Perfect for #spookyseason Best Selling Author Christine Gabriel is with us today to share about her series, The Crimson Chronicles.
Born and raised in the Buckeye State, Christine Gabriel is from the small farming community of Monroeville, where she spent much of her childhood concocting imaginative stories among the seemingly endless rows of cornfields. True to her roots, she is an ardent supporter of The Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Guardians.
Christine has worked in retail management for over twenty years, and has learned that if you love what you’re doing, and work hard, success can be yours. She spends what little free time she gets at home with her husband, children, and five faithful dogs, on the shores of Lake Erie.
She resides in the Harbor Town of Vermilion, where she is currently working on several books, including CRIMSON TEARS, the third installment of The Crimson Chronicles Series.
“Something horrible is happening in the Crimson Forest. I need you to promise me you’ll stay away from it.”
Eighteen-year-old Angelina Adams had every intention of taking that advice. She had no desire to disappear into the trees as so many hunters had done. But when her mother is brutally murdered in their home, and the attacker comes for her, she has no choice but to flee into the blood-red woodland that claimed her father’s life years before.
There she meets Nicolai, a handsome, mysterious stranger who vows to protect her from the dark forces bent on destroying her life. But can he be trusted? Is he who he says he is, or will he simply take what he wants from her and move on?
Angelina soon realizes that nothing is as it seems in the Crimson Forest, a place where creatures known only to humans through myth and legend fight for love and survival. It’s a world where fairy tales thrive, nightmares become reality, and some secrets are better left undiscovered.
Upon the Crimson Moon, you can expect great strife to follow…
After Angelina survives her nightmarish journey into the Crimson Forest and unlocks its mysteries, she returns home with the knowledge that true magic does, in fact, exist. She now lives happily with the love of her life, Nicolai, and with time has found normality finally returning. However, nightmares foretelling of the Earth’s demise with the rise of a crimson moon begin to plague Angelina. Nicolai insists that the forest is not to blame, but soon Angelina's friend Laurana is abducted by a stranger who disappears into the forest with her. To save her friend and discover what the stranger has to do with her nightmares, Angelina must bring herself to return to the place that has already caused her so much misery. The weight of saving humanity once again rests upon Angelina’s shoulders, but time is swiftly running out. With her companions by her side, she will once again fight to save the world she loves, no matter the cost.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It all started in fourth grade. Growing up, kids were incredibly cruel to me, and I found writing to be the perfect escape. I would create beautiful worlds that I could escape into for hours. Now, I try to create worlds for others to escape into when their world feels like it’s falling apart.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I’ve suffered from night terrors since I can remember, and have recollection of each and every awful nightmare I’ve had. I’ve found a positive way of utilizing those nightmares by turning them into horrifying works of art that can be shared around the world.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
In order to write, I have to have the TV on, my ear buds playing my favorite music playlist, and my dogs by my side.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I love being outdoors. There’s something about nature that puts my soul at ease.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family is proud of my writing. My little sister has begun reading my books to her kids, and they love it! The first time my daughter read my book, she looked at me and asked if I had really written it because it was just that good. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or take it as a compliment.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Crimson Forest is my first novel and by far my favorite. I love story building, and was able to create a mystical world with fantastic characters that are full of life. Crimson Moon is the second book in my series. It’s a great sequel, but there’s something about the release of your first book that’s simply special.
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
My advice is to not give up. It’s so easy to give up when you’re a writer because of two things:
Imposter Syndrome - Here’s your reminder - YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!
Rejection Letters - Did you know Stephen King received 30 rejection letters for Carrie? So, what does that tell you? It tells you to keep going!
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of hearing from numerous readers. One year I received several fan letters from high school students in Southern Ohio. To show my gratitude for their love of my books, I drove down to their school and surprised them with flowers. The happiness that crossed each of their faces will live in my memory forever.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Dream big, and never listen to anyone that tells you that you cannot do something - because you can. You can achieve any goal you set your mind to.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Seeing my book go through the publishing process made me admire the publishing world even more than I already did. It’s mind blowing what a book goes through before it’s put out into the world. This process helped me realize that if I slowed down, and took more of an editing approach it would help make the publishing process easier.
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters, if anything?
All of my characters are based on real people that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing - even the not so nice people. I feel that by putting them into a book, you’re giving them the gift of living forever in print.
What’s the best way to market your books?
Social Media is the best way to market your books. There are several platforms to choose from and each platform offers different ways of marketing your books. I’m currently on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and LinkedIn.
What do you have coming next?
Crimson Tears is the next book in my series, and I can’t wait until its release! I’m in love with the story and am excited to share it with the world.
Thank you so much to Christine for joining us today! You can stay connected with the author by subscribing to her socials (above) or on Pandamoon Publishing at https://pandamoonpub.com/collections/christine-gabriel