Upcoming Books

I'm exploring a few publishers' websites and checking out books that look interesting, like Brian Ruckley's The Edinburgh Dead, which will be released in August. I love magical history stories, and a few years ago they were hard to find. I'm glad to see that more are being published.

Here's the summary:

The year is 1827. For Adam Quire, an officer of the recently formed City Police, Edinburgh is a terrifying place. It is a city populated by mad alchemists and a criminal underclass prepared to treat with the darkest of powers. But nothing can prepare him for the trail of undead hounds, emptied graves, brutal murders and mob violence that will take him into the darkest corners of the underworld and to the highest reaches of elegant Edinburgh society.

Visit Brian Ruckley's website.

Blood Sacrifice by Maria Lima (August 30, 2011)
Blood Lines Series - Book 5

Summary:

Talk about wedding crashers from hell. Keira Kelly and her sexy vampire king, Adam, are about to tie the proverbial knot—sort of—when an uninvited blood relative shows up to cast a long, dark shadow over the happy occasion. Adam's brother Gideon comes bearing the one-size-fits-all gift of bad news: an ancient, convoluted Challenge thrown down upon the entire Kelly clan. It seems the dreaded forces of the Dark Fae have declared war on Keira's family, and at stake is the land that is rightfully theirs.

But while the Kellys gather their troops in a historic San Antonio hotel to strategize, there's mayhem back in Rio Seco. The old cemetery is vandalized, fires break out, and—worst of all—the Kelly clan matriarch and leader, Keira's great-great-grandmother Minerva, goes missing. Should Keira risk breaking the Challenge rules by returning to her beloved home, or should she continue the waiting game that seems the only other option? With everything she loves and maybe even her life on the line, she has only one chance to get the answer right.

Visit Maria Lima's Website. I hope she'll drop by Vampire Wire when her book is released!


Okay, I can't find any other books I want to feature now -- not because they aren't out there, but because some of the publisher websites (mumble, mumble, Hachette/Grand Central, etc.) are so klutzy and badly organized that I'm tired of trying to navigate them.

Tomorrow, there will be more. Check out my current contests (link above on Contest tab).

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

The theme today is videos mashing up characters from different shows.

Dean and Faith, a fab match...with more cowbell!

Celebrating Jennifer Rardin & Worldwide Contest for THE DEADLIEST BITE

"Action packed & quick witted. I was happy to see that all the characters I had come to enjoy were back in Jaz's final adventure...It was a great ending to a great series."

My Guilty Pleasures

"This series is high energy, and Jaz is full of snarky humor, terrible language, and she makes the best silly and inane comments at the worst times. This series is a must for urban fantasy fans."

Book Savvy Babe

Most of us in the paranormal/urban fantasy community were deeply saddened when Jennifer Rardin, author of the popular Jaz Parks books, passed away last October. In my online exchanges with her, she was always friendly, always helpful, and deeply grateful to have such a devoted readership. Fans were so passionate that they created Jaz Parks inspired art that Jennifer featured on her website.

I had a Q&A with Jennifer in 2009 when Bite Marks (book six) was released. At that time, she said:

Life is hard. And it often sucks. When I open a book, I’ve already dealt with a veritable parade of crapola for the past twelve hours. So I want something that transports me from my cares from the moment I begin reading until the second I close the cover.

She's been good enough to give her fans another chance to be transported into Jaz's world.

Jack Womack, Jennifer's publicist at Orbit Books (and a writer of speculative fiction himself) is contributing a copy of The Deadliest Bite (Jaz Parks book 8) for a contest here. Thanks, Jack and Orbit! Contest entry info is at the end of the post.

Here's the book summary:

I have two choices. Carve Brude's name into Hell's bile-encrusted gates. Or lose my soul.

After an assassination attempt on Vayl, I find myself pulled into a tangled web that takes the gang to Romania. So how will I save a ghost, rescue a demon, and cheat the Great Taker out of a soul he's slavering for while defeating my nastiest foe yet so that Vayl can, at last, cherish a few precious years with his sons? With careful planning, major violence, and one (hopefully) final trip to Hell.

Larissa at Larissa's Bookish Life mentions how bittersweet this last book is, since we know there won't be any more, but she's very happy with the conclusion of Jennifer's series.

For all of you Vayl and Jaz fans, you’ll get more than your share of awesome moments, including more smexy moments that we have been denied before.

When the estimable Doug Knipe, Scifi Guy, reviewed Bitten to Death, he said:

Each novel is a high octane action/thriller with a dash of romance...This paranormal action/thriller series is top notch entertainment and consistently delivers strong stories with a touch of humour, excellent world-building and engaging characters. Not to be missed.

If you need more of Jennifer's stories, Orbit is offering two short stories on their site, The Golem Hunt and Scouting Jasmine.

We continue to miss Jennifer, but we're so glad we had the opportunity to get to know her and her fictional world.

Read Amanda's interview with Jennifer at Love Vampires:

I break tradition in other ways as well. My vamps can see themselves in mirrors. When they're up and moving around, their bodies work just as ours do, so they can eat, drink, and make love.

Read Jennifer's interview at Rex Robot Reviews, which was posted posthumously.

I'm not sure I can pinpoint the inspiration behind Jaz.  She began as this sassy, cynical voice in my head that wouldn't be silenced, despite the fact that I was trying to write Once Bitten, Twice Shy (the first book in the series) in third person.  So, eventually I caved (like everybody eventually does if they know what's good for them) and gave her leave to speak her mind. 

THE SERIES:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy (book 1)

Another One Bites the Dust (book 2)

Biting the Bullet (book 3)

Bitten to Death (book 4)

One More Bite (book 5)

Bite Marks (book 6)

Bitten in Two (book 7)

The Deadliest Bite (book 8)

TO ENTER THE WORLDWIDE CONTEST 

Jennifer was so appreciative of her fans. Leave a comment about why you appreciate Jennifer or why you appreciate one of your favorite writers. Please leave a valid email address, too. The contest runs through June 20 and a winner will be selected by random draw.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

On her site, Jennifer mentioned liking old skool music, including Bon Jovi.







She also liked The Killers' "Human."

Visiting My Bookish Ways, a Geek Request, & Jennifer Rardin Tribute

Today I'm Kristin's guest at My Bookish Ways, and I'll be giving away a copy of Haunted Honeymoon (Casa Dracula book 4). Come by and say hello!

GEEK REQUEST: I need to convert my own books (purchased at Google Books) to PDF or other shareable files to give to my agent because we're selling foreign rights. Do you know how to do this? Any help is appreciated. I also have (or had) the books as Word docs, but that was before the final edits.

MONDAY'S FEATURE: On Monday, I'll have a tribute to Jennifer Rardin, author of the Jaz Parks books. I'll highlight the last in the series, The Deadliest Bite, which was released yesterday, and link to interviews and reviews of Jennifer's books. Orbit Books is offering a copy of The Deadliest Bite here in a worldwide contest.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Since it's Friday, here are some brand new videos to kick off the weekend.





One of my favorite vamps, Mitchell of Being Human.



Don't say I never did anything for you. Have a great weekend!

Upcoming Releases & International Disco Cheeziness

First of all, you should be reading my funny, sexy Casa Dracula novels this summer. But if you've already read (and looooved them), here are some new books that are coming out soon.  As always, I snagged the info and graphics from Fantastic Fiction, one of my favorite sites for book info. Fantastic Fiction has author bios and bibliographies, links to US, UK, and international booksellers, and cover art from different editions.

Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett (June 28, 2011)
(Arcadia Bell book 1)

Summary:

Being the spawn of two infamous occultists (and alleged murderers) isn't easy, but freewheeling magician Arcadia 'Cady' Bell knows how to make the best of a crummy situation. After hiding out for seven years, she's carved an incognito niche for herself slinging drinks at the demon-friendly Tambuku Tiki Lounge.

But she receives an ultimatum when unexpected surveillance footage of her notorious parents surfaces: either prove their innocence or surrender herself. Unfortunately, the only witness to the crimes was an elusive Aethyric demon, and Cady has no idea how to find it. She teams up with Lon Butler, an enigmatic demonologist with a special talent for sexual spells and an arcane library of priceless stolen grimoires. Their research soon escalates into a storm of conflict involving missing police evidence, the decadent Hellfire Club, a ruthless bounty hunter, and a powerful occult society that operates way outside the law. If Cady can't clear her family name soon, she'll be forced to sacrifice her own life . . . and no amount of running will save her this time.

Jenn Bennett's Website 
(I'm trying to get a copy of this for a contest here and I hope to get Jenn to visit!)

Black Night by Christina Henry (July 26, 2011)
(Black Wings Book 2)

Summary:

Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her...

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.

Christina Henry's Website

Misfit by Jon Skovron (August 1, 2011)

SUMMARY:

Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She's changed schools too many times to count. The only family she's ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother--well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn't exactly help.

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.

Jon Skovron's Website

Forbidden by Jana Oliver (August 30, 2011)
(Demon Trappers Book 2)

Summary:

At the start of the second thrilling installment of the Demon Trappers series, 17-year-old Riley Blackthorne has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her sweet boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father's been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. Add to the mix: Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who's made himself Riley's unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective 'friend' who acts more like a grouchy granddad, and Riley's almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as the demon count in Atlanta increases, the already crippled Trappers Guild has its hands full, and, when the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city's 'little' problem, pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell's attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever. As Riley's life becomes a dangerous balancing act, will she be strong enough not to tip? And who will be there to catch her if she falls?

Jana Oliver's Website

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Today's theme word is "man" -- because I already did boy and girl and now we're moving to grownups.





It always makes me happy when I find cheezilicious Euro-disco. I'm ecstatic about this song!



And yet I can't ignore the genius and beauty of corn-fed American discolousity...often imitated, never replicated.

Contest for THE PRESIDENT'S VAMPIRE by Christopher Farnsworth

"Cade is definitely back and better than ever!...Cade is a little like Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Ethan Hunt, all wrapped into one badass vampire."

Anna Dougherty, VampChix

"This fast-paced supernatural thriller is jam-packed with dangerous monsters and bloody violence and is a superior example of just how good this genre can be."

Amanda, Love Vampires

I feel so bad about being backlogged on all my interviews that I'm going to give away my personal hardback copy of The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth. (I still intend to have Chris as a guest here soon with another contest.) The President's Vampire,  the second Nathaniel Cade book, follows last year's Blood Oath.

Here's the summary:

For 140 years, Nathaniel Cade has been the President's Vampire, sworn to protect and serve his country. Cade's existence is the most closely guarded of White House secrets: a superhuman covert agent who is the last line of defense against nightmare scenarios that ordinary citizens only dream of.

When a new outbreak of an ancient evil-one that he has seen before- comes to light, Cade and his human handler, Zach Barrows, must track down its source. To "protect and serve" often means settling old scores and confronting new betrayals . . . as only a centuries-old predator can.

Chris Farnsworth's Website

TO ENTER THE CONTEST: Tell me a historical figure you'd like to mash-up with a vampire or paranormal theme. (For example, I loved Doctor Who's mixup of Queen Victoria and a werewolf.) Hmm, Mark Twain and a ghost might be interesting...what are your ideas?

• limited to US and Canada
• runs through June 10
• winner drawn at random
• must leave a valid email address

That's easy enough right?

New Books: The Vampire Librarian has a great list with covers and summaries of June releases, including Jennifer Rardin's last book, The Deadliest Bite. Jennifer passed away last year, but she always expressed joy that readers loved her Jaz Parks series. She was devoted to her fans and her fans were devoted to her.

I'll feature this book this week here and I hope other bloggers will join in promoting Jennifer's work.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Yesterday, the theme was videos set to songs with "hate" in them and today it's love, love, love.