Jennifer Rardin

It is so easy to take life for granted, to take a writer's work for granted. We find a series or an author that we love  and simply assume the next book will come out and we can once again become engrossed in a world created by a favorite artist. 


Most of you have probably heard by now about the untimely and sudden death of Jennifer Rardin author of the funny, cynical, adventurous Jaz Park series. Her publisher Orbit posted this brief message, "With great sadness, we report that our author Jennifer Rardin passed away on Monday, September 20th. Our heart goes out to her family and friends."


 She was only 45 years-old. I still cannot believe it.

Although I never met Jennifer in person I did share a brief email exchange with her very recently because she had agreed to a PVN interview. Needless to say I was thrilled at her acceptance. I sent my questions and she answered quickly with grace and humor. Her most recent book   Bitten in Two  will be published  November 8, 2010. This is book seven. She indicated book 8, which was to be the last Jaz Parks book was finished. I assume, and hope, it will be published as planned next June.


I loved the lively Jaz and her handsome vampire partner Vayle. Their adventures with some of the meanest, nastiest sorts of monsters kept me enthralled. If you haven't read any of these books take the time for a look. Most libraries and books stores carry them. They are truly loads of fun. 


Read Shawn Speakman of Suvudu who writes eloquently about Jennifer and the importance of writers.


Memorials may be made to the Riley's Children's Hospital

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest

Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin

I've read several series in the paranormal fiction genre and the Jaz Parks series is one I have enjoyed since book 1 Once Bitten Twice Shy (Orbit, 2007). Book 5 One More Bite will be published in January, 2009

Currently available is Bitten to Death (Jaz Parks #4) Orbit, August, 2008
"Jaz Parks and her vampire boss, Vayl, have already fought demons, vampires, and reavers. Now, juggling work and family takes on a new dimension as she tackles her latest challenge: nail the Raptor before he can reduce her to Jaz-bits, survive a head-on crash with Vayl’s violent past, and lever her twin’s military career back on track before a dishonorable discharge ruins his life. To top it off, she must also contend with her father’s issues. Is he losing his mind? Or is someone really trying to kill him - from beyond the grave?"

Read an excerpt.

Read a review of Another One Bites the Dust - Book 2





The World Mystery Center

"In our world today exist many mysteries... some of which remain unsolved and others which can not be explained by modern day scientific theories. It is the goal of our center to utilize all known methods of research, both scientific and paranormal, to try and uncover the reasons and their importance which may lie behind some of these mysteries."

Areas of interest to the Center include Crystal Skulls; Crop Circles; UFO's; Bible Code, etc. To the right is a crop circle design





Check out The League of Reluctant Adults one of the more entertaining and informative paranormal blogs. A recent interview with writer Michelle Rowan, hmm or is it Maddox, provides provocative questions and answers. Apparently when she wrote Lady and the Vamp (Forever, 2008) it was under Rowan, but changed to Maddox for the sf romance Countdown (Love Spell, 2008).







Bite Me magazine looks quite tantalizing. Although published in the UK, Borders is supposed to carry it in the US. I haven't had a chance to check that out yet but I hope that's correct.

"If you like vampires, the supernatural and things that go bump in the night, Bite Me is the magazine for you. We've got interviews with real-life vampire hunters, features on famous film classics of the past, Hammer ScreamQueens, plus all the latest horror movies, books and video releases. Our team of roving investigators search out the world's spookiest corners and we report on special events like the World Dracula Congress. We'll even tell you if your neighbor is a werewolf!"

Review of Second Jaz Parks Novel

Another One Bites the Dust by Jennifer Rardin. Orbit, 2007

This second installment of the Jaz Parks series, finds Jaz and her CIA partners in Corpus Christi, Texas for the Winter Festival . A treacherous Chinese agent is in the area. He has stolen a secret weapon, one so dangerous that Jaz and her vampire partner Vayl, both highly gifted agents where the supernatural is involved, have been sent to Corpus Christi in order to retrieve the weapon - a near impossibility - or to keep Chien-Jung from using it - also close to impossible. Vayl, a vampire of the good guy variety and the agent in charge, decides that the group, which includes Bergman, a brilliant creator of gadgetry with little patience for most things supernatural, Cole, who is also a sensitive like Jaz and can detect troublemakers before anyone else can even see them, and Cassandra, a several hundred year-old psychic who knows a bit about casting spells.


Immediately after arriving in Corpus Christi Jaz encounters a demonic force which first impersonates its victim and then devours its soul. This entity, says Cassandra's mystical database, is difficult to kill, but when fighting this monster called a reaver, Jaz finds a way. A good swift sword thrust, for those who dare to get up close and personal, will do the job. There are other evil beings for Jaz and friends to overcome thanks to the brilliant imagination of author Jennifer Rardin. At the moment the top of the must-destroy list is Chien-Lung, the man who has now learned to use the stolen weapon. It is a biological suit designed for combat soldiers which will give them all the fearsome attributes of a fire-breathing dragon. The only way to regain the suit is to kill the wearer.

The novel's brisk pace propels the plot but still allows the reader to understand the interconnection of the characters and the personal baggage each brings to their job. This is especially true for narrator and heroine Jaz Parks. Throughout the story Jaz has blackouts accompanied by terrifying dreams that include sleep walking, often putting her in perilous situations. Each time, fortunately, someone like Cole or Vayl find her in time to save her. The dreams always concern her twin brother David blaming her for causing the death of his wife Jess as well as Jaz's fiancé Matt. So disturbing are the dreams for Jaz she must solve the mystery behind them before she can give proper attention to the current case.

The special connection Jaz has with Vayl strengthens. Since the moment she gave her blood to him, at a time of his desperate need, the intensity of their bond has grown. Although there is a sexual tension in the companionship they enjoy, it remains for now firmly in the background.

Through Jaz's barbed humor and salty language the reader is taken on a thrilling action packed adventure. Book three of the Jaz Parks series Biting the Bullet is available as of Feb. 2008.