Please help me welcome author Dina Rae, who is here today to talk about her new book, Bad Juju.
Title: Bad Juju
Author: Dina Rae
Genre: Dark, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal,
Romance, Suspense, Thriller, Young-Adult, (R-Rated although teens would love
it)
Publisher: Amazon
Ebook
Words: 93,000
Lucien
Nazaire flees his Haitian homeland and meanders around the United States Wisconsin trailer park filled with elderly tenants. He meets Jake, his teenage neighbor, and
hires him for odd household jobs. As
their relationship progresses, Lucien invites the boy into the world of Voodoo.
Jake LaRue
lives in foster care with his abusive uncle.
The Voodoo lessons give him a sense of power within an otherwise
helpless situation. Although the boy is
a loner, he feels an instant connection with his classmate, Henry, and
introduces him to Lucien.
Henry Novak
has Asperger’s Syndrome. He fixates on
historical events, most recently the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Like Jake, he becomes passionate about the
dark side of Voodoo. They learn how to
cast spells on those they hate and lust, leading up to dire consequences.
Several
months after the Haitian earthquake, Henry convinces his family to volunteer
with their church in the island's reconstruction. Their mission turns into a nightmare when he
mysteriously walks off of the campsite.
Bad Juju is a
balance of horror, romance, and literary fiction intended for ages fifteen and
up. Research about the Voodoo religion,
shapeshifting, zombies, and possession and themes of redemption and loneliness
emerge throughout the plot.
1. Can you tell us about the book in 160 words or less?
An old Haitian bokor mentors two teens in the dark
arts. Their spells of romance and
revenge backfire. Bad Juju is a blend of horror, romance, and suspense intended for
mature teens and adults. The plot is
loaded with Voodoo research, shapeshifting, zombies, and demonic possession.
2. If you could take 3 things with you to a deserted island,
what would they be? A watch, the kind that you wind. I have to know the time. My dog, if she is considered a thing. She’s so beautiful and smart. I included her in my author pic. Sunscreen.
3. Who was the most difficult character to write? Lucien
Nazaire, the Haitian bokor, was the most difficult. I had nothing to draw from-never been to
Haiti and do not know any Haitians.
Relied on my research and imagination to paint a portrait of both a
protagonist and villain. Wanted to show
that we all are possible of good and evil.
4. Who was the easiest character to write? Henry Novak was based on my own experience
with autistic students. I was a special
education teacher. Especially found
their social skills an interesting mix into the high school dynamic.
1. Can you tell us about the book in 160 words or less?
An old Haitian bokor mentors two teens in the dark
arts. Their spells of romance and
revenge backfire. Bad Juju is a blend of horror, romance, and suspense intended for
mature teens and adults. The plot is
loaded with Voodoo research, shapeshifting, zombies, and demonic possession.
2. If you could take 3 things with you to a deserted island,
what would they be? A watch, the kind that you wind. I have to know the time. My dog, if she is considered a thing. She’s so beautiful and smart. I included her in my author pic. Sunscreen.
3. Who was the most difficult character to write? Lucien
Nazaire, the Haitian bokor, was the most difficult. I had nothing to draw from-never been to
Haiti and do not know any Haitians.
Relied on my research and imagination to paint a portrait of both a
protagonist and villain. Wanted to show
that we all are possible of good and evil.
4. Who was the easiest character to write? Henry Novak was based on my own experience
with autistic students. I was a special
education teacher. Especially found
their social skills an interesting mix into the high school dynamic.
5. How did you come up with the title and book cover? Bad Juju is a Voodoo version of bad karma. Kind of a “bad luck, but you deserve it” type
of inference. My daughter, Juliet, has
been called Juju since she was a baby. Way
of honoring my kids as well. My other
daughter’s name was in my novel, The Last
Degree.
6. What was the most interesting thing you learned while
writing the book? The spiritual
possession was amazing. Worshipers could
swallow fire and walk on hot coals without any physical harm or speak languages
they never heard before or walk/dance/run when physically riddled with
ailments. The zombification process was
equally as fascinating.
7. What new upcoming projects are you working on? I am almost finished with my sequel for Halo
of the Damned. That’s about mind control
of the advertising industry, fallen angels, nephilim, and the Books of Enoch
and Genesis.
Thanks so much for having me as your guest!
Where to find Dina Rae:
Dina Rae is a new author here to stay. As a former teacher, she brings an academic
element to her work. Her three novels,
Halo of the Damned, The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense
throughout the plots. Her short story, Be
Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the
James Martin character. Dina also
freelances for various entertainment blogs.
Dina lives
with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago
