Wow do we have a cool giveaway today. As the final stop in the GODDESS INTERUPTED blog tour, Harlequin Teen has put together a Summer Goddess Giveaway prize pack filled with Aimée Carter books, gift cards, a a few goodies perfect for the summer. All to celebrate the release of GODDESS INTERRRUPTED, the second in Goddess Test series (available now from Harlequin Teen). Harlequin Teen is also spilling details about Aimée’s next books THE GODDESS INHERITANCE and MASKED!
Goddess Interrupted Blog Tour Wrap Up and What’s Next for Aimeé Carter
We are excited to have Shona Husk here to talk about KISS OF THE GOBLIN PRINCE, the second book in the Shadowlands series (available on May 1, 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca), specifically why goblins are better than shapeshifters and vampires. Julia reviewed KISS OF THE GOBLIN PRINCE calling it, “a wonderful Paranormal Romance, [but]strongly weighted towards Urban Fantasy as well. ” And thanks to Shona’s publisher, you can win a copy! Details below.
Goblins Rule, Shapeshifters Shed, and Vampires Drool!
by
Shona Husk
Now don’t get me wrong I love a sexy brooding Vampire as much as the next gal, I’ve even written sexy rock star Vamps for Ellora’s Cave. But how many times can you be bitten before anemia becomes an issue and your friends start to question the bruises on your neck, wrists and other areas. Also let’s face the reality that forever is a really, really, long time, and while you might love him for the first 200 years after that will his sullen angst still be hot or just plain annoying? Plus that trip to Fiji is out because of the sunshine. In the long term a relationship with a Vampire is probably not going to work.
We are excited to welcome Alexia Reed who is here to tell is about the first book her new Shadow Ops paranormal romance series, HUNTING THE SHADOWS (available now from Carina Press). Today she is talking about blending her love for science (forensics and anthropology) and suspense with paranormal romances.
Blending Genres
by
Alexia Reed
When I first started to read, the books I read exclusively were thrillers. I enjoyed those with a fast pace, the kind where they are hunting down killers. Before I got in to science and anthropology, I was very interested in profiling. In fact, I used to fill up notebooks on forensic facts that I found in encyclopedias (I grew up without the net until I was in highschool). When I started to read romance, it was always those with a suspense plot beneath.
I knew when I started writing Hunting the Shadows that I wanted a serial killer plot. It just made the most sense. Add a psychic who goes into the killer’s head, witnessing and feeling everything the killer does, and you get a paranormal romantic suspense. But on top of all that, I wanted to try and explain the paranormal through science. It’s taking long shots, but, I love trying to make sense of the paranormal in scientific terms. All of these aspects were worked in, creating J.C. and Amy.
Today we are excited to have Justin Gustainis here today sharing his definition of urban fantasy and celebrating the release of EVIL DARK (available now from Angry Robot Books), the second book in his Occult Crimes Unit Investigations series. In case you missed it, Julia reviewed EVIL DARK earlier this week calling it, “Neither as hard-boiled as most police procedurals, nor as arcane as pure urban fantasy, EVIL DARK is a blend that does justice to both genres without taking either too seriously.” Check out the giveaway below for a chance to win your choice of a signed copy of EVIL DARK or an electronic copy.
What the Hell Is Urban Fantasy, Anyway?
by
Justin Gustainis
I don’t pretend that my topic for today is an original one. Arguments about defining urban fantasy (and distinguishing it from paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and horror) have been going on for years. But some of the discussions have been characterized, IMHO, by a lack of precision. Maybe that’s because the topic, by nature, defies precise categorization. But I’m here to take my shot at it.
Urban fantasy introduces a supernatural element into a world that is mostly like our own. The latter part of that definition distinguishes it from high fantasy, which is set in a world unlike our own. Much high fantasy takes place in a universe resembling medieval Europe, with the addition of magic and without the dirt, disease, and cruelty that characterized the real thing.
So, does urban fantasy have to, literally, be urban?
Today we are welcoming Joe Nassise to ATUF! Joe is stopping here on his blog tour for his latest novel, BY THE BLOOD OF HEROES; book one of TheGreat Undead War series (available now from Harper Voyager). In my (Kristina’s) review, I described it as, “a creepy zombie apocalypse scenario with a dash of steampunk to make an action packed story full of heroism from a bygone era.” Today Joe is talking about that very important ‘dash’ that makes his (and some of the titles he recommends below) so exciting.
Steampunk
by
Joseph Nassise
Welcome to day seven of The Great Undead War Blog Tour. My thanks to Abigail for having me here.
My name’s Joe Nassise and this month kicks off the release of my latest novel, By the Blood of Heroes, book one in the Great Undead War series from Harper Voyager. On every stop of the tour I’m going to tell you something a little different about the series or the process I went through to write it. Today I want to talk a bit about steampunk.
When asked what my new novel is about, I often tell people it’s a cross genre mashup of horror and steampunk set in an alternate World War One. This is usually followed by a blank stare that gets accompanied by the inevitable, “Steampunk? What’s that?”
Today we are welcoming Yolanda Sfetsos who is here today to introduce us to A PATCH OF DARKNESS, the first in her new Sierra Fox urban fantasy series (available on May 15, 2012 from Samhain Publishing). Her new series is set in a world where everyone accepts ghosts as being real and her heroine, Sierra Fox, works as a rogue spook catcher.
Living with Spirits
by
Yolanda Sfetsos
Hi, everyone! I want to thank All Things Urban Fantasy for having me here today. :)
My name is Yolanda Sfetsos and I have a new urban fantasy series coming out from Samhain Publishing. Well, the first book, which is called A Patch of Darkness, is coming out this month.
Sierra Fox is a spook catcher. Actually, she lives in a world very similar to ours... with the exception of ghosts being accepted as part of society. Most of the time, living in her world isn't that much different to ours because most people can't actually see these wandering spirits, but they can feel cold spots and sense if an invisible presence is nearby.
We are welcoming back Julie Kagawa who is here to talk about THE IMMORTAL RULES and introduce us to one of her vampires: Kanin. This is the first book in the new Blood of Eden series about a world where vampires rule over humans. If you missed Abigail’s review of THE IMMORTAL RULES (available now from Harlequin Teen) , she described it this way: “Take the social structure of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series and add the vicious, post-apocalyptic world from the Daybreakers movie and you get THE IMMORTAL RULES by Julie Kagawa.” Want to see how fun this book is for yourself? Enter the giveaway below to win a signed copy courtesy of Harlequin Teen via Media Masters Publicity. And check out the book tour details below for more giveaways & info on winning the GRAND PRIZE: Kindle Touch with with a special Immortal Rules cover!
Meet Kanin
by
Julie Kagawa
Who is Kanin? The mysterious vampire that turns Allison into a “blood sucker” and becomes her mentor intentionally keeps details about himself to an absolute minimum. However, if Kanin was in search of companionship, we think his personal ad might read something like this:
Tall, pale and handsome "night owl" seeks partner for moonlight adventure. Lightening quick reflexes, excellent combat skills and a wry sense of humor. Prefers "take out" vs eating at home. Loyalty and street smarts a must.
Julie will be making appearances at three bookstores near her hometown:
* Tuesday, April 24th at 4pm - Barnes & Noble Livonia, Louisville, KY
* Saturday, April 28th at 2pm - The Bookstore, Radcliff, KY
* Monday, May 7th at 5:30 pm - Lincoln's Loft, Hodgeville, KY
Don’t miss a stop on THE IMMORTAL RULES tour:
Each stop will have a unique look at a different aspect of the Blood of Eden series AND a giveaway!
Monday, April 16 - Paranormal Romance Blog – Tour Launch with Julie Kagawa *Enter to win the tour’s grand prize of a Kindle Touch with with a special Immortal Rules cover.
Tuesday, May 1 – Taming the Bookshelf - Tips for a Vampire: How to Safely Kiss a Human
Wednesday, May 2 – Teens Read and Write - Sneak Peek at Book #2 of The Blood of Eden series
-------------------------------------------------
About the author:
To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dog trainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time. Her third novel, The Iron Queen, became a New York Times bestseller and her debut novel, The Iron King recently won the RITA award for best young-adult fiction novel of 2010.
Julie now lives in La Grange, Kentucky, with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian shepherd who is too smart for his own good and the latest addition, a hyperactive papillon.
You will kill. The only question is when.
In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.
Unregistered humans cling to the fringe, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.
Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.
Today we are welcoming A.C. Arthur who is the author of TEMPTATION RISING (available March 29 from St. Martin's Press) , the first book in The Shadow Shifters paranormal romance series about sexy jaguar shifters. A.C. Arthur is talking about her fear of cats and why you’ll fall in love with her exotic shifters. Be sure to enter the giveaway below to win your own copy!
Enter The Jaguar
by
A.C. Arthur
Sounds strange, doesn’t it? A jaguar shape shifter. But honestly, when I decided to write a paranormal series this was the first and only entity that came to mind. The really weird thing is, I’m deathly afraid of cats! Yes, that is a true fact that anyone who knows me is well aware of. I have always been afraid of domestic cats and never even thought about getting close to a big or exotic cat. Still, the black jaguar (panthera onca) is such a beautiful creature that I just could not resist. There’s something about the eyes and the regal stature of this animal that had me mesmerized from the start.
We are excited to welcome back Laurie London, author of the much loved Sweetblood series. The latest installment, TEMPTED BY BLOOD (available now from HQN Books) was described in Abigail’s review as, “imaginative and sensual, the Sweetblood paranormal romance series is one I keep going back to.” The covers are what first drew us to this series, but it’s the stories that keep us coming back for more. Speaking of those covers, Laurie is spilling inside details about how they created such a sizzling look for the series.
Judging A Book By Its Cover
by
Laurie London
Thanks, Abigail, for having me on today. Hi, everyone! Since the third Sweetblood book, Tempted By Blood, just came out and the series has received a lot of cover love, I thought I’d share what I know about the cover creation process.
The first book, Bonded By Blood, required more back and forth between my publisher’s art and editorial departments (which included my input) than Tempted. Once a cover look for the series was decided, it remains consistent with the other books and doesn’t need to be reinvented each time.
An in-your-face close-up of a hot guy. Fangs that read sexy, but not horror. The same title and author fonts. It’s mainly the colors and models that change with each book.
We’re happy to welcome back Jennifer L. Armentrout to the blog just days before the release of her Lux series prequel, SHADOWS (available on February 21st from Entangled Publishing). If you are new to the Lux series, check out Julia’s swooning review of the first book, OBSIDIAN and it’s ultimate bad boy hero Daemon. SHADOWS features a brand new bad boy to fall for: Daemon’s twin brother Dawson. If you are thinking these otherworldly alphas are vampires, think again. One look at the description and my former obsession with Jason Behr from Roswell came back with a vengeance. Want to find out for yourself? Check out the giveaway below where three of you will win a copy of the first Lux novel, OBSIDIAN!
Why are aliens better than vampires, weres, and other creatures that go bump in the night?
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Like any lover of the paranormal genre, I love me some vamps, shifters, and other spooky supernatural creatures, but sometimes people forget that aliens are really just another ‘otherworldly’ creature and not just for the sci-fi lovers out there, but also the paranormal ones. So here is my list to why (completely bias) aliens are better than normal supernatural creatures:
A big welcome to mother-son writing team Syrie James and Ryan M. James, co-authors of FORBIDDEN (available now from HarperTeen) described as, “A spectacular supernatural YA debut full of wit and romance.” Here at ATUF, we love getting book recommendations (they are especially fun from authors we love, & just take a look at Abigail’s review of of Syrie last book, NOCTURE, to get an idea of how big a fan she is). And Syrie & Ryan come bearing gifts too! See details below to win your own copy of FORBIDDEN.
Syrie and Ryan’s Favorite Books and Recommendations
Virna DePaul has stopped by this afternoon to tell us a little bit about how her Para-Ops series has broadened her real life horizons. We often ask how an author’s “day job” impacts their writing, today Virna gives us a glimpse of how the international action and drama of her characters has spiced up her actual day.
Life After Fiction
by
Virna DePaul
It's probably true that there's a little bit of me in each of the characters that I write. It's definitely true that in becoming a writer, I've had to face some fears and dig deep to investigate who I am, what I believe, and what I want out of life. Writing has forced me to try new things, in real life and in my imagination, that have helped me become a more well-rounded person. For example, I not only overcame my fear of flying and started traveling again (had to, in order to go to all those wonderful writing conferences!), but I've done some amazing things through my Para-Ops characters.
Welcome Tiffany Alee! Tiffany is here promoting her book BANSHEE CHARMER (available now from Entangled Publishing). This is the first in her From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series. Her book features a half-banshee detective Kiera “Mac” McLoughlin who is on the hunt for a seductive incubus serial killer. You can read my full review here, and five of you will win a copy of BANSHEE CHARMER! See details below.
Listening To Your Gut
by
Tiffany Allee
I'm an analytical person by nature. I've worked almost entirely in analytical jobs that required stepping back, looking at the numbers and information, and making logical decisions. But even when doing this, I tried to listen to my gut. Because the emotional impression we get from people or situations can be important.
The main character in Banshee Charmer, Mac, is a cop. She looks at the evidence and she does her best to think through crimes to find the criminal. But she is also likely to rely on her gut when it comes to judging situations or people.
Her gut makes her almost certain that an incubus is responsible for the murders she's investigating, and her gut makes her believe—despite her suspicions to the contrary—that the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency (OWEA) agent she finds in her living room is a good man.
Here's their first meeting. You can probably see why she's a bit suspicious.
Highly anticipated doesn’t really begin to describe EVERNEATH (available on January 24, 2012 by Balzer + Bray), the first book in a new paranormal YA series by Brodi Ashton. Not only does it involve Greek mythology, but an ATUF favorite myth at that: Persephone. We’re getting a little one on one time with 1/3 of the detectibly dangerous love triangle in this book: Jack. Jack is the boyfriend Nikki left behind when she was ‘sucked into the underworld,’ and he’s the reason she came back a year later. I hope you enjoy this ‘glimpse’ into Jack’s head. Be sure to check out all the stops on the EVERNEATH tour via The {Teen} Book Scene, and Abigail’s review on Saturday.
Character Word Associations with Jack from EVERNEATH
by
Brodi Ashton
What is the first thing that comes to mind for Jack for each of these?
Nikki: Love and lost
Cole: wants to punch sometimes
True Love: does it exist? Is it worth fighting for?
Love at first sight: happened to me. Took me five years to admit it.
Would you fight for love? Absolutely.
The year Nikki was gone: a black hole, full of fights, tattoos, and despair
Bad reputation: Not always the true story
Forgiveness: easy, if you love the person
Addiction: never a problem, until I met Nikki
Secrets: I want to know hers
-------------------------------------------------
About the author:
Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I'm at the computer all the time. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
Interested in guest blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME
Welcome back Terry Spear! Terry is here celebrating the release of DREAMING OF THE WOLF (available now from Sourcebooks Casablanca), the eight book in her Heart of the Wolf paranormal romance series about alpha werewolves and the women who tame them. Terry is giveaway away a copy of DREAMING OF THE WOLF or your choice of her books too. See details below.
Life without Fantasy by Terry Spear
Have you ever wondered what life would be like without vampires and werewolves and the fae, oh my? No dragons or gargoyles or selkies in the sea. No mermaids or genies or shapeshifting jaguars. No pixies or sprites or brownies to plague us. No sphinxes, or griffins, or sea serpents either. No trolls or goblins or man-eating zombies.
What would the world come to if we didn’t have all our fantastical creatures to dream about, to love and hate and want to learn more?
Jennifer L. Armentrout has stopped by today to offer one, free copy of her latest book, OBSIDIAN, and a behind the curtain glimpse of her writing playlist. OBSIDIAN earned 4 Bats here at All Things Urban Fantasy, not the least because of Daemon, the budding alpha hero who pushes all the right “bad boy” buttons, and Katy, the plucky heroine who refuses to be pushed around. I can’t wait to pick up book two in this series, ONYX (May 2012 by Entangled Publishing), but in the meantime, the playlist below has me wanting to enjoy book one all over again. Enjoy!
A Lux Playlist by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A lot of readers are curious when it comes to what music an author listens to when they write. So I've compiled a list of songs I listened to or just reminded me of the novel/characters. I've also included random notes about the songs. Hope you enjoy!
I’m delighted to welcome Diane Duvall back to the blog to celebrate the release of NIGHT REIGNS, the second book in her increasingly addictive Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. In my review, I described the series as having, “Complex and captivating mythology, strong and sexy supernatural alpha males, smart and resourceful women, and stories that capture all the dark and dangerous moments that bring them together.” Thanks to Dianne, one of you will win a signed copy of NIGHT REIGNS. Details below.
Get to Know the Immortal Guardians Crew 6 by Dianne Duvall
Thank you, Abigail, for welcoming me back to All Things Urban Fantasy! And thank you for the fabulous review! I’m very excited to be here today, celebrating the release of Night Reigns, the second book in my Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.
I’ve sprinkled my blog tour with character interviews to give visitors a glimpse of the Immortal Guardians crew. Once more Sheldon, one of the immortals’ Seconds (a human assistant or guard who aids immortals), has volunteered to pose the questions. Today’s guest is a favorite of readers: Seth, the leader of the Immortal Guardians. He was interviewed once before, but had to leave before it concluded. :-)
Welcome to Deborah Cooke, author of The Dragon Diaries series. Deborah is here to talk about her second book in this series; WINGING IT which was released December 6, 2011 by NAL Trade. In her review, Abigail said, “Deborah Cooke knows how to write a lighting fast story that flies along from beginning to end without ever once stopping to land.” Check out the full reviews of both Flying Blind. and Winging It. There is also a great giveaway involved! See details below.
"With great power comes great responsibility..."
by
Deborah Cooke
That's a quote from Spiderman, and it's a saying that haunted me throughout the writing of my Dragon Diaries paranormal YA trilogy. This series features a teenage girl named Zoë who is coming into her powers as a dragon shapeshifter. Like all of my dragon shifters, she should develop her abilities at puberty - we meet Zoë in FLYING BLIND when she's 15 and desperate for all the good stuff to begin. She mostly wants to be able to fly in her dragon form, although breathing fire would also be cool.
Welcome to Laurie London, Caridad Pineiro, Michele Hauf and Alexis Morgan, who are talking about their new anthology, A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS (available now from HQN books) on the #VampXmas blog tour. The stories in the festive and hot collection range from charming to seductive (you can read Abigail’s review of this anthology here). Also, we have a cool giveaway package involved! See details below.
Thanks, Abigail, for hosting us for the #VampXmas blog tour. Hi Everyone!
The anthology, A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS, was just released and all four authors are here today, answering the same question. Stay tuned at the end for a chance to win a cool prize package.
Question: Tell us about the heroine of your short story in the anthology A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS?
Spooky Legends 2011 is ending today! We though it fitting that since she opened this event, and since she has two amazing paranormal series with new releases this season, that we’d invite Jennifer Estep back to wrap up Spooky Legends. I made a bold statement regarding Jennifer’s newest series, Mythos Academy, when I reviewed the debut TOUCH OF FROST earlier this year. I said it was the best thing she’d written yet. Of course I may have to revise my statement with the sequel KISS OF FROST is published by Kensington on November 29, 2011. Jennifer’s protagonist, Gwen Frost is taking on the Hitchhiker urban legend for us today, and if you fall have in love with her as I have, you’ll be thrilled to know that Jennifer is giving away a copy of KISS OF FROST! See details below.
Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Abigail for having me on the blog again today. Thanks so much, Abigail!
So I’m here to close out the Spooky Legends event, which I am really honored to do. Today, I thought I would let my heroine Gwen Frost give you her view on some stories involving hitchhikers. Take it away, Gwen:
Started in 2009, All Things Urban Fantasy is the place 'Where Para is Normal'. This your one stop for all things Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal YA, & select Speculative Fiction titles (Dystopian and Steampunk etc.). Want to know more about ATUF? Read the About page.
If you are an author, publisher, or publicist that would like a book reviewed on this site please Request a Review. All inquires are welcome.
Interviews? Guest blogs? Giveaways? Book Tours? Promotion of any kind? Contact us
When I first started to read, the books I read exclusively were thrillers. I enjoyed those with a fast pace, the kind where they are hunting down killers. Before I got in to science and anthropology, I was very interested in profiling. In fact, I used to fill up notebooks on forensic facts that I found in encyclopedias (I grew up without the net until I was in highschool). When I started to read romance, it was always those with a suspense plot beneath.
I don’t pretend that my topic for today is an original one. Arguments about defining urban fantasy (and distinguishing it from paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and horror) have been going on for years. But some of the discussions have been characterized, IMHO, by a lack of precision. Maybe that’s because the topic, by nature, defies precise categorization. But I’m here to take my shot at it. 
Nikki: Love and lost 
Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I'm at the computer all the time. 
