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FANTASY REVIEW – BookLife, Publishers Weekly

BLOOD DRAGONS – the first book in the REBEL VAMPIRES series – recently received a critic’s report from the respected BookLife. It was described as a:

 …well constructed novel filled with adventure and intrigue—and a side of romance that does not overwhelm the plot.

One thing I write with is a strong voice – I love my characters and they’re at the heart of my stories.

Johns’s novel is set apart from others in the genre by an engaging narrative voice that grabs readers and doesn’t let go.

Light – the rebel vampire anti-hero – isn’t the side-kick or the love interest. This is his world to weave.

The narrative voice is strong, engaging, and one of the book’s greatest strengths.

I write thrilling action, twists and passionate romance but when it comes down to it, the characters are the reason you fall in love with a book.

 The characters are well developed and compelling. Johns’s vampires learn hard lessons that leave them better prepared for dangers to come.

A vampire’s keeping a secret that breaks every rule… Escape into the hidden world of Blood Life, where vampires are both predator and prey here. 

See what readers are calling Interview with the Vampire meets True Blood!

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FANTASY AUDIOBOOK – Meet Rebel Vampire’s Light

Light – the sexy rebel anti-hero at the centre of the award-winning REBEL VAMPIRES series – is a difficult character to cast. He was elected in London in Victorian times…

All was nothing outside our love. It smashed on us. Broke on us. We savaged it. Together we screamed at the world and when we had the world by the throat, the world screamed back.

 

…and had a second rebirth as a wild 1960’s Rocker.

Screams? The shattering of glass? Curling smoke on the night air?

I was bloody alive once more.

He’s a Blood Lifer who’s retained his humanity, along with his sense of humour:

You glanced at me. ‘Cold?’

‘Yeah, it is rather parky, darlin’.’

You gaped at me, as if you’d been expecting me to speak some strange Blood Lifer tongue and not the Queen’s English. Like you hadn’t assumed I’d sound…human.

Fantasy Rebel announces the narrator has been signed for BLOOD DRAGONS.

A.W. Miller teaches by day and narrates by night.  An acting coach, technical theatre and media arts educator, Miller has been giving voice to characters for over 3 years.  He’s a loving husband, father of eight, and a left handed Capricorn.

BLOOD DRAGONS is now in production as an audiobook… I look forward to meeting Light!

 

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BLOOD SHACKLES RECEIVES HONORABLE MENTION – Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, 2017

BLOOD SHACKLES - REBEL VAMPIRESToday I discovered that the second book in the REBEL VAMPIRES series, BLOOD SHACKLES, has received HONORABLE MENTION in the 2017 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards.

This is especially important to me because it’s a book about FREEDOM, which took the idea of slavery and twisted expectations. Here the vampires are the slaves, the humans the masters. The woman is the mistress, rather than the man.

Slavery isn’t an easy topic to discuss, and taking our perspectives of vampires and turning it into a metaphor. The First Lifers think they’re superior and treat the Blood Lifers like they’re objects. – Readers’ Favorite 5*

Hunted by humans, Light’s bought by his enemy’s daughter.

Light’s caught between breaking under the cruel training, or battling to hold onto the rebel inside. If he can remember the vampire he once was, he can fight to uncover the conspiracy behind the slave ring and free his family.

But to do this, he must face his worst terrors…

Blood Shackles is tragic, triumphant, addictive, and somehow hopeful. I was so engrossed in Light’s story that I didn’t notice my Kindle was dying.

The Gold Award winner was Eric. J. Gates’ OUTSOURCED. A thriller that’s a mix of quantum mechanics and the supernatural.

BLOOD SHACKLES is Light’s Slave Journal. It’s also his journey of discovery. When a man’s broken from predator to prey, how do you find yourself again? How can save your family and the world, if you can’t save yourself?

Johns succeeded in creating a world, characters, and a story that pulled me in until I had to finish reading it. I had to know what was going to happen to Light, Hartford, Donovan, and Grayse. This is a novel everyone should read, along with Blood Dragons.

Learn more here.

 

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TODAY ONLY 0.99 SALE – Blood Renegades

Rebel Vampires - Blood Renegades

BLOOD RENEGADES – the latest release in the award-winning REBEL VAMPIRES series – is 0.99 for today only!

Accused of being a traitor, Light’s offered a deal by his vampire interrogator: one secret a night.

Secrets. They stain. Fester. And ultimately? They corrupt.

In BLOOD RENEGADES, Light must make the choice between revealing his darkest secrets – one every night – at first to win back what’s been stolen from him and then for the chance to win his own and family’s freedom.

‘Even I am not the original. Freedom is in our bloodline. Our blood. If that makes us rebels…then in faith every Blood Lifer here is a rebel. We are all family now.’

If he doesn’t play the game and entertain Liberty – the ruthless Blood Lifer interrogator – then in fourteen nights he’ll burn at the stake.

Reckon I’m one to go quietly with bastard death? When you tie me to that stake tomorrow I won’t stop fighting, until the flames have ghosted me to ashes.

But who is truly playing whom..?

When I was a kid, I read ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS (THE ARABIAN NIGHTS).

I was entranced by the story of Scheherazade, the brave heroine who tricked a king. Scheherazade stopped the king beheading her (and any other woman) by telling him a compelling story, which always ended on a cliffhanger.

The King let her live another day, just so he could hear the end of the story. At the end of a 1,000 stories, the king had fallen in love with Scheherazade, making her queen.

BLOOD RENEGADES has the same structure – except it’s over fourteen nights.

This ancient folk tale – and the power of storytelling – caught my imagination as a young writer.

 

Read my modern day twist here for 0.99 only today.

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END OF SUMMER 0.99 SALE AND BOOK REVIEW – ‘A Paranormal Version of The Notebook’

Blood Dragons - Rosemary A Johns

As we come to the end of summer – a wet but humid one where I live – BLOOD DRAGONS is on 0.99 sale to celebrate before the return to school rush.

This week BLOOD DRAGONS was reviewed by the prestigious YA BOOK CENTRAL.

Totally pulls off different. The reader falls in love with Light. A paranormal version of The Notebook. You will feel a bit heartbroken throughout, you will have emotional stakes in the action scenes, and you will feel uplifted by the end.

Like novels, every review, newspaper, magazine or blog has its own review style.

Light is an edgy and outspoken vampire with a wry sense of humor.

Blood Dragons Rosemary A Johns

YA Book Central grades in a range of categories (which it then discusses), including character, plot and world building. BLOOD DRAGONS scored 5* in each category.

There are many intricacies in the paranormal world-building; Vampire powers, history, culture, and biochemistry.

Blood Dragons - Rebel Vampires series by Rosemary A Johns

What I love about the review, however, is the in depth way it discusses the book: insightful and passionate. There’s enough mystery and debate for a book club to run with – or to excite a reader without giving away spoilers.

This is not your typical paranormal story.

Dive into Blood Life for only 0.99 until September 1st HERE. 

rebel vampires vampire series - Blood Dragons

 

 

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FANTASY SHORT STORY – First Edition New Magazine

Look what just arrived in my hot little hands…the first ever edition of SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE!

How to Scalp a Doll - Rosemary A JohnsMy short story – HOW TO SCALP A DOLL – was commissioned for this special first edition.

Danny, a lonely long distance driver, is trapped in a world of human trafficking. He saw the slaves as no more than dolls. Until one day, he broke his boss’ rule, opened the back of the truck and looked inside…

The sea was a smudge of blue against the horizon; the salt was sharp on the dead air. Danny stiffened. For a moment, when he stared out across the beach, he saw rows of scalps, no longer miniature but life-size – brunette, blond, and bald. Danny blinked. And then they were gone.

The magazine also includes an interview with me.

Rosemary A Johns - fantasy author

 

I discuss the short story…

The girls are invisible because they’re viewed as less than human.

…why I write fantasy…

…it allows me to give a voice to the forgotten. Or the deliberately hidden.

…and freedom.

The free have choices. But that’s often hard to face. Ourselves.

The Editor reviews BLOOD DRAGONS:

‘The kind of book you’re likely to pick up a second time, finding new dimensions…an empowering book…about true love. It is a book with formidable literary ambition. Rebel to the core, Rosemary trailblazers through stigma… Highly recommended. 5*

Click here to read more.

Scaffolding Magazine

 

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REBEL VAMPIRES OFFICIAL FAN PAGE

As REBEL VAMPIRES has its first birthday, it now has its own Official Fan Page!

I’ll be posting directly to Rebels there: excerpts, events, and exclusives.

Plus links to an closed readers group – Rosemary’s Rebels – as well.

Here is the last post:

Light discovers the horrifying truth…
‘There’s always something worse than dying, and there’s always someone in First or Blood Life who’ll find a way to inflict it. When I flicked my lighter, the flame jumped. For a moment, I was mesmerised. Then I bent down and lit the boiling flood…’

Come and follow the adventure into Blood Life on its Official Page!

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ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY – Light’s Birthday!

‘What’s this, then?’ Light swaggers to the table, swiping his finger through the cream.

I smile. ‘It’s your birthday cake. Do you like the fangs?’

Light raises his eyebrow, as he slowly sucks the cream from his finger. ‘Couldn’t find any with cute vampires and bat wings?’

‘That’s sarcasm, right?’ I push him down into a chair.

‘Oi, mind the leathers.’ Light tilts his nut. ‘What’s all this in aid of then, luv?’

‘One year ago Blood Dragons was published. Rebel Vampires has been all around the world for a year: Blood Shackles and Blood Renegades too. Books, rock anthems, Rebel Gear clothes and accessories, and jewelry… It’s been a whirlwind.’

‘Whirlwind? We’re celebrating my election to Blood Life? Near death? Enslavement? Trial as a traitor..?’

‘Love. Heroic battles. Rebel Age!’

‘Enough said,’ Light grins, his fangs shooting out, as he bounces up, ‘let’s kick off this party. Where’s the Guinness?’

I grab a cold bottle of Guinness from underneath the table and pass it to Light; his eyes gleam. ‘Happy birthday, Light!’

~ Rosemary

 

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AN INTERVIEW WITH LIGHT – Rebel Here, Yeah?

This week Light – the Rocker rebel main character in my Rebel Vampires series – was interviewed on the Mary R Woldering Blog.

Here are the 5 of the highlights! 

1.Tell us where and when were you born.

Tricky one that because I was both born and reborn. My first birth was in Victorian London as a First Lifer. My second was into the glorious darkness of Blood Life when my red-haired gorgeous nightmare of an Author – Ruby – elected me.

2. How would you describe yourself?

I’ll never be human again – always on the outside, looking in. I’m a caged predator, battling the dark, as bit by bit it consumes me. Of course, I’m also a bad boy Rocker rebel with a cracking leather coat. What more do you want – blood?

3. Tell us about where you grew up.

Just outside the bustle of London – always craving for something more because the world never seemed big enough. But it was Ruby who shook the boyhood from me. Then it was my Moon Girl in the 1960s who opened my eyes to the truth: there’s no divide between our species. That was the moment I grew up.

4. Past/ present relationships? How did they affect you?

I thought Blood Life meant freedom: from society’s rules, family and control. I was wrong. For over a century Ruby and I carved out a path of crimson carnage aflame with our love alone. But I was a daft berk to ever believe that. It took a human to show me love could be free. Yet I’d reckoned myself the predator and humans the prey? I was wrong about that too. I may battle for redemption but the battle for my species’ freedom – for the right to love, family and home – that one I’m still fighting.

5. How do your beliefs make life better for yourself and the people you care about?

My family need me to be the leader. Christ in heaven is that hard. I was always trying to save the world, even in my First Life – even though the cost is usually too high. Because there’s always a price. Yet someone has to take a stand when the system becomes so corrupt. Someone has to light the match to the rebellion…sodding frightening that it’s me… Welcome to the Rebel Age!

Read Light’s full interview here.

Start your escape into Blood Life today. Click here. 

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