Tour: Where You Write Featuring Keith Rommel

Today My Shelf Confessions is excited to present Keith Rommel and his book blog tour for The Lurking Man that is part of his Thanatology series. I read the synopsis and it sounds so fascinating to me, I’m looking forward to reading it at some point! Rommel is sharing a Where You Write post with us.

I live in sunny Florida and what I see around me is beautiful; a clear blue sky, crystal clear water and a place where vacationers will pay a lot of money to be. I beg the question: How would you like this as your surroundings while you read or write your next novel?

Sure, people have the impression that it is amazing living in paradise, sitting in the shade with my feet up while I sip lemonade and write my next novel. Oh, how the words flow while a gentle breeze caresses my skin and lift my spirit. Imagine how I sink into the seat while the slosh from the waves lap the shoreline and relaxes me. It sets the mood perfectly…

But wait a second. I don’t write love stories, I write dark suspense that touches on psychological horror. The pretty backdrop and feeling cozy wouldn’t inspire me to write the things that I write. I assure you, there is no caress from a breeze or the swishing sounds from waves breaking on the shoreline. There is this:

But normally it is nighttime and not a creature is stirring (except Sariel and Dr. Lee). If you’ve read any of my books, this would make sense. If you haven’t, well, I’m waiting. 

Truth be told, I’m a transplanted New Yorker that hates the heat. I miss the winter and I can’t stand the beach. Sand all up in everything irritates me and the seagulls here seem to have a knack for hovering over your head and waiting until you pull out your sandwich. Once they do, they dive bomb you, steal your grub and send you packing (seriously, this is a real experience).

I’m a retail store manager, and after coming home from long days toil, I spend some time with the family and soon after everyone is asleep, I seclude myself in the “Man Cave”. Most of that time is spent writing, working on self-promotion and listening to heavy metal music (turned down low because I don’t want to wake anyone). But I do have a bit of serenity here with me in the Man Cave:

The constant glug from the aerator is as relaxing as any shoreline and the way those fat goldfish can lull me into a state of relaxation.

I think one of the reasons why I’m up so late writing (besides my passion for the craft) is that I worked the graveyard shift for nine years. I never fully adapted to the “day is for work, night is for sleeping” routine. I have a wife, two young children and a panic disorder that’s like being stuck with a companion that’s irritating and controlling. But I suppose that is something that defines me.

I love to make people laugh and like all things dark. Although often times I wonder if this is true because if it were, then why do I need to sleep with the light on? Oh yeah, the things that come out of my imagination…

But that’s a discussion for another time.

Cailean stands beneath a spotlight in a blinding snowstorm. She has no idea where she is or how she got there, but she senses something moving around her in the darkness outside the light.

When the ominous presence calling himself Sariel makes himself known, he declares that he is Death Incarnate. Cailean has died, and now she will be forced to face the sins of her past in exchange for twenty-four hours of life to try to right her wrongs. And what she must do in return for this precious time is unthinkable.

The Lurking Man is Available: Amazon | BD | Goodreads

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