Book Names and Description:
An Alec Winters Series:
Prelude (An Alec Winters Series, Book 1)
Prelude is a prequel to Crescent City (An Alec Winters Series, Book 2). Get a behind-the-scenes look at sixteen-year-old 
Alec Winters, a New Orleans teen-jock, before his strange, supernatural transformation. Discover little-known facts about Alec’s relationship with Sabrina and Chaz. Learn how the Winters’ secret family conflict was instrumental in changing Alec’s life before that fateful night when Alec was magically transformed into angel-demon, in this modern, dark-fantasy thriller.
Crescent City (An Alec Winters Series, Book 2):
Some see Alec Winters as a breathtaking, amazing angel, a savior. Others see him as a mind-blowing nightmare, the most terrifying demon their minds could ever conjure. Alec Winters roams the gritty streets of New Orleans as hero and protector of the innocent while he annihilates wicked evil-doers in this very dark-fiction, vengeance-driven 4-book thriller series.
Port City (An Alec Winters Series, Book 3):
Alec’s job takes him to Mobile, Alabama in Port City. There, Alec hunts down and mercilessly destroys a ring of sex traffickers, freeing their enslaved and terrified victims.
Harbor City (An Alec Winters Series, Book 4):
Alec travels to Melbourne, Florida in the final installment, Harbor City. Once again, he is on the prowl to save the innocent and punish the wicked in this controversial, emotionally-charged series — you won’t want to miss the ending. Not for the faint of heart; not recommended for those under the age of 17.
The Vision Chronicles 8-book series:
Mike Lewis boldly narrates his fantastical story and confesses his secret: He sees horrifying visions of disturbing future events through a kaleidoscope each time he closes his eyes. He’d like to live a normal life, but an elusive threat prohibits him from doing that. Someone wants to study his mystical ability and they’ll do whatever it takes to further their strange, covert agenda.
The Vision Chronicles eight-book thriller series is a slice-of-life metaphysical/visionary story that details Mike’s changing ability with each new title. Mike, a man any woman could easily fall in love with, diligently protects himself, his family, and his friends from those who doggedly pursue him. If you love mind-boggling suspense with a dash of paranormal and a touch of romance, this is the series for you!
Interview Questions:
What gave you the idea for Kaleidoscope?
To be honest, Kaleidoscope came from my own dream. It was more of a nightmare. In my dream, I was looking through a kaleidoscope… watching an event unfold. I didn’t see the pretty colored-glass from the childhood toy, but very disturbing images. I was so frightened that I woke up and thought about the dream for a long while. The next day, The Vision Chronicles series was born. I had no idea where Mike Lewis would take me after the first book, but as it turned out, his ability changed. He began to see clearer images through a spyglass. Then, he could simply glance at a window pane and the visions were there too. The series grew into eight books; each one explaining the changes in Mike’s ability which could only happen after he accepted his gift
What got you into writing in this genre?
I have studied metaphysical sciences for more than thirty years, and in fact, I have a master’s degree in Metaphysical Sciences. I have written several nonfiction books that discuss dreams, visions, auras, spiritual gifts, and other concepts that are often called new-age thought or metaphysical ideas. It felt a natural progression that my fiction characters would possess these gifts and abilities.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve always been a writer since earliest childhood memories. I won my first writing contest when in sixth grade. I competed with other K-12 students. The prize was $50.00 and I was thrilled. I had won several other contests as an adult, but I didn’t have the opportunity to devote the time needed to my craft until 2006. My first nonfiction book, Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World was published in 2008 and won six inspirational/motivational awards.
What is the writing process like for you?
I treat my writing like a job, a self-employed job. I am up every day around six in the morning and I immediately begin my day. My coffee always gets cold before I can drink it because once I start, I zoom. I end each day around four o’clock in the afternoon. I would love to devote all of that time to writing, but many days are set aside for promotions. As an Indie Author and self-employed, it’s all up to me.
What is your writing day like?
Thankfully, I do have writing days in spite of far too many promotion days. For me, the creative process of writing is joyful. It never feels like drudgery. I don’t get writing blocks. I don’t impose a set number of words or pages to write each day. I sit at my desktop and honor the flow. Once I have a story idea and the main character, I let him or her lead me on the journey. Sometimes I think I only take dictation because my characters have a mind of their own and I love each one.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Mainly, I evolved from nonfiction to fiction. As a teacher, I wrote nonfiction books for those who needed answers about those things which cannot be explained by science or measured in a laboratory: love, prayer, meditation, chakras, auras, death and dying, psychic gifts, and paranormal occurrences to name a few. I still write nonfiction books, but it was an epiphany to realize that those same concepts could be seen in my fictional characters.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
I believe that every author must-have an editor or at the very least a proofreader…maybe several of each. Find one and use them. Find someone else to go over it again. Don’t rely on family and friends unless he or she is perhaps a high school English teacher.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?
Cut it. Slice and dice it to the bones because every book must have good bones.
How do you market your work?
I use social media sites daily. I also use websites that are specifically there to promote authors. I don’t promote my thrillers on a romance novel site. It takes a little research to find which sites are best suited for my genre, but it is beneficial to know your market.
For those who haven’t read any of your stories, what story/book of yours do you think best represents your work and why?
I can’t really pick just one from over fifteen authored fiction books…All of my books have paranormal and thriller aspects. I write very little romance or romantic scenes; however, if someone does like paranormal thrillers with a dash of romance/love story, I’d suggest The Vision Chronicles 8-book series beginning with Kaleidoscope. If someone likes dark-fantasy, vengeance driven thrillers with a behind-the-scenes romantic relationship, then I would suggest An Alec Winters Series 4-book series, beginning with Prelude. If someone likes mystical realism, then I’d suggest The Journey and The Retreat. For fans of noir crime fiction with a strong female protagonist who has a dark side, I‘d suggest Purple Kitty from the Serena McKay Crime Novels.
What are you doing next?
I plan to complete the Serena McKay Crime Novels. Next on the list: Blue Cadillac and Yellow Scarf. Serena is still chasing a prolific serial killer (or is he chasing her?) who is after her green eyes.
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Make sure your book is the best it can be before you publish. You don’t get a chance to make a second impression. With that in mind, don’t rush. It’s not a race. It is a presentation of who we are as Indie Writers.
bio:
Award-winning author, Chariss K. Walker, M.Msc., writes both fiction and nonfiction books with a metaphysical and spiritual component. Her fiction expresses a visionary/metaphysical message that illustrates growth in a character’s consciousness while utilizing a paranormal aspect. Her nonfiction books share insight, hope, and inspiration. Even though Chariss writes dark-fiction about insanely dark topics, such as sexual abuse, incest, pedophilia, sexual assault, and other inappropriate dinner conversation, there is always an essential question of the abstract nature that gives a reader increasing awareness and perception. All of her books are sold worldwide in eBook, paperback, and many are in large print.
Links:
Trick or Treat Thrillers 