fuonlyknew

My wait is over!

I finally got my hands on a copy of Legend of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler. I’ve read the first two books and have been anxiously waiting for this third one.

There’s a whole lot of chuppie love coming your way.

I have the press release, an awesome interview with Michael, and links to my reviews of Night of and Curse of the Chupacabra.

And you get to see it here, the cover reveal for Legend of the Chupacabra!

Brace yourselves. It’s out of this world!

Oh yeah, don’t forget to enter the giveaway. Michael’s being mighty generous and offering up a bunch of his books!

We’re going to start things off with an interview and then you get to feast your eyes on the cover art for Legend of the Chupacabra.

No peeking!

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Hi Michael. It’s great to have you back on my blog to talk about your Chupacabra series.

Shall we begin?

Let’s do it!

1) As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by creatures. Why did you choose the Chupacabra for your monster?

Although creatures fascinate me as well, the Chupacabra Series was not only meant to be a single story, but there were no creatures. When I first began writing what is known today as “Night of the Chupacabra,” it was the furthest thing from the end result. First of all, it wasn’t prose but a screenplay called, “Dark Sunrise” about a serial killer in an Old West town. Think “Unforgiven” meets “Silence of the Lambs.” The comparison is more than adequate since it was the early 1990’s when I thought of the idea. About four or five years later, the serial killer was exchanged for a creature. I don’t exactly remember why, I think the element of mythology intrigued me more. But even then it wasn’t a chupacabra. The chupacabra came after watching an episode of “The X-Files.” The similarities between my creature and the chupacabra were shocking, so I made another switch.

2) Did you follow the rules for the myth of the chupacabra, or did you make up some of your own?

Mostly… yes. Because in all actuality, there really are no rules for this thing. I did do some research after watching that “X-Files” episode and could find very little. All I knew was that it drank the blood of children and animals mostly. It never explained why that was. I just presumed it was either because they were easier prey, or the stories of the chupacabra were meant to be scary bedtime stories. Also, nobody could explain exactly what it was or what it looked like. Some said it had wings, others didn’t. Some said it was the nuclear mutation of a wolf or a dog, others thought aliens left their pet Fido behind. There was even one theory that said it came from Rome, Italy when explorers discovered South America. So I decided enough was enough, and I would write something of an origin story. Besides, my heart was set on doing a western-horror. However, for all you die hard chuppie fans, definitely be on the watch for Book V, “Return of the Chupacabra,” I think you’ll be pleased with the progression of the mythology as the series leaps into the 1990’s.

3) Obviously, people will die when the chupacabra gets too close. Did you write in special characters for the killings or did the chupacabra have a mind of its own and kill off characters you hadn’t planned on?

Character and plot always come first. It’s their world, not the chupacabra’s. I never write in a character to kill him/her. In any one of these novels, when it comes time to decide whether to kill someone, I ask myself: Is this necessary for the plot (both book plot and series plot)? Sometimes the answer is as simple as that character has served its purpose and is just in the way (as was the case with the actress, Evelyn Diamond in Book II), sometimes his/her death is a catalyst for an event, or sometimes it’s a necessity to guide the protagonist on his/her path. There is one particular death in “Legend of the Chupacabra” that I mulled over and over, ultimately deciding that the character’s dying wish was needed to help the protagonist overcome her foolishness about a decision by the end of the story.

4) Why did you choose to have the story take place in the old west?

Yes, this story and the previous two books take place in the Old West, but as I hinted, the entire saga does not stay there. In fact, after [Legend], I’m pretty much done with that era. Book IV, “Dawn of the Chupacabra” will be a prequel to this trilogy (think “The Hobbit” to “The Lord of the Rings”) and it will begin during the final year of the Civil War. The “Old West” did not occur until after the war was over. That’s when settlers began heading towards California. However, there will be some hints of its start, and you might even come across a familiar face or two when they were younger. And as I mentioned, Book V, [Return] is the 1990’s.

5) What do you hope readers will take away with them after reading Legend of the Chupacabra?

There are two constant themes that run through this entire series: The importance of family, and Man can be just as much of a monster. I hope that is clear.

6) Now that you’ve finished writing Legend, are you on to something new or will you be writing more of that world? And would you care to share with us?

Of course I’ll share! I’m in a very sharing mood.  I am tackling two stories at once, which is something I’ve never done before and will never do again. While I write the first draft of “Dawn of the Chupacabra,” I’m rewriting a novella that is due later in the year on October 7 called, “The Ghost of Christmas Past,” which is about the notorious Dickens’ character that is given a past of its own and is made to journey through its afterlife, as well as it’s mortal life, while aiding a very troubled woman on Christmas Eve. This novella is more of a literary turn for me, and although it’s not horror, it is still dark fiction and filled with the paranormal obviously. I am very excited about it and hope to honor Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol,” which is one of my all-time favorite stories.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Michael. I look forward to having you back for my review of Legend of the Chupacabra.

Thank you, Laura for inviting me back. It’s always a blast. Let’s do it again soon! Maybe sometime around October 7^th?

Great tease Michael. Can’t wait!

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The “Legend “of the chupacabra continues

Press Release

Newport Beach, CA

– June 14, 2014 – On July 29, 2014, dark fiction author, Michael Hebler will release the latest installment in his Chupacabra Series. Legend of the Chupacabra, Book III in his 6-part series, is the final chapter of an independent trilogy before the narrative of the infamous “goat-sucker” transitions into new and thrilling territory.

Author: Michael Hebler

Style: Series

Theme: Dark Fiction / Horror / Western

Length: 372 pages (print) / 85,500 words

Binding: Perfect bound, digital (.mobi, .epub, .pdf ), & audiobook

Retail: $17.95 (print & audiobook) / $4.99 (e-book)

Synopsis:

Legend of the Chupacabra finds Jessie and Suzanne living peacefully in Portland, Oregon six years after they believed to have put an end to the curse of the chupacabra. But the women come to learn of their failure, and the futility of their sacrifices, when a remarkable reunion brings horror back into their lives; only this time, what they face will be unlike any creature they’ve encountered. Legend of the Chupacabra marks the end of a trilogy, but the continuation of a saga that will leave this moment of history drenched in blood.

Earlier this year, Hebler’s first volume in his Chupacabra Series, Night of the Chupacabra, earned him top honors in the category of “Horror” from the National Indie Excellence Awards. The NIEA was founded by Ellen Reid, the current President and CEO. Reid comments, “The awards celebrate the best of books in print, and represent a diverse group of first-time authors and seasoned authors.” Hebler was extremely honored to have received such extraordinary recognition for a story that had lived within his mind and heart for 20 years before its 2012 release.

In reference to Legend of the Chupacabra, Hebler hopes his fans and readers will enjoy their reunion with Jessie and Suzanne. There is no shortage of action, mystery, humor, drama, romance, or, of course, horror. And as usual, there are surprises around every turn. “I’m especially excited about including a little piece of Oregon’s scandalous history with the Portland underground,” states Hebler. “I think that particular element rivals the callousness of the chupacabra itself and examines the similarities between monster and man.”

In addition to the release of Legend of the Chupacabra in trade paperback and eBook on July 29, 2014, Hebler will also release an audiobook of his reading, which will accompany the release of the audiobooks of the first two series novels, Night of the Chupacabra and Curse of the Chupacabra.

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Other books in the series.

“Night of the Chupacabra” was announced as Best Horror at the 2014 National Indie Excellence Awards.

Click HERE for my review.

There is a creature that lurks in the vast open deserts of the west. It can only survive on blood and, although it prefers to prey on the weak and young, it will slaughter anyone or anything, once provoked. It is unnatural, deceptive, and difficult to kill. Word about the existence of this elusive beast has not spread since anyone who has crossed paths with it did not live long enough to tell of their account.

In the Chupacabra Series, a vampire-like, cryptozoological creature (which literally translates to “goat-sucker”) takes a supporting role to a cast of memorable characters who struggle to survive while finding their place in developing America. Currently slated for six books, the Chupacabra Series echoes strong family themes and the sacrifices required for that nature of love; and while some characters do survive long enough to make it through multiple novels, each volume will host a different protagonist to lead the reader through its continuing journey.

Amazon / B&N

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Click HERE for my review.

They never thought their luck would be their curse. In the months following the onslaught, the extraordinary survivors continue to know no peace, as they are haunted by signs that the relentless creature remains on their trail. However, this fight will be better matched, now that they’ve discovered an advantage that will help protect them from the monster’s bloodthirsty lust. But once faced with the decision to kill the beast, the choice will not come lightly since it is still unclear which loved one the chupacabra possesses.

Amazon / B&N

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Author Michael Hebler

Prior to becoming an award-winning author of his dark fiction Chupacabra Series, Michael was a full-time international film publicist who had worked on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, and the 2013 Academy Award-winning Best Forgein Language Film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty).

Born in the early 1970′s in Los Angeles County to a salesman and a homemaker, Michael dreamed of following his passions for entertainment and storytelling by becoming an actor. It was while studying theatre arts at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, did he realize his penchant for stories were better suited on the page rather than the stage. However, creating tales with suspense, laughter, and heart is not Michael’s only love. Hebler also enjoys volunteering in his local community for Meals on Wheels, as well as aid in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.

To date, Michael’s publications include Chupacabra Series Novels, “Night of the Chupacabra,” “Curse of the Chupacabra,” and now “Legend of the Chupacabra,” the first three of his six-part series, as well as his first publication, “The Night After Christmas,” a holiday picture book for believers of any age. Michael also authored the micro story, “Hunt for the Chupacabra,” (currently unavailable) preceding the events of Book I, and will release his first novella, “The Ghost of Christmas Past” on October 7, 2014. [Ghost] is a spiritual story placing the popular Dickens character in the center of its own afterlife, and life, while aiding a woman’s complicated past.

CONTACT DETAILS

Email ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Blog

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1 Grand Prize: signed copy of [Legend] print (US only)
1 First: e-books of all three Chupacabra Series novels (Night, Curse, and Legend) (Worldwide)
3 Runners-Up: e-book of [Legend] (Worldwide)

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“What scares you the most?”

Giveaway ends July 12th.

Winners will be announced July 14th along with my review of Legend of the Chupacabra.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!