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Jeff Gunhus is the author of the Middle Grade/YA series The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. The book is a Book Of The Year Finalist for Foreword Reviews and a Finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award. Book #2, Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy was released April 2013. Night Chill is his first book for adults. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland by trying to constantly keep up with his kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

~ Author Interview ~ 

What inspired you to write Night Chill? 

Just like the book’s protagonist, Jack Tremont, I was a recent California transplant to Maryland when I wrote this book. I was also a new father so the theme of a parent willing to do anything to protect their child was a very real feeling for me.

There is a lot of time spent underground in caves. Is that from personal experience? 

Yes, I went spelunking for the first time in the limestone caves of Western Maryland just before I wrote this. Let’s just say Jack’s claustrophobia in the cave scenes wasn’t hard to imagine.

The reviews of Night Chill all talk about how scary it is. Are you a horror fan? 

I think horror is too broad of a term. You can put the movies The Shining and Saw (the torture series) in the horror genre, but they are completely different experiences. I enjoy being spooked out but I like my scares to come from suspense instead of gore.

But there is some gore in Night Chill, right? 

Well, a little gore never killed anyone, right? And even then, I don’t thing it’s excessive or overly indulgent. Is there such a thing as tasteful gore? Probably not.

The cover is super-creepy. Who did it? 

My brother Eric designs all my covers. He’s an uber-talented guy—Broadway performer, graphic designer, you name it. We work together on the idea and then he works his magic and sends me something ten times better than I was imagining. Nice to have him in my corner.

Who are your writing influences in this genre? 

Stephen King is the master. I love his books and his approach to writing. His book, On Writing, is a touchstone that I go back to over and over to help my writing. Dean Koontz is great too.

When do you find time to write? 

With five kids and a national business to run, it’s hard to find time. The King book I was just talking about has a book stresses the importance of writing every day, even if it’s for five minutes. I try to stick to that. Early mornings from 5:30-7:30 are my mainstays when I’m in the middle of a project.

What’s your writing process like? 

I write screenplays with a writing partner and that influenced the way I approached the book. With a partner, you can’t write by the seat of your pants. You have to outline and define a plan, otherwise it’s chaos. Also, you need to flesh out the characters completely so you both have a clear picture of who they are. I outlined each chapter thoroughly before I started, following the advice of Terry Brooks (great author!) in his book on writing called, Sometimes The Magic Works.

What’s next? 

I’m almost done with Book #3 of the Jack Templar series and I have that series outlined for a total of seven books, so that’s going to keep me busy. I have another novel for adults call Improper Conduct that takes place at the U.S. Naval Academy (which is 10 miles from my house). And I have a stack of books I want to write in my desk. So little time….

About The Book

Night Chill

by Jeff Gunhus

Published: May 31, 2013
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
Genre: Supernatural Thriller/Horror

Synopsis

~ Giveaway ~