Char: Since there's a big difference in our ages (I'm over 30 years older than Jacob), everyone is curious about how we came to be writing partners, and I often ask myself if it was coincidence or destiny.

J: Yes-or moxy! It happened back when I was twenty-four or so and had completed my second novel, The Sleepwalkers (which HCI Books just released). Like most young writers, I was looking for a literary agent. On a whim, I posted an ad on Craigslist with the title "Young Writer Seeking Mentor." Char answered.

J: Thanks. I felt pretty lucky, too, to stumble upon a writing partner who had published a dozen books and done some major TV shows. And the more we've worked together, the more I appreciate Charlene's masterful skill as a writer and storyteller. I've learned a lot, and had a lot of fun. It was definitely destiny that brought us together.

 

Char: It had to be. Jacob was about three when Dell (now part of Doubleday) published my women's mainstream novel, Rituals, which eventually became the basis for the first continuing TV drama made for syndication. I got completely immersed in writing for television with no idea that Rituals would be my last book deal until Jacob grew up and came to me with his idea for The Tracks.

J: Just before Char and I met, I was living in Los Angeles and taking Wing Chun Kung Fu classes. At that time, some of my friends were into watching a lot of teen drama shows like Degrassi and The O.C., and I thought: wouldn't it be awesome to see a teen drama with kung fu? That would really be something. After contacting me via Craigslist, Char and I had lunch and fleshed out my idea (The Tracks) as a treatment for a TV series.

Char: We added the supernatural element to Jake's original concept but we both left L.A. before we had a chance to pitch it. Flash forward five years, after I'd moved to South Florida and Jacob had moved to Canada. I'd been following the success of Twilight and Harry Potter and grousing about the fact that I couldn't come up with an idea for a cool YA book series, and then it hit me-I already had it in my files. About that time my friend Herman Rush, a television producer, met Peter Vegso, the head of HCI Books (which brings the world all those marvelous Chicken Soup For The Soul books). I got in touch with Jacob and asked him what he thought of pitching The Tracks as a book series.

J: It was quite a time in my life when all this came about. In L.A., I'd had a great career going, acting in T.V. commercials for Old Spice and Acura, among others. The woman I was with then was having a really hard time in L.A., so I dropped everything and moved to Toronto to help her out. I was an illegal immigrant up there and had to work a construction job to make ends meet. We didn't always have enough money, so we had to resort to begging a couple of times. Seriously. It was a pretty brutal existence. Then, from out of the blue. . .

Char: Herman introduced me to Mr. Vegso, I pitched the idea and here we are. Dark Territory came out in July, 2011, and Ghost Crown hits the stands in March, 2012. Jacob immediately sold HCI two other books he'd already written. He's a phenomenon and I'm so fortunate to be his co-author. He's everything a brilliant novelist is supposed to be: rebel . . . radical . . . romantic . . . smart . . . and smoldering sexy . . .

J: Ha ha. I'm still having trouble with that concept.

Char: He's modest, too-but you can see why my family and friends now tease me about being a literary cougar. There has probably never been a more unlikely duo but I couldn't ask for a better writing partner. We overcame some initial creative skirmishes with mutual respect and professionalism. The result is The Tracks series, and it's full of magic, martial arts, star-crossed lovers, giant monsters, alternate realities, demons and fallen angels. Something for everyone.

J: I couldn't have hoped for a more talented, creative, driven writing partner than Char. I think it's because of our disparate points of view and life experiences that we've been able to come together and create something really unique and special. I can't wait to hear what all the romance readers out there think of it! I hope they'll find us on Facebook or Goodreads.com and let us know.

Char: So, serve 'em up, barkeep-make mine a margarita and don't spare the salt!

J: And I'll have some of that fine virtual beer you keep on tap. Cheers!

 

Check out their webpages - www.charlenekeel.com & jgabrielgates.com

Privileged and popular Caleb Mason is celebrating his high school graduation when he receives a mysterious, disturbing letter from his long-lost childhood playmate, Christine. The terrifying prophesies of the spirits are coming to pass. Sixteen clocks are ticking; sixty-six murdered souls will bring about the end of the world. As Caleb peels back layer after layer of mystery, he uncovers a truth more horrible than anything he had imagined, a truth that could only be uttered by the lips of the dead. Buy your copy today!

In the quaint town of Middleburg, an abandoned train yard and old railroad tracks form the dividing line between two rival gangs—the wealthy, preppy Toppers and the working-class Flatliners. When Raphael, the leader of the Flatliners, falls in love with Aimee, a Topper girl, the rival gangs prepare to do battle . . . but not with guns and knives. Their martial arts training dictates a strict code of honor, which all of the gang members adhere to. The only hope for peace between the rival gangs lies within the giant X formed where the railroad tracks cross. The awesome power contained in the X sends the Flatliners and the Toppers on a mystical quest to fight against malevolent forces that threaten the existence of Middleburg—and maybe the world.

Buy your copy today!

Buy your copy today!

Despite a tentative alliance between the goth Flatliners and the rich, preppie Toppers, any hope of peace is dashed when Topper girl Aimee arrives at the homecoming dance with Raphael, a Flatliner. A fight erupts between the two gangs and in the midst of the rumble, a bizarre event threatens the entire student body. Middleburg High’s new homecoming queen must use her recently acquired supernatural skills to save them. To make matters worse, Middleburg real estate moguls have bought up most of the land in the Flats and started evicting the tenants. They are searching for a priceless treasure prophesied in ancient Chinese writings and will stop at nothing to find it. But Raphael and his impoverished Flatliners vow to get it first and use it buy back their homes. Meanwhile, a handsome, charismatic half-angel, half-human comes to Middleburg with plans to take Aimee away from Raphael. As Raphael and his Flatliners and Zhai and his Toppers work to perfect their supernatural abilities and find the treasure, Aimee begins kung fu training, intent on becoming strong enough to rescue her missing mother. When she discovers that the mysterious treasure may be the key to finding her mom, the race intensifies. But all the digging has awakened the guardian of the treasure, a force powerful enough to reduce all of Middleburg, and perhaps the world, to ashes…