From Mary Ting author of Crossroads Saga: CROSSROADS, BETWEEN and BEYOND. I started walking in circles around him, engrossed by his wings. His shirt was torn on the back. From where the wings protruded out, there were long slits to form an upside-down V. He was beautiful, his wings were beautiful, and I was even more in awe of him. Perhaps my reaction embarrassed him, as he quickly closed them. It was amazing how they completely disappeared without a trace of their existence remaining. Even his shirt showed no sign that it had been torn to allow such a phenomenon. “May I please take a look again? For me, please?” I pleaded. “You’re not freaked out?” He looked utterly astonished. “Should I be?” I wondered why he felt embarrassed about his precious gift. “I thought it might freak you out. Something not by human standards.” I leaned closer and placed my hands on his shoulders. “I’m not freaked out. I think you are amazing just the way you are. I wouldn’t want you to be any other way,” I said tenderly, trying to sound convincing with my words and through my body language. His eyes were still steady on the…

In the earliest days of man, when the saber toothed tiger stalked its prey, another predator came into being. This creature was two-legged, and walked upright, but could also fly, having bat like wings that stretched above it at a span of twelve feet, or more. So starts DETOUR TO DUSK, by Linell Jeppsen. Although this novel takes place now, in the high woods of Washington State, everything that drives the plot line has its origins in ancient history. Think of the giant Pterodactyl…The vampires in my novel are quite large, standing 6’5 to 8 ft. tall. They are strong and physically perfect. They also have gigantic leathery wings, which match their hair color and skin tone. Raul, David and Lael are among the “Old Ones.” David is gorgeous, with long golden brown hair and fierce eyes like an eagle. His sister, Lael is very pale, with dark red hair and eyes as blue and shiny as sapphires. Even Raul, the villain of this story, is beautiful, with long blond hair that he keeps in dread-locks that fall past his knees and mesmerizing, black eyes. In the late 1600’s, a new vampire comes into being, the first of his kind….