Convict Grade: The New Novel by Azrael Paul Damien

I have heard some great buzz about the new book Convict Grade by Azrael Paul Damien and tracked down the author on the internet.
First, a rundown on the book:

Convict Grade, a small town snuggled deep in the rugged Montana Mountains, attracts tourists and seekers of the supernatural due to local legends that tell how the entire town vanished a hundred years earlier. Unbeknownst to the townspeople and visitors who are gathering for the annual festival commemorating the events of that fateful day, an ancient, evil army is once again marshalling beneath their feet. The story follows four teenagers as they come face to face with the demons that seek to destroy the town, throwing them into a desperate struggle for survival. Hammond, an abused teen with a troubled past, uses his hard-earned survival skills to protect his best friend, Tigger, and their unlikely companions: Sara, a popular cheerleader, and Bailey, a new girl in town, just recently arrived from Australia. Brought together by a strange, common dream, they discover friendship, strength, and love as they fight against the evil horde and uncover secrets from the past that will help them prepare for the final, decisive battle, and the fate that awaits them...

What inspired you to write it?

"When I was young I went to a church service with my Grandpa and the service had this old fashioned fire and brimstone preacher. This man could instill the fear of Hell into anyone. Well he was preaching Exodus at that point and it haunted my dreams for many years to come. So the book is themed around four teenagers and their fight to survive the end of the world."

Azrael Paul Damien was born and raised in Paradise Valley, Montana, and lived in Los Angeles, California during his teenage years. He always had a love for story telling and, from a very early age, made up campfire stories to scare and intrigue his friends.

How long did it take you to write?

"Six months. I had a knee injury so I was able to write nonstop for the duration of the time."

Is it self-published?

"I am neither self published nor traditionally published. The book is financed entirely by Snake Creek Creative Works LLC. They print through Xlibris so its kind of a mixture of both."

When people are done reading the book - what emotion do you hope to elicit?

"I hope they come away with happiness, sadness and fear. So far it seems to have hit its mark."

What makes you unique as an author?

"I am unique as an author in my perspective. my strange views of the world reflect in my work. I think people should read it because it takes you on an adventure that, when its over you really know the characters and (hopefully) feel like you were a part of it.

"(In Convict Grade) the hardest part was to portray fiction based in religion without being either preachy or offensive. There are certain lines even horror shouldnt cross."

Explain more about those lines...

"Well for starters you dont want to single out any one religion or bash another. You also dont want to get to far into the demonology or you risk being marked as a "satanist". Religion is one of those subjects that people have strong opinions of. but thankfully so far both the horror fan and the christian fans like it."

Whats next in the works?

"The sequel to Convict Grade, its tentatively titled "Tears of the Fallen"

For a limited time Azrael Paul Damien will be signing every copy bought at http://www.convictgrade.com