urban fantasy

THRILLING URBAN FANTASY LIVE – Will You Let In The Light..?

Fantasy Rebel announces that the long anticipated Blood Renegades in the award winning series Rebel Vampires is LIVE for pre-order at the special price of 0.99!

Order it today here.

To support the Headtalker campaign via Facebook and Twitter and help spread the word (as well as discover more about the series), click here now.

We have only SIX days to meet the target – so thank you for your support.

This reminds me of Light’s plight in Blood Renegades: Light – rebel, lover, anti-hero – will be burnt at the stake in 14 days.

The book is divided into 14 nights. Each night builds ever closer to the flames…

Click here now to share and support the thrilling new pre-order Blood Renegades.

Will you let in the Light..?

April 6, 2017 0

ANNOUNCING WINNERS OF BOOK AWARD – Blood Dragons by Rosemary A Johns

Today the winners of the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2016 were announced. Blood Dragons was on the list of Finalists.

Blood Dragons Rebel Vampires Rosemary A Johns Vampire Book It was a blinding surprise to discover Blood Dragons had won the Silver Award.

To celebrate I wanted to explain why it’s such an important novel to me.

The spark of inspiration for the entire series came from my son who is an autistic savant: everything he sees he remembers.

Light – the lead character – is a savant. I wondered what it would be like for a vampire to live over the centuries and to remember all the wonders and horrors with the clarity of a photograph. Would it be a blessing – or a curse..?

The theme of memory is at its core: identity. As well as what it means to be an individual: the book is for everyone who has ever felt different or alone.

And that? Is everyone on the planet…

Blood Dragons is set in a divided, paranormal London. My dad’s a Londoner, and I wanted my first series to show the ‘dark and glory‘ of London.

I love complex anti-heroes, struggling on thrilling redemptive journeys: cue Light. British male vampires played the role of villain, love interest or sidekick; my British vampire would be the anti-hero telling his own story, in his own words.

Dark, intelligent and subversive. These are the books I love to read and the series I set out to write.

Blood Dragons is close to my heart for so many reasons: it’s an intensely personal novel.

Why is it important to you?

Rosemary A Johns Author Blood Dragons Vampire Novel

April 2, 2017 2

FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION – Panels from Tolkien to Dr Who

One of my secret passions – did I say passions…all right you’ve twisted my arm – obsessions – is watching convention panels on YouTube. Only when I have time and until I work out the serious flaws in my ‘Clone the Author’ experiments, I have almost none of that.

Rosemary A Johns Fantasy Author

I love to hear discussions about my favourite shows, books and writers. Hear sneak peeks behind the scenes and authors’ plans ahead of time.

This last week I was invited to take part in a series of fantasy and science fiction panels. They’re part of a Cyber Convention and Book Expo, which opens to readers 7 – 9th April: a virtual book San Diego Comic Con.

So what did we discuss?

One panel was dedicated to how far fantasy has come from Tolkien to the modern day.

Another examined magical systems, including our own: what were the rules, limitations and dangers in our fantasy worlds and why did it matter?

Being the only honorary Brit on the panels, Britain and the BBC’s fantasy was in my corner: Dr Who. Enough said.

Not to miss the science fiction panels on Star Wars, Star Trek and how writing has evolved to match audiences.

If you could take one question to a fantasy panel – what would it be?

I’ll try and sneak it in to my next panel…

***Bestselling Rebel Vampires***

Dive into the spellbinding series…and discover a new world.

“One of the most unique and ingenious vampire books I have ever read …reminded me very much of Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles” – Leather and Lace Reviews.

~Blood Dragons: click here

~Blood Shackles: click here

March 29, 2017 0

THRILLING URBAN FANTASY REVEAL – The Fire Is Coming…

Fantasy Rebel announces the stunning cover reveal for Blood Renegades on April 22nd…

To support the Headtalker campaign for the reveal and spread the word (which thanks to you blinding rebel readers is already trending), click here now.

The cover for Blood Renegades is by the same designer – JD Smith – as the first two books in the Rebel Vampires series. It’s the culmination of different ideas, images and plots. It’s…epic. I’m excited to reveal the cover to you on the 22nd April here on my blog!

The full blurb with also be revealed… Exclusively, here’s the first line:

Light – rebel, lover, anti-hero – will be burnt at the stake in fourteen days…

Click here now to share and support Blood Renegade’s thrilling cover reveal and welcome to the Rebel Age…

March 26, 2017 0

SUPERNATURAL PROMO – Fantasy and Paranormal Books on Sale

A serious Supernatural Promo runs until tomorrow evening: fantasy, paranormal and supernatural thrillers. Now there’s a combo I’m down with.

Blood Shackles has been chosen to feature: it’s still on Sale at 0.99 for one final day. The sale and promo ends after the 17th.

Click here to buy before the end of the sale.

Discover that next addictive read and favourite new character to fall in love with. Have a nose around the books alongside Blood Shackles; I’ve already nabbed a couple. I’m cozied ready to read one this evening…

Because tomorrow? I start the first scene of my NEW series… And once I do that? I can’t read anything by other authors.

It’s a rule. Like ‘don’t walk on the grass’. Except rebel as I am, I can’t break this one: when I write first drafts, I don’t read because this keeps me in the voice of the character.

So I better start reading tonight…

Enjoy the Supernatural Promo here.

Magical book - rebel vampires - rosemary a johns

March 16, 2017 0

FANTASY INTERVIEW – New Magazine Launches on 17th

To celebrate the launch of the literary Scaffolding Magazine this Friday, I was interviewed by Ellie Maloney.

We chinwagged about vampires, a divided paranormal London, gender, writing, fantasy and science fiction…

I love the clips from vampires movies and TV shows, interspersed between the other visuals – blinding.

*****Rebel Vampires*****

Dive into the spellbinding series…and discover a new world.

Click here today.

March 15, 2017 0

REBEL VAMPIRES SPRING SALE – Blood Shackles Only 0.99!

Blood Shackles Spring Sale starts today! ~ ‘Loved it!’ 5*– Amazon Reviewer

Exclusive Time-Limited Offer: 13^th – 17^th March Blood Shackles is 0.99 in most countries.

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?

5* “When Light is captured, he refuses to lose himself. Being sold to Grayse is the ticket he needs out of his cell, even though her father owns the company that enslaves him… Tragic, triumphant, addictive. Johns succeeded in creating a world, characters, and a story that pulled me in until I had to finish reading it… This is a novel everyone should read” – Readers’ Favorite

In a divided paranormal London, Light is the bad boy vampire of the Blood Lifer world. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows. But not now. When he’s bought by his Mistress, Light fights to escape. If he doesn’t, he’ll never solve the conspiracy behind the Blood Club.

5* “Light is his usual charming, funny, wry, ballsy self… A story about the triumph of hope and love over evil.” – Margarita Morris, The Good Writer

WELCOME TO THE BLOOD CLUB

Who are these ruthless humans? And who betrayed the secret of the Blood Lifer world?

WHERE THE PREDATORS

London, Primrose Hill. Grayse is the 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

A stunning revelation leads Light to an inconceivable truth. If he can face his worst terrors, he can save his family and his whole species from slavery.

Maybe he can even save himself.

5* “…you can’t put the book down…” – Rockchick Addiction Reviews

Click here to buy Blood Shackles today.

Want to read the first standalone book in the series Blood Dragons?

AWARDED FINALIST in the National Wishing Shelf Book Awards.

5* Highly Recommended “Quirky, amusing, frightening and dark… For anyone who is just looking for something a bit different, a bit edgy, something that will amuse you, frighten you and take you on one hell of a journey into love, death, humanity, and monsters” – Underground Book Reviews

One rebel vampire’s dangerous hidden love could bring about the end of the world – unless he can play the role of hero.

“In a precarious world where vampires are both predator and prey, Blood Dragons deftly blends elements of paranormal thriller and passionate romance… A character-driven, sizzling-hot saga” – Midwest Book Review

Click here to start the adventure today.

March 13, 2017 0

NEW FANTASY PODCAST – Interview on Vampires, Division and Being British

On the 17th March the phenomenal Scaffolding Magazine are releasing an hour long in depth podcast interview.

It covers everything from my love of vampires, music and writing, to the real heart of Rebel Vampires: gender, division and freedom.

This is their visually stunning teaser, and your chance to discover what I sound like…

To start the Blood Life adventure today click here.

March 11, 2017 0

WHAT’S URBAN FANTASY? – And the Chance to Win 45 Books

pixaby-fantasy-city

Straight to the question I get asked more than any other: what’s urban fantasy?

The twin question clinging to that one? What’s the difference between urban fantasy and paranormal romance?

Short answer: not much. See, I can be succinct when I want to.

Long answer: in urban fantasy, although love often drives the main character, their journey is the focus. Redemption or revenge. Not simply the romance between two characters.

It’s been said, however, that paranormal romance and urban fantasy share 95% of the same DNA.

rebel-vampires-black-letters Fantasy book Rebel Vampires Rosemary A Johns Being ‘urban’, in urban fantasy the city becomes central. It can be set in any time period. In Rebel Vampires London and its dark and glory, is as much a character as the vampires themselves: St Paul’s, London Bridge or Primrose Hill.

If you study the Rebel Vampires front covers, you’ll see a different London skyline and bridge: these are central in each book.

blood-dragons-cover-medium-web Fantasy Book Blood Dragons Rebel Vampires series Rosemary A Johns

I love urban fantasy because unlike some other types of fantasy, the supernatural is either hidden beneath our world or is right there alongside: the magical among the everyday. Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere first turned me on to this style of fantasy, when I watched the original BBC TV version: it opened my eyes to a new style of fantasy.

blood-shackles-cover-medium-web Blood Shackles Fantasy Book Rebel Vampires series Rosemary A Johns This is one of my favourite scenes in Blood Shackles, because it contrasts the powerful supernatural with the reality of our lives.

‘I realised I hadn’t heard the click of the front door, when I glanced up, and you were standing there. You were leaning against the wall, with a thoughtful expression, as you watched me on my knees, dusting cloth in one hand, glass vase in the other and tears in my peepers, whilst I sang along to Amy Winehouse. I must’ve looked like a right berk.’ (Blood Shackles)

feb-17-general-urbanfantasy-1200graphic I’m taking part in a big urban fantasy giveaway this week. You can win books from authors like John Hartness and Michael G Munz, and a Kindle Fire. This giveaway ends soon, so make sure you hurry and enter!