I’ve been toying with different themes for ye old blog lately and I’ll bet you’re wondering why I settled on this one. Well, it’s because the sprite in my current WIP is based on the butterfly that is used in the theme. I’m hoping it will serve as inspiration and possibly give my story some momentum.
Hope you like it. I know I do.
Meet Jeaniene Frost! Jeaniene answers some questions in a Saturday Seven interview about her Night Huntress Series, on writing, vampires and more.
*headdesk*: For those that aren’t familiar with your books (because they are languishing in Outer Mongolia or under a rock) could you tell us a little bit about the Night Huntress series?
My series is about half-vampire Cat Crawfield, a vampire slayer with an attitude who teams up with a Master vampire named Bones to stop a bigger evil. Cat has to navigate a world filled with ghouls, vampires, ghosts, meddling mothers, murderous fathers, and a government organization that won’t take no for an answer. The series is dark, humorous, and sexy, depending on what situation Cat’s gotten herself into.
*headdesk*: The character of Bones in one word equals: yummy! How did he come to life? Is he an amalgam of different influences or was he a fully formed character from the get go?
Bones came to me in a dream. I knew he was English, a vampire, and a hitman (but one who only kills the evil members of human and undead society). The rest developed from asking myself how he had gotten to be those things 
.
*headdesk*: I love the anecdote in your bio where the 5 yr old Jeaniene explains in church that a cross is what keeps vampires away. What is it about vampires that drew you to write about them over other creatures and what are your own personal spins on the age-old mythos?
I can’t say what drew me to vampires, since I’ve loved them since forever, so I don’t remember what initially drew me to them. When I set about to write vampires, I took everything that had ever annoyed me about their myth and changed it (if only I could change annoying things in real life as easily). My vampires have no aversion to crosses, sunlight, running water, or wooden stakes. They do stay frozen in appearance at whatever age they were changed over, they can live indefinitely, and they need blood to survive, but those were about the only “traditional” things I brought over when I created my brand of vampires. Oh, and they’re not soulless or inherently evil. My vampires, like humans, have a choice whether to be good or bad, so there are both vampire heroes and villains in the Night Huntress series.
*headdesk*: I find the story of how you became published inspiring. Do you have any advice for new or aspiring writers?
Write. The more you write, the better you’ll get at it. Read a lot. Be prepared to revise your novel, because revision is part of the process. Then, once you’ve polished your novel, gotten a second - or third - constructive critical opinion on it from someone who’s not afraid to bruise your ego, revised, and polished again, start agent hunting. A good agent is invaluable when it comes to getting the right publishing contract.
*headdesk*: Who/What are some of your favorite things to watch or read when you have the chance?
For watching TV, I like TORCHWOOD, because it’s wacky and paranormal. Since I’ve always been fascinated by the Elizabethan era, I’m enjoying the show THE TUDORS and seeing the lead-up to that time in history. I watch a lot of the History channel, too.
For reading, I’m a big paranormal romance / urban fantasy fan. I do read the occasional historical, horror, or literary novel, but I love novels that are fun, sexy, dark, and supernatural, and UF/PR usually has all that in the same book .
*headdesk*: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance Smackdown - Vampires: (Un)Dead Trope or The Neverending Treasure Trope? Discuss.
I am SO biased when it comes to this topic, of course. I love vampire novels, so to me, they are the neverending treasure trope. Vampires are flexible in a way few other creatures are (in my opinion). You have novels where vampires are mindless evil drones, or bloodsucking super villains, or scientific mutations, or alluring sexy heroes/heroines, or a combination thereof. There are so many variations on the vampire myth that a writer really has freedom to add their own spin on things, even though it all falls under the “vampire” heading. As a reader, I never tire of a well-written vampire novel, however the vampires are showcased in it.
*headdesk*: Can you tell us what other projects you are working on?
Right now I’m in the middle of revising book three in the Night Huntress series, and working on the outline for book four. After that, I’ll be writing an anthology story featuring a prequel on Bones, the vampire hero in my novels. After that, I’m intending to start on a completely different book unrelated to the Night Huntress series. But yes, it will still be a paranormal. I can’t seem to stop writing about what goes bump in the night .
Thanks so much for the interview! It was fun.
Thank you Jeaniene! You can find out more about Jeaniene and her books at her website:
Lisa Trevethan
*headdesk*
Also posted at Urban Fantasy Land
When Karl Marsten, werewolf, jewel thief and sort of ex-boyfriend hears Hope is in Florida investigating this gang, he high-tails it down there to pull her out and escort her home asap. When she refuses to end her involvement in the investigation and he refuses to leave her unprotected, Karl becomes involved in the investigation as well as stirring up the emotional pot for Hope.
The situation becomes even more convoluted when members of the gang turn up missing and events occur that point to the Cortez Cabal becoming an even larger target than Benicio originally thought.
Lucas Cortez, Benicio’s youngest son, comes down to help as well and the POV switches between Lucas and Hope as the story unfolds. At first, this switch was rather jarring and pulled me out of the story as it wasn’t evident as to why the POV switch was necessary. But as events unfolded, I saw how it was important to the plot to have both views and it became less intrusive as the story moved along. Readers of Ms. Armstrong’s other works will be pleased with the inclusion of the familiar faces of Lucas and Paige along with the further development of Hope and Karl. It is possible to read this book as a stand alone but of course for the best sense of Ms. Armstrong’s careful world building and characters one should read the whole series.
While the pacing of Personal Demon is bogged down in places, it is still a very worthwhile read and integral to the development of the series. After the events in Personal Demon, things are forever changed for some of the characters and I am interested to see how the future unfolds for them. The next installment in the Women of the Otherworld Series, Living with the Dead, is due in November, 2008.
Rating: B
Lisa Trevethan, *headdesk*
Also posted at Urban Fantasy Land
Luckily for Megan she finds a protector in the handsome stranger she finds on her doorstep, Greyson Dante. But does he only have her best interests at heart or is she swayed by the undeniable attraction between them? Her life is made even more interesting by Brian, a reporter determined to get at what he believes is the “hidden story” instead of the human interest piece on Megan he was assigned to do as well as the arrival of Malleus, Maleficarum and Spud, her new demon guards that are to be by her side literally 24/7. A visit to the local Fearbusters meeting also leaves her with more questions than answers and with a feeling that the meetings don’t have much to do with busting fear.
Personal Demons is fast-paced, well-written and downright scary in places. The action doesn’t let up, although it does slow down at times so you can catch your breath and the love scenes between Greyson and Megan are hot enough to steam up your glasses.
Kane’s third person POV style is tight and descriptive. The characters are well developed and consistent. Malleus, Maleficarum and Spud and very funny. I love how she took a reference to a legendary treatise on witchcraft and with a jaunty wink and a nod, added Spud. There were a couple of places where there was so much going on in the action that I felt a little overloaded with it but not enough that I got taken out of the story.
I really enjoyed Personal Demons and look forward to reading more of Ms. Kane’s work. Personal Demons will be released this month. The Demon Inside, book two of the Megan Chase series, will be released in January, 2009.
Rating: B+
Lisa Trevethan, *headdesk*
Also posted to Urban Fantasy Land.
Today, I am very pleased to welcome Stacia Kane to *headdesk*. Stacia is the author of Personal Demons and also writes as December Quinn. Read more to find out about Personal Demons, writing and more!
*headdesk*: Please tell us a little about the book Personal Demons and protagonist, Megan Chase.
Stacia: I wanted to do something a little different with Megan, and write a heroine in our everyday world, who isn’t super-tough physically and doesn’t hunt or kill anything for a living. I love characters like those, but I have a hard time writing them. And I wanted it to be funny, or at least somewhat light-hearted in places. Basically–although I’m not claiming I don’t have anything like the skill of these people–I wanted something like Buffy or even the Indiana Jones movies, where there’s real danger and it can get quite scary, but there’s also a sense of levity and fun, that life goes on even in crises and we have to go on with it. And I’ve always loved the idea of secret worlds coexisting with our own. So when Megan discovers demons are real it’s scary, but at the same time she can’t help being fascinated.
*headdesk*: What is it about romance that keeps you coming back to writing it?
Stacia: Well, who doesn’t like a happy ending? Actually, I think it’s in part that how we behave in our romantic relationships, and how we see those relationships, shows so much about us as people. Falling in love is one of the most basic human experiences and one of the most basic drives; there’s a whole range of emotion there to play with. Plus I like writing sex scenes.
*headdesk*: If you weren’t a writer, what would be your dream job?
Stacia: Oooh. I’d love to be a carpenter or something where I made things with my hands. I’m so envious of people who have that kind of skill.
*headdesk*: What/Who are some of your inspirations?
Stacia: Hmm. I always have such a hard time with this question, because just about everything is inspiring, isn’t it? The whole world is inspiring–even the less appealing parts of it or people in it can teach you something or show you something.
*headdesk*: Have you incorporated real life situations or people into your writing?
Stacia: Yes, but only in the tiniest ways. Places I’ve been, maybe, or shades of people I’ve known–nothing too much, but if I know someone with an interesting hobby or something I might use that. But never characters wholesale. I might also slip one of my memories into a character’s memory–I can’t actually think of a specific example now, but I know I’ve done that. Oh, and food. The steak pie Megan makes in Personal Demons is my own recipe. She–and most of my heroines, actually–have the same sorts of tastes I do in food. It’s a tiny thing, but it’s fun for me to slip that in there.
*headdesk*: UF/Paranormal Fantasy Genre Smackdown - Protagonist with powers vs. Protagonist without powers. Preference or Bias? Discuss.
Stacia: Hmm. I like protagonists with powers, but I like them to be limitied. It’s no fun to watch someone fight if there’s no way they can lose–that’s why Batman is so much more interesting than Superman (well, okay, one of the reasons. I am such a sick Batman fangirl I can’t even do a regular interview without slipping him in there somehow, lol.) I like giving characters powers then putting them in situations where those powers are useless–Megan’s psychic abilities give her a huge edge when dealing with humans, for example, but she can’t “read” demons, so that’s no help at all to her in dealing with them.
*headdesk*: Can you tell us what other projects you have in the works?
Stacia: I’m currently working on the second urban fantasy in a new series. I just got an agent for the first book, Unholy Ghosts. It’s a very dark story, and was hugely fun and exciting to write. The second one is, I think, even scarier–I had to stop writing last night because I knew I’d be going to bed soon and I was getting too creeped out to sleep. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that to myself. I’ll hopefully be focusing on that series for the next few months, and this summer I’ll start the third Megan Chase book–the second has been completed for a while and is scheduled to be released in January 2009. Beyond that who knows?
Thank you so much, Stacia for talking with us today. You can learn more about Stacia and her works penned as December Quinn at the following sites:
So yeah. Last night I put together an outline of what I have already written and what is coming next based on the ideas that were discussed with my crit partner. Still more work to do on it but I am hoping it will serve as a living road map for my story.
I have to remember that I’m still learning and not to get frustrated that I don’t do everything picture perfect the first time. Not easy but I’m getting there.
After a lengthy conversation with mah Crit Padnah, I think I’m back on the writing wagon. I’ve got plenty to spur me on to probably about the last third of the book, which is fine by me right now. I will try to organize my ideas tonight and see what I end up with.
The He-man & She-Ra graphic is one of the images that Google gave me for the phrase “on the wagon”. It amuses me something fierce.
I have seriously fallen off the writing wagon. Crit partner and I have made a pact to do 250 werdz a night this week and then up it to 500 next week.
Let’s hope this does the trick.
Every seven years a magic flare appears upsetting the balance between magic and tech allowing for all manner of mythological creature to manifest with the possibility of deadly results.
After some items are stolen from the shapershifter’s not once but twice, Kate is enlisted to hunt down the thief. During her search, she runs across a young girl name Julie who is suddenly thrust into Kate’s care as well as a the mysterious thief who is, among other things, able to breach the Keep’s security bringing Curran and all of his alpha-ness into the fray.
Kate is tough as nails as we expect her to be but shows some growth as a character. She shows some vulnerability in her relationships, some forethought in her decisions but never loses her razor sharp wit or acid tongue. I especially love her exchanges with Curran.
Magic Burns is the second book in the series but the story could be read as a stand alone. She gives enough detail that those who have not read Magic Bites, the first book in the Kate Daniels series would still enjoy it and the story arc is resolved. But I would recommend reading Magic Bites because it will give background information and it is a really good book.
Rating: A- Ms. Andrews’ writing is stellar. It is lushly descriptive and economical. Every word has a point and a place bringing her dark version of Atlanta to pulsating life. The action is non-stop, fast-paced and gritty. The world is dark, brimming with magic and danger. We also learn some details about Kate’s background and the relationship between Kate and Curran is fraught with tension of more than one variety and is above all, fun as hell. I definitely look forward to the next installment, Midnight Games to be released in 2009.
Magic Burns will be released April 1, 2008 and Magic Bites is available now.
Lisa Trevethan *headdesk*
Also published at Urban Fantasy Land
Today I am very pleased to interview Ilona Andrews, author of Magic Bites (Ace Publishing March 27, 2007) and Magic Burns (Ace Publishing April 1, 2008).
*headdesk* - How does writing as a partnership with your husband Gordon affect the
writing?
Ilona - As I sit here staring at the championship fight of Midnight Games, I really, really miss his input. Unfortunately, he’s at work. So I think he affects me in a very positive way, as I am not doing so hot without him.
*headdesk* - Have you ever written a scene based in any part on a real life situation or person?
Ilona - Yes. Most writers draw inspiration from those around the, and I’m no different. For instance, I very loosely based the character of Dali in the third book on one of my lj buddies.
*headdesk* - Can you tell us what inspired you to write about Kate Daniels and the version of Atlanta you have created?
Ilona - Gordon and I talked about it and it seems we drew inspiration from 80s cartoons. He-man and Thundar the Barbarian
*headdesk* - Do you have any strange writing habits?
Ilona - Strange? Probably not. But I have a dangerous one.
I have now carved a place for myself on the smaller couch right next to Gordon’s computer desk. I prefer to have a hot beverage next to me - coffee, hot tea, green tea, herbal tea - which I set on the corner of his desk on my left. When I write, I tend to sink into it. I have an ability - curse or blessing, not sure at this point - to completely concentrate on something, to the point of actually not hearing what people say to me. Apparently I pick up my mug, drink from it, and then attempt to return it to the desk. About a third of the time I miss the desk. I don’t drop the drink, because some part of me knows something solid is suppose to be under the mug before I let it go. So I just wave the mug in the empty air, moving it slightly until I get it onto the desk.
If Gordon is home, he will actually grab the mug and maneuver it and my hand onto the desk. But apparently the waving is hilarious to watch.
*headdesk* - What do you read in your spare (haha) time?
Ilona - Oy you’re killing me here. I have a book out and a deadline in the same month. I forgot what free time looks like. I like to play computer games, such as World of Warcraft. I like to play badminton with my kids and enjoy watching Top Chef and Project Runway. I used to crochet but never get to any more. That’s about it. No exotic habits.
*headdesk* - Romance Genre Smackdown - Mantitty vs. No Mantitty? Discuss.
Ilona - That’s a loaded question. Let’s see by Mantitty, I assume you mean Hot Naked Male cover with emphasis on pecks and and a six pack? First I have to acknowledge that Mantitty does sell books. I think it’s hilarious when industry professionals point it out with great surprise. Women find covers that feature buff men attractive? You don’t say! People tend to be drawn to beautiful examples of opposite sex! Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition figured out that out ages ago.
That said, I do think that Mantitty is overused and often suffers from poor taste problems.
First, the overuse. Mantitty to me signifies a book with higher than average sexual context. For example, Spymaster’s Lady has a Mantitty cover. Why? It’s a beautifully executed, intelligent, delicately balanced historical. Yes, there are sexual scenes in it, but the sex isn’t the primary focus of the novel. I don’t understand this cover at all. I loved the book but wouldn’t have picked it up in a million years on the cover alone.
Second, the poor taste. There is a world of difference between a buff cowboy with his shirt off and a well-oiled male stripper in cowboy boots. Most romance books sell emotional satisfaction, which arises out of intimacy between two (or more) individuals. If the cover model, carved biceps or no, looks seedy and used, that doesn’t exactly inspire intimacy. It just makes me go bleeh.
I like Nalini Singh covers. Strictly speaking, they are Mantitty, but they are different and tastefully done. I also liked the cover of Demon Night by Meljean Brook. The guy looks rough, but sexy.
http://www.nalinisingh.com/books.html
http://www.meljeanbrook.com/night.html
*headdesk* - Can you tell us what other projects you have in the works?
Ilona - After I’m done with Kate 3, I would like to finish a lighter UF tentatively termed Walmart Story. Gordon and I are also under contract for a novella set in Kate’s world. It will feature hellhounds and will appear in an anthology published by Ace. Other authors in the anthology are Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook.
Thank you so much for stopping by! Magic Burns will be released Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Lisa Trevethan *headdesk*
Also published at Urban Fantasy Land
Ilona’s website: http://www.ilonaland.com/
