Book Bits: Mourning L.A. Banks, Cat & Bones teasers, Anne Rice on werewolves

For those who missed it last Thursday, I’ve started blogging over at Heroes & Heartbreakers. So far I’ve just been talking about True Blood and my fascination with Alexander Skarsgard. It doesn’t change anything here at VBC, just wanted to let you know I’ll be popping up over there to talk sexy men and such.

L.A. Banks has passed away
If you missed the news on Tuesday, author L.A. Banks has passed away following her battle with adrenal cancer. Her daughter and family could use your thoughts and prayers. I never had the honor of meeting her, but you can get an impression of just how bright and loving a person she was by reading this post by the League of Reluctant Adult authors.

Teasers for Cat & Bones #6
Oh, it’s a triple threat of teasers for Jeaniene Frost’s One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress #6). First, we have the first three chapters posted over on Jeaniene’s website. (I’ll give you a few minutes.)

Second, Frost Fans will again be posting a new banner each day with a OGAAT quote leading up to the August 30 release. The first few are up, and I must say I love the day 2 quote. Bones always does make for weak knees.

Finally, the book trailer. Keep an eye on the background imagery as things go green, because Cat and Bones will be steaming up your screen. Enjoy:

Alternative first chapter to Bloodlines
As a reward for a bajillion pre-orders (OK, it was more like 30,000) of Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy spinoff Bloodlines, Richelle has shared an alternative first chapter to the novel. Originally the series was going to include multiple points-of-view. That means she’d written the first chapter from Adrian’s POV. Things changed and now Sydney is the narrator, so Adrian’s opening chapter got nixed. Get a taste of one of your favorite Moroi boys in this alternative Bloodlines chapter. (And, yes, you can still pre-order Bloodlines.)

Anne Rice takes on werewolves
While at Comic Con promoting the Interview with a Vampire graphic novels, Anne Rice talked with MTV Geek about her current project: a werewolf novel. Expect focus on what it means to be a werewolf and, of course, a bit of romance. She says she’ll bring to it the same thing she did with her vampires. Watch the clip below.

Cover reveal for Guild Hunter anthology
Want four novellas set in the Guild Hunter world? Nalini Singh has written them — sexy angels and all — and will be releasing them as an anthology, titled Angel’s Flight, in March 2012. The lovely Julie from Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks alerted me to the stunning cover art for Angel’s Flight, and I just had to share with you. Cover art (not final version) and blurb for the anthology below:

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels’ Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless…

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

CONTEST ROUNDUP

• We are giving away a signed set of all six Vampire Babylon novels by Chris Marie Green. Open to U.S. only. Enter by Aug. 7.

• Also, we have one copy of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s latest Dark-Hunter novel Retribution up for grabs. U.S. only. Enter by Aug. 11.

• My Bookish Ways has two eBook copies of Belinda Boring’s Without Mercy up for grabs. Open internationally. Ends Aug. 7

• Heroes & Heartbreakers is giving away a copy of Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones. U.S. only. Ends Aug. 9.

• Three people can win Alyssa Day’s Vampire in Atlantis over at All Things Urban Fantasy. U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Ends Aug. 7.

• One Page at a Time is giving away a copy of Jennifer Estep’s Touch of Frost. Contest ends Aug. 12.

• Penguin Books is giving away Madeline Black’s latest Black Night on its Facebook page (it requires a ‘like’). Ends Aug. 5.

• Rosey’s Review is giving away six fantasy books including Poison Study and The Demon King. Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Enter before Aug. 31.

Have some book-related news (unless it is an established series, release dates aren’t considered news) or a contest you’d like to see included in Book Bits? Email VBC the details.