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Blood Shackles

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. 

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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.

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REBEL VAMPIRES SPRING SALE – Blood Shackles Only 0.99!

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

Exclusive Time-Limited Offer: 13th – 17th 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.

 

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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.

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HOW TO PROFILE A VAMPIRE – Fantasy Event on 15th March

Light anti-hero Rebel Vampires Fantasy book

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.

Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles - Rebel Vampires Fantasy SeriesIn 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 Anti-hero in Rebel Vampires Series Rosemary A JohnsLight: 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.

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

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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 JohnsBeing ‘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 JohnsThis 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-1200graphicI’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.

feb-17-general-urbanfantasy-940graphic-best

 

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PREDATOR OR PREY – Are Vampires or Humans the Monsters?

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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? 

blood-dragons-print-and-iphone fantasy book rosemary a johnsIn 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.blood-shackles-print-and-iphone fantasy book rosemary a johns

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)

blood-renegades

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.

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VALENTINES DAY SALE – Three of the Best Fictional Lovers

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Happy Valentines Day!

As Light says: ‘Love’s the greatest motivator of all’ (Blood Dragons).

blood-dragons-cover-medium-webSo 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?

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Three of the Best Fictional Lovers

  1. Katherine and Heathcliffe – Wuthering Heights. The moors, the passion, the dark anti-hero? All right, so this raw love had an impact on me – I’ve never lived in a book more.
  2. Gatsby and Daisy – The Great Gatsby. A complex love but a real love. Just how I like it.
  3. Estella and Pip – Great Expectations. A girl who’s been trained to break boys’ hearts? One of the most painful, clever and haunting books ever.

Have a great Valentines and don’t forget to indulge in some dark romance: click here for the Valentines Sale. 

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FIVE FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT AUTHOR SIGNATURES

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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? rebel-here-yeah-lettering Blood Dragons Rebel Vampires Fantasy QuoteKnow 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:

  1. There are only 6 copies of Shakespeare’s signature surviving – and they’re all on legal pixaby-shakespearedocuments.
  2. Charles Dickens always signed with a blue fountain pen – so it was hard to forge. Clever bloke.
  3. Harper Lee’s signature is one of the most valuable because she so rarely autographed. A signed first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird can cost over $20,000…
  4. Graphic novelists often sign with doodles, which are art themselves: David Roman’s are blinding.
  5. J. K. Rowling is – no surprises – the 4th most valuable signature to collect. Her handwritten Beedle the Bard sold for $3.98 million…

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: 

blood-dragons-in-shopTo 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?

signed-blood-shackles rebel Vampires Rosemary A Johns fantasy author signature

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