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BLOOD LAW FAQs

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:00 GMT

It's hard to believe BLOOD LAW has been available for two weeks now. Seems like only yesterday I was stressing out over whether anyone would read it or like it... Wait... That was yesterday... ;)

So, since it's been out for a couple of weeks now, I've gotten a few frequently asked questions so I thought I would address them here and then add them to my website in a day or two. Oh, and if you're dying to ask me questions, feel free to either email me or join the live chat I'll be hosting on my message board later this week. The date/time is still in the works, but it will most likely be sometime Thursday night.

Now on to the FAQs....

1. Is this the first in a series or a stand alone novel?

BLOOD LAW is the first in a new series. The second book, BLOOD SECRETS, is slated for release in summer 2011.

2. Why did you write BLOOD LAW in third person with multiple protagonists? It's confusing!

First, there is only one protagonist -- Alex. It's her story. The others are secondary characters with varying importance in the story.

Many urban fantasy books are written in first person point of view, and there's nothing wrong with staying in the head of one character for an entire book. I've written first person point of view and enjoy the challenges it creates. However, for Alex's story, I needed to show other view points as well. As the saying goes, "There are two sides to every story." Well, in BLOOD LAW, there are five or six sides to the story. Whenever I read a book that's written in first person, I'm always wondering what the bad guys and other characters are doing when they aren't around the protagonist. I wanted show what these characters are doing. It was a stylistic choice that I and my publisher think works well for a suspense-based urban fantasy series.

3. Why are your vampires walking around during the day? Aren't they undead and therefore restricted to night?

No, my vampires aren't undead. They're living, breathing, mortal creatures with long lifespans who have evolved alongside humans throughout history. I haven't revealed everything there is to know about them in BLOOD LAW because not all the information is relevant to the events depicted in the book. More info will be forthcoming in later books.

As for why they're walking around in daylight, it's a simple explanation. The "myth" that sunlight kills or harms vampires isn't part of the original folklore and legends of Eastern Europe. If you've ever read Dracula by Bram Stoker, you'll know that Dracula is also a daywalker.

The sunlight "myth" comes from the 1922 silent film Nosferatu. Count Orlok, the vampire, is trapped in a room and is being hunted by an angry mob. The film makers needed Orlok to be out of the room before the mob enters so they could end the movie on a dramatic note. Hence, sunlight comes through the window and Orlok fades away with the dawn. This is also during the time when motion pictures were a new technology and this sort of special effect made Nosferatu an instant hit. It also inserted the sunlight "myth" into the collective consciousness of vampire mythology even though it's a complete fabrication and isn't based in original folklore.

Another reason to make my vampires able to walk during the day is that they're cops. If they were restricted to roughly 12 hours of night for their investigations while bad guys have the potential of using the full 24 hours available in a day, they wouldn't be very effective as law enforcement officers.

4. What genre is BLOOD LAW? Is it suspense, thriller, mystery, horror, urban fantasy, or romance?

It's a little of all them. BLOOD LAW is classified as urban fantasy (or dark urban fantasy). It is not a paranormal romance. I have nothing against the PR genre. In fact, I like to read PR as much as the next person, but I don't write it.

Yes, there is a strong romantic element to the plot centered around Alex and Varik. However, it is not the primary focus of the book and for that reason BLOOD LAW can't be called a "paranormal romance." If you're looking for a straight-up para-romance romp, you're going to be disappointed.

5. What is up with Varik's hair? Why would any guy have long hair nowadays?

There is a story behind the hair and all will be revealed in good time. Patience, Grasshopper.

6. Will (insert character name) be back in the second book?

Some of the characters in BLOOD LAW will be in BLOOD SECRETS. Unfortunately, I can't tell you who except to say Alex and Varik will be back.

7. Is there anything special we should know about Dweezil, the cat?

Yes, he likes long naps in the sun. He favorite flavor is tuna. His favorite toy is a wadded up piece of paper, and he hates going to the vet. Otherwise, he's just an average, run-of-the-mill Maine Coon cat.

8. Will there be other creatures introduced to the town of Jefferson, Mississippi? Werewolves? Fairies? Shifters?

No. I intend to keep the series strictly limited to vampires and humans.

9. Where can I find a copy of BLOOD LAW?

It's available in stores nationwide. If you're looking for an autographed copy, try Bienville Books in Mobile, AL, Murder By The Book in Houston, TX, or Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis, MN.

I'll be signing copies in the following locations as well:

Barnes and Noble in Spanish Fort, AL on July 24 (2-4pm)

Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida -- July 28-31 (I'll be part of the 2010 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing.)

Page & Palette in Fairhope, AL on August 14 (2-4pm)

If you're unable to attend any of these events or contact the stores I mentioned, you can send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to the following address, and I'll send you a signed bookplate that can be easily placed in a copy you already own. (Also makes a great gift!)

Send bookplate requests to:

Jeannie Holmes
PO Box 9945
Mobile, AL 36691-9945

10. I'm a blogger/reviewer and would like to interview you. Is that possible?

Absolutely! Just send me an email with your name, the name and a link to your blog/site, and when you'd like to post the interview. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. My schedule's a little haywire at the moment and it may take a day or two for me to respond so please be patient.

And so ends the frequently asked questions.... I'll add more as more questions are sent to me. Thanks to all who've read BLOOD LAW and contacted me! It's greatly appreciated. :)

BLOOD LAW Virtual Launch Party

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Mark your calendars!

I'm having a Virtual Launch Party for BLOOD LAW, July 7-8, hosted by BittenbyBooks.com!! (Follow the link to RSVP.)

Come chat with me. Learn more about the vampires in BLOOD LAW. Enter to win THREE Amazon.com gift cards. (Contest is open to international readers!)

It'll be fun! You're not going to want to miss this!!

First Pre-Release Pic!

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

BLOOD LAW has been spotted in the wild!!

Thanks to Karen Mahoney for sharing this pic of BLOOD LAW (next to the fabulous Stacia Kane's UNHOLY MAGIC) in Forbidden Planet, London, UK. Saaaa-weeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!

Pre-Release Party Pics Contest

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Yes, the official release date for BLOOD LAW is July 6, 2010. However, as often happens, some eager beavers throw out a few teasers here and there in the form of pre-release date sales. With this in mind, I've devised a new contest:

The Pre-Release Party Pics Contest

If you're one of the lucky few who happen to find BLOOD LAW sitting on the shelf in your fave bookstore BEFORE July 5, snap a pic and send it to contest [at] jkholmes [dot] com, along with where you found it. Don't forget to include your name!

FIRST FIVE SUBMISSIONS WILL RECEIVE A LIMITED EDITION CRIMSON SWAN SHOT GLASS!

Rules:

1. All entries must be received BEFORE 11:59 pm (Central time zone) on July 5, 2010.

2. Only one submission per person.

3. Contest is open to international readers.

4. Contest will close after five (5) winning photos are received.

5. All photos will become part of an online BLOOD LAW photo gallery, so please, do not send any photos you wouldn't want your grandmother to see.

6. Advance Reader Copies/Edition (ARCs/AREs) are EXCLUDED from this contest.

Have fun and thanks to all!

BLOOD LAW Book Trailer

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I was playing around with Windows Movie Maker and created this little jewel of a book trailer for BLOOD LAW. It's not much and it's nothing really fancy, but I had fun with it. :)

May-June BLOOD LAW Contest

Sun, 23 May 2010 06:00:00 GMT

"May-June! Bring me that book!"

"What book?"

"That one about the vampire."

"Which vampire?"

"You know -- that one with fangs."

"Could you be a little more specific?"

"Never mind! I'll get it myself!"

The time has finally arrived -- the FINAL BLOOD LAW ARC CONTEST is here!

Up for grabs: ONE (1) Advance Reader Copy of BLOOD LAW, featuring the highly collectable original cover. This is the LAST advance copy I have (other than my own personal copy) so if you don't enter, you will miss your chance to read BLOOD LAW before it hits the shelves.

Because this is the FINAL contest I'll be holding before BLOOD LAW is released, I'm going to include a few extra goodies. Winner will receive the following:

1 BLOOD LAW advance reader copy (ARC), autographed
2 BLOOD LAW bookmarks, autographed
1 BLOOD LAW cover flat, autographed
2 "Suck on This" shot glasses from Crimson Swan, the vampire bar featured in BLOOD LAW
2 ink pens -- one from Crimson Swan vampire bar and one for BLOOD LAW
6 pack of Vlad's Tears, "The World's Finest Synthetic Blood -- The Choice of Vampires Since 1984" (Actually it's candy, but it's still cool.)

To receive these wonderful items, you must perform the following actions:

Leave a comment on the Wayward Muses and Shiny Objects blog.

That's it -- just leave a comment. No strings attached. Post a comment. Doesn't get any simpler.

Naturally, there are a few rules:

1. Contest begins May 24, 2010 and ends MIDNIGHT June 22, 2010. All answers must be received BEFORE the deadline.

2. Leave a comment on the Wayward Muses and Shiny Objects blog. While the contest posting is cross-listed on several sites, only entries on the Wayward Muses blog will be considered valid for this contest.

3. You may enter only ONCE -- that's one (1) time -- in order to keep it fair.

4. Contest is open to international participants.

5. Winner will be determined by a random draw.

Good luck and have fun!

Updated CONvergence schedule

Tue, 04 May 2010 06:00:00 GMT

The RT Booklovers Convention was a huge success and more fun than I could shake a stick at! I'll have a full report once I'm fully conscious and have finished sorting through all the photos.

While you're waiting for my riveting RT report, feast your eyes on my updated schedule for CONvergence (Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Bloomington, MN -- July 1-4):

Thursday, July 1

8:30 PM -- Psychology of Criminals

Location: Atrium 4

About: Many SF/Fantasy villains are portrayed as just plain evil, but in reality there is a deeper psychology behind criminal behavior that is not explored outside crime novels. Is criminial Psycholyg ever effectively explored in genre characters?

Panelists: Christoforo Pasquarette, MontiLee Stormer, Jeannie Holmes, Sherry L.M. Merriam, Dana Baird

Friday, July 2

5:00 PM -- Jeannie Holmes and Joel Arnold signing

Location: Autograph Table

About: Jeannie Holmes and Joel Arnold will be available to sign their work.

7:00 PM -- Bad Boys Are Cuter!

Location: Atrium 4

About: Why are we attracted to the bad ones? Batman, Darth Vader, Dracula, Wolverine. Good guys or bad guys, why are the dark brooding one so damn sexy?

Panelists: Amada Marquez, Tracie Peters, Jeannie Holmes, L.A. Banks, James Turnbull

10:00 PM -- Jeannie Holmes Reading

Location: Vista Suite

About: Jeannie Holmes reads from her newly released novel "Blood Law" and other works.

Saturday, July 3

11:00 AM -- How to Create a Good Villain

Location: Bloomington

About: What makes a villain stand out from all the others? How do you write a villain like Dracula or Marissa Coulter and not one like any number of villains we can't remember to use as an example.

Panelists: R. Scott McCoy, Jeannie Holmes, S.D. Hintz, Christoforo Pasquarette

Sunday, July 4

2:00 PM -- Super Sparkly Fangalicious Necromatic Notions!

Location: Bloomington

About: No, it's not on Broadway yet. The evolution of the vampire in modern fiction from sexual liberator to fuzzy love bunny. Fang bangers unite!

Panelists: L.A. Banks, Tangee Harrison, Jeannie Holmes, Nick Larson, Dayna Jean Wolter

Change in BLOOD LAW release date

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT

The release date for BLOOD LAW has changed from June 22 to July 6, 2010.

Before you start screaming, the change was made to take advantage of a great promotion opportunity through Barnes & Noble: BLOOD LAW will receive placement on the tower display in B&N! Woohoo!

This is a good thing. Trust me.

Okay....now you can scream.

Author Scavenger Hunt Twitter Contest

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I'll be attending the RT BookLovers Convention in Columbus, OH this year. (Yay!) I'll be running a special contest the week of the convention, the Author Scavenger Hunt Twitter Contest. It's part scavenger hunt and part social media interaction. Here's how to play:

1. Follow me, JeannieHolmes, on Twitter.

2. Every day I will announce the start of "The Hunt" and post clues regarding my location along with a special code word and time limit for finding me.

3. The first person to find me and say the code word wins a Super Special Sekret Prize.

4. Contest is open to RT attendees only.

5. You must follow me on Twitter to find the clues.

6. Times and locations will be random. Multiple "Hunts" during a single day are possible.

7. Opening day of "The Hunt" will be April 28, 2010 and closing day will be May 2, 2010.

It's A-Liiiiiiive!!!

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT

New Fan Forum is now live! Come chat with me, hear the latest BLOOD LAW news, and more! (Free registration is required.)

Click here to visit the Jeannie Holmes Fan Forum.