All Things Urban Fantasy

Dark Urban Fantasy author Adrian Phoenix is making her second appearance on All Things Urban Fantasy today talking about the differences between urban fantasy and dark urban fantasy and why she finds the distinction so delicious.  And thanks to Adrian’s publisher at Simon & Schuster, I’m giving away 7 copies of the first book in Adrian’s new Hoodoo series, BLACK DUST MAMBO.  Not to be outdone, Adrian is offering her own giveaway: a signed set of the first 3 Maker's Song books- A RUSH OF WINGS, IN THE BLOOD, and BENEATH THE SKIN. See details below.

Adrian Phoenix has had stories published in several magazines and anthologies. She currently lives in Oregon (with three cats, of course), but travels to New Orleans, the city of her heart, whenever possible.
The 4th Maker's Song book, ETCHED IN BONE, will be out February 22, 2011 and the 2nd Hoodoo book, BLACK HEART LOA, will be out July 2011.

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Dark Urban Fantasy
by
Adrian Phoenix

Thanks for inviting me back to All Things Urban Fantasy, Abigail. I’m thrilled to hang out again!

Almost Halloween, the season for all things dark and pumpkin-y and my favorite time of the year—a time to revel in the night. And what better time to start delving into (if you already haven’t) dark urban fantasy?

So what is dark urban fantasy and how does it differ from other UF? Great question and one I immediately started rolling around in my brain, leading to an interesting realization: it doesn’t.

All urban fantasy is, by its nature, dark. Yes, even the UF books with humorous hearts such as Jeri Smith-Ready’s WVMP vampire series, J.F. Lewis’s Void City books, and Mark Henry’s Amanda Feral series. (Great books, btw.)

Darkness, death, violence, sex, and blood thrive in stories dealing with paranormal characters and their urban hunting grounds; mortals struggle with latent magical abilities or powers that threaten to steal their humanity; fallen angels work their seductive and deadly mojo; and demons play. A very dark and dangerous canvas for a writer to paint a story upon.

I feel that what truly makes urban fantasy dark isn’t so much the paranormal backdrop, but the issues—very human issues—the characters grapple with all while fighting and scheming and kicking ass to stay alive. Issues involving identity—who am I? What am I?—and alienation when caught between several worlds—where the hell do I belong?

But urban fantasy also delves into the darkest aspects of daily life—child abuse, government conspiracies, murder, suicide, torture, and loss in all aspects—of self-identity, of love, of moral balance, of family, of heart and soul—while exploring how these characters deal with and conquer these challenges.

Yet even in the grittiest stories, you’ll find humor and love, steamy and passionate sex, and a sense of family as the characters deal with their own relatives or create a home for themselves and those they love. Urban fantasy is packed with vivid characters that you’ll root for, ache for, and wish you could share a drink or two with.

Check out Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series—great books and the epitome of dark urban fantasy. The protagonist is an assassin and yet you care about her. A lot. She is surviving the only way she knows how in a dark and dangerous world.

Devon Monk’s Allie Beckstorm series is another great read with a fantastic world and characters. All dark, all marvelous. As is Jeanne C. Stein’s Anna Strong vampire series. Tons of great reads await you!

Come to the dark side. Join us. We even have pumpkin cookies.

--Adrian Phoenix

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Thanks so much for stopping by Adrian.  Come back anytime!

Visit Adrian online:

Website|Blog|Myspace |Twitter |Facebook |Goodreads

Want to read more from Adrian Phoenix?

The Maker's Song
1. A Rush of Wings
2. In the Blood
3. Beneath the Skin
4. Etched in Bone (2011)

Hoodoo
1. Black Dust Mambo
2. Black Heart Loa (2011)

Giveaway

Giveaway courtesy of Simon & Schuster and Adrian Phoenix

 

7 copies of BLACK DUST MAMBO & a signed set of The Maker’s Song series by Adrian Phoenix

Book Description

"There will be times, girl, when all your magic ain't going to be enough, times when it will seem to dry up like mud under the noonday sun, or even make matters worse . . ."  

Kallie Riviere, a fiery Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a talent for trouble, finds herself smack-dab in the middle of one of those times her mentor warned her about when she visits New Orleans to attend the Hecatean Alliance's annual carnival: her hard-bodied conjurer hookup ends up dead in her blood-drenched bed. And he was killed by something that Kallie would never dream of touching -- the darkest of dark juju, soul-eating juju -- a black dust hex that may have been meant to kill her.

Now Kallie has to use every bit of hoodoo knowledge and bayou-bred mojo she possesses to clear her own name and find the killer -- even as that dark sorcerer hunts Kallie and her friends. But Kallie's search for the truth soon leads her in a direction she never anticipated -- back home to Bayou Cypres Noir, and to Gabrielle LaRue, Kallie's aunt, protector, and hoodoo mentor . . . who is looking more and more like she just might be the one who wants Kallie dead.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from BLACK DUST MAMBO

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

1. BLACK DUST MAMBO=US only, no PO Boxes
   The Maker’s Song series=International
2. Fill out the form below
3. Enter by October 31st

I would greatly appreciate if you shared this giveaway on your blog or favorite social networks.  And please say hi to Adrian. Thanks!

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Interested in Guest Blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy?  CONTACT ME