Welcome!

What an amazing time I’ve had recently! In October I decided to fang the bullet and splurge on joining Jacquelyn Frank at her Authors After Dark conference in New York.  What a buzz!

The weekend was small gathering of about 60 people and 15 of these were authors! This meant that all of us were able to get to know one another, talk about the different styles and motivations of authors, learn more about the industry and have lots of fun – be it at the pyjama party that kicked the weekend off through to the masquerade dinner, loads of raffles and giveaways, seminars, book signings or just sitting around talking.  Okay I’ve been told that one of the rules of travelling is NOT to complain about getting tired to those who were back at home working .... but, yep I was pretty tired out by the end of it ....

But, oh the irony of life! I’d been drawn to this event because I very much like Jackie Frank’s style of writing and the characters and plots she gives us.  I can still remember reading Jacob and being blown away by what a good book it was and just knowing that this was an introduction to a great new author.  So there I was at her author event, keen to have a chat at the book signing, when unfortunately she slipped and fell – and spent the rest of the conference in the local hospital!  First – she’s fine thankfully.  A bad fall but no lasting injury (apart from probably the gnashing of her teeth down to stubs at having to miss half of the event she was so enjoying). And, hand on heart, I DID feel bad for her, but also had a rueful awareness of the irony of my trip!
But (wait for it, this is the OMG bit) after the conference had ended and most people had gone home, I met up with a friend of Jackie’s and we had a great D&M (deep and meaningful) chat and laugh as we solved the world’s troubles.  Next I knew she had told Jackie about me – and she gave me an Uncorrected Proof of the next Jacqueline Frank novel – due out early 2010!   *gleeful scream* Hunting Julian is the start of a new series and I can tell you – it’s fabulous! As it’s been signed by Jackie to me as well – whew!

So, Jackie, mega thanks for the book!!! I’ll be sending a review to the editor and I’ll check when I’m allowed to say more about the book on Fangtastic!
From the conference I now have about six follow up interviews arranged and will soon be able to get these on the website so that you can learn more about these talented and very fun people and the worlds that they create!
But the alignment of the planets wasn’t done with me yet!  A week later I was having lunch in a diner in New York reading a Dierdre Knight (love her books!!) when a women at a table diagonal to me very politely asked if I’d come across another author, L.A. Banks!  To which I was able to say, yes had read the Damali books and really enjoyed them and how interesting they were as UF books but also how the cultural referencing (street gangs, rap, etc) was a challenge for Australian readers that added a real dimension to these books.  Anyway we had a great time, and a woman at yet another table obviously thought so because she then joined in! 

Another week passes by and I’m back here at home ... and I get an email from L.A. Banks saying that she’s heard about our conversation and would love to help our bookshop with an interview!  Yep! Amazing isn’t it!
But wait there’s more and more and more!

On the flight home I was chatting to the woman beside me and we were having a great time. I told her about Fangtastic Fiction and she said to keep at it because success always came with having a vision and going for it. THEN she said that she was one of the three founders of Amazon back in 1992!  Isn’t that incredible?

And at the end of last week I get an email from Tracey O’Hara and Australian author with her first book, Night’s Cold Kiss – and she’s going to do an interview for us as well!

And lastly, I’ve stocked up of lots of prizes for competitions we’ll be running – so keep watch for these.

So hang on, fangsters, there’s a pile of fun coming!

Authors After Dark Conference

Some amazing authors were at the conference, a mix of well known as well as those in the rush of excitement of having their first book published.

Jacquelyn Frank – Nightwalker and Shadowdweller series, with the first of The Gatherers in 2010.

Sunny – writes the brilliant Moniere series

Jennifer Armintrout  (Jen being my new BFF) – Blood Ties series and her new Lightworld/Darkworld series

Rosemary Laurey – writes of vampires and magic in England, also quirky vampires under the name of Georgia Evans and erotica as Madeline Oh

Judi Fennell – fun and fabulous mermen and their maidens

Joey W Hill – hot hot hot Vampire Queen series plus  erotica romance

Cathy Clamp and Cat Armstrong/CT Adams – the Sazi series – ex mafia psychic assassin werewolf, etc!

Stella and Audra Price – the sexy & dangerous Eververse, Keepers, Elementals, Duvall Inc & Satyrs 

This is just a taste of who was there ..... check out the whole crew at  http://authorsafterdark.blogspot.com/ for more information!

And will I be going back next year...? Well let's be frank that it cost a mint, but you know what?

Fangtastic Fiction is about doing what you love so, yeah, I'm tempted, really really tempted!

Rosie@FANG

Highlights of Recent Releases - the ones we've read and can highly recommend

Pleasure by Jacquelyn Frank

The Shadowdwellers  have evolved a complex religious, political and social structure that has provided a future for their people that in the past could only have been dreamed of. They have battled through civil war to finally reach a place of relative peace. Except that the factions opposing the new order will do anything to bring the new society down. In books one and two we grew to understand the rigid and hierarchical society of the Shadowdwellers and the dangers from within from those trying to take power.  In Pleasure we have two separate stories: that of the Priest Sagan and witch Velera and of Chancellor Malaya and her guardian Guin that at the end intersect and tie the book together.  By having the two plot lines Jackie Frank has been able to move the story of the Shadowdwellers along, but I admit that I would have loved more detail, particularly for Sagan.  There’s a definite feel that with this book Jackie Frank has set the stage for a fourth book that will raise the stakes for the Shadowdwellers and perhaps tie this story arc back ot the Nightdwellers.  It’ll be interesting to see if this is what happens next.  Gotta love a book that makes you guess what is coming....!
Discipline. Penance. Order. A Sanctuary priest's life revolves around such things. But when Sagan is taken captive and thrust into the Alaskan wilderness, he encounters a woman who challenges his faith and his self-control. Valera is a natural born witch who almost lost herself to the lure of dark magic. By rights, Sagan should shun her, but convention will count for nothing in the face of a passion that could change the world of the Shadowdwellers forever. As Chancellor of the Shadowdwellers, Malaya's first duty is to her people. Her bodyguard, Guin, knows this only too well. For tradition's sake, Malaya must marry, and the thought of this lush, vibrant, woman in a loveless union is impossible for him to bear. Guin loves Malaya-not as a subject loves his queen but as a man craves a woman. And even if he cannot keep her, he'll show her everything she stands to lose.

Red Fire by Deirdre Knight

I love Deirdre Knight’s writing!  She gives us tough characters, nasty fights and oh so hot passionate desires.  In this the first of her Gods of Midnight series we have the seven Spartan warriors charged with protecting humanity forever, except that Ares, the God who transformed them on the banks of the river Styx, is capricious and jealous and can no longer be trusted and is amused to work with the demons against his own warriors. This is a completely captivating book, one that draws you and you hate to put down for any reason.  Yes, this is a romance, but the action and plot is in wonderful balance to the relationship. Furthermore, this is well written with an easy for pose that is a delight to read.  Unfortunately we have to get this book in from the USA so you have to plan on waiting about two weeks before getting it.  Still, bite the bullet, buy the series and you’ll be in for a treat.
Eternity has become a prison for Ajax Petrakos. Centuries after he and his Spartan brothers made their bargain for immortality, Ajax struggles to maintain his warrior's discipline. His only source of strength is his hope that he will soon meet the woman once foretold to him--the other half of his soul, Shay Angel. Ajax searches for his destined mate on the haunted streets of modern-day Savannah, but he isn't the first to find her. Shay, the youngest of a powerful demon-hunting clan, can see the monsters that stalk the steamy Southern nights--an ability that draws the deadly attention of Ajax's worst enemy. As Shay and Ajax race to solve a chilling prophecy--one that could spell Ajax's death if they don't succeed--a fated passion arises, threatening to sweep away everything in its path.

Dark Curse by Christine Feehan

I’ve stuck with the Carpathians for years now, from the early, sometimes overly simplistic, through the more tangential stories and into the latest books that are starting to tie the various strands together.  I’ve often thought that the series was running out of steam, but the characters within each story were always enough to keep me going, even if some of the plots were lacking.  Well no more.  Christine is at the top of her form with Dark Curse.  She’s managed to address some of the mysteries that have always been part of the Carpathians but never explored.  Finally!  Now we get a better look at the mages, what has been happening in the ice caves, why there are so few women and why the babies die, as well as a coming together of the characters from America, South America and the Carpathian mountains. And, whew, we’re getting a debate about the role of women in their society.  Because Christine Feehan is a really good writer, she doesn’t skim over the issues and just have a feminist uprising over the whole ‘protect the female’ issue, instead she allows the different sides to speak and sets up a potential compromise in the future between the needs of a society dying out because of a lack of women (and hence a need to protect the ones they have) and the women needing a greater respect for self-determination.  So what we have in this book is a wonderful balance between romance, mystery, action, danger and quite thoughtful questioning about their society.  Christine Feehan is rightfully applauded for really coming through with a great book!
Born into a world of ice, and slave to her evil father, Lara Calladine knew only paralyzing fear as a child—and escaping with her mysterious gifts unbroken would be the only way to survive her great Carpathian heritage as a Dragonseeker. Human, yet mage, she was of the blood of three species yet belonged to none. She walked her chosen path alone, guided by the wisdom of her aunts—to blend in and let no one know of her ancestry and powers. And never trust anyone. For beyond the frozen hell of her youth was a world of even greater mysteries and dangers. Only one man has the will and the powers to help her: Nicolas De La Cruz, for whom centuries of hunting and killing have long since taken their toll.

Demons not Included by Cheyenne McCray

It’s a little hard for me to get past the tshirt slogans in the book, some are oldies but goodies, but some I hadn’t heard before and found hilarious!  Just had to get that in!  Besides these are the focus of some lighthearted fun in the book, which provides a wonderful counterpoint to the growing tension and danger in the rest of the book.  Cheyenne McCray has achieved a rhythm in her writing, there’s a wonderful ebb and flow  between the adreneline based action scenes and the slower moments when the relationships between the characters can come out to play. This means that you can really get into the book and enjoy the ride, but not be completely exhausted at the end.  I’ve enjoyed all of CCheyenne McCray’s books and this is one of her best!  And remember ‘Come to the Dark Side. We have chocolate”.

Reviews

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs (Alpha and Omega #2)

Patricia Briggs is a terrific writer and never fails to give us intelligent well defined characters, interesting plots and great writing. Her latest, Hunting Ground is no exception. This is the story of Charles and Anna who first met in the short story Alpha and Omega, formed their mate bond in Cry Wolf and are now one month into their relationship and facing the challenges of getting to know each other in the midst of danger and death. In fact a large part of this book focuses on their relationship.

There are so many good things about this book and Patty Briggs’ skills as a storyteller is right up there at the top. She’s an excellent writer and this is a book that keeps it’s pace up with action while also having a very strong heart. ..... read the entire review .....

Covet by J.R. Ward

Can I just say... “wow”.

We’ve got a range of men with Harleys, ‘shit-kickers’ and serious attitudes... who are loyal and witty and will take a bullet for you.  Strong determined women. Great dialogue (if you’ve read any of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series you’ll be familiar with just how witty JR Ward’s characters can be), and a very original storytelling.

Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod

If you’ve enjoyed Kim Harrison or Karen Chance, or even early Laura K Hamilton, then you will thoroughly enjoy this debut novel from Suzanne McLeod. We’re talking Urban Fantasy with a sidhe half-breed ,Vampire factions, witches, fights, spells and many many plot twists. The whole story is deliciously well written, weaving past memories into modern situations, moving characters around, and those really neat plot twists. Oh, and delectable vampires with a lust for our heroine.  ..... read the entire review .....