Dark Haven - Vampire Book Review

Dark Haven (Chronicles of the Necromancer3)
by Gail Z Martin
Solaris (February 2, 2009)

[reviewed by Amy Weidenaar]

I found this to be a little confusing at first. It’s the third installment of an epic series. I think what confused me the most was keeping the names (and nicknames) of some of the characters straight. As I read though, I found myself drawn into this magnificently written world. Each chapter brings you further into these characters’ lives, and it doesn’t take too long until you are fairly caught up and breathlessly waiting to see what is going to happen next. The book is 606 pages, and to begin with I thought it was going to be too long. By the end, I thought it was far too short and I am anxious to get my hands on the rest of the series.

Jonmarc Vahanian is now Lord of Dark Haven, a place where humans, ghosts, vayash moru (vampires), and shifters live together in harmony...mostly. Historically, the vayash moru have had a mortal as Lord of Dark Haven because when the vayash moru have been in charge, there has been conflict between them and the mortals. So while Jonmarc is juggling his new role in leadership, in a new land, as well as entering into marriage with the love of his life, he has the added pressure of “securing an heir” before heading off to engage in battle against.

This book has so much political intrigue going on, she was not only able to interact all of her lands but various species as well, making for incredible battles and subterfuge that is unparalleled in any recent book I’ve read. It’s no wonder that joining these characters when I did had my head spinning a little at first.

If you’re already a fan of this series, this book is one you should not miss. If you haven’t read any of them yet, I encourage you to start at the beginning of the series and give it a chance. If you’re a fan of Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” series or Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series, I think you owe it to yourself to try this series as well. The world is vividly described, the character development is supreme, the pace doesn’t drag down at all, in summary…a very incredible read.

Reviewed by Amy Weidenaar for Patricia's Vampire Notes.

Undead Update - Vampire News

Vampires Suck: Actually, they don't. And that's the problem.
By Grady Hendrix
Slate. Posted Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Last week at Comic-Con, the big story wasn't comic books—it was vampires. Some 2,000 young women set up a tent city outside the San Diego Convention Center on Tuesday, sleeping rough so that they could attend the Thursday panel on New Moon, the upcoming sequel to vampire blockbuster Twilight . Read more...

Illustration by Robert Neubecker


Michelle Rowan announces, "I’m very, very happy to report that I have accepted a deal with Penguin to write two urban fantasies about…wait for it…VAMPIRES!

However, these will not be fun-loving, wise-cracking vampires like in my Immortality Bites series. These are the scary kind...Read more

UPCOMING VAMPIRE & WEREWOLF MOVIES

By Catherine Karp

Save up your movie money. Cinematic bloodsuckers--and shapeshifters--are lurching into theaters in droves. Whether you like your creatures of the night sparkly, horrifying, comedic, or furry, you'll have no trouble finding a film to suit your paranormal tastes. Here's a peek at some of the major trends in upcoming vampire and werewolf movies.... Read more

This article can also be read at VampChix a new blog site begun by author Michele Hauf. Yours truly will be posting there once a month with new releases of vampire books. Authors if you have such a book coming out, please send me an email at paltner@verizon.net.

On her blog Charlaine Harris, whose vampire mystries spawned HBO's True Blood, has very kind words to say for Suzanne McLeod’s The Cold Kiss of Death (Spellcrackers) and Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)by Jaye Wells.


The Cold Kiss of Death (Spellcrackers) All Genny wants is to live the quiet life and to do her job at Spellcrackers.com, but there's her tangled personal life to sort out first. She's being haunted by ghosts who want her help. Her witch neighbours want her evicted. Genny's sort-of-Ex - and now her new boss - can't decide whether he wants their relationship to be business or pleasure. And then there's the queue of vampires all wanting her to paint the town red - how long will it be before they stop taking no for an answer? But when one of her human friends is murdered by sidhe magic, Genny is determined to find the killer. She needs help to find the real murderer, and that means calling on some of the most capricious and seductive fae - but her search is hindered by the vampires, who have their own political agenda. All the evidence points to Genny - she's the only sidhe fae in London - and she's named the main suspect; it's not long before she's on the run, not just from the police, but from some of London's most powerful supernaturals.


Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.



Attention Authors and Readers. Have some vampire news to share? Leave a comment or send an email to paltner@verizon.net

Host the Host Winners!

The Host the Host contest has ended and 5 winners have been selected to receive a copy of The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer.

The winners are donnas; AmyLynn; Bridget3420; Book Junkie; Marie (marielay)

Send your mailing address to me at paltner@verizon.net

Congratulations!

My thanks to everyone who participated!

(winners please reply by August 7)

Internet News of Paranormal Interest 7-24-09

VampChix is a new blog for lovers of vampires started by Michelle Hauf, author of The Devil To Pay (Silhouette Nocturne). Volunteers are needed to help out with the site. I have already put my hat in the ring and have promised to post monthly lists of new vampire releases. So authors, readers, publishers give me a shout of you have any relevant info. paltner@verizon.net.

Read an entertaining interview with Kimberly Frost author of Would-Be Witch (Berkley Trade (February 3, 2009) at Amerkatze's Blook Blog. There is a contest also which ends Sunday July 26. A sequel Barely Bewitched will appear on Sept. 1

Tate Hallaway author of Dead If I Do (Garnet Lacey) has this happy announcement to make. "My fabulous agent just negotiated a three-book deal for a NEW young-adult series. The books as they're conceptualized right now will feature a fifteen year old Saint Paul girl who's father is a vampire prince and her mother's a real Witch!"

Not sure when these books will appear, but I will definitely be watching for them.

Here's something for Dracula aficionados!
"Welcome to Real-Time Dracula--a reimagining/modernization/condensation of the classic horror novel Dracula in the Web 2.0 medium. RTD consists of "tweets" by the 7 protagonists of Dracula, each represented by a Twitter persona."

Being Human begins July 25 on BBC America

I have been looking forward to this series since I read about it maybe a year ago. At that time it was only available on British BBC but now those of us in the colonies can watch it. Here's the scoop: "Being Human is a witty and extraordinary look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives - as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. They struggle to live normal lives, despite their strange and dark secrets." The following video explains the vampire side of things.

Here's a headline from Examiner.com Sadler introduces "Vampire LSA" airplane

"True Blood fans are certainly familiar with the Anubis Airlines from Club Dead which offers ultra secure transportation for its more light-sensitive passengers. However, it would seem that the Sadler Aircraft Company has seen the marketing potential behind the current vampire craze and is planning on announcing its next-generation Vampire LSA at EAA Airventure 2009. Yes, this is an actual company and the Vampire LSA will be a real, functioning aircraft, though its passengers will no doubt be mortal.... Read more

I want one!!


The Vampire Diaries coming this fall to the CW channel.

"Elena Gilbert has always been a star student: beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends. As the fall semester begins, elena becomes fascinated with the mysterious new boy in school, Stefan Salvatore, and she has no way of knoing he is a centuries-old vampire. While Stefan struggles to live peacefully among humans, his brother Damon is the embodiment of violence and brutality. Now these two vampire brothers - one good, one evil - are at war for Elena's soul in the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia"

Based on the series by L. J. Smith The Vampire Diaries.






Rising From the Ashes

On Paranormality Lynda Hilburn, author of vampire novel Dark Harvest (Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist series), is collecting stories from writers who have had to start their writing careers over.

"I met with a group of authors recently, and the subject of "starting over" came up. They shared some wonderful, inspirational stories about the twists and turns of a publishing career, and I wish I'd asked permission to tape the discussion. It really was very helpful to hear how these successful authors rose from the ashes at some point in their careers. In many cases, the authors in question were certain their careers were over -- that they'd never sell again. If you'd like to send your story to me directly, please send it to:

boulderboomer@aol.com

All inspiration is good inspiration."

Lynda has already begun posting stories from authors such as Brenna Lyons, Susan Kearney, Laura Resnick, etc. Well worth reading!

Bloody Awful and Bloody Right

Using Random.org two winners for Bloody Awful have been selected. They are LadyVampire2u and Sable. Congratulations!

Mark your calendars for August 4 when Georgia Evans (aka Rosemary Laurey) returns for a Q and A. Get your questions ready! There will also be a contest for Bloody Right, the final book in the trilogy.

From the publisher: It will take all of Brytewood's Others to save their village from destruction in the climax of a Georgia Evans' supernatural trilogy...Gryffyth Pendragon has done his bit for the war effort when he comes back to sleepy Brytewood from the battlefront at Trondheim. It cost him a leg, and his chance to use his dragon's strength against the Nazis - or so he thinks. Until he finds out that his little village is facing a plague of vampire spies set on delivering it to the Third Reich. They've come up with a plan that, if they can pull it off, might break all of Britain's will to fight...But there are more allies for Gryffyth in Brytewood than he'd ever imagined, and while a doctor, a nurse, a schoolteacher, and a couple of sexagenarians doesn't sound like much of a battle force to him, there's more to his cohorts than meets the eye. Against ancient and impossibly powerful agents of evil, they will need every man, woman, and dragon-shifter they can get...

Georgia has made the following offer:

If anyone would like a book mark and/or signed book plate. Please send a SASE to

Brytewood Book Mark/ Book Plate
Po Box 6548
Columbus, OH 43206

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter - Vampire Book Review

Skinwalker: A Jane Yellowrock Novel
by Faith Hunter
Roc (July 7, 2009)

Reviewed by Breia Brickey

A year ago Jane nearly lost her life taking down an entire blood family of deadly rogue vampires that preyed on the helpless local populace of an Appalachian town. Now, after months of recuperation, she’s back and ready to fight again. Except this time, she’s hired by those she’s trained to kill—vampires…

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. Back from hiatus, she’s hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…


I started reading this novel and enjoyed it so much that I had to find out everything I could about this author. The pacing was spot on, the characters were very likable and the action was intense. The story itself was awesome to read and left me wanting more. Skinwalker is a wonderful welcome addition to my bookshelves and I look forward to more stories from Faith Hunter to fill even more space there. I highly recommend this story. I think the true mark of a good story is that you don't realize how much time you spent sucked into the story until the very last word.

Reviewed by Breia Brickey for Patricia's Vampire Notes

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest

Charles N. Brown, 1937-2009 - Locus publisher, editor, and co-founder Charles N. Brown, 72, died peacefully in his sleep July 12, 2009 on his way home from Readercon.
Read more...







Vampire-Con. The weekend-long event debuts August 14th

Find Your Inner Vampire | "Rare Vintage" from Vampire-Con starts Aug. 14, 2009 on Vimeo.

Read an Interview with SciFiGuy.ca on Marta Acosta's Vampire Wire

Doug's blog SciFiGuy.ca is one of the best for paranormal news and views. Marta's site is no slouch either, and she is the author of the popular Casa Dracula series. There is also a contest for an ARC of Shadowfae (Griffin)by Erica Hays. Contest ends July 18. Hurry!!





The Vampire Tarot now available!

The Vampire Tarot by Robert M. Place is based on the story of Dracula by Bram Stoker. It is published by St. Martin's Press. The Strength illustration from this deck appeared in the third episode of the 2008 season of the television series "Moonlight" The illustrations for the Brides, the Lovers, Death, and the Moon will appear in a documentary about vampires in October, 2009.




Here is something different from Deadline Dames


Deadline Dames Readers on Deadline #5
"Readers on Deadline (ROD) is a monthly Deadline Dame where we post an intriguing image and invite readers to be inspired and share the results in up to 250 words right here in the comments. The Dames will pick the one that most intrigues us, post that entry in the next month’s ROD along with a link to that writer/reader’s site. And you get a prize! "

This month’s ROD art is from CSnyder Deadline is next Wednesday, July 22nd, at midnight! And we’re giving away a signed copy of Jenna Black’s Speak of the Devil (Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 4) which releases July 28th!

Watch as Vicki Pettersson talks about her “Sign of the Zodiac” series and tips on being a showgirl on Robots and Vamps



Her most recent novel is City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4)










Write What You See welcomes guest author Devon Monk

Says Chloe Neill (author of Some Girls Bite), "I'm happy to offer the floor today to Devon Monk, author of Magic in the Blood (Allie Beckstrom), Magic to the Bone, and the forthcoming Magic in the Shadows: An Allie Beckstrom Novel, who has some lovely thoughts to share regarding creating an Affirmation Board for your writing (or your health goals...or other career goals...or any other creative endeavor!)

Guest Blogger Georgia Evans (aka Rosemary Laurey)

PVN welcomes Georgia Evans (aka Rosemary Laurey) author of the Bloody Series, a vampire trilogy set in 1940s England. This month book 2, Bloody Awful, hits the book stores. Book 3, Bloody Right, appears Aug. 4. And Bloody Good was published in June. At the end of this post watch for contest information. Two lucky commenters will win a copy of Bloody Awful.

Why vampires?

That’s a question I get asked a good deal, No doubt from people wondering why a mild-mannered grandmother spends her days writing about the blood sucking undead.


A good question too: What’s the appeal? Why are so many readers (and writers, of course) drawn to vampires?

Speaking for myself, the vampire first chose me, unexpectedly announcing around chapter five, that he was actually Kit Marlowe, and not dead as had been supposed for 400 years. After that, the undead sucked me in (forgive the pun, it just came out, I couldn’t help it). Whether heroes, heroines or villains, vampires are fun to write and add a layer to the story that mere mortals couldn’t possibly manage.

In the Bloody Series, I wrote the vamps as villains. Of course from their point of view, they are fighting nobly for a cause, aided and abetted by the German High Command. The Others of Brytewood see the whole scheme completely differently and one by one, with a few casualties, deaths, and close calls along the way, they eliminate the enemy. As the villains, vampires had to be eliminated but while they wreaked havoc among the Surrey hills, they added interest and tension to the books. In fact without them and their mission of sabotage and subversion, there wouldn’t have been much of a story.

In my Rosemary Laurey books, my vamps are romantic heroes and heroines. Very different and remarkably odd, if you think about it. Vampires as villains pretty much fits the notion of a bloodsuckers preying on the living but the metamorphosis from horrific figure to romantic hero is an incredible leap. Or is it? He fits many of the parameters of the genre. He’s the ultimate dark and dangerous hero. Messing around with a vampire you are playing with the ultimate risk. He might be good in bed but his kiss could kill. Plus, no matter how desperate your mother might be to see you settled for life, she would not want you bringing a a dead man home for Sunday lunch. Then there is the fantastic sex (although strictly speaking aren’t we skirting around necrophilia here?). On the other hand, by the time a man is a few hundred years old or more, he’s no doubt learned a thing or two and with a vampire’s stamina, he won’t fall asleep afterwards.

Hero or villain, a vampire in the plot makes for wonderful escapist fiction.


Now for the contest.
Two lucky commenters will each win a signed copy of Bloody Awful


To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment
* Ask Georgia a question
* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest ends July 16 at 11:59 PM - Hawaii Time.



But there is more! August 4 Georgia returns for an open Q & A. Ask her about her books, the writing life, vampires, or anything else appropriate. Every question will give you a chance to win a copy of Bloody Right, book three in the trilogy.

The contest portion is closed. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Upcoming Event - Georgia Evans Guest Blogger

On Tuesday July 14 PVN welcomes author Georgia Evans (aka Rosemary Laurey) who will offer her opinion on VAMPIRES! You gotta love 'em or hate 'em, but at PVN they are an eternal fascination.

To celebrate the July publication of Bloody Awful, Book 2 in a vampire trilogy, Georgia will send 2 lucky winners a copy of her novel.

Hope you can stop by!!

Read a review of Bloody Good



Watch a video of Bloody Awful

Staked - Vampire Book Review

Staked
by J. F. Lewis
Pocket Bks: S. & S. (Mar. 2008)

[Reviewed by Patricia. Originally published in Library Journal Feb. 15, 2008]

The hero of Lewis's humorous debut novel is Eric, a vampire having a bad week, with a poor memory and raging blackouts. In the midst of a rough tantrum, he realizes he has torn off the head of a fellow undead, but he can't remember who the victim is or why he killed him. As the story continues, however, Eric proves to be a much nicer guy than the opening would suggest. With a host of interesting characters—the elderly human Marilyn, the greatest love of Eric's life; Tabitha, the stripper-turned-vampire who loves Eric; evangelical werewolf William, who erroneously believes Eric killed his son; and Roger, co-owner with Eric of the Demon Heart Strip Club. This is a fast-paced story with a heady mixture of humor, violence, and sex.

Reprinted with permission of Reed Business Information.