Book Name and Description: Berlin Nocturne – prequel to The Warriors’ Council Trilogy

An intrepid, tempestuous redhead. A battle weary warrior. A sinister Nazi organization.

 In war-torn Berlin, Katie Halvorsen has broken one rule too many. When her friends are captured, aristocratic warrior Max von Lansdorff rescues her from the Gestapo. But it’s out of the frying-pan and into the fire because Max’s mission is to arrest Katie for breaking the Ancient Laws.

Exhausted, cynical and burned-out, Max is moved by Katie’s passion and idealism. As he fights to save his people from the war engulfing Europe, what could be the harm in helping Katie rescue her friends from Berlin’s most notorious prison?  Katie and Max team up but the Nazis aren’t the only threat. Hiding in the shadows is an old and dangerous enemy with his own agenda.

When Max puts Katie on probation and sets her to work as a spy, the spark between them ignites. As they uncover a plot to betray their kind to the Nazis, Katie and Max must work with the enemy who claims to be on their side. In a dramatic showdown in Berlin’s Grunewald forest, Katie saves Max’s life. Can Max trust his enemy to bring Katie back to him? And if he does, what are the consequences for Katie?

Berlin Nocturne is a prequel to the Warriors’ Council paranormal romantic suspense trilogy. If you like sexy vampire warriors, plucky heroines, sparkling romance and action packed adventure; you’ll love this page turner.

 Interview Questions:

What gave you the idea for Berlin Nocturne?

I read a fascinating article about a Nazi organization called the Ahnenerbe. Himmler tasked the Ahnenerbe with investigating the paranormal and searching for a mythical Nordic master-race. The Ahnenerbe hunted for the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant (remember Indiana Jones?) and portals to god. I thought about the characters in my Warriors’ Council Trilogy and the idea of a prequel to that series was born. Nazis, Vamps, Empaths and war-torn Berlin…why not?

What got you into writing in this genre?

My books are Paranormal Romantic Suspense. I enjoy reading romance, I like it mixed up with paranormal elements and I love suspense so I wanted to combine those into something different and fresh. I enjoy blending together real events and real history with fantasy and romance. My books are escapist fantasy but who says you can’t address love, heroism, sacrifice, friendship and redemption in escapist fiction? So, my Vamps aren’t dead, un-dead or sparkly and their evolutionary cousins, the Empaths, are closer to the mythical illuminati than psychics. Both kinds are mortals who live for hundreds of years yet can die just like us. They walk through time, silent witnesses to Human history, hidden in plain sight and integrated into our world. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy…I totally agree with old Will Shakespeare.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve scribbled stories from the time I could hold a pencil. I am, like most writers, a day-dreamer. If I’m not writing stories, I’m dreaming them. Writing is magic and, like reading, opens portals into other worlds and other lives.

Tell us about your past books and stories?

Gabriel, Javier and Rafe are the three books of The Warriors’ Council Trilogy. The novels are about an army of Vampire warriors led by the aristocratic Henri Philippe, Comte de LaSalle. The warriors are based on an island off France’s Mediterranean coast. They police the Vampire race and protect it from Humankind and from their ancient enemies, the Empaths. Each book has a romance at its heart but with the added spice of mystery and fast-paced adventure. The books tell the stories of three warriors and the women who capture their hearts. Past heroism and past crimes echo down the centuries as the trilogy culminates in a historic peace treaty between the Vampires and the Empaths. Old enemies must reconcile and unite to survive against the onslaught from the Humans.

What is your favorite book (other than your own book, of course) and why? What book disappointed you and why?

I have lost count of the many books I’ve read. I love golden age detective stories by authors like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers but there are some books I re-read again and again. Two old favorites are An Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I love the first because it makes me feel happy and the second because it’s a beautiful, heart-rending story which resonates for days after I’ve closed the book. And I never get tired of John Keats for his rich and sensual imagery. As for disappointing books…I hated Moby Dick and must confess that I only read the study notes when I was a student!

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Never, ever bore or piss-off your reader! Hope I’m allowed to say that. Keep your readers hooked, give them engaging characters and immerse them in your world. Make your readers care. That’s the best advice of all. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

My books have good reviews in the UK but, so far, Book 3 of The Warriors’ Council trilogy –“Rafe” – is my favorite. I loved Rafe, my rather flawed hero and Astrid, my clever, resilient and courageous heroine. This was also the book where I explored the turbulent history of the Warriors’ Council and their world. All my books have European settings. In “Rafe”, we travel from London to the Baie des Anges in the south of France and all the way up to Norway and the Northern Lights.

“Berlin Nocturne”- the prequel to the trilogy, comes a close second. Max and Katie have great chemistry and the Berlin setting and historic World War Two details were hugely interesting to research.

For those who haven’t read any of your stories, what story/book of yours do you think best represents your work and why?
My books are part of a series. Each can be read as a stand-alone story but I think you gain more by reading “Gabriel” first. It’s hard to choose but the books “Rafe” and “Berlin Nocturne” probably combine the perfect blend of romance, adventure, suspense and history. My readers have fallen in love with the characters and their world. They wanted more so I started the second trilogy. After the Empath trilogy I plan to write the story of my two most colorful supporting characters…Henri Philippe, Comte de LaSalle and Ysabeau, his warrior countess.

If you prefer your stories clean with no swearing, these books aren’t for you. My guys are soldiers and soldiers don’t go around minding their manners. And the romance? Well, it’s spicy rather than graphic.

What are you doing next?

I am currently writing Book 1 of my Empath Trilogy which is scheduled for release in January 2018.

Provisionally titled “Nemesis”, it is set in Venice, the power base of the Empath world. My hero is Alexis of the House of Chronus who first appeared in Berlin Nocturne. Alexis, keeper of secrets, has been the Empath High Council’s chief spy for one hundred and fifty years. Joining him on this adventure is Flavia, the only woman he wants…and Alexis is used to getting what he wants. The Empaths and their leaders have reformed but their troubled history and grievous crimes aren’t that easily forgotten or forgiven.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Write, write and write some more. Don’t give up, the more you write, the better you’ll get. Stop dreaming about writing that story and actually write it. One word, then another and another until you get to the two best words of all…the end. Then re-write…heh!

bio:

Miranda Jameson is a new author with a fresh take on the paranormal romance genre.  Raised in India, she studied English Literature but spent many years working in the chemical industry. When her children got older, she re-trained to work in schools. Since childhood she has had a passion for reading, writing, history, travel and food; elements translated into the vivid imagery, evocative settings and the issues featured in her novels.

The Warriors’ Council Trilogy is her first series and follows the adventures of three Vampire warriors and the women who capture their hearts. Fast-paced and action-filled, these books will make you come back for more.

Her next series, The Empath Trilogy is set mainly in Venice and features the Vampires’ former adversaries, the Empaths.

Miranda lives in North Yorkshire with her husband, two children and a rescue cat called Mavis.

Miranda loves hearing from readers so please feel free to contact her.

mirandajamesonbooks@outlook.com

Miranda Jameson’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mirandajamesonwriting/

Website: https://mirandajamesonbooks.com/

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/BERLIN-NOCTURNE-Warriors-paranormal-romantic-ebook/dp/B075J2M38Y/

https://www.amazon.com/RAFE-Warriors-paranormal-romantic-suspense-ebook/dp/B06XWS2H79/