Objects in the Rearview Mirror by F.E.Feeley Jr

Literary Nymphs Interview

Title:  Objects in the Rearview Mirror

Author: F.E.Feeley Jr

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: Feb/March

Do you write in more than one genre?

I am a writer of paranormal romance. I’ve tried contemporary, but it hasn’t worked out yet mainly because I like the shadows and the dark and the ability use spirits metaphorically to drive a plot.

What if any, is the hardest part of writing for you?

Writing is a personal process. Its harder than most people think and I’m not talking about sitting down, gathering ideas, and shutting the world away.   You have to pull from your own life, your experiences, fears, hopes, desires, and do so in such a way that the reader can connect to you. Because that’s what writing is all about isn’t it? Communication, an exchange of ideas, saying something is hard.

What inspired the story?

People inspired it. And I’ll leave it there.

Objects in the Rearview Mirror is about a married couple Jonathan David, a novelist and Eddie Dorman a psychologist.  Jonathan has been on the run from his past for as long as he can remember and his husband Eddie has been along for the ride.  When a great book sale leads to an easier life, both decide to settle down in the little town of Clay Center, Kansas to start life over. 

However, upon moving in both men begin to experience strange events that threaten to tear both men and their marriage apart.  Now, time is of the essence, can Eddie save his husband before its too later? Or will Jonathan succumb to the nightmare world that has brought the shadow of the past, back into his life?

EXCERPT:

Jonathan lifted his head. “Sounds like a plan. I think I am going to go sit outside for a little while longer. I’ll come up to bed soon,” he said as he crossed over the kitchen and kissed Eddie on the forehead.

Eddie closed his eyes and leaned into Jonathan’s strong body. Jonathan placed his chin on Eddie’s head and held him close. Eddie could smell a hint of the cologne he wore mixed in with the smoke and sweat.

Jonathan let go and walked over to the fridge, pulled out another beer, popped the top, and put it up to his lips.

Thump.

Eddie started to say something, but stopped short when the noise came again.

Thump.

They both raised their gazes to the ceiling as Jonathan walked over to the wall for his baseball bat. He didn’t believe in owning guns, and he figured this would give him more pleasure without all the cleanup necessary in dispatching someone with a firearm. He wrapped his hand around the base of the bat as they both listened intently, hearts beating.

Thump. Thump. Thump. It sounded like heavy feet walking across the floor above their heads.

Their gazes locked, and Jonathan mouthed someone is upstairs.

Eddie nodded and reached for his cell phone, which was plugged in on the counter. The two of them moved from the kitchen to the staircase. They had both been standing in view of the front door and knew there was no way someone had simply walked in. As silently as they could, they made their way up. Jonathan led with the bat over his shoulder, and Eddie follow behind, having already typed tapped 911 into the phone, He hesitated on pressing the send button, wanting to make sure it wasn’t a squirrel or a raccoon first. He didn’t want the embarrassment of having the police show up because of a furry home invader.

They crept up a stair at a time and were nearly at the top when they heard the sound of footsteps again. It sounded as though whoever it was, was heading toward them from the back room. Jonathan pushed himself further, feeling a burning sensation in his gut as his trembling legs fought to hold him up. The three steps to the landing were the most difficult three steps either of them had ever taken. One, breathe, two, hesitate, breathe, three, and they were there. The first thing they noticed was that all three doors were shut, including their bedroom door. Jonathan pressed his hand against Eddie’s stomach as a sign to stay put as he approached the door. Eddie stood watching, ready to hit the send button.

The door swung open to a dark room. Eddie’s nerves were on high alert, his heart hammered hard in his chest, his mouth was dry, and his palms were sweaty. Jonathan walked in.

“Jon—” Eddie began, but he was silenced when his husband turned around and held up his hand, signaling him to be quiet. He shut his mouth with a click but kept his gaze glued to what Jonathan was doing. Jonathan disappeared into the dark, and from somewhere inside, clicked on a light. Eddie breathed a sigh of relief when Jonathan came walking back out giving him a silent shrug.

Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound came directly from one of the empty rooms down the hall. The relief Eddie had felt suddenly froze under his skin, making him tense up again. Jonathan rolled his eyes. He was getting sick of this. Instead of creeping down the hallway like he had up the stairs, he charged down the hallway and Eddie chased after him. Jonathan flung the door of the room on the left open. Nothing, He reached out and flung the middle door open. Nothing, finally he grabbed for the last door and hesitated. Instead of turning the knob, he pressed his ear to the door.

“What is it?” Eddie whispered.

“Shhh,” Jonathan said.

Eddie leaned in closer to the door and listened with Jonathan. Jonathan motioned for him to back up before turning the knob and trying to push the door open. Partially open, it hit something and stopped. Eddie jumped back. Surprised, Jonathan let go of the handle and the door swung shut and slammed hard in his face with a loud bang. Jonathan backed up a step and then grabbed the knob again. This time it wouldn’t turn.

“Whoever the fuck is in there, I’m coming in to beat your ass!” Jonathan said, and he twisted the knob with all of his might. Whatever or whoever was on the other side was struggling to keep the door closed. Eddie brought his phone up to call for help, but the phone was dead. Jonathan struggled with the door and finally lost his temper. He backed up a few steps, dropped the bat, and charged the door with his shoulder. Instead of meeting resistance that he had expected, the door burst open and slammed against the wall. Luckily, Eddie had been hot on his heels and kept him from going headfirst out the closed window directly across from the door. To their surprise, the room was empty.

Author Bio:

F.E. Feeley Jr was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and lived there for twenty years before joining the military. He is a veteran of the US Armed Services; having done a tour in support of Operation Iraq Freedom in 2002-2003, he turned college student, pursuing a degree in political science. He now lives in Southeast Texas where he is engaged to the love of his life, John, and where they raise their 1½ year old German shepherd, Kaiser.

As a young man, reading took center stage in his life, especially those novels about ghosts, witches, goblins, and all the other things that went bump in the night. His favorite authors include such writers as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Anne Rice, whose work allowed him to travel to far off places and meet fascinating and scary characters. As a gay man, he wishes to be able to write good fictional literature for those who love the genre and to write characters that readers can relate to. All in all, he is a cigarette smokin’, whiskey drinkin’, rock and roll lovin’, tattoo wearin’ dreamer of a man with a wonderful partner who puts up with his crap and lets him write his stories.

Where can we find your website?

You can find me on the internet at several places https://www.facebook.com/TheHauntingOfTimberManor

I ramble on this blog and post excerpts from things I am working on, here: www.fefeeley412.wordpress.com

And you can find me on amazon and Goodreads by searching for my books.