Author Spotlight
Series Spotlight
Important Announcement for our Followers
To ALL our followers....It is time for Book Lovin' Mamas to make the switch from Blogger to Wordpress.
We do not want to wake up one day and notice that we cannot logon to our blog due to Blogger changing its policies.
We have worked too hard to have that happen...so it is long overdue, we have moved over to our domain.
It will make it easier for YA'LL to find us.
We have already started to post over at the new site...and August 1st will be official day we say GOODBYE to this site for good.
We would love for you to follow us over at our new site because we LOVE and appreciate you all for being with us on our Blogger site.
You can find us now at - booklovinmamas.com
You can even click our blog badge below to go to our new site -
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We hope to see everyone of you over there and I hope you all are prepared for lots of giveaways coming in August and are prepared for Anna & I's big 30th birthday bash - August 18th-September 5th.
We have lots of stuff to giveaway to you all and we are bringing our 30th birthday in style. =)
GOODBYE Blogger - It was nice while it lasted...but it's time for a BIG change and to make it easier for our followers to find us. =)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
C.J. Ellisson's "Death's Servant" Blog Tour (Interview/Review) + Giveaway
Welcome to our stop on C.J. Ellisson's "Death's Servant" Blog Tour.
Dedicated, hardworking, and driven.
2. Tell us a little bit about Death's Servant and why readers should check it out?
I wrote this book for my existing readers, but it will appeal to new readers as well. It's a prequel book on one of their favorite characters and it explains the 'how' on his involvement with the ancient vampire who runs the V V Inn with her husband. The novella is a great set up for the series without giving anything away on the later stories.
3. What inspired you to write the Prequel to the VV Inn Series?
As an author, we're more aware of the complex, unwritten backgrounds that motivate and drive our characters than our readers are. I've always known why Jon served the married couple (even though it was apparent he would never be a part of their union), what made Rafe seek out Vivian, and what tragedies and triumphs shaped Dria/Vivian to be the ruthless killer she is today. Sharing those tales with my readers has always been in the back of my mind. To find out they wanted to read them felt like a dream come true. Now I just have to write them all!
4. What was the easiest/hardest scene to write in "Death's Servant? (without giving too much away)
The scene where Jon is at his absolute lowest, carrying the woman he cares about in his arms. His emotions were so raw and painful, I worried I wouldn't be able to capture it well.
5. If "Death's Servant" was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each characters part?
LOL! I've always had certain actors in my mind to play the characters, but as the actors age I'm sure so will readers' expectations of whom they picture, too. I see Jensen Ackles as Jon, Daniel Craig as Rafe, and Angie Everhard as Dria/Vivian.
6. How did you come up with the title of the book?
Dria/Vivian has often thought of herself as death. Eventually, everyone she loves dies and she somehow feels she's to blame. Jon is her vampire servant, so it just seemed fitting.
7. Do you ever suffer with writer's block and if you do, how do you deal with it?
I sometimes have difficulty writing, but I'm not so sure I'd call it a block. I have health concerns and family obligations that often keep me from writing. I've never had a desire to write and sat down only to find there were no words. Life can suck the creative juices right out of us, but being a full time writer means you have to suck it up and push through the hard times.
8. Fun Question: If a zombie apocalypse were to happen, what kind of weapon would be your primary choice to kill the zombies?
Hmm… if we go with the assumption that a double tap to the head is enough to keep them down for good, then I'd want a reliable rifle with a huge magazine and lots of boxes of ammo. ;-)
9. Fun Question: If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you must have to survive?
Since the question doesn't say stranded alone, I'd want my husband, an emergency kit with flares, knives, a gun, matches, and medical supplies inside, and a big tackle box filled with lots of gear to catch fish. The rest we'd figure out together ;-)
10. What is up next for C.J. Ellisson?
I've got the next book in my contemporary erotic romance series, A Walk on the Wild Side, coming out in June. Avoiding Mr. Right is Carla and Andy's story and I can hardly wait to share it with my readers! I hope they enjoy the couple's steamy adventures as much as Tony and Heather's from Vanilla on Top.
Death's Servant
(The V V Inn, #0.1)
by: C.J. Ellisson
Publishing Date: 4/13/13
Publisher: RedHot Publishing
Source: Provided by Author's Assistant
Description:
Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times. After another argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, his only home since the werewolf attack that changed his life. He returns to his home state of Virginia to start a new life free of pack politics. Jon finds work and meets a young waitress, Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.
As their relationship progresses, Jon’s embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle. He's running scared until his own alpha tendencies surface, making him unable to leave the pretty werewolf’s problems behind. The young man is desperate to save Raine—even if his efforts may lead him straight to death.
Journey along in this first prequel novel involving the favorite characters from the bestselling V V Inn series. Written at reader demand, this stand-alone story explains how the beloved Jonathan came to serve the deadly redheaded vampire, Dria.
My Review:
I literally read this book within a 2 hour period due to not being able to put it down. The first page alone had me sucked into the story. I usually cannot read books in such a short period due to having my husband and my little girls constantly interrupting me...but when it comes to C.J.'s stories, I end up locking myself away from the world. =)
Death's Servant is the highly anticipated prequel about Jon and how he meets Dria and becomes her servant. Jonathan definitely had his reasons of becoming Dria's servant and Dria definitely is one kick-butt vampire, who I adore!!!
Jon left the pack he has no known since he became a werewolf and now he is back close to where he grew up, but not too close since his parents do not know he is alive. He meets a lone wolf, Raine, and becomes quickly attached to her. Unfortunately, Raine has a secret and now she wants Jon to leave town before it is too late. When Jon finds out what is happening, it is up to him to save Raine and her pack. He meets Dria and asks her for help, but of course she does not make it easy for him.
This story definitely is fast-paced into the world of where Jon came from and how he met the beautiful vampire, Dria, and her husband, Rafe. I loved how C.J. told Jon's background and what happened to him. He definitely was screwed over a lot in the pack he was in. Poor guy! The girl he thought loved him...was definitely a b***h. I loved how Jon dealt with the person who he caught his girlfriend with.
I am so happy that C.J. told Jon's story. I also enjoyed the fact that she mentioned Williamsburg, VA in the story. =) I live about 30 minutes away from it and she also mentions D.C. and the way she described D.C. when Jon was there, it felt like I was actually visiting. (Now I need to make one last visit before I leave VA for good this summer)
The scene where Jon meets Dria and her mate...well...let's just say...you definitely want to read that part. C.J. knows how to write a very steamy scene. =)
If you love C.J.'s VV Inn Series and want to know how Jon came to know Dria and Rafe, then you will definitely want to read this prequel.
I give this prequel 5 full moons and highly recommend it to urban fantasy readers out there.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author's assistant in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and I was not compensated in any way for this review.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author's assistant in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and I was not compensated in any way for this review.
C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the NYT Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze. Unlike most full-time authors, she’s also battling a severe chronic illness.
C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body. She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.
One Lucky winner will win a Swag pack from C.J. Ellisson
OPEN to U.S. and Canada Residents Only
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
10 comments:
What an awesome review. I felt the same way. I couldn't put the book down! I love it when an author pulls me so far into a story that I don't want to come out!
I have this book on my TBR list and now it is moving to the top of the pile!!
susanmplatt AT Hotmail DOT com
I love the V V Inn series,Rafe,Dria and the members of their Seethe,Jon's story was a special treat for me as I had always wondered how he became Dria's vampire servant... the story was written so well,that I would recommend readers read it before they read the series as it will give them insight on key characters.... I loved the blog as well as the ?'s,it was wonderful.......
Great interview and I agree with everything you said in your review!
Great interview and I agree with your review!
ADDING TO MY TBBL!
Your titles are so great - do you come up with them?
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi CJ:
What's your favorite book or favorite author!
mestith at gmail dot com
Great review and interview! C.J. Ellisson is an amazing author. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
sandersknc@yahoo.com
Great review!
Death's Servant sounds really good!!
Thanks for the chance to win!