Deadly Destinations: Elle Jasper’s Riley Poe takes us to Charleston from EVERDARK

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Suzanne Young’s Portland from Charlotte Cassidy & a chance to win A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL**

Deadly Destinations day three takes us to Charleston…with vampires. Elle Jasper’s tattoo artist and ‘more than mortal girl’ Riley Poe is showing us around the setting from AFTERLIGHT (read my review HERE) and the new release EVERDARK (read my review HERE) available now.  Thanks to Elle and her publisher NAL/Signet Eclipse, six of you who comment on this post will win a copy of the book!  See details below

---

Riley Poe’s Guide to Chareston
by
Elle Jasper

Charleston, South Carolina. Old South. Old ways. Steeped in culture and history.

Also steeped in creepiness.

Hi, I'm Riley Poe, and I'm going to walk you through a little of Savannah's sister city, Charleston. Like Savannah, it's beautiful to the unknowing eye. Carriages pulled by feathery-footed horses, moss and palm trees, gorgeous historic homes. Charleston is all that--but don't let the romantic exterior fool you. Like Savannah, there's a darker side. You know, of course, I'd find it. So here I am, in between running my tattoo shop, Inksomnia (clever name, huh?) and fighting rogue vampires, and trying my best not to get sucked (no pun intended) into their immortal world, I'm playing tour guide. That's okay. I'd rather you check some of these places out in the daylight. Just, seriously--stay away once the sun drops. I mean that.

Down a two lane Hwy 17 toward Charleston you'll find fruit stands, boiled peanuts for sale, country stores selling jams and jellies and produce, and an occasional (okay, more than occasional) lawn chair with umbrella, and an old Gullah woman weaving sweetgrass magic. If you're not from around here, you've no idea what that means, so it's this: the Gullah are exquisite master sweetgrass weavers, and they create the most beautiful baskets which they sell along HW 17. They've done the weaving for centuries and their wares are unmatched. My Gullah granny, Estelle, is one of the best. Sometimes you'll find her and her sisters selling there. Be prepared to haggle the price though. They're not about to give their stuff away.

Now I know that's not scary. Nor dangerous. I thought I'd mention it though. Okay actually, Estelle said she'd boil crabs and make hush puppies if I mentioned it. So there. Cat's out of the bag.

Moving along.

If you read about my adventures in Charleston in EVERDARK, then you'll want to check out the French Hugenot Church in the historic district. In the daylight, it's actually kinda peaceful. Night time, not so much. Seems like just yesterday I dropped to rogue vamps with my blades as they hid in the eaves. Sneaky little bastards.

I've got strigoi blood running through my veins. I admit, not the most perfect DNA a girl could hope to have, but there you go. I've got it and I deal with it. That doesn't mean I don't get creeped out by certain things. The Unitarian Church and graveyard are those kinds of places. Will actually make your skin crawl. And to think they actually have guided walking tours there. I have to wonder if the city would allow the tours if they knew what I knew? Trust me, the only thing worse than watching a newling take their first victim is a seasoned vampire take down a newling. Not a pretty sight, I promise you. That cemetery has seen its share, I'm sure of it. As a matter of fact, my new-found heartless immortal pal, Noah Miles, (one of Charleston's guardian vampires and one hot guy in dreads if I do say so myself) patrols past the Unitarian nightly.

A trip to Charleston's waterfront battery is a must. Again, during the daytime. Jake Andora's veranda and palm tree home sits facing the harbor, and it's kick-ass and inviting. I'd loved to have stayed there longer with Eli--with ONLY Eli--but as it came to be, we were all needed elsewhere. Maybe one day we can head back to the battery. Alone. (and without Noah, because he's more potent than you can imagine)

All in all, Charleston is a fantastic place to visit. I imagine if you don't know the seedy places that exist, your fear factor is minimal. Keep it that way. Don't go beyond where the tour guides take you. Especially alone. Because there's evil lurking in the shadows, and know that for a freaking fact. If you do dare venture into the market place, or Church Street, or anywhere in the historic district, watch your back. If you make it out alive, know right now that it's only because A: the rogues and newlings missed you, or B: Noah Miles and his band of guardians had your back and saved your ass.

Enjoy  your visit!

Riley

Check out the final installment of the Dark Ink Chronicles, EVENTIDE's, cover!

Peace out!

EJ

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

About Elle Jasper

Elle Jasper spent her youth buried in the pages of Mary Shelly, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker, and Stephen King. Growing up on the salt marshes of Savannah, Georgia, she was always fascinated by the city’s ancient cobblestones, eerie church spires and Gothic Revival architect—as well as the dark, not-so-publicized side of Savannah, both steeped in tumultuous history. After an education at Armstrong Atlantic University, she forged her love of Gothic literature with an active imagination to pen her own stories. She is now a full time writer and lives amidst the moss and shadows of Savannah. Visit Elle Online: Website|Blog |Twitter |Facebook

Want to read more from Elle?

---

Giveaway provided by Elle Jasper & NAL/Signet-Eclipse

6 winners total: 3 winners will each receive signed copies of EVERDARK and AFTERLIGHT & 3 winners each will receive a copy of EVERDARK

Available on June 7, 2011 from NAL/Signet-Eclipse.

Description:

Curse the darkness…before it curses you.

Tattoo artist Riley Poe thought she knew the shady side of Savannah—until her brother was taken by a cult of vampires. Allying herself with hot-blooded vampire Eli Dupré, she got her brother back. But her courage—and her one-of-a-kind blood type—made her an irresistible temptation for some very bad bloodsuckers.

After barely surviving an ambush by enemy undead, she has inherited certain traits of her attackers: heightened senses, lightning reflexes, unreal strength. Eli trains Riley to use her new vampiric tendencies, teaching her control and skills she’s never imagined needing. But when a new trait—a telepathic link with a rampaging vampire—manifests itself, Riley knows she has to put her new skills to the test to stop the killer before he strikes again.

Long used to taking care of herself, Riley has trouble asking for help, even from the powerful vampire she loves....

Click HERE to read an excerpt | Click HERE to read our review

Pre-Order from

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US/CA addresses only. No PO Boxes

2. Leave a comment for Elle & a way to contact you unless it’s listed in your profile

3. All Deadly Destinations winners will be announced on August 7th

4. See our Giveaway Policy if you have any questions

   ---

Interested in guest blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME