Gena Showalter, Jessica Andersen, Nalini Singh and Jill Monroe joined our chat this past Thursday to talk about thier collaborative series ROYAL HOUSE OF SHADOWS. We has an amazing time talking about thier new books and how they liked working together!
Chat with Royal House of Shadows Authors--Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Jessica Andersen and Jill Monroe--THIS Thursday @ 9pm ET!
Do you love fairytales? Would you love to read amazing retelling of your favorite childhood stories with the added twist of paranormal romance? Join us this Thursday September 29th at 9PM to chat with Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Jill Monroe and Jessica Andersen. If you love any of these authors' books, imagine what they created all together! We will be doing some fun give aways and these four ladies will be ready to answer all of your questions.
Join us Thursday! WHAT: Chat with Royal House of Shadows authors. WHEN:Thursday September 29th, 9PM ET WHERE:The Knight Agency Chat Room HOW TO CHAT:Enter any combination of user name and password. Login. Your computer must be Java enabled to chat!
The winner of STORM KISSED by Jessica Andersen is Sheree! Congrats! Sorry for the delayed annoucement. :-) Sheree, please email Contests(AT)knightagency.net with your physical addy.
Leave a comment to win a copy of STORM KISSED by Jessica Andersen. The winner will be announced on Monday.
The 411: When sexy Nightkeeper Dez goes rogue, the bounty hunter enlisted to catch him is Reese, his former lover. The sexual energy between them is hotter than ever-but the life-and-death stakes attached to the chase may pull them apart for good.
Valentine's Day Afterglow Chat with the ON THE HUNT Authors
Don't forget to join Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen and Deidre Knight for the Valentine's Day Afterglow chat tomorrow TONIGHT @ 9pm ET. The authors of the New York Times bestselling ON THE HUNT anthology will be on hand to dish about their books, share insight on the publishing experience, and give away tons of prizes -- including annoncing the winner of an iPod Nano and 10 hot releases from Signet Eclipse. The iPod Nano contest is a part of our ten-day scavenger hunt and ends at 3pm on Feb. 17th, more details on how to enter here.
WHAT: Valentine's Afterglow Chat with Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen and Deidre Knight
Happy Release Day & Contest Preview for ON THE HUNT!
Today is the big day for four Knight Agency authors! The steamy ON THE HUNT anthology is due in stores today and it features New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen and Deidre Knight.
To help celebrate the release, we we are kicking off a fabulous contest next Monday, February 7th. The grand prize is an iPod Nano multi-touch and a copy of ON THE HUNT signed by all four authors. Entrants will have to hunt down 5 images hidden on the authors' various blogs and websites to enter. Check back for more details on the blog next week. The contest will conclude with a giant party in our chat room on Thursday, February 17th @ 9pm ET where all four authors will be on hand to answer questions about the antho and their upcomong releases. Plus we'll give away several copies of ON THE HUNT during the festivities. Sounds like something you might want to put on your calendar... ;-) You can bookmark our chat room here: TKA Chats.
The 411:New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Anderson, and Deidre Knight present a steamy collection of all-new novellas featuring sexy paranormal hunters.
With shadowy creatures, intoxicating magic, vividly imagined worlds, and sizzling passion, this is an anthology no fan of paranormal romance will want to miss.
In Gena Showalter’s “Ever Night,” Rose Pascal is swept into a dark, haunting world every year on her birthday—a world ruled by a warrior king who hunts her kind. Neither of them can deny the passion that soon consumes them both…
In Shannon K. Butcher’s “The Collector,” demon hunter Neal Etan sets out to acquire a powerful artifact, but find much more in beautiful Viviana Rowan. The antique dealer’s touch strengthens his magic—and her life may be in Neal’s hands if they don’t recover the artifact in time…
In Jessica Andersen’s “Crystal Skull,” archaeologist Natalie Albright’s dig gets shut down amid rumors she has awakened the local demons. But when the terrifying underworld creatures attack, Natalie must team up with her ex to survive. As they fight the ancient menace, they discover a destiny that binds them together---and threatens to tear them apart…
And in Deidre Knight’s “Red Angel,” Jamie Angel, leader of the deadly Nightshades, has tracked every kind of monster and demon that roams the darkness, but none of his experiences can prepare him for falling in love with one of the creatures he’s trained to destroy…
UPDATE: The winner of signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen is KID LIT WRITER. Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net
Burn, baby, burn!
One of the buzz phrases for writers of urban fantasies and paranormals is (say it with me!) world building. The stories center on the characters, but they gain added cool points from the details of world—not just the physical setting, but the cultures, myths, rituals, and symbols of the world’s inhabitants.
In ‘our’ world, as we step into spring in the northern hemisphere (yay!), there’s no shortage of rituals and symbols to draw inspiration from this time of year.
Here in New England, we plant the first seedlings of the year in our gardens, do the St. Patrick’s Day thing, slog through mud, and balance eggs on end at the moment of the vernal equinox (if you haven’t tried that one yet, I recommend it for ten minutes of silliness!).
The ‘spring break’ rituals of the doomsday 2012-fighting warriors in my stories are based on those of the ancient Maya, who leaned more in the direction of blood sacrifice and serpent gods.
(See how the serpentine shadow on the staircase leads to the snake’s head carving at the base? This shadow undulates throughout the day, making the giant serpent come alive—but only during the equinox.)
But they’re not alone in having somewhat destructive rituals to usher in spring. From Annapolis Maryland comes one of my favorite spring celebrations: the burning of the socks.
In this ritual, the local boat owners and dockworkers toss their socks into a bonfire to symbolize the end of winter and the beginning of boating season, and then don’t wear socks again until after the season is over.
Some say this ceremony comes from older maritime traditions, when crew members would have worn the same pair of socks all winter, and captains would enforce a burn-and-replace policy to cut down on the funk. Others claim it came straight from an incident with a sick-of-winter Annapolis dockworker, an empty paint can, a pair of socks and some kerosene in the 80s.
No matter where it comes from, I can totally get behind this. Because, you see, I have this wool hat. Now, it’s not a bad wool hat—it’s soft and non-itchy, and it’s a very nice color blue that goes with my eyes. But I wore it pretty much All. Winter. And I’m ready for it to be spring now.
So, to celebrate new beginnings, warmer weather, greener grass, and the impending release of DEMONKEEPERS on April 6, I’m cyber-burning my blue wool hat … and I’m asking you: What are you going to add to the Knight Agency’s first annual Burning Of The ____?
All comments are entered to win a signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS today on Take Home Tuesday! The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
For more information on DEMONKEEPERS and the other Nightkeeper novels, please check out www.JessicaAndersen.com.
To get a signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS delivered to you the first week of its release, please visit http://store.radcliffbookstore.com and click on ‘virtual signing.’ As a bonus, you can also order a signed copy of JR Ward's LOVER MINE, which will be out later in April!
UPDATE: The winner of SKYKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen is maered! Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests @ knightagency.net (remove spaces from email addy). Thanks for hanging out with us Jessica! Fab post! And thanks to everyone who participated. BTW, we have another great guest blog and giveaway planned for next week with a wonderful new mystery writer -- so stay tuned!
One randomly selected commenter will win a signed copy of NIGHTKEEPERS or DAWNKEEPERS, which are the first two books in this sexy series of paranormal thrillers. And, of course, SKYKEEPERS is in a bookstore near you!
Here’s the blurb:
Ancient prophecy holds that 12/21/2012 will bring a global cataclysm. Mankind’s only hope lies with the Nightkeepers, modern magic-wielding warriors who must find their destined mates and fulfill the legends to defeat the rise of terrible Mayan demons in the last few years leading up to 2012.
In SKYKEEPERS, Michael Stone is a man with a dark secret that has skewed his magical abilities dangerously toward the underworld. Seeking redemption, he sets out on a perilous mission to save the daughter of Ambrose Ledbetter, a renowned Mayanist who died before he could reveal the location of a hidden library. The Nightkeepers must find the library before their enemies gain access to its valuable cache of spells and prophecies.
Sasha Ledbetter grew up hearing heroic tales of an ancient group of powerful magi who were destined to save the world from destruction. She never expected that her bedtime stories would come to life in the form of Nightkeeper Michael Stone, or that she’d hold the key to the warrior’s survival. As Sasha and Michael join forces to prevent the imminent battle, sparks of attraction ignite between them, and they’re forced to confront the unexpected passion that brings them together … and also tears them apart.
This series (and particularly this book) often looks at what makes people afraid. In the largest sense, the overall arc is about the fear of death and endings: The Nightkeepers are fighting to keep the world from ending, and to keep themselves (and future generations) alive. But more, it’s about the fear of failure: The Nightkeepers’ parents sacrificed themselves in an effort to short-circuit the 12/21/2012 countdown, but it continued and their children grew up orphans, in many cases not realizing their true natures. Now reunited, the modern magi are struggling to find their footing amidst new magic, ancient prophecies, and things that go bump in the night.
Within each story, the hero and heroine must deal with more personal fears. In SKYKEEPERS, Michael fears the loss of control—of his temper, his soul, the situation around him … and his heart. Likewise, Sasha fears change, growth, and learning the truth about her father and herself.
I think we can all relate to these fears, some of which might reflect back on our own lives. The concept of a relatable fear is in part what makes us (as readers) connect with a story, even if it’s about something that might not be part of our daily lives, such as Mayan magi, or vampires, or aliens … The world of the story might interest us, but without a relatable character, it’s just a world. It’s the characters that help us connect.
Beyond the ‘big picture’ stuff, smaller fears can become important details that help bring characters to life. In the fourth book in this series (DEMONKEEPERS, April ’10), the hero is recovering from a demonic possession that kept him trapped inside his own skull for nearly a year. As such, he emerges badly claustrophobic, to the point that he avoids his own couch because its soft, enfolding cushions and high arms make him feel trapped.
Most often, these small details about a character emerge as I’m writing the story. Sometimes I don’t even know why someone has a certain phobia at first, only to see it later and think, “Duh. Of course!” But by the same token, (as a writer) don’t be afraid to think about your characters’ phobias and use them as quirks, or clues into that person’s backstory. As part of this, I’ve always thought that it’s interesting to look at the wide variety of phobias out there, and think about where they might stem from, and what interesting behaviors those fears might create.
Me? I’m afraid of spiders … specifically, of big brown spiders crawling into my ears (this stems from a baaad incident with a pair of earmuffs). I’m also not a big fan of heights or bridges.
So tell me … what small, strange thing scares you (or one of your characters) and if you’re willing to share … why???
Remember, all commenters are entered to win! The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon. For more info on Skykeepers and the rest of the Keepers books, check out www.JessicaAndersen.com.
UPDATE: The winner of SKYKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen is macbeaner! Congrats :). Please send your physical addy to contests @ knightagency.net.
Leave your name in the comments to win a copy of SKYKEEPERS: Final Prophecy, Book 3 by Jessica Andersen. The winner will be announced tomorrow morning. Good luck!
The 411: In this sexy series based around the Mayan doomsday prophecy, a group of magic- wielding warrior heroes called the Nightkeepers are ready to fight the demon creatures of the underworld to prevent annihilation…When prominent Mayanist Ambrose Ledbetter goes missing, his daughter Sasha tracks his remains down to an ancient temple. Before she can recover from the shock, she is kidnapped. Slick and charming recruit Michael Stone rescues Sasha from her imprisonment and feels an instant attraction. But he doesn’t dare get involved, with the threat of his dark side growing stronger and the powers of sorcery on the rise. Both Michael and Sasha will discover a new passion together and one they have to admit to in order to change their worlds…
Tunnel of Love Week Guest Blogger: Jessica Andersen
UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congrats to our winner Rebecca Chastain. Please email your physical address to contests(at)knightagency(dot)net! Leave a comment and enter to win an autographed copy of Dawnkeepers!
On Valentine’s Day, many of us turn our thoughts to love and romance, and reaching out to the people we care about. And I find myself thinking more than usual about the concept of marriage. Or, as the guy in the Princess Bride calls it, “Mawwiage…” My Novels of the Final Prophecy are paranormal romantic thrillers about the Nightkeepers, modern-day men and women who find themselves caught up in a series of ancient Mayan prophecies surrounding December 21, 2012. To fight the coming apocalypse, these descendants of ancient magic users must find their destined mates, unlock their hidden powers, and defend the barrier separating the earth and underworld. But while many of the Nightkeepers’ rituals parallel those of the ancient Maya, their marriage rituals diverge. In the ancient Mayan empire, marriage was less about love and more about negotiating bride prices and work debts, and determining whether the omens were propitious. The Nightkeepers, though, are all about love matches. . . or at least spontaneous combustion. Because while they might be crazy-hot for their destined mates, these modern men and women aren’t too keen on having their relationships determined by destiny and prophecy. And while three couples now wear their mated marks, only one mated pair is married. . . and they met and married long before they knew who- or what- they are.
Which gets me thinking about what sort of a wedding Strike and Leah from NIGHTKEEPERS would have, or Nate and Alexis from DAWNKEEPERS. And it makes me think back on some of the better weddings I’ve been to. Probably my favorite was held this past summer- the bride had apparently been envisioning her wedding since girlhood… and she’d always seen herself wearing bright red. So she did! The groom’s rather traditional parents took it pretty well- they were just happy their son was wearing shoes this time. But at the same time, the ceremony wasn’t at all lighthearted- it was two people very much in love, promising to make a life together. I’m not much of a girly girl, but it moved me. So, as we look Valentine’s Day in the teeth, tell me. . . what are some of the best marriage rituals you’ve seen or heard about? Have you been to a really great wedding? Do you know of a really esoteric marriage ritual you’re willing to share? On this Valentine’s Eve, let’s talk mawwiage!
The fine print. (Okay it’s not fine print, really, more just added info.) FMI on NIGHTKEEPERS, DAWNKEEPERS and other upcoming NOVELS OF THE FINAL PROPHECY, as well as more on the Maya, the 2012 end-date, and other cool stuff, please visit
Jessica Andersen's DAWNKEEPERS will be featured in the first meeting of the Black Dagger Brotherhood book club, a live online chat to be held on Feb 16th, hosted by Twisted and Vhiscious, with guest appearances by JR Ward and Jessica Andersen. Read the book and let's discuss it! More info is available on the message boards of jessicaandersen.com and jrward.com.
First-time author David Cristofano's THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE is already garnering praise from reviewers. Publishers Weekly recently gave it a starred review, hailing the book an, "...intense, romantic debut...[whose] mad love scenario sizzles like garlic in hot olive oil." The book is set to release this March.
Here's the 411:When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, and they went gratefully. But the program took Melody's name, her home, her innocence, and, ultimately, her family. She's been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others--everyone but the one person she longs to be: herself. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in another town, she's stunned when a man confronts her and calls her by her real name. Jonathan Bovaro, the mafioso sent to hunt her down, knows her, the real her, and it's a dangerous thrill that Melody can't resist. He's insistent that she's just a pawn in the government's war against the Bovaro family. But can she trust her life and her identity to this vicious stranger whose acts of violence are legendary?
--------------------------------------------- Jessica Andersen's SNOWED IN WITH THE BOSS is Intrigue's top pick for March! Congrats Jessica! Here's the 411:It was supposed to be just a quick stop at the Kenner County mansion to deal with a number of building issues for millionaire Griffin Vaughn and his secretary Sophie LaRue. But after a blizzard and a bridge collapse strand them in the isolated house, it's a matter of survival, not only from the elements but also from vicious killers and a mob boss reputed to be hiding out in the mountains. With only a dying PDA for communication, the pair dodges attacks, relying on Sophie's ingenuity and Griffin's SEAL training. Andersen is top notch, writing in the best Agatha Christie form, as the pressure and danger escalates in the time capsule of a vicious storm. Releases March 2009.
----------------------------------------------- REFLECTIONS OF GOD'S HOLY LAND by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinburg Vamosh is a finalist in the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association Awards (formerly known as Gold Medallion). Congrats!
Here's the 411:This unique armchair tour of Israel includes full-color photographs, related scriptures, historical and archaeological information about each area, and a description of what it looks and feels like to be there today.
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by Jessica Andersen. The winner will be announced on Monday.
Here's the 411: 
