one day, she left with him and never looked back.

What did her parents think? She sent them a card every Christmas, but never let on their address. Her little brother grew up and went off to college. He became an attorney and moved to New York City only to be hit by a cab and killed his first week on the job. Her mother and father were now in a nursing home, still cognitive but losing it fast. And Marcy was Senior Park Ranger for the State Parks system. She carried a rifle in her truck and a .45 on her hip.

Although so far, she’d kept her bullets in her gun.



“In the dark again, Canaan.” Marcy deadpanned and threw the light switch. “Oh! Hazel Walnut! Thank you, sweetie!”

Canaan grinned and she fell into his arms. She was slender and tan and she melted into him as if they were one. That is why he could never leave her. Even twenty years down the road; as she became bent, infirm and needy, he would hold her close. Somehow, they had become one person. It wasn’t very Rakum-like to have such human ideas, but—

Canaan shrugged mentally as he released his bride. Since the Rabbit debacle, he could pretty much do whatever seemed good in his own eyes. There were no Fathers to submit to and no Brethren to match wits with on every issue. Canaan was no longer inclined to hide his affection for the woman he thought of as a wife.

“Canaan, you be careful tonight.” Marcy said as she turned to pour her cup. “I had a bad dream last night. I dreamed about bats and you know that’s a bad omen. You need to stay home—”

Canaan objected with a shake of his head and interrupted her. “C, no way. I’ve stayed in three nights in a row. Your bats will just have to stuff it. I’m not a saint, hon. I gotta have a buzz or I will explode.”

Marcy regarded him with that gaze of hers and Canaan shook his head again.
“I’m serious.”

“Then let it be me. I’ll call in.” Marcy set down her cup and reached for the phone. Canaan stepped up and covered her hand on the receiver.

“Hon, I’ll be fine. I am going alone, to the Shell Zone.” Canaan smiled at his rhyme, but his wife’s eye was hard.

The Shell was a bar for men, hidden in a dark corner down town. Every few weeks, it was safe to visit there and find a free voluntary meal with a man he knew as Westley; a Cow in a world without Cows. The right to hold Cows went South when their Race dissolved but there were still plenty of humans out there willing to let blood to vampires. And since he was gentle with the man, he’d never been turned down.

“Lighten up. I will be careful. I always am.” Canaan brought up his hands and cupped Marcy’s face and sang the first few words of one of her favorite show tunes. “Beautiful girl, let me take a picture…”

“Stop it.” She cooed and covered his hands with hers.

“Beautiful girl, let me call the preacher…”

“You don’t even know the words.” Marcy’s retorts were spoken through a smile framed by the lines of happy times.

“I’m in a whirl…” Canaan sang off key and pulled her lips to his.

She returned his kiss and then hugged his back, burying her face in his bare chest. He kept it waxed at her request and he rather enjoyed the discomfort the procedure brought. The sensations of pain and pleasure often melded together among his people and he was no different.

Marcy giggled as he dropped his hands to her waist and tickled her briefly.

“…over my beautiful girl…” He sang, finishing the chorus with aplomb.

“Call me on my cell when you get home, okay? Things are different now and we have to keep on guard.”

“Hon, I will know if they come around.” Canaan resumed a serious tone and waited to meet her gaze. “Do not mistake my gentleness with you for weakness with them.”
Marcy’s eyes watered a second and she wiped away her tears and cleared her throat. She was an incredibly strong woman and Canaan admired that about her.

“You said they were re-gathering. Plotting a comeback.” Marcy said and paused. “Heard anything else?”

Canaan shook his head. He used to be telepathic but now, his only mental connection to those who were left came in dreams and odd rumblings in his spirit that he rarely understood. But by the visions he received most recently, he knew enough to avoid contact for as long as possible. One name came through his last lucid dream and it was one he distrusted.

Rufus Delouve.

A Rakum Elder he’d spent enough time with that he knew to steer clear of him now that there was no order among their kind. And he wondered about Father Damien. As of their last contact, the man was considering changing sides. Had Rufus gotten to him yet? Canaan realized he really didn’t care. His only concern was the safety of Marcy and himself. The rest of the Brethren could go to—

“Just stay on guard.” Marcy interrupted his thoughts now wrapped in his embrace.
Canaan nodded and kissed the top of her head, the fragrance of her shampoo causing him to smile anew. He’d never brought trouble home since they’d been together, but recently, Marcy was becoming more cautious. She’d been having nightmares, usually about his dying race. After nearly four decades together, she had met plenty of his brethren, and she knew just about as much about his people as he did. But she needn’t worry about his feeding ritual. Canaan had three hundred and fifty-eight years experience. He knew how to take blood stealthily and he knew how to avoid capture. Besides, with the Fathers out of the picture, he was the strongest Rakum he knew.

“You can count on me, C. I will call you before your break.” He spoke into her hair.
Marcy squeezed him tighter and then let him go. “You better, old man. I get worried.”

“Good.”

Marcy slapped his rear and swigged her coffee again. “Now put on a shirt and go warm up my truck.”

Canaan flexed his muscles and tossed her a Charles Atlas pose.

“No need of a shirt Ma’am.” He teased and headed for the front door. Marcy sighed dramatically and cut her eyes away, but the corners of her mouth turned up. She was in love; head over heels with a creature that would never die.

Canaan’s smile faltered as he headed for her truck. He was an immortal who had joined himself with woman with only a few short years to live. The last forty years had passed like days and Marcy would reach retirement in a decade.

Canaan shook his head. It didn’t matter. They were one. And he was an Elder.

Elders had special proclivities…

Canaan slapped his hand on the ice-cold hood of the truck and swore, his breath making misty plumes in the night. Those thoughts would get them both killed. He’d avoided discovery by keeping his mind clear and his hands clean. But if he began to ponder the Old Days, think on ways to keep his mortal wife alive past her time, Rufus’ and his minions would become aware him. He knew by experience that even with their diminished telepathic prowess, some thoughts carried more weight than others. When a Rakum Elder began to think about marking a Rabbit – the whole bloodthirsty community was inexplicably switched on.

Canaan cursed again and revved the truck’s engine. Clearing his mind was not easy, but it necessary. Still, he could do it…

He was capable. He had the ability.

Marcy didn’t have to die.

Rakum Rabbit’s were immortal…

“Canaan!” He hissed at himself and got out of the truck. “I’ve got sunshine…on a cloudy day…” He sang loudly, not caring that he was tone deaf and couldn’t carry a tune. “When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May…”

Canaan sang all the way to the apartment and then disappeared into their room to get dressed.

Blood,
blood,
blood.

He needed a fix. His mind was easier to manage when his gut was full. And he could handle watching his beloved Marcy grow old and die when his belly was buzzing with a fresh hit. But until he downed that first sip, his mind invariably turned to his options.

And how wonderful it would be to keep her with him forever.

The SOCIAL BUNNY- Rabbit: Chasing FREE ADVERTISING

FANCY Free Advertising…WHY NOT?

Ever since my debut novel Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider was released, I have submerged myself into the world of Self-Promotion. What amazes me the most about this most noble of endeavors is how many opportunities exist out there to promote and advertise your book for absolutely no monetary investment.

Facebook is a biggie. I shared my book with my old friends and my new acquaintances. They were (and are) a constant source of encouragement and accountability. They allowed me to start up a Fan Group for my novels—something the everyday Joe may not have the chance to do. And they teach me to stay connected everyday and never retreat into the proverbial writer’s abyss.

Next to Facebook, I discovered Goodreads.com. Here, I signed on as a Goodreads Author, and history was born! My book, which previously was not being read by anyone on the site, climbed into the limelight so that within 2 months, 35 people added it to their shelves, 10 people rated 5-stars, and over 700 entered a giveaway to receive a free copy of the my book!

By surfing around another writer’s blog, I discovered Shoutlife.com. This is a Christian social networking site, for regular people AND authors, musicians, and ministries. It is the best! All of the best Christian Fiction (and non-fiction) writers are on here, and they friend you instantly. Because of the way the site is set up, I can blog there, as well as post whatever advertisement or promotion I need to regarding my novels FOR FREE. The best part is that here I have done some of my best networking—finding services I need and sharing my book with people who want to read it.

Eventually, I got pretty good at Twitter.com, GetGlue.com, YouTube.com, Bookcrossing.com, Librarything.com, livingsocial.com, authorsden.com, digg.com, deviantart.com, and technorati.com. All of these sites offer a way to promote and advertise for FREE, as well as make important connections and friends in the process.

But perhaps the most important of all sites to conquer is Amazon.com. I set up my author profile and author page, and keep it updated. And I do as many reviews as I can where I can attach my name and my book to the end of each. With this little marketing secret, my name and my book end up on hundreds of entertainment websites as reviews attached to products they are promoting! What an amazing feat of technology, this internet!

So I am still hooking my cart to more cyber horses to push my books. I suggest you do it too. The literary world is increasingly competitive—why not do all you can to let the world that your ‘baby’ is loose and needs readers!

Ellen C Maze, January 22, 2010 author, Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider http://www.rabbitnovel.com

When Rakum character DANIEL made himself KNOWN

(an actor -Hunter Parrish as a kid--who has the look of this character Daniel)

Tuesday is a lovely day to write on my novel in progress, RABBIT: LEGACY. But I must pick up where I left off...with Daniel; a conundrum.

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Daniel popped into my novel after I had already written 40 thousand words, and had collected already 14 POV characters (see the last post for POV study). My plate was more than full. Yet, there is no denying that he is a compelling little guy... He seems to know everything that's going on, he has amazing abilities that would frighten the strongest Rakum (the blood-sucking group in my RABBIT series www.rabbitnovel.com) and I found out last night that he is involved in quite a bit of subterfuge and chicanery that I just didn't see coming. Worse, he is adorable to look at. Sweet and innocent-looking, apparent age barely fifteen, and he uses his appearance to fool people into trusting him. And he wants to sink the entire show.

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I learned last night that he intends to ruin Beth Rider and her Rabbit Army (as I call it outside the novel); and he wants to rebuild the Rakum Race under his own name. See...there's the rub. His grandiose schemes do not fit in this novel. Still, although I extricated him twice, he keeps coming back, insisting that he is in the right place. He now has three scenes interspersed with the others as he weaves his wicked plans into my plot...

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Is he in the wrong book? RABBIT: LEGACY (link) is about the Good overcoming the last of the Bad among the Rakum. If Daniel wants to take over the show, he is going to have to wait for a Rabbit book three. I am already getting some glimpses of this third (and probably last) in the series. My proposed title is RABBIT: REDEMPTION, but I also like the word CONUNDRUM. Let's see... Rabbit: The Redemption, the Conundrum.  OH, wait... thinking as I blog. Maybe there are four in this series, and they are:

1. RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER
2. RABBIT: LEGACY
3. RABBIT: CONUNDRUM
4. RABBIT: REDEMPTION

Yeah, that looks right.

•  

This fits my theory perfectly -- that ALL books are already written in the 'spirit'... they just need us to write them down. So I'll keep all this in mind as I tolerate little Daniel's schemes. I will watch him as he ingratiates himself into Beth Rider's posse and maybe he will carry through some of his plans to work us into the next novel.

Okay... I'm satisfied. Thank you for letting me figure this out on your nickel.

•  

I hear little Daniel calling. I didn't finish his scene last night. He had just weasled his way into Beth's house when she had specific divine orders to keep him out. He is just sneaky that way. Talk about the devil parading around as an angel of light. ARGH!
Have a great day!

I'll have a SLICE of POV Pie, PLEASE!

Recently, while working on my current novel project, I began to wonder how well my POV changes were executed in my first published novel, Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. I promptly grabbed the novel off the shelf and began to count and label POV switches, thinking that I might find a pattern or a lovely graph of POV usage to tickle my fancy. What I found was something that tasted a little like day-old donuts...

There were 81 POV Switches (herein called POV Instances, or POVI's) in all. That in itself is no crime with the ensemble cast I employed to tell the story. Beth Rider was the primary POV; which is to be expected as, well, read the title of the book... Okay, then her hero, Michael Stone was the 2nd most used POV, and then to Javier, a middle-of-the-road character who was seeking truth, the 3rd. So far, all this is perfect. Sitting firmly in 4th place is the antagonist, Jack Dawn. Right on course. Excellent.

So what's the problem?

I found some POV errors that me nor my editors noticed before the book went to print. 4 out of 81 POVI's were a little muddy or mixed. Do they matter? Not to the readers. Readers don't care about such things. But authors will notice and wonder, 'did she mean to do that?' So for the edification of all, I have charted the POVI's of Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider, The Judging, and my work in progress, Rabbit: Legacy. Let's have a look:

Here, you can see all of what I was sharing about the POV distribution among my characters... I like the distribution of POV, and am satisfied that it is correct for the storyline.


Now look at unpublished future sensation, THE JUDGING:

This novel has been edited close to 20 times by four people, and it about as close to perfect as it is going to get before it goes to print. It is proper that there are 4 main characters giving the POV, and 3 supporting. Also, my minors are so minor, that they only give one shot. This is good for victims... It works well.  The POVI's are good. But I found other problems that I would not have found had I not plotted the POVI's. I found some Chapter-ization errors. (Yes, I made that word up). I found some places I should break for a new chapter (such as when introducing a new character for the first time). I never really 'saw' that before I had the POVI's plotted.

Now, on my current project, I am finding the plotting is helpful to make sure I am on track. Writing a brand new novel from scratch, I have a tendency to run off with my emotional favorites and leave the heroine/hero behind as I develop the book. Here, Canaan appears to be the main character because so far, he has the most POVI's. But... it will likely be an even split between Canaan, Beth Rider and the antagonists. Let's see how it looks with 42,000/100,000 words down so far:

By looking at this POV Pie, I can see that the lukewarm guys and the evil guys have been written first, and the heroes last. I will need to get to writing those guys soon or no one will win the battle at the end!

So, I sincerely hope you enjoyed this slices of POV pie, and maybe you will one day plot your POVI's and see how you're doing in this sensitive subject among authors. I enjoyed the exercise and I will do it for all my novels now, BEFORE I send them to the editor.

I'm off to make changes!  Boker tov/have a great day!

A LEGACY of fine and exciting Characters...

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider fans have a common cry among them: PLEASE WRITE MORE MRS. MAZE! 

Aiming to please those who ask as well as myself (for who loves to write more than a writer?), I am happily and busily working on the sequel to Rabbit. This novel is entitled RABBIT: LEGACY and it will bring all loose ends to a satisfying conclusion...most likely.* The goal is 100,000 words and tonight we sit at 37,000+. It is looking really, really exciting. Here is our proposed Book Cover:

*UPDATE 12/31/09 Rabbit: Legacy is not the last in the series. There will be one more entitled Rabbit: Redemption... FYI...

I will not post any spoilers here, in case you're not quite done with the first book, but it might be fun to chat about the characters a little...

The Bad Guys:
RUFUS: His name comes up only 2x in the first novel; in the Prologue, he is the one who was set on fire by Schaffer... Well, Rufus -- he looks bad. He's a Rakum Elder who has been taking the Dying Buzz for a few years now, and any of you who have read the first book, know that this action can morph your face slowly into that of a monster; namely, a vampire. Think Nosferatu. That is how bad he's gotten. He might look a little like this:

BERYL &; MERYL: Identical twins, these are beautiful and angelic of countenance, but have hearts of the coldest stone. Their blood father was Umbarto, the worst of the worst. Their spiritual Father, Abroghia, was the High Father of the Rakum race. Rabbit readers know that the old guy was 100% (demonic) spirit. Yeah. That's evil. The twins have not fallen into the habit of eating the dead nor taking the Dying Buzz, and they have maintained their comely appearance as they attempt to destroy everything that is good in the world they occupy. They might look a little like this:

The Guy in the Middle:

CANAAN: A Rakum Elder who wants to be left alone. He is my new favorite character. He has been hiding from the brethren so he can stay with a woman that he loves. He has no interest in joining Rufus and his ilk, and he is very insulted by the traitor Rakum who deserted the Brethren to become human. Yet he gets dragged into the fray because of threats Rufus makes against his wife and his lifestyle. This guy is neat. I think he looks a little like Dierks Bentley:

I'll stop for now. The Good Guys will travel over from the first novel; Beth Rider, Michael Stone, Jesse Cherrie, Javier D' Millier, and David Walker. As well as a new protagonist, Rakum Father-turned-mortal Damien. They will band together with Canaan to make a stand against the lunatic Rakum who would destroy them all.

So it's back to writing. Hope ya'll are having a great night!

20,000 Media Outlets Heard About RABBIT this week!

• My publicist is amazing. I received a list of all of the outlets my Press Release went to, and there were more than 20,000! Already, more than twenty have responded in favor and I guess if thousands respond, I may have to turn some down...right? It blows my mind!

• I have been writing on the sequel, Rabbit: Legacy. (Fall 2010) I am most enamoured right now with the new lead, a Rakum Elder named Canaan. He is fiercely loyal but brutal and incredibly hedonistic through most of the novel. True, he will have a spiritual awakening eventually, but not too soon... He is more interesting when he is running the show. Of course, if you haven't read RABBIT: CHASING BETH RIDER then you might be looking at me cross-eyed right now. But hey, that's okay. Just go pick up a copy and read it. You can buy it all sorts of places. And if they do not stock it yet (it has only been out 1 month), ask the store manager to get it.
• Ellen wrote a foreward for another author's book! Yes, 'tis true. A good friend and fellow author has written an amazing book entitled THE OCCULT INVASION OF HEALTHCARE and he asked me to write the foreward. This is quite an honor. Today I made him a kickin' foreward that should be published in his novel next month. I will advertise his book for him then. For now, his name is Michael Elmore. Good guy...
• So it's back to the writing mill for me. I have some promoting to do, some writing, and some adjustments to make on my web site. Ya'll have a nice day now, ya hear?