A to Z Challenge: A is for Arlee and Aliena

Today starts the A to Z Blogging Challenge!! Most of my posts are going to be about books, reading, writing, and authors, with a few random posts scattered in between. Today to kick off the challenge, I want to first thank Arlee Bird, the guy who created the A to Z Blogging Challenge that nearly two thousand blogs are participating in around the world. Very cool, bro, thanks so much! Arlee runs the blog Tossing it Out, and if you haven't checked it out yet, get your ass over there and see what you're missing!





Next up, and also starting with the letter A, is Aliena, a character from my book series, Daughters of Night. Little is known about her past, but I'm willing to share a few tidbits with you, since you're all so awesome as to come visit me today! 

Aliena was born Aliena Serenity DesCartes in 1892. Her parents were French immigrants to America, and shortly after Aliena was born, her father died. As a single parent, Aliena's mother worked as a seamstress during the day and a prostitute at night just to keep Aliena fed. When Aliena was eleven, one of her mother's clients suggested putting Aliena in the family business, but Aliena overheard the conversation and ran away. She learned to steal, fight, and live in the woods outside the settlements, moving around frequently. She managed to survive on her own for five years before being turned into a vampire by a passing wanderer.

Frozen in time at sixteen, and with no one to guide her or educate her, she ran rampant, killing anyone for food or just for fun. She was uncontrolled but smart, having lived alone in the woods for so long. She was finally found by Quinn, former leader of Sanctuary, in 1943, and he trained her to control herself. Aliena was the second member to join Sanctuary, and despite a tragic past, she became a fierce fighting machine and a vital member of Sanctuary.

So, there's a bit about Aliena. Again, a huge thanks to Arlee for putting this challenge together-it's really awesome. Tomorrow will be brought to you by the letter B, so make sure you stop by and see us!! :)