Every one in awhile you come across a story that scares you, yet you can't put it down. That is what Sharon Donovan has done. Scare me to death!
Imagine if you found out you had just married a serial killer. What would you do?????


How would you feel if you realized you had just married a serial killer?

I would like to explore some of the most famous serial killers of our time and their psychological backgrounds. Serial killers are deeply disturbed individuals. What do Charlie Manson, Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer have in common? Childhood abuse seems to play a significant role in the destruction of their psyche. According to psychologists, if a child is traumatized before the age of twelve, it can cause irreparable damage. Even though a child that has been abused may block it out by dissociating, the trauma festers in the darkest recesses of the mind and can cause the mind to corrupt and can create the very horror we know as a serial killer.

Who could forget Charlie Manson and the Manson murders? The book Helter Skelter still gives me the wee willies. What could have caused this monster to orchestrate such a string of violence that still shocks and horrifies society several decades later? He was neglected as a child and did not know who his biological father was and suffered from severe psychological problems as a result. During a prison interview, Manson said that his mother beat him up and stole money from him, and he in turn, beat her back.

Ted Bundy was plagued with fear and self-doubt from the sixth grade into high school and college. He was a very disturbed individual, and evidence suggests his trauma began when he learned his sister was his mother. The aura surrounding Ted Bundy is still a mystery to this day. How could he lead such a double life? A family man and a demented killer?

Then there is Jeffery Dohmer. He had parents that loved him yet he still grew up to be one of the most repulsive killers of our time. Why? What would cause a seemingly normal child to become so violent? What would cause him to do unspeakable things to his victims yet show no shame or remorse?

For whatever reason, morbid curiosity or wanting to figure out the puzzle, serial killers draw us in. We want to read about them, talk about them, study them. I am no exception. The mind fascinates me. It’s a tricky faux. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. I took psychology classes for this very reason, to get into the mind of a killer. And once I had all my research and notes in short order, I created my most complex character to date. Michael DeVeccio is a cold-blooded killer in my newly released novel Mask of the Betrayer. In this psychological thriller, I take the reader on an incredible journey of one man’s life and the destruction of his psyche. What could have caused an innocent blue-eyed boy to grow up to become the most chilling serial killer of his time?

Michael DeVeccio is a sociopath. He is highly intelligent, devastatingly handsome and charismatic. He is sole beneficiary to a billion dollar dynasty and rules the world with absolute power. Yet if anyone dares and betrays him, he will kill them with a sword and shroud their corpse in a macabre skull mask with no remorse. He has the right to decide who will live and who will die. Something so traumatic happened in Michael’s life at the age of twelve, causing him to totally dissociate and lose his identity. Michael fell victim to a domineering uncle, a feared and revered leader of organized crime who trained his nephew to be his number one assassin. I hope you will enjoy reading Mask of the Betrayer as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here is a blurb and excerpt.


Mask of the Betrayer
Sharon Donovan

Gothic Comments
Fiction-Psychological thriller/suspense
Whimsical Publications,
LLC/paperback 282 pages
April 2010
$13.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-06-7

Blurb
When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim? Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare. Suspecting her affair with Carlos, he had surveillance equipment installed all over the mansion. Once he showed her the very graphic video of her and his uncle going a tit in the satin-lined coffin, he’d used it to his advantage.
Michael suspected his uncle knew more about his parents’ accident than he’d let on, but couldn’t prove a thing. Desperate to uncover the truth, Michael blackmailed Candace into getting Carlos to confess on tape. If she failed, she’d be killed. Stuck between a rock and a hard spot, Candace had done things to the old coot that disgusted even her. But those things had made the old man sing like a canary and the taped confession had saved her life. After her mission was a done deal, Michael kicked her out of Vegas and told her if she ever returned, he would rip her lungs out.

Monsters Comments

Excerpt
Reaching Carlos DeVeccio’s bedroom, she got a little thrill as old memories surfaced.
Just a few more seconds and she’d fall into the arms of her lover. She smiled to herself. She had returned to Vegas for a reason. She was flat broke. But after tonight, Michael would be her ticket back into the world of luxury. Then she’d be mistress of the manor once more. And more to the point, she’d have access to his billion dollar bank roll. With a devious smile, she pushed her way through the heavy mahogany door.
Crossing the threshold, she entered the house of horrors. Carlos DeVeccio had been a real nut, one straight out of the books. But with her fetish for face masks, she loved his collection and had often come into his wing just to admire them. What a thrill it had been to have sex in the coffin, howling along with the werewolf. Some might think it a bit kinky, but they didn’t know what they were missing. Calling out to her lover, her pulse quickened a beat. “Michael? Are you here yet, darling?”That’s when she heard it, manic laughter from the final circle of hell. A slither of fear trickled down her spine, releasing a wild rush of adrenaline. Carlos? She thought about the death of Lacy Diamond. Two Ninja assassinations were no coincidence. Sensing danger, she felt for her sword. It was gone. Panic soared through her. Where the hell was it? The laughter got louder and louder, moving in closer and closer. It seemed to be bouncing off the walls. She couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming. Just then, the bell in the tower gonged, thundering off the walls like canon balls. Instinctively, she covered her ears with her hands. Where the hell was Michael?
Evil eyes from the face masks followed her every move. She had to escape this hell before it was too late. She couldn’t think over the gonging of the bell. Every few seconds, the werewolf howled at the moon. She screamed, even though she knew no one would ever hear her. Floundering in wild disarray, disoriented by the darkness and relentless gonging, she searched in vain for the door. Her arms swam in mid-air, like a person drowning, desperate for an anchor, something to hold onto. She reached out and grabbed at nothing. She had to find a way out of this mausoleum of the living dead before it was too late. Where the hell was Michael?
The laughter got closer. Perspiration drenched her skin. The chilling laughter echoed in her ears, louder and louder, closer and closer. The bell in the bell tower broke through the thin filament of sanity she had left. The werewolf open his mouth and howled at the moon. Where was Michael? He’d know what to do. He was a master. His fencing skills were extraordinary. He could wield a Ninja star with his eyes closed and hit the mark. Where was he?
Blood thundered in her ears, but not loud enough to block out the manic laughter. It was close but she couldn’t see a thing. She wished she had her sword. She turned to run; it was too late. She heard a distinct click. The killer had just depressed the button on her Zorro sword, releasing the thirty-seven inch blade. His psychotic laughter reached an ear-splitting crescendo just as the bell in the tower gonged out its last chime. From the dark shadows, Valentino pounced, her Zorro sword gleaming in the moonlight.
“Surprise!” he thrust the sword into her heart. “I promised to make you scream, darling Candace. Let me hear you scream.”

Thanks for a great preview Sharon welcome to the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers Blog, we are so proud to have you here.
We hope you have the best of luck with a wonderful tale. Just don't shut out the lights please!!
Monsters Comments


MASK OF THE BETRAYER
AVAILABLE NOW!
Whimsical Publications, LLC
www.whimsicalpublications.com

Gothic Comments
BUY LINK:
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

print and ebook once it's available:
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html

29 comments

  1. Hywela Lyn // May 12, 2010 at 5:24 AM  

    Hi Mary and Sharon and the Pink fuzzy Slipper Writers.

    Congratulations again on this fantastic story, Sharon, and for the fascinating insight into the mind of a psychopath.

  2. Patrice Wilton // May 12, 2010 at 8:15 AM  

    Wow - very scary! Sounds like a great book, and I just love serial killers - twisted, right? But they are fascinating, that's for sure.
    Good luck. Loved the post.

  3. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 8:19 AM  

    Hi Mary and the Pink Fuzzy Slippers! Thanks for having me here today, Mary! I'm looking forward to a lively discussion? Imagine the man of your dreams turning out to be one of the most chilling killers of his time. What would you do? After a whirlwind romance, Margot marries Michael. He whisks her off to a romantic Tuscan honeymoon for one month. He wines her and dines her. But once they return, look out. She falls from grace and the things he does to her are unspeakable! I hope you enjoy reading my debut suspense book.
    Sharon

  4. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 8:23 AM  

    Hi Lyn, thank you so much for your warm wishes! The mind certainly fascinates me and always has. What is it about serial killers that draw us in?
    Sharon

  5. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 8:26 AM  

    Hi Patrice! So you are like me, huh? Drawn in and fascinated by twisted minds and what makes them tick? I love profiling and can never get enough of the media or suspense books about serial killers. What is it about them that makes us trust them?
    Sharon

  6. Bekki Lynn // May 12, 2010 at 8:47 AM  

    Oh, I will definitely have to check out your books, Sharon. I love serial killers. The suspense, the profiling and all of it. It's fascinating to try and figure out their twisted minds. And I love having the blood rush and being scared. lol

  7. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 10:10 AM  

    Hi Bekki Lynn, oh another suspense fan! I love it. You are so right. I think it's the spike of adrenaline we get, trying to stay one step ahead of the madman. Who will he get next? What has caused him to do such acts of violence? It's such a puzzle and keeps my mind racing. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy Mask of the Betrayer.
    Sharon
    p.s. Although it could be a woman, according to statistics, very few women are serial killers. Interesting.

  8. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 10:17 AM  

    Didn't Mary do a fantastic job of decorating? Thank you, Mary! Ooo just like the masquerade ball featured in the grand ballroom in Mask of the Betrayer. Speaking of which, I would like to give a prize to one lucky commenter. A feather Mardi Gras mask that is worn by one of the guests in my book! You know Halloween and all those fun masquerade parties are just around the bend. Now's your chance to win one.

    Sharon

  9. Judith Keim // May 12, 2010 at 11:10 AM  

    Oooh, Sharon! Your book sounds so scary. I probably wouldn't sleep for months after reading it. I love that you've done all the research on it, because I've known of a couple of bad characters and, sure enough, abuse was in their childhood.

  10. Mary Ricksen // May 12, 2010 at 11:33 AM  

    An amazing story and a real character arc, that thrills.
    Sharon you rock!

  11. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 11:38 AM  

    Judy, aw, but you know there has to be a sexy homicide detective to come to the rescue
    for the heroine! What kind of a romance writer would I be if I killed off the heroine?
    And as perfectly groomed as Michael is, Diego is a streety cop with a "Don't mess
    with me attitude" and goes after the smug billionaire with both barrels blazing!
    Sharon

  12. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 11:40 AM  

    Thanks, Mary! You did a marvelous job decorating the hall, dah ling!
    Sharon

  13. Mary Marvella // May 12, 2010 at 2:17 PM  

    Welcome, Sharon! If a killer looks like a killer, where's the mystery? Even if I know the truth, I want the heroine to wonder.

    Your blog is thought provoking and scary because it's so real.

  14. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 2:33 PM  

    Hi Mary, thanks for the warm welcome! How true. If a killer had the "Mad" look of a paranoid schizophrenic, no woman in her right mind would lust after him. LOL But the thing about Michael in my novel is the way he manipulates people into doing exactly what he wants for his own gain. He has an uncanny knack for zeroing in on a person's achilles heel and is master at the game!
    Sharon

  15. Mary Ricksen // May 12, 2010 at 3:00 PM  

    Well I for one am glad I didn't marry him. Wait, no, could they be relatives???

  16. Beth Trissel // May 12, 2010 at 4:44 PM  

    Wow, what a fascinating post and novel. This really sounds good.

  17. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 4:46 PM  

    LOL Mary. Be very glad indeed. Thank God for romantic heroes, huh? Diego Santiago to the rescue. He falls in love with Margot while investigating her husband.

  18. Tiffany Green // May 12, 2010 at 4:48 PM  

    How chilling! You have a great story, Sharon, and I am looking forward to reading it. In my forthcoming second Regency historical, Innocence Avenged, I have a serial killer on the loose. I must be morbid, but they are a bit fun to write.

  19. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 4:55 PM  

    Hi Beth, glad you enjoyed the post! I could go on and on with it. LOL

  20. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 5:01 PM  

    Tiffany! Chilling indeed. And I couldn't agree more. Serial killers are a bit fun to write about, aren't they? As long as they stay in the pages of the book. LOL! Mask of the Betrayer isn't all morbid, though. It has its fair share of romance and love scenes. Wink!

  21. Maeve Greyson // May 12, 2010 at 6:57 PM  

    Wow! This sounds like one of those books I'd devour from cover to cover without stopping to take a break. Best of luck to you! Great post.

  22. Sharon Donovan // May 12, 2010 at 7:28 PM  

    Hi Maeve, thank you so much. I love suspense books too! They are my genre of addiction. And if you are looking for a book to devour with lots of suspense, Mask of the Betrayer promises to deliver. And it's on sale for the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications.
    www.whimsicalpublications.com
    Happy Reading,
    Sharon

  23. Sharon Donovan // May 13, 2010 at 3:02 AM  

    I would like to thank Mary and The Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers for having me as their
    guest. Mary, you are simply the best! You rock girlfriend and sister hostess! Loved
    the masquerade party decorations. Now for the prize to one commenter:
    Bekki Lynn wins a featured feather mask from Mask of the Betrayer. Congratulations,
    Bekki! Please contact me at
    sharonad@comcast.net
    Happy Reading. And for all you suspense lovers, Mask of the Betrayer is on sale for
    the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications
    www.whimsicalpublications.com
    And don't forget to enter my Zorro contest for a chance to win a deluxe cape and
    jeweled clip for your upcoming masquerade party or Halloween party. Details on my
    website.
    www.sharonadonovan.com
    Until next time, may the luck of the Irish be with you as you travel through life.
    Love and Blessings and Happy Reading!
    Sharon

  24. Anonymous // May 13, 2010 at 8:52 AM  

    Just gives me the shivers. I can't even read the real stuff, wouldn't be able to sleep at night. My mother reads all those true books and then lends them to me. I keep them for a short while and then give back. I read the back so I know kind of what the story is about. Brrrrrrrr. Great blog and the book sounds great. (I just noticed I am signed in as my son Zach - but it's really me, Patsy)

  25. Rebecca J. Clark // May 13, 2010 at 4:13 PM  

    I MUST read this book. I'm a sucker for anything serial killer. Probably because I had one in my family. This book sounds fantastic.

    :)Becky

  26. Sharon Donovan // May 13, 2010 at 5:36 PM  

    Hi Patsy, glad to know it's you. I'm sorry you are afraid of thrillers. I grew up with them and love them to death! LOL

  27. Sharon Donovan // May 13, 2010 at 5:38 PM  

    Hi Becky, oh wow, a serial killer in your family for real! Now that's scary. I think you will enjoy reading Mask of the Betrayer. You must let me know. Thanks, Becky.
    Sharon

  28. Mary Ricksen // May 13, 2010 at 9:28 PM  

    I was afraid when I was a kid. I couldn't even listen to the music from Twilight Zone or Outer Limits, it scared me to death.
    But now...Bring it on!!!!! Looking forward to a great read Sharon!
    Like all your other stories.

  29. Josie // May 15, 2010 at 9:41 AM  

    Yikes! Interesting and thought-provoking post, Mary.

    Thanks for sharing Sharon's new story.