Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Welcome to DarkTour! We’re authors Laurie London and Erin Kellison. Because our e-novellas came out on the same day (Hidden By Blood by Laurie and Shadow Touch by Erin), we thought it’d be fun to hit the blogosphere together. Besides, with two of us, we can give away more stuff.
To win, you have to read this post. There will be a test. (LOL Just kidding. Well…only about the test.)
Unbeknownst to former Army Ranger Finn McKentry of Hidden By Blood, he’s a sweetblood human—his blood is addictive to vampires. He doesn’t know they exist…just yet. Dr. Cameron Kalamos of Shadow Touch has hired Finn to take him by helicopter out to one of the San Juan Islands. Cam is conducting an investigation about… Oh well, I’ll let them tell you:
Finn finishes his preflight check just as a taxi pulls up next to the hangar. “Dr. Kalamos already?” He glances at his watch. The guy was almost twenty minutes early. Finn ducks under the tail boom and jogs across the tarmac. “Here, let me take a couple of those bags for you, Doc.”
The man smiles, looks relieved. “Call me Cam.”
Finn takes a duffel and hoists the strap over his shoulder. “Bloody hell, what do you have in this thing? A whole damn laboratory?”
Cam laughs, pays the driver. “I wish.”
With bags in hand, the two men head toward the helicopter.
“So, what kind of investigation are you conducting on Crescent Island?” Finn asks Cam.
“The kind of investigation that gets me away from my lab long enough to clear my head of a certain, maddening someone. Or else I might do something that I really won’t regret, if you know what I mean.”
“Women,” Finn mutters as he opens the door, stows the bags inside. “Life may be difficult with them, but it sure can be hell without them.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some stories of your own.” Cam climbs into the helicopter.
“In Edinburgh, I—”
“Edinburgh?” Cam interrupts, looking pleased with himself. “So that’s it. I thought I detected a slight accent.”
Finn is surprised it’s still noticeable. “I visited cousins there recently. Ended up staying longer than I’d planned. I…ah…wasn’t sure I was coming back or not.” He walks around to the other side and climbs in.
Cam narrows his eyes. “Let me guess. A woman?”
Damn. “That obvious, huh? Thought I’d found the one, you know?” Finn makes quote marks with his fingers. “But she ended up saying we needed to go our separate ways.”
Finn hands Cam a headset and remembers the last time he saw Brenna. The strange, almost eerie expression on her face. She’d fumbled with her keys and jumped out of his car like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Although they’d shared a lot with each other and she’d talked about her work in the medical field, there’d always been something mysterious, too. A hidden wildness, a secret bad-girl, that totally cranked his—
“Ah, bloody hell.” Finn untangles the cord of his own headset. “That’s history. Got her out of my system in Scotland, if you know what I mean. So, what’s your story, Doc? She not warming the sheets for you back home?”
Cam puts on the headset and buckles in, ready to go. “I’m working on it. Tough case.” If that wasn’t the understatement of the year.
Finn leans forward, flips a few switches on the dashboard. “Trouble, then?”
“You have no idea.” Cam grins, thinking about Ellie and her impulsive dark shadow. The two parts of the amazing woman aren’t united, as they should be—her shadow moving independently from her body. But he can’t tell Finn any of that. Not that he’d believe a word. Instead, Cam settles for a sideways kind of truth about the ‘trouble’ Ellie is. “Shots were fired the first time Ellie and I spoke.”
Finn looks over, a little startled.
Cam nods with mock gravity. “And it got more… exciting from then on.” The woman was damn hard to talk about. And for good reason.
The silky opaque body of Ellie’s nude shadow is completely unbounded by any kind of higher reason. She acts on instinct and passion alone. And Ellie bravely battles to control her.
“More exciting than gunfire?”
“Oh yeah.” The gunfire was the least of it. “But she’s worth it. No one else could possibly compare.” Cam blows out his breath, thinking of the challenge. And the rewards. The only way to deal with the situation is to admit the want that gripped him, at least to himself, and then concentrate on the puzzle of her existence. Work is his distraction.
This job to collect samples is the perfect way to clear his mind. Why, then, is he more focused on her than ever?
“She’s a little temperamental,” Cam says, mostly to himself. “Has got a gift.” Though Ellie doesn’t think of her condition that way. He’d prove her wrong though, if she’d give him the chance. “Stubborn.”
Finn laughed. “I know stubborn.”
“Then I guess we’re both in for a hell of a ride.”
GET MORE
To check out Cam and Ellie’s story, find Shadow Touch at Amazon
To check out Finn and Brenna’s story, find Hidden By Blood free on several sites: B&N, Harlequin or Amazon
You can find, follow and friend us both here:
Erin: website | Facebook | Twitter
Laurie: website | Facebook | Twitter
Okay, so here’s the prize package: Bonded By Blood (book 1 in Laurie’s Sweetblood series), Shadow Bound (book 1 in the Erin’s Shadow series), and a bonus book, Sins of the Soul by Eve Silver (read VBC’s review). We’ll also be adding bookmarks and romance trading cards.
Just comment and tell us if you like books where the paranormal world is secret from humans or if you like everything out in the open and you’ll be entered to win.
CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES
1. You must leave a comment on this post to enter. This contest is now closed. Big congrats to our winner, Joel!
2. You do not need to follow Vampire Book Club to be entered, but we sure do like it.
3. This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
4. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, June 17.
5. The winner will be selected using Random.org. Then she will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to claim her prizes. If we do not hear from the winner(s) within that time, a new winner will be selected.
6. Entrants must be at least 18 years old or have their parent’s permission to enter. Please review our privacy policy, if you have any questions as to how Vampire Book Club uses your information. (Short version: we’ll only use it to contact you for this contest.)
7. Though unlikely, Vampire Book Club has the right to change or cancel any giveaway at any time without prior notice.
8. Vampire Book Club is not responsible for prizes lost or damage in transit.
9. Thanks to Laurie London and Erin Kellison for providing the books (and giving us a fun guest post).
Personally, I prefer the ones where it is hidden. It creates better scenarios for tension.
heykiddego(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks!
Definitely secret because then if someone who is not supposed to know finds out it gets hardcore!
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
Secret for sure…I wouldn’t want everyone to know.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
i would say secret. it makes the stories and plots better when there secret. i especially like the books were us, the reader, is left guessing whos what and whats who. hope that makes sense. 🙂
shadow_kohler at att dot net
I like when it is a secret and someone finds out. Those are my favorite.
I think I like it better when it’s a secret. It seems less messy than books like the Sookie Stackhouse series, where everyone knows and is so afraid and ignorant. That is, until someone finds out and then the whole world knows in the ones where it’s a secret. Ayee. 🙂
Thanks!
imabookshark AT yahoo DOT com
I like both really but I’d say hidden is my favorite. It gives for a great story when someone crosses the forbidden line unknowingly.
Thanks!
Karen
karenvtavares AT aol DOT com
I like when they are hidden but maybe not to a few very special humans 🙂
It’s better as a secret. It definitely creates more suspense and allows for back stories on the supernatural to be explained easily when characters discover the “other world”
I like both but I’m a big fan of the world being kept a secret. I think it creates more of a mystery and makes everything seem more forbidden.
GFC follower
There are days, moments when I really like the paranormal world secret. It gives the reader a chance to simply pretend that’s the way the world is, that perhaps there is more and they could have a harmless fantasy of what if it is real and I meet such and such everyday and didn’t know. It does create more suspense to the story line.
Now and then I do get the hankering for it to be known.
I like both. Depending on how the paranormal world interacts with the human world I’m fine. Like in Dragon Bound and the Riley Jenson books they interact and have learned to live w/one another. Now The Night Huntress books it just wouldn’t work if humans knew about the paranorms.
GFC follower
Tweeted
I do like both but I think my favorite is when its a secret. Adds that extra special bit of sexiness and danger to the vampires. Not that they weren’t dangerous enough with the fangs but you know how it is girls love bad boys…lol!
Actually both. Depends on the story and world that it is taking place in. Both can add an element of mystery, suspense and danger to the characters.
I am a follower
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I love both.. , depending on the story and the setting!
If the world is open to humans – think X-men 😉 But again, the number of stories I have actually read in this is minimal 😉
And I equally love a world which is not known to humans and secrecy becomes paramount….leading to a variety of stories 😉
Thanks for the giveaway. judimello AT gmail DOT com
First off, thanks for the giveaway!!
I’ll be honest, I think it depends on how the character handles the discovery of this new secret world. Sometimes a hero or heroine flips out and panics to the point where you can’t relate to them. Other times, it works! But I do enjoy exploring the secrets of a new paranormal world.
Annie
alltherhage AT gmail DOT com
I like hidden worlds, too. 😉 As an author, I love that added element of conflict as your characters try to keep the secret from getting out.
~Laurie
I readers also get to feel like they’re “in” on something when the story takes place in a hidden world.
I think when the paranormal world is secret it adds more to the story. You can’t just walk around with your fangs down in broad daylight. You have to be crafty about your identity and personal life. Therefore I like it more that way, adds a bit more “forbidden-ness” to the whole story.
Thank you for the giveaway!
dani3222001(at)yahoo(dot)com
Definately hidden. It’s more suspenseful that way and it’s also interesting to see how the paranorms cover their tracks so humans don’t learn about them. Thanks for the contest and I hope I win:)
i think it depends on the book. sometimes it is better for the storyline if humans don’t have a clue and other books it is better if they know.
trvlagnt1t(at)yahoo(dot)com
I read both types and like both actually. I like the surprise the character has when they find out about the hidden things. I just read the Chicagoland vampire series by Chloe neill and everything was pretty out in the open and that was really good as well. So final answer…I’ll take both…lol
Thanks for the chance to win.
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love both types of books. Hidden worlds give more suspense and often intensity to the book, but known creatures/worlds adds elements of adaptation and new world rules.
Thanks for stopping by everyone! I favor the hidden worlds myself, especially when they are just about to burst into the mainstream.
What a great post!! I’ve been meaning to catch up with both these authors, and reading this will make that happen MUCH quicker!
I like everything out in the open because it creates more opportunity for conflict and racism (specieism?), but secret worlds are great, too. It’s allll good.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Hmmm… Definitely secret. I like the whole shock factor of telling someone outside of the paranormal world 🙂
I like the hidden world, I think it adds another dimension to the story. Thanks for the giveway!
Though I read both kinds, I tend to prefer it when the paranormal world is secret because of the tension/conflict when the cat is out of the bag.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Hmmm I like both I don’t really think it matters as long as it’s good writing but, gun to my head I would have to say hidden it just seems more believable . Not that any of the books could be believable, but out in the open is just crazy talk.
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I like when the paranormal world is a secret. It makes the story more interesting and people are not panicking. I also think even if it was out in the open people still wouldn’t believe it. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
I think its much better when hidden from humans. Leaves more options when writing!
I don’t know – there are things about both types that I like, so it’s really hard to decide. If pressed, I guess I would say I lean toward having it secret from the humans. Not for any particular reason, I just think the sneaking around is kind of fun!
Thanks for a great giveaway! Anything to get another vampire book!
better if it keeps secret anyway..more mysterious..^^
i’m following on FB n thanks for the giveaways..
my email is sunnystream96@ymail.com
I like the stories where everyone knows. I feel these stories have more depth to them.
I enjoy both types, but I think I prefer secret.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wow, looks like the vast majority of you like your paranormal worlds secret.
In real life, I’ve always been fascinated by things hidden in plain sight. As a kid growing up in Seattle, we had several serial killers on the loose and people were freaked out. My grandmother actually met Ted Bundy once, thought he was such a nice young man and wondered if she could introduce her daughter (my aunt) to him. Creepy! As a college student, I remember driving and looking at other cars around me, wondering if the guy in the panel van was the Green River Killer.
I got to thinking, maybe it’s not just the bad guys hiding right under our noses, but the good guys are, too, and they’re trying to defeat them without us ever finding out.
I like it when the paranormal world is a secret. I mean, I don’t think things would go over well if everything were out in the open.
rootml1 AT hotmail DOT com
Definitely secret. It becomes a world undo itself. Something exclusive and keeps the humans guessing.
I have just gotten Hidden by Blood and would love to read these others. Thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity. I like the books where the paranormal world is hidden with the exception of a few normals with a gradual revelation.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
i like both but being hidden adds more mystery and suspense about being found out
Thank you so much for the giveaway! Personally I like both depending on the story line. If I had to choose I would go with secret.
Thanks for the chance to win!! I LOVE paranormal romance books of all types, but I guess I prefer the ones where the paranormal world is somewhat a secret…it adds more excitement, I think.
mallary.mott@eagles.usm.edu
I think I prefer it when the paranormal world is a secret. I like to see the character falling into it rather than knowing all about it already.
I like both … but hidden makes it that much more mysterious and dangerous …
Thanks for giving a little something before the next book.. Hidden my blood was very sweet
Embraced by Blood is going to rock I (Heart) Lily and Alfonso …. That one part up against the wall in Bonded by blood was HOT HOT HOT…. Sigh I might need to soak myself in a tub full of ice for a week after this book.,, can’t wait for their story … Laurie you left me wanting more of them …Thanks for a wicked series…
Secret is preferred for me. It creates suspense and intrigue.
I prefer the worlds to be secret. It makes the storyline more dark and dangerous. It also provides a sexy aspect, like something that is forbidden. 😉
Looks like it might be worth checking out!
I like both, just depends on how well the author tells the story. Sometimes a secret world adds an extra kick because of the fear of discovery. I think there have been a number of authors that tell a pretty great story where everything is out in the open. For me it comes down to the story, and a good story is a good story!
I like it when the paranormal world is open to everyone! 🙂 It makes the world far more interesting I think.
I think it can work either way…the Ilona Andrews/Kate Daniels books work so well where it is not secret, and yet most of the great paranormal romances around operate with the supes being hidden from humans–then the “discovery” of the supe world is its own conflict.