Author Spotlight: Brenda Sparks

Born in Virginia, Brenda Sparks now resides in the Sunshine State with her loving husband and son.  Balancing her professional commitment to the local school district with her writing is challenging at times, but writing suspenseful paranormal romances is a passion that won’t be denied. Her idea of a perfect day is one spent in front of a computer with a hot cup of coffee, her fingers flying over the keys to send her characters off on their latest adventure.  Brenda loves to connect with readers.  Please visit her online or stop by her website to say hi.

Author Links: Facebook Fan Page

Twitter : @brenda_sparks

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What is your favorite book genre? Who are your favorite authors?

My favorite book genre is Paranormal Romance. I just can’t get enough of it whether it’s a true romance written for adults or a romantic YA written for teens. When it comes to naming a favorite author, honestly, there are too many to name just one.  I love Christine Feehan and J.R. Ward when I’m in the mood for a great vampire romance. When I’m looking for a sweet YA read I’ll grab something by Nancy Straight or Cambria Hebert. I actually could go on. I have a lot favorite authors I love. Show me a good paranormal story and I’ll show you an author I love.

Has anyone in particular been an influence on your writing?

Christine Feehan has definitely influenced me. It was while I was reading one of her books that the first scene for my series came to me. I feel like my writing improves when I’m reading her books.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? Who is it and why?

I love my characters, and would be quite happy with any of my heroes, should they ever leap off the page and walk into my life. But my favorite character is from the series I’m currently working on. I fell in love with Nicholai Peteroff. He is a sexy Russian vampire, who is all business on the battlefield but has the heart of a romantic poet. I can’t wait for readers to meet him in my next book, Alpha Mine.

Tell us something strange or interesting about yourself.

I find inspiration all around, in the pink and purple hues of a sunrise, the silly story told around the lunch table about a bug in a co-worker’s pants. My mind takes the ordinary and twists it into something dark and paranormal. At any given time, I have at least two stories running around my head, which can be chaotic but fun.

Do you write with music going in the background? What are some of your favorite types/bands?

I listen to music for inspiration, but I become too engrossed in it to have it playing while I write. I majored in music in college, and I honestly love all types of music, even some opera, as long as it is dark and layered.

Quick quiz:

·         Favorite food? Anything sweet. (Every tooth in my mouth is a sweet tooth. :) 

·         Favorite color? Purple

·         Favorite animal? I love them all, really. I’ve had pet turtles, dogs, cats, rats, even a tarantula, and a ground hog. As long as it’s not a roach, I can love it.

·         Biggest pet peeve? People who don’t pay attention while are driving.

 Dream car? Bugatti Veyron

Oh lala!

When guidance counselor Maggie O’Connell is plagued by terrible nightmares, she believes stress is the reason for her torment, but she couldn’t be more wrong. Unfortunately for Maggie, in the shadows of her dreams lurks a Dream Stalker who is addicted to the dark emotions produced by her night terrors.

Zane, a Dream Weaver from another dimension, visits Maggie in her nighttime fantasies to discover there is more than just a Dream Stalker after her. As the man of her fantasies becomes real, Maggie’s true nightmare begins.

Excerpt:

Zane glided over the tall grass, letting the tips brush the bottom of his energy as he floated through the warm air with ease. A pleasant sensation, the grass felt like something between a tickle and a massage as he went. Like all Dream Weavers, in this dimension he was pure energy that took the shape of a ball of light.

His essence flowed over the land, and he could not help but admire the scenery as he passed through. He noted the way the purple and burgundy flowers mixed with the royal blue florae to form colorful waves in the tall emerald-colored grass. Appreciating their beauty as he passed, he flowed through a copse of harlequin-patterned trees with black and white diamond-shaped leaves. The splendor of the nature around him went undisturbed until the breeze blew to send the plants swaying in a gentle rhythm and make the shiny leaves of the trees sparkle as they shook.

A tingling sensation stopped him. He recognized the sensation, had been exposed to this before; a long time ago, during his training to become a Peacemaker. This was the steady pulsing sensation created by negative energy.

Dream Weavers fed from the emotions of humans and negative reactions such as fear and anger fed them in a way unequaled by positive emotions. However, they discovered that those negative emotions were addictive, causing those of their kind who fed on them to become unstable. After only a few feedings, the Weavers developed an insatiable appetite for the negative feelings, abusing the human hosts they fed from.

His essence bobbed with anticipation. It had been decades since any of their kind defied their laws, especially the First Law which prohibited negative feedings. Their society considered it their most valued law, one meant to be obeyed above all others. As a Peacemaker, he was tasked with policing his fellow Dream Weavers, making sure they followed the laws set forth by the Ruling Council.

He needed to inform the Council about what he sensed, so they would know one of the Weavers turned rogue.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Check back on Thursday for Mrs. Snark's review of Weaver of Dreams!