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NEW BOOK GROUP – Hot Paranormal Reads

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What does a writer love as much as writing?

blood-shackles-being-readReading.

Writers, book groups, and if you’re me..? Discovering gripping new books, as well as spellbinding old favourites.

This week I started a new Facebook book group: Hot Paranormal Reads.

Vampires, werewolves, shifters, angels, fae…paranormal mystery, thriller and romance, as well as fantasy and science fiction. If it’s a great book? It’s got a place here.

And who wouldn’t want to sink their teeth into these compelling books?

blood-renegadesThe third book in my paranormal series Rebel Vampires – Blood Renegades – is released in June.

Readers, bloggers, authors and readers of hot paranormal reads – click here to join.

Who’s your favourite paranormal writer?

To read about Three of the Best Slavery Fantasy Books click here.

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THREE OF THE BEST SLAVERY FANTASY BOOKS

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Fantasy has long tackled tough subjects, whether set in this world or entirely new ones.

blood-shackles-being-readIn Blood Shackles Light is enslaved by the human Blood Club: click here for the personal story behind the book.

It’s a dangerous game to love your slave…

The issue of freedom: mental, physical, sexual, in society, families and between partners? That’s what allows slavery in fantasy to hold the mirror up to our own world.

As Light says ‘freedom means so little, until you lose it.’

Here are Three of the Best Slavery Fantasy Books:

  1. Fevre Dream: George R. R. Martin. Set in the pre-Civil War South, there’s very real slavery. The clever thing? It’s mirrored in the vampire relationships.  A book about friendship, trust and yeah…steamboats.mechanical
  2. The Mechanical: Ian Tregillis. An alternate universe where the Dutch Empire rules with
    clockwork men…who would be free. A thrilling and original take on free will.
  3. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: N. K. Jemisin. Here all slaves are royal. More? The gods are enslaved to the royals and used as weapons…and they’re narked.

The blinding thing? Each book deals with the same ideas but in totally different  – gripping – ways.

In Blood Shackles it’s vampires who have become prey to predatory humans:

blood-shackles-cover-medium-web5* “When Light is captured, he refuses to lose himself, despite how his captors try to break his spirit and force him into submission. Being sold to Grayse is the ticket he needs out of his cell, even though her father owns the company that enslaves him… Blood Shackles is brutally honest, tragic, triumphant, addictive, and somehow hopeful… 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, along with Blood Dragons” – Readers’ Favorite

The Rebel Vampires Collection has just released an exclusive new item: Light’s S.L.A.V.E. Ring and Keychain. 

lights-ring-2Naked and defanged, Light wears only one thing throughout Blood Shackles: his S.L.A.V.E. ring. But Light? He won’t be owned. He’ll battle to the end for his family, species and love. The ring? Becomes a symbol of everything he’s both fighting for and against: ‘Unexpectedly your fingers were tracing over my ring – S.L.A.V.E. – as if discovering something dark beneath bright waters…’ (Blood Shackles)

Click here to buy Light’s ring today.

To dive into the dark world of the Blood Club? Click here and prepare yourself for Blood Life…

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READERS’ FAVORITE REVIEW 5* – “A Novel Everyone Should Read”

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blood-shackles-print-and-iphoneBlood Shackles was a difficult book to write: personal, challenging and unflinching. Passionate about slavery and human trafficking, I knew this would be an important book. As a writer of the paranormal, I asked: what would happen if humans enslaved Blood Lifers?

Blood Shackles was reviewed this week: Readers’ Favorite awarded 5*

“When Light is captured, he refuses to lose himself, despite how his captors try to break his spirit and force him into submission. Being sold to Grayse is the ticket he needs out of his cell, even though her father owns the company that enslaves him… Blood Shackles is brutally honest, tragic, triumphant, addictive and somehow hopeful… 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, along with Blood Dragons” – Readers’ Favorite

blood-shackles-cover-medium-webThat brutal honesty? Light calls it ‘the truth flayed bloody‘. Same thing for a writer: your Soul wide open. Takes courage that…but I was never one to play it safe.

Blood Shackles is written as the Slave Journal of Light: it’s direct and immediate for the reader. A diary? Means you live each day in Light’s mind. You become the slave as well…if he’s ever truly one.

The journal is meant to control Light’s thoughts – no secret can be hidden – but Light is anything but a reliable narrator. His fangs might’ve been taken but he still has his words. And to Light? They’re a weapon.

blood-shackles-being-read‘So, dear Reader (because I know you’re reading this), 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?’ (Blood Shackles)

To dive into the world of the Blood Club click here.

To read and share the full Readers’ Favorite review click here.

The reviewer says, “I was so engrossed in Light’s story that I didn’t notice my Kindle was dying until it died.”

And that? Is why a writer flays their Soul.

Rosmary A Johns Urban Portraits

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NEW LOOK WEBSITE – What’s In a Quote?

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Along with the redesign of the website last week came my choice of favourite quote.

A quote has to stand alone, be memorable, make you feel something and at the same time take you back to what the book stands for.

It can be funny, powerful or true in a way that kicks you in the gut. They’re best if they make you want to know more. About the world it comes from. The narrator who spoke it. The writer who thought it.

youtube-bannerRebel here, yeah? Is one of my favourite quotes because in one of Light’s typical phrases it sums up the Rebel Vampires series. It allows me to imagine him in leather jacket, with London accent and British sense of ballsy humour.  Because it’s not thrown out in the midst of one of his MMA fights or end of the world battles:

‘So, I guess you did read my journal then? I noticed it’d been straightened on the crochet table. It’s not like I leave anything straight, is it? Because rebel here, yeah?

I knew you’d read my pissed off ramblings, when you tossed the black jeans and t-shirt at me, before slamming down a cup of blood and banging out. Not a single glance at me. Not one word.

blood-shackles-print-and-iphoneOK, wanker here, and you’re a… I don’t know yet. That’s what brings me out in a cold sweat – the uncertainty, which haunts all slaves – because nothing is under their control, least of all what their new owner will be like.’ (Blood Shackles)

What’s your favouite quote and why does it work?

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FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION EVENT – Rebel Here, Yeah?

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This weekend Blood Dragons – the first in the bestselling Rebel Vampires series – is featuring in one serious Science Fiction and Fantasy Event. All books – almost globally – only 0.99. Over 100 bestselling authors and new releases – so click here and take your pick.

The most blinding thing of all this week? My website has been revamped (see what I did there?). Have a prowl around, see what’s new: click here.

2017 is an exciting year for Fantasy Rebel: new releases planned and a whole lot more. Visit my events page, contests and here on my blog to make sure you don’t miss out! As always I natter on Facebook and Twitter too.

I’ll post with sneak peeks behind the upcoming Rebel Vampires Collection.

And here’s your first taste: the new banner for my website. Because ‘you can’t flay a rebel’s Soul.’ (Blood Shackles)

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WHAT ARE THE BEST VAMPIRES…EVER?

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Christmas is coming…and who wouldn’t want a vampire under the mistletoe..?

Wait, you wouldn’t?Oh, the bitey thing? Light’s redeemed – off the crimson – so imagine him…Yeah, that’s better.

Assuming the eternal lovers of night aren’t getting snack happy on your neck, which vampire would you like to cozy up to this Christmas? OK then – what vampire series do you want to escape into?

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teaser-1964-tritonI ran a Christmas contest to discover your favourite vampire…and it turned out Light in Rebel Vampires was high up on your list to appear tied up pretty in a bow under the Christmas tree.

Here are the other vampires who rock your world:

Amanda Morgan: ‘Tage in the Frenzy series.’

Nicole Nixon: ‘LOVE Theo (David) and Kate (Selene) from the Underworld series. I love the dark brooding semi snark nature.’

guilty-pleasuresAnd the winner? Mary Brannian

‘Jean-Claude. Tall, dark, handsome, and he seems the perfect blend of man and “monster”.’

Man v Monster – that battle of the demon v humanity. Light struggles with it in Rebel Vampires. It’s at the heart of a vampire anti-hero.

Stephanie L Herman: ‘Light is my favorite… He’s strong, compassionate and sexy. What’s not to love? He fights for those he loves.’

Who’s your favourite vampire?

Blood Shackles is at the Christmas Book Fair 23rd-26th December. All books $2.99 or less. Browse and find your Christmas read.

Happy Christmas reading!

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BLOODY BIG GIVEAWAY ADVENT BLOWOUT – fantasy, science fiction, horror and thrillers

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Books. My favourite Christmas gifts. Just saying.

signed-blood-shacklesSigned paperbacks? Either by authors you love or new ones to discover,  freshly unwrapped from gleaming paper? Perfect.

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Buy Here

A signed Blood Dragons is featured in the Bloody Big Giveaway Advent Blowout.

With the best fantasy, science fiction, horror and thriller writers donating paperbacks and hosting Facebook events into the New Year this is the Event of the Year.

Eliza Green, Ben Galley and Vered Ehsani. And that’s just three of them…Oh, and me.

So when am I let out to play? Join me on the 10-11th December here for even more giveaways. And banter. Did anyone mention the banter?

fall-of-redemptionAs a fantasy fanatic I’m giving you the heads up on a fantasy freebie set for the 5 – 6th: Justin Sloan’s Falls of Redemption Book One. Fast-paced action, a love triangle and bitter revenge.

Justin Sloan’s Narcel is enslaved like Light in Blood Shackles. Two men fighting for their freedom. Family. Lives.

Why not treat yourself to a little dark romance…with a thriller edge? Click here to escape into Blood Shackles today.

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THREE ORIGINAL FANTASY HEROINES – A Witch, A Sorceress And A Monster…

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Digital Designer: Angel

I love original characters. Complex, unique, powerful. Male or female.

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That’s why I wrote an anti-hero in Blood Dragons, yet there are also two powerful women. And not a damsel in sight. Ruby – her role..? Now that’s an interesting question. But Kathy’s the heroine. Because bravery comes in different flavours.

In Blood Shackles Grayse is as much the anti-hero as Light.

Here’s Three Original Fantasy Heroines:

  1. anne-bishop-trilogyJaenelle Angelline in The Black Jewels Trilogy: Anne Bishop. A witch. Outcast. In one of the most complex and original matriarchal based fantasies. Ever. Plus there’s unicorns…
  2. sorceress-huntingLillian in A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale series: Lisa Blackwood. A sorceress and Avatar in an unusual urban fantasy coupling. The clue’s in the title.
  3. dying-ashesAshley Currigan in Dying Ashes series: Annathesa Nikola Darksbane & Shei Darksbane. What do you do when you’re dead? Your only allies are a wizard and a vampire? And your best friend is missing? Turn a little monster…

 

Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles are on sale at 0.99 until 30th November.rsz_1blood_dragons_cover_medium_web-1-small

Click here to dive into Blood Life today…

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THREE FANTASY WRITERS WHO MAKE YOU THINK – Dark Fantasy, Suspense and Vampires

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Buy Now

With Blood Dragons on the Dark Fantasy Amazon Best Seller List and both Blood Dragons AND Blood Shackles booting their way onto Vampire Suspense Best Sellers this last week has been… exciting.

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Photo by Flickr User Paul Hudson: Music Day

All right..understatement. If I was Light right now? I’d be on a wild whirlwind of joyous crimson carnage. Me? I settled in to write the third book – Blood Renegades. Any excuse to listen to its music…seriously, you’re going to love it.

Whilst I’ve been peeking in on the Lists and sauntering into events (yeah, there is an online saunter), still being as much a fantasy fanatic as ever, here’s Three Fantasy Writers Who Make You Think:

  1. souls-of-the-neverC. J. Rutherford: Souls of the Never. YA fantasy/science fiction as it should be. Alternate realities? Time travel? Dragons? All present and correct, sir.
  2. heaven-help-usJohn G. Hartness: Heaven Help Us.  Urban fantasy just how I like it – dark – with a side order of immortal demon hunter, werewolves and Homeland Security.
  3. Patty Jansen: Icefire Trilogy. Did I say I liked dark? This is gritty, shocking and don’t take the warnings lightly… But the world building? Class act.fireandice-trilogy

Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles are both out now at 0.99 until 30thblood-shackles-cover-large-ebook November.

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? Click here to buy Blood Shackles today.

rsz_1blood_dragons_cover_medium_web-1-smallTo read Blood Dragons first click here.

In a divided paranormal London, one bad boy vampire’s dangerous hidden love could bring about the end of the world – unless he can play the role of hero and save both species – and maybe even himself.

“No ordinary paranormal romance…the beginning of something new.” – Vamped Magazine.

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