RAIMOND - Monsters and Angels by Anne Marie Andrus - The road from soldier to saint is paved with blood and magic. ***An Excellent Interview with Vampire Raimond -- Excerpt -- Giveaway***

Raimond
Monsters and Angels
Anne Marie Andrus

Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Anne Marie Andrus Publishing
Date of Publication: October 25, 2018
ISBN-13: 978-0-9984155-2-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-9984155-2-9
ASIN: B07HYFKPXY
Number of pages: 260
Word Count: 59,000
Cover Artist: Eight Little Pages

The road from soldier to saint is paved with blood and magic.

A lone soldier on night watch. A single bullet through the heart. Every light in Paris flickers—the city’s thundering silent scream.

When Commander Raimond Banitierre was assassinated, French Revolutionaries lost their gallant leader. After a villain’s offer of eternal life condemned him to slavery, Raimond rebelled again, driving his vampire comrades to freedom.

Raimond escapes to Savannah, Georgia where his dream of becoming a doctor comes true. During his trial-by-fire residency on the Civil War’s battlefields, he discovers his true calling—the power to preserve memories and dignity in the face of death. His chance meeting with a beguiling mortal nurse ignites passionate nights and a long overdue crack in the door to paradise.

Vicious flames and an unholy miscalculation deliver Raimond back to the depths of hell. Being arrested for treason makes him wish for death and the arrival of Prince Draven Norman appears to be the final nail in Raimond’s coffin.

Will the prince’s eccentric judgement grant Raimond a true reprieve? Is Draven’s invitation to join New Orleans mystical royalty an extension of his own treachery, or the next step in Raimond’s miraculous journey?

Has the legendary Crescent City found a spirit noble enough to protect her future? 

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A Character Interview with the Vampire Raimond

Doctor Raimond Banitierre, thanks for joining us today. Tell us a little bit about your story.
Bonjour, it’s a pleasure to meet you…and please, just call me Raimond.


Not Commander Banitierre?
Impressive research! Yes, I held that title once…in a different lifetime. It’s much too formal for today.


Is there anything you would want changed if your Author asked you?
I wish Anne Marie wouldn’t tell people about all my slip-ups. I admit, I ripped people’s heads off and put them back on the wrong bodies…one time, in a moment of regrettable revenge. I may have been born in the 1700’s, but even I’ve heard of accident forgiveness.


How would you describe Anne Marie?
Private, quietly emotional and passionate about the dignity of elderly people and their treasure trove of memories. We have that in common.


Do you feel like she portrayed you correctly?
Most vampires don’t aspire to be doctors…there are much easier choices of profession. Anne Marie gives me credit for that sacrifice every chance she gets, though calling me a saint in spite of all my missteps may be...more than I deserve.

How about others in the story. Do you feel she did well with them?
Anne Marie portrayed my heiress Julia, and my children Lily and Steven perfectly…especially Steven. He’s like the son I never had with talents far beyond what outsiders see.

If we’re being totally honest though, she needs to reveal my friend Prince Draven Norman as a more compassionate man, vampire…whatever. He may act like an arrogant and flawed jerk…often…but underneath all of that is an incredible soul.

Oh, and one more person—Ivori Journé has taken her knack for blending into the background and elevated it to an art form. The truth is she’s a New Orleans voodoo starlet and powerhouse in the making. Never underestimate her. Never

You might be wondering why I’m wearing a scarf on a hot sunny day. It’s not that I don’t trust you, (Tightens the scarf), or anything. I’m just deathly allergic to vampire venom. You know like some people are with bees? So please don’t bite me.
No worries, I’m on my best gentleman’s behavior today.


Okay, now that that’s settled. Who created you in the story?
The villain Faison, as a slave to bring him victims. 

Are you still connected?
I killed him. So, hell no.


Was there a reason for your creation?
It was a trick and power grab. Faison wanted to rule Paris. It backfired on him, badly.


Where are you from initially?
I was born in Paris, France. I’ve since discovered that I’m descended from one of the few gladiators to earn Roman citizenship.

Were you happy or angry about the transition from human to bloodsuc--, I mean vampire?
I was furious for decades. Finally, I fought back and won independence for myself and my family. But freedom is rarely free. It was a bitter lesson in reality.

I like to think I’ve made the most of my second chance at…existence.


What’s your favorite blood type?
AB-negative, but when I’m hungry, I’m not picky.


Where is your favorite place to dine? Some of us might want to avoid any late-night forays there in the future.
In New Orleans, the Rex Room at Antoine’s Restaurant. But please, don’t skip Antoine’s on my account…it’s a New Orleans must-visit. Especially if you enjoy Oysters Rockefeller.


Have you seen any more stories in the recesses of your Anne Marie’s mind?
Anne Marie has way too many stories in her head. A murder mystery at the Jersey Shore, a tale set in a mysterious Rhode Island mansion and a few more books in the Monsters & Angels Series.


Do you get to play a part in any of them?
I’ve never been to New Jersey…not yet anyway. But in Monsters & Angels, of course. I’m as much a part of New Orleans as the city is a part of me. 

You’re no stranger to darkness. What is your Author’s darkest secret?
Anne Marie shows a very tough exterior, downright icy and intimidating at times…that is, until you get to know her. Don’t get me wrong, she’s no wimp, but she’s much more sensitive that she reveals.


If she makes you mad, you could just bite her when she’s sleeping, you know.
What makes you think I haven’t? Besides, Anne Marie may be a bit annoyed with me for spilling that particular secret. I’d better text her before this goes to print.

Thank you for joining us today. Have a great evening.
Merci, bonsoir.

Keep scrolling for more on Raimond.

Excerpt Rise The Demons
Paris, France 1852

In a derelict neighborhood on the fringe of Paris, one burning red eye glowed through the crumbling foundation of a formerly grand hotel. While family and friends still struggled to put the Revolution’s gory ugliness behind them, their every move was scrutinized by a trapped predator.

Raimond kept watch, as he had done for decades, until his eye smoldered from distant sunlight. Switch eyes. A smile drifted across his face while children scurried behind their parents, shopkeepers threw open their doors and the light of hope shone on every street except one. The worn and rutted surface of Rue Le Cross remained cloaked in darkness.

Footsteps echoed off the cobblestones outside Raimond’s portal and he strained to see the trespassers. He flinched at the sight of glowing torches, retreating again into his underground gloom.

A woman barked orders. “Tell those youngsters to stay behind the barricade.”

“Go to school, you little fools!” a man called out. “This is no place for kids…or anyone.”

“What are you so afraid of husband?”

Raimond stepped forward to hear the man’s answer. I should hope they’re scared.

“I’m not the only one who hears the awful noises in this passage after dark and it’s always night on this bloody street.”

“Can we just light these lamps and get out of here?” The woman’s eyes darted around. “The mayor paid both of us a fortune.”

Here they go again. The gas lanterns blazed to life and Raimond drummed his fingers on the wall.

“They’re burning,” the woman hissed. “But why are they flickering?”

The flames shivered and gasped, as if being blown out by invisible lips. Raimond shook his head.

“This alley is cursed. Every lock is broken. Nothing opens.” The man rattled handles and knobs. He froze at the shuttered hotel’s rusty door. “Do you hear that?”

Raimond rhythmically smashed a rock on the iron bars of his prison.

“We didn’t get paid enough for this wife.”

A menacing growl ricocheted off the walls and the couple dropped their torches, slammed into each other and scrambled toward the main street.

Don’t come back. Raimond let the rock slip from his grasp and slumped against the dusty wall. Those doors are jammed shut for a reason.

As the final, auburn embers of sunlight faded behind the craggy roofline, the underworld groaned to life. Raimond turned around to the absolute black of the catacombs and the squeal of rodents that drowned out hungry cries. He kicked a rat across the cell and his stomach twisted at the whimpers of miserable children sleeping in the cold. They were all victims of a monster that the mortal world above didn’t believe existed. He didn’t have the heart to tell the little ones they were vampires, too. He sighed. None of us will ever be warm again.

Raimond punched walls he’d been beating on for years. A few remaining slivers of stone broke free and he slid to the floor, clawing at his eyes.

Don’t fall apart now, soldier. This moment has been years in the making.

As an officer, he’d been expected to sacrifice his life.

Until a maniac stole my soul.

That crime was nothing compared to what the innocents who lived beneath the street with him had endured.

Tonight, it all changes.

In a flash Raimond slammed into iron bars that tore the skin from his forehead. He drew a breath of putrid air.

The villains beat me and I plotted.

He looked at the blackened skin of his hands.

They burned me, and I schemed.

His escape from the torture was a dive into the darkest corners of his mind, and each time he let himself dream, the hallucinations became bloodier and deadlier.

Never mind revenge; I want absolute victory.

His eyes wandered across the dungeon full of unwilling vampires, landing first on a fellow soldier.

Such an odd story, a Scot fighting alongside the French.

Two younger lads slept next to the burly man, both clinging to the ends of a tattered blanket. Nuns, farmers and even patients from the local infirmary had been ripped from their beds and turned into slaves by a madman. In the middle, a young nurse huddled with the frailest children. Her voice, touch and passion to heal had never faltered, despite the hellish conditions.

Convincing these lost souls that they have a future worth living—that will be a challenge.

About the Author

Anne Marie has been an equestrienne, chorale singer, EMT and baseball fan.

Roaming the back roads of New Jersey with her family, she found great respect for antiques, historical locations and the stories they hold. Her current list of favorite pastimes includes coffee, bourbon and Les Misérables—which requires more bourbon. She has been known to attend sporting events just for the flyover. The boat she and her husband christened Glory Days, is her escape from the chaos of everyday life.

The inspiration for Raimond and Monsters & Angels is Anne Marie’s fascination with vampires, castles and her passion for everything New Orleans. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working nights with the critical care team in a busy trauma center.

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