TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST AUTHOR KARA ASHLEY DEY

Joining us today is author Kara Ashley Dey, a writer who likes fantasy, speculative and paranormal fiction with romantic elements. She also enjoys interviewing multi-talented artists and writers to find out what makes them tick. As Ashley say,s “Sharing experiences is a really great way to learn about the world and ourselves. Plus, I'm a firm believer in rejoicing in other people's successes; it's free and it feels great.” Learn more about Ashley and her books at her Kara Ashley Dey website where she posts artist interviews, her Dey for Love website for romance reviews and news, and her blog where she posts the latest reviews in games, movies and books.

Today Kara joins us to talk about Barcelona, the setting for Vampire’s Fortune, Fortune Teller’s Curse.  

Gothic Streets

The first time visiting Barcelona I knew the ancient city was perfect for a modern vampire story and an old tale about the Catalonian Nosferatu. One can't help but feel this paradoxical tug of war between the weathered, sensual earthiness of the past and the sleek, jet-setting gleam of the present. I became spellbound by the gothic district, a medieval part of town characterized by mossy pocked stone and dark mischievous corners.

That first autumn, I convinced my husband to cut our vacation in Madrid short so that we could return to old Catalonia's capital and walk down La Rambla, eat tapas, and follow the cobblestone road to its end. There on the beach we ate paella and watched the sun setting behind the rippling sea.

Upon returning home, I investigated Barcelona's history, the Crown of Aragon and the Inquisition, which inevitably visited all of Europe. There were several waves of persecution and inquisitions against gypsies, Jews, women in general and bohemian travelers. It's a history of religious and political intrigue, influence and corruption: the perfect setting for a paranormal story immersed in blood and vengeance.

 

When we returned to Barcelona, I went with keen eyes and a new purpose--to hear the whispers of the dead. To imagine the drama that played upon these streets. It was intense. But of course, we did take a fun break in Ibiza and danced all night to Tiesto at the largest discotheque in the world, Prestige. In fact, every moment of research was really a thrill for me. 

Years later, we've established our favorite haunts in the city. We re-explore fortresses and old moats now green and yellow with beautiful hedges and flowers. We check on the progress of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.

We search for ghosts in the gothic quarter (no ghosts this time, but a shy man blessed with a lovely tenor voice sang in the echoing darkness). And we seek out the same tapas place (simply called "Tapas Tapas") not so much for its ambiance but for its beer selection and the most amazing papas fritas covered in spicy mayonnaise. Yummy. The best. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Cannot wait to return!

It is with great pleasure that I am releasing the first book in Ulysses Anthony and Fiona Autumn's adventures together. This book takes place in Texas and has many exciting scenes in ancient Barcelona, as Fiona uses her psychic power to solve some pretty cold cases--as in, centuries old!

available Dec. 1st

Vampire's Fortune, Fortune Teller's Curse

When money strapped psychic Fiona Autumn encounters the rich and powerful Ulysses Anthony, his high-class charm (not to mention his accompanying envelope stuffed with cold hard cash) persuades Fiona to read an ancient dagger in his possession. Unfortunately, breaking the dagger’s seal awakens magic-wielding creatures hell-bent on revenge. Trapped in a dangerous partnership, Fiona realizes she has just unleashed an ancient rage that threatens all she holds dear--including her own life.

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