What was your main inspiration when writing this book?
Jordan: I had the concept developing in my mind for some time, but it really came together when I rented a beautiful old house on Exmoor. Its remote location along with odd happenings I experienced (the heavy pantry door really did open by itself) made a significant impression. The caretaker’s stories, of both the resident ghost and other related visitor reports fuelled my imagination further to become the perfect premise for Ravens Deep.

Do you feel this is more of a story about relationships, or about vampirism?
Jordan: Primarily, this is a story about the development of a relationship between my two main characters, but more importantly the underlying reason they are drawn to each other. The city girl is lured to the remote home by it’s dangerous owner, in a quest to find meaning and a distraction from his immortal life.

Although I did very much want to explore the unnaturalness of vampirism; the possibilities for co-existence and understanding between an immortal and a mortal. I wanted to create a story that was logical and intelligent, by researching vampire folklore and legend throughout the centuries I was able to eliminate anything that was too obscure or only relevant to one region or culture. I found that the only consistent thing agreed upon is the need for blood, every other aspect of vampirism is completely debatable. Therefore I kept it simple and believable; an obvious need for blood and an aversion to sunlight. It is important that my readers can understand how a vampire could really survive in today’s modern world given these specific set of circumstances and the remoteness of the main location.

That is also why Madeline and Darius’s relationship is so interesting; it challenges the evil and destructive side of Darius, forcing him to compromise his natural instinct and confront other emotions. While both characters remain in conflict when faced with the reality of their lives, versus their persevering devotion for each other.

Does the heroine, Madeline, take any of her key character traits from aspects of your own personality?
Jordan: Yes, like me Madeline is logical and direct, and although initially afraid of the various situations she finds herself in, she is not frightened to confront those fears.

Do you think that this is the end for Madeline and Darius or might you continue their story in your next novel?
Jordan: Ravens Deep is the first book in a trilogy, the next two books have already been written. So there is definitely a continuation of the story.

What is your favourite genre of book and why?
Jordan: I lean towards darker material, supernatural or good horror. I like thought provoking books that surprise you with a clever twist.

Are the settings in the book real, borrowed from fiction or from your own imagination? How did they develop/do they have significance to you personally?
Jordan: Ravens Deep, the church and village of Beaconmayes are all based on real places on Exmoor. All the names I used are fictitious. Exmoor was completely inspirational for this book and part of the reason I ended up living in this region of the country.

Does Madeline’s experience of writing a book have any correlation with your own writing of this book?
Jordan: Before I wrote Ravens Deep, I had extensively researched my own family tree, some of the ideas for the book came from this and it was an obvious connection for why Madeline would be lured to Ravens Deep, also a valid reason for Darius to enter into her life. It was important to understand why Darius would have chosen her above all others and Madeline being a writer was the perfect scenario to allow Darius to invite her to Exmoor. Madeline struggles to get her writing together as I did and finding the location on Exmoor helped my story fall into place; finding Darius did the same for Madeline.