I don't know how much blogging I'll get done myself this week, as I try to tackle a mountain of work before the holidays. (I know me, and if there's any work to do, I'll do it, even if I'm supposed to be "on vacation." The only way to actually relax is to make sure there's nothing to obsess about <g>.) However, The Knight Agency has exciting things going on all this week, including our virtual party on Thursday, December 17th, so I hope you'll check in frequently. Here's the intro from the TKA blog for today's guest post and giveaway by the ever-awesome Carol Berg:

Christmas Week Guest Blog and Giveaway: Magic on a Winter's Night by Carol Berg

First a little bit of introduction, and then onto Carol Berg's awesome post! This week we're celebrating the holidays with a line-up of guest bloggers, including Carol, Michele Lang, Michelle Celmer, Twila Belk and a very special mega-blog on Friday featuring New York TImes bestselling authors Marjorie M. Liu, Rachel Caine, Christie Golden and Nalini Singh! As part of the celebration ALL of the authors are giving away signed copies of their books and TKA is hosting a special scavenger hunt!

There are TWO ways to win. Each day this week (Dec. 14 - Dec. 18) a guest blogger will give away a signed book to one person randomly chosen from the comment section. Also, at the bottom of the post there will be a scavenger hunt question. The answer can be located somewhere on the author's website. Send in all 5 correct answers* to the scavenger hunt questions, and you will be entered in a drawing to win the TKA Suprise Christmas Stocking overflowing with books and holiday treats!!!

S.L. Wright at Star-Crossed Romance
In other guest-blogging and giveaway news, S.L. Wright has a free copy of her new urban fantasy CONFESSIONS OF A DEMON for one lucky commenter over at Star-Crossed Romance. Check out her killer cover!

The AP reports the successful test of a robotic hand controlled by the brain. The stuff of science fiction. Fascinating! Check it out.

In other news, Chloe Neill is running a contest in celebration of her January release of FIRESPELL, first novel in her Dark Elite YA urban fantasy series. Click here to see what you can do to win your own Tiffany & Co. key.

LEGACY OF STONE, the long-awaited third novel in Vickie Taylor's fabulous gargoyle paranormal romance series released yesterday!

And finally, because I am evil (comes with being an agent), I'm prepared to kill you with cuteness. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Check out the fabulous Marjorie M. Liu on Penguin's "Project Paranormal"!




Also, check out Diana Pharaoh Francis' blog tour and contest for her new urban fantasy BITTER NIGHT. Deadline is November 24th.

I'm pleased to have a guest blog today by Patti O'Shea in honor of her latest paranormal romance, EDGE OF DAWN! Patti has won all kinds of awards, including the Booksellers Best, the Barclay Gold, the Laurel Leaf, the PEARL and the Golden Quill, among others. Some quotes for her Light Warriors series:

"Patti O'Shea is a voice and talent to be reckoned with. In the
Midnight Hour is gripping and wonderful, everything a paranormal should be."
—Sherrilyn Kenyon

"Non-stop action, magic-laced suspense and some sizzling sexual chemistry fuel "In Twilight's Shadow," Patti O'Shea's latest inventive paranormal romance." —Chicago Tribune

Comment below to win a copy of the first book in the series, IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR! Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter to win the VAMPED prize pack by commenting here.

____________________

Before I get started, I wanted to announce that to celebrate the June 30th   release of EDGE OF DAWN, I'm giving away a copy of IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, the first book in my Light Warriors series. To be eligible, leave a comment and one random winner will be chosen.

Authors get ideas everywhere. In fact, most of us have more ideas than we'll ever be able to write in our lifetimes. At least that's my take on it from my own experience and from what I've heard other writers say. So what makes an author choose one story idea over another?

For me, I usually end up writing the characters who are talking the loudest and most insistently. Yep, I hear voices. But even with this, I usually have a chorus in my head and have options. I had a few reasons for choosing EDGE OF DAWN over the others.

First was the characters. Shona Blackwood and Logan Andrews. Shona is completely in the dark about the existence of magic and Logan is a troubleshooter for the Gineal, a people who have magical abilities. And when he's assigned to protect her, his council tells him Shona must remain ignorant that those with power exist. Talk about conflict!

Logan is sworn to obey the council, but once his feelings grow for Shona how can he keep this secret? I nearly rubbed my hands together in glee at the thought of torturing Logan. Hey, he deserved it! My characters always torment me. Always. Does he defy his leaders, committing treason? Does he betray Shona's trust in him? Either way, there's guilt. Insert evil author laugh here.

Another facet of the story that drew me was that Shona was dealing with an artistic block. I'd just come through my own case of writer's block and hadn't worked for several months because of it.

Shona's struggles allowed me to explore my own issues. Her numbness about the loss of her work was the same numbness I'd experienced. Her distantly wondering why she isn't feeling grief or terror or some strong emotion about losing something so important to her are the same questions and distance that I dealt with. It didn't give me any answers, and Shona's block was caused by something drastically different from my own, but I think it was cathartic anyway.

The most intriguing thing for me in EDGE OF DAWN, though, was all the secrets. I didn't realize at the beginning of the story just how many there were going to be, but the few I did know about drew me in. Logan being ordered to keep secrets from Shona. Shona having a secret of her own, but not realizing it's a key piece of information that Logan needs. Then there were all the other secrets I discovered as I went along. Sometimes it amazed me that I was able to remember who knew what and when.

There are probably other intangibles involved with why I decided to write this story over the others, but these are the reasons I was conscious of when I started the book. If you're interested in finding out more about me or my books, please visit my website at: www.pattioshea.com. There's information on all my books and excerpts.

If you're a writer, what makes you choose to write a particular story over another? And if you're a reader, what draws you to a particular book over another?

Okay, so it's the month after the release of VAMPED.  Does that mean the party's over?  Heck no!  To keep up with the fun and games, I'm running a new contest all through the month of June.  Here it is:

How do you like your vamps?  Sunny-side up?  Dark and deadly?  Emo and brooding?  Should they shine in the sunlight or burn up like a crispy critter (like Twilight's Edward or Buffy's Spike).  Comment below with everything there is to love about vamps or, if you're more visual or musically oriented, link to your own original song or photo montage for a chance to win a "VAMPED...eternity needs an entourage" hat, a signed copy of the book, crosses and calendars and other goodies.  The more comments I get, the better the prizes will be, so help me get the word out!  Tell all your friends!  Tweet and retweet.  Most of all, have fun!

Keep commenting on Stacey Jay's zombie defense blog to win free T-shirts.  I'll announce the winners on Friday!

If you're looking for me, I'm guest blogging today over at Risky Regencies.  Stop by and say "hello!"

It seems I just can't get enough of those vamps.  Talking about them today is fang girl Mari Mancusi.  Comment to win a signed copy of the first novel in her Blood Coven series!

I love her bio, so I'm going to let that be her introduction to you:
Mari Mancusi used to wish she could become a vampire back in high school. But she ended up in another blood sucking profession --journalism -- instead. Today she works as a television producer for a women's lifestyle show in Manhattan and has won two Emmys. As if writing and TV producing weren't enough to keep her busy, Mari also enjoys snowboarding, clubbing, shopping, 80s music, and her favorite guilty pleasure--video games. She lives in New York City with her very sweet dog, Molly.

 

Talking Vampires with Mari Mancusi

The great thing about writing about vampires is you can make them into anything you want them to be. From tuxedo-clad Dracula to mega rock star Lestat. Brooding, neutered Spike to punk rock biker boy David in the Lost Boys. Goth vampires, fashionista vampires, vampires with a soul – the possibilities are endless.

When I started writing my Blood Coven Vampire series I had a blast creating my own vampire world. Taking from myths, legends and a whole lot of pop culture, I mixed and matched and made it my own. My vampires don’t kill humans to drink their blood – they are assigned donors who are contracted and paid well for their services. They don’t just randomly turn other people into vampires –there’s a three month certification test, DNA analysis and blood screen. All very high tech and organized.

Vampires are not one-size-fits-all, which, I think, adds to their appeal. Nor are the books about them. You have everything from dark, brooding tales like Twilight to laugh-out-loud comedies like Undead and Unwed. So no matter what kind of story you’re looking for, you can probably find one featuring a vampire.

I, myself, was a huge Buffy fan back in the day, which definitely influenced my own vampire stories. There was just something brilliant about that show which took everyday, real-life problems and gave them a supernatural twist. My friends and I would have Buffy night parties every Tuesday. Wine, pizza, and some very strict rules. Like no talking, except during a commercial. (Appreciative noises were given special dispensation when a shirtless Spike appeared on-screen.) And speaking of Spike, I’m going to go see him in concert as part of Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors in June. Can’t wait!

Right now everyone’s wondering what the next “vampire” will be. The mythological creature that will take the vampire’s place in the hearts of America. Will it be the werewolf? Not for me – all I can think of is the bestiality overtones. And even though I write zombie stories, I can’t imagine many hero zombies making it big. I mean, hello?, they’re reanimated corpses—often with decaying skin and missing appendages. Better to keep them the villains. Fairies? Well, maybe, but in my opinion they’re too pretty and feminine to really stand up to the alpha male hotness that is a vampire.

I was interviewing the executive editor of Harper Children’s a couple weeks back and she told me that there were actual studies showing that vampires were more popular during times of economic crisis. Why is that you might wonder? Well, maybe it’s because when you’re feeling poor and powerless in your own real life it’s fun to imagine an all-powerful, super rich, super gorgeous creature who’s been lost, searching centuries for a soulmate and finding it in little old you. What other creature could make you feel so special?

And that is why, I believe, vampires are here to stay.

So who’s your favorite vampire? Comment and win an autographed copy of the first book in my Blood Coven Vampire series, BOYS THAT BITE.

You've been hearing a lot here about vampires, but there's been a suspicious rumor floating around that zombies are the new vamps.  Well, I'm not so sure the fanged and fabulous are ready to cede the field just yet, but I think we can all play nice.  After all, the vamps are just in it for the blood.  What happens to the bodies after that....

So here's author Stacey Jay taking the pro-zombie stance and offering up some fun freebies for two lucky commentors, once from each side of the debate!

IN DEFENSE OF THE ZOMBIE by Stacey Jay

Hi Lucienne readers!

I’m Stacey Jay author of the Megan Berry, Zombie Settler series (You are so Undead to Me and Undead Much? from Penguin Razorbill.) Megan is a zombie shrink who does her share of zombie butt kicking, and lives in a world where the Undead are decidedly Unappealing.

But in my book for Flux, My So Called Death (Spring 2010), zombies are caused by a mutation in the human gene and aren’t so one dimensional. They still have to eat brains and worry about flesh degeneration, but they also go to school (Dead High), stress about getting the perfect foundation to mask the blue-ish tint of dead skin, and believe being pulse-challenged is no excuse for a lack of school spirit. They’re proud to be genetically Undead and they refuse to let anyone put zombies in the corner.

Chloe Neill had her say last week, http://varkat.livejournal.com/92341.html. Now it’s time for Team Zombie to have a go. Chloe concluded that vampires will always keep the top spot in the hearts of readers, but I think it’s time someone pointed out the dysfunction in the fangs:

1.    Vampires are not the common man or woman. (Vampires are elitist suckers who don’t care if you’re pretty on the inside.): You might have noticed that the average vamp is frozen in time somewhere between the ages of 16-30, is always beautiful and gorgeous (albeit unusually pale), and smart, and talented, and Perfect with Smoldering Eyes that Lure You to them Inexorably, and blah blah blah.

Not so with zombies! The shambling Undead are all about equal opportunity. Anyone of any age or hotness level can become a brain and flesh eater. Jocks, nerds, mean girls, dorks, emos—you name it, the zombies will welcome them with open arms (and mouths).

2.    Zombies stick together. (Go Horde!!): Zombies are not loners who hang out in old castles soaking in their own angst. They like to get out and socialize and are always eager to add another friend to the hunt. Team Work + Zombie Awesomeness= Feeding Frenzy of Supreme Coolness Wrapped in Win.

3.    Zombies keep it real. (I only want you for your brain.): Zombies don’t pretend to be anything but predators when it comes to the common human. They date other zombies, they eat live flesh—end of story. They won’t send you conflicting messages about the temptation of your yummy blood vs. the draw of your fabulous personality. Personality cannot compete with hunger, and they don’t believe in toying with their food.

4.    Zombies will always be just a little scary, and scary is cool. Vampires have slowly allowed themselves to be de-fanged and turned into boyfriends suitable for taking to prom. Not so with zombies. They will always be scary and, if taken to prom, will Carrie-fy the joint within a few minutes.

I think this list speaks for itself, so I will simply conclude with a GTZYRMW*!

Thanks so much for having me Lucienne! FEFTW**

Oh, and remember, ZRVD***

And MKAATLTVT****

(*Go Team Zombie, You Rock My World.)

(**Flesh Eaters For the Win.)

(***Zombies Rule, Vamps Drool.)

(****Mostly Kidding About All This Love The Vamps Too.)

Weigh in below on the vampire/zombie debate and the awesomely cool Stacey Jay will give away one free T-shirt for Team Vampire (a vampire with the slogan "I'm your biggest Fang") and one for Team Zombie ("You are so Undead to Me," image behind the cut).

( See pic )

So many exciting things happening today!

First, the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie comes out.  You can probably hear me crowing from wherever you are!

Second, it’s the official release date for VAMPED!  (And there was much rejoicing!)  In case you're not tempted to just run out and buy it, you can also order from Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, Powells....  I'm very excited about my newest review on the Want My YA blog!

To celebrate, I can be found…well, first, at the theatre, and second:

Today:

-VAMPED is a May feature over at the B&N Book Club Board!  Hope you’ll drop by and share your thoughts.

-Guest blogging at Magical Words

-Giving away a signed copy of VAMPED at Linda Gerber’s Freebie Friday event

-Talking about publicity and my awesome street team on my agent Kristin Nelson's blog

-MyFavoriteAuthor.blogspot.com is doing a VAMPED giveaway as well!  All you have to do to enter is comment on their blog today with your own personal fashion disaster.

-Doing a “Test Your Vampire IQ” contest with Shooting Stars Mag all throughout the month of May.  Take the text to win signed copies of books by Rosemary Clement-Moore, Rachel Caine and me, as well as a copy of Goth: The Game of Horror Trivia.  (Note: Shooting Stars is currently hosting a contest that runs through May 8^th involving a haiku about your favorite caffeinated beverage.  Not to be missed!)

Another note: because of my extreme excitement, my post may be up before some of those I mention above, so if you don't see them yet, check back!

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 2^nd)

-in person at the Local Author Fair at the Hudson Library from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.


In other news:
Laura Anne Gilman shares my release day for her final Retrievers novel, BLOOD FROM A STONE!  For anyone at last night's chat, LAG/suricattus  was the member of my critique group who might or might not have whapped me over the head a few times with a rolled up manuscript.  So excited to see all the success of her Retrievers series and looking forward to the spin-off series starting next year.

-In honor of other exciting May releases, like Laurie Brown's WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO?, Debra Mullins' TO RUIN THE DUKE and Diana Pharaoh Francis' THE TURNING TIDE, I'm hosting historical romance week on my blog beginning on Monday.  YA week will start on Tuesday, May 19th, and there'll be lots of good stuff in between.  Stay tuned!

HarperCollins is holding a book trailer contest for Elmore Leonard's ROAD DOGS.  The deadline is May 1st and the details are up here.

Diana Peterfreund is blogging today on YA week at The Knight Agency site.

Also, I just have to flash the awesome cover we've just seen for BITTER NIGHT, the first in Diana Pharaoh Francis' new Horngate Witches series for Pocket Books, forthcoming this fall.

And this just arrived in my physical mailbox, to be scanned for your appreciation!  Coincidentally, the May issue of Romantic Times also just landed with this fabulous 4-Star review for her current release, ON THE PROWL: "Jordan's three interwoven stories are about a powerful panther shapeshifting family and each sibling's search for his or her predestined mate.  The author is a master worldbuilder, and the abundant sex scenes compliment the plot and characters.  One cannot help but fall in love with these large, dangerous, hot cats!"