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.
On the 15th March Light – the British vampire at the heart of the Rebel Vampires series – will be taking over the Ides of March Essentia Event.
This is a Character Event: where authors take it easy and the characters come out to play.
From 12 – 1 p.m. EDT Light will be here. You can ask him whatever you like, chat and banter, listen to his music or play his games…blinding.
In honour of Light’s escape into the real world – here’s Light’s Character Profile:
Light – the British Rocker Blood Lifer – is on a redemptive journey. In Blood Shackles he’s enslaved by a secret human Blood Club. The dark conspiracy behind it, which threatens the world? You’ll have the read the series to find out!
As a slave, Light discovers something he hasn’t experienced for 150 years – love of a family. Blood Shackles is about hope. How love of family – and the drive to save them – can set you free.
A hidden paranormal London lies beneath our own…
Light: A rebel Blood Lifer with a photographic memory. And a Triton motorbike. He’s a British James Dean: rough leather motorcycle jacket, decorated with a worn gold Ace of Spades, collar firmly turned up, over a black t-shirt, jeans and tall motorcycle boots, topped by a light brown pompadour, tamed with Brylcreem. He tried to conforming once: didn’t fit.
When and where elected into Blood Life? Victorian London.
Human name? Thomas Blickle
Bloodline? Plantagenet. Powerful, ancient, Magnificoe. And hunted.
Favourite drinks? Coffee – black, two sugars. Guinness.
Favourite motorbike? Triton. ‘A sodding scarlet slash of beauty. 650cc Triumph twin-cylinder engine in a Norton ‘slimline’ Featherbed frame – and my bloody god.’
Favourite possession? His leather jacket. For the last 150 years, Light has always owned a ‘blinding coat’.
Favourite phrase? ‘Bollocks vampire myth…’
Who is Ruby? A sexy but savage Elizabethan Blood Lifer in crimson silk. ‘Ruby. My red-haired devil, Author, muse, liberator, guide: my gorgeous nightmare.’
Who is Kathy? A seductive singer, with blue eyes and long black curls. But she’s also human. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species. ‘You looked like some little Moon Girl, shimmering in silver. I would’ve blasted into space with you in a bleeding heartbeat. ’
Who is Grayse? Master’s daughter: she chooses Light, as if he’s a puppy in a pet store. Commanding and business-like, Grayse is tall with ‘steely grey peepers’. Can a mistress truly love her slave? And can Light love her, when his family are still in chains? ‘At that moment, none of it meant anything. Slave or Mistress. First Lifer or Blood. It never does when skin meets skin. It was just Light and Grayse.’
Light looks forward to having a chinwag with you on the 15th at the Ides of March…
Until then, enjoy your escape into Blood Life…
Want to dive into Blood Shackles? Click here now.
Want to read Blood Dragons first? Click here today.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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!
Join the fun here! bit.ly/urb-fantasy
When you’re done, tell me which books you’re most excited to win.
Good luck in the contest and click here to start the adventure into Blood Life now.
In the latest review of Blood Dragons by Gothic Mom’s Reviews, the book was compared to: “Interview With The Vampire meets Confessions of a Lost Soul. Yes, Rosemary A. Johns does bring to mind the writing style of the great Anne Rice.”
Anne Rice’s Lestat is one of my favourite anti-heroes. Anne Rice’s greatest skill is to get inside the mind of her characters and then bring us readers in so close, we live their lives alongside them.
As a writer, you ask what works, why and then hope you can create something as spellbinding.
The 2016 FINALISTS have just been announced for the WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS.
Blood Dragons – the first novel in the Rebel Vampires series – has been chosen as a FINALIST FOR ADULT FICTION.
The winners will be announced in April.
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards is a British award, which also has categories for children’s books and non-fiction. A respected award, it’s judged by Reading Groups.
~ Blood Dragons ~ Escape into a supernatural world of love, revenge and redemption.
There are three people in this affair…and two of them aren’t human. In a divided paranormal London, Light is the rebel bad boy vampire of the Blood Lifer world, with a photographic 
memory. And a Triton motorbike. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows with Ruby – a savage Elizabethan – but he’s keeping a secret from her, which breaks every rule.
1960s London. Kathy is a seductive singer. But she’s also human. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species.
When Light discovers his ruthless family’s horrifying experiments, he questions whether he should be slaying or saving the humans he’s always feared. Now he’s trapped in a race against time to save them all. The consequences of failure are unimaginable. Unless Light plays the part of hero, he risks losing everything. Including the two women he loves.
A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.
To read Blood Dragons today click here.
To read and share Questions For Book Clubs click here.
When a fantasy writer sets out to create a series (especially if it’s urban fantasy where the supernatural is slap-bang in the middle of our ordinary world), then they have to create something unique. Gripping. An idea, which arcs across books, even if they’re standalone.
When I was writing Rebel Vampires, I knew the heart would be this: were vampires the hunters, or the hunted?
In Blood Dragons, Light the dark anti-hero of Rebel Vampires, starts as the apex predator:
‘Ruby and I swaggered through the shadowed streets, towards the promenade and Palace Pier – her in crimson silk, me in military Great Coat – two creatures from another world and time, unnoticed by these petty First Lifers because we weren’t painted in the colours of their tribe. We twirled each other round, dancing in the carnage and the flames.’ (Blood Dragons)
Yet Ruby – Light’s Author – teaches him to fear humans, showing him a stuffed gorilla in the Museum of Death, as a warning that they’d be next, if First Lifers ever discovered their existence.
In the second book Blood Shackles, Light has been transformed to prey. Ruby hadn’t been wrong to fear because Light has now been enslaved by the human Blood Club.
‘ ‘You really don’t know anything about us Blood Lifers, do you? How we evolved or–’
‘I know enough.’
Surprised, I drew back. ‘As in, only good Blood Lifer’s a dead Blood Lifer?’
You shot me a sharp look. ‘You wouldn’t be here, if that’s what I thought.’
‘Alright then, as in, only good Blood Lifer’s one in shackles?’
Your mouth tightened into a thin line. ‘And what about humans? Do we come in small, medium or large?’
‘In America you can supersize.’ I grinned, but you didn’t return it: some birds have no sense of humour. Of course, Ruby would’ve clocked me for that comment. ‘Look, that’s not who I am now. I’ve been on blood abstention for fifty years.’
Your voice was so cold it could’ve given frost bite. ‘Good for you.’
‘Not asking for a medal, sweetheart. I just wanted you to know I don’t… Not First Lifers. Not for a long time.’
‘Makes no difference to me.’
‘It does to me. You’ve no idea how much.’
‘OK.’ You turned back to your laptop, opening it with an air of indifference. Then there was that blasted clack clacking.
I listened for a moment in silence. Then I couldn’t hack it any longer. ‘What does?’
‘What?’ You didn’t stop typing or look away from the screen.
‘Make a difference to you?’
You didn’t even pause. ‘The profit margin.’ ‘ (Blood Shackles)
In the third book in the series – Blood Renegades – which is released this June..? You’ll have to wait and see, but maybe it won’t be as simple as First or Blood, hunter or hunted. Maybe working out who’s the predator and who’s the prey? That’ll be part of the game…
To read Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles before the release of Blood Renegades: click here.
Happy Valentines Day!
As Light says: ‘Love’s the greatest motivator of all’ (Blood Dragons).
So to celebrate Valentines (although ‘leave out the hearts and cupid’ of course), Blood Dragons is on sale today. It’s reduced by 67% to 0.99.
Click here to buy Blood Dragons in the Valentines Sale.
“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
To Light? ‘Everything comes down to the heart’ (Blood Dragons). His love is obsessive, amplified by Blood Life. He’s torn between the savage Elizabethan Ruby and the human singer Kathy in Blood Dragons. In Blood Shackles he reluctantly loves his powerful slaver mistress Grayse.
As it’s Valentines I’ve picked three of my favourite other lovers – who would you have chosen?
Three of the Best Fictional Lovers
Have a great Valentines and don’t forget to indulge in some dark romance: click here for the Valentines Sale.
I love autographed books: I have a small collection. As a pure reader/fan? They warm me. They’re also the perfect gift. Even more special when they’re personalized. ‘Dear Rosemary…‘
A special message too? That’s called being inscribed. Those who’ve had books signed by me? 
Know I have several special phrases of my own…
I also love S/L/D books (signed, lined and dated). That’s a line taken from the book, which means something to the author – and reflects the book. It increases the value as well. When requested, I do this with Rebel Vampires.
Autographed books are most valuable when the signature is on the title page.
Here are Five Fascinating Facts about Author Signatures:
documents.For the very first time as a Valentines treat Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles paperbacks can be signed and personalized here or through these simple forms:
To order your signed and personalized copy of Blood Dragons: click here
To order your signed and personalized copy of Blood Shackles: click here
There’s a limited edition of this first run – so grab your signed, lined or inscribed copies today!
What signed books do you already have? Which are your favourite?
When blinding badges are awarded? This one by Underground Book Reviews is near the top… Seriously cute and seriously…serious.
It represents a 5* Highly Recommended and Selected Read. Try saying that fast, five times. 
It’s just been presented to Blood Dragons, which the review describes as “just a brilliant book“.
Their reviews are held up as best standard on how to write reviews. I agree: well-written, exciting and passionate.
I love Light, so it was interesting to read the reviewer’s take on the main character in Rebel Vampires: “The book jumps from the present day to the past, with the tension and drama building at a faster and faster pace. The plot itself is enough to keep you reading, but I also loved Light and the journey he went on. He’s a brilliant and believable character and his language amused me endlessly.”
Click here to read the full review.
Underground Book Reviews’ Recommendation:
“A unique book told from the point of view of a vampire addressing his dying wife, whilst looking back on the drama they’ve left behind. Quirky, amusing, frightening and dark, Rebel Vampires, Volume One offers a brilliant story, with plenty of twists and turns, romance and gore. For anyone who already enjoys vampire or supernatural horror style stories or 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, then I highly recommend this book” – Underground Book Reviews
And a cute badge too? What more could anyone want?
To dive into Blood Dragons today click here.
rosemaryajohns.com 