Jo at Ink and Paper (a terrific fantasy review site) has added me to her list of interviewees. I feel very honored.
For the past several months she has been doing book blogger interviews and now I have been added.
If you have a chance please stop by.
Thanks a bunch, Jo
Sep 10, 2009
Sep 8, 2009
Jessica Lee - Guest Blog and Contest
Please welcome Jessica Lee author of the erotic vampire novel Desire to Die For (Loose-Id, 2009).
Interview with Desire to Die For’s Master of the Enclave : Kenric St. James
by Jessica Lee
I have the special privilege today to be allowed access to the compound where the Master of the Enclave, Kenric St. James has granted me a private interview.
Surprisingly, this larger-than-life warrior is very laid back and has shown me to the kitchen at his home, which also serves as the headquarters for his Enclave of vampires. The over six-foot warrior claims the head of the table, and then motions for me to take the seat beside him. I’m by no means a small woman, but the all-consuming presence of this man --er, vampire is quite intimidating. And at the same time, exhilarating.
JL “Would you like to get right down to business, Mr. St. James?”
KSJ “You sound like my kind of woman, Ms. Lee”
JL The deep rumble of his voice and the implication of his words, jerks my head in his direction. He smiles, and I can’t help but smile back. An instant blast of heat rushes to my cheeks, and I drop my gaze back to my notes. I have to keep this professional. Flirting with a vampire…not ever a good idea. Especially with one that oozed power and felt as lethal as the one sitting next to me. “So, I take it that’s a yes,” I finally manage to say.
KSJ “Yes, what’s your first question for me?”
JL “Well, since you opened the door with that last statement. Exactly what kind of woman is your type, Mr. St. James? You’re over three-hundred-years old, I assume you’ve met more than your fair share. Is there a type woman left on the planet that can captivate you?” He straightens in his chair, and the smile dies on his face. In its place, a hardened, cold expression forms that makes me immediately sorry I’d brought the subject back up.
KSJ “Irrelevant, Ms. Lee”
JL “Irrelevant? I don’t understand. You may be a vampire, but from what I know about vampires, you’re still a…functioning man, right?” His head swivels in my direction, and the dark lines that form his brows lower.
KSJ “I was not implying that I was impotent, Jessica.” He leans over the table, bringing his face a little closer to mine. “I can assure you that’s not the problem.” Kenric eases back in his chair and pulls a blade from his thigh, rolling it in his palm.
JL “Oh…okay.” A shiver runs down my spine. If I’d had any doubts, the amount of testosterone that had just hovered over the table blew them all away. “Can you tell me what you did mean then? Why doesn’t it matter what kind of woman is your type?”
KSJ What sounds like a low growl rumbles from his side of the table then his eyes lift to mine. “One name: Marguerite Devonshire. My sire.” He slams the blade into the table. Almost launching me from seat with his suddenness move. The sharp edge wedges into the wood and the dagger stands on its nose. Kenric tosses a look my way that sucks the air from my lungs. Fire swirls around his pupils. And it’s a sight I’ll never forget. Quickly, I divert my gaze. “She’s obsessed with me.” He continues as if nothing had happened. “As long as I refuse her as my mate, she’s determined to destroy any woman who holds a place in my bed. Until I can hunt her down and destroy her, I can’t take that risk. Besides, my existence as head of the Enclave brings nothing but danger and death at my door. What woman in her right mind would want to be a part of my life? It’s better this way. This is what I know. What I can control.”
JL I rub my hands briskly over my upper arms. The room has suddenly turned as cold as a tomb.
KSJ “Cold, Ms. Lee?”
JL My gaze darts to his, the fire was gone now, leaving only the most beautiful clear blue eyes. With his black-as-sin wavy hair and thick eyelashes that hovered over eyes the color of tropical waters, Kenric St. James was a woman’s wet dream come to life.
KSJ “Are you cold, Jessica?”
JL “Oh.” I guess I’d never responded the first time. I nod my head. “A little.”
KSJ “Sorry about that. A drop in temperature can sometimes be a side effect when a vampire, at least of my years, experiences strong emotion. That’s why control is a coveted discipline in this Enclave. It should feel warmer soon.”
JL “I see. You mentioned the Enclave, can you tell me a little bit about what you do?”
KSJ “My warriors and I defend the human population from the Death Euphoria addicted vampires who roam the streets, looking for their next fix. Their next kill.”
JL “Why don’t more people know about this threat to our existence?”
KSJ “Because we’re doing our job.” He leaned forward once more. “And pray that they never have to find out.”
JL I open my mouth to respond but another warrior, looking as dark and lethal as Kenric comes through the door. He steps to Kenric’s side, leans in, and whispers in his ear. The warrior glances my way while and quirks his lip in my direction. He winks. My pen slips from my hand and pings off the floor. Oh my God. I reach over to retrieve my Bic from the floor, but another hand beats me to it. Kenric is on his feet, and I never even heard him move. Slowly, as I lift my head, my eyes follow the hard muscles of his thighs up past flat abs that surely held an eight pack to the handsome planes of his face. From this new angle, I notice a pale scar bisecting his right cheek. It makes me wonder what other atrocities this Master of the Enclave has lived through in his past. I take my pen from his hand. “Thank you.”
KSJ “My second in command, Guerin--“ He indicates the exotic looking warrior at his side -- “has informed me of something I have to personally take care of. I’m sorry, but our interview is over.”
JL “Of course, I understand.” I grab my notepad and rise from the table.
KSJ “My assistant, Michael, will show you out.” He pivots to leave then stops, turning partially back to face me. A smile warms his face for a brief moment, but long enough to make my toes curl before it vanishes. “It was a pleasure meeting you in person, Jessica.”
JL I can’t stop the grin I know is beaming on my face. “I feel the same way, Kenric.”
I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little about the mysterious Master of the Enclave, Kenric St. James. I had a blast!
Here’s a little bit about Kenric and Emily’s story:
Kenric St. James wants revenge. After two centuries of denying his body’s needs and with vengeance finally at hand, the last thing he expected to find was the one woman he burns to claim as his own. If only giving her his love wouldn’t surely mean her death.
All Emily Ross desires is time alone to learn who she is without a man and to save the home that holds her heart. The last thing she wants is another controlling, dominant male calling all the shots, in bed and out. Never would she have thought stopping her car one night to save a dying man might change her mind, and her life, forever. But is what they have, their desire, worth dying for?
Contest
What great Alpha Male characters have you been wishing that they too would grant you a very special private interview?
Leave a comment today and I’ll randomly draw one lucky winners name to win a $10 Loose Id gift certificate.
The contest will run until Friday September 11 at 11:59 PM.
DESIRE TO DIE FOR - AVAILABLE NOW from on Vimeo.
Interview with Desire to Die For’s Master of the Enclave : Kenric St. Jamesby Jessica Lee
I have the special privilege today to be allowed access to the compound where the Master of the Enclave, Kenric St. James has granted me a private interview.
Surprisingly, this larger-than-life warrior is very laid back and has shown me to the kitchen at his home, which also serves as the headquarters for his Enclave of vampires. The over six-foot warrior claims the head of the table, and then motions for me to take the seat beside him. I’m by no means a small woman, but the all-consuming presence of this man --er, vampire is quite intimidating. And at the same time, exhilarating.
JL “Would you like to get right down to business, Mr. St. James?”
KSJ “You sound like my kind of woman, Ms. Lee”
JL The deep rumble of his voice and the implication of his words, jerks my head in his direction. He smiles, and I can’t help but smile back. An instant blast of heat rushes to my cheeks, and I drop my gaze back to my notes. I have to keep this professional. Flirting with a vampire…not ever a good idea. Especially with one that oozed power and felt as lethal as the one sitting next to me. “So, I take it that’s a yes,” I finally manage to say.
KSJ “Yes, what’s your first question for me?”
JL “Well, since you opened the door with that last statement. Exactly what kind of woman is your type, Mr. St. James? You’re over three-hundred-years old, I assume you’ve met more than your fair share. Is there a type woman left on the planet that can captivate you?” He straightens in his chair, and the smile dies on his face. In its place, a hardened, cold expression forms that makes me immediately sorry I’d brought the subject back up.
KSJ “Irrelevant, Ms. Lee”
JL “Irrelevant? I don’t understand. You may be a vampire, but from what I know about vampires, you’re still a…functioning man, right?” His head swivels in my direction, and the dark lines that form his brows lower.
KSJ “I was not implying that I was impotent, Jessica.” He leans over the table, bringing his face a little closer to mine. “I can assure you that’s not the problem.” Kenric eases back in his chair and pulls a blade from his thigh, rolling it in his palm.
JL “Oh…okay.” A shiver runs down my spine. If I’d had any doubts, the amount of testosterone that had just hovered over the table blew them all away. “Can you tell me what you did mean then? Why doesn’t it matter what kind of woman is your type?”
KSJ What sounds like a low growl rumbles from his side of the table then his eyes lift to mine. “One name: Marguerite Devonshire. My sire.” He slams the blade into the table. Almost launching me from seat with his suddenness move. The sharp edge wedges into the wood and the dagger stands on its nose. Kenric tosses a look my way that sucks the air from my lungs. Fire swirls around his pupils. And it’s a sight I’ll never forget. Quickly, I divert my gaze. “She’s obsessed with me.” He continues as if nothing had happened. “As long as I refuse her as my mate, she’s determined to destroy any woman who holds a place in my bed. Until I can hunt her down and destroy her, I can’t take that risk. Besides, my existence as head of the Enclave brings nothing but danger and death at my door. What woman in her right mind would want to be a part of my life? It’s better this way. This is what I know. What I can control.”
JL I rub my hands briskly over my upper arms. The room has suddenly turned as cold as a tomb.
KSJ “Cold, Ms. Lee?”
JL My gaze darts to his, the fire was gone now, leaving only the most beautiful clear blue eyes. With his black-as-sin wavy hair and thick eyelashes that hovered over eyes the color of tropical waters, Kenric St. James was a woman’s wet dream come to life.
KSJ “Are you cold, Jessica?”
JL “Oh.” I guess I’d never responded the first time. I nod my head. “A little.”
KSJ “Sorry about that. A drop in temperature can sometimes be a side effect when a vampire, at least of my years, experiences strong emotion. That’s why control is a coveted discipline in this Enclave. It should feel warmer soon.”
JL “I see. You mentioned the Enclave, can you tell me a little bit about what you do?”
KSJ “My warriors and I defend the human population from the Death Euphoria addicted vampires who roam the streets, looking for their next fix. Their next kill.”
JL “Why don’t more people know about this threat to our existence?”
KSJ “Because we’re doing our job.” He leaned forward once more. “And pray that they never have to find out.”
JL I open my mouth to respond but another warrior, looking as dark and lethal as Kenric comes through the door. He steps to Kenric’s side, leans in, and whispers in his ear. The warrior glances my way while and quirks his lip in my direction. He winks. My pen slips from my hand and pings off the floor. Oh my God. I reach over to retrieve my Bic from the floor, but another hand beats me to it. Kenric is on his feet, and I never even heard him move. Slowly, as I lift my head, my eyes follow the hard muscles of his thighs up past flat abs that surely held an eight pack to the handsome planes of his face. From this new angle, I notice a pale scar bisecting his right cheek. It makes me wonder what other atrocities this Master of the Enclave has lived through in his past. I take my pen from his hand. “Thank you.”
KSJ “My second in command, Guerin--“ He indicates the exotic looking warrior at his side -- “has informed me of something I have to personally take care of. I’m sorry, but our interview is over.”
JL “Of course, I understand.” I grab my notepad and rise from the table.
KSJ “My assistant, Michael, will show you out.” He pivots to leave then stops, turning partially back to face me. A smile warms his face for a brief moment, but long enough to make my toes curl before it vanishes. “It was a pleasure meeting you in person, Jessica.”
JL I can’t stop the grin I know is beaming on my face. “I feel the same way, Kenric.”
I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little about the mysterious Master of the Enclave, Kenric St. James. I had a blast!
Here’s a little bit about Kenric and Emily’s story:
Kenric St. James wants revenge. After two centuries of denying his body’s needs and with vengeance finally at hand, the last thing he expected to find was the one woman he burns to claim as his own. If only giving her his love wouldn’t surely mean her death.
All Emily Ross desires is time alone to learn who she is without a man and to save the home that holds her heart. The last thing she wants is another controlling, dominant male calling all the shots, in bed and out. Never would she have thought stopping her car one night to save a dying man might change her mind, and her life, forever. But is what they have, their desire, worth dying for?
Contest
What great Alpha Male characters have you been wishing that they too would grant you a very special private interview?
Leave a comment today and I’ll randomly draw one lucky winners name to win a $10 Loose Id gift certificate.
The contest will run until Friday September 11 at 11:59 PM.
DESIRE TO DIE FOR - AVAILABLE NOW from on Vimeo.
Sep 6, 2009
Upcoming Event - Guest Blogger Jessica Lee
On Tuesday September 8 Patricia's Vampire Notes welcomes Jessica Lee author of the erotic romance novel Desire to Die For. As a special treat Jessica will interview her luscious vampire protagonist Kenric St. James.
There will also be a prize for one lucky commenter.
Please stop by and say hello!
Drood by Dan Simmons - Review
Drood: A Novel
by Dan Simmons
Little Brown, 2009
[reviewed by Sandy Rainey]
Warning: Dan Simmons' Drood is a heavy lift, in every sense of the term. It comes in at 771 pages, more than a hundred pages longer than Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian; it is definitely not the book to tote to the beach, unless you plan to do arm curls with it between chapters. By turns hard to put down and hard to pick up, it will teach you more about Victorian literary stars William Wilkie Collins and the incomparable Charles Dickens than you ever wanted to know. It will thrill you, disgust you, and toy with your loyalties more than you might like. It will challenge your powers of endurance and interpretation, and it will sometimes try your patience. Ultimately, though, Drood is a journey worth taking, and readers with a taste for the macabre who count Dickens among their interests should not miss it.
William Wilkie Collins narrates our odyssey through the last five years of Dickens' life. Actually, the book spans many more years than that; Collins first befriended Dickens in 1851 and collaborated with him frequently until Dickens' death in 1870, and our narrator moves dizzyingly backward and forward through time, mixing his present and his past to enrich (and complicate) his tale with much foreshadowing and backfill. More disconcerting still: Collins was an insatiable opium and laudanum addict; there is no knowing—ever—what in his account is reality and what is a product of his severely drug-addled brain. Yet another twist is added in that Collins is utterly consumed with jealousy of the enormously talented and much-beloved Dickens, whom he calls "the Inimitable"; he is the Salieri to Dickens' Mozart. He is one of the most contemptible and unreliable narrators you will ever encounter, a vain,weak, whiny, self-absorbed, delusional, defensive loser. Yet at times you may find yourself rooting for him or pitying him, only to be reminded a few pages later of why you have spent the rest of the book despising him. It gives nothing away to note that everything he says should be viewed with suspicion.
The book opens on June 9, 1865, when Dickens was involved in a horrific railway accident at Staplehurst. He had been riding in the only car whose passengers escaped harm. The accident affected him profoundly for the rest of his life. Always interested in mesmerism and spiritualism, he became more and more obsessed with cemeteries and London's Undertown, an appalling city-below-the-city where the poor huddled and the criminal element lurked, selling opiates and striking above-ground when possible. Drood is Simmons' fictionalized account of what happens to Dickens (and to Collins) after the derailment. Dickens tells Collins that he encountered a bizarre, hissing creature named Drood flitting among the maimed and dying after the crash, showing particular interest in the fatally injured. Drood had slyly hinted to Dickens, who was attempting to help the victims, that he could be found in Undertown, thus assuring that Dickens would seek him out—a reluctant Collins in tow—as soon as possible.
It's a wild ride from there. There are an Egyptian cult, a stomach-turning rite involving a scarab beetle, an omnipresent and malignant Collins doppelganger who writes better than our narrator and may or may not be visible to others, a monstrous woman with green skin and tusks, several brutal murders, a haunted back staircase, an obsessive retired policeman who has made the capture of Drood his only object, three mistresses (for Victorians, these guys could swing), and literary and theatrical projects galore. June 9 becomes a pivotal date, with some plot-twisting event occurring each year on that day. Simmons blends fiction and fact so skillfully that you will feel the urge to do some research on your own in order to determine where the line between reality and invention lies. No knowledge of the time period is necessary, but the more you know about Dickens, the more satisfying you will find Simmons' exhaustive attention to detail.
Channeling the Victorian fictional voice—the Collins fictional voice—with consummate skill, Simmons has crafted a fiendishly intricate and clever narrative that places great demands upon the reader. The ending appears to settle most questions in ways you may or may not have seen coming. Even so, upon further reflection, you will realize that Drood—like Dickens' unfinished final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood—has left some issues open to eternal, delicious speculation.
[reviewed for Patricia's Vampire Notes by Sandy Rainey]
Sep 4, 2009
Dark Road Rising - Vampire Book Review
Dark Road Rising (Vampire Files)
by P. N. Elrod
Ace, September 1, 2009
Book twelve in the Vampire Files follows the adventures of vampire Jack Flemming, currently residing in Chicago of the 1930s. He owns a night club, Lady Crymsyn, and has made friends within the mobster community. One such person is visiting New York honcho Gabriel "Whitey" Kroun who at the end of Song in the Dark (Ace, 2006) revealed himself to be one of the undead. He carries within a dark, frightening secret. Kroun glimpses bits of information about his mysterious past, but his memory serves him poorly, and he must search through dangerous territory to find answers. For Jack the psychic wounds he suffered when tortured by the psychopathic thug Bristow have yet to heal. Still he offers to help the clearly suffering Kroun. That help, however is rebuffed.
As usual Elrod does a fantastic job constructing well developed characters and a fast paced plot. Unfortunately the first quarter of the book is mostly backstory filled with names and events of previous novels having little to do with the main plot. However, once the story takes off it is impossible to not keep turning the pages. Fans of this popular series will definitely want to read this latest installment. Probably there is enough background offered that someone new would be able to enjoy it.
[A version of this review appeared in Library Journal Aug. 15, 2009. Reprinted with permission of Reed Business Information.]
The Vampire Files series:
Bloodlist (Vampire Files, No. 1)
Life Blood (Vampire Files, No. 2)
Bloodcircle (Vampire Files, No. 3)
Art in the Blood (Vampire Files, No. 4)
Fire in the Blood (Vampire Files, No. 5)
Blood on the Water (Vampire Files, No. 6)
A Chill in the Blood (Vampire Files, No. 7)
The Dark Sleep (Vampire Files, No. 8)
Lady Crymsyn (Vampire Files, No. 9)
Cold Streets (Vampire Files, No. 10)
Song in the Dark (Vampire Files, No. 11)
Dark Road Rising (Vampire Files, No. 12)
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