Beyond the Shadows is a modern-day take on paranormal romance. Rather than be set in an old-fashioned time period, such as the Victorian era (a common setting for vampire stories), this book is set in today’s world. There are guns, there are scientists, there are cars, there are night-vision goggles: all of the most modern of conveniences.
Why set it in modern times?
My main character, Cecelia “Celie” Moore is a modern girl. She loves movies, synthwave music, and grabbing some tasty Mexican eats. While her beau, the most handsome Michael Hawkins, is from 300 years ago, he has grown accustomed to modern times. After all, he’s had centuries to do it. There are touches of history here and there, though, with stories from Michael’s past.
However, it was ultimately my own experience that caused the story to be set in the present day. Writers are often told to write about what they know. I know this time period. Plus, it’s so much more fun to write about laboratories with today’s capabilities.
Speaking of ‘here and there’, just where is Bantum?
Bantum is a made-up location, actually. I honestly couldn’t decide if I wanted something based in the Tri-State region or the New England region, so I created an amalgam of both. For my first novel, it was helpful to avoid being beholden to rigid things like maps. This way I could adjust the flow of chapters and various ‘action scenes’ without struggling to match them up to a specific road or street layout.
Will the books always be set in Bantum?
No. I’m nearing completion on the sequel, SpellCast from Darkness. This will have scenes in Ireland, Norway, and Boston, too. I thought a bit of globe-trotting would be nice for a change of pace!
Thanks for reading! Visit Amazon to grab a copy of Beyond the Shadows today!
Look for my new book, SpellCast from Darkness to arrive in Spring/Summer of 2022.
Author Shanna Robillard 