I don’t know about you, but I’ve still got a bit of jetlag after all these truly amazing Deadly Destinations tours.  This past month has to have been one of the better vacations I’ve ever been on.  We spanned the globe, both on land and sea, and even ventured off world!  Angela from Dark Faerie Tales and I always have a blast working on these events together (I’ve now determined that she is some kind of Bionic woman who never needs sleep, is always cheerful and energetic, and has an relentless enthusiasm for the paranormal genre.  Thank you for always setting the bar of excellence so high). 

I remain grateful to the authors who so graciously sent their characters and worlds to us.  I hope we’ve returned them to you without any irreparable damage:   

Adrian Phoenix Allison van Diepen Allyson James Alyssa Day Alyxandra Harvey Andrea Cremer Caitliln Kittredge Carolyn Crane Carrie Vaughn Christine Cody Christina Henry Clay and Susan Griffith Dani Harper Darynda Jones Dawn Metcalf Deborah Cooke

Devon Monk Diana Rowland Elle Jasper Gail Carriger Gretchen McNeil Jeannie Holmes Jenn Bennett Jenna Black Jennifer Estep Jess Haines Jocelynn Drake Jonathan Maberry Justin Gustainis K.A. Stewart Kalayna Price Karin Harlow

Karina Cooper Karsten Knight Kasey MacKenzie Kat Richardson Katherine Kerr Kelly Gay Kelly Meding Kendra Leigh Castle Kevin Hearne Laurie London Lee Rowland Leslie Parrish Lisa Desrochers Maria Lima Melissa de la Cruz Michelle Rowen

Philippa Ballantine Rachel Caine Rachel Vincent Sarah Jane Stratford Seressia Glass Shari Kohler Sharon Ashwood Sidney Ayers Sophie Littlefield Stacey Kade Stacia Kane Suzanne Young Tera Lynn Childs Terri Garey Thea Harrison Vicki Pettersson

(if you missed any Deadly Destination tours, check out the links below)

I’m also grateful for the many publishers who were so supportive of Deadly Destinations and provided the insane number of giveaways: Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books, Disney Hyperion, Kensington, Random House, HarperCollins, Tor, Scholastic, Harlequin, St. Martin’s Press, Orbit, Bloomsbury, Pyr, Angry Robot, Baen, and their various imprints!

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**IMPORTANT**

All winners must fill out the form below to claim their prize(s).  Please DO NOT contact/email us with your address.

• Winners were chosen by Random.org
• Winners have 72 hours to claim their prize(s) or new winners will be drawn.
• All titles link to The Book Depository (free shipping to 90+ countries)
• Please visit Dark Faerie Tales winners post to see if you won any of her Deadly Destinations giveaways!
• ✔= Prize claimed

And the winners are…

✔Kalayna Price’s Alex Craft takes us to Nekros City from GRAVE DANCE – 3 copies of GRAVE DANCE by Kalayna Price

1. ✔Angela (Library Girl Reads)
2. ✔ Donna S
3. ✔Rebecca (rwschwarz11)

✔Stacey Kade’s Will Killian takes us to The Archway Theater from THE QUEEN OF THE DEAD – 3 copies of QUEEN OF THE DEAD by Stacey Kade

1. ✔Lindsay (lindsaydevine)
2. ✔Jen (jenduffey81)
3. ✔Meredith (meredithfl)

✔Elle Jasper’s Riley Poe takes us to Charleston from EVERDARK – 3 signed copies of EVERDARK and AFTERLIGHT & 3 copies of EVERDARK

1. ✔EVERDARK & AFTERLIGHT- Enigma75
2. ✔EVERDARK & AFTERLIGHT- Ashley D.
3. ✔EVERDARK & AFTERLIGHT- Stephanie M. Lorée
4. ✔EVERDARK - Julie S.
5. ✔EVERDARK - Bethany C.
6. ✔EVERDARK – winnie (chibipooh)

✔Jess Haines’ Shiarra Waynest takes us to New York City from DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS – 1 copy of DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS by Jess Haines & a book thong

1. ✔Amy (angeldream3)

✔Lisa Desrochers’ Luc Cain takes us to Hell from ORIGINAL SIN – 5 copies of ORIGINAL SIN by Lisa Desrochers

1. ✔Dovile (spamscape)
2. ✔Ashley F
3. ✔Theresa (rtnorman2)
4. ✔Kristen H
5. ✔Edyta (Edytau)

✔Deborah Cooke’s Zoe Sorensson talks about the Realm of Wyvern from FLYING BLIND - 3 copies of FLYING BLIND by Deborah Cooke

1. ✔faefever25
2. ✔Vivian P
3. ✔Stephanie (icewoman96)

✔Allison van Diepen’s Alex Banks takes us to Otherworld Chicago from THE VAMPIRE STALKER - 3 copies of THE VAMPIRE STALKER by Allison van Diepen

1. ✔Chelsea B.
2. ✔Alyssa D
3. ✔Ozymandias

Allyson James’s guide to the Southwest from SHADOW WALKER – 1 copy of STORMWALKER & FIREWALKER by Allyson James

1. Kt (kclapsadl)

✔Devon Monk’s Rose Small takes us to Hallelujah, OR from DEAD IRON - 3 copies of DEAD IRON by Devon Monk

1. ✔Stephanie M. Lorée
2. ✔Bookwyrm369
3. ✔Ozymandias

✔Andrea Cremer takes us to club Eden from WOLFSBANE – 1 signed copy of WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer

1. ✔Audra (audie)

✔Sharon Ashwood takes us to the Castle from FROSTBOUND – 3 copies of FROSTBOUND by Sharon Ashwood

1. ✔Barbara E.
2. ✔mbreakfield
3. ✔Elaine G

✔Laurie London’s Mackenzie Foster-Shaw takes us to Seattle from EMBRACED BY BLOOD – 2 copies (one signed) of EMBRACED BY BLOOD by Laurie London

1. ✔Signed copy – Sarah C.
2. ✔Bookwyrm369

✔Kevin Hearne’s Atticus O’Sullivan takes us to Asgard from HAMMERED - 3 copies of HAMMERED by Kevin Hearne

1. ✔Elizabeth (elizabethjhoskins)
2. ✔Britt (brittanynoelle)
3. ✔Rebecca W

✔Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson takes us to New Mexico from SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT - 3 copies of SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT by Darynda Jones

1. ✔Kim C
2. ✔Tonya F
3. ✔Brittany H

✔Philippa Ballantine’s Sorcha Farris takes us to Vermillion from SPECTYR - 3 copies of SPECTYR by Philippa Ballantine

1. ✔Amy (angeldream3)
2. ✔Gidget (tytysmommy21)
3. ✔Julie S.

✔Alyxandra Harvey’s Violet takes us to Victorian England from HAUNTING VIOLET - 4 copies of HAUNTING VIOLET by Alyxandra Harvey

1. ✔Barbara E.
2. ✔Susan (sab5723)
3. ✔Amy (angeldream3)
4. ✔cait045

✔Sidney Ayers’s Michigan from DEMONS PREFER BLONDES - 4 copies of DEMONS PREFER BLONDES by Sidney Ayers, one will be signed, and a $20 giftcard

1. ✔Signed copy & giftcard - Theresa (rtnorman2)
2. ✔throuthehaze
3. ✔Ambercruz1
4. ✔Mickie T

✔Gail Carriger’s Lord Akeldama takes us to London from HEARTLESS - 5 copies of HEARTLESS by Gail Carriger

1. ✔Stacy (Urban Fantasy Investigations)
2. ✔Christa H
3. ✔SandyLu562
4. ✔Karina S
5. ✔draconismoi

✔Christine Cody’s Mariah Lyander’s tour of the New Badlands from BLOODLANDS - 3 copies of BLOODLANDS & an ARC of BLOOD RULES by Christine Cody

1. ✔ARC of BLOODRULES – Maria D
2. ✔Barbara E.
3. ✔Rain Maiden
4. ✔lizzi0915

✔Kelly Meding’s Milo Grant takes us to Dreg City from ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD - 3 copies of ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD by Kelly Meding

1. ✔sgiden
2. ✔Arianne Cruz
3. ✔Ozymandias

✔Clay and Susan Griffith’s vampires take us to London from Vampire Empire: THE RIFT WALKER 5 signed copies of THE GREYFRIAR & ARCs of THE RIFT WALKER by Clay and Susan Griffith

1. Melissa (Books and Things) *Declined because she already has an ARC*
   ✔New winner: Michelle(mmillet)
2. ✔Mariya D
3. ✔Edna B
4. ✔Vidisha
5. ✔Kaya H.

✔Kat Richardson takes us to Lake Crescent from DOWNPOUR - 3 copies of GREYWALKER by Kat Richardson

1. ✔Mary (chibimimw)
2. ✔Barb E
3. ✔Beth M.

✔ Stacia Kane’s Triumph City from HOME IMPROVEMENT UNDEAD EDITION – 1 winner will pick out a Triumph City t-shirt (they come in a variety of styles and colors)

1. ✔BLHmistress *Please leave your size, color, & style choice in the form below*

✔Kasey Mackenzie’s Cori Holloway takes us to The Belly from GREEN-EYED ENVY - 3 copies of GREEN-EYED ENVY by Kasey Mackenzie

1. ✔BLHmistress
2. ✔Mickie T
3. ✔Kalliandra2007

✔ Justin Gustainis’s Stan Markowski takes us to Scranton from HARD SPELL – 1 copy of HARD SPELL by Justin Gustainis

1. ✔Bethie (lizzi0915)

✔Tera Lynn Childs takes us to Thalassinian from FINS ARE FOREVER – 1 copy of FINS ARE FOREVER by Tera Lynn Childs

1. Laura K

✔Jennifer Estep’s Gwen Frost takes us to Mythos Academy from TOUCH OF FROST – 1 copy of TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep

1. ✔Vivien (deadtossedwaves)

✔Kelly Gay’s Emma Madigan takes us to Charbydon from THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES – 2 copies of THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES & 1 set of the first 3 books in the Charlie Madigan series

1. ✔Series set – latishajean
2. ✔Stacy (Urban Fantasy Investigations)
3. ✔Barb P

✔Alyssa Day takes us to Atlantis from VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS - 3 copies of VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS by Alyssa Day

1. ✔Winnie L
2. ✔latishajean
3. ✔Na S

✔Carolyn Crane’s Carter takes us to Midcity from WILD AND STEAMY – 1 ebook copy of WILD AND STEAMY by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, and Carolyn Crane

1. ✔Mickie T

✔Sharie Kohler’s Darby takes us to The Great White North from NIGHT FALLS ON THE WICKED - 2 copies of NIGHT FALLS ON THE WICKED by Sharie Kohler

1. ✔jennifervallier82
2. ✔Stacy M

✔THIS DARK ENDEAVOR by Kenneth Oppel - 5 copies of THIS DARK ENDEAVOR by Kenneth Oppel

1. ✔mendyha26
2. ✔Theresa (rtnorman2)
3. ✔Julie S.
4. ✔maidenveil
5. ✔hense1kk

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All Deadly Destinations winners must fill out this form to claim their prize(s)
If you do not fill out the form new winners will be drawn within 72 hours

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination BONUS giveaway & a chance to win WITCHES OF EAST END by Melissa de la Cruz**

The Deadly Destinations tours may be over (you have until August 6th to enter all the giveaways), but that doesn’t mean our trips to the summer’s killer hot spots has to be.  After all, we did promise you a few BONUS giveaways.  First up from Simon and Schuster is the first in The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series by Kenneth Oppel called THIS DARK ENDEAVOR (available on August 23, 2011 from Simon and Schuster). 5 commenters on this post will win a copy. Details below. 

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Giveaway provided by Simon Schuster

5 copies of THIS DARK ENDEAVOR by Kenneth Oppel

Available on August 23, 2011 from Simon and Schuster

Description:

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. With their friend Elizabeth, Henry and Victor immediately set out to find assistance from a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrad's life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another

Read an excerpt

Pre-Order from

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US addresses only

2. Leave a comment & 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

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Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Gretchen McNeil’s San Francisco from Bridget Liu & a chance to win POSSESS**

We continue to span the globe for the final Deadly Destinations tour traveling to The Great White North today with Sharie Kohler's Darby from the Moon Chasers series.  Why the cold?  Demons from hell prefer a hotter climate, and this white witch will do everything she can to hide from them.  Want to learn more?  You’ll have to pick up NIGHT FALLS ON THE WICKED on August 30, 2011 from Pocket books or be one of the two winners who comment on this post. See details below

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Darby’s Guide to The Great White North
by
Sharie Kohler

Hi, there. I’m Darby from the world of the Moon Chasers. You may have met me in MY SOUL TO KEEP and now I get my own story in NIGHT FALLS ON THE WICKED. Up until now, the Moon Chasers books have been about lycan and hybrid lycans. And don’t get me wrong. This book has its fair share of lycans, too. But I’m not a lycan. I’m something else …

I’m a white witch.

What does that mean exactly? Well, most importantly, it means I’m not an eternally damned demon witch. That’s something. Everything, really. Except being a white witch isn’t a cake walk either … not when there are demons out there intent on corrupting white witches into signing away their souls. Which wouldn’t be so tempting if we didn’t get immortality and vast power in exchange. Only there’s a price. Isn’t there always? Enter into a contract with a demon and you pretty much become that demon’s bitch. The bastard can take possession of you any time they feel like it. No thanks. Not for me. Not going to happen. I’ll do everything in my power to avoid the threat of demons. Even if it means leaving everything and everyone behind and working as waitress in a diner in cold subarctic temperatures intolerable to demons who prefer the balmy clime of hell.

The only problem is that lycans aren’t affected by the cold. No one stops them from visiting this ice-trap. When lycans take up residence and start terrorizing the locals, it’s suddenly not so easy to stay off the radar. And when a stranger rolls into town – about the hottest guy I’ve seen in forever – I don’t know whether or not he’s someone I can trust. But I do know he’s someone I can’t resist. My lonely existence must finally be catching up with me – or this damned cold. But I can’t be weak. I can’t give in. With demons trailing me, I’m not exactly a girl that forms attachments. I’ve got to get out of this town … I’ve got to stay clear of lycans hunting their next meal … I’ve got to ignore Niklas and his strangely mesmerizing eyes … I’ve got to …

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About Sharie Kohler

SHARIE KOHLER took her adolescent dreaming one step further and penned her first story in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History. After several years teaching, Sharie decided it was time to pursue her long-held dream of writing. Now a full time author, she also writes historical romances and young adult romances under the name, Sophie Jordan. She believes her decision to write paranormal stems from her long-sustained love of horror movies (big fan of Alfred Hitchcock!) and a good love story. This New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author resides in Houston with her family, juggling deadlines, children, and a husband who loves her cooking. Amid the happy chaos, she finds time to write. Visit Sharie Kohler  online: Website|Facebook|Twitter

Want to read more from Sharie Kohler?

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Giveaway provided by Pocket Books

2 copies of NIGHT FALLS ON THE WICKED by Sharie Kohler

Available on August 30, 2011 from Pocket Books

Description:

Sharie Kohler returns to the shadowy world of the Moon Chasers, where a seductive witch stalked by demons finds protection in the arms of a lycan on a mission of blood vengeance. . . .

Darby lives her life below the radar, moving from town to town in the coldest climates, eluding the demons that hunt her—and never allowing herself to get close to anyone. Now, in frigid isolation, Darby waits tables in a small town and tries to forget who she is—what she is—and the danger forever nipping at her heels. Until a new danger finds her—a lycan pack whose distant howls have the locals on edge. But the call of the lycans has also drawn a handsome, menacing stranger. . . .

For years, Niklas has searched for the bloodthirsty pack that murdered his mother and infected him. Darby is overwhelmed by his raw appeal and dangerous strength. Niklas senses her need and vulnerability . . . and together they give in to the hungry attraction blazing between them—but desire this fierce brings dangers of its own. When Darby is targeted by the lycans, the stakes are higher than ever—and Niklas is not about to lose another woman he loves to their evil bloodlust.

Pre-Order from

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US addresses only

2. Leave a comment for Sharie & 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

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Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination from Caitliln Kittredge & a chance to win THE WILD SIDE anthology**

I feel like I’ve waited a long time to return to today’s Deadly Destionation, but only because I had such an amazing time during my first visit, and a near perfect time during my second visit.  So where are we going? To Midcity led by Carolyn Crane's Carter from her Disillusionists Trilogy about a group of superhero types who’ve learned to weaponize their crippling psychological disorders.  Carolyn has teamed up with two of my favorite paranormal authors, Meljean Brook and Jill Myles for a new ebook anthology called WILD AND STEAMY available on August 3rd.  Carolyn has graciously offered a copy to one of you who comments on this post!  See details below

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Carter’s guide to Midcity!
by
Carolyn Crane

Carter is a disillusionist who lives in Midcity, and his specialty is rage! You can read about Midcity and the disillusionists in Mind Games, Double Cross, and the novella in Wild & Steamy.

Midcity: An exciting place to visit! By Carter the disillusionist

Getting around MIDCITY:

I would recommend walking or driving on the normal streets, but by all means, avoid driving on the Tangle! The Tangle is a multi-clover turnpike that is the most insane, twisted-up, dangerous, maddening thing ever constructed! But it is also the fastest way to get around the city. I drive on it every day and get really upset. Apparently some secrets of the Tangle are revealed in the anthology, WILD & STEAMY but hell if I’m going to read that thing!

Eating out IN MIDCITY:

Mongolian Delites $$

You can find kebabs of many kinds at the Mongolian Delites. This restaurant has full bar, which is handy if the traffic on the Tangle has DRIVEN YOU CRAZY!  Also, there is a mirror behind the bar and it’s satisfying to throw things at it and break it. If you’re like me, you could also try going into the kitchen and breaking plates, a relaxing activity when Midcity gets on your NERVES!  Depending on when you go, you may or may not find a certain tortured mastermind trapped there who happens to be a very very good friend of mine.

Ciappos $$$$$

A fancy underground restaurant where the elite go to eat, and some of them are jerks. Overpriced. I should go trash that place.

SHOPPING IN MIDCITY:

Downtown

The downtown shopping scene is pretty sad. Even a guy who rarely shops can see that. Let me paint you the scene as you walk down the sidewalk: 1970’s mannequins wearing faded and dusty outfits that involve shoulder pads and giant buttons. Ripped pantyhose. Sometimes the mannequins don’t even have their wigs on straight.

North Midcity Bazaar

Slightly better than downtown, the bazaar is in an old warehouse that’s so big, it’s like an open bazaar feeling, with lots of stands, and mostly imported stuff, since they don’t make anything in Midcity anymore worth buying.

Le Toile Dress Shop

My friend and fellow disillusionist Justine used to work there. It’s in South Midcity, and is very fancy. Who can afford that stuff?

SAFETY:

Midcity is a safe place to vacation if you take precautions!

Before you go: Invest in a nice helmet and a pair of shoes you feel comfortable wearing while breaking into a sprint You’ll want to wear that helmet at all times in case you fall under telekinetic attack. Depending on the season, you might not want to go outside at night, due to the sleepwalking cannibals under Stuart the Dream Invader’s control.

Hint: Wearing a suit of armor will help foil most cannibalistic sleepwalkers - when they try to bite into your stomach and encounter metal, they will move on to easier prey. You might also try walking in a group of ten or more, armed with large caliber weapons.

Another hint: No matter what the cabbies tell you, don’t venture into the area underneath the Tangle interchange. This is a two-square-mile expanse of wasteland that makes the Mad Max wasteland look like Disneyworld.

One last hint: To guard against telekinetic pickpockets, pin all loose cash inside your pockets, or chain your wallet to your belt.

Wait, another hint: When you walk outside, get an annoying song running incessantly in your head. That will foil most telepaths trying to profit off secret information, like bank passwords.

Another hint: If you come in contact with the Midcity River water, wash the affected area immediately with a mixture of bleach and hydrochloric acid. And please do not throw lit matches into the river.

EXCITING MIDCITY!

Midcity is a great place to vacation if you know where to go and come prepared. There is always something happening in exciting Midcity!

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About Carolyn Crane

Carolyn Crane lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daring cats. She spent years as a waitress and shop clerk before moving to ad agencies and the freelance writing life. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, and when she’s not writing novels or working her straight job, she can be found reading in bed, running, helping animals, or eating Mexican food. Visit Carolyn Crane online: Website|Blog |Twitter |Facebook

Want to read more from Carolyn Crane?

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Giveaway provided by Carolyn Crane

One ebook copy of WILD AND STEAMY by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, and Carolyn Crane

Description:

The Blushing Bounder by Meljean Brook - An Iron Seas novella of 15,000 words: The search for a killer puts Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth's life in danger and her assistant, Constable Newberry, in the line of fire. But Newberry faces a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this prudish bounder to convince his wife to stay?

Vixen by Jill Myles - A shifter novella of 15,000 words: Miko's denied her were-fox nature for far too long and turned her back on her vixen heritage. But when she meets two very sexy cat-shifters, she has to decide if she truly wants to give up on her frisky side, or embrace it. Because the were-fox in her doesn't want to choose between both men...it wants them both.

Kitten-tiger & the Monk by Carolyn Crane - A Disillusionists novella of 20,000 words: Sophia Sidway, Midcity's most dangerous memory revisionist, seeks out the mysterious Monk in the wasteland beneath the Tangle turnpike, hoping for redemption...but it turns out that the Monk is not all that pious, and the turnpike is no turnpike at all.

Read an excerpt | Read our review

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open internationally

2. Leave a comment for Carolyn & 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

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Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Sarah Jane Stratford’s Rome from Mors & a chance to win THE MOONLIGHT BRIGADE**

Of all the wonderful, exciting places we’ve visited during Deadly Destinations, I couldn’t wait to set foot in the lost island of Atlantis, the setting from Alyssa Day's Warriors of Poseidon series.  This isn’t my first trip to Atlantis.  I visited earlier this summer and got hooked.  VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, the seventh book in the series is available now, and, thanks to the wonderful people at Berkley Publishing, three of you who comment on this post will win a copy of the book!  See details below

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Tourist guide to Atlantis - Top 5 Dos and Don'ts
by
Alyssa Day

Tourist guide to Atlantis - Top 5 Dos and Don'ts - courtesy of Alyssa Day

Welcome to the lost continent! Of course, we were never lost, just hiding.  Your submarines and satellite imagery made things interesting for a while, but magic always trumps science, especially when wielded by 500 year old high priests with enough power to drown the world.  Here are a few simple rules to get you started.

1.  Don't act like a tourist.  The Seven Isles are full of warriors and, well, they'll mock you.  Brutally.  Example: when Daniel, an 11,000 year old vampire first set foot in Atlantis:

For the first time, he took the time to look around at his surroundings and saw the two fallen guards lying unconscious on the ground, but when he looked up to ask her about it, the sight in front of him stunned him to speechlessness for several seconds.

“What?” She snapped.  “I didn’t kill them, if that’s what you’re thinking, although now that you’re a nightwalker, can’t you hear their heartbeats to confirm my claim?”

He pointed, still unable to form words.  At the dome.  The freaking glass dome that surrounded them as far as he could see—and the deep, dark blue currents of the ocean beyond it.  A dark form swam past, and a single giant eye blinked at him

“Is that . . . is that a whale?” He stared, feeling like his eyes would bug out of his head at any minute as it finally hit him.  “Are we . . . are we in Atlantis?”

She rolled her eyes, apparently a timeless gesture.  “Where else would we be?  Now move.”

Excerpt from Vampire in Atlantis, by Alyssa Day.

2.  Be prepared for the unexpected.  On the bright side, it's usually Tall, Dark, and Delicious.  Archaeologist Keely handled this gracefully on her first sight of Atlantis (and a very dangerous situation):

A flicker of light in their peripheral vision was their only warning before the Atlantean portal, situated exactly on the opposite side of the marble entry platform from the dark window, began to shiver and elongate into its usual ovoid sphere.

Threatened on both sides with possible danger, Alexios ran to position himself in front of Tiernan, daggers unsheathed.  Prince Conlan and his warriors drew weapons and Alaric called power, standing in a nimbus of silvery green energy, as Justice drew ever closer on one side of the group, and two people came through the Atlantean portal on the other.

Alexios recognized Liam, one of the most dangerously effective of Poseidon’s warriors, leading yet another human female.  This one had blazing red hair and the most intensely green eyes he’d ever seen on a human, and she was dressed casually, clutching a worn backpack to her chest with, oddly enough, gloved hands.  Liam’s head was turned to her as they crossed the portal.  “Welcome to Atlantis, Dr. McDermott,”  he said.

The woman’s stunning eyes widened and her jaw tightened but, to her credit, she gave no other sign of alarm at the sight of several armed warriors and one half-naked woman.  She simply blinked once, held up a hand and waved, and then glanced up at Liam.  "Well.  I have to admit, McHottie, this is one of my more interesting welcome parties."

-Excerpt from Atlantis Unleashed

3.  Remember that palace balconies can make for some very interesting places to . . . do whatever you want, as infamous cat burglar Lady Fiona found out:

Christophe did live in a palace.  The view from the balcony was stupendous.

She ran across the room and opened the glass and crystal paned doors.  “Oh, Christophe.  This is absolutely magnificent.”

He followed more slowly, enjoying the view of her lovely round bottom as she bent over the waist-high barrier and looked down.  “The gardens are lovely from here, too.  What a wonderful place to live.  You are so lucky.”

He fitted his body against hers from behind and put his arms around her.  “You live in a mansion, my ninja.  You’re pretty lucky, yourself.”

“We survived a vampire attack,” she reminded him.  “That’s pretty lucky.”

“That’s skill.  Not my first vampire attack, either.”  He kissed his way down the side of her neck, enjoying her shivers, and then he slowly reached around in front of her and unfastened her silk trousers.

“Christophe,” she gasped, capturing his hand.  “What are you doing?  Someone could see.”

“Not unless they can see through walls, and there’s not a single recorded incidence of that in the history of Atlantis.”  He pointed to the walls dividing his balcony from its neighbors and then to the solid barrier that covered her completely from toes to just under her waist.

“Nobody can see me do this, for example,” he whispered in her ear as he slid his hand down her silken belly to . . .[edited for TOO HOT FOR BLOG content!]"

- Excerpt from Atlantis Betrayed

4.  Never, ever expect a vacation fling to end lightly . . . or at all.  Atlantean warriors are very possessive once they've reached the soul-meld with their destined mate.

5.  And, finally, take your camera and lots and lots and lots of film.  Or many, many SD cards for your digital camera.  From the deep blue ocean currents swirling past the dome to the crystal and marble spires and pillars of the palace and temples, to the profusion of exotic and never-before-seen flowers in the palace gardens, Atlantis is a feast for the senses and, once you travel there, you will never, ever want to leave.

Thank you for visiting Atlantis.  Now, walk this way, please.  We're walking, we're walking . . .

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About Alyssa Day

Alyssa Day is the pen name (and dark and tortured alter ego) of RITA award-winning author Alesia Holliday. As Alyssa, she writes the New York Times best-selling Warriors of Poseidon series, and watch for the upcoming League of the Black Swan series.  You can find her at http://www.alyssaday.com or on Face book  or Twitter, where she spends far too much time pretending it's research. Her Warriors of Poseidon novels are published by Penguin books, under the Berkley imprint.  Atlantis Rising was the first of the series, and was featured on the cover of the March, 2007, issue of Romantic Times BOOKClub magazine.   All of the Warriors of Poseidon novels have rocked the bestseller lists and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday book clubs.  The Warriors novels follow High Prince Conlan of Atlantis and his elite warriors as they protect humanity, save the world, and find amazing human women to fall in love with.  (No mermaids, gills, or fish tails; these warriors are 100% pure alpha male!). Alyssa’s exciting new project is an urban fantasy series coming soon that combines her love of the paranormal with a hot contemporary setting, and she’s so excited to share it with you.  Deets coming soon! Visit Alyssa Day online: Website|Blog|Facebook|Twitter

Want to read more from Alyssa Day?

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Giveaway provided by Berkley Sensations

3 copies of VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS by Alyssa Day

 
Available now from Berkley Sensations

Description:

The most unexpected of all allies to Poseidon’s warriors has proven to be the fiercest—Daniel, a vampire and Night Guild mage. But even the strongest alliance can be destroyed when an 11,000 year-old desire is reborn…

A vampire’s oath, a maiden’s quest…

Daniel, vampire and ally of the Warriors of Poseidon, has fought on the side of humanity—even against his fellow creatures of the night—for more than 11,000 years.  But the crushing weight of futility and the reality of always being starkly, utterly alone has forced him to finally give into despair. He took the first step into the sunlight that would destroy him—and instead walked into Atlantis.

And the blackest of magic that could consume them both…

Eleven thousand years ago, Serai was one of a group who agreed to be placed into magical stasis to ensure the future of the Atlantean race. When a dark sorceress steals the gemstone that protects her sleeping sisters, she awakens to a vastly changed world—and the one man she could never, ever forget. And with an ancient evil tracking their every step, the long-lost lovers must battle both the darkest of magic and the treacheries of their own hearts.

Read an excerpt | Read our review

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Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US/CA addresses only. No P.O. Boxes

2. Leave a comment for Alyssa & 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

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Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Vicki Pettersson’s Las Vegas & a chance to win THE NEON GRAVEYARD**

I. Love. This. Series.  Greek Mythology, heaven and hell, smokin’ hot male Sirens, and one of the coolest protagonists in UF.  I’m talking about Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series, which continues on August 30th from Pocket Books with THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES. Charlie, her partner Hank and I have been tight since last January and things have only gotten better since.  So when Charlie’s daughter, Emma, wanted to plan a Deadly Destinations trip to Charbydon (aka hell), I said sign us up.  Have you read this series?  Want to?  One of you will win the entire Charlie Madigan series, and two of you will win THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES!  See details below.

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Emma Madigan’s Guide to Charbydon
by
Kelly Gay

Hope you all are having a great summer. Glad to be here for the Deadly Destinations event! My third Charlie Madigan novel releases August 30^th and I’m really excited to see what readers think about the direction Charlie and company have taken. One thing I can tell you is that Charlie finally travels off-world to Charbydon (aka hell) and, of course, she gets into her fair share of trouble! As my readers know, Charlie’s daughter Emma keeps a journal called Hellhounds Rule, Parents Drool. The following is an excerpt:

The City of Two Houses

Ugh. I meant to write this down sooner, but classes are kicking my butt. Anyway, it’s the weekend—FINALLY!—and my chores are done, and the most excellent hellhound to ever walk the face of all three-worlds has been bathed and fed, so I can finally chill and get some writing done.

Okay, so. I can’t believe my mom was actually in Charbydon!! She never likes to go anywhere on this planet, so her going off-world to another dimension = huge. Travel isn’t her thing, but even though that trip was pretty dramatic and led to some not-so-great things, I know she'd go again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone in trouble.

Rex keeps joking and saying, “Charlie went to hell and hell was never the same again”, which is actually true. She's not allowed to go there anymore.

Anyway, now that things have settled down, Mom’s told me some really cool things about Charbydon, and since I plan to go there one day, remembering this stuff is important.

So, back in the ancient history of Charbydon, the jinn used to rule the land and the great underground city of Telmath. But when the nobles came and warred with the jinn (and won), they built the City of Two Houses above Telmath. The cavern that holds both cities is the size of a hollowed out mountain with cliffs and rivers and chasms that seem to have no end. The whole place is hot and muggy, and smells like tar and swamp water.

The nobles are an oligarchy. They have two kings, one from each royal house—the House of Abaddon and the House of Astarot. So that’s why it’s called the City of Two Houses. The city is made up of palaces and temples that rise straight up from the giant cliff they’re built on. And because the nobles inspired a lot of our myths about Sumerian gods, their city looks a lot like the old Sumerian and Babylonian temples with their thick walls, ziggurat temples, and straight avenues. The palaces have balconies and gardens and they overlook Telmath below. Fires burn in giant stone basins and the best part, the part I HAVE to see for myself are the buildings made of black marble. Mom says that some of them are so clear and polished that it almost looks like mirrors or calm black water.

How cool is that?

One of these days, I’m going to convince Mom to go back (well, if they’ll let her) and take me, Brim, and Rex. There are a bunch of stray hellhounds that need homes. Someone has to look after them, so that can be my mission. Not so sure Mom would be cool with me bringing a bunch of wild hellhounds back to Atlanta with us, but we shall see. Oh, we shall see...  J

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About Kelly Gay

I'm just your average bookworm who likes to spend an embarrassing amount of time in make-believe places. I've had many jobs from construction (I can drive a backhoe, tar and shingle a roof, and frame out a house) to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, managing horse farms, and selling men's underwear (a talent, I tell you!). In the writing world, I'm a 2010 double RITA finalist, a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a recipient of an NC Arts Council Fellowship grant in Literature. Visit Kelly Gay online: Website|Blog|Facebook|Twitter

Want to read more from Kelly Gay?

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Giveaway provided by Pocket Books & Kelly Gay

Two winners will each receive a copy of THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES & One winner will receive the first 3 books in the Charlie Madigan series

Available on August 30, 2011 from Pocket Books

Description:

To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer. . . .

Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the offworld drug ash have begun taking their own lives. Ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate. As New Year’s Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it’s too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse than death. . . .

Read an excerpt

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Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open internationally

2. Leave a comment for Kelly & 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

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Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!