#BadMoonRising: The Beast Within by Jacquie Biggar #paranormal #thriller

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

If you’re not superstitious, this featured author may change your mind.  She also confirms why basements in haunted houses aren’t a place you want to hang out.  Welcome Jacquie Biggar!

You’re in a horror movie.  Are you the final person, the first to die, the comic relief, the skeptic, the smart one, or the killer?

I would be the skeptic saying, “Yeah, sure that’s a real chainsaw with blood dripping all over my clean floor. When you’re done goofing off, I hope you plan on cleaning that mess up!”

Creepiest thing that’s ever happened while you were alone?

We lived in a haunted house when I was growing up. My bedroom was in the basement and normally the streetlight would shine through the three windows and provide plenty of light. But, once in a while I’d wake up and literally not be able to see my hand in front of my face. There’d also be a strong, malevolent presence (or maybe that was because I was scared witless!). I’d bang against walls and furniture to get upstairs, my heart drumming right out of my chest, and the light would be on outside. I could see it through the bay window and its glow lit up the kitchen.

Most scared I’ve ever been.

Are you superstitious?

Isn’t everyone? J I won’t walk under a ladder. If a black cat crosses my path, I’ll figure a way around it (tricky since we owned black cats!). If I spill salt, I don’t just throw some from the shaker over my shoulder, I scoop up the spill and throw it too. (Sorry, guy in the next booth!) Friday the 13th is the worst. I’m always waiting for something bad to happen. Some events from history include: Buckingham Palace bombed Sept 13th, 1940, a thirteen-year-old was struck by lightning Friday the 13th at 13:13, a cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Italy, and Flight 571 crashed in the Andes leaving its survivors to commit cannibalism.

What is the hardest part of writing?

Focusing!

No really, between social media, my pets needing attention (I have a calico and a German Shepherd), watering my plants because we’re under drought conditions and I can’t stand to see them die, visiting my mom each day, cleaning the house (if I have to J), making DH dinner and packing his lunch, and watching my favorite TV shows (There’s at least one each night) I have to force myself to sit down and concentrate on the book. And that’s not counting promo stuff.

Writing IS a full-time job and it’s important to slot out a timeframe that works- for you. Just because Betty-Lou has great success writing at 5 am (Oh, my gosh!) it doesn’t mean that will be your productive time. Heck, I don’t even function until I’ve downed three or four cups of coffee. Some write every day, and others only on the weekend. It’s all about finding the lane that works for you, and then sticking to it because you’re the only one who can create the magic.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

My critique groups have changed my way of writing. I belong to two fantastic groups. A local one where we share our work via email and meet once a month for an exchange of ideas, industry information, and gossip. J And an online group through the Kiss of Death RWA Chapter called Lethal Ladies. I’ve been the coordinator there for two years and value their insights immeasurably.

I feel critique groups and beta readers together make for stronger, cleaner storylines. After all, you want your book baby to be all that it can be, right?

What’s your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I’m lucky enough to be able to work full-time towards a successful writing career, which means I can spread my jobs throughout the day. I start by reading and commenting on my blog and those that I follow (don’t take this lightly, the blogging community is huge and they can help you if you’re willing to put in some effort), then I move on to Facebook, Twitter and my emails. After that, I take a break for family and pet-time.

The bulk of my writing takes place in the evening. The house is quiet and I can concentrate on my work. It drives me nuts to have the television on while I’m writing. I guess I’m an all or nothing kind of gal, lol.

Now on #Audiobook https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Within-Mended-Souls-Book/dp/B07BX446YX

 Haven’t joined the latest craze yet? Join here and get a free book- https://www.audible.com/pd/B07BWTYQK2/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-112815&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_112815_rh_us

And check out my other #audiobooks here: https://www.audible.com/author/Jacquie-Biggar/B00MSIJQBG

The Beast Within

Book 2 Mended Souls Series

She didn’t expect to land in the crosshairs of a serial killer.

Can two displaced angels save a woman from the clutches of a vicious psychopath?

 When Julie Crenshaw is offered a news reporter’s job on beautiful Vancouver Island she didn’t expect to land in the crosshairs of a serial killer.

Connor O’Rourke has seen his share of human depravities during his fourteen years as a homicide detective, but is still sickened by the murderer terrorizing his island shores.

And threatening his key witness.

As the stakes rise, can two people get a second chance at love?

Or will a killer be the winner?

Excerpt

Julie pulled into the paved driveway and parked in front of the single car garage just as the school bus stopped down the street and let off a rag-tag bunch of laughing, talking kids. All except her boys, last to step down from the vehicle. They barely glanced up from their inspection of the sidewalk when the doors slid closed and the bus signaled away from the curb.

She sighed and waited while they trudged the half block to their front gate. There were no waves or yelled plans to join the other kids in a game of street hockey after their dinner. No suggestions of an impromptu basketball match using the hoop above the garage door, or a bike ride to the nearby park. Nothing at all. In fact, Dustin looked like he had another of his perpetual mad-ons happening, with hunched shoulders and downcast expression. Meanwhile, Freddie tagged along behind, casting envious glances at the neighbor boy running down the street toward the others setting up for the hockey game.

“Why can’t we, Dusty?” Freddie tugged on his older brother’s jacket, barely slowing him down. “I want to play.”

Dustin stopped short, glaring at the laughing kids down the block. “They’re a big bunch of dummies.” He kicked at a stray pebble, sending it skittering down the walk.

Julie hiked her satchel higher on her shoulder and closed the car door. Dustin glanced her way, then trudged into the house without a word.

Julie’s welcoming smile flat-lined, her son’s continuing anger creating a hard ball of tension in her gut. She’d taken him to counselling after his father’s death, but it hadn’t done much to alleviate the guilt he carried. He felt the accident was his fault and nothing Julie could say would change his mind.

“Mom, can I go play?” Freddie giggled as the neighbor’s dog dropped a beat up ball glove at his feet.

She forced a cheerful expression and held out her arms. “Do I get a cuddle first?”

Young enough not to care who might be watching, he ran into her embrace, his chubby arms wrapping her waist in a bear hug. She held on a moment too long, reluctant to give up the scent of bubblegum and sun that clung to his soft skin.

“Mom, you’re squeezing me to death,” he laughed into her chest.

She gave one last clench, half teasing, half desperation, and let him go. “Be back in an hour, and watch out for traffic.”

“Okay, love you, Mom,” he said, grabbing the glove and heading for the street, his attention already half a block away.

“Love you, son,” she answered, and he was gone. Leaving her alone. Deflated.

She turned for the house, coming to a halt when she noticed Dustin standing on the other side of the screen. There was that knot again. Much as she loved her eldest son, Julie hated the undercurrents that ran between them like a tide of noxious gas. He’d been daddy’s boy, had followed Mike wherever he went, questions flying a-mile-a-minute. They’d often joked that the only time Dusty was quiet was when he was asleep.

Mike.

She missed her husband every day.

 

 Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQEVI55

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32879778-the-beast-within

International link: http://books2read.com/TheBeastWithin

Author Bio

JACQUIE BIGGAR  is a USA Today bestselling author of Romantic Suspense who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love.

Free reads, excerpts, author news, and contests can be found on her web site:

http://jacqbiggar.com

You can follow her on at http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar, http://Twitter.com/jacqbiggar

Or email her via her web site. Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!

You can also join her street team on Facebook: Biggar’s Book Buddies

Or her exclusive Review Crew: https://jacqbiggar.com/join-my-review-crew/

And sign up for her newsletter-

http://www.subscribepage.com/jacqbiggar

66 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising: The Beast Within by Jacquie Biggar #paranormal #thriller”

  1. Wow, Teri! I really enjoyed this interview with Jacquie. So much fun.
    “Sorry, guy in the next booth!” was quite a visual. LOL.

    Jacquie, that is a powerful snippet. “The Beast Within” title grabbed me before I even saw the delicious cover. Ah-hemm… ‘unf said about the cover… I have to work… Where was I now…?

    Hugs to you both.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  3. “Friday the 13th is the worst. I’m always waiting for something bad to happen.”

    I couldn’t help but chuckle since I am just as superstitious. I run no errands outside the house, I won’t pay any bills electronically for fear that the transaction will get lost in the ether and under no circumstances will I use an ATM – I just know the machine will eat my card or worse, have a skimmer.

    Sad excerpt.

    Have An Amazing Day!

    Victor

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. The basement story was hair-raising. I think I’d be afraid to ever go back downstairs again!

    Jacuqie, I got a laugh out of your horror movie reaction and the dripping chainsaw, LOL.
    Great interview and emotional excerpt. Oh, how I want more time in my days to be able to read!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Great to see Jacquie here on Bad Moon Rising. I think she’s the most superstitious person I know. However, after that basement story, I’m not the least bit surprised. Friday the 13th was one of the first Horror movies I watched. Of course, I had to watch the rest of them, too.
    Wishing you much success with the book, Jacquie.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    2. I have to laugh when I remember that movie, Hugh. Took my younger sister and some of her friends to see it – it ended with one of them hiding her face in my lap, and the other two running up the aisle to get out of there, lol!

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. When I first saw the movie at the cinema, I remember getting up with most of the rest of the audience thinking the movie had come to the end. One of the staff did all she could to get us all to sit back down again. Then came that shocking (at the time) ending to the movie. One I’ve never forgotten and which was, at its time, so unique.

        Liked by 1 person

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    1. It made me claustrophobic. I can’t stand anything near my face now. Funny, true story: DH and I had motorcycles a few years ago and I needed a new helmet. The store had this gorgeous full-face helmet, silver with pink trim, and without thinking I tried it on. BIG MISTAKE!
      I immediately went into full-on panic, flapping my hands in the air-like that was going to help-gasping, crying for hubby to get the thing off. He thought I was kidding around until I almost fell into the display table fighting to pull it off my head (that sucker was welded on!).
      He helped me, shook his head at my red face, and quickly led us out of the store. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Critique groups are awesome, Daniela. The biggest benefit is having many eyes on your work. Everyone sees differently when reading and where I passed over a punctuation error, or POV issue, they might pick up on it.
      Most RWA (Romance Writers of America) chapters have some form of critiquing groups. Go for it, you won’t regret it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. That’s is so helpful Jacquie! You are right! I need to get out there and find my tribe! It should be out there somewhere! I live in “ghostly” 👻 New England for god sake! There must be many fantasy/paranormal writing ! 😊 groups around! Thanks for the nudge! ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  15. Colleen Chesebro

    NO way!! I didn’t realize you write paranormal romance too? Jacquie, you are one talented lady! I must check out this Mended Soul series – Sounds fabulous! I did get a chuckle about you tossing salt over your shoulder. 😀 It’s great to know more about you. That basement when you were growing up… whew! I can only imagine the terror you must have felt. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  17. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Meet the #Reviewers – October 22nd 2018 – D.G. Kaye with Robbie Cheadle, Teri Polen with Jacquie Biggar and Cindy Knoke | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  18. Another fab interview Teri with Jacquie here. I have to say Jacquie, that story about being in the basement in a haunted house is enough to scare the beejeebees out of me, let alone the malevolence that you encountered – that would have definitely given me heart failure. LOL 🙂 x

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Mom had a sewing room upstairs near the back door. It was always cold in there, but she put it down to poor insulation, that is until she started feeling someone watching her over her shoulder and when she turned, expecting one of us kids, no one was there!

      Liked by 2 people

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  19. Excellent interview, Jacquie and Teri. I like the skeptic in the kitchen with the chainsaw massacre guy. Ha ha. And the haunted house gave me the chills. I also write full time, Jacquie, and have the same trouble focusing…especially when I peek at WordPress… so distracted by all the friends’ posts! Like now! Lol. Happy Writing!

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  20. Pingback: Are you Superstitious? #Inspiration #amwriting #mgtab @jacqbiggar @mimisgang1 - The Authors' Billboard

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