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    Guest blog: Kristen Callihan on First Loves …

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    Kristen CallihanToday, I’m pleased to welcome Kristen Callihan to my blog. She’s the author of the Darkest London historical paranormal romance/urban fantasy series. I met Kristen this year at RWA, and she was nice enough to agree to do a guest blog for me. Take it away, Kristen:

    FIRST LOVES

    We all remember our first love. Especially when it comes to books.

    For me, it was Anne Rice. Since the age of ten, I’d devour any book I could get my hands on. However, my choice of reading material was limited to what was in my house. Thus, I was reading an odd selection of my dad’s Robert Ludlum and mom’s Danielle Steele. But when I was seventeen, while spending the summer at the beach, I came across a dog-eared copy of Interview with the Vampire. And, OMG, it was like a new world had opened up for me.

    FirelightDark and angsty, sensual and rich, the story was at once a fairytale and a nightmare. I loved the idea of immortals who suffered for their supposed gifts. And I loved the fact that their physical strength made them capable of having over-the-top adventures.

    After devouring Anne Rice, I found another love: historical murder mysteries. They captured my fascination because, often, the detective had nothing more to go on than his (or her) wits. Anne Perry, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, Elizabeth Peters, provided my reading entertainment for years – actually, they still do!

    Is it any wonder that when the time came to write my own books, I incorporated those elements that I found in my first loves?

    The Darkest London series revolves around cursed lords, lonely immortals, and heroines that have incredible powers of their own. Murder and mystery abounds. And lets not forget the sensuality. Because, really, what makes all that angst worth it if not love? And, ahem, great sex.

    Many times, I’ve been asked if I prefer paranormal romance or urban fantasy. And how to answer? I’m always a sucker for romance. I love watching a courtship unfold and seeing to people fall for each other. And I love a good, dark story with strong heroines who know their mind and don’t need a man to save them. I love a good mystery, and not knowing who to trust or where the story will take me. So in truth, I love both. Which is why my stories walk the line between both genres.

    FIRELIGHT AND MOONGLOW GIVEAWAY

    MoonglowSo what about you? Who was your first reading love? What is it about your favorite genres that draw you in and keeps you coming back for more? Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win both Firelight and Moonglow. Two sets of books will be given away. 

    The giveaway is open worldwide and will be open through midnight, EST, Wednesday, Sept. 19. The winners will be announced here on the blog on Friday, Sept. 21.

    You can find Kristen online at her Web site, Facebook, and on Twitter.

    Thanks so much for being here, Kristen.

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    Polish cover for Touch of Frost …

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    Touch of Frost Polish coverToday, I thought that I would share another foreign cover. This is the Polish cover for Touch of Frost.

    Again, I always think it’s interesting to see the foreign covers for books and how they are different than the U.S. covers. This one sort of has a cool, high-end fashion magazine vibe to me.

    According to my editor, Touch of Frost was published in Poland earlier this week. So if you’re in Poland, be on the lookout for the book. And of course, you can get the English editions of the books now through sites like The Book Depository (which ships worldwide).

    Anyway, just thought I would share the cover. Happy reading!

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    German covers for Mythos Academy books …

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    Kiss of Frost German coverMy editor sent me these, and I thought I would share.

    The purple cover (left) is the German cover for Kiss of Frost, Mythos Academy #2, while the red cover (below) is the German cover for Dark Frost, Mythos Academy #3.

    I always think it’s interesting to see the foreign covers for books and how they are different than the U.S. covers. I like the way these covers focus on the model’s eyes with just a pop of color. I think it looks very clean and modern.

    I never get a lot of information about when foreign editions of my books will be published or in which countries. Usually, I don’t find out that a book has been released overseas until a reader e-mails me about it.

    Dark Frost German coverBut according to my editor, Kiss of Frost was published in German in August, and it actually hit one of the German best-seller lists, which I thought was really cool. So now I guess I can add “international best-selling author” to my resume. LOL.

    Dark Frost is scheduled to be published in German in the spring of 2013.

    So if you’re in Germany, be on the lookout for the books. And of course, you can get the English editions of the books now through sites like The Book Depository (which ships worldwide).

    Anyway, just thought I would share the covers. Happy reading!

  • Books in my TBR pile …

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    Today, I thought I would share a few of the many books that are in my TBR pile. Apparently, today’s books are brought to you by the letter B, given that the words bone, bite, and bloody are in the titles. LOL.

    Note that the descriptions (in italics) are from Goodreads:

    Shadow and BoneShadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: It seemed like everyone was buzzing about this young adult book when it came out earlier this summer. I think the magic/world building sounds interesting.

    Alina Starkov doesn’t expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, the one thing she could rely on was her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they’re sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

    When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. Ripped from everything she knows, she is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the one person with the power to destroy the Fold.

    Swept up in a world of luxury and illusion, envied as the Darkling’s favorite, Alina struggles to fit into her new life without Mal by her side. But as the threat to the kingdom mounts, Alina uncovers a secret that sets her on a collision course with the most powerful forces in the kingdom. Now only her past can save her … and only she can save the future.

    Some Girls BiteSome Girls Bite by Chloe Neill: I’ve heard a lot of good things about Neill’s Chicagoland Vampire series, and I’ve seen the books get a lot of positive reviews. Plus, I’ve tweeted with Chloe a little online, and I’m looking forward to reading the first book in the series.

    Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker — and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

    Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude — and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war — and there will be blood.

    Wake of the Bloody AngelWake of the Bloody Angel by Alex Bledsoe: I’m a fan of Bledsoe’s Eddie LaCrosse novels, which are a cool mix of noir detective fiction and epic fantasy. This is the latest entry in the series. Alex was also nice enough to do a guest blog for my blog last year.

    Twenty years ago, a barmaid in a harbor town fell for a young sailor who turned pirate to make his fortune. But what truly became of Black Edward Tew remains a mystery — one that has just fallen into the lap of freelance sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse.

    For years, Eddie has kept his office above Angelina’s tavern, so when Angelina herself asks him to find out what happened to the dashing pirate who stole her heart, he can hardly say no — even though the trail is two decades old. Some say Black Edward and his ship, The Bloody Angel, went to bottom of the sea, taking with it a king’s fortune in treasure. Others say he rules a wealthy, secret pirate kingdom. And a few believe he still sails under a ghostly flag with a crew of the damned.

    To find the truth, and earn his twenty-five gold pieces a day, Eddie must take to sea in the company of a former pirate queen in search of the infamous Black Edward Tew … and his even more legendary treasure.

    What about you guys? What’s in your TBR pile right now? What books are you looking forward to this year?

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    And that’s a wrap (again) …

    The blog tour for Widow’s Web has mostly wrapped up at this point, although I will be doing a few more blogs here and there as my schedule allows. I just want to say thanks again to all the blogs for hosting me and for all that they do to promote books. You guys rock!

    Also, I’m sending out the giveaway books as I get the mailing information from the blogs. So if you are waiting on a book, please be patient.

    Anyway, thanks again to all the blogs and everyone who followed the tour and commented on the posts.