Meet Hargrove Perth, Author of Dark Days Remy Broulette and other stories
A perpetual night-owl and lover of all things horror related, Hargrove finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. Whether inspiration is found in the hidden truths of the serial killers of antiquity or in the present day, it truly can be said that truth is always stranger and often more horrific than fiction. A penchant for research and a dedication to creating literary indulgences that the reader is unable to forget, Hargrove spends a great deal of time researching the larger than life characters of history to formulate characters unforgettable, despised, and strangely adored. She writes horror, dark romance, and paranormal in the Adult, New Adult, and YA categories. Currently a resident of the central midwest, Hargrove says no one city can be claimed as home and tends to have a 'gypsy' like gene, never residing in one city long enough to become attached or long enough to become bored. She recently paired with her long time friend, author Dorothy Dawson, (who is the author of the acclaimed Banesville Series) to write House at Whispering Oaks, their first dual novel together that is a Paranormal Clean Read.
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
HP: I have had a long time love affair with horror of any type whether it is written or on film, I cannot stop myself from watching or reading it.I just have a general love of what are considered the horror classics and had so many ideas about what would make a great novel. I started writing years ago but never really pursued it until 2010 and quickly discovered there was a niche for my writing style. I write 'period' horror, set anywhere between the 1400's to the Victorian Era, so my novels are quite different than others on the market. They also are blended with historical figures and places so my characters are dropped in with certain notorious historical figures the reader is likely to recognize.
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
HP: I have had a long time love affair with horror of any type whether it is written or on film, I cannot stop myself from watching or reading it.I just have a general love of what are considered the horror classics and had so many ideas about what would make a great novel. I started writing years ago but never really pursued it until 2010 and quickly discovered there was a niche for my writing style. I write 'period' horror, set anywhere between the 1400's to the Victorian Era, so my novels are quite different than others on the market. They also are blended with historical figures and places so my characters are dropped in with certain notorious historical figures the reader is likely to recognize.
BBB: How did you come up for the idea for Dark Days Remy Broulette?
HP: Many of your readers, I am sure, have seen a movie from the 90's entitled 'The Serpent and the Rainbow'. There has always been a certain fascination with the 'true' zombies, ones created from magic that are not dead but are more akin to an enslaved being through magic.I just kept thinking about that movie and how those original creatures could be something a bit more. That really was how I came up withthe idea for Dark Days Remy Broulette. It is set in the 400 year time span of the founding of New France/New Orleans when the Creolepopulation was beginning to swell and thrive. The setting was perfect to create a new brand of immortal, one born from Creole Magic and Voudoun Queens, whose creation forces them to survive on the souls of others. They are the French Nzumbe, immortals who cannot die,and who create the traditional Creole/Haitian style Zombi that become their indentured slaves. The Dark Days series is a collection of independentand free standing books - each based on a horrible tragedy that befalls the central character and forces them to make a life changing decisionthat does not always work out for the better of those involved.
BBB: Tell us about your main character.
HP: Remy Broulette is, of course, the main character of the book. He is a contradiction of terms and lives in two worlds but belongs to none. He ishalf Choctaw and half French. He is raised in a world of influence where he wants for nothing as the son of Francois Broulette, an associateof the King, who sends select men to settle New France and turn it into a thriving port in the New World. Remy follows the ideals of his fatherand is a staunch supporter of freedom and an advocate against slavery. His ideals, and those of his family, lead to a tragedy of enormousproportions which is what forces to Remy making a decision that will affect him and those around him for centuries. He is quite charismatic, andbeautiful by every definition of the world, but he also complicated, head-strong, willful, and known to have a temper. His unruly nature comes from not only his ideals but also from the darkness his heart bears over the uncontrollable events that befall him.
HP: Many of your readers, I am sure, have seen a movie from the 90's entitled 'The Serpent and the Rainbow'. There has always been a certain fascination with the 'true' zombies, ones created from magic that are not dead but are more akin to an enslaved being through magic.I just kept thinking about that movie and how those original creatures could be something a bit more. That really was how I came up withthe idea for Dark Days Remy Broulette. It is set in the 400 year time span of the founding of New France/New Orleans when the Creolepopulation was beginning to swell and thrive. The setting was perfect to create a new brand of immortal, one born from Creole Magic and Voudoun Queens, whose creation forces them to survive on the souls of others. They are the French Nzumbe, immortals who cannot die,and who create the traditional Creole/Haitian style Zombi that become their indentured slaves. The Dark Days series is a collection of independentand free standing books - each based on a horrible tragedy that befalls the central character and forces them to make a life changing decisionthat does not always work out for the better of those involved.
BBB: Tell us about your main character.
HP: Remy Broulette is, of course, the main character of the book. He is a contradiction of terms and lives in two worlds but belongs to none. He ishalf Choctaw and half French. He is raised in a world of influence where he wants for nothing as the son of Francois Broulette, an associateof the King, who sends select men to settle New France and turn it into a thriving port in the New World. Remy follows the ideals of his fatherand is a staunch supporter of freedom and an advocate against slavery. His ideals, and those of his family, lead to a tragedy of enormousproportions which is what forces to Remy making a decision that will affect him and those around him for centuries. He is quite charismatic, andbeautiful by every definition of the world, but he also complicated, head-strong, willful, and known to have a temper. His unruly nature comes from not only his ideals but also from the darkness his heart bears over the uncontrollable events that befall him.
BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?
HP: If any writer says they don't, they can't possibly be telling the truth. Sometimes I go for days without writing - either becausethere just isn't anything there or it just doesn't want to come together the right way. Many famous authors sayyou should write every single day and force yourself to do it even when you aren't feeling it. I just can't do that. If I tryto force myself to write when I am not in the mood or inspired, it is just pure dribble, and I end up having to re-writeall of it. So I don't force writing when the inspiration is not there. I have a cover-art design company called Dark Water Arts so when I can't write, I will work on covers or art to get me inspired. Most of the time that will work.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
HP: Right now, I am currently work on several of the other books in the Dark Days Series -with most of my attention focusedon Sundown which is a twist on the Salem Witch Trials, and the Kindred which is a very twisted tale of the Illuminati. I alsowrite under my real name of Candace L. Bowser, so I am busy re-vamping several of my previously released novelsfor re-release later this summer, so as you can see, there is a lot on my plate right now!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
HP: I have an account just about everywhere. CandaceBowser or HargrovePerth on Twitter. Candace Bowser on Pinterest, I have Facebook accounts for both Candace Bowser and Hargrove Perth. My books are available everywhere on ebook, at Amazon.com for paperback and at Lulu.com. (I highly encourage a purchase through LULU. This is where I put all my paperbacks and a discount is offered there that Amazon will not honor!) and of course, my website www.candacelbowser.com where I post information about all my books and I have page dedicated to Hargrove. Dark Days will be available through my publisher, Ink Smith Publishing, on June 26th as an ebook everywhere, and as paperbackat not only the Ink Smith site but also Amazon. I will also be hosting anevent soon for the release of Dark Days with autographed copies, swag, and other goodies. If anyone readsthe book and posts an interview followed by a link to it on my author page for Hargrove on Facebook,I will send them a link to the contest to enter at Rafflecopter (which be announced closed to the releasedate on the 26th of June!)
HP: If any writer says they don't, they can't possibly be telling the truth. Sometimes I go for days without writing - either becausethere just isn't anything there or it just doesn't want to come together the right way. Many famous authors sayyou should write every single day and force yourself to do it even when you aren't feeling it. I just can't do that. If I tryto force myself to write when I am not in the mood or inspired, it is just pure dribble, and I end up having to re-writeall of it. So I don't force writing when the inspiration is not there. I have a cover-art design company called Dark Water Arts so when I can't write, I will work on covers or art to get me inspired. Most of the time that will work.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
HP: Right now, I am currently work on several of the other books in the Dark Days Series -with most of my attention focusedon Sundown which is a twist on the Salem Witch Trials, and the Kindred which is a very twisted tale of the Illuminati. I alsowrite under my real name of Candace L. Bowser, so I am busy re-vamping several of my previously released novelsfor re-release later this summer, so as you can see, there is a lot on my plate right now!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
HP: I have an account just about everywhere. CandaceBowser or HargrovePerth on Twitter. Candace Bowser on Pinterest, I have Facebook accounts for both Candace Bowser and Hargrove Perth. My books are available everywhere on ebook, at Amazon.com for paperback and at Lulu.com. (I highly encourage a purchase through LULU. This is where I put all my paperbacks and a discount is offered there that Amazon will not honor!) and of course, my website www.candacelbowser.com where I post information about all my books and I have page dedicated to Hargrove. Dark Days will be available through my publisher, Ink Smith Publishing, on June 26th as an ebook everywhere, and as paperbackat not only the Ink Smith site but also Amazon. I will also be hosting anevent soon for the release of Dark Days with autographed copies, swag, and other goodies. If anyone readsthe book and posts an interview followed by a link to it on my author page for Hargrove on Facebook,I will send them a link to the contest to enter at Rafflecopter (which be announced closed to the releasedate on the 26th of June!)
