FRIDAY FEATURE ~ Eternal Bond by Rachel Rueben

ETERNAL BOND

by

RACHEL RUEBEN

INTERVIEW

1. Where do your ideas come from? Life, the book I’m currently working on is metaphorical for a lot of the issues I’ve dealt with wrapped up in vampire awesomeness.  For example, my main character Clara is young but stubborn and has this image about who she is and is tested only to discover she’s not nearly as “moral” as she once thought. 

2.What kind of surroundings do you need while writing? No distractions, meaning locked door, music cranked up and no phone calls. 

3.What is the easiest aspect of writing? The Hardest? The easiest part of writing is beginning a novel, the hardest would be finishing it.  That’s because it takes nothing to begin a project but it takes real discipline to hang in till the very end. 

4.What is your favorite line from one of your books? “You spend all your life following their commandments, whipping your very thoughts into submission.  Then, just as you taste mortality you discover, there’ll be no reward for you!  All those years of fearful sowing, yielded nothing but the whirlwind!” ~Apollonia 

5.Do you have any favorite characters? Yes, Apolloni is my favorite, she is twisted and demented like a vampire is supposed to be. 

6.What character from any of your books would you invite out to dinner? Why? I don’t think I would invite any of them to my house unless I made a stop at the local blood bank LOL! 

7.What are your hopes and dreams for your future in the writing world? My hope is to improve at my craft and make a decent living from my work. 

8. How do you define success as an author? Being able to connect with an audience, once you do that, the money and everything else will naturally follow. 

9.Favorite writing quote? Learn the rules, so you can break them. 
10.What are you working on now? I’m working on the sequel to Eternal Bond called, “From The Crown of her Head” because I’m a masochist and couldn’t leave well enough alone!

Book Excerpt from Eternal Bond ~

There was only a small glow of light left from the sun, putting the landscape in shadows.  Soon, the only thing illuminating her path would be moonlight, and she cursed herself for not bringing a lantern, but Elizabeth refused to go back.

Only ten minutes into her journey, the cobblestone road ended.  Having reached the city limits, she continued on the dirt road straight into the countryside.  This was a harrowing journey for someone who had never left Norwich in her whole life.  She remembered all the stories told to her about witches and thieves who would victimize night travelers.  Nonetheless, breaking this hex was more important than anything, so Elizabeth pressed onward into the sinister looking countryside.

It wasn’t long before everything was covered by a blanket of thick darkness.  In near blindness, she struggled to keep herself on the road.  It took almost an hour before she gained confidence and realized the night wasn’t so terrifying.  Just as she was starting to feel good, Elizabeth heard rustling in the grass right next to the road.

Stopping in her tracks, she heard it again.  Not knowing what to do, she stood there completely still hoping it would just go away.  That’s when she heard the sound of growling directly next to her.  It was a wolf and it had been stalking her for quite a distance.

In sheer terror Elizabeth bolted, only further convincing the wolf that she was indeed prey.  Running, she screamed as loud as she could before realizing it was no use.  Trying to wear her down, the wolf casually galloped behind her.  Just when it seemed Elizabeth was doomed to become a chew toy, salvation came in the form of a sign post which she ran smack into.

Dazed, Elizabeth tried to get back up, but soon discovered her leg was dislocated.  Seizing the opportunity, the wolf pounced, grabbing her by the back of the neck.

Desperate, Elizabeth picked up a stone and started hitting the wolf.  In this demented frenzy she not managed not only to kill it, but mauled it.

Within minutes, it was over and the victor stood in silence, hovering over the battered carcass.  Casting the stone aside, she slowly circled the body dragging her mangled leg behind her.

Taking notice of the blood on her hands, she smiled and licked her fingers.  In this euphoria she found herself delighted by her own savagery and in that moment Elizabeth ceased and Clara reigned.

Wounded, Clara dragged her battered body slowly down the road.  Limping along in her torn and bloody dress, she looked like a ghost haunting the countryside.  The only thing that kept her going was the fact she couldn’t feel any pain.  Though progress was slow, her anger kept her moving along.

When Clara finally reached the nearest house, she attempted to make her way up a pathway.  As she did, several dogs started barking furiously at her.  Stumbling back, she braced for the worst, but soon realized they were tied up, cautiously, she continued up the pathway.

Pounding on the door, she yelled, “Help, please, someone!”

The wait seemed infinite before the door slowly opened.  In a nightshirt appeared a man, holding a candle.

Before he could even get a word in edge wise, she said in tears, “I was attacked by a wolf on the road, I need help!”

Suddenly an older woman appeared, pushing him aside, “Come in child.” she said.

Relieved, Clara dragged herself across the threshold as the woman yelled for her daughter.  The man helped her to a chair in front of the fireplace where the woman cleaned and bandaged her arm.

Taking a look at her leg the woman sighed and said, “Tis a bad break!”

When Clara started crying, again the woman comforted her and said, “Ye must stay the night until, we can get a doctor.”

Not able to speak, she just nodded her head in agreement.  The women gave her a new change of clothes, and tried to get the grass and leaves out of her auburn hair.  Making her comfortable in front of the fire place, everyone returned to their beds for the night.  Now, feeling safe enough to relax, Clara also fell asleep.

The next morning as Clara slowly sat up in her chair, she noticed a mangled wolf carcass at her feet.  Screaming, she almost fell out of her chair trying to get away.  Hearing a familiar laugh, she looked about the room when out of the shadows appeared Lester.

Picking up the carcass with one arm he said, “Rule one: never leave any evidence behind!”  Looking at the carcass he looked back at her, then continued to mock her, “I guess we all have to start somewhere.”

Clara looked around the house, and noticed it was empty.  Thinking the worst, she asked, “What have you done?”

Leaning forward, he said angrily, “An immortal would dine better in the gutters than in this wretched place!”

With the wolf carcass still in hand, Lester walked out the front door and threw it at the dogs in the yard, driving them into a frenzy.  He watched as they tore it apart, piece by piece until, there was absolutely nothing left.  Having destroyed the evidence, he came back into the house smiling.

Taking a chair in front of Clara he said, “Not that I don’t think you’re worth it, but I always fancied a quiet life!” Saying not a word, she just sat there listening to Lester’s parody.

When they heard the family come back, he ordered, “Pretend to be in pain.”

“No problem!” Clara responded.

His expression grew dark and through gritted teeth he said, “I’m not foolin’.”

Meet The Author

Rachel Rueben went to school to become an administrative assistant but instead, wound up an author.  In her defense, she tried freelance writing, virtual assisting, and blogging to pay the bills, but creating worlds was her one and only passion.

This past summer, Rachel entered the sacred order of authorhood with the release of her first novel “Hag” which made it to #10 on the Amazon’s Women’s and Girl’s Literature list.

To find out what Rachel is up to you can check out her new site at: http://www.rachelrueben.com

She continues to blog about her publishing journey at: http://www.writingbytheseatofmypants.com

You can also find Rachel on Twitter @RachelRueben

And catch her on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorRachelRueben

Find Rachel's book on Amazon.com