Sunday, December 25, 2011

Redemption by Lindsey Gray




Paranormal eRomance Blog Post
“Twas' the Night After Christmas” by Lindsey Gray
Original Poem “Twas' the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore


Twas the night after Christmas, when all through my house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my computer's mouse.
The stockings were still hung by the chimney with care,
With hopes that Santa's gifts were still in there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of their toy dinosaurs and video games danced in their heads.
And the hubs in his sweat pants surrounded by crap,
Just settled down for a week and a half nap.

When out of the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I leapt from my couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave way to the lust hanging in the midnight below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But an Escalade with eight men dressed as reindeer.

With a tall, lean driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, he was no St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his friends they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

Here Aragorn and Westley and Edward and Bill!
Come James and Damon and Christian and Will!
To the top of the stairs and against the wall!
Now flex and bend and strut you all!

And then, in a rush, I heard wrapping at the door,
The loud pounding and beating had me waiting no more.
As drew a deep breath and was turning around,
With a bag full of goodies he entered with a bound.

He was dressed all in red, from his head to his foot,
And his boxers were snug where his present stayed put.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a god, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they sparkled! His dimples so merry!
His cheeks looked soft as roses and colored like a cherry!
His sweet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the scruff on his chin gave his face a slight glow.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And lips found mine, pressing on quite a smirk.
Then tracing a finger on top of my clothes,
The present in his boxers... well, it defiantly rose!

He broke from our kiss and gave me a whistle,
Then away to his Escalade he flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Use the goodies I left, and you'll have the best night!”

Fictional Characters:
Aragorn from “Lord of the Rings” trilogy
Westley from “The Princess Bride”
Edward (Cullen) from “Twilight”
Bill (Compton) from the Sookie Stackhouse series
James as in James Bond, nuff said
Damon (Salvatore) from “The Vampire Diaries” series
Christian (Grey) from The Fifty Shades trilogy
Will as in Fitzwillam Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice”

            So, Christmas is over again this year. For some it was wonderful, others maybe not so much. As a writer, I have come to learn that we all want certain gifts. The gift that keeps on giving all year long is that of our own imaginations. Through the written word we are able to delve into worlds that take our minds to other worlds, loving other people, cherishing other friends.
            Over the years, I have spent each Christmas examining one poem. “Twas' the Night Before Christmas” has had a parody derived from it in almost every way imaginable. This year was my year to imagine it. I decided what if the day after Christmas I got a wonderful gift from a hot Santa who had all my favorite male characters from literature with him. Oh, what fun! Without further ado, here's my version entitled “Twas' the Night After Christmas”.



What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

My name is Lindsey Gray. I was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and still reside there.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

When I was younger, I always wrote, but never saw it as a career. I wanted to be a doctor until I got into high school, then I was bitten by the acting bug. I ended up going off to college to study performing arts.

What made you take the plunge and start writing?

I needed an outlet. My mother was a teacher and always encouraged me to express myself with my words. I found it hard to talk about myself, so I began to get creative and create my own characters.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

Once I started looking seriously into publishing, it was about two years before my first book was picked up and published.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

Yes, I work in healthcare as well as being a wife and mother of two.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?

“Redemption” is my latest full length novel. Responsibilities for female vampire, Lily, are heavy. Her attempt to keep those she loves safe turns grim when foes dominate.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?

My publisher is The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House that opened in October of 2010. In just over a year, they already have over thirty titles and dozens more on the way.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

Every story for me is different. I find with the Redemption series, as I take my time the ideas evolve and I find the final product better than originally intended.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

Every book has been hard for it's own reasons. The Redemption series has been difficult because of the paranormal aspects. I make the rules in it's universe and that responsibility in itself is a trying task.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre?Books of a different genre?

I am working on the second book in the Redemption series, “Revisited”, to be released in summer 2012. I have two romance novels I have started as well as a young adult, science fiction series. I have just started toying with a fantasy series also. As long as the stories keep coming, I will keep writing.

What genre would you place your books into?

The Redemption series is Adult Paranormal Romance where as my first novel, “Lies Inside”, is Adult Suspense Romance.


Do you have a favorite character from your books? and why are they your favorite?

I have a soft spot in my heart for the character of Abe North in the Redemption series. He is my favorite because there is so much of me in him, which was not intended at all. Once I had finished writing the first book, I looked at him on the page and just wanted to reach out and hug him. I had poured my experience with pain into him without even realizing it. Also, I know where his fate lies and that makes him even more special to me.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?

A lot of ideas are sparked in my dreams. I don't often dream as myself, so interesting stories evolve in my subconscious. My first book sparked from the idea of a teenage boy walking down the hallway of a high school. I usually have one good idea a night. Sometimes they become stories and sometimes they just stay dreams.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?

I am going to have a few pre-readers for my next book, but I've not done that before.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

So far I have. Good or bad, I always want to know how the story is seen through other's eyes.


How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?

I have come up with the background pictures for my covers and the graphic designer for my publisher has come up with the font and style. For “Lies Inside”, I had a friend hand draw what I wanted because I wasn't able to take or find a picture of what I wanted. For “Redemption”, I created a fractal of the star burst and I loved the concept of it. Basically, bringing forth new life. I also laid in words in Cuneiform, ancient Sumerian, across the cover, another aspect from the novel.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

There are many characters in the Redemption series that are named after friends or family. Renee is after my sister and best friend who both have it as a middle name. The character has my best friends fiery red hair and spunky personality. The character of Marla Palmarie is also after a friend of mine. She is physically described basically like the real Marla and she also has her “take no crap” attitude, which I love!

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

I'm reading the second in a series of Young Adult novels, “Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift” by Elise Stokes. The series is about a young teenage girl who accidentally gets mutated and develops super-human powers. I loved the first one and I'm thoroughly enjoying this one so far. I'm reading it on my Kindle.

Do you think e books will ever totally replace printed books?

It's possible. I hope it doesn't. There is nothing like the smell of a book and reading the crisp words on the pages.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read and/or do Imaginative writing?

Most of my experience is with what my seven year old daughter is doing in school. She comes up with the most creative stories sometimes, but I never see them doing those kind of things in her school work. I guess second grade is still about getting all the fundamentals down. Maybe she'll write her first book in third grade.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn’t finish?

I've tried to read “War and Peace” a couple of times. I just couldn't get into it. I tend to read things I know I will enjoy from just reading the summary. That seems to be why I tend to give so many good reviews.

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? And Why should we watch out for them?

Elise Stokes, of course, because her series, though basically based in an older concept, is fresh, fun, and very exciting.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

Don't give up. If you have the passion, live with it every moment. If you believe in yourself and have confidence, others will see it too.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?

Yes, I do use a pen last name, just because my married name is not easy to spell or pronounce.

Where can readers follow you?

My author page on the publisher's website:


Your blog details?

I usually post at least once a week and have started doing reviews of some of the books I love.



Your facebook page?


Your Goodreads author page?


Your Twitter details?

Username: LindseyGray11

1 comment:

I would love to hear from you:)