fantasy

NEW FANTASY RELEASE – Blood Shackles Paperback Is Out Now!

Blank bookcover with clipping path — Buy Here

Fantasy Rebel announces the release of Blood Shackles in paperback. It’s stunning; the d me-and-blood-shackles-3 esign of the cover is gorgeous.

As a slave journal, there’s something very immediate, real and thrilling about reading Light’s words in a book. Holding it right there in your hand. It’s a rush. When you try it? You’ll experience an escape into his world…

And there’s nothing like fully…totally…escaping into another world.

It’s a dangerous game to love your slave…

When your whole species is enslaved – and it’s the humans who are acting like the monsters – how far would you go to free your family?

“I truly loved this book: the characters, the plot, the pace… Once you start reading it, you just
cannot put it down. A first class performance from a writer at the very top of her game.” – SLH Reviews

What happens when SPARTACUS meets VAMPIRES? Except the vampires are the slaves… In a divided paranormal London, Light is the rebel vampire of the Blood Lifer world. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows. But not now. When he’s bought by his alluring Mistress, Light fights to escape. Even if he can’t escape their love. But if he doesn’t, he’ll never solve the conspiracy behind the Blood Club…

WELCOME TO THE BLOOD CLUB

Who are these ruthless humans? Who’s their brutal leader? And who betrayed the secret of the Blood Lifer world?

WHERE THE PREDATORS

London, Primrose Hill. Grayse is the commanding slaver’s daughter. She buys Light, like he’s a pair of designer shoes. So why does Light feel so drawn to her? Especially when his family is still in chains. Will he risk everything – even his new love – to save them?

BECOME THE PREY

Does a chilling conspiracy lie behind it all? A stunning revelation leads Light to an inconceivable truth. To the dark heart of the Blood Club. If he can face his worst terrors, he can save his family and his whole species from slavery.

Maybe he can even save himself.

At last Blood Life is here again…

Click here to buy Blood Shackles today. Or ask for it at your local bookstore.

The e-book is available to pre-order. The e-book is released on 1st November.

Watch out for exciting tour events from 31st October – 25th November.

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October 21, 2016 0

BLOG TOUR ANNOUNCED – interviews, guest posts, giveaways and more…

Rosmary A Johns Urban Portraits

To celebrate the release of Blood Shackles (Rebel Vampires Volume 2), I’ll be on an exciting blog tour throughout November.

free-halloween-card-1473162490n83-anna-black — Photo by Anna Black: Halloween Card

Starting on Halloween (come on, when else?), there’ll be reviews, interviews, guest posts – and giveaways. Because I’m all about sharing the love. Click here to keep up to date with events.

I’ll tweet the tour @RosemaryAJohns. Join in with #BloodShackles

Comment, share and be part of the release. I’ll be lurking in the shadows of each event, so ask whatever you like. I dare you. Wait, can I take that back..?

teaser-bs-cover-3d To doubly celebrate the release…both Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles are on sale at 0.99 for the entire month of November: in America, the UK (British here), Canada and Australia. A reward for my loyalist readers. So if you’re from those countries? Spread the word.

To help we’ve prepared a Readers’ Media Kit: see it here

Don’t get tricked, pick up a treat this Halloween

Vampires don’t cry…

Or you can pre-order Blood Shackles today for 0.99: click here

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October 16, 2016 0

3 OF THE MOST UNIQUE FANTASY BOOKS – EVER

I love fantasy, which is different. Challenging. Unique.

Fantasy that thrills and draws me in. That doesn’t make me shrug my shoulders in the gesture of I’ve read it all before. Or I’ve forgotten it even as I’m reading it.

Blood Shackles is written as The Slave Journal of Light.

‘A5 textured Italian calf leather, framed by smooth burgundy; it’s so deep red I could suck the blood from it.’

journal-and-pen — Photo by Flickr User Joel Montes De Oca: Journal Entry

A journal is immediate, direct and gripping. It forces the reader into a relationship with the writer. And allows the author to play with the unreliable narrator, just as Light plays with the actual reader of the journal – his Mistress.

‘So, dear Reader (because I know you’re reading this, there’s no use pretending otherwise), did you reckon giving me this poncey journal – all softness and stink of leather – would make me spill my Soul? You already have my body, bought and paid
for. You think you have my mind. My thoughts, however..? They’re my own. Write in it every day, you’d ordered, with that little smile. What do you think this is: Bridget Jones’s Diary?’

Here are 3 fantasy books, which pull the same trick. Exciting. Explosive. And different.

I’m all about the different.

3 of the Most Unique Fantasy Books – Ever:

Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Actually written by the British author Adrian Czajkowski but he had his name changed. And the world he creates? Brilliant. Inventive. And just a little crazy… In his universe, different ‘kinden’ are divided by the insects they’ve been crossbred with. As well as whether they’re tech or magic. Yet there’s no magic good, tech bad. It’s a complex seething mix of war and emotions – in a ten book series.

Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine

A haunting and beautiful steampunk tale about a circus, war and magic. But the true magic? The narrative inventiveness. Shifts in point of view, style and even tenses. This may be a love or hate book. But it’s unique. And I love that.

terry-pratchett — Photo by Flickr User David Skinner: Terry Pratchett Tribute Graffiti

Discworld by Terry Pratchett

Was there ever any doubt? 41 books of sheer explode your head with imaginative joy. Just think: here the world balances as a flat disc on the back of four elephants, which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle. Almost nothing is safe from the satire: myth, fairy tales, even vampires…

What’s the most unique fantasy book you’ve ever read?

Blood Shackles is available to pre-order. Click here today. It’s released on 1^st November.

October 9, 2016 0

BLOOD SHACKLES LAUNCHES ON 1ST NOVEMBER – new book in fantasy series announced

*****BLOOD SHACKLES*****

It’s a dangerous game to love your slave…

When your whole species is enslaved – and it’s the humans who are acting like the monsters – how far would you go to free your family?

Fantasy Rebel Limited announces the launch on 1^st November of Blood Shackles (Rebel Vampires Volume 2). Take a deep breath and dive into the spellbinding secret world of Blood Life.

In a paranormal London, Light is the rebel vampire of the Blood Lifer world. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows. But not now. When he’s bought by his alluring Mistress, Light fights to escape. Even if he can’t escape their love. If he doesn’t? He’ll never solve the conspiracy behind the Blood Club.

What happens when SPARTACUS meets VAMPIRES? Except the vampires are the slaves…

To pre-order Blood Shackles for only 0.99 click here

me-and-blood-shackles-3

October 4, 2016 2

WHY DO WE LOVE VAMPIRES..? I Love Vampire Competition Winner Announced!

At last…it’s time for the glory, the tears and the…I Love Vampires Competition Winner to be announced!

Why do I love vampires? What? You didn’t ask? Writer rules, so here’s why: they’re deep in our culture. Our heritage. Our psyches. They transform and become what we need. What we love, hate and fear. Zombies and werewolves? They do the same.

vampire-smiley — Photo by Flickr User Phil Wolff: Vampire Smiley

But vampires do it with style.

Rebel here…so no straightjacketing questions. Just ‘I love vampires…’ and if that was true? You could finish it any way you wanted.

And boy did you.

Honorary Mentions go to…

Leah Hess: ‘I love vampires because they’re beautiful and dark. They’re stronger, faster, wise. I have always loved them. When I was little and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d reply a vampire!’

Genius…

Amanda Johnson-Lyndsey: ‘Sexy, fangs, dark, blood, sex, lust, desire, ummm, everything!’

About sums it up…

Terri Hebert: ‘They are sexy, dark, exciting and very passionate. They excel in seduction and are loyal to their mate!!’

Light may be rusty with the seduction but he’s all for loyalty. And passion.

vampire-heart — Photo by RosalieKay: Vampire Heart XD

Tashia Jennings: ‘Vampires are seductive, mysterious and can live forever.’

Isn’t the attraction to vampires the sense they’ve conquered death – and the fear of our own?

Patti Griner: ‘What’s not to like about seductive, hot men who are great in bed?’

Enough said.

Sotia Lazu: ‘I adore vampires. Don’t care that some publishers consider them a fad. They’re my favourite supernatural!’

Just give us the names and we’ll set the Blood Lifers on them…

MCD Baxter: ‘I love vampires, always did, always will. So much so, that as they were portrayed as monsters and hating themselves, I began writing (back in 95) a story where the violence would be to a minimum — it would not have the same Human-Vampire interactions — they would love themselves for what they are; Romance figures prominently.’

I always like vampires with a twist…

Amy Bernal: ‘I have loved vampires since I was 7 years old. I always thought they were real and wanted to join them. Growing up they fascinated me. The darkness, the mystery and of course the immortality. I am partially disabled and still deep within me, if they were real I would totally ask or beg to be one.’

Would you become a vampire – if it was offered to you?

Now to the winner…

fire-works — Photo by InverseHypercube: Celebration of Light Brazil 2012

Why were they chosen?

Three reasons: knowledge of the genre, humour and a genuine love, which shines through every word. See for yourself below. And the name of the vampire loving Queen?

Cherri-Anne Boitson

CONGRATULATIONS!

LOVE Bracelet 1 To you the glory – and the handcrafted LOVE bracelet: this will be winging bat-like to you with a note from me soon.

And here’s Cherri-Anne’s glorious entry:

‘I love vampires because they are VAMPIRETACULAR!! VAMPIRELICIOUS!! And they are ABSO-BLOODY-LUTELY the most magical, the most intriguing, the most drool-worthy paranormal out there!

They get my blood pumping every time! It doesn’t matter if they are good, bad, everything in between or the perfect mix of both!

I have loved Vampires since before they sparkled, wrote in their diary, and were even popular! In fact, when I first discovered Vampires, I was barely into double digits and they definitely were not a romance subject! There wasn’t even a “paranormal genre” per se at that time! (And no, my books were paper, not stone. I am not THAT old! LOL wink)

In fact, my Vampire Mate is THE KING and I, his Queen, of ALL Immortals! (Wink but sssshhh! I am not supposed to brag about it. Something about bragging being not very “Royal”, whatever that means! *eye roll*)

Congratulations to the winner, honorary mentions and everyone who took part. I love vampires – and I love my readers. So my contests are a perfect mix.

And if Cherri-Anne is a real Vampire Queen and her mate the King… always best to keep on her good side…

If you love vampires watch out for Blood Dragons: click here

The second book in the Rebel Vampire series – Blood Shackles – is available to to pre-order here.

For all the vampire lovers, Blood Shackles launches on 1^st November.

October 2, 2016 2

20 BLINDING ENGLISH SLANG WORDS AND PHRASES YOU NEED TO KNOW

london — Photo by Flickr User Anna & Michal: London

Light is a British vampire – not in doubt from the very first line of Blood Dragons: ‘You know those vampire myths? Holy water, entry by invitation only and sodding crucifixes? Bollocks to them.’

I wanted a fantasy novel with a British vampire front and centre. Neither the love interest. Nor the sidekick. But the antihero at its beating heart.

A Londoner born in the Victorian age, Light takes on the persona of a 1960s Rocker. He loves only two things: his Triton motorbike – ‘a sodding scarlet slash of beauty…and my bloody god’ and his Ace of Spades leather jacket. Unless you include Ruby: ‘my red-haired devil, Author, muse, liberator…my gorgeous nightmare.’ Or Kathy… And then there’s Grayse…

But being boldly British – a mix of Victorian and 1960s – Light has a way of speaking, which is all his own.

So here’s 20 Blinding English Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know

Barney = a fight

Bawling = crying

Belt = hit

Blinding = brilliant/really good

big-ben — Photo by Flickr User OliBac: London

Done in = killed

Duff up = beat up

To have a gander = to have a look at

Leg it = run away

Manky = Unpleasant

Mug/Mush = Face

To be/get narked = to be get/annoyed

Neb = mouth

Nitwit = Fool/foolish

Nosh = food/eat enthusiastically

Nut = head

Peepers = eyes

Ran-tan = drunk

Starkers = naked

Wanker/pillock/berk = idiot

Snuff it = die

September 18, 2016 0

FIVE OF THE BEST FANTASY BOOKS – By British Authors

London night — Photo by Flickr User Pug Girl: London

I love FANTASY books. They’re imaginative. Unique. Challenging. There are nearly 60 subgenres – and each subgenre is different. Alternate history fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy… I’ll write about genre soon. What do you think?

I LOVE modern British fantasy. I’ve picked five of the best. Who would you have chosen?

NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman

Photo by Flickr User _dChris: London Underground

American Gods is genius. But Neverwhere was the TV series, which turned me on to urban fantasy in a big way. It’s now also a book. Richard is the everyman character, who falls through the cracks into London Below. A world literally beneath London. It’s magical, unpredictable and terrifying.

JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL by Susanna Clarke

A strange, challenging and original book. It reimagines the entire history of England. It’s set in the nineteenth century in a world where magic once existed and is now being brought back by two magicians. It questions ‘Englishness’ and the line between ‘reason’ and ‘unreason’. It won a bunch of awards.

burned — Urban Fantasy – Burned by Benedict Jacka

FATED by Benedict Jacka

A dark mage with the ability to see into the future – that’s it. Alex Verus’ whole powers. Apart from his dry – very English – sense of humour. It’s marketed as being an English Dresden Files – and it is. What’s not to enjoy?

RIVERS OF LONDON by Ben Aaronovitch
Photo by Flickr User Nicolas Raymond: Starry London Night

Here’s a mythologised London: its past and its legends. Peter Grant – a detective – learns about magic, whilst investigating a murder. He becomes an apprentice wizard. This is a police procedural within an urban fantasy.

THE INVISIBLE LIBRARY by Genevieve Cogman

There should be no division between women and men writing in the fantasy scene. But in the last few years there’s been a large number of powerful books written by women within fantasy in Britain. The Invisible Library won, however, because it celebrates London. It bursts with ideas. Irene – the librarian – has to retrieve (i.e. steal) precious books from across perilous parallel universes…with vampires and werewolves…luckily Irene has her wit and intelligence to survive.

What would you have chosen?

My British fantasy novel, Blood Dragons, is also set in London. But this time it’s a divided world: between the First and Blood Lifers. Where the predators are also the prey.

Rebel Vampires Volume 1: Blood Dragons is released on the 14^th August.