Chloe posted the book description to go along the cover she posted last week:

Back cover copy for TWICE BITTEN!

“Here is is, folks! The back cover copy (aka, synopsis) for TWICE BITTEN!

Merit, Chicago’s newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is. Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene—and to spy for the vamps while she’s at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan’s offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Merit must accept the assignment, even though she knows that she’ll probably regret it. And she’s not wrong. Someone is gunning for Gabriel Keene, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She’ll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals—not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries old master vampire.”-Posted by Chloe Neill at 8:40 AM

Happy Halloween from Robert Pattinson aka Jimmy Fallon From NBC.com & Twilighters.org

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The Vampire Craze: An In Depth Analysis Of The Hottest Male Vampires from GuidetoBeautySchools.com

Guess who came in at number one?  Spike!  Visit GuidetoBeautySchools.com to see who else made the top 20

1. James Marsters as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel

Well, we've come to the end of the list and I know what you're all thinking. "Dude, really?" I mean, those of you who have seen Buffy know exactly what I'm talking about, but to some...this might be a mystery. He has bleached blonde hair, you may say, and wears red and black together which is not only a vampire cliché, but looks horrendous. Why does he get to be number one? Allow me to tell you: for one, he has a British accent and not just any British accent. It's a cockney British accent. If you don't think this is hot, you simply need to hear him say "bugger" and "bloody" a few times. It's awesome. Two, the character of Spike is really funny. This is an incredibly rare trait in a vampire and I don't know about you guys, but a guy who can make me laugh gets major points. Three, he's love's bitch. His words, not mine. Spike is man enough to admit that when it comes to love, he pretty much let's himself be taken over by it. We see this consistently throughout the show, whether it's his total and complete devotion to the very weak vampire Drusilla in the first two seasons (he nearly kills himself to save her), or his quest to obtain a soul to prove himself worthy of Buffy in season six. When this guy falls in love, he falls all the way in. Finally, he's ridiculously handsome. Not only does he have one of the most chiseled bodies I've ever seen, he has amazing blue eyes and very defined cheek bones. And while his style isn't exactly what'd I'd seek out on a normal day of vampire watching, William the Bloody makes it work for him. The Billy Idol, punk rock persona adds a level of vampire uniqueness that is greatly appreciated in a world of brooding, old-fashioned bloodsuckers. In the end, Spike can suck my blood any day of the week.

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Vampire Wars (w/ Bonus Twilight Round): Who's the Best Good Vampire? –from Eonline.com

WB, Andrew Eccles / The CW; Jamie Trueblood/HBO

“Welcome to the climactic final battle of Vampire Wars! We've been pitting three structurally similar vampire-tastic TV series against each other, and now it's time to decide which show has the sexiest vampire with a heart of gold. These guys are built to kill and eat nubile young things, but in each case, a chance encounter with a very special nubile young thing causes them to instantaneously mate for life and get all heroic, violating a bunch of standard protocols of vampire-dom.”

 

Happy Halloween!

Genre Swap Saturday is a regular post (not necessarily every week) hosted by All Things Urban Fantasy, that will highlight books outside of our focused genre that I think will appeal to you.  Feel free to use this on your site, just link me please.

Every Genre Swap Saturday book suggestion will include:

• Why you, an urban fantasy lover, might like this book:
• Why you, an urban fantasy lover, might not like this book: 

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Book Description: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

My Take: I picked this book up after reading recommendations from both Stephenie Meyer and Steven King. The plot is like a cross between The Running Man and Lord of The Flies with an element of romance, and I loved every single page! The book is written in present tense which gives every scene a sense of immediacy. The 16 year old wise beyond her years Katniss has a very strong voice, especially in the beginning when we learn the risks she has had to undertake in order to survive and feed her family. The whole idea of The Hunger Games fills you with such a sense of impotent rage and sympathy for the district people. Truly a powerful book. The sequel, Catching Fire, came out last month, and while not as good as Hunger Games, I still can't wait to read the rest of the projected trilogy.

• Click here to read chapter one of The Hunger Games

Movie News: Lionsgate announced that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film version of Suzanne Collins' best-selling futuristic young adult novel The Hunger Games. Collins will adapt the screenplay from her novel, the first in a trilogy. Nina Jacobson is producing through her Color Force shingle. The announcement was made by Joe Drake, Lionsgate President, Motion Picture Group, and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

Why you, an urban fantasy lover, might like this book:

1. The post apocalyptic world is fully developed.  It is familiar yet feels completely other.
2. Katniss is an amazingly strong heroine without being superhuman.
3. A love triangle that extremely compelling

Why you, an urban fantasy lover, might not like this book:

1. Nothing paranormal here
2. Some scifi elements in terms of technology
3. Difficult subject matter involving the killing of children

 

 

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439023483

Urban Fantasy Contests & Giveaways

I always keep a running list of urban fantasy contests around the web on my sidebar, but there are so many right now, a majority of which end on Halloween, that I’m posting the list.  Make sure you have entered the ones you want.  May I humbly suggest you start with mine, which just happens to be listed first :) Stop by Fantasy Dreamer’s Rambling for more straight fantasy contests.  Her site is always a first stop for me.

If you are giving away an urban fantasy, paranormal romance, dark fantasy or YA with paranormal elements, leave a comment with the link and I’ll include you in this post and sidebar.

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• My 50+ Followers Giveaway: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs, Dark Times by Dakota Banks, and Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells.  Enter by November 4th
• Good Girls - Bad Juju: Unseen World by Sean Cummings. Enter by October 31th.
• Smexy Books:  signed copy of Soul Magic by Jennifer Lyon. Enter by November 1st.
• Fangs, Fur, & Fey: Kindle Reader and $20 gift certificates. Enter by November 13th
• Dark Faerie Tales: Three Days To Dead by Kelly Meding and some lovely SWAG. Enter by November 20th
• Silk & Shadows: Any book by Lori Devoti
• Fantasy Literature: Ann Aguirre’s Blue Diablo. Enter by October 30th
• The Story Siren: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick & Fallen by Lauren Kate. Enter by December 8th
• The Neverending Shelf: ARC of Fallen by Lauren Kate.  Enter by November 18th
• Amberkatze's Book Blog: Blood Kin by Maria Lima. Open to Everyone. Enter by November 1st.
• Writings Of A Wicked Book Addict: signed copy of Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom. Enter by November 1st.
• NextRead: Competition: 2 copies of A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris, courtesy of Gollancz. Open to the UK. Enter by November 2nd.
• Ann Aguirre:  B&N Nook and the Runners Up Winners: A $50 gift certificate to Buy.com (where you can get whatever you want), A $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of your choice, A signed copy of Chris Marie Green’s A DROP OF RED, A signed copy of Patricia Briggs’s BONE CROSSED, An ARC of Kylie Brant’s WAKING THE DEAD. Enter by November 3rd
• Literary Escapism: Guardian of Eternity novel by Alexandra Ivy.  Enter by November 3rd.
• Diana Rowland is giving away eight copies of her book Mark of the Demon. Enter by October 28th
• Anna’s Book Blog is giving away a copy of Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur. Enter by October 31st
• Deadline Dames is giving away THREE copies of MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS by Devon Monk. Enter by October 31st
• Jocelynn Drake is giving away a signed copy of Rachel Vincent's Stray. Enter by October 31st
• One Book Away From Heaven: a copy of Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs or Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men by Molly Harper, your choice. Enter by October 31th.
• Book Chick City: is giving way signed copies of Nightshift and Strange Angels. Enter by October 31th.
• Book Chick City:  is giving away any one book out the currently published books from The Kitty Norville Series by Carrie Vaughn. Enter by October 31th.
• Sara’s Urban Fantasy Blog is giving away a signed copy of Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre.  Enter by November 2.
• THE BOOK BUTTERFLY: is giving away a signed copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Enter by November 13th.
• Naughty Editions  is giving away Dead ringer by Mary Burton, Unseen by Nancy Bush, You’re the one I Haunt by Terri Garey and Scream For Me by Karen Rose. Enter by October 31th.
• Anna's Book Blog  is giving away a box of 14 books including: Cape Storm by Rachel Caine, The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy, Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas Forbidden Nights With A Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells and more. Enter by October 31th.
• Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings: Huge Birthday Celebrations for October!Alaine is celebrating her birthday the whole month of October! Head over and see what she has in store for her grand birthday celebration. Deadline to enter is Friday, October 30th.
• Book Love Affair is giving away a copy of the anthology Immortal: Love Stories With Bite edited by P.C. Cast. Enter by October 30th.
• Vampire Wire is giving away THREE SETS of FIVE SCARY BOOKS: The Heretic's Daughter By Kathleen Kent, Sins of the Flesh By Caridad Piñeiro, When Ghosts Speak By Mary Ann Winkowski, BoneMan's Daughters By Ted Dekker, The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova, Galley of The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker. Enter by November 4th
• LiyanaLand is giving away a signed hardcover copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Enter by October 31th.
• Book Chick City is giving away SIGNED copy of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill and a Cadogan House gift pack! Enter by October 31th.
• Royal Reviews is giving away a copy of Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost –enter by 10/31
• Patricia’s Vampire Notes is giving away: 1st place - The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, 2nd place - Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange, 3rd place - The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows, Book 6) by Kim Harrison, 4th place - Personal Demon (Women of the Otherworld, Book 8) by Kelley Armstrong, 5th place -Winter Duty: A Novel of the Vampire Earth by E. E. Knight –enter by 10/31
• The Eclectis Reader is giving away your choice from: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh, Shadowlight - a Novel of the Kindred by Lynn Viehl, On The Edge by Ilona Andrews, Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe, Intertwined by Gena Showalter, My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent –enter by 10/31
• Dakota Banks is holding a contest for an IPod Touch, 32GB Second Generation, and a signed copy of her book Dark Times. (Dakota is giving away 20 copies of her book.) -enter by 11/30
• J.K. Beck's Shadow Keepers is giving away an ARC of WHEN BLOOD CALLS by J.K. Beck aka Julie Kenner, and a free KINDLE, onto which the ARC will be loaded-no enter by date

There have been a lot of new covers posted lately for upcoming urban fantasy books (I posted 15 this month alone), and even more discussion as to the role cover art plays in book sales.  I’m wondering, how much do covers influence your purchases?

Ann Aguirre expressed concern over this topic when she unveiled the cover for her upcoming Corine Solomon book, Hell Fire:

“…if you compare it to other urban fantasy titles, you’ll find this is quite different. They went for a more realistic style; they also avoided using tatts or leather, which is cover art shorthand for urban fantasy these days. I’m a little concerned by that choice. While I appreciate they want to create a distinctive brand for me, I’m not sure how new readers are going to find me...Random browsers [are] looking for women with tramp stamps, tattoos and leather pants. Never mind that doesn’t really represent the series–it doesn’t in other cases too. But maybe this makes me stand out from the crowd? I’m hoping that’s the case.”

I tend to like the ‘cover art shorthand for urban fantasy’ including tattoos, leather, weapons etc.  I at least know what to expect from the book.  I don’t think Hell Fire is a bad cover, but it wouldn’t necessarily draw me in as a random browser. 

Like when meeting someone for the first time, covers are usually the author/publishers first chance to make an impression (i.e. compel me to buy a book). Now granted there are other factors involved (description, reviews, blurbs by authors I like etc.), but covers provide that first instant attraction…or lack thereof. 

Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review recently asked her readers to compare the US and UK covers (the black one is a third cover I found, not sure from where) for Kelley Armstrong’s new  book Frostbitten.         

                   US                                  UK                                       ??

The overwhelming response choose the UK version.  Not me.  I was US cover all the way.  I wouldn’t have given the UK cover a second glance.  It certainty wouldn’t make me think urban fantasy.  The third one, maybe.  Having read Bitten, I know Kelley likes the zoomed in body part look, but the protruding spine would otherwise lead me to think corpse aka crime novel.  If Kelley Armstrong wasn’t prominately displayed on the front, which would you choose?

Like in life, appearances can only get you so far.  Ultimately its what’s inside that counts.  To butcher Marilyn Monroe’s quote, "Don't you know that a [cover] being [gorgeous] is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn't marry a girl just because she's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help?" ...I have to agree. 

Here are some of my favorite upcoming covers.  Here’s hoping they read as good as they look:

 

 

Throwdown Thursday

Throwdown Thursday is a weekly thing [hosted by The Neverending Shelf] where we tackle books with similar characters, covers, themes, etc. to determine which one rocks more. And it is up to YOU to determine the winner!

Last weeks Throwdown asked In general, do you like the movie version or the book versions better? The winner by split decision was: Book versions

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“A Dhampir (also dhampyre, dhamphir or dhampyr) in Balkan folklore is the child of a vampire father and a human mother. Dhampirs often have powers similar to a vampire, but none of their weaknesses (though the reverse can occur, as well). A dhampir is believed to be unusually adept at killing and detecting vampires. As the concept became popular in fiction the idea of hybrid or half-vampires expanded. Thus, in the broadest sense, dhampirs can be understood as the children/offspring etc. of at least one vampire while at the same time, not a vampire themselves.” -Wikipedia

Having just reviewed Red-headed Stepchild featuring half-vampire/half-mage Sabina Kane, I realized the growing trend in Urban Fantasy fiction is to feature Dhampirs as main or significant characters.  I can see the appeal, from an author’s standpoint:  Depending on the other half in the equation (human, witch, demon, mage etc.) the dhampir can have endless strengths/weakness combinations which provide excellent fodder for creative story telling.  But also as a reader, we get the vampires that are so hot right now, but with unexpected twists.  So my question is (and I’m giving you three choices this time, but feel free to choose another):  Which half-vampire is head—NECK--and shoulders above the rest?

 

 

Sabina Kane (Red-headed Stepchild)

 

 

 

 

Catherine "Cat" Crawfield (Night Huntress)

 

 

 

 

Dorina Basarab (Midnight's Daughter)

 

 

If you want to see a more (though not completely) exhaustive list of half-vampires aka Dhampirs in fiction, you can check out the Wikipedia  list here

 

SciFiGuy got the jump on this one, but Meljean Brook posted the cover art for the new Burning Up anthology:

“This is for the BURNING UP anthology. My Iron Seas novella, “Here There Be Monsters,” will kick off the new series in August 2010. And look at that lineup!”

 

I cannot believe it.  I have 51 people following my little blog!  I only started this site in the middle of September.  I’m so thankful to all of you who commented early on (Donna from Fantasy Dreamer’s Rambling comes to mind), and those of you who are just starting.  Also many thanks to the lovely Terry Spear who let me fumble my way through my first interview with her.  I’m actually spotting some regulars now which is beyond thrilling.  So thank you, thank you, thank you!

I’ve got lots of exciting things planned in the near future including some BIG giveaways and a few famous faces who will be stopping by :)

But, as a way of thanking you all right now, I’m giving away my copies of :

• Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
• Dark Time by Dakota Banks
• Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

These have been read (and reviewed here), so there are some spine creases etc.  But one commenter will get ALL THREE!

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

1. Open US residents only
2. Must be a follower or subscribe via email (right sidebar)
3. You must include your email - [at] [dot] is fine
4. Leave a comment on any one of my earlier posts (extra entry if you comment on a post that previously had no comments), then comment on this post with the name of the post you commented on.
5. Entries must be received by Midnight MST on Wednesday November 4th

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+1 If you are a new  follower or new subscriber via email

+2 Comment on a previous post with no comments

+3 If you already were a follower or subscriber

+4 Post this contest on your blog (provide link)

 

The winner of the Casa Dracula giveaway (chosen by Randomizer.org) is…Raelena aka throuthehaze , who said:

“My favorite vampire is Marius from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.”

 

Thanks Raelena (and everyone else who entered.)  I’ll be sending you an email.  A BIG thank you to Marta Acosta for her time and generosity.  Good news for those of you who are already fans, Marta finished her 4th Casa Dracula book!  I’ll be sure to post more details as we near publication some time in 2010.    

Please check back later today for my first triple giveaway!

Another great find from Dark Faerie Tales: Glimmerglass by Jenna Black is the first YA  from Jenna as part of her Faerie Walker series.  Jenna is giving a tentative release date of August 2010

Dark Faery Tales posted the cover art for Rob Thurman’s Chimera due out June 1, 2010. 

Is it just me or does he kind of look like Tom Wellington from Smallville?

“First: sadly, no Chris McGrath. I know. I'm pretty frigging hearbroken as well.
Second: the artist, Aleta Rafton (www.aletarafton.com) did a very, very nice job. So I lucked out yet a second time with an artist.
Third: DON'T PANIC. Some of you may be UF readers and UF only. You  might not be into Sci Fi. This book is listed as a Sci Fi Thriller and the cover does look very Sci Fi. It's not. It's set now and the only difference is that genetic manipulation is more advanced...but only by the bad guys, and they always have more advanced goodies than the rest of the world anyway. This is the book I wrote when I couldn't sell Nightlife, yet I still wanted to write a book about brothers and the bond that goes with that. This is basically a Cal and Niko type book, but the monsters are human. No space ships. So don't freak out. Instead, imagine the fun of the darker, sarcastic brother having to be the older and responsible one and what hell he'd go through trying to be a role model (poor Stefan. Explaining the birds and the bees about broke him. Heh heh.)” –Rob Thurman

 

Chloe just posted the cover art for Twice Bitten (A Chicagoland Vampires Novel, Book 3).  Due out July 6, 2010

I’m really digging the new trend of swords instead of guns. It is oddly more feminine, so the juxtaposition of a tough leather clad, sword welding fighter who happens to be a beautiful woman is really striking.

 

SciFiGuy posted the cover art for Lyn Benedict’s Ghosts & Echoes: A Shadows Inquiries Novel Due out April 27, 2010.  Check out Doug’s post for more details and comments from Lyn. 

My Take:  It looks a little Miami Vice to me. 

Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Book 1)
by Jaye Wells

Book Description: In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn’t really fit in. And being an assassin – the only profession fit for an outcast – doesn’t help matters. But she’s never brought her work home. Until now. Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex, and threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she’s on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life-changing, but together, they could be fatal …This time, it’s personal.

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Review: My criteria for liking a book often comes down to liking the main character. After reading the first chapter of Red-headed Stepchild, I was ready to streak my hair red just so I could look like Sabina Kane.

“Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal.”

When we first meet Sabina, she's in a graveyard digging a six foot hole for her latest meal (a kiddy drug pusher--Sabina gets a bite and cleans up the neighborhood in the process: everybody wins). An orphan raised by her mother's family, Sabina Kane is a vampire. Well half vampire, half mage. The product of a forbidden love affair, Sabina is forced to wear the stigma of her illegitimate birth literally on her head (the aforementioned red streaks).

In the world created by Jaye Wells, vampires (or Lilim, as they are called) are the offspring of Lilith and Cain and therefore they all have red hair (their inherited ‘biblical mark of Cain’). In fact all the dark races are in someway the descendents of Lilith: Demons, Fey etc.  The world-building was definitely a strong point in this book:  The politics of the various races are believably nuanced and have a real feeling of history behind them. There is the Dominae, a trio of female vampires (headed by Sabina’s grandmother) who govern over the vampiric race, and the Hecate Council that rules the Mages (or Mancies), and the Sellie Court of the Fey.  The genesis of Vampires are also fully explained in a new and unique way.  Along with a sense of mystery regarding Sabina’s mixed heritage which promises to be more fully explored in future books.

There is a lot to like about this book, but sadly with each increasing chapter, my affinity for Sabina,--and by extension this book--decreased. Chip nothing, Sabina had a boulder on her shoulder. I almost cheered when different characters called her out as a bitch.   This is more of a personal pet peeve (but, hey, this is my blog): barely a hundred pages into the book Sabina had already commented twice that some guy made her panties/crotch get wet. I hate that phrasing; I just find it crass and vulgar.   Big turn off.  But the biggest obstacle I had with Sabina how she really skirted the TSTL [to stupid to live] line throughout this book (especially the first half).

It is abundantly clear almost from page one the the Dominae have been using and lying to Sabina practically from birth, yet whenever someone tries to point this out to her, we get half a page of inner monologue where Sabina can't believe someone would expect her to believe such lies, because, of course, she's way too smart for anyone to deceive her.  And even when she finally sees proof for herself of the Dominae’s duplicity, she still won’t believe that their lies extend to other extremely obvious areas.  I understand that Sabina would be reluctant to cast her grandmother, the woman who raised her, in the role of villain, but there comes a point when reluctance must give way to reality.  Sabina consistent refusal to acknowledge what was right in front of her was extremely frustrating.

The tone of the book was also problematic for me.  Some chapters indicated that the author was going for a lighter, more humorous tone:  like the scene with Gilguhl (Sabina's demon sidekick) dressed in a pink kimono and indulging in his infomercial addiction.  But  then basically on the next page, a darker more gritty tone has Sabina in a nightclub walking  in on a guy giving oral sex to another guy.  Back to the demon who can now turn into fuzzy kitty, then off to a creepy sexual cult.  Light or dark; funny or gritty.  Both have there place.  I would have preferred consistency one way or the other.  The author was clearly going for a hilarious meets horror blend, it just wasn’t entirely successful for me.

Sabina’s first outing, like her hair and nature, is a bit uneven to say the least.  But I’m not giving up on this series.  The premise and world Jaye has created  is too intriguing for that.   Ultimately, I think there is enough promise here to warrant checking out The Mage in Black when it comes out in March of 2010. 

Sexual Content:
Some crude language, a man performing a sex act on another man.

Read Chapter 1 of Red-Headed Stepchild here.

Buy Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells at:

• Indie Bound
• Barnes & Noble.