I promised yesterday that I’d give a few hints of what’s to come in Blood Roses. So for those of you who are struggling in anticipation, here are five things you can expect that might tide you over for now…
Expect new characters…
Blood Shadows was Kane and Caitlin’s story. Blood Roses is not a continuation of that, though they do get a mention. Don’t worry – they will be back! But Blood Roses is Caleb and Leila’s story. Feel free to check on the ‘Books’ tab on this site if you’d like to know more about what lies ahead for them.
Expect to see more of Blackthorn…
Each book in the series will reveal more about Blackthorn. In Blood Roses, you’ll learn more of what life is like in the district as well as aspects of how it is run and controlled. You’ll visit parts you haven’t been before.
Expect more revelations about the prophecies…
The prophecies were mentioned in Blood Shadows but not elaborated upon. That’s because it’s Caleb and Leila’s role to reveal much, much more. Expect to come away with a much clearer idea of what’s in store.
Expect a few more pieces to start to fit together…
One thing you’ll come to see in the Blackthorn series is how the characters’ stories are going to intertwine. For those who remember Blood Roses from New Voices, you might have already started to piece a couple of things together at the end of Blood Shadows. You certainly would have picked up on a familiar name fleetingly mentioned. Yes, expect to meet one rather significant member of the vampires’ Higher Order.
Expect it to be darker…
I have been told I skirted close to the edge at times with Kane, well expect more of the same with Caleb – and more often. The intentions are darker, the sexiness is darker and so is the mood. I was once told Caleb was irredeemable. None of my vampire heroes are irredeemable – I just like a challenge. But yes, he is incredibly bad… this is Blackthorn, after all.
Blood Roses is the second book in the Blackthorn series and it’s due out this Spring!
I had an email come through this week, from a fan turned very special friend:
“I love Blood Shadows, don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic. But Blood Roses is probably my favorite book EVER (the portion I’ve seen). I am so bloody (yes pun intended) excited about it, I can’t even tell you.”
I got a bit emotional when I read that. A big part of the emotion is because I’ve reached that stage now when I know I’ll soon be parting with Blood Roses. I’ve been working on revisions in the background since the launch of Blood Shadows, and those who follow this blog and Facebook will know those revisions went back to Bookouture on New Year’s day. My editor will be back in touch with me in the next few days to give her verdict – that basically means I’ll know how much more work it still needs before the final polish. After that, it’s line edits and copy edits before I finally hand it over.
Blood Roses has been with me a long time. It was conceptualized years ago (I can’t even pinpoint when), the majority of it written back in 2007. Although it’s not my first published book, I will always look on Blood Roses as the book that launched my career as a published author.
It was entered in Harlequin Mills and Boon’s New Voices competition back in 2010, where it got into the final – the only PNR to do so. It’s scary to think I nearly didn’t enter. I submitted right before the deadline. It was the first time I’d put myself out there for scrutiny and was a test of whether I had what it took to write romance. I was terrified because it wasn’t just a competition – it was going to help me make the decision whether I tried to launch my Blackthorn series or turned my back on romance a while longer to continue focusing on supernatural thrillers.
If you don’t know about the competition, writers uploaded a chapter on an open forum for readers to comment (readers also got to vote). Blood Roses came under scrutiny straight away, but not for the right reasons. I entered the longest opening chapter in the competition – almost 9,000 words long. I remember reading speculation over why I had done it, not least the assumption that I had misread the rules. The simple truth was that I was so convinced I would get nowhere, I entered the biggest chunk of work I could in the hope that, even if I bombed in the competition, I might at least catch an editor’s eye. I didn’t have the confidence to believe I could do that in 3,000 words.
Of course it meant that when I got into the Top 10, I was left with only 700 words for chapter 2 and then only 200 for the pivotal moment when I progressed into the Top 4. It worked in my favour though, with readers again speculating whether I’d manage it or not. The response when I did was fantastic. And those supportive comments, along with the belief of my amazing mentors – Lesley Stonehouse and Rhyannon Byrd – gave me the courage to re-enter in NV 2011 where I finished a finalist again.
Blood Roses helped me believe in myself as an author. It shaped my writing. It gave me the best opportunity to launch my writing career. It taught me that I don’t have to write like anyone else – that I’ll find my readership as me and not by trying to follow in anyone else’s footsteps. It taught me that romance readers are more open minded than I gave credit for before I became a part of this amazing community. It taught me there is a place for books like mine that are a little bit dark, a little bit dangerous and a little bit different. It taught me that I had to stop hiding my writing in a drawer.
I understood exactly what my friend was saying when she sent me that email, and responses like that will be the ones that help me let go of Blood Roses when the time comes. Looking back, I also realise how much I’ve moved on in the last two years from writing purely for myself to having the courage to share my books with an audience.
And that’s why Blood Roses is, and always will be, so special to me.
Come back tomorrow if you’d like to get a few hints of what to expect. No spoilers thought, I promise!
After almost 30 years of writing, 21 years since I’d written my first paranormal romance and 16 years of Blackthorn in the making, 2012 was the year when I finally became a published author.
My avid followers will no doubt have picked up on the fact I haven’t had a moment to breathe since then. No sitting with my feet on my desk, sipping Pepsi whilst I dreamily doddle plotlines in my notebook in-between gazing out of my study window. Oh no.
In April of 2012, I’d resolved I’d had enough of sitting on the Blackthorn series and needed to seriously pursue publication. I set up a blog (a must, I was told by my new writerly friends) and, in June, started submitting to publishers.
I’d prepared for the long-haul – weeks, months, maybe even years of waiting. Okay, the latter is an exaggeration – I’d decided I’d self-publish if it came to that. But on Friday 13th July, came the request from Bookouture that changed everything. Less than a month later came ‘The Call’ along with a very impressive book proposal and fantastic plans for Blackthorn.
September was the month of secrets. I blogged about being offered a three-book deal, but had to remain hushed about who by until Bookouture was launched and all the finer details were tied up – not least the contract! And, gee, was it tough keeping quiet!
Finally, at the end of October, I was finally able to announce that I had signed with Bookouture and my brand new website was launched. News of my signing went global and there were over 1,000 hits on the news feed in the first couple of days.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, straight after, Hollywood came calling. Yes, they really did! I didn’t say much because, well, basically I knew the chances were minimal. It was still amazing to have had the book requested though and the feedback from the head of creative affairs, although a no, was great:
“I really enjoyed BLOOD SHADOWS, Lindsay is a wonderful writer. She’s crafted one heck of a world with Caitlin, Kane, VCU and the Soul Ripper. A few of us really took to the book and world creation but, alas, the consensus was that it isn’t exactly what…is looking for.”
I didn’t have time to dwell though, because we were already in November – and what a month November was!
First came the cover reveal for Blood Shadows. And for anyone who has got a hardcopy and seen who the designer was (yes, I know some of you have!) you’ll know why I was so ecstatic about who took the project on. Shortly after came the first of the fantastic and fun Blackthorn Bites. Within days there was the release of the awesome Blood Shadows book trailer. On Thursday 15th, I shed a tear when I held a copy of my book in my hands for the first time. Then on the 27th November (give or take a few days…) Blood Shadows was finally officially launched.
The promotions kicked off instantly and haven’t stopped since, not least with my U.S. book tour starting on 28th December and running through the whole of this month.
And the reviews. Ah, the reviews. I have come to discover that reviews are single-handedly one of the most rewarding and, at the same time, utterly terrifying parts of being a published author. I’ve been lucky that, apart from a handful of ratings (rose bombers spring to mind anyone?), the reviews have been amazing. So thank you to every single person who has taken the time and the effort to share what they think on Amazon and Goodreads. There is no better way to get my books into the hands of new readers than through those reviews, so believe me when I say I appreciate your effort more than I can possibly express here.
And during all of this, I’ve feverishly been working on revisions for Blood Roses, which I sent back to Bookouture on New Years’ day. Yay! More about Blood Roses very soon…
But before I go, when I announced by blog tour last Friday, I did promise to tell you about my Christmas present this year.
I’m the kind of girl who, as long as I get a couple of notepads and a pack of pens or pencils, I’m usually a pretty happy bunny as far as presents go. Throw in a bottle of my favourite Thierry Mugler’s Angel now and again and you’re guaranteed to raise a satisfied smile. Fortunately, I have a husband whose imagination, year after year, spans beyond my feeble attempts at a creative list for Santa.
I must be honest though, this year I did give him a hint of what I wanted. I didn’t quite expect the end result though. Welcome to my new study wall…
Now if that isn’t motivation enough to keep writing Blackthorn books, I don’t know what is! And yes, if you wrote one of the earlier bites, you are up there! So huge thanks to Michele Hauf, CC Mackenzie, Fiona Chapman, Lindsey Clarke, Amity Grays and RomFan Reviews.
But that wasn’t all. As you’ve probably guessed, I’m a fan of personal gifts. So when this little chap was handed to me, overwhelmed doesn’t begin to describe it. Say hello to Batty…
This little chap was handmade especially for me by exceptionally talented, local artist Minerva (of Minerva Twist). She’s thrown a creative spin on a variety of animals but this was her first attempt at my personal favourite – a bat. Not only is he reading a copy of my book (and the glasses are uncannily like mine too!), but she even went to the trouble of joining the oo’s together just like on the cover of Blood Shadows and putting a dot after the ‘J’ in my name. Now that’s the attention to detail I like. Thanks Minerva, you ridiculously talented lady, he’s absolutely gorgeous!
And that’s it – here’s hoping 2013 brings just as much excitement!
Finally, huge thanks to my super-supportive, long-suffering husband who makes sure I eat, drink, sleep and, on occasion, get suitably socialised. Massive thanks you all my wonderful, wonderful supporters, including my fantastic new-found writing friends – to those who have been published this year and those who are going to be published in 2013, here’s wishing you every success. And for those who haven’t got there yet, I’m rooting for you with every digit crossed. I’m a walking example that dreams can and do eventually come true. DO NOT give up.
So here’s an extra special thank you to the amazing Oliver Rhodes, founder of Bookouture, for not only making my dreams come true in 2012, but for making my first two months as a published author more exciting and fun than I ever could have imagined.
I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! I got something really special this year that I want to show you on a blog post very soon. But blog tour information first…
Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know my blog tour around the U.S. started today. This is a somewhat nerve-wracking, albeit equally exciting, experience. Courtesy of Bewitching Book Tours, 30 U.S. book bloggers kindly signed up to host me over a month. There will be a mixture of me writing guest blog posts and being interviewed as well as bloggers promoting Blood Shadows or, the really scary stuff, reviewing it.
My first post is over on Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer and is up already. For those who have been following me since I launched this blog in April, you’ll be in familiar territory because I’m revisiting a blog post I wrote for here (under a different title). It’s the only one I’ll be repeating, but as a lot of people enjoyed that one, it broke me in gently! Other posts I’ll be writing will be, amongst others, creating Blackthorn, what I’ve learned from reader feedback, why vampires makes the perfect anti-heroes and the challenge of being a British PNR author.
For those who want to follow the tour closely, I’ve listed where I’ll be and when below – as well as what I’ll be doing for each. I will, of course, put reminders on Facebook. If you’re able to come and support any of them, you’d be most welcome!
Ah, Christmas is almost upon us – and it’s the most disorganised I’ve ever been! The decorations aren’t up, the food isn’t bought and I only have half the presents… Still, one thing that I have managed to do (all thanks to Bookouture!) is set-up a giveaway of 5 signed paperback copies of Blood Shadows. You have to be a member of Goodreads (or sign up) in order to be in with a chance of winning one, but all you have to do is click on the ‘Enter to win’ button below. It’ll run for a month and Goodreads will choose the winners.
Oh, and for those who have already asked, as much as I’d like to oblige, I’m afraid that the answer is no – Kane cannot deliver them personally. 😉
I’m concluding my top ten favourite vampire films, with a countdown of 3 through to 1. Enjoy!
Number 3
Underworld
Selene (played by Kate Beckinsale) is a vampire determined to destroy the lycans who allegedly killed her family. When she discovers they’re pursuing a human – Michael – she sets out to capture him herself. There were four films in total, but the first is definitely the strongest. Great vampire and werewolf mythology, a superb gothic backdrop, terrific action scenes and with a strong British female lead playing the heroine, this film is sheer entertainment.
Number 2
Daybreakers
I adore this film. The premise is simple: a plague has transformed humans into vampires so that less than 5% of the human population exists. Of course, vampires needs human blood to survive. More so, vampires deprived for too lengthy a time degenerate into psychotic, blood-hungry creatures that will attack anything. A vampire corporation is working to capture and farm all remaining humans whilst a synthetic blood substitute is found – and quickly. In the meantime, a good-guy vampire haematologist who works for them gets word of a cure (and it’s inspired!). Credit where credit is due, this film really offered something different.
Number 1
The Lost Boys
Okay, so I’m predictable. But will anything ever top this? Scary, funny, action-packed, edge-of-your seat stuff, this film will forever be number 1 on my list. Michael and Sam move to the beach community of Santa Carla only to discover it’s the murder capital of the world – oh, and home to a gang of urban, bad-boy vampires. Wanting to fit in, Michael falls prey to becoming one of them, but he’s yet to make a human kill and turn. The race his on for his younger brother to kill the head vampire before Michael takes a bite out of one of the locals. Inspired by Peter Pan (yes, really) and with two of the lead characters named after Edgar Allan Poe, you get a sense of the balance between light and dark in this film. It has to have one of the best closing lines/scenes to a vampire film ever, and by a character (the grandfather) who wasn’t even written into the original script! Vampire film bliss, and here’s the original trailer embeded direct from You Tube… 🙂
Yesterday, I gave a run down from 10 through to 7 of my favourite vampire films. Next up, 6 through to 4…
Number 6
Interview With The Vampire
I think this film most definitely earns a rightful place in my favourite vampire films of all time. A stunning adaptation of the novel which, unlike my latter choice, actually did do the masterpiece justice. Apparently Anne Rice wasn’t happy with Tom Cruise being cast as Lestat, but changed her mind after seeing him in action. I too, despite not being a huge Cruise fan, thought he played the role to perfection. I remember one scene in particular causing quite a bit of controversy when the film was released. So, yes, of all the clips I could have chosen, I had to pick that one…
Number 5
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Another triumphant book to film adaptation – moving, disturbing and downright unnerving at times, this film beautifully captured the essence of the book by skilfully portraying the horror and romance with equal balance. With over 170 versions of the classic, reviews dictate that this was the best of the rest and I haven’t yet come across one better. I thought I’d pick a short clip (I know you don’t have all day), so here’s Harker’s arrival at Dracula’s home. I’d still go there for a visit. I’d just maybe get a nice firm bolt on the door. Oh, and on the window too.
Number 4
Blade
Based on the Marvel Comics character, Blade’s a vampire super-hero (played by Wesley Snipes) who protects humans. Born a vampire-human hybrid after his mother was bitten while she was pregnant, Blade has all the strengths of vampires but none of their weaknesses. Needless to say this equips him well in his mission to protect humans from vampire nasties. It’s not long before he comes up against Deacon Frost (played by Stephen Dorff) who wants to rule the human race rather than co-exist peacefully with them. There were three films in the series, but the first still wins out. Action packed, relentless, great special effects and some laugh-out-loud moments, I remain loyal to Stephen Dorff as one of the best vampire portrayals ever.
I’m letting the side down here having not talked vampires for a while. So after a fun-filled but busy week of interviews and reviews, I thought it time I indulge in my favourite topic again. Over the next three days, I’ll do a run-down of my top 10 vampire films. The heart-wrenching, the blood-thirsty, the terrifying or the just simply original, there’s quite a range coming up. Let’s kick off with the first four and why they made it…
Number 10
Queen Of The Damned
Ill probably be met with a few groans for choosing this one. Okay, so there were plenty of cringe moments and yes, I rushed to the cinema to see it only to be bitterly disappointed, but then I should have known better than to expect anything of the calibre of Interview With A Vampire. This film version of the Anne Rice classic did no justice to the book at all – in fact, if you hadn’t read the book, the ending would leave you totally confused. But for all it’s cheesy moments, it’s rushed and sometimes paper-thin storyline, it does have Stuart Townsand in it (and darn does it wear those leathers well) and a stunning portrayal of Akasha by Aaliyah. As well as some stunning gothic scenery, it’s basically a watchable film if you’re happy to keep it tongue-in-cheek. I was lucky to stumble on this YouTube trailer which manages to pick out some of the better moments of the film.
Number 9
30 Days Of Night
It’s graphic, it’s dark, its disturbingly gory and I spent plenty of moments hiding behind my hands, but it’s still an utterly brilliant film with a superb concept. Based on the comic book miniseries, if you want vampires the way they used to be then this film will remind you just how terrifying the original legends were. Oh, and it has Josh Hartnett in it. 🙂
Number 8
Let The Right One In (2007)
This Swedish romantic horror is based on the 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I haven’t seen the remake, only the original 2008 film (subtitled). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first settled down to watch this film, but I found it one of the most poignant and moving vampire films I’ve ever seen. The storyline was superb. the acting immense and its dark innocence was something to be beheld. I was really moved by the developing relationship between the two main characters – a bullied 12 year old boy called Oskar who develops a relationship with a vampire girl called Eli – and an ending that I thought was just perfect.
Number 7
Fright Night (1985)
Don’t get me started on the remake – nothing beats the original when it comes to Fright Night. Yes, it’s dated and the special effects (rubber fanged bat, anyone?) might make you purse your lips to stop you smirking, but I still love it. It has a gripping storyline, you can’t help but root for the fumbling Brewster and Jerry (the vampire) is just enough of a mixture of dark and light to have you part smiling and part palpitating. It’s a classic vampire film and a prized possession in my collection.
I’ll do my next three in the countdown tomorrow. Anyone brave enough to hazard a guess at what might appear?
With Blood Shadows now having been out almost a month, the interview invites are coming in. I’ve discovered two things about myself through the interview questions I’ve received so far – anything deep or probing and I can give you an answer more or less straight away, but ask me about my favourite book or what song I listen to most and you’ll have me floundering for hours.
I’ve had three interviews so far with another three coming this week and another two booked for after Christmas. I’ve also got a blog tour around the US starting on the 28th December courtesy of Bewitching Book Tours. I always hope, as I open the questions, that there will be something a bit different asked. Something I’ve not been asked before. I’ve been very lucky with all three this week, especially as they’re so close together, that each interviewer has offered a unique set of questions and a very different style. It kept me on my toes and that hopefully means it’ll be more interesting for you if you read them.
We’re kicking off the week with Aimee Duffy. When she approached me and said she didn’t only want to interview me, but also Kane (brave girl!) and Caitlin ‘Jeremy Kyle’ style, I thought it was inspired. When I threw in an added curveball to the questions she had sent me and asked her, instead of asking about me, why she didn’t focus on my perceptions of my characters (no one had done that yet), she was onto it within minutes.
I’ve never answered questions so quickly or easily.
If you’d like to see what I and Kane and Caitlin had to say for ourselves, you can find the full interview (and a flatteringly gushing review of Blood Shadows) here.
Thanks for the interview fun, Aimee! And the terrific review. 🙂
Tonight is the premiere of Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. It’s the end of an era. I’m no expert on Twilight. To be honest, they’re a bit young for me. I sing all due praises for Stephenie Meyer though. She’s done an amazing job bringing the genre to a whole new audience. But for me, Edward’s just too safe.
I love that about this genre – that there’s so much variety across authors, books, film and TV. Just because you’re a vampire fan doesn’t mean you’re going to fall in love with every set of male fangs that cross the page or smiles seductively on screen. But what’s the fun in getting too analytical about it? I say let’s have some simple Friday night indulgence instead.
So, in the build up to the release of Blood Shadows, and to get us into the ‘Kane’ zone (11 days to go!), I thought I’d share my favourite mad, bad and dangerous-to-know vampire characters with you (when I say characters, I mean ‘characters’ – but yes, it does help that they look like that too). As far as tainted, tortured and intense go, here are my top four fanged boys from film and TV…
Oh, and you might want to pull up a chair, maybe make yourself a coffee and lock yourself in a nice quiet dark room – and you’ll need the sound turned up if you want to enjoy the full effect of the footage!
(WARNING – some people might be offended by the content that follows)
Coming in at a very admirable fourth place:
Michael (The Lost Boys)
My first vampire crush, so I had to include him! In fact I have a crush on this entire film, so went with the slightly longer video footage than planned (4 mins). If you don’t know which one Michael is (shame on you!), I’ll leave you to work it out.
Just losing out on second place but still taking the enviable third place:
Damon (TVD)
Another 4 minute clip, but what true Damon fan is going to complain? Okay, it’s a little over indulgent, but you don’t have to watch it all… (yeah, right…)
In second place:
Deacon (Blade)
Oh, yes. That’s all I’ll say – yes. Less than two minutes of footage, but an utterly perfect two minutes all the same.
In the very well-deserved first place:
Mitchell (Being Human UK)
My absolute favourite vampire of all times. It helps that he’s played by the utterly hypnotic Aidan Turner (have you ever heard that guy speak? Sheesh…) As far as mad, bad and dangerous-to-know goes, well, you’ve got to love him. Just under three minutes in total… I might need to replay.
Thanks for indulging with me. If you’ve got a favourite vampire of your own, I’d love to hear who! It’s always fun to compare notes on my favourite topic. If not, I’ll just keep watching these clips over and over and over again. I won’t feel lonely. Not at all.
