Beware the Jabberwocky

When I first thought on ideas for Kate's post, the Jabberwocky was the first to pop into my head. (I always seem to migrate to the baddies.) I didn't know what to ask for though. So I tossed a few ideas at Kate and when it came to the Jabberwocky she was excited.  And I'm thrilled she jumped at the idea!

Please welcome Kate and her Jabberwocky.

Beware the Jabberwocky

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!”

– Lewis Carroll

I don’t remember how old I was when I first read Lewis Carroll’s poem Jabberwocky. But I remember the assignment I was given – draw a picture of what we thought the creature looked like.

Well, considering the poem was intentionally nonsensical, there wasn’t really a whole lot to go on. What we knew: he has jaws and claws to be feared, eyes of flame, and that he “burbles.” In my mind’s eye, I pictured the monster as a little bit chupacabra, a little bit hellhound from Ghostbusters.

And that image stuck with me.

When I started writing my Transplanted Tales series, one of the first creatures that came to mind was the Jabberwocky. In fact, in the beginning of RED, Tess “Red’ Little mentions Jabberwocky as a possible suspect in the gruesome murders plaguing the Tales: “Last time I brought him in, he was sucking out goat brains in rural Texas and scaring the hell out of the locals who swore up and down they were being attacked by a chupacabra” (RED, Chapter 2).

Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out a way to work him into that book—or the two subsequent books. But when I started writing GRIMM CONSEQUENCES, I decided it was time to have Nate and Tess to face off against a fabled Tale monster, and not one that was just a shape-shifter or were.

Once again, though, I didn’t have anything to really go on in creating him, which was great on one hand because it gave me complete creative freedom. But it also was a bit frustrating as I wasn’t quite sure what to add to make him a creature that would cause even Nate Grimm to get a little nervous. I hope readers will shiver just a little when they encounter my version of the Jabberwocky.

Here is a little sneak peek at what you can expect:

“My head snapped in the direction she’d indicated, and I saw Eddie and Gran lying on the ground, unconscious. Then I heard the hiss. It was a strangely undulating sound, almost a buzz. I squinted into the shadows, trying to make it out. My eyes widened as the thing slowly came forward, its misshapen head a cross between that of a goat and a dog. Spikes protruded down its warty back, and rancid green pus oozed from its mouth. A long, reptilian tongue slid between putrid lips to reveal a horrifying maw of jagged teeth as it licked the pus away with a wet slurping that made bile rise in the back of my throat. 

But more than anything, I was worried about its claws. Each talon was a poisoned dart that it could launch at its prey, and I knew from experience how deadly those bastards could be.

“Jabberwocky,” I breathed.

Jabberwocky is definitely a force to be reckoned with in GRIMM CONSEQUENCES, and one that Nate will have to face off against more than once to protect the people he cares about.

*****GIVEAWAY*****

Kate is offering a giveaway:

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Grimm Consequences

You reap what you sow...

Saying Nate Grimm has a dark past is an understatement. Fortunately, no one's bothered to look too closely at the Fairytale Management Authority's lead detective and part-time Reaper. And that's the way Nate wants to keep it. For after centuries of torment and loneliness, he's finally found happiness with the hot and hard-charging love of his life, Tess "Red" Little.

Of course, his love for Tess is the reason there's a posse of Reaper judges after him, led by a sadistic bastard acquainted with Nate from once upon a time. Now, Tess will pay the price for Nate's transgressions unless Nate severs his ties to the transplanted Tales--and Tess--forever. His enemy has the advantage in speed, malice and brutality. But the Reapers have underestimated the depth of Nate's love and devotion. And the fury of his wrath. . . . 

Author Bio:
Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) faithfully watched weekend monster movie marathons while growing up, each week hoping that maybe this time the creature du jour would get the girl. But every week she was disappointed. So when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed that her characters would always have a happily ever after. And, thus, her love for paranormal romance was born.

Kate is the author of the award-winning Transplanted Tales series, available from Kensington Books. She lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project.

Author Links:
Site:  Kate SeRine
Twitter:  @KateSeRine
Facebook:  Kate SeRine

Purchase Books: (click the image to go to Amazon)