S.N. McKibben's Blog

"Some things are worth the tarnish."

If you've read Blood Money, you know Thomas isn't your typical second male lead. He's not waiting in the wings, pining hopelessly. No, Thomas is actively playing the game, and he's damn good at it. The Aristocrat in Modern Clothes Thomas carries himself like royalty, and there's a reason for that. His old-world sensibilities shine through in every interaction:

"Only royalty cares about stuffy formalities least they be shuffled in with the commoners."

​But here's what makes him fascinating—he's not stuck in the past. He adapts, he observes, he learns. When he asks Miles, "Are your fees exorbitant or are you no longer donating?" there's layers there. Business acumen wrapped in aristocratic wit. A Protector with an Agenda Thomas genuinely wants to keep Miles safe: "Miles, I want to keep you safe… because you're wandering deeper in a world that will literally eat you alive."

But let's be honest—his protection comes with strings attached. "I do admit… I want a taste of you. If I stick around, maybe I'll be rewarded."

This is what makes him so compelling. His care is real, but so is his desire. He's not hiding his intentions behind false nobility. Intelligence as Seduction Thomas doesn't rely on brooding looks or mysterious silences. His weapon of choice? His mind. He offers what Miles needs most—answers, protection, political influence:

"If I become part of your enclave, I could bring you the missing pieces you need to protect yourself and the clique. I might even answer your question about Warren."

​He's not just asking for a chance—he's proving his worth. Moral Complexity What I love most about writing Thomas is his internal struggle. He's a vampire who questions the morality of feeding on humans, yet he's unapologetically attracted to Miles's blood. He wants to protect her from his world while simultaneously pulling her deeper into it.

"You have the power to claim territory, but you don't have political influence. Yet."

​That "yet" says everything. He sees her potential, respects her strength, but knows she needs guidance to survive. Layers of Deception One of Thomas's most revealing moments happens in this exchange:

"If that's what it takes to get a taste of you, then I'd toss the contacts in the trash right now."

What struck me while writing this scene was the layers at play: Thomas is a real vampire pretending to be human, who's pretending to be a vampire by wearing yellow cat-eye contacts. It's the ultimate double bluff - hiding in plain sight by giving people exactly what they expect to see.

Most humans think vampires are just people playing dress-up. The contacts are his disguise, his way of blending into a world that doesn't believe he exists. But in this moment with Miles, he's willing to drop the act entirely. He's offering her the truth - no masks, no games, no protective layers.

​The fact that he'd "toss the contacts in the trash" isn't just about physical attraction. It's about trust. He's saying he'd reveal his true nature, risk his carefully constructed cover, just for a genuine connection with her.

​That's not just desire - that's vulnerability wrapped in seduction. Playing the Long Game Where other characters might demand immediate answers or loyalty, Thomas plants seeds:

"I can't help but ask, while in the hall of our apartments, you mentioned a proposition. Was that fear-based or something more substantial?"

He's not pushing for a response. He's creating space for Miles to come to her own conclusions while making it clear he's paying attention to every word, every hesitation.

"You have the power to claim territory, but you don't have political influence. Yet."

​Again, that "yet." He's not criticizing her current position—he's acknowledging her potential and subtly positioning himself as the bridge to that future. Dangerous Honesty What makes Thomas truly compelling is his refusal to hide his desires behind noble pretenses. When he says, "I do admit… I want a taste of you. If I stick around, maybe I'll be rewarded," there's no shame, no apology.
​
He's honest about his wants while making it clear that he's willing to earn what he desires. It's seduction through transparency—refreshingly direct in a genre often filled with brooding mysteries. Why Readers Can't Ignore Him Writing Thomas taught me something about creating memorable secondary characters: they can't just exist to highlight the main love interest. They need their own agenda, their own appeal, their own valid path to happiness with the protagonist.
​
Thomas isn't waiting for Warren to fail. He's actively building his own case, offering things Warren can't or won't: political savvy, strategic thinking, and the kind of partnership that could elevate Miles beyond mere survival. The Question Every Reader Asks Team Warren or Team Thomas?

Warren offers redemption and ancient power. Thomas offers intelligence and political savvy. Both want to protect Miles, but their methods and motivations couldn't be more different.

"Some things are worth the tarnish."

​Maybe Thomas is right. Maybe some connections are worth the complications they bring. Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy
AMAZON US AMAZON INTERNATIONAL APPLE BARNES & NOBLE KOBO

Sometimes your story has other plans When I started The 19th Prince, I thought I knew exactly what I was writing: a dark, spicy enemies-to-lovers romance where Prince Ahleed would be at King Hassan's beck and call. Simple. Steamy. Straightforward.
Then my characters threw me a curveball. 

What began as sexual tension in the Crystal Palace suddenly involved children in peril and a conspiracy that goes straight to Hassan's inner circle. Someone is trafficking people right under the king's nose, and now I have a full-blown thriller/mystery subplot that I... honestly didn't think all the way through. 😅
The struggle is real
I know romance. I can write enemies-to-lovers in my sleep. But weaving a suspense subplot that actually makes sense? That's pushing me into new territory, and I'm learning that "pantsing" a mystery is way harder than pantsing a romance!

Thank goodness for writer friends who specialize in suspense - currently getting schooled on proper subplot structure so this story can be both the dark romance AND the thriller it wants to be. 📚

Sometimes the best stories are the ones that challenge us as writers, even when they make us want to pull our hair out
Fellow writers
Ever had a story completely change direction on you? How do you handle when your characters hijack your plot? 

​

Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy​

Are you ready to sink your teeth into a new paranormal romance that blends gothic intrigue, powerful demons, and a heroine who refuses to be anyone’s victim? Blood Money  by Penn Scripter is coming soon, and I’m thrilled to invite you to join the official ARC (Advance Reader Copy) tour! What’s Blood Money about? Makayla Evans is more than an escaped blood doll—she’s a college student hiding a secret power. Warren Coroner, a demon with a soul to redeem, stands between her and a world of danger, addiction, and redemption. If you love dark romance, found family, and power dynamics, this is for you. Want to read Blood Money before anyone else? The ARC tour is being run by Itsy Bitsy Book Blog, and sign-ups are open until October 1st. If you’re a blogger, reviewer, or just a voracious reader who loves sharing their thoughts, this is your chance to get an early copy and help spread the word! Sign up here: 👉 ARC Tour Sign-Up Form
​What to expect: Early access to Blood Money (Penn Scripter)A spot on the official review tourThe chance to connect with other passionate readersMy eternal gratitude for helping launch this story into the world! Tour Details: Hosted by: Itsy Bitsy Book Blog​Sign-up deadline: October 1stAll instructions and copies provided after sign-upIf you’ve been waiting for a story about family, trust, and what it means to truly break free, don’t miss this chance to join the Blood Money ARC tour. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy

Why am I seeing cake? There’s a little cake I'm imagining, that will be sitting on my kitchen counter. I dream of a bundt cake, to be exact.

This weekend, I plan to savor every delicious bite. Why? Because I hit 40,000 words on The 19th Prince, and I've decided that these little wins deserve a celebration!

Writing a novel can feel like crossing a desert with no map. Sometimes the oases are few and far between, and sometimes you lose sight of just how far you’ve come. That’s why I’ve started making a big deal over my 20K milestones. Why Treats (and Treating Yourself) Matter Marking progress reminds me this work is more than deadlines and edits—it’s also about my own growth and the magic happening on the page. Plus, bundt cake honestly tastes better when I know each slice is a reward for pushing through sloggy middle chapters, and those days when every word is a small battle. Seriously, sometimes I stare at the screen trying to determine how to write the scene in my head. How can I make it seamless in my reader's mind? What does my reader need to know?

I used to brush past my milestones, always chasing that final “The End.”, I say No More!! The journey itself deserves confetti. Or cake. It's better than death. (At this point, we'll run out of cake.) And if you don't get the reference, just toss it off as one of my SQUIRREL moments. 

Little rewards keep the creative flame burning. A coffee, a donut, or a good slice of cake is sometimes all it takes to remind me of how far I've come!  How I Celebrate (Spoiler: Food is Involved) A friend of mine would scold me about food as motivation. Dude, I’m motivated by snacks. I'm not perfect and we all need food, so step off. 

Sometimes the gift is bigger—commemorative art for a series, or a movie night just for me and my characters. Other times, it’s simple: an hour in the sun, or some extra-fancy tea during my next writing session. Celebrating doesn’t have to mean spending money. Pausing, looking at how far I've come, and letting being proud for a minute helps me recognize the effort I've put in.  Milestones Matter (Especially on the Hard Days) I love writing. It is, in itself, a reward. But I'm not a fast writer. Most days, it’s more of a slow burn. On the tough days, I look back at my past milestones—seeing how those 1,000-word mornings add up make me want to stretch to a higher word count. Celebrations are signposts I can look back on when I want a gauge to see how I’m doing. These milestones make the process more memorable.  What About You? Do you celebrate your own milestones? What kinds of rewards push you over the next hill? Whether you’re writing a novel, learning a language, or just tackling your TBR pile, I challenge you to mark those little wins. Share your favorite way to celebrate—big or small—in the comments below!

As for me? I’ll be enjoying cake and prepping my next big milestone for The 19th Prince. Here’s to every word, every moment, and all the small victories along the way.

Keep writing, keep celebrating, and—most importantly—don’t forget the cake.

Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy

What if everything you thought you knew about power was wrong? In most vampire stories, the power dynamic is clear: predator and prey, hunter and victim, the one who takes and the one who gives. But what if the real power doesn't lie with the one who appears strongest? What if true strength comes from the most unexpected place—vulnerability itself?

In "Blood Money," I wanted to explore a question that had been haunting me: why do things have to die for other things to live?

Even a cow eating grass kills the plant to survive. Okay, if you're going to be technical, yes, the cow doesn't eat the roots and the plant can grow back, but still, they can pull out the roots and they do kill a part of the grass that grows.

So a better question might be, why does survival require destruction?

What if there was a way to sustain life without taking it? What if that created an entirely different kind of relationship between giver and receiver?
The Science Behind the Connection This question led me down a fascinating path of biological reasoning. Blood carries oxygen to our bodies, flowing through the heart, the brain, delivering chemicals where they're needed. As it moves through these vital organs, wouldn't it also carry emotion? What if vampires (my Dracules) feel these emotions when they drink from a donor?

Suddenly, the traditional power dynamic flips entirely. The one who appears to be the victim (the blood doll) becomes the one who truly controls the experience. They don't just give sustenance, they give their entire emotional landscape. The vampire doesn't just take blood, they take on everything the donor feels. Miles' Moment of True Power There's a pivotal scene in "Blood Money" where Miles realizes the full extent of her power. She has Warren exactly where she wants him. He's bound by the blood connection to obey her commands. She could ask for anything, demand everything she's ever wanted. The information about her missing mother, protection, resources, it's all within her grasp.

But she doesn't take it.

Miles understands something profound: things taken by force only cause pain.

True power isn't about what you can force someone to do, it's about choosing not to use that force. She recognizes that Warren is compelled to obey her, and in that recognition, she finds her real strength—the strength to choose compassion over control. The Vulnerability Paradox This mirrors something I've discovered about writing itself. When we write stories, we're in the most vulnerable state possible. We're revealing parts of ourselves, exposing our thoughts, fears, hopes, and experiences for everyone to see. It can be terrifying to put that much of yourself out there.

But here's the paradox: that vulnerability becomes our strength. When "Blood Money" went out into the world, I felt proud of it because I'd done my research, measured my own experiences, and crafted something authentic. Even though it's part of me exposed for everyone to see, I do what I can to deliver an experience that resonates with readers. The vulnerability of sharing becomes the power to connect. Redefining Strength
Society often teaches us that strength means being invulnerable, untouchable, in control. But Miles shows us something different. Her strength lies in her willingness to feel deeply, to remain open despite being hurt, to choose kindness even when she has every reason to choose cruelty.

The blood dolls in my world aren't victims. They're the ones who hold the real power because they understand something the vampires have forgotten. True strength comes from connection, not domination.

When you can feel everything someone else experiences, when you carry their emotions in your blood, you develop an empathy that becomes unbreakable. The Power of Choice
What makes Miles truly powerful isn't her ability to control Warren through the blood connection—it's her choice not to abuse that control. Power without restraint is just tyranny. Power with compassion becomes something transformative.

This is why blood dolls hold the real power in my world. They've learned to find strength in vulnerability, to create connection through openness, to choose love over fear even when they've been given every reason to choose otherwise. The Real-World Application
We see this same dynamic in our own lives. The people who seem most powerful, who dominate, control, and take what they want, often end up isolated and empty. But those who dare to be vulnerable, who choose connection over control, who find strength in their willingness to feel deeply, they're the ones who create lasting change, meaningful relationships, and authentic impact.

Miles could have used her power to force Warren into compliance. Instead, she used it to create understanding. She could have demanded everything she wanted. Instead, she chose to earn it through trust.​ The Author's Vulnerability Writing "Blood Money" required me to explore my own relationship with power and vulnerability. After losing my husband Donald, I had to examine what real strength looked like in the face of devastating loss. Miles' journey became a reflection of my own. Learning that surviving trauma doesn't mean becoming invulnerable; it means learning to be strong enough to remain open to love, and living on.

Every time we share our stories, we're making the same choice Miles makes. We're choosing to be vulnerable in service of connection. We're trusting that our openness will create understanding rather than exploitation.​ The Revolution of Empathy In a world that often celebrates dominance over compassion, Miles represents a quiet revolution. She shows us that the real power lies not in what we can take, but in what we choose to give. Not in how much control we can exert, but in how much understanding we can create.

Blood dolls hold the real power because they've mastered the most difficult skill of all: being strong enough to stay soft, powerful enough to choose kindness, and brave enough to remain vulnerable. 

I have found that when you expose your openness, most people respond positively. I think the key is to present that vulnerability authentically. You might get rejection, but when you say this is who I am, my experiences have lead me here, people identify with it. 
The Choice Is Ours Miles' story asks us a fundamental question, what kind of power do we want to wield?

The power that dominates and controls, or the power that connects and heals? The strength that builds walls, or the strength that builds bridges?

In "Blood Money," the answer is clear. True power flows not from the one who takes, but from the one who chooses how much to give.

The blood dolls hold the real power because they understand the strongest force in any relationship is the choice to love despite the risk of being hurt.

And perhaps that's the most revolutionary idea of all. Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy

P.S. Blood Money is available at all the retailers and you can find your favorite one here: 
books2read.com/BloodMoney-PennScripter

What's After Blood Money? The confetti has settled, the release day posts have been shared, and "Blood Money" is officially out in the world. So what happens next?

​If you're expecting me to say I'm obsessively checking sales numbers and refreshing review pages every five minutes, you might be surprised by my answer. The Unconventional Post-Release Author I have a pretty unconventional way of handling releases, and I've learned to embrace it rather than fight it. While many authors describe release day as the beginning of an intense promotional period filled with anxiety and constant monitoring, for me, it's actually a moment of profound relief.

I tend to work incredibly hard on my stories as I go, pouring my heart into every scene, every character development, every world-building detail. By the time Carol and I finish a Penn Scripter collaboration like "Blood Money," we've lived and breathed that world for months. When it finally goes out into the world, there's this beautiful sense of completion, like we've done everything we could do, and now it's time to let it find its audience.
​The Beauty of Letting Go I follow the Art of Letting go. Do I check sales obsessively? Not really. What I've discovered is, if a book flies and resonates with readers, that makes me feel absolutely awesome. The emails from readers who connected with Miles and Warren, the reviews that mention how the Dracules mythology felt fresh and compelling are moments of pure magic.

But if a book doesn't take off the way I hoped?

It still has a place in my heart.

​I still love going back to that world by reading the paperback version. In fact, I re-read my own stories every couple of years, and there's something wonderful about revisiting characters and worlds I created. The Author's Dilemma of Loving Ones Work While Seeing Its Flaws Re-reading my own work isn't without its challenges. I'll be honest, sometimes I have thoughts of "I should have handled this scene better" or "I wish I'd explored that character's motivation more deeply."

It's the author's eternal dilemma. We see every missed opportunity, every path not taken.

What I've learned to love about those moments of "what if" is it gives me the chance to incorporate those missed avenues into other stories. That scene I wish I'd written differently in one book? It might find its perfect home in the next one. Those character dynamics I didn't fully explore? They might become the foundation for an entirely new story.
​The Daily Reality of Constant Creative Flux The transition from creation to promotion isn't a dramatic shift for me, it happens on a weekly basis. I'm in constant flux every day, moving from drafting to revising to plotting.

One day I'm deep in Warren's 200,000-year-old psyche, the next I'm plotting out a completely different world with entirely new characters. (Though I'll admit, I could definitely use some organization help with the promotional side of things! If anyone has mastered the art of seamless transitions between creative and marketing brain, I'm all ears.) The Magic of Collaboration Working with my mom Carol on our Penn Scripter stories adds another beautiful layer to this post-release reality.

Our collaboration process is so much fun. One of us writes the draft and the other revises. Sometimes I'll give my draft to mom and she'll make sure it's copy-edited before it goes to our editor. Other times, she'll draft a story and I'll weave in descriptions to bring in the right mood.

But once the two of us get going, we have such joy in exploring these worlds together. There's something magical about sharing the creative process with someone who understands your vision so completely. Even if we only write the stories for ourselves, family, and friends, the completion is a success for us.  The Unexpected Joy of Writing Faster Lately, I've been writing faster, and it's revealed something unexpected about my creative process. I used to write books over such long periods that by the time I finished, I was ready to move on to a completely different type of story. I was satisfied with my time in that world.

Now, as I'm writing faster, I'm finding I miss the worlds I've created. I want to stay longer, explore more characters, dig deeper into the mythology I've built. It's making me want to write more series so I can remain in these worlds that have captured my imagination.

It's funny how changing your process can reveal new aspects of your creativity. I'm discovering I have more stories in me than I ever realized.
​The Real Post-Release Reality So what really happens after release day?

For me, it's a mixture of relief, gratitude, and anticipation. Relief that the story is complete and out in the world. Gratitude for readers who connect with the characters and worlds Carol and I have created. Also,  anticipation for the next story, the next world, the next collaboration.

It's not about the numbers or the rankings or the promotional strategies (though those have their place). It's about the continuation of the creative journey.

"Blood Money" is out in the world now, but Miles and Warren's world is still alive in my imagination. The Brightwood Estate still has secrets to reveal. There are other characters in the shadows waiting for their stories to be told ("Clay" is fascinating, and only Miles can relate to a boy way beyond his young age).  The Author's Truth Here's what I want other authors to know: there's no "right" way to handle post-release life.

Some authors thrive on the promotional hustle, the constant engagement, the strategic marketing. Others, like me, find peace in the letting go, in trusting that the right readers will find the story when they need it.

Both approaches are valid. Both can lead to success. The key is understanding your own creative rhythm and honoring it, rather than trying to force yourself into someone else's post-release reality. What's Next As for what comes next in our Penn Scripter journey? Carol and I are already brainstorming. She's given me an outline that I'm exploring. We're talking about other characters in the "Blood Money" universe that want their stories told. We're exploring new worlds entirely, new mythologies to build, new characters to fall in love with.

Because the real magic of being an author are the stories never really end. They just find new ways to begin.

To my readers: Thank you for making "Blood Money" feel like the success it is, regardless of any numbers or metrics. Your enthusiasm for Miles and Warren's story, your curiosity about our unique mythology, your willingness to dive into worlds where love might just be the most dangerous magic of all is what makes this journey worthwhile.

To my fellow authors: however you handle your post-release reality, trust your process. Trust your instincts. Trust that your stories will find the readers who need them most. Because sometimes the most unconventional approach is exactly the right one.

Signing off with love and a bit of darkness.

Until next time...
...happy reading! 

~ Stephy

It's here! After sharing the world-building secrets, character reveals, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, "Blood Money" is finally in your hands!

Today marks the culmination of an incredible journey that my mom, Carol, and I have taken together under our pen name of Penn Scripter. Creating Miles and Warren's story has been one of our most rewarding collaborations yet, and we can't wait for you to dive into their dark, passionate world.

Now is the time to unveil the cover that captures their story!

​Isn't it stunning? Those gothic red wings, the dark roses, the elegant typography - everything about this cover screams the dark paranormal romance we've crafted. It perfectly represents the world where monsters aren't always villains and victims can hold the real power.
What Makes "Blood Money" Special? This isn't your typical vampire romance. We've created something entirely new with our Dracules - demons that possess souls and integrate so completely with their host's memories that they remember being human while battling their demonic nature.

Miles isn't just another blood doll. She's a survivor who's spent eight years searching for her missing mother, someone who discovers that her blood holds power she never imagined. When Dracules feed from her, they don't just take sustenance - they feel everything she experiences, creating a connection that flips the traditional power dynamic entirely.

Warren has spent 200,000 years seeking redemption, fighting hungers that could destroy everything he's worked to protect. When Miles crashes into his carefully controlled world, neither of them is prepared for the connection that sparks between them.

​Set in a world where college coffee shops hide vampire societies, where The Brightwood Estate exists as a living sanctuary between dimensions, and where blood carries more than just life - it carries essence, emotion, and the power to heal or destroy. A Taste of Miles and Warren's World ​Here's a glimpse into their story:
#element-96b0f2aa-a091-46ed-a20b-5b6fed676940 .colored-box-content { clear: both; float: left; width: 100%; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -ms-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; background-color: rgba(218,128,68,0.5); padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; -webkit-border-top-left-radius: 0px; -moz-border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 0px; -moz-border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; -moz-border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px;} My mother named me Chamomile, after the taste of my blood.

Even though she’d never tasted the red liquid running through my veins, they had. It was tradition for a creature like me to be named for how my blood bloomed over those monster’s tongues. That’s what I was told, anyway. It must be true since they called my mother Pepper. Pepper Eirian.

I lived in a little cage under a big house filled with screams. Until the day before my twelfth birthday, it was all I’d known.

“Miles, get up.” Mother shook me awake. She’d never called me Chamomile. Always Miles. I guessed because she didn’t like what my full name represented.

My eyes snapped open. “It’s not my day.”

Once a week, they would bite my arms, my neck, and my legs. Tomorrow was my day for the demons to feed. For them to drain the blood from my veins. For me to die of a thousand needles embedded in my flesh.

“Do you trust me?” Mother reached for me and pulled away the green army blanket serving as a comforter.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Her emancipated arms gathered me onto her chest, and I wrapped my spindly legs around her thin waist. The sheer, plain cream dress was my favorite because it had pockets. Pockets carried secrets. Secrets like candy, small toys, and even weapons like little knives.

Mother carried me past the door of my cage, and down the aisle of barred cells. Most the other rooms were empty. We passed by a moaning man, spread across his cot, recovering from the night before.

Fewer people than normal slept or recovered from the night before in their barred stalls. Even down in the cellar, I could hear the screeches over the music. The pleading and laughter. The smell. I didn’t want to find out where it came from.

My mother rushed through the hall and came to an abrupt halt. A door creaked, and Mother’s hands shook. I tried to look, but she pinned my chin to her shoulder so I couldn’t turn around.

“Eli…” she said. “Let me through.”

Eli Florentine. It took me long years of listening to snippets, but Eli was the head recruiter for regular blood slaves known as “drudges.” If one of the enclave members requested a certain blood type, Eli brought in the body. Not a dead one, but the person he brought might as well be. Even though I knew he was bad news, Eli was also the only one who hadn’t sunk his fangs into me.

Eli’s calm voice chilled the room. “Let me take her.”

“No!” Mother gripped me tighter and took a step back. She shuffled me to one arm, but I was too heavy for her to hold. I started sliding down her side.

Behind us, I saw a shadow, the outline of a man. I couldn’t make out much except blond hair, a shushing finger over his mouth, and blue eyes pleading for me to stay quiet.

“Momma—” I said.

“Liebling—” Eli began at the same time as he stretched a hand with clawlike nails toward me.

Soon as my feet hit the ground. Mother jerked her hand and pulled out a silver pen.

“Wait!” Eli threw up his hands, blocking his face. “Pepper! Don’t scare her!”

“How do you know what she’s feeling?” My mother bared her teeth. Her shaking hand holding mine tightened, promising she wouldn’t let me go. Her other hand aimed the pen level with his head.

“You’re spiraling.” He lowered his hands. “The others will know something’s wrong.” His eyes glittered. “I can take her and get her out safely.”

I held my mother’s waist and hid my face in her dress as I willed her to say no. I didn’t want to go with the demon.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Mother seethed. “How dare you touch my child!”

“Pepper, I wouldn’t—ahhh!” Eli threw up his hands as a beam of red light formed a dot over his fingers. Red light, thin as paper, split the darkness. Eli cursed and pushed his face to the wall, covering his left eye.

“Fine then, woman! I’ll do what I can.”

Mother ran with me in tow. We passed stairs, down the hallway. Down to a place I knew all too well.
They called it the medical bay. I called it hell. It held an empty counter, locked cabinets, and a table with straps to hold a “patient” down—for my safety, they said. I think they didn’t want me flailing and scratching their eyes out.

“Mama?”

She whipped us around a corner, knelt to my level, and put a finger to her mouth.

Wide-eyed I nodded.

A gust of wind passed by, and Pepper peeked around the corner. She led us through the dark hall into the one room I hated most of all. The flat metal table, now a bed of nails, stood in the middle of it. Using their sharp canines, demons had ripped into me here until I went unconscious. It was not my favorite room.

Before I could complain, Pepper pulled out folding stairs and set them under the slit of a window. She climbed the steps and pushed the glass pane. It opened, and she took a stuttering breath. “Thank all, he did it.”

An opening! We could escape!

She climbed down and knelt by my side. “Listen, Miles, you need to go now, okay?”

“But you’re coming too?” My hands cupped my mother’s face.

A great roar echoed off the walls, and thunder shook the house.

Mother wasted no time. She hauled me up the ladder and guided my head through the opening. The metal frame squeezed the sides of my face. It felt like getting a wind burn. My ears scraped against the window frame.

A door banged, and my mother’s hands were ripped away.

“Let her leave!” Mother cried.

I couldn’t turn to see even if I wanted to. My head remained pinned between the window frame. If they pulled me back, that might hurt. A lot.

I heard scuffling, and growls.

“Grab the child!” someone screeched. “The child!”

“No!” Eli roared. “It’s too dangerous for her to stay.”

With added effort, my head came free, but the rest of my body teetered inside. Someone shoved me through, the scraping of the window cutting into my chest, then my stomach, and finally my knees until I could claw the rest of the way through.

Long streaks of blood dripped from my head. My knees were scuffed, and the sharp metal in my shoulder ached where I’d squeezed through the window frame. The threadbare gown I wore, stained from grass and blood, felt paper thin against the cold autumn sky. Sunlight. A wash of white obliterated my sight.

“Momma…” I turned around and, in my illogical sense, made to pull my mom out of the hole that I had squeezed through. But I didn’t have time to hurt, to tend my wounds, or to help my mother.

“Miles, run!” Mother cried.

I’d never forget the terror in my mother’s eyes. Monsters swarmed, and as she reached for me, they engulfed her. Pepper was whisked away from sight and replaced by piercing blue eyes that scowled at me through the crack in the window.

“Do as she says, little morsel.” An old dagger and a brown paper bag were tossed my way.

​Fleeing wasn’t hard. Ashamed, I took the package and scrambled away without my mother. I did what she said and ran.
​Our Collaboration Journey
Working with my mom Carol on this story has been fun! Our Penn Scripter partnership allows us to blend our different perspectives and experiences, creating characters and worlds that feel authentic and emotionally resonant. Carol's insights into family dynamics and relationships, combined with my research into trauma and healing, gave Miles and Warren the psychological depth that makes their love story so compelling. Available Now "Blood Money" is available in both ebook and paperback formats wherever books are sold. Whether you're new to our Penn Scripter stories or you've been following our journey, we think you'll find something special in Miles and Warren's world. Amazon Amazon International All Other Retailers Thank you To everyone who's followed along with our character reveals, world-building posts, and behind-the-scenes content - thank you. Your enthusiasm and support have made this journey even more meaningful. We can't wait to hear what you think of Miles and Warren's story!

This is just the beginning of their world. There are more stories to tell, more characters to meet, and more secrets to uncover in the shadows where Dracules and blood dolls navigate the thin line between survival and love.

Welcome to the world of "Blood Money." Welcome to a place where monsters can be heroes, where victims hold the power, and where love might just be the most dangerous magic of all.

With love and a touch of darkness,

~ Stephy

Until next time...
...happy reading! 

In creating the world of "Blood Money," I faced a choice that would define everything: follow traditional vampire lore, or build something entirely new.
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I chose to build something new. And in doing so, I discovered that the most compelling monsters aren't the ones we fear—they're the ones we understand. Reimagining the Vampire: Meet the Dracules The most challenging aspect of creating my vampire world rules wasn't deciding whether to include garlic and stakes—it was asking why these elements existed in traditional lore and whether they made sense for the story I wanted to tell in today's world.

My vampires aren't traditional vampires at all. I call them Dracules, and they're something far more complex: demons that possess a soul and take over a person's life, integrating so completely with their host's memories and personality that they become something entirely new. They're not just monsters wearing human faces—they're beings caught between their demonic nature and human experience.

​This integration creates a psychological complexity that traditional vampires lack. A Dracule doesn't just feed on blood; they carry the weight of human memories, human relationships, human love. They remember being human, even as they struggle with their demonic needs. How do you hate a monster who remembers loving their children? How do you fear a predator who grieves for the life they lost? The Innovation That Changed Everything: Vampires Who Feel The concept that Dracules feel everything their blood donors experience came from a moment of pure inspiration. I was thinking about the traditional vampire-victim dynamic and realized the power dynamic wasn't one-sided. Blood carries more than just sustenance—it carries essence, personality, emotion.

It's the same phenomenon we see when a heart transplant recipient who was vegetarian suddenly craves meat, or when they develop new preferences that mirror their donor's. Blood doesn't just nourish the body; it carries traces of who we are. In my world, when a Dracule feeds, they don't just take blood—they absorb pieces of their donor's soul, their emotions, their very essence.

This single rule transforms everything. Feeding becomes intimate, vulnerable, dangerous for both parties. A Dracule can't simply take—they must experience their donor's fear, pain, pleasure, emotions. They become connected in ways that blur the line between predator and prey.

​For blood dolls like Miles, this creates incredible power. She's not just a victim—she's someone who can influence, control, even heal the very beings who feed from her. The traditional power dynamic is completely flipped. The "victim" holds the real power, and the "monster" becomes dependent, vulnerable, almost human. When Your Setting Becomes a Character: The Brightwood Estate One of my favorite world-building choices was making The Brightwood Estate a living being with its own mind and will. Why not have a house or mansion with a life of its own? Why not make the scenery itself a character?
The Brightwood Estate isn't just Warren's home—it's a sanctuary that exists between dimensions, a place where demons can meet angels, where broken beings can find refuge. The mansion chooses who enters, who stays, who heals. It has opinions, preferences, protective instincts.
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This creates such rich storytelling possibilities. The house can be an ally, offering comfort and safety. It can be an obstacle, refusing entry to those it deems dangerous. It can be a plot device, opening portals or hiding secrets. But most importantly, it becomes a character readers can connect with—a nurturing presence in a world full of darkness. Balancing Tradition with Innovation Creating a new mythology doesn't mean abandoning everything that came before. I wanted to honor traditional vampire lore while finding scientific or realistic explanations for why these elements might exist in today's world.

Stakes and garlic aren't just random weaknesses—they're tools that work for specific, logical reasons within my world's rules. Holy water isn't magic—it's a substance that affects demons in ways that make sense within the mythology I've created. Every traditional element either serves the story or gets reimagined into something that does.

​This balance allows readers familiar with vampire lore to feel grounded while discovering something entirely new. They can recognize the familiar while being surprised by the fresh perspective. The Psychology of Sympathetic Monsters What I discovered in building this world is that the most compelling monsters aren't the ones we fear—they're the ones we understand. When a Dracule struggles with their demonic nature while carrying human memories, they become relatable. When they feel everything their donors feel, they become vulnerable. When they seek redemption while battling their own darkness, they become sympathetic.
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Miles and Warren aren't just supernatural beings—they're individuals shaped by trauma, driven by love, seeking connection despite their fears. Their supernatural abilities don't make them less human; they make their humanity more precious. Creating Moral Complexity In traditional vampire stories, the lines are clear: vampires are evil, humans are good, stakes solve problems. But real life isn't that simple, and neither should our monsters be.

In the world of "Blood Money," blood dolls can be both victims and controllers. Dracules can be both predators and protectors. Angels can make demands that seem cruel. Demons can seek redemption. The Brightwood Estate can offer sanctuary while hiding dangerous secrets.

​This moral complexity creates space for characters to grow, change, and surprise both themselves and readers. It allows for redemption arcs, moral dilemmas, and the kind of character development that makes readers care about supernatural beings as if they were real people. Why World-Building Matters Every rule I created for the "Blood Money" world serves the story I wanted to tell: that love is possible even in darkness, that redemption is available even for monsters, that power isn't always what it seems, and that the most dangerous thing isn't supernatural abilities—it's the choice to remain closed off from connection.
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The world-building isn't just backdrop; it's the foundation that makes Miles and Warren's love story possible. Without Dracules who feel everything, their connection couldn't develop. Without blood dolls who hold real power, Miles couldn't be Warren's equal. Without The Brightwood Estate as sanctuary, they couldn't find safety to heal. The Magic of Making Monsters Human What I learned in creating this world is that the most powerful magic isn't supernatural at all—it's the moment when a reader sees a monster and thinks, "I understand you." When you see a demon seeking redemption and think, "I've felt that way too." When you see two broken beings choosing love despite fear and think, "That's what courage looks like."

That's the world I built for "Blood Money"—one where monsters aren't always villains, where victims can be heroes, where houses can love, and where the most dangerous thing you can do is open your heart to someone who might break it. Coming July 31st ​"Blood Money" releases July 31st, and I can't wait for you to explore this world where nothing is quite what it seems, where traditional rules don't apply, and where love might just be the most powerful magic of all.
Because sometimes the best monsters are the ones who remind us what it means to be human.
Until next time...
...happy reading!

​~ Stephy

When I sat down to write Miles and Warren's story, I didn't expect my own grief journey to become the roadmap for their healing. But sometimes life gives us exactly the experiences we need to tell the stories that matter most. When Loss Becomes Your Teacher In February 2024, I lost my husband Donald. What followed was a crash course in grief psychology that no amount of research could have prepared me for. The funeral home sent me an email chain about how grief affects people differently yet is weirdly, consistent—how we all feel lost during that time, how healing isn't linear, how some days you can barely remember to pay the bills while other days you surprise yourself with your own strength.
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That listlessness, that trouble caring about reality when you're drowning in loss—I lived it. I'm still living it. There are days when the simplest tasks feel impossible, when moving forward seems pointless. But as I wrote Miles' story, I found myself putting into her what I wished I could have had the motivation to do. She kept going despite her profound loss. She always had her "stuff" together, somewhat. She was the version of strength I was reaching for. Miles: The Survivor I Wished I Could Be Miles has spent eight years searching for her mother—eight years of not giving up, of pushing forward despite trauma, of maintaining her determination even when the world felt impossible. Writing her gave me a way to explore what resilience could look like, what it meant to channel grief into purpose.

Her philosophy—"true friends stab you from the front"—came from understanding that when you've lost everything, honesty becomes sacred. You can't afford pretty lies when you're barely surviving. Miles' suspicious nature, her difficulty trusting, her need to stay in control—these weren't just character traits. They were survival mechanisms I recognized from my own journey through loss. Warren: The Ancient Grief That Mirrors Our Own Warren's 200,000-year quest for redemption initially seemed like pure fantasy. But as I wrote him, I realized his journey mirrored something deeply human about grief and love. Everything he's done for millennia has been about connection, about finding his way back to that moment of peace he felt with the angel Mikael, about keeping love alive despite the darkness.

The parallel hit me one day while writing─all the things I did for Donald were to keep us together. Every doctor's appointment, every small gesture of care, every moment of fighting for our relationship—it was all about preserving connection. Warren's endless search for redemption is the same impulse stretched across centuries. We do everything we can to keep love alive, even when—especially when—it seems impossible. The Psychology of Broken Characters Who Choose Love What I learned from both personal experience and research is that trauma doesn't make us weak—it makes us complex. Miles can survive being drained of blood, but she struggles to trust. Warren can open portals between dimensions, but he can't understand why someone would love him. They're both incredibly powerful and deeply vulnerable, just like real people navigating real loss.

The funeral home's wisdom about grief affecting everyone differently yet the same became the foundation for how I wrote their healing. There's no timeline for getting better, no checklist for moving forward. Some days you're strong enough to fight vampires. Other days you can barely get out of bed. Both are valid parts of the journey. Writing as Healing Creating Miles and Warren didn't cure my grief—nothing can do that. But it gave me a way to explore what healing might look like, what it means to choose love despite loss, what redemption could feel like for someone who's been broken by life.

Their story became a safe space to examine the hardest questions, How do you love again after loss? How do you find meaning when everything feels meaningless? How do you keep going when stopping would be easier? Why Broken Characters Resonate I think readers connect with flawed, traumatized characters because they reflect our own experiences with loss and healing. We've all felt like Miles at some point—searching for something we've lost, not sure if we'll ever find it. We've all had Warren moments—wondering if we're worthy of love, if redemption is possible, if the things we've done can ever be forgiven.

"Blood Money" isn't just about vampires and blood dolls. It's about two people who've been shaped by trauma, who've learned to survive in a world that's hurt them, and who have to decide whether love is worth the risk of being hurt again. The Truth About Redemption What I've learned, both from writing this story and living through grief, is that redemption isn't about forgetting the past or pretending the trauma never happened. It's about transforming pain into purpose, loss into love, survival into strength.

Miles and Warren don't get healed by falling in love—they get healed by choosing to be vulnerable with each other despite their fear. They learn that being broken doesn't make you unworthy of love, it makes you human.

And maybe that's the most important psychology lesson of all. We're all a little broken, we're all searching for something, and we're all worthy of love—especially when we can't see it ourselves. Coming July 31st "Blood Money" releases July 31st, and I can't wait for you to meet Miles and Warren. Their story is dark, steamy, and ultimately hopeful—a reminder that even in our brokenness, we can choose love, choose healing, choose each other.

Because sometimes the most powerful magic isn't supernatural at all. Sometimes it's just two broken people deciding they're worth fighting for.

The most dangerous hungers aren't always for foodWhat happens when a 21-year-old blood doll who's spent eight years searching for her missing mother collides with an ancient being who's been fighting his own demons for millennia? You get "Blood Money" – the upcoming paranormal romance that explores the thin line between salvation and damnation.Meet MilesMakayla "Miles" Evans isn't your typical college student. By day, she attends classes and tries to blend in. By night, she sells her blood to wannabe vampires – not because she wants to, but because she's searching for something far more dangerous than fake fangs and theatrical blood lust.

Miles is what's known as a "blood doll" – someone whose blood has... unique properties. She escaped a nightmare at thirteen, leaving behind her mother and a world she's spent eight years trying to find her way back to.

Armed with martial arts training, a suspicious nature, and the philosophy that "true friends stab you from the front," she's determined to rescue the one person who matters most.

But Miles has no idea that her blood holds power she's never imagined, or that her quest is about to drag her into a war between forces that have been battling since the dawn of time.
Enter WarrenThen there's Warren Coroner – a man who appears to be a wealthy, eccentric CEO but harbors secrets that run deeper than the ocean trenches. He's ancient, powerful, and fighting hungers that could destroy everything he's worked to protect. Warren has spent lifetimes seeking redemption for past sins, and he's learned that some thirsts can never truly be quenched.
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When Miles crashes into Warren's carefully controlled world, neither of them is prepared for the connection that sparks between them. She's everything he should avoid – young, reckless, and carrying the kind of blood that could drive him over the edge he's spent centuries walking. A World Where Nothing Is What It Seem
"Blood Money" takes place in a world where:Vampires feel everything their blood donors feelBlood dolls can control the very creatures that feed from themAncient beings walk among college students and coffee shop regularsThe line between monster and savior depends entirely on perspective
​This isn't just a story about supernatural creatures – it's about two people who've been shaped by trauma, driven by love, and forced to confront the question: Is redemption possible for those who've done the unforgivable?Behind the ScenesWriting "Blood Money" has been an incredible journey into the psychology of survival and the complexity of power dynamics. I wanted to explore what happens when someone who's been used and controlled discovers they actually hold the power – and what that means for both predator and prey.
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The research into blood addiction, survivor psychology, and the mythology of redemption has been both challenging and rewarding. Creating characters who are simultaneously vulnerable and dangerous, broken and strong, has pushed me as a writer in the best possible way.Coming July 31st, 2025"Blood Money" will be available July 31st, 2025, and I can't wait for you to meet Miles and Warren. Their story is dark, steamy, and ultimately about finding light in the most unexpected places.

​If you love paranormal romance with complex characters, morally gray situations, and the kind of tension that makes you forget to breathe, this one's for you.

Want to stay updated on "Blood Money" and get exclusive sneak peeks? Join my newsletter for behind-the-scenes content, character insights, and release day surprises!S.N. McKibben Superfans

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