Thursday, February 9, 2012

Guest Blog and Slayer's Kiss Giveaway with Cassi Carver

I’m so excited to be visiting Fang-tastic Books today! My debut urban fantasy, Slayer’s Kiss, comes out February 14th, so I thought I’d talk about what drew me to the urban fantasy genre.

First of all, you should know that I’m an avid reader and I’ll read almost anything. My dad used to read Choose Your Own Adventure books to me when I was little, and when I was old enough to read on my own, my mom loaned me her Dean Koontz horror collection.

By the time I had kids of my own, I went through a regency romance phase that spanned a decade! I loved the gowns and carriages and handsome suitors, but after more than ten years, it got to the point where I literally felt like I’d read it all. I’d get halfway through the book, and as soon as I figured out how the hero and heroine would resolve the central conflict, I’d put the novel down, unable to finish.

And then one auspicious day, I stumbled upon urban fantasy. I was captivated by the strong heroines, capable of providing for and protecting themselves and their loved ones. But the thing that really hooked me was the way the heroine’s world expanded in each book, the mysteries deepening instead of being tied up in a pretty package by “the end.” Suddenly, I wasn’t able to figure out the stories halfway through because the dangling threads stretched well into future books in the series! For me, it was love at first read.

And now, with my reinvigorated love of reading, I read both urban fantasy and all types of romance—UF when I want to be kept on my toes and romance when I want to be reassured that every heroine will eventually get her happily ever after.

When it comes to writing, you can bet I incorporated into Slayer’s Kiss some of those same elements that I look for in a good book, like romance, mystery, and, of course, scorching hot sex! And here’s some big news that I’m sharing first here on Fang-tastic Books: I just signed the contract on book two of The Shadow Slayers, Shadow Rising, which will be available Fall 2012 from Samhain Publishing!


What about you? What are you currently reading and what draws you to that genre? One commenter will receive a digital copy of Slayer’s Kiss! Hope you enjoy it!





Description of Slayer's Kiss

When the past flies in your face, clip its wings.



The Shadow Slayers, Book 1


Kara Reed is a supernatural failure. But where her magic falls short, her fists get the job done. The criminal element doesn’t stand a chance once she hits San Diego’s dark streets.


When two smoking-hot tenants move in next door, she thinks her love life might finally be heating up. Just being near Gavin and Julian is enough to make her want to offer her body on a platter.


Gavin and Julian know it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. They’re fallen angels sent to watch over the king’s daughter, one of the last females of her kind. Trouble is, she doesn’t seem to think she needs watching—unless they’re watching her shimmy out of her clothes.


No matter how tempting her guardians, Kara’s not about to let anything stop her from tracking down a sadistic killer who carves into his victims and leaves them for dead. Even when she realizes her target may be the very scourge of heaven from which her angels swore to protect her…


Warning: Contains a kick-ass heroine with a foul mouth, a kind heart and a raging libido, and two fallen angel warriors who wouldn’t have her any other way. Watch out for sex in the clouds, a magical island of hedonism and a love triangle that gives new meaning to the term “hot-wings”.

24 comments:

Beverly said...

Thanks for hosting - sounds great. I am reading Oath of Office by Michael Palmer. I read a variety of genre types, but it's all about the characters for me.
bsharp88@gmail.com

Debby said...

I am reading Infected Prey. It is paranormal and it sounded a bit different. So far I am enjoying it.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Denise Tompkins said...

Congrats on your release, Cassi! I'm reading the first Alien Huntress book (have forgotten the title). It's really enjoyable so far. No need to enter me in the contest as I've pre-ordered Slayer's Kiss! Share the love with another lucky reader.

Again, congratulations!
Denise

Melissa Cutler said...

Congratulations on your release, Cassi! I must confess that you're the the first urban fantasy author I read. What an amazing introduction to the genre!!! I can't wait for my pre-ordered copy of Slayer's Kiss to download to my nook. So excited to read it.

Melissa

Lisa Kessler said...

I love Urban Fantasy too, but the narrator has to be just the right to keep me going through a long series... LOL

I'm so excited about your book! I've already got it preordered for my Kindle! :)

Congratulations on the release!

Lisa :)

Linda Thomas-Sundstrom said...

HI Cassi.... I have to admit that urban fantasy keeps me sane. It's my tonic of choice these days, and has been for quite some time. I like the fact that anything can happen, and that the h and h don't even have to end up together in the same book. Heck, she can kill him off if the plot warrants it! ha. I prefer my uf's gritty, whether they're dark or light. And have stumbled on some really cool stuff in the lat few years.
Congrats on the upcoming release. I sure will get a copy!
Linda

www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com

Cassi Carver said...

Hi Beverly,

I agree, characters make or break a novel. Even the best plot and story will fall flat if the characters aren't exciting and loveable!

Thanks for commenting!

Cassi Carver said...

Hi Debby,

That sounds like a great paranormal romance--one I would pick up just from the title alone! Are you on Goodreads? Let us know how it is!

Cassi

Cassi Carver said...

Hi Denise!

It's great to have another Samhain UF author visit today! Thanks for pre-ordering Slayer's Kiss! You can bet I'm going to return the love when the second fabulous book in your Niteclif Evolutions series--Wrath--releases in April!

Hugs,
Cassi

Cassi Carver said...

Thanks for visiting, Melissa! It's wonderful that we continue to challenge each other to read something new. (Sexy cowboys, anyone? You bet!) I think reading a wide variety of books makes us stronger writers. :)

Hugs, Cassi

Cassi Carver said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cassi Carver said...

Hi Linda,

What an honor to have such a great writer stop by and comment! I also love books where anything can happen. It keeps reading fresh and exciting!

Hugs,
Cassi

Unknown said...

Currently I am reading That Old Black Magic By Michelle Rowen. I love the urban fantasy/paranormal genres. It is a great genre to read if you want to escaoe reality for awhile.

kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

Cassi Carver said...

Hi, Lisa!

Thanks for visiting! (I'm going to try this comment again without all the--eek!--typos!)

I totally agree about the right narration to keep the series going. One of my peeves is a series where the heroine doesn't get to have much fun and the relationships never progress! You won't find that in my books. There's lots of fun and lots of...progression. ;)

Hugs, Cassi

Cassi Carver said...

Sorry! I should have posted a link to Slayer's Kiss! It's only $3.85 on pre-order right now from Samhain Publishing!!
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/slayers-kiss-p-6648.html

Or you can add it on Goodreads!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12990304-slayer-s-kiss

Cassi Carver said...

Hi Kristina!

Thanks for stopping by! I've heard great things about Michelle Rowen. I'll have to add her to my TBR list!

Hugs,
Cassi

Toni Noel said...

This interesting blog makes me want to give urban fantasy a read. I think Slayer's Kiss will be first.

Toni

Cassi Carver said...

Hi, Toni!

I'm so glad you're considering giving urban fantasy a try! Mine is more an erotica/urban fantasy hybrid than straight urban fantasy like Kim Harrison's. Tell me what you think. Thank you so much for visiting!

Hugs,
Cassi

Keith Melton said...

"Contains a kick-ass heroine with a foul mouth..."

The best kind. ;)

I grew up reading Choose Your Own Adventure books. My favorite was one about an underwater adventure to find Atlantis... I admit, my decisions were always rather reckless. "Giant squid dead ahead? I choose ATTACK!"

Looking forward to Slayer's Kiss and big congratz on your release, Cassie! ^_^

Cassi Carver said...

Hi Keith!

My brother would say "attack!" and I'd always take the safe route, trying to get as deep into the story as possible. Of course, my dad allowed a few do-overs when we'd get stuck. ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Cassi

Sylvia Mendoza said...

Cassi, congratulations on your upcoming release! I'm looking forward to reading your books and get a new flavor of genres. I'm reading lots of women's fiction right now, including Julia Amante's "Say You'll be Mine", since that's what I'm writing, but am always looking for strong heroines that make me say "Yesss!" Sooo, I'm looking forward to Slayer's Kiss. :)

Denise Z said...

I am currently reading Don't Bite the Messenger by Regan Summers and I think what draws me to this genre is the strength and toughness of the women, yet there is still a vulnerability that makes them real in my imaginings. Thank you for sharing today, I am looking forward to reading Slayer's Kiss :)
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

donnas said...

Congrats on the release! Sounds really good.

I am currently reading 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz. Really reminds me of some of his earlier work.

Barb P said...

Hi Cassi! I am currently reading Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland. Love her series! Thanks for the giveaway! The book sounds fantastic bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

 
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