Robert Kimbrell recently sat down for a brief interview and was asked four questions.
1. Tell me a bit about your childhood in Ohio.
If one knew me growing up, I was a boring only child. But I’d like to say it was very interesting to be inside my head.
My father was abusive to my mom and me, so as you can imagine the atmosphere was always tense. I had to learn to use my imagination so I had a place to escape to. I was nervous and anxious all the time, even into young adulthood. I mean, to grow up always afraid of making your father angry or seeing him become violent towards your mother really does something to your psyche. Those who have grown up in an abusive atmosphere know what I’m talking about. I’ve never used what happened then as an excuse, but looking back I recognize how far I’ve come, and how far I still have to go.
2. I’m sure what happened to you framed, so to speak, your writing and creative process. Your book is called Vigilante Annie Scarlotte, and it is about a woman who becomes a vampire. Tell me about Annie.
You’re right. Now, when I hear of kids being abused or neglected- I cringe. Or when I catch a news story about a woman whose cowardly husband abused her, I boil, as I’m sure others do. I want to take action. That spark is what is behind Vigilante Annie. She has been blessed by a unique ability, so she decides to use it to take action. For reasons that will be explained in the next book, Annie must have fresh human blood every so often, or she’ll become ill again and die. So the premise of the story is simple: to justify killing others for their blood, Annie chooses the truly evil among us as her victims. As you can imagine, Annie battles with the morality of doing what she has chosen to do.
She questions her fate, her purpose, and begins to be taken over by this vampire within her. She has a sexy Italian boyfriend who is hiding things, an old friend Elisa who has been silent for some time, and a father-figure named Larry whom she decides to tell her secret to. Like I said, the premise is simple, but the plot and chaotic start to Annie’s bloodsucking life isn’t simple at all.
3. Do you have anything new you’re currently in the midst of writing?
Actually, I have several in the works. The next Vigilante Annie book is the biggest, it will be available in ebook and print, just like the anthology. There is not yet a release date set. I actually have a couple erotica titles and a couple shorts that will actually give some backstory or sidestory in the world of Vigilante Annie.
4. So what is the next Vigilante Annie book going to be about?
The next Annie story is going full fantasy. In the middle of recovering from her injuries, Annie is being taken to the underworld. There she will meet others like herself and other diverse types of beings. The plot I cannot reveal just yet, but Annie is being brought there for a specific reason. For anyone who has read up to now, you’ll know Annie will meet her brother and have to face her mother for abandoning her as a child. Anyone wanting more info can visit the website www.VigilanteAnnie.com.
Thank you.
Thank you!
Book Blurb:
Because Annie has no recollection of her birth parents, her life is full of unknowns. Still, she seems relatively content with her simple existence in Washington, DC. Marcus, her new Italian boyfriend, adds much desired spice to her life despite secrecy about his position at SecureVest. But when Annie becomes mysteriously ill, it is the catalyst for a life far from simple.
Seemingly by luck, Annie discovers that she is maturing into a dhampir (a vampire/human hybrid), and to survive she must feed on fresh human blood. With Marcus fully aware of Annie’s predicament, they concoct a scheme: find the evil living among us and act where justice does not.
Vigilante Annie is born.
Pick up your copy on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2dGCki4
Author Bio:
An only child, (in the seventies, mind you), little Robert could be seen running in the backyard playing superhero, with a bed sheet serving as his cape. He also spent many hours drawing or writing in his mid-sized Ohio town. Having also battled depression earlier in life, Robert now sees how his low points have brought him to a more creative, stronger sense of being. Now he is where he wants to be, and is telling the stories he is meant to tell. His other interests include reading, motorcycle touring, fitness and classic movies.
Connect with Robert Kimbrell:
Twitter: @VAAuthor
Website: www.VigilanteAnnie.com
Robert, wonderful getting to know you better. as an abused child myself I can relare. Hmm, that may be why I write horror and paranormal and you write about vampires. Something to think m about. 🙂 Wishing you the best.
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For sure it is something to think about. I know everyone has something to overcome, I think being abused gives you a unique view of life that can be a hindrance or a help….but it is always there.
Thanks so much Micki.
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This Annie sounds like someone I won’t want to meet in my path. I suppose one has to read the book to find out more about her escapades. :). Thank you Marcha for hosting him.
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Rob, thank you for giving us a deeper glimpse into your life. As difficult as things can be, as hard as it is to reflect back on our past… It’s what makes us who we are. And you shine in your words. 🙂 Marcha, thanks so much for hosting Rob during his Spotlight Week and allowing him to open up to us.
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It was a honor to do so.
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Thanks Marlena, and I know there are thise who had it much worse than I. When you begin life afraid all the time, it tends to strap one to a place of complacency and stagnation; the rub is that it is only when we risk taking on pressure and making waves that we can feel liberation in living our life of purpose.
(Makes sense to me! LOL)
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Made sense to me too, and I completely agree!!
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Such a powerful interview, Robert. Thanks again for sharing your journey with us. 🙂
Marcha, thank you for the warm welcome!. 🙂
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Natalie, your comments this week have meant a lot to me. Thank you.
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So sorry to hear about the abusive father, Robert. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Thanks for hosting, Marcha.
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Thank you John I know there are others in #RRBC who have had their own struggles. With writing as our outlet, we can rise beyond and be better.
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Thank you for this interview, Robert. Now I really look forward to reading Vigilante. All the best to you on this Tour. Thank you for hosting, Marcha. I love your site.
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Thanks, Gwen. And I totally love Robert’s title and cover!
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Thanks so much for hosting this Marcha. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if there was any mass appeal with the cover art, but when it was made, it fit the story of Annie perfectly…
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Thank you Gwen; and I’ll not forget things you have shared in the recent past…..
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Isn’t it wonderful when we can get our characters to do the things we can’t do ourselves? 🙂
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Yes! And go places we’ve never been and so forth. Even though sometimes characters have too much of a mind of their own. LOL.
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Yes, so very right! Thanks Rebecca!
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Marcha, thanks for the amazing support of our SA this week! You’re awesome!
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Thank you! Always happy to help!
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Thanks for opening up and sharing your story Robert – speaking out makes you stronger and helps others understand the hell some children have to endure on their journey into the world. It’s also great to explore the survival side of things as a writer with dynamic and driven characters like Annie – am about halfway through the anthology and will definitely want to get the next instalment & find out more about her origins! 😀
Thanks for having us all over today Marcha! 😉
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Happy to host! Thanks for stopping by, Jan!
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Jan your comments are so sincere…I shared this knowing there are others in #RRBC that have had situations- and I hope they continue to become stronger and use their unique perspective to be creative in ways they never dreamed.
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This is a strong interview, Robert. It delves into very personal issues. I admire you for your willingness to share this with readers. Best wishes to you on this blog tour.
Thank you for sharing your blog, Marcha. This is such a wonderful way to show support.
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I think it’s essential for us authors to stick together and help each other. I always welcome blog tours, etc. because it’s also fun to get to know other authors and their books.
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Thank you again Beem. As a more introverted type, I don’t always find it easy to be so forthcoming; but with great members and readers within #RRBC I figured what the heck.
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Good interview, Robert – thanks for sharing your painful past… there’s probably a good book in that memoir someday. Thanks for hosting, Marcha!
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My pleasure! Love to learn about other authors and their journey.
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Memoir? Hmmm. Not sure about that. Readers might fall asleep in between the two or three moments of excitement!
Thank again John.
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Okay, a novel loosely based upon your story will work too.
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