Zombilicious News, J.R. Ward Book Crack, Vampire Couples

AUTHORS & BOOKS

On Monday, Amanda Ashby will be guest blogging and having a contest for her spanking new book, Zombie Queen of Newbury High, which author Michelle Rowen called "zombilicious!"

Enter a contest for Adrian Phoenix's A Rush of Wings and In The Blood and read a post about her last year as a writer. "But I realize each book is a unique and fulfilling experience – from pouring the story onto the page to revisions, copy-edit, page proofs, then release and, hopefully, into the hands of eager readers." (Fantasy Debut)

SciFi Guy's contest for Kim Harrison's White Witch, Black Curse runs through Sunday. "Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross."

Read an excerpt from P.N. Elrod's "Grave Robbed" story in Many Bloody Returns. "When the girl draped in black stepped in to ask if I could help her with a séance, Hal Kemp’s version of Gloomy Sunday began to murmur sadly from the office radio."

Read excerpts from J.R. Ward's soon-to-be-released Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, Lover Avenged. (I'm surprised it's not spelled Lover Avenghed.) "As bad ones went, her father’s paranoia attack hadn’t been that bad. Ehlena was only a half hour late to work, dematerializing to the clinic as soon as she was able to calm herself enough to pull the travel trick off. By some miracle, the visiting nurse had been free and able to come early. Thank the Scribe Virgin."

Review of Daywatch by Sergei Lukyanenko. "Set in pre-millennium Moscow The Day Watch continues the intrigues of the supernatural forces (one Light, one Dark) that exist within that city. This time the story focuses on the lives and actions of the Dark Others and the Day Watch rather than focusing on the Light Others who make up the Night Watch." (Love Vampires)


MOVIES & DVDS

Here's a list of the hottest vampire couples around. And, yes, they've posted that photo of HBO's "True Blood" stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer with those seriously funky fangs that make him look like he must have a drooling problem. But there are video clips of all our fave bloodsuckers. (OK! Magazine)


GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

Because some things need no translation. Here's a GVD to Josh Holloway, who plays Sawyer in "Lost." You'll be singing this song all day!



Let's not forget Naveen Andrews, who does much with the thankless role of Sayid. I'll look for a video with our "Lost" favorite, Hurley (Jorge Garcia) next week. "Lost" could be like "Dracula 2000": better in video tributes than as an actual show. I.e., the parts are more than the whole.

Time to Give Up on "Lost"?

AUTHORS & BOOKS

Enter my week of contests! Prizes include books by Larissa Ione, Kate Perry, Carolyn Jewell, and Jessica Andersen.

Sidhe Vicious has a nice listing of new releases with the book covers, including Mark Henry's Road Trip of the Living Dead.

Midnight Brew interviews and has a book contest with Gwen Hayes, author of The Fallen, about her new release, Oh Goddess. "Her observations about being human, coming from someone who is used to being worshipped, were a lot of fun. She doesn't have an internal censor. If she thinks it, she says it." (Midnight Moon Cafe)

Enter a contest for Ann Aguirre's soon-to-be-released novel, Blue Diablo. "Corine, a handler, can touch something and know its history—and sometimes, its future. Using her ability, she can find the missing—and that’s why people never stop trying to find her. People like her ex, Chance…" (RR@H Novel Thoughts)

Cheryl Brooks guest blogs about her Cat Star Chronicles and has a contest. "With all the economic gloom and doom we hear on the news every day, we could all use a little something to make us smile. I try to incorporate as much humor into my novels as I can, and though my sense of humor might seem a little warped at times, for me, this writing adventure is about having fun." (RhiReading)

BLOG TO WATCH: I just found RhiReading, which describes itself as: "Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance news, book reviews, series guides, author interviews and related discussions. If you love a good butt-kicking hero or heroine and a world filled with fangs, fur and fae, toss in the occasional historical, contemporary or young adult title for good measure and RhiReading is bound to discuss something you'll enjoy reading."


TELEVISION & THE INTERNETS

Interview with Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton) and Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse) of HBO's "True Blood." "I threw away the textbook on everything I thought I knew about acting and just flew by the seat of my pants, because that's exactly how this guy operates...It's really liberating to play a character like that, because a lot of characters tend to be very brooding." (The Age)

Comcast is working with the producers of Dracula's Ball to make a documentary on people who live the vamp lifestyle. "The series of 'mini-episodes' will examine vamps from every aspect of the scene – from casual dabblers who come to the Ball for the spooky tunes (and free booze), to the hardcore 24/7 lifestyle types." (Fear.net)

Is anyone still watching "Lost"? I turned it on last night and there were annoying captions to the scenes, like "Jack also sprang into action in the first episode," and "This is the lagoon where Sawyer and Kate went swimming." It was a clear indication that the show's creators knew that everyone had lost track of their haphazard plot lines. If there were actual plots, because I think there was no real story line. They just wrote crap up as it came to them.

The Los Angeles Times gave a positive review to "Lost," but also said:

"Meanwhile, we got a return visit from our favorite sinister henchman, Matthew Abaddon. Sadly, I fear this return appearance was another 'Lost' last-minute course correction -- like the last episode of Nikki and Paulo or the never-resolved mystery of Libby's insanity, the real nature of Charles Widmore's stern chauffeur ('I help people get where they need to get to') appeared to deepen before abruptly ending with Ben's lethal bullets. Yes, Matthew Abaddon bit the big one by being shot, and for some funny reason, I don't think we'll be seeing him again."

But, you know, I don't care about this show anymore. It felt too confused and carelessly hashed together out of individual scenes that led nowhere.


GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

Okay, maybe there are some things I'll miss about "Lost." And by that I mean Josh Halloway as the smart-ass, self-destructive, brazen and brave Sawyer.

Week of Contests Continues & "Supernatural" Renewed

AUTHORS & BOOKS

Lots of time left to enter my contest for books by Larissa Ione, Kate Perry, Carolyn Jewell, and Jessica Andersen.

Literary Escapism interview Cheryl Brooks and has a contest for her Cat Star Chronicles. "I think 'literary escapism' is what reading is all about. A story might contain a situation you can relate to, but it still should take you away to another place and time, put you in someone else’s shoes, and allow you to view the world through their eyes."

Kimberly Swan reviews Between a Rock and a Heart Place by Natale Stenzel. "Growing up with power-hungry druid parents, Daphne Forbes is less than willing to follow in their footsteps, and she’s eager to start a new life." (Love Vampires)

Enter a contest for a signed copy of Helen Scott Taylor's new book, The Magic Knot. "Rose’s intuition tells her he’s hiding something, a secret even the cards cannot divine. Her tarot deck always reads true, but how can one man represent both Justice and Betrayal?" (Fresh Fiction)


TELEVISION

"Supernatural" fans will be happy to know that their fave series has been renewed. "Also renewed were the network’s established Thursday team of SMALLVILLE, which will be going into its ninth season, and SUPERNATURAL, which after posting ratings growth this season, will enter its fifth season next year." (Chicago Tribune)

I still haven't seen the first episode of Joss Whedon's new series, "Dollhouse," but I saw the second episode and I was definitely intrigued.

I was a little disturbed to see Matt Keeslar playing a hunky psycho, because it made me remember how much I liked him in "The Middleman," which no one but me ever watched even though it was really funny.

So back to "Dollhouse." A review says, "But much of the audience that did watch seemed to enjoy this past hour more than the pilot. For me, the developing friendship and trust between Boyd Langdon (Harry Lennix) and Echo is interesting. And I'll admit I was fully sucked in, rooting for Echo to beat the piss out of that misogynistic psychopath she went on a date with..." (Zap2It)

If you want a spoiler about who will appear as the murderous Alpha character in "Dollhouse," click here. All I'll say is that he's been in Joss Whedon shows before and in a funny movie where he only talks in pirate talk. And you gotta love that.

Okay, I may stoop to watching the first show online, on the tiny little computer screen.


GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

You can watch "Middleman" episodes on ABC Family. Here's a GVD to Matt Keeslar as the Middleman.



I told you that "Supernatural" fans were stepping up their game with video tributes. This is by Limewire13201.

Tuesday Video

Enter my Mess O' Contests for books by Larissa Ione, Kate Perry, Jessica Anderson and Carolyn Jewell. Steamy paranormal stories for a cold day. Okay, it's not cold where I am (sun shining, windows open) but I'm sure it's cold somewhere.

Need more free books? Okay, Books by Pickles (I so love that blog name) has an interview with J.K. Coi and a contest for her e-book, Dark Immortal. No, I don't know if the book features any pickles or pickle-shaped objects.

I know I wasn't going to blog much this week, but I thought this video was pretty dang amusing. Those who have delicated natures and refined sensibilities be warned -- the video features a terrifying MULLET!



And here's a video for David Boreanaz fans. I liked him on "Buffy," liked him more on "Angel," and think he's really developed into a good dramatic actor with comic flair on "Bones."

A Week of Contests

Visit Patricia Altner's Vampire Notes to read an interview with me and for a chance to win my first novel, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, which is seriously funny, I kid you not.

You know, I'm actually supposed to be writing books, so blogging has to take a back seat this week. However, I don't want to abandon you, so I've got a week of contests.

At the end of the week, I'll do a random drawing and pick five winners. You can enter up to FIVE TIMES, but you have to answer a different question with each entry.

-What paranormal "rule" would you change? (I'd let vampires eat garlic so they could enjoy pesto.)

-What do think is song that appeals to paranormal creatures? ("Moon River" for weres?)

-If you could be a paranormal creature, what would you be and what would your name be?

-What's your favorite paranormal story of all time? (And, no, I won't automatically delete your entry if you don't name one of my books.)

-What paranormal character do you think would be a terrible friend? (I'd say Louis the vampire because he's such a whiner and then he sets you on fire.)

The prizes are:

Carolyn Jewell's My Wicked Enemy: "Carson Philips is a witch on the run from unimaginable evil; straight into the arms of Nikodemus, a demon who's sworn to kill her.
Magic and its sensual pull lie at the heart of this super-sizzling paranormal adventure. The transformation of this heroine from victim to powerful witch is exciting and sexy. As heroes go, Nikodemus is tough to beat, and the secondary characters are dangerously fascinating. If you like your paranormal steamy, this is the book for you! Jill Smith, Romantic Times

Read Chapter One.


Larissa Ione's Passion Unleashed (Advance Reading Copy):
"Serena Kelley is an archaeologist and treasure hunter—and a woman with a secret. Since she was seven, she’s been the keeper of a powerful charm that grants her health and immortality . . . as long as she stays a virgin. But Serena isn’t all that innocent. And when a dangerously handsome stranger brings her to the brink of ecstasy, she wonders if she’s finally met the one man she cannot resist."

Read an excerpt.


Jessica Andersen's Nightkeepers: "According to the Mayan doomsday prophecy, time ends on December 21, 2012. In Nightkeepers, the last king of an ancient race of magi must team up with a sexy Miami-Dade narcotics detective in order to reunite his scattered warriors and fight the gods of the Mayan underworld. Wielding ancestral blood magic, the king must choose between his duty to avert the 2012 apocalypse and his love for the woman who is the gods' destined sacrifice.'"

Read an excerpt.


Larissa Ione's Desire Unchained (Advance Reading Copy): "Runa Wagner never meant to fall in love with the sexy stranger who seemed to know her every deepest desire. But she couldn’t resist the unbelievable passion that burned between them, a passion that died when she discovered his betrayal and found herself forever changed. Now, determined to make Shade pay for the transformation that haunts her, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest enemy."

Read an excerpt.


Kate Perry's Marked by Passion: "Rules for the (Very) Reluctant Guardian of the Scroll. One: Don't lose the artifact you've inherited from your ancestors—no matter how much it starts messing up your life. Two: Do learn how to control its powers. (And, yes, that means putting up with uber-complicated Guardian lessons from your father's meddling ghost.) Three: Don't trust anyone. Especially Rhys, the mysterious bad boy who's always one step ahead of you... and irresistible as sin."

Read an excerpt.


GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

"Supernatural" fans are really stepping up their game with their video tributes. Here's a new one from SmokeyFizz.

Contest Winners & More Contests!

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest for Mayra Calvani's books. Your suggestions of settings for vampire stories were terrific. I'll look for news of books and movies set in these locations.

The winners of the contest are:

Lisa - you've won a copy of Embraced by the Shadows

Lye - you've won a copy of Dark Lullaby

Please send me an email with your mailing address so Mayra can send your prizes to you.

Thank you, Mayra, for being a guest at Vampire Wire and for donating these prizes. Those interested in Mayra's chilling novels and in her guide to book reviewing (especially helpful for those who want to start reviewing books online) should be sure to visit her website.

Also, Sapphyres, please contact me! I never received your email with info to send you your prize in the Mario Acevedo contest.

-------------

Also, next week I'm busy working on my next book, so Vampire Wire will be focusing on contests. I'll be giving away a book a day from writers like Carolyn Jewell, Larissa Ione, Jessica Anderson, and Kate Perry.

I'll also be a guest at Patricia's Vampire Notes tomorrow and giving away a copy of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, the first in my funny, sexy, romantic series.