Welcome to the 2024 ARIA Author Showcase and Giveaway Event! 

  

  

How to enter – Comment on the daily showcases to enter the daily giveaway. Comments close four days after the initial Showcase post. GRAND PRIZE drawn on Dec 5th (1 -$250, 1 -$100, or a 1 -$50 Amazon gift card. One grand prize pp) – For every showcase you post on, you automatically gain one entry to the grand prize. 30 Authors = 30 entries.    

Charley Black  will be at the Rhode Island Author Expo.

On to the Showcase! 

 

What name do you like to write under? Charley Black

Where do you call home? Southern RI

What genre(s) do you write? Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance

What genre(s) were you drawn to when you were younger? Was there a reason that genre(s) appealed to you the most? 

Romance has always captivated me. I found myself swept away by historical romance novels, especially those by Judith McNaught and Mary Balogh, where I couldn't resist a man who could make a woman swoon. But as my tastes evolved, I craved a touch more drama, and that's when I discovered the darker, more intense stories of V.C. Andrews. Romance, in all its forms, appealed to me because it offered an escape—a journey into a world filled with passion and happiness. And, no matter the twists and turns, I could always count on a happy ending.

What were some of your favorite books growing up? Why?  

Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre have always been, and still remain, my favorites. I love how the women in these stories are strong and independent, with men who ultimately bend to them. When it comes to modern reads, my top two favorite books are Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught and Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh. I’ve read them countless times, yet they never get old. Every time, they leave me swooning.

What are some of your favorite books today?

The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, The Kindred Series by Evangeline Anderson, ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas, and The Fae Chronicles by Amelia Hutchins. Just to name a few...

What inspired you to become a writer? 

My dreams were what inspired me to become a writer. They’re so vivid that I often don’t want them to end, so I started writing them down and continuing the stories. Eventually, I felt like the books I was reading all seemed the same—nothing was exciting me anymore. So, I decided to write the kind of stories I wanted to read but couldn’t find, like a really great vampire romance trilogy—so I wrote one. It’s not the most inspirational story, but now I have so many ideas in my head that I just need to get out.

 

Entwined Within the Darkness

Step into a world where witches, vampires, and dangerous alliances collide. Follow Patience and Lucius as they embark on a deadly quest to uncover buried secrets and shatter the blood bond that ties them together. Along the way, passion ignites, betrayals surface, and the truth threatens to unravel everything they know.  Packed with heart-pounding action, steamy romance, and shocking twists, the Within the Darkness Trilogy will keep you on the edge of your seat. Prepare to be captivated by a saga that will leave you breathless and craving more.

 

Tell us a little about how “Entwined Within the Darkness” series came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else? 

The Within the Darkness Trilogy originally began as a simple romance, but I quickly realized that would be too easy. I wanted to challenge myself and create something more thrilling, something that would keep both me and my readers on the edge of our seats. So, I decided to take it in a more exciting direction.

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book? 

The plot went through a lot of changes. It started as a "beauty and the literal beast" story, but I quickly lost interest in that direction and set it aside. When I came back to it, I decided to explore something I love—vampires. However, I had no idea how to write them, so it took a lot of trial and error, along with plenty of inspiration from other books and movies. I also realized I wanted more action and suspense, to keep readers guessing—just like the vampire romances that captivated me.

Which character was the most challenging to create. Why?  

My male main character, Lucius, was the most challenging to write because I found myself torn between what I knew readers would expect from him and what I personally envisioned. In the end, I let him take control of the story. Sometimes, it’s best not to fight your characters—just let them guide you. It makes the writing process smoother, and it definitely helps me sleep at night!

What do you like best about being a writer? 

I absolutely love the stories I create—in my head, they always seem like the best ideas ever. But the moment I get them on paper, I find myself thinking, "What the heck did I just write?" After countless rounds of edits and rewrites, though, the vision in my head finally starts to come to life. The most rewarding part is when someone reads my work and experiences the same emotions and imagery I did. That connection never fails to bring me to tears.

If you could collaborate with any author past or present, who would it be? What would the title of the book be? (If possible) - Give us a one sentence blurb.  

If I could collaborate with any author, it would be Anne Rice. I’ve always been captivated by her characters and the rich, immersive worlds she creates. Together, we could write a novel titled Eternal Shadows, blending our styles into a tale of ancient vampires seeking redemption in a modern world. Blurb: "In a world where the line between predator and savior blurs, two vampires must confront their darkest desires and unravel centuries of secrets to save humanity—and themselves."

You can follow Charley Black here - 

Website - www.charleyblack.com  

Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/authorcharleyblack/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorcharleyblack/ 

 

Charley Black is giving away away a signed copy of "Entwined Within the Darkness" the first book in my trilogy with some book swag.

 

To enter, comment below →  Given the recent surge in popularity of Romantasy (Romance + Fantasy), have you explored this subgenre? If so, which novel would you recommend? If no, what has been your favorite read of 2024 (so far).

(Comments are open for 4 days)