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This last book in the Shadow Walkers Ghost series, Embraced by Shadow was the hardest to write. You would think it would be the easiest being the last one, right? Me too but I was wrong…S
o very wrong. Yes, I knew the end to the series when I wrote the first book, Lost in Shadow, but I didn’t know who the hero for this final book would be and I didn’t know his story.
As you have figured out, each book has a theme: forgiveness, redemption, second chances, and brotherhood. And all the books contain underlying themes of self-acceptance and family.
I kept forcing Monroe to be different and he wasn’t having it. His personal demons were so strong they threatened to destroy him and he kept them at bay by drinking. As the series progressed, by the time Reborn in Shadow came out, Monroe had reached a crisis point and you readers knew without a doubt he was an alcoholic.
I was afraid. Afraid that you, my readers wouldn’t want to follow Monroe on his journey so I kept trying to change him. Make his problem fade into the background. And what did Monroe do? The stubborn arse? He said, bugger off and refused to talk to me. And the rest of my characters left to their own devices went off to play, get into mischief. Basically took their toys and went home.
Once I accepted Monroe is who he is, he started to talk to me again. His drinking problem was the key to his journey. Only when I accepted him for who he was as a character could I move forward. Everything fell into place. He and the rest of my characters started talking so fast I could barely keep up. I had the story with all its blood, guts, and flaws…not unlike the gruff ex-cop we have all come to love.
After all, we all have demons to battle. Maybe not real demons like Solien and Hawk but we battle feelings of low self-esteem, of not being good enough, not finding our place in the world, hurts, abuse, vice, and depression. Once we accept ourselves for who we truly are — flaws and all — we can move forward. The demons lose their power and are banished back to the darkness.
Thank you for making this journey into the Shadow Walker Ghost world. There were scenes in this book where the tears flowed and I couldn’t see the screen to type. I hope you have loved the characters as much as I have. Who’s your favorite? I love them all but…for me, it’s always been Hamish. Though Draken and Fury are a close second.
AND NOW…If you like lighthearted romance set in medieval England with cranky knights and modern-day heroines, you might want to take a chance on the Merriweather Sisters. Stay tuned for more information. I’m so excited about this new book!
hugs,
