MOVING FROM ROMANCE TO MYSTERY
WITHOUT CHIPPING A FANG
WITHOUT CHIPPING A FANG
by Michelle Rowen
August 7th is an important and exciting date for me. It’s the release date for BLOOD BATH & BEYOND, the FIRST BOOK in my new Immortality Bites Mysteries series!
This book is about a fledgling vampire named Sarah Dearly who is swept up in her fiancé’s dangerous new job investigating cases for the vampire council. BB&B marks Sarah’s debut into this fantastic genre.
However, Sarah has been around for a while. From 2006-2009 she starred in four out of five of the books in my paranormal romance series Immortality Bites. This series ended with (!SPOILER ALERT!) her landing the master vampire of her dreams and a shiny diamond engagement ring. End of story, right?
Well, um. No.
You see, Sarah’s a tricky character. After 20+ books I’ve written in my career thus far, she is the single most stubborn, annoying, opinionated and, well... did I say stubborn (?!!?) character I’ve ever written. Yes, I do realize she’s fictional, but...shhh. Don’t tell her that.
She was soooo not ready to retire after the “happily ever after” I gave her. She arrived back in my imagination in 2010 with not one, not two, but a full series worth of ideas. Problem: her paranormal romance days were done. Buh-bye. I mean, how many times can you keep two people apart by putting obstacles in the way of their trooo luurve before it just gets BORING? But, the thing is, Immortality Bites was never only about the romance. There was mystery, there was intrigue, there was humor and fun and danger galore!
Therefore, Sarah suggested that she might fit very cozily into cozy mystery. And when she just WOULD NOT shut up about it, I let her give it a shot. And...she was right. Cozy paranormal mystery fits her perfectly. I had a ton of fun writing BB&B and was thrilled that Penguin wanted to publish it!
The fantastic thing about cozies is how much room there is to play and few hard and fast rules. Well, except for MURDER. Which, I’m totally cool with, fictionally speaking. ;) Now, with the focus off the romance (although, trust me, there is still plenty of that to go around!) I can explore new areas more fully, let Sarah stretch her legs as she gets deep – very deep – into trouble. As she does.
BLOOD BATH & BEYOND was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a story (followed closely by its June 2013 sequel, BLED & BREAKFAST) and I hope that readers, both new and old to the characters, enjoy Sarah’s future adventures!
Happy Reading!
Michelle xoxo
Immortality Bites Mysteries
Blood Bath & Beyond
An Immortality Bites Mystery 1Obsidian, August 7, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 336 pages
Sarah Dearly is adjusting to life as a fledgling vampire, satisfying her cravings at vampire-friendly blood banks. But when her fiancé Thierry takes a job with the Ring—the secret council in charge of keeping vampires in line—Sarah’s about to get more than a taste of danger...
Being engaged to a centuries-old master vampire can be challenging—especially when he takes a job with the Ring. Thierry’s in for fifty years of nonstop travel and deadly risk. It’s enough to make any woman reconsider the wedding...any woman except Sarah, that is.
Traveling with him to Las Vegas for his first assignment, they encounter a child beauty pageant contestant from hell, as well as a vampire serial killer leaving victims drained of blood, potentially exposing the existence of vampires to the whole world. But when Thierry’s truly ancient history comes back to haunt him, and he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, it’s up to Sarah to clear his name before their immortal lives come to an end.
Preorder
If you'd like to see what Sarah was up to prior to Blood Bath & Beyond
check out the Immortality Bites series
About Michelle
The Giveaways
There is a giveaway of Blood Bath & Beyond (An Immortality Bites Mystery 1) with this guest blog. You can also enter to win the Grand Prize by using the Rafflecopter. The comment you leave to enter to win Blood Bath & Beyond may also be used to enter to win the Grand Prize. Both Giveaways are open internationally.
To Enter to Win a Copy of Blood Bath & Beyond
What: One commenter will win a copy of Blood Bath & Beyond (An Immortality Bites Mystery 1) by Michelle Rowen. The novel is generously provided by Penguin.
How: Leave a comment.
Please remember - if you don't leave a comment your entry will not be counted. You must also leave a way to contact you. Entries without contact information will not be counted.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
To Enter to Win the Grand Prize
How: Fill out the Rafflecopter
Terms and Conditions:
1) There will be one winner of the Grand Prize.
2) The Grand Prize is separate from any giveaway associated with individual author visits during Paranormal Cozy Mystery Month.
3) You must leave a way to contact you with your comment. If you do not leave a way to contact you, your entry will not be counted.
4) The Grand Prize Giveaway is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address.
5) Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
6) Giveaway Terms and Condition are subject to change at any time.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I just can't wait to read this! I'm so excited for this, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteTanya
(tylo84@hotmail.com)
The book sounds great cant wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletedragon_tear(at)cox.net
This sounds like so much fun! I'd love to read about the child beauty contestant from hell.
ReplyDeleterwscharz11ATgmailDOTcom
Another great new series to sink my teeth into! I am so excited!
ReplyDeleteTrudy
trudy29@ymail.com
So far I love everything about this book. I can't wait to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteneoterragoddess@gmail.com
This definitely sounds like something up my alley. This is one book that I haven't seen on my radar yet so thank you for introducing it to us.
ReplyDeleteapril dot vrugtman at gmail dot com
I knew I'd read about Sarah and Thierry before and it was driving me buts since it stated this was the first book in the series. If only I'd read a little futher before racking my brains. I've read the entire Immortality Bites series.
ReplyDeleteacm05atjuno.com
I'm so happy Sarah is back! I can't wait to read this one. :)
ReplyDeletemiarizzo@gmail.com
I love the Immortality Bites and Living in Eden series so i can't wait to start this one :)
ReplyDeleteamy2read89@gmail.com
This sounds like a fun series- I've got it on my TBR list!
ReplyDeletedebbie at burdeen dot com
The book sounds fun to read, cant wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletefiliafantasy at gmail dot com
Yay for more Sarah! I've missed her.
ReplyDeleteironss [at] gmail [dot] com
I love the title of the book. Very clever.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I've been a huge fan of Michelle's for years. I am so happy to see Sarah back. I love the new mystery series angle. Thanks for the awesome contest. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteBLOOD BATH & BEYOND looks like such a fabulous read.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
i want this book !! :) love Michelle's works .
ReplyDeleteuniquas at ymail dot com
I just know this is going to be an awesome read and I would read it for the title alone and knowing it is written by this awesome author my fingers are itching to get a hold of it. Thank you for sharing with us today!
ReplyDeletedz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Oh I love the other series and I'm so curious about this one, mainly now I see the cover, a wonderful one!
ReplyDeleteellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr
I'm happy to see more Sarah Dearly, I loved the Immortality Bites series.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
This sounds like a great way of continuing with the same characters but not labouring the will-they-won't-they romance aspect! Great idea! :-)
ReplyDeletenotanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
Got this added to my TBR. The book sounds fun! And I love the title!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds good.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
What unique idea for a interesting sounding book
ReplyDeleteCopy of Blood Bath & Beyond.
thanks for the giveaway too' dayleb at telus dot net
Oh, I love the cover and rhe cartoonish feeling from it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds good, would like to read it :)
ReplyDeletexlacrimax at gmail com
Cozy mysterie with vampire theme. Sound Good.
ReplyDeletexzjh04(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds great. Looking forward to checking it out.
ReplyDeletebacchus76 at myself dot com
I'm a huge fan of Michelle Rowen and I didn't even know this book was coming out. *hides in shame*
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is going to the top of my wishlist.
spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com