The Best Reader [Search results for damned] 

Today I have the winners for Stand Up Against Abuse. Thank you all so much for joining me in this feature and for helping spread the word about the topic. I plan to do this again next year! I also have the winner of BlogFest 2011! Sorry for the delay in picking winners. The reason for that is listed below.: )

• 1st place
• SIGNED copy of Bitter End
• Stay
• But I Love Him
• The Six Rules of Maybe

• 2nd place
• Bitter End
• Stay
• But I Love Him
• The Six Rules of Maybe

• 3rd place
• Bitter End
• But I Love Him

And the BlogFest winner is…

Abigail R (abbyra@… )
She picked a copy of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
News

Big news! I'm MOVING!! We bought a house and will be moving next weekend, EEK! Pretty much the only things I have packed so far are my books. Once we are settled in, I do plan to do a big giveaway to get rid of some of my extra books. I will still be posting reviews/interviews/and other giveaways while I'm moving because those will, hopefully, be set up by next week.

Guess what?!? I will be kicking off the DAMNED book tour on August 1st! You can see the full list of bloggers and other tour details on Nancy Holder's blog.

You can win a copy of DAMNED on goodreads.

And there's more!

From Nancy's blog: We will also be hosting contests online to give away special signed copies of the limited edition “rock concert style” poster for the Damned Book Tour to several lucky winners during the months of August and September. Stay tuned for details on how to win your signed copy of the poster! One hint on how to win is to visit the blogger tour stops on the dates listed.

You never know when a book or poster will be up for grabs.

To really kick off Damned‘s release, we’re also giving away free copies of “Passing,” the short story that inspired the Crusade series, to anyone who pre-orders a copy of Damned.

All you have to do to receive your electronic copy of “Passing” is to 1) pre-order Damned from any physical or online store; 2) send an email to mailfornancyholder@gmail.com; 3) include the word “Passing” in the Subject Line; and 4) tell us in the message of the email where you pre-ordered your copy of Damned.

Emails must be received by August 29th to be valid.

There is a fine line between love and sacrifice… Read the first chapter of Damned here

And, as many of you know, it is almost time for the release of CHAIN REACTION by Simone Elkeles. I am a huge fan of this series and the book trailer was just released! I also love these book trailers! I think it's so cool that they are set up like a movie and they bring in all of the characters. CUTE!

Be on the lookout for more about this new release coming up on the blog. I may have a very cool video to share with you all soon!

Chain Reaction will be released August 16th.

I am honored to kick off the tour for Damned, the second book in the Crusade series. I have an interview with both authors, Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié and an amazing ARC giveaway listed below. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour. You can see the stops on Nancy Holder's blog.

1. What is it like working with another person on a book? Do you two have a certain system for writing?

Debbie: It’s amazing and fun. What’s great about our relationship is that her strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. We are able to rely on eachother. Also, the ideas are exciting because with the two of us working on a book it morphs into something awesome that isn’t necessarily what either of us would have done if working solo. Being a co-author means you have to put your ego aside and decide together what’s best for the story. Nancy and I have had no problems doing this with each other and the results have been remarkable! We usually trade off writing chapters and then we swap and edit until by the end we can’t even tell who wrotewhat originally!

Nancy: The real question is, What is it like to working with DEBBIE on a book? It’s no wonder we write about magic. Not only do we complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, but we often independently come up with the same edits and fixes. We’re about to celebrate a decade of partnership and it’s flown by.

2. This question is for both of you. Who is your favorite character to write about? Do you tend to focus on certain characters over others while writing?

Debbie: I love writing for Jamie. He isn’t my favorite character, but writing him is just fun. We try really hard to give all the characters a lot of time to have their story unfold. We try to make sure we have several point of view scenes for each main character.

Nancy: Antonio. I love him. I admire him and I would tell you that I pity him, but if he found out he’d be very cross with me.

3. How did you develop the world we see in CRUSADE and DAMNED?

Debbie: We thought about what it would be like if WWIII happened with vampires as the enemies. We tried to craft a world that we thought was a realistic depiction of how people and nations react in times of great despair and how they try to fight foes that seem unbeatable.

Nancy: Our vampire hunters are like the Resistance in World War II. They’re outnumbered and outgunned, but they have stealth and courage on their side. There were so many unsung heroes in WWII. This is our tribute to them, and to soldiers in the trenches today.

4. If each of you could describe your main characters in one word each, what would they be?

Debbie:
Jenn heroic
Antonio devoted
Skye conflicted
Jamie explosive
Eriko tormented
Holgar compassionate
Father Juan enigmatic

Nancy:
Jenn couragous
Antonio idealistic
Skye awakened
Jamie bitter
Eriko suffering
Holgar warm
Father Juan mysterious



5. What was your reaction to the new covers for the series?

Debbie: I love, love, love the cover of Damned. I think it’s vibrant and exciting and the fact that Antonio has his sleeves rolled up in a snowstorm shows you just how different he is from humans.

Nancy: I also love the cover of Damned. The name of our cover model is Sterling and he’s been in Los Angeles auditioning for pilot season. Good luck, Sterling!

6. If you could both pick to be a vampire, werewolf, witch, or hunter, which would you pick and why?

Debbie: Werewolf. You get to live a normal life except for one night a month at which point you get to unleash your inner animal. It sounds very cathartic. (Frightening and horrific too, but not as life altering ultimately as the others.)

Nancy: Witch Definitely. You have powers to change the fabric of the universe based in a tradition of goodness and mercy.

Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 30th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 384 pages
Series: Crusade #2
There is a fine line between love and sacrifice… Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Janen. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.
Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter, aches for revenge against the Cursed One who converted her sister. And with an even more sinister power on the rise, she must overcome her personal vendettas to lead her team into battle.
Antonio and Janen need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness… or die trying.

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive an ARC of Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié and a SIGNED bookplate for your book (signed by both authors!).

The post you are about to read is 100 % **Role Play

All the characters represented here (please see the list of all Role Players provided below ) with the exception of Lisa and myself are **Role Players from a group on twitter. They have agreed to role play with us to help celebrate not only our Halloween Event, but also to help share our love for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by author J.R. Ward, as these Role Players are also huge fans of J.R. Ward's works.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO ONE with this site/blog, Lisa’s site/blog nor the role-playing group — which you can find with the list of twitter accounts provided — is in any way, shape or form connected to or affiliated with J.R. Ward. No one present or represented here is J.R. Ward, nor is the role playing intended for any purpose other than the personal enjoyment of the Role Players involved.

Warning: This story contains mature and adult themes. L/J: *trying to get the topic back on track* Okay then, since were talking about Vampire movies and all, what do you think about the TV shows out there that have Vampires of the non-sparkly variety in them? Such as say… The Vampire Diaries or True Blood?

@Vishous_BDB: Only if we want a laugh, true?
@BellaR_BDB: I’ve heard of the shows from some of the followers, but I haven’t watched them. Do you watch them? *glancing at L and J*
@Tohrment_BDB: *shakes head* I don't watch shows about teenagers, first. And the True Blood stuff? Some of the humans on twitter complained about it being all wrong, so I've kept my distance.

L/J: So, being that we found you on twitter, which is great and amazing to get a chance to check in with each of you nightly… it looks like you all have fun with it? Was it you @Vishous_BDB who got them all hooked? And if not, how did you all get started with it?

@Vishous_BDB: Yeah I thought it would be a good way to get our stories out there. It worked, we have had several people tell us they read the books because of us.

L/J: @Vishous_BDB Your right, it is a great way to further spread the word about each of your stories.

@Vishous_BDB: *nods knowing I am always right*
@Rhage_BDB: I hate to admit he is right *nods at @Vishous_BDB* But he was.
@Tohrment_BDB: That's V's big brain working over time again. It's been a good ride, so far.
@Phury_BDB: V got us started. At first it did seem awkward for some of us, myself included. But it has been interesting.
@Wrath_BDB: I’ll admit to not being completely sold on the idea of twitter at first. I couldn’t figure out who had time for this shit. But as the leader of the vampire race, I’m finding it to be an excellent communication tool as well as the best form of agitation for the @Scribe_Virgin I’ve seen in a couple hundred years. *smirks*
@MaryL_BDB: The whole Twitter thing fascinates me. People are so friendly and they genuinely seem to care about us as people, not just us as figments of their imaginations. Maybe you could give us some insight into that. Why do people we don’t know follow our lives so closely? Not that I don’t love it!
@BethR_BDB: Everyone is really friendly and supportive of us.
@MarissaH_BDB: I have to agree with @BethR_BDB and MaryL_BDB. Everyone has been so kind on Twitter. When things between @Butch_BDB and myself were uncertain so many people has such kind and supportive words.

L/J: @MaryL_BDB & everyone… to answer your question, I think we follow each of you because after reading your stories we feel like we know you, even just the slightest bit. That this is our way to stay connected to you and see where each of you are in your lives while waiting the long way for the next book/chapter to begin within your world. And trust me, it’s a long wait…

L: Actually *blushing* – Jessica dared me to send a message to @Rehvenge_BDB and that’s how this whole interview came about. He suggested I speak to @Wrath_BDB. *Looks to @Rehvenge_BDB*, by the way, thanks again.

@Rehvenge_BDB: *standing, using the cane to lead my way to you* It was my sublime pleasure. *taking up your hand, stroking a thumb over the inside of your wrist… and FEEDING on your anxiety before heading back to the game*

L: *Stares at @Rehvenge_BDB and his purple eyes. Wonder if that really just happened. Hearing @Wrath_BDB’s tone – shaking head to clear the haze bringing me back to the room*

@Wrath_BDB: Rehv. Cut the shit, man. She’s my guest and I won’t have you using her.

L: Well, *still nervous* you somewhat intimidate us, though we thoroughly enjoy following along, so we both lurk. Maybe after this we won’t lurk as much?

@Butch_BDB: What the hell is there to be intimidated of? *grins*
@Vishous_BDB: True that.

J: @Butch_BDB — maybe it’s just that each of you, well the males at least, radiate so much testosterone… or it could just be the fangs.

@Butch_BDB: *smirks*
@MarissaH_BDB: It’s always nice to talk with everyone one Twitter. But I was nervous about talking with people in the beginning- it was something outside of anything the gylmera would ever have approved.
@BethR_BDB: There’s no need to be intimidated. I enjoy talking with everyone.

L/J: @MarissaH_BDB & BethR_BDB – Thank you so much for making us feel so welcome and inviting us in. Thanks to each of you really.

@MarissaH_BDB: *smiles warmly*
@Rhage_BDB: Yeah, you should talk to us. A lot.

J: @Rhage_BDB — now that we have had a chance to get to know you all, I definitely think we will be chatting with you a lot more.

@Tohrment_BDB: Hey, reach out, we don't bite *laughs*

L: @Tohrment_BDB *laughing with you* did you really just say that?

@Tohrment_BDB: *thinks to the immediate past* Yeah, I did. *winks*
@Qhuinn_BDB: *grins* No lurking allowed, ladies. Maybe a Corona or two will loosen you up a bit?

L: @Qhuinn_BDB *slight smile* well, while Corona is one of my favorite beers, I’d much rather have some Tequila. *blushing*

@Qhuinn_BDB: *Grins at Lisa, holding up a lime and the salt shaker* I've got the Heradurra right here, babe. Body shots on me?

L: *stares at @Qhuinn_BDB Speechless*

J: @Qhuinn_BDB actually, right about now I could use one… Could you pass one over?

@Blaylock_BDB: Truly, be at ease. We really enjoy interacting with our followers. Oh, and ignore @Qhuinn_BDB. I try to. *smiles, blushing slightly*

J: *giggles after drinking* Aww @Blaylock_BDB you’re just too sweet! *walks across the room and touches his cheek. Thinking this Corona is starting to relax me*

@Blaylock_BDB: *blushing brighter at your touch* Thanks.

J: Um, how about a question for each of you? Do you enjoy reading and if so, what’s your favorite type of story?

@Butch_BDB: Mysteries for me. The cop in me never really went away totally.
@Vishous_BDB: I love to read. Everything. I have thousands of books. I enjoy anything that makes me think.
@Tohrment_BDB: I like to read vampire stories for a good laugh and conspiracy theory fiction. The DaVinci Code wasn't bad. I can also read about cars for days. The Complete Book of Corvette and Porsche: Excellence Was to be Expected are two of my faves. Lots of beauty in those pages. *Thinks about the Stingray* I think that covers it.
@Rehvenge_BDB: Mob stories. Big fan. *enigmatic grin*
@Zsadist_BDB: *lips curl in a smile* Anything Nalla wants me to read to her.

L: @Zsadist_BDB Oh, I almost forgot – here *passes to @Zsadist_BDB* I brought this book for Nalla. I found it just the other day and thought she might like it. It’s called Cloudette. *smiles*

@Zsadist_BDB: *smiling — nods* Nalla will love it. Thank you *glances over at Nalla and Bella, smile widens*
@Phury_BDB: I enjoy reading a wide variety of things.
@Wrath_BDB: *shakes head* Unless I can get something in Braille otherwise @BethR_BDB reads to me. I love hearing her voice, so it’s all good.
@BethR_BDB: I enjoy anything I can read to Wrath. But I’m not going to lie; I like a good Nicholas Sparks book just as much as the next female.
@BellaR_BDB: I like romance novels. *smiles* I like happy ever afters.
@EhlenaA_BDB: I read everything I can get my hands on. *looks to @Rehvenge_BDB* I’m currently reading “Mind Manipulation: Ancient and Modern Ninja Techniques”… you know… gotta stay sharp.

J: @EhlenaA_BDB — Same here. I try to read a variety of different books. Never know what ones may turn into favorites. *thinking of picking up that book… never know when it may come in handy*

@MaryL_BDB: I’m very much a reader. Currently I’m reading Our Synaptic Selves, though usually I read the latest in childhood disorders. The field changes so fast, it’s hard to keep up.
@MarissaH_BDB: Well, I’ve been enjoying reading books that @MaryL_BDB found for me as wonderful reference points for SafePlace. I continue to feel like there is so much that I don’t know.
@Qhuinn_BDB: *runs a hand through my dark, spiky hair* Hmm… Do video game guides count
@Blaylock_BDB: *laughs* Um… no, @Qhuinn_BDB, video game guides don’t count. We’ve been pretty busy lately, but I really like Joe Hill.
@Lassiter_BDB: I prefer TV.

L: @Lassiter_BDB how did I know you were going to say that? *laughing*
J: @Lassiter_BDB oh, do you mean more of those Lifetime Movies that were mentioned before.

@Lassiter_BDB: Exactly. Classy TV.
@CormiaC_BDB: I have been devouring every book about architecture that @Phury_BDB has been able to find for me. And human history books. I’m intimately familiar with our race’s history but now I’m curious about other histories.

L/J: This one is for the Shellans – how do you each put up with all the fighting? *glances over to see @Tohrment_BDB and looks away sad to have asked such a question*

@Tohrment_BDB: *Knowing I'm going to have to ride this out, it's what Wellsie wanted for me. Resolved to stick around no matter how thick it gets, trying to focus on sinking my next shot instead.*
@MarissaH_BDB: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry every time @Butch_BDB goes out hunting--what he does is different than what the other Brothers do, and it will always frighten me. But I trust him, and I trust that he will do everything in his power to come home to me each night. *sees @Butch_BDB watching me, smiles at him in return*
@Butch_BDB: *winks at @MarissaH_BDB*
@CormiaC_BDB: I knew @Phury_BDB first as the Primale and a warrior, so I always knew this was part of who he is. It doesn’t mean I don’t worry, because I do. But I know that he and his Brothers are fighting for our entire race, and that’s a calling greater than my worry. And besides, he’s already proven he’s stronger than even he knew… *smiles proudly at @Phury_BDB*
@DocJaneW_BDB: *Looking up from the plans for the new clinic and shaking my head* You just can't think about it. *glancing over at V who's leaning on his cue, smiling at him* And I'll be damned if I ever lose any of them should they need my expertise.
@BellaR_BDB: *looks at Nalla* I worry. I try not to, but I do. *looks over at @Zsadist_BDB* But even while I’m worrying, I know that @Zsadist_BDB will always do everything in his power to come home to us. And I choose to believe that he will.
@MaryL_BDB: *sighs* I know it’s important to him, to his Brothers, so I just kiss him before he goes and then hold my breath until he comes home. I think I’m comforted by my pet, the one he calls “the beast”. Well, his beast and I have an arrangement. He keeps my Rhage safe and I scratch him behind the ears when he gets home. *giggles and winks @Rhage_BDB*
@BethR_BDB: I know how frustrating it is that @Wrath_BDB can’t be out fighting alongside his brothers, but he has a responsibility to the race as their King which he takes very seriously. I worry about the other warriors who are out in the streets every night, hunting down lessers and keeping us safe. @Wrath_BDB worries about even more than I do, and I don’t like to think of how hard he would take it if something happened to one of them.
@EhlenaA_BDB: I don’t worry overly much about @Rehvenge_BDB fighting. His battles are waged on a different field. *taps head*

L: The strength each of you has is amazing. I can hear it in your voices; see it in your body language. The conviction in our words comes shining through when speaking of such a hard subject. Thank you for your honest answers.

@DocJaneW_BDB: *nods* You're welcome. You have to be strong to handle one of these males, trust me. All the women here are tough as nails, couldn't be happier to find myself in their ranks.
@BellaR_BDB: *smiling* You’re welcome.

L/J: *gets up to walk around – seeing how natural they all are with each other, makes my/our nerves settle some* (hearing laughing over a game of pool between @Vishous_BDB & @Tohrment_BDB we walk over to check it out.*

@Vishous_BDB: *taking a shot*

L: Who’s winning?

@Vishous_BDB: *nods at @Tohrment_BDB* Want to play winner?
@Tohrment_BDB: *Eying the 3 ball, knowing I can bank it in if V misses his next shot*

J: Ohhh, no, we’re still playing Monopoly with @Wrath_BDB, @Rehvenge_BDB, @Zsadist_BDB, @Phury_BDB. We just came over to see what you guys were laughing about?

@Vishous_BDB: Well you did bring up the sparkly vamps so we had to give @Rhage_BDB some flack, true?
@Rhage_BDB: *flips V off*
@Tohrment_BDB: *shaking my head at all the sparkle talk*
@Lassiter_BDB: *still glowing* What is wrong with sparkle?
@Rehvenge_BDB: *finally absconding with Park Place AND Boardwalk, nailing the Brothers with sly amethyst eyes* Just hand over your banks now, ladies. *steepled fingers*

L: Who’s winning at the monopoly game? Oh… not sure, but I believe @Wrath_BDB might be. *feeling less and less nervous, but knowing it can return at anytime with so many males of this size packed into this room.*

@Rehvenge_BDB: *pulling all Z’s internal outrage for a snack and replacing it with the overwhelming desire to bake Halloween cupcakes*
@Zsadist_BDB: *feeling like I want to bake some cupcakes – shakes head and glares at @Rhevenge_BDB * You Fu… *growls*
@Wrath_BDB: *grins* Of course I’m winning. And Rehv? Park Place and Boardwalk mean nada. *laughs*
@Rehvenge_BDB: *shouts above the music that it’s Jessica’s turn*

L/J: *looking up at @Vishous_BDB, @Rhage_BDB, @Tohr_BDB & @Butch_BDB over the pool table* we’ll come back again in a few… *walking back over to the couch – noticing @John_MatthewBDB and @Xhex_BDB have joined the group* `1

Be sure to come back tomorrow night for the 3rd and final part of our interview! You won't want to miss out it AND we'll have another surprise tomorrow night as well!

If you would like to follow along with the all the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Players is part of this group, please USE GOOGLE to easily follow each character. And trust me, you don't know what your missing! So hurry and follow today!

@FritzDoggen_BDB Online: (updates, notes and information on the Twitter Role Playing Group)

Website | Twitter

Order All 8 books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Preorder book 9 Online here:

Amazon | Borders | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Thank you so much to all the characters from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Play group for all the time and effort they have been putting in to help us celebrate not only Halloween and our event, but also our love for all that is the Brotherhood and J.R. Ward.

Reference:

**Role Play

–verb (used with object)
1. to assume the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another), esp. in a make-believe situation in an effort to understand a differing point of view or social interaction: Management trainees were given a chance to role-play labor negotiators.
2. to experiment with or experience (a situation or viewpoint) by playing a role: trainees role-playing management positions.
–verb (used without object)
3. to engage in role-playing.

Interview by Lisa (L) & Jessica (J)

All who are attending?

Playing Pool are Vishous_BDB & @Tohrment_BDB with @Butch_BDB and @Rhage_BDB playing next.
Playing Monopoly are @Rehvenge_BDB, @Zsadist_BDB, @Wrath_BDB, @Phury_BDB, and Jessica and I.
@BellaR_BDB and @BethR_BDB are playing with Nalla.
@DocJaneW_BDB, @MaryL_BDB, @CormiaC_BDB, @EhlenaA_BDB, and @MarissaH_BDB are looking over more plans for the medical facility while waiting for a shellan monopoly. It is much calmer. No daggers.
@John_MatthewBDB and @Xhex_BDB come in later, still in honeymoon phase they are… looking happy.
@Qhuinn_BDB and @Blaylock_BDB are playing Xbox.
@Lassiter_BDB flutters from group to group inputting his two cents.
@FritzDoggen_BDB serving crepes and drinks.

Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post! NOTE: This post will be the same on both of our blogs.

REMINDER: *If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please ready full entry rules HERE.

Crazy-good book week!! Got some great summer/fall titles that I've been wanting badly!! Thanks to Hyperion, HarperTeen, Random House, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's Press, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and author Megan Duncan.

Review
Mercy (ARC) by Rebecca Lim
The Near Witch (ARC) by Victoria Schwab
Putting Makeup On Dead People by Jane Violi
Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin
.an UNrequired reading water bottle and 2 packs of cards (1 for giveaway soon)
Sass and Serendipity by Janenifer Ziegler (ARC and finished copy)
Fateful (ARC) by Claudia Gray
The Beginning of After (ARC) by Janenifer Castle
A Beautiful Dark (ARC) by Jocelyn Davies
Released (SIGNED) by Megan Duncan
Soul Thief (ARC) by Jana Oliver
Damned (ARC) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Vigule
Sometimes it Happens (ARC) by Lauren Barnholdt
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer
Starstruck by Cyn Balog
The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt
Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris
Amen L.A. by Cherie Bennett
Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Purchased
Shadowspell by Janena Black

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

1. In the series Vamped, Gina is a total fashionista. If you suddenly became a vampire, would you make sure you were at least a stylish one?

3. Can you share with us some tips to being a fashionable vampire?

4. Can you tell us the scoop on Vamped book 2, ReVamped? What is in the future for this series?

Vamped by Lucienne Diver Publisher: Flux (May 1st, 2009) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 340 pages Series: Vamped, book #1 Gina Covello's Perks and Pitfalls
of Vamp Life
1. Hello?! Eternal youth and beauty!

2. Free. Designer. Clothes.

3. My hot new boyfriend Bobby went from chess dud to vamp stud.

4. No reflection! First order of business: turn my own stylist to stop the downward spiral from chic to eek.

5. Vampire vixen Mellisande has taken an interest in my boyfriend, and is now transforming the entire high school into her own personal vampire army. If anyone's going to start their own undead entourage it should be me.

I guess I'll just have to save everyone from fashion disasters and other fates worse than death.

Find Lucienne Diver Lucienne Diver / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Vamped Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles (Walker Books for Young Readers 8/16/2011) Bargains and Betrayals (13 to Life #3) by Shannon Delany (St. Martin's Griffin 8/16/2011) Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead (Razorbill 8/23/2011)

Sweetly (Sisters Red #2) by Jackson Pearce (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 8/23/2011) The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittiacus Lore (HarperCollins 8/23/2011) Nocturne (Claire de Lune #2) by Christine Johnson (Simon Pulse 8/23/2011)

Hades (Halo #2) by Alexandra Adornetto (Fiewel & Friends 8/30/2010) Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood #1) by Kendare Blake (Tor Teen 8/30/2011) Damned (Crusade #2) by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 8/30/2011)

Twisted (Intertwined #3) by Gena Showalter (Harlequin 8/30/2011) The Fox Inheritance (Jenna Fox Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson (Henry Holt and Company 8/30/2011) Soul Thief (The Demon Trappers #2) by Jana Oliver (St. Martin's Griffin 8/30/2011)

Possess by Gretchen McNeil (Balzer & Bray 8/23/2011) Descended by Blood (Vampire Born #1) by Angeline Kace (Accendo Press 8/23/2011) Fury (Fury #1) by Elizabeth Miles (Simon Pulse 8/30/2011)

If you know of any other new releases for August 16th-31st feel free to add them in the comments so others will know about them!

1. What book are you currently working on?

I’m working on a few books at the moment – putting the final bits of the third book in my SKINNED series, Skin of My Teeth together, as well as fleshing out the first in my steampunk ghosthunter series, STRANGEWAYS. And, well, yeah, there are other projects too, short stories, other manuscripts, and my screenwriting projects.

Seems like a lot to balance, right? It is, but I thrive on the challenge and find it helpful to have multiple projects to juggle. There’s never a dull moment. I’ve started to divide up days of the week by project in order to devote a few full days on each story.

2. What can you share with us about Killer’s Instinct?

Ah, there’s another one! Killer’s Instinct is a killer monster-hunter tale that I’m co-writing with Dawn Dalton and it is contracted with Leap Books (www.leapbks.com) for a late 2013 or early 2014 launch. I’m keen about this project as the book will be released in six, e-serial episodes, released every two months for one year – the episodes will be compiled into a paperback at that time. Kind of an interesting experiment in publishing.

The book revolves around four main characters, young recruits at a secret monster-hunting academy who have to get over their mutual antagonism and personal demons if they want to survive basic training. Emphasis is on one particular character, Hope, the only girl in the newly formed unit.

Discover the characters by visiting our blog: http://mwmnovels.blogspot.ca/

Here’s the blurb:

Where there is NO life – there’s Hope.

Hope has always been a bit of a freak. But when her mother crawls from her grave and her undead corpse goes MIA, Hope's last thread of normal snaps with a vengeance.

Enrolling in a militia-style school for monster slayers seems the only course of action. And the best bet at tracking her mother down.

But does Hope have a true killer's instinct? If she finds her mother, will she have the guts to do what must be done?

3. Is it more difficult to write a book or write a story for an anthology?

While books take longer to physically write – more words, more depth – short stories are an art form unto themselves. I got my start in fiction by writing flash fiction, or short, short stories – complete tales with a beginning, middle, and end, but under 1000 words, so I’ve been enamored with the format for ages.

Still not sure I’m any damn good though. With a novel, you have time to play, to take the reader on asides (though they have to drive the story forward!) – in short stories you have to lay it all out there. Now. And make every word count.

Hmmm… I’m not sure I’m answering the question… lol… I guess I’d have to say they are both difficult, but that’s part of the fun of writing – challenging yourself to improve with every turn of phrase.
4. If you were going out for Halloween this year, what would be your costume?

My standby costume when I was a kid was a nurse. Easy peasy, since I’d just borrow one of my mom’s old nursing uniforms – you know, the kind from the sixties with the hat, and cape, and everything. Now I’d probably update it with a bit of zombie makeup. Yeah, a sixties zombie nurse. That’s it!

Second Skin by Judith Graves Publisher: Leap Books (October 31st, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback Series: Skinned #2
With FIENDS like Eryn…

Monsters. Bloodsuckers. The evil. The damned. Eryn McCain knows they exist— she’s been hunting them since she was a child. At sixteen, she’s ready to take on all comers. Being a shapeshifter gives her an advantage when it comes to her unusual part-time job. The hours suck and the pay is, well, non-existent, but bonuses like inhuman strength and night vision make tracking scary beasties a dream come true. Especially in a town like Redgrave.

When an ancient demon targets Redgrave High, Eryn and her crew of hunters must face their innermost fears to prevent the Harvest Moon Dance from becoming one serious Monster Mash. Loyalties are tested and temptations abound. With questions ever brewing, can Eryn share a future with the brooding, noble, human Alec—the hunter after her heart? Or will she succumb to her enemy’s son, Wade, a seductive predator as bloodthirsty as she is?

What happens when you’re both the beauty and the beast?

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HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

One of these days I will get more caught up: ) I'm trying! For now I have some winners to announce and a little teaser at the bottom.

The winner of the DAMNED ARC and bookplate is…
Erin L.

The winner of SMALL TOWN SINNERS is…
Julie (A Voracious Reader)

The winner of the SOUL SAVERS swag pack is…
Autum F.

Congrats everyone! I have emailed you all so please get back to me within 48 hours.

Teaser!

I moved last month and when I put up my books I picked out some to give away. Sometime within the next few months I will be giving all of these away!

Whisper of Light Excerpt
by
Jennifer DeLucy

Nothing makes you look over your shoulder more than talk of a hag in your house. The laundry room, the piano room, any space that would normally be dark at night would stay fully lit this evening. It would be hard to fall asleep with all the lights on, but honestly, it wasn’t not like we’d be all that relaxed anyway.
Adalia was no slouch. She suspected more was happening than we’d let on. She only had to look at the facts. We’d known something had followed her here from the very first night she’d arrived, yet now we were sounding the alarms?

“How come we can’t turn the lights off?” Adalia observed, staring at the floor lamp in the corner.
“We’re just playing it safe, honey. Just in case,” I said.
“In case what?” I sighed. This kid was persistent. “In case our visitor is feeling mischievous.”
“Like how? Are we talking blanket stealing mischievous? Cuz I’ve had that happen already.”
“Well, let’s not worry about it too much. Just try and get some sleep, okay?”
“Okay.” She rolled over on the couch, pulling the blanket closer around her.
I looked at Gil, and he shared my worried expression. We’d already spent two nights with a hag in the house and she hadn’t done anything yet, but she’d decided to show herself to Adalia tonight, so she’d probably been biding time, maybe to feel out the competition.
We took turns nodding off, me two hours, Gil two hours, and after Gil woke me from my first round of sleep, I dragged myself up from the air mattress and blinked blearily. The DVD player read 2:46 a.m.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I said. “Spot me two minutes?”
“No prob.”
Shuffling across the kitchen and into the laundry room, I rounded the corner to the half-bath and shut the door behind me. There was a poorly insulated window to the right of the toilet, and the room’s position in the house always made it so damned cold compared to the rest of the downstairs—especially the toilet seat. Pleasant.
After I’d completed the task, I glared at the mirror on the wall. Any time you watched a movie with ghosts in it, they always appeared in a mirror, and that wasn’t so far from the truth. Ghosts did love mirrors, but not because of the added dramatic effect. Actually, Laura said that spirits were attracted to reflective surfaces, mainly because they couldn’t see themselves in it, and the phenomenon fascinated them. Humans could sometimes spot a spirit in glass or water, but the spirit itself could not, because the very definition of a lingering astral meant that they never fully acknowledged what they were.
So I approached the mirror with some trepidation, half-scolding myself for being a sissy.
Standing bravely in front of it, I was met with the most horrific vision mankind could ever behold—myself. My hair was insane, my eyes were droopy, my skin washed out. Good grief, I needed to start using facial cream, pronto. But other than that and the window behind me, the coast was clear.
I snorted, turning around to leave, and was immediately nailed to the floor in frigid shock at the sight of a face—the menacing, nearly lunatic expression of a haggard old woman smiling at me from outside the window. My words caught in my throat as I tried to call for Gil. The look of her was grotesque, with absolutely corpse-like skin, deep gray, sunken flesh beneath her eyes, filthy teeth. The worst were those eyes. They glowed a putrid green, with tendrils of red that spidered along their whites. As I stood there she laughed, low and sinister, and though she was outside of the window, I knew she could be beside me, before me, behind me, at any moment she wished.
Finally, I said the first thing that came to me. “Get the hell away from us, you bitch!”
Redirecting one’s feelings into anger wasn’t always a healthy way to deal with fear, but it worked just dandy this time, thank you very much. I had no idea if the tactic had made the tiniest difference to the hag, but it had given me the clarity to run the hell out of the bathroom and call for Gil. I was grateful that I’d been breathless with fear when I did, since the sound wasn’t likely to wake the others while still getting Gil’s attention.
Flying into the kitchen, he caught me as my knees gave way. “Hey, Nicky. What the hell?”
“She was outside the bathroom,” I said, still unable to control the full body trembling. “She was outside the window. The bathroom… ”
“Jesus.” He pulled a chair out from the table and led me to it, then darted off to the bathroom to have a look. I steadied my breaths, still fast in tandem with the beating of my heart. I was more terrified than I’d been in years. I’d never seen anything so creepy before, and I was praying to every deity known to man that I’d never see it again.

Circle of Light by Janenifer DeLucy
Publisher: Omnific Publishing (October 9th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback
Series: Light, #3
Empath and Pathcrosser to the dead, Lillian Hunt has finally come into her own as a Sentient being. All seems well in her brave new world… that is, until a tragic turn sends her tight knit Sentient group on a rescue mission through lore-infested Europe. Their goal is to save the love of Lily's life—vampire Sentient, William Maddox — from both the prejudice of their own society and the dark intentions of ancient vampires. But how will they keep hope alive, even as time runs out?

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Seers of Light and a $25 Gift Card to Amazon!

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends November 17th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry!
Please read full entry rules here. Don't forget to check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post for today!

Janice Gable Bashman is the author of WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil. She also has written for THE BIG THRILL, NOVEL & SHORT STORY WRITER’S MARKET, THE WRITER, WILD RIVER REVIEW, and many others. She can be reached at www.janicegablebashman.com.
Jonathan Maberry is a NY Times bestseller, multiple Bram Stoker Award-winner and a writer for Marvel Comics. He has written a number of award-winning nonfiction books and novels on the paranormal and supernatural, including WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE, THE CRYPTOPEDIA, VAMPIRE UNIVERSE, THEY BITE, ZOMBIE CSU and PATIENT ZERO. He can be reached at www.jonathanmaberry.com.

Writers Who Changed Our Worlds
by Janice Gable Bashman and Jonathan Maberry

Readers. Writers. We all love a good book. Whether it’s a mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, science fiction, etc. And we can all remember our favorites. Those books that kept us reading long after we should have stopped to do something else, the books that kept us up late into the night when we had school or work the next day. As authors we strive to be the one who does that to readers, whose work is so compelling it keeps readers from doing anything else but reading. Because, let’s face it. We all love a good book.
For our book WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil, we interviewed tons of authors (and screenwriters, filmmakers, actors, and others) about their favorite good vs. evil book, movie, and comic, so we thought we’d discuss the writers that have influenced us over the years.
JANICE GABLE BASHMAN: There are so many writers I could list, but these are three that have influenced me tremendously.

SHIRLEY JACKSON—When I read Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” first published in 1948, I couldn’t believe the horror and the shock she elicited in only a few pages. It’s been at least 20 years since I first read the story and the memory of it still sends chills down my spine and makes me cringe. It’s a perfect blend of horror, suspense and ancient ritual. Characters so real you can’t help but relate to them and be thankful you aren’t them.

Jackson also wrote the incredible horror novel HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, published in 1959.

Jackson’s work has affected me both as a reader and a writer.

JAMES ROLLINS—The thriller lover in me admires how James Rollins (DEEP FATHOM, ICE HUNT, ALTER OF EDEN, DOOMSDAY KEY, etc.) combines action-adventure with science, exploration, mystery, fear, horror, archeology, etc. to create a story that always keeps me turning the pages. As a writer, I look at his work and am amazed at how he pulls it off, how he combines so many factors to create a plausible and enjoyable read. But he does… and that’s the beauty of it.

WALTER MOSLEY—I’m a big fan of Walter Mosley’s stories featuring Socrates Fortlow (ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED; WALKIN’ THE DOG; THE RIGHT MISTAKE). How he describes his characters. The language he uses to create his tales. How every sentence, every word, is chosen for its precise meaning. How the spot-on dialogue makes the characters so vivid. How he tells the story of real people in real situations doing real things but fills those stories with so much meaning. To study Walter Mosley’s stories is a great lesson in writing.

JONATHAN MABERRY:

RICHARD MATHESON: I met Matheson when I was fourteen, and he took some time to have a few long chats with me about writing, creativity, the business of publishing, and about developing an analytical mind. Matheson’s novels are always different, always hard to classify, and often cross-genre. His 1954 classic, I AM LEGEND, is the first real blend of hard science and true horror; and the underlying metaphors of xenophobia, classicism and societal perception are as dead on-target now as they were then. Shame the filmmakers seem to miss Matheson’s whole point, which is alluded to in the title! His other works are equally layered and compelling: THE SHRINKING MAN, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, STIR OF ECHOES… the list goes on and on.

JAMES LEE BURKE: Burke is probably my favorite living author. His writing is lush, descriptive, subtle, gritty, and always compelling. His Dave Robicheaux novels in particular are filled with sensual phrasing and visceral scenes that make all five of your senses come alive while reading. I particularly love BLACK CHERRY BLUES for its insights into corruption, heroism and redemption; THE TIN-ROOF BLOWDOWN, for the unflinching way Burke presents the social and cultural devastation that resulted from the government’s mishandling of Katrina; and THE GLASS RAINBOW, for showing that even eighteen books into a series that has unfolded over 23 years, Burke still manages to surprise his readers.

JOHN D. MacDONALD: MacDonald’s most celebrated creation was the intellectual boat bum, Travis McGee. Irascible, occasionally antisocial, charming, charismatic, and frequently anti-establishment, Travis is the model for the ‘thinking person’s hero’. The stories were meticulously plotted and laid out along devious pathways that not only made the books a thrill to read for the first time, but a pleasure to re-read. No one has tried to out-MacDonald MacDonald, and that’s a good thing. He was the sharpest knife in the literary drawer. And the books are just so damn much fun!
WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE deals with the struggle of good vs evil in film, comics, pop culture, world myth, literature, and the real world. Everything from ghosts to vampire slayers to paranormal investigators to FBI serial-killer profilers. It includes interviews with folks like Stan Lee, Mike Mignola, Jason Aaron, Fred Van Lente, Peter Straub, Charlaine Harris and many more; and the book is fully illustrated by top horror, comics & fantasy artists. In stores everywhere.

Wanted Undead or Alive: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil by Jonathan Maberry & Janice Gable Bashman Publisher: Citadel (September 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 320 pages Discover the nature of Evil- and how to kick its butt!

These days you can-t swing an undead lycanthrope without hitting a Minion of Evil. They-re everywhere-TV, film, the basement-right behind you! It-s never been more important to know what you can do to keep them at bay. Garlic? silver bullets? holy water? torch-wielding mob?

From today-s foremost experts on nightmares-come-to-life, this indispensible guide identifies and describes mankind-s enemies-supernatural beasts, ghosts, vampires, serial killers, etc.-and unearths effective time-proven responses to each horrific threat.

Separate fact from fiction, the deadly from the merely creepy. Learn when to stand your ground and when to run screaming for your life. Determine which monster-specific heroes to call and their likelihood of success. Consider your own potential as a Champion for Good, Conqueror of the Damned.

Whether we-re talking ancient vampire hunters or modern-day FBI profilers, it-s good to know someone-s got your back in the eternal struggle between Good and Evil. And this book, with over fifty illustrations, as well as commentary from luminaries like filmmaker John Carpenter, author Peter Straub, and the legendary Stan Lee, provides all the information and reassurance you need to sleep soundly at night.

Just not too soundly.

Thank you so much Janice and Jonathan for being on my blog today!
For more information Janice Gable Bashman / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Jonathan Maberry / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. I gotta say, the first thing that grabbed my attention about this book was it's amazing cover. Did you play a part in the design, and what did you think when you saw the finished product?

Oh my gosh, I love my cover, not to toot my horn, lol. The amazing Neil Noah made it! I heard of him through my two good friends and fellow authors, Elizabeth Isaacs and Hope Collier, who both had worked with him in the past for their covers. I design book covers for others, but I knew I’d never be satisfied with something I created, so I had to outsource. I sent Neil a couple designs I’d played with, and then he worked his magic. The cover was one of two covers he sent me. I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. We tweaked some things, of course, but oh man, he nailed the cover. I was so excited! I hope people like it as much as I do.

2. Can you tell us a little about Levi's personality?

Levi was fun to write, but at the same time, he was hard. It’s tough to write from a guy’s POV when you’re female, haha! Moreso, I wanted to think like he would, were I in his shoes. Can you imagine how hard it would be to know that you were damned, but you still held hope to maybe someday get away from the problems you’ve caused yourself? Can you imagine trying to guard people and make sure they were safe, when you knew they may end up like you if the wrong choices were made? He’s so torn – he doesn’t want to break any more rules, but he wants to know Hannah more. She makes him feel things, but he doesn’t know why. He’s cautious, but reckless at the same time. He’s a little irreverent, but he lets Ethan take care of most of the trouble making. I really like Levi. He’s hard to read, and it’s part of the reason I had to ask my brother and husband what a guy would think in certain situations! Overall, he’s just trying to figure out what to do. He’s sixteen and a guy. Really? Of course he makes no sense haha. 

3. What is one of the things that makes Hannah unique to Levi?

No Call that Levi’s ever had was able to make him feel. He’s never felt the need to get near a human. Hannah, for some reason, changes that. He’s curious, and he can’t help but get near her. That’s what sets it all off… you know what they say, “Curiousity killed the cat.” We’ll see if it turns out all right for Levi! 

4. Do you have a favorite excerpt or line that you could share with us?

I loved writing Ethan, he’s so snarky and tries so hard to be this rude guy, when I think deep down he’s alright. I guess we’ll see. Anyway, here’s a little excerpt from one of his scenes. 

I smirked at Ethan as he jumped and dodged me like I had leprosy. “You know, they’re not contagious.”
“ Easy for you to say. You’ve already let that human touch you.”
Hannah sighed. “I have a name, you know.”
Ethan laughed. “Yup, and it’s Bag ‘O Bones to me. You’re human. You live, you die. Well, you were supposed to have already died, but Rambo here decided to tempt fate. You know what? I’ll just call you Bob for short. How’s that?”
5. What tends to be the most difficult part of the writing process for you?

Finding the time! My 5 month old son takes up quite a bit of time, so the writing is a bit slower now. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but if I would have known the lack of time I’d have, I probably would have written 5 or 6 novels before I had him! Haha. 

Forbidden by Megan Curd
Kindle Edition: 270 pages
Published: October 22nd, 2011
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: The Guardian Chronicles #1

Levi's job is to protect his human until it's their time to go. That's what a Guard does. He's done it for years on end, and he'll spend his eternity doing the same, mundane thing, following the same, mundane rules.

… Watch from afar.
… Never share your name.
… And above all, never touch a human.

What Levi doesn't know is that his newest human to protect, Hannah, just might be the catalyst to tipping the scales between good and evil, and he will be forced to decide which side he belongs to. Which friends will he side with, and who will he ultimately protect: his human, or the delicate balance that hangs on stopping the heartbeat of the person he has sworn to protect?

And, when you're already condemned, what's there to lose by breaking the rules?

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