Suzanne Brockmann is the contributor for this week’s Take Five, a regular series where we ask authors and editors to share five facts about their latest books. Brockmann is the author of Born to Darkness, available next Tuesday.
In the near future, as America endures its second Great Depression, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, only to be plunged into a strange world where mild-mannered scientists can kick his highly skilled ass. These “Greater-Thans” undergo rigorous training to master unique abilities—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process—by accessing untapped regions of the brain. But for the rich and reckless, there’s a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than—for a lethal price.
Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie is determined to end the scourge of Destiny. As one of OI’s crack operatives, she’s learned to wield her powers responsibly. But she’s knocked for a loop when she meets the new test subject: Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Mac’s got reasons to keep her distance from him—and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.
Suzanne Brockmann:
1) Inspiration for Born to Darkness came, in part, from my deeply burning love for Joss Whedon and his character-driven action adventure dramadies like Buffy, Angel and Firefly. Fun fact: I was lucky enough to have dinner with Joss at ComicCon, a few years back. Best. Night. Ever. Read a blow-by-blow account on my facebook page.
2) I was the musical co-director of an a cappella group called Serious Fun. For several years, we were the “house band” for the annual Boston 24-Hour Science Fiction Film Marathon, performing such hits as the themes from Star Trek (both classic and TNG), from MST3K, from The Jetsons, and Timewarp from Rocky Horror — all in ten-part harmony. It was an awesome gig, because we got to see 24 hours (in a row) of SF movies for free. (The Day the Earth Stood Still battles Forbidden Planet for my all time classic favorite.)
3) While Born to Darkness is my 51st published novel, it’s only my second foray into SF/Fantasy, but I’ve been a fan of the genre since I read the Earthsea series at age eight.
4) In order to allow readers to see the characters in Born to Darkness exactly as I imagine them, I “cast” the book, and created a series of character trading cards featuring the six main characters from the novel. Info on how to get them can be found here.
5) In addition to writing novels, I’ve also co-written and co-produced a feature length indie film called THE PERFECT WEDDING, a romcom with a hero and a hero, which is about to hit the festival circuit in earnest. (Check it out at www.ThePerfectWeddingMovie.com) I’m currently working with my screenwriting partner and husband, Ed Gaffney, on a TV series based on Born to Darkness.
dwadawdfawf