Guest Blog with Author Amanda Hocking & Giveaway of My Blood Approves

"In the vampire literary world, a lot of discussion goes into Team (Blank) vs. Team (Blank). And somehow, I always find myself on Team Not-Going-to-Get-the-Girl. Even outside of vampires, I’m always on the losing team.

So, when I wrote my book My Blood Approves, I thought I’d finally be able to be on the right team. But somehow, I’m still not on the winning. How does that even happen? I’m starting to think I might have a complex.

Or maybe I just created two guys that I enjoy so much, it’s really hard for me to decide which one would be a clear winner.

Jack is not your typical vampire. He’s happy, when most vampires seem to be brooding these days, and he suffers from a major Peter Pan complex, which I’ve always found charming. Being immature isn’t a plus, but that ability to be happy and excited and have fun is alluring. But below all that, there is something much deeper brewing inside him. When his strength and devotion shine through, it makes him all the more irresistible.

Jack’s brother Peter may have the whole brooding vampire thing going on, but that doesn’t make him boring. He’s sexy and tortured, and I’ll never understand why, but restraint can be so sexy. He tries to keep everything hidden and pretend like he doesn’t feel a thing, but when his walls come down, he’s so vulnerable, it’s breathtaking.

Between the two of them, it’s hard to say which one I’d pick.

In My Blood Approves, Alice Bonham struggles with the same problem – along with a lot more. Getting involved with vampires is a complicated matter when you’re mortal. She meets Jack by chance one night in downtown Minneapolis and is pulled into the confusing – and seductive – world of his family.

Maybe the problem is that I’ve always been the kinda girl that wants her cake and eat too. But the one thing I do know for sure, is that I’m Team Vampire.

Description for My Blood Approves:

Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood...


About the Author:

Amanda Hocking is a lifelong Minnesotan obsessed with John Hughes and Jim Henson. In between making collages and drinking too much Red Bull, she writes young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

The first three books in her series - My Blood Approves, Fate, and Flutter are available now. The fourth book in the series, Wisdom, will be out August 2010.

To learn more you can follow her on Twitter and visit her blog: http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/

Amanda is offering one copy of My Blood Approves, either paperback or PDF (winner's choice) to one lucky reader

US shipping only if winner chooses a paperback copy

To enter just leave a comment on this post

Winner Announced on Wednesday June 16

Win a Copy of Rhinehoth by Brian Niskala

Blurb:

Centuries ago a great castle was built in the mountains of Germany’s Black Forest. It’s ancient guardians still thrive in its walls forever protecting it’s dark secrets, holding captive an enemy that threatens their very existence. Foretold is a story of an ancient warrior that is to return to the castle to free the captive Vampire Prince.

Simon Roberts was a petty thief who fled England to escape Scotland Yard after a series of unsuccessful jewelry store heists. He was recruited to do a job in Germany where he was to simply drive the get away car while providing a look out. He thought this was going to be an easy job and a way to break into the German crime scene. But things go terribly wrong and he ended up being the only survivor of the botched heist. Simon is quickly sentenced to a prison called Rhinehoth. This is where Germany sent the worst of the worst, surely not a place for a petty thief such as himself.

Rhinehoth is a great German castle that was converted in the late 1930’s to a Stalag for war criminals of World War II. The converted prison’s modern day inhabitants are relentlessly tortured, starved and sleep deprived. This contributes to the prisoners’ delusional visions that help hide the truth and keeps Rhinehoth’s secrets. Their captors are the army of Werewolves who have survived the centuries off the very flesh and blood of Germany’s worst forgotten criminals.

Simon, imprisoned becomes plagued with visions from his subconscious ancient past with confusion of his modern day consciousness. He discovers through his visions that he is the ancient warrior, Guthrie who has come to free the Vampire Prince and all the captives while saving the world from a dark plan of biblical proportions that has been orchestrated over the centuries!

About the Author:

Brian was born in the Month of October, making him a natural Horror fan. He is currently working on over 20 novels in different stages of completion. His current title “Rhinehoth” available on Amazon.com has been a good seller quickly rising in the ranks of Gothic Horror genre. His passion for history and horror leads his writing to be historically accurate for the time period immersing the reader into its details. His writing is so vividly visional it reads more like a film than literature. Brian comes from some of the top Fortune 500 companies where he has managed at a senior/executive level to follow his passion for Horror film and Literature. He currently lives in sleepy Blakeslee, PA USA.

Want to win a copy of this book?

2 Winners will be chosen.

1 winner will receive a print copy.

1 Winner will receive an ebook.

This contest is open internationally.

To enter leave a comment on this post with

contact info.

Receive 5 extra entries for being a

follower of this blog.

Winner Wednesay September 30

Veronica is the winner of Evie Byrne's Damned by Blood

And heatherzilla is the winner of Dracula: The Un-Dead

Congrats !

Free Book Friday Z.E.O: A Zombie's Guide to Getting A (Head) in Business

First of all, sorry for being slow today getting this post up. I am so tired and worn out I feel like I am nursing a hangover or something even though I couldn't even tell you the last time I had a drink. I think it's called being over worked and way over stressed.

Anyway, I hooked up my new high speed, think it's working right, woo hoo! No more dial up.

So, who watched the Vampire Diaries last night? You bet I did. Can't say I'm "hooked" yet but I'll keep watching. It seems promising.

OK now onto what you've all been waiting for- Free Book Friday.

To keep up with last week's zombie theme, this week we have yet anther fun, tongue in cheek book about living like a zombie.

Z.E.O A Zombie's Guide to Getting A (Head) in Business by Scott Kenemore

Blurb:

From professional athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan to philosophers like Confucius, inspirational business books love to suggest that readers can succeed in business and in life by adopting the traits of their famous subjects.

In Z.E.O. by Scott Kenemore, frustrated employees will finally find inspiration in a source they can already relate to: zombies! A guide for any Joe-lunchbox or aspiring-C.E.O., Z.E.O. illustrates how the lessons learned from zombies and zombie films can be applied—from the typing-pool to the boardroom—to further a professional career, increase personal and corporate wealth, and harness the tools to personal success.

Taking up where other business and personal finance books leave off, Z.E.O. provides nuts-and-bolts instructions for taking the inspirational aspects of zombies and adopting them to maximize your own personal effectiveness.

Sure, you might have to knock a few heads—and eat a few brains—along the way, but that doesn’t stop a zombie. Why should it stop you?

Hilarious, this book is a great laugh for anyone, but all you zombie lovers out there will appreciate the humor all the more and devour this book with happy abandon.

So if you want your chance to win just leave a comment on this post. Make sure to leave your email info. US shipping only.

Free Book Friday: FAIR GAME by Jasmine Haynes

For this week's Free Book Friday I have a sizzling hot book to give away: FAIR GAME by Jasmine Haynes. This is third book in the Fortune Hunter Trilogy!

Blurb:

Josie Tybrook is holding her own—on her own—with a successful career and a bright future. Then she meets Kyle Perry in a professional tie that will bring them together again. And again. Now, in business and in pleasure, Josie and Kyle engage in a battle of wills. What begins as a hot diversion of power and domination turns into an intimate game behind closed doors.

Read an Excerpt Here!

Review Snippets of Jasmine Haynes Books:

Fair Game is a super-sexy and wonderfully emotional read from start to finish. I love, love, loved it!"— Bella Andre, author of Wild Heat

First there was Faith and Connor in The Fortune Hunter, winner of the 2008 Holt Medallion...

“This one is smoking.” — Night Owl Romance

...then came Trinity and Scott in Show and Tell.

“An erotic, emotional adventure of discovery you don’t want to miss.”— New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh

All you have to do to win this smokin' hot copy of FAIR GAME is leave a comment on this post. A winner will be chosen at random. US shipping only please. Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll announce winners next Wednesday, so make sure you drop by Susan Squires post for your chance to win a copy of Time for Eternity since that contest is still open as well.

Free Book Friday- Child of the South by Joanna Catherine Scott

Up for grabs this week is an ARC bound copy of Child of the South by Joanna Catherine Scott.

I received it to review but never had the chance and it has been buried in my stack of books, lonely, waiting to be read so I figured someone else may have some time on their hands and enjoy it very much.

I am almost tempted not to give this away because the Civil War is one my favorite time periods for historical novels. When I was younger I was obsessed with the Civil War and the post Civil War south- movies like North and South and Gone with the Wind were my favorites. In 7th grade I even had the chance to go on a school trip to visit some Civil War sites- we stayed in Gettysburg. It was wonderful.

Anyway back to the book, Child of the South is the sequel to The Road from Chapel Hill.

From the Back Cover:

Joanna Catherine Scott
author of the acclaimed Civil War
novel The Road from Chapel Hill, returns with a gripping
tale in which loyalty, duty, and love collide in a devastated
South---where the war is over but conflict lives on.

Eugenia Mae Spotswood endured years of hardship and toil during the Civil War. Now she has returned to Wilmington to find out who her mother is---the white woman she called Mama or her father’s slave. Her search falters when the ongoing forces of racism and hatred almost break her spirit...until she is befriended by Abraham Galloway, the most powerful Negro leader in the North Carolina Senate.

Also driven forward by the tides of peace are the strong-minded ex-slave Tom and his former enemy and captor, Clyde Bricket. Tom spent the last years of the war working for the Union as a spy. Clyde, crippled from battle wounds, watches as his family farm slowly dies. Only when they work together do they discover that something good can be made of the chaos around them.
But as these four struggle to create a greater future. others struggle to bring them to destruction...

Sounds great doesn't it?

If you would like a chance to receive this free ARC copy of Child of the South all you have to do is leave a comment and include you email contact info. I'll announce a winner on Wednesday. USA shipping only. Thanks.

Free Book Friday: The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

Michele Hauf's newest book, The Highwayman, just hit stores this week and to celebrate I am giving away a free copy of The Highwayman to one lucky commenter.

From Michele's website:

In Michele Hauf's WICKED GAMES miniseries, a match between cat and demon takes on a most delicious spin...

Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, has slain scores of demons with a razor-lined whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon shadow inside him—who has cursed him with immortality and stole all sensual pleasures—Max needs a witch's familiar, the one creature he's made a career of killing.

But the Highwayman isn't prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon realm sees past his nightmarish shadow as easily as he scales the walls she's erected to protect herself. Max needs Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needs to slay her. But how can he destroy the only creature he's desired in centuries?

Want to read an excerpt? Click here.

The Highwayman sounds yummy doesn't it?

I am so glad I have two copies, one to read and one to give away. So if you want a copy leave a comment and I'll pick a winner next Wednesday so you have all weekend to leave a comment (I know many US people will be busy since it is the 4th of July weekend). US shipping addresses only, please make sure your email contact info is available in the comment. Thanks and good luck.

Free Book Friday

This week we have A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE by Diana Rubino as the Free Book Friday giveaway book.

Blurb:

A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE is a fun-filled blend of the vampire world and luxury cruises.

The heroine, romantic suspense author Mona, is a human, and the hero Fausto is a vampire. Although they care deeply about each other, their different backgrounds create a lot of problems. He can never be one of her kind and she's deathly afraid to become one of his. But her best friend Tessie is madly in love with Fausto's vamp cousin Quintus, and makes her life-altering decision to let him turn her. But as they as they all sail the Mediterranean on a writer's cruise that Mona's organized, Fausto's job as the ship's doctor is hard to perform when he realizes hunters (or the Vampire Ball Busters, as vamps call them) are after him and his fellow vamps.

They abduct Tessie, who saves her neck at the last minute by turning Roy, one of the hunters. Now Roy must live as one of the despised creatures he's devoted his life to hunting. But his problems pale in comparison to Mona's as Fausto's ex-wife shows up after four hundred years, hot to snatch him back. She's not just another bitter ex hoping to rekindle the flames--she's Lucrezia Borgia, history's most notorious gold digger and husband-killer.

When Mona and Fausto team up with the hunters to capture Lucrezia and get her to confess to her crimes, Mona thinks all is lost because Lucrezia refuses to talk. But Mona gets her creative writer's juices flowing, and right out of one of her suspense novels, tricks Lucrezia into a confession. The tabloid show The Cutting Edge, on shipboard to tape the writers' cruise, beams the story all over the world. Mona and Fausto become instant celebrities, but hunters are still after Fausto. One of them shoots Mona while aiming for him, and she realizes she must let Fausto turn her or she'll die--so she makes her decision, which she never regrets. Instead of looking for the next big market trend, she helps Fausto and Quintus write their memoirs, so the world can see what vampires really are about.

To learn more about Diana and her books visit: www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com

and
www.DianaRubino.com

To be entered to win A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE just leave a comment and a winner will be chosen and announced this upcoming Wednesday. US shipping only. Thanks and good luck.

An Interview with Nancy Haddock and a Chance to Win a Copy of Last Vampire Standing

Hi, Roxanne! How nice to be here!

It's great to have you here, Nancy. I can't wait to check out your series, the books sound phenomenal. I love a good vampire book and your sound like a fun new twist on the typical vampire life. A fun, beach loving, surfing female vampire as your heroine... Gotta love it.

So let's get on with the interview and learn more about you and your vampire books.

Have you always wanted to be a writer or is it something you discovered along the path of life?

I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember, and my mother tells me I used to ask her to write them for me. Along life’s way, I also discovered a love for teaching, and as there were few writing courses at my college of choice, I first became a Speech & Language Pathologist. I worked in public schools and in a university clinic, and later also taught traditional subjects in a small, private high school.

But yes, much as I love to teach, I always wanted to write and was always pulled back to writing!

How has your writing path evolved? Where did you start?

As a young child, I have no idea what I wrote, but in grade and high school and in college, my efforts were in poetry and short stories. Later I tried my hand at children’s picture books with a good friend, wrote a few scripts after taking a course in writing for television, and worked on comedy sketches a la Saturday Night Live. I was still working on scripts and short stories when I decided to give novel writing a shot.

My early novel efforts are best forgotten, but I learned so much in the process! I started with romantic comedy, and branched into romantic suspense with elements of humor and the paranormal (psychic visions), but nothing completely clicked. My move to St. Augustine provided an unexpected but welcome shot of new writing energy!

I still work on screenwriting, but novels are my primary focus at this time.

Are you a long time paranormal fan or new to the “Other” world?

Oh, I’m a huge long time paranormal fan! My own experiences with the paranormal edged their way into my work even before I wrote in the genre, and I’m thrilled to now be published in paranormal.


Your main character has been described as Gidget with fangs, how did that happen?

Grins, Roxanne! It all started with a peanut butter commercial. Really! In the ad, two little girls are spending the night, and the little hostess says something like, “… we can play Crazy Eights, or we can watch this ‘Princess Vampire’ video.” Now, obviously, I misheard the Princess Vampire line, but it struck me as funny, and then as a funny idea for a book. That’s how my heroine Cesca was conceived.

The Gidget part came up when Cesca informed me that she was a part day-walker, and, hey since she’d been a tomboy in her youth and loved the ocean, I should let her learn to surf. Since the Gidget with fangs idea was even funnier than Princess Vampire, I hopped on board. When a character speaks that clearly, I’m listening!


Do your characters come to life on their own or do you plan them?

Cesca came to life on her own, and many of my characters tend to show up in full form. Not that I know every detail of their lives, but it’s fun to uncover those special things about characters. Other characters I plan, but they can also pull surprises when they flesh themselves out differently than I imagined.


The first book in the series, La Vida Vampire, made you a best selling author, did you do anything to celebrate such an accomplishment?

At first, I alternately pinched myself and did the happy dance, and gave a great deal of thanks. After a few months – you know, when I thought the chance of jinxing myself was over – I bought myself a balloon that read “congratulations!” It’s deflated now, but I still have it.


Tell us a little about your newest book, Last Vampire Standing.

Last Vampire Standing was a stitch to write! Jo-Jo the Jester was one of those characters I planned, but he burst on the scene a bit differently and in fuller form than I had imagined. When he crashes Cesca and Maggie’s housewarming party, Jo-Jo begs Cesca for sanctuary from the master vampire in Atlanta so he can become a stand-up comic. Cesca’s soon learns that Jo-Jo has unwittingly brought more than bad jokes to St. Augustine, and must help her ex-slayer lover solve both a murder and the mystery of what is draining master vampires of their energy force.


If you weren’t a writer what would your career be?

If writing hadn’t kept calling me back, I’d probably have stayed in teaching. I would’ve needed another creative outlet or three, though. Outlets beyond creative lesson planning.

When you are not writing, what can you usually be found doing?

Most of the time when I’m not writing, I’m reading. I’m also known to garden here and there, to paint a bit (acrylics), to do needlework if I get the yen, or to refinish furniture pieces. I’ll also venture out with my surfboard now and then to practice falling off of it.


Who are some of your favorite authors?

How long do you have? Okay, I’ll name some, but understand that for every favorite author I name, I’ll leave out at least 5. Here goes: Lorraine Heath, Rachel Caine, Kelley Armstrong, Jim Butcher, Victoria Laurie, Robert B. Parker, Robert Crais, Jan Burke, Joan Hess, Charlaine Harris, P.C. and Kristin Cast, Lori Wilde, Janet Evanovich.

I just looked over the list. Hmmm. Make that for every favorite author I’ve mentioned, I’ve left out closer to ten more favorites. My blown book budget happily attests to how much and how many authors I read.


Have you been inspired by other authors, if yes, who?

I’m inspired by every author I read, Roxanne! Sure, I notice aspects such as rhythm, pacing, characters, descriptions, sentence structures, word choices, etc., but those aren’t the major sources of inspiration. What awes me every time is the story. Whether I’m thrust into immediate action or invited in to meet the characters first, the stories sweep me away.

What books are currently on your to-read list?

Again, this could take pages, so I won’t name but a few. I eagerly await the new books of every author I faithfully read, and I look forward to debut books and recommendations of friends just to meet authors who are new to me. I’m reading HUNTED by P.C. and Kristen Cast right now, and Charlaine Harris’s DEAD AND GONE is up next.

I have to mention a non-paranormal book that’s been on my snag list for over two years – mystery writer Joan Hess’s newest Maggody book. This isn’t a plug for a friend because I don’t have the honor of knowing Joan. I just love her books! I also don’t trust that I have the title correct, but last I heard, it was something about motherhood in Maggody with a release now of January 2010. Of course, I thought it was June 2009 and about had myself a hissy fit when I learned differently. J

Sometimes I think I need to be medicated in order to wait for the next books by favorite authors. Barring meds, writing my own books is great therapy. On so many levels!


Roxanne, thank you so much for inviting me to the Fang-tastic Book Blog! You and your readers are a blast!


Would you like to win a free book?

Leave a comment and be entered in the drawing to win a copy of Last Vampire Standing.

If you’re a published author, please also leave your web URL or title of your last or upcoming book. Nancy says she likes sharing the stage!

For more opportunities to win a book, see the Beach Party page on Nancy’s web site – http://www.nancyhaddock.com/.