My genre is urban Fantasy.  While my first book, Midnight Reflections, does have its share of gore and dark moments, but it also has lighter scenes and dialogue to counteract the angst and darkness.  Also, while there are hints of a possible future relationship between two of the characters, there is no overt romance.  I prefer to write mystery/thrillers with preternatural characters.   I’m an avid reader of many different genres.  While I do enjoy books by Charlaine Harris and Kim Harrison, I think I have been more influenced by authors like Jeffrey Deaver and James Patterson.  They both write fascinating mystery / thrillers that take the reader by surprise with sudden twists and leave you enthralled as the killer stalks his next unsuspecting prey.  This is a genre that I love, but I also love creepy supernatural books and movies.  When I started writing this book, the first question I asked myself was what if a vampire started hunting a serial killer, and the story progressed from there.     Some of my favorite authors in the supernatural genre include Charlaine Harris and Rob Thurman.  I think their way with characterization and story-telling is exquisite.