Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: Romance, vampires, and murder—what’s not to love? Lizzy Gayle is here to tell us about her paranormal romance, Bitten by Surprise. Lizzy, take it away!

Lizzy: II’ve written quite a few books, but my current series started with Bitten by Surprise, so I’d love to share a bit about that.

As a vampire-hating psychic, Char should’ve seen it coming, but she didn’t. Too focused on creating a cure for vampirism after watching her father turned into a bloodsucking menace, she looks at little else, until it’s too late. Not her lab being attacked and destroyed, her life’s work being stolen along with her lab assistant, nor the attractive and dangerous vampire, Julian, who swoops in to save the day, give her a job and the chance to set things right.

But when her lost serum turns up on the streets used as a murder weapon against vamps, she’s forced to hide the truth about her involvement in its development from her new boss in order to join the investigation. As they work together, she’s inexplicably drawn to the very type of creature she should be terrified of. Suddenly, the idea of being bitten becomes a turn on if it’s Julian’s fangs at her pulse.

Forced to admit everything she thought she knew about the bloodsuckers was wrong, Char is left with a decision: Should she create an antidote to save the vampires being murdered—and possibly the one she’s falling for? Or should she finish what she started and try to cure the rest?

The wrong choice could mean a sacrifice she’s not willing to make.

Sabitha: Okay, that’s delightful. What inspired you to write this book?

Lizzy: Char and Julian’s story was born of a desire to finally write the vampire I always wanted to. So I began with the idea of combining Sookie Stackhouse with the X-Files (if the X-Files was fantasy based).

Sabitha: If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?

Lizzy: I’d start with, “I’m so sorry!” I mean as authors we have to torture our characters to make a good book. Sometimes literally. But I’d quickly follow up with, “I promise a happily ever after, so don’t hurt me.” Also I’d be lusting after my own vampire. But please don’t tell my husband.

Sabitha: Your secret is safe with me! Next secret to confess—have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?

Lizzy: Mayyyyybe…ok fine, yes. But I only kill when necessary, and I know how weird this sounds, but it’s almost always a surprise to me too. I am a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants and love the discovery of a first draft. I’ve tried plotting and that kind of kills the magic for me, though I respect those that are able to do that. So I’m as devastated as the reader, if that helps.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?

Lizzy: Absolutely! Don’t EVER give up! We’ve all had those low moments. We’re sensitive artists, but you know what? If you give up you may miss that golden moment right around the corner. Don’t ever stop working to make your writing better. Keep reading too.

Sabitha: What’s your next writing project?

Lizzy: Book four of the Bitten series comes out at the end of January 2024, and my plan is for five books in the series, though I also have a prequel novella out that shows how Julian became a vampire. I suggest reading that immediately before or after book three. I do a rapid-release schedule and make the books quick, fast-paced reads, so the series will probably finish around March or April. Time to catch up! 

After that? I’m toying with a high fantasy that’s been niggling at me. But we’ll see what my readers demand. 😀

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Lizzy: You can find all my links at my Linktree. Bitten by Surprise is on Amazon.