Preface for A Vampire's Best Friend - A Reader's Companion for the Secrets of Shadow series.
Welcome to the world of "Secrets of Shadow," a book series that delves underneath the veneer of modern, urban living, inviting you to explore the depths of its dark and gritty underbelly. Within these pages, you will be introduced to Amara, a remarkable young half-Cambodian vampire, and her loyal companion, Shadow, a spirited husky who take you on a journey through this dystopian supernatural thriller.
The genesis of this series began as a humble idea, a scrap of paper that sat under a rather large to-do list of other stories I have been working on over the year. After taking a break from my Hodmim’s Hold (the Aldarrok Cycle) and Devil of Dark Dreams, the inspiration to brainstorm this idea grew. As an author, my mind has been a myriad of ideas of various value and hue, and it was an article on the lives of homeless individuals and their bond with their protective dogs that ignited the initial spark. The image of a young, homeless vampire, finding solace and companionship in her faithful canine friend amidst the trials of the street, became a lingering thought that I simply couldn't ignore.
Amara's journey from an ephemeral idea to a fully fleshed-out character was interesting. Sometimes, I feel that she wrote herself into existence but that might be pushing the readers suspended belief. With every pen stroke, I wove her story with intricacies from the very essence of humanity - resilience, friendship, and the unyielding determination to protect what we hold dear. As her story evolved, so did the bond she shared with Shadow, exploring the love and companionship dog owners can feel with their pets.
Shadow, the stalwart husky, offered more than just companionship though. He unlocked the door to an entirely different realm of imagination, a territory where the familiar tales of shapechanging were flipped on their heads. In a world accustomed to lycanthropic legends of humans transforming into wolves, Shadow introduced the concept of a reverse werewolf, a wolf that transforms into a human. This tantalizing twist on a classic trope opened up many possibilities, allowing me to explore the nuances of this genre.
As you embark on this literary journey, prepare to be transported to a realm where vampires and werewolves take on new forms, where the bond between a homeless young woman and her four-legged companion becomes a testament to the power of friendship and resilience.
