Epilogues to Prologues

I'm  not really sure why I put the epilogue in at the end of TTTS. Since the novel started out as an experiment I really didn't envision a series. As writing went on however, I discovered Narain's backstory. I use the term "discovered" because there were truly times when writing the whole novel felt more like a discovery than a creation. I didn't want Narain's story to end. I loved writing the character so much an since he was in some respects starting a new life (after the death of Sophie) that it seemed almost natural to continue the saga.

But I don't know at what point the inspiration for the epilogue struck me. I simply knew that once I had committed to the idea of a series, the writing of the next few books flowed like water and ideas for future books sprang to mind. It was actually very exciting. So far I find book four to be the most romantic. That book is a bit off set from the first three, set in the 1930s, featuring a character that appears in books two and three.

The first three books very much concern an emotional arc for Narain. As I say, in the first novel he's thrown off course by the death of Sophie (and the loss of the convenience he had with her).

In number two (which takes place six months later) his life is just starting to normalize again when he's confronted by the consequences of an act he committed decades before. Events are even more shattering than in TTTS because they're incredibly personal. And the juggling act he finds necessary to do to protect his loved ones becomes more difficult.

In the third novel and I don't want to give too much away since it involves characters who first appears in Ujaali, Narain's life has at last settled down from the events of the first and second novel, not only physically but emotionally. A portion of it takes place in England where he and Dom are opening up a Khan's in London. He runs afoul however of  serial killer hired by a billionaire to hunt down vampires. After the death of his daughter by feral vampires, the billionaire pays top researchers to develop a toxin capable of killing vampires and tracks down a man who because of a freak occurrence, now has the skills to track the vampire down and use the toxin.

Confronted by the prospect of death he never thought would never occur, Narain is terrified of the prospect of losing what he's regained with Cassie.

While I envision more books in the series the first three are connected with this arc and are the only ones where I use the concept of the epilogue for one being the prologue for the next one. It seemed  like a fun way to whet people's appetites for the next one. 

Of the first three novels, I think my personal favorite is Ujaali. As I stated, TTTS was an experiment and it was fun to create the story and characters and watch them grow. Ujaali, however is the novel where I truly visualized all the potential for future stories in the series thanks to further exploration into the characters and their past. It is, in some respects, a more personal story, the major threat coming from his own actions from decades before placing Narain in a heartbreaking situation. As Reg Jameson tells him after Narain as been forced to strike a bargain with him, "I must say Khan, I really don't envy you your life. It always seems as though you're placed in situations where, no matter happens, you stand to lose something."

Ujaali Prologue

I've recorded myself reading the prologue to Ujaali. Hope you like it. 


Ujaali is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

To Touch the Sun is also available on Amazon in both formats.

Ujaali Book Trailer

Well the new book trailer is here and I think it turned out pretty cool. Take a look.




The photos of Chicago are from a talented photographer named Matt Tuteur who has a great eye for this gorgeous city.

You can check out more of his work at his blog Matt Tuteur Street Photography.

Winner of The Dracula Contest

Okay, so we have a winner for the posed Oct. 16 regarding the photo of my bust of Dracula and the little extra it had that Bela Lugosi never had when he portrayed Dracula. The answer, of course, was fangs. Bela Lugosi never wore fangs when he played Dracula, which was interesting because the lack of sharp teeth didn't detract from his portrayal of the vampire. 

Of course also interesting is the fact that while creating the iconic look for the character, he portrayed Dracula only twice in his entire career. Once for the original movie and once for "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein" (a movie in which I feel he is allowed to really shine as Dracula more so than the original movie). 

The winner of the contest was Brian McKinley who himself has a vampire book freshly released titled Drawing Dead (Faolan O'Connor Novel Book 1) available on Amazon. Brian as chosen to receive a copy of Ujaali, which will soon be on the way.

Stay tuned for more chances to win free copies. I just have to dream up more contests. ;)

In the meantime, check out To Touch the Sun or Ujaali for yourself. 

Win a Free Book

A contest is running on the Chicago Vampire Series Facebook for a chance to win either a copy To Touch the Sun or Ujaali. I've posted a photo on the Facebook page of a ceramic bust of Dracula that I painted. It's patterned after the Bela Lugosi portrayal of the character in the movie. In the photo, however, you can notice something on the bust that you wouldn't see in a photo of Lugosi as Dracula. 

So to win a copy of either Book One or Book Two (your choice), go to the Facebook page and put up a comment revealing the mistake on the bust that doesn't fit with the portrayal of Dracula by Lugosi. 

You might need to search some Dracula/Lugosi trivia on this. 

The first person to post the correct answer on the pinned post will win an autograph copy of the book. 

Visit this link, like the page and comment on the thread.  

Good luck!

Here is the photo. Take a good look.

Ujaali is a go

Ujaali, Book Two in the Chicago Vampire Series has finally been published and is available in paperback and Kindle formats.

After the events of To Touch the Sun, Book One in the Chicago Vampire Series, Narain Khan is finding his life returning to normal—or as normal as life can be for the chef and owner of one of Chicago’s premiere restaurants who also happens to be a vampire. And yet, as the romance deepens between him and microbiologist Cassie Lambert, and investors approach he and business partner Dom Amato to open a London restaurant, Narain can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is coming. 

Something he’ll be totally unprepared to deal with. 

Indeed, something terrible does come as the consequences of a careless action taken decades ago come back to haunt him. It forces him to lie to Dom, a friend he’s never lied to before, and puts at risk the relationship he’s built with Cassie after a blackout causes him to do the unthinkable one night. 

To save those he loves, victims of his mistake, Narain must turn to his greatest nemesis for help and agree to the harsh terms that Reg Jameson is only too glad to put forth.

Ujaali Nears

We're almost there. Word from the publisher is that the Kindle version of Ujaali, book two in the Chicago Vampire Series should go up on Amazon Oct. 7 while the paperback format will be available for order Oct. 8. I'm pretty excited. Don't forget, To Touch the Sun is still available should you want to catch up on the story of Narain Khan.