A few years ago, a happy little west-coast girl wrote a series of vampire books that make women everywhere swoon at the sexiness of the supernatural leads and the realness of the main character. This was a fantastic time for YA novels because it meant that ‘Vampire Diaries’ by LJ Smith became wildly popular years after it was published. Which meant that all of her books were eventually reprinted, including The Forbidden Game trilogy. See how well the butterfly effect works here?

I read these books when they were released the first time. I read them many times. No books besides ‘American Gods’ have had such a huge impact on who I am as a writer, all thanks to a well-written secondary character and a delicious villian. I don’t guarantee that the books are as great as I remember, but I know that I wouldn’t have Ace and Loki without them.

That’s the beginning of the backstory for the book I’m about to write. Contagion has been shelved. My favorite sexy antagonist and anti-hero are telling me I can finally write their story…or at least part of it…and life is good. I have a new Shiny.

Go read the ‘Forbidden Game’ trilogy.