Jeannie Holmes - Author of Urban Fantasy and Suspense

Olde City, New Blood

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:54:39 +0000

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

I’m sad to say that I’ve been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s Olde City, New Blood conference in St. Augustine due to a family emergency. I apologize to all my readers who were looking forward to catching up with me. (I was looking forward to seeing all of you, too!!)

The End

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:57:23 +0000

Sadly, I have to announce there will not be a third Alex book. Despite best efforts, my agent has been unable to find a publisher to take over the series.

For those who have asked “how can this be,” the facts are simple. Publishing is a numbers game. BLOOD LAW didn’t sell as well as the publisher hoped. The print run for BLOOD SECRETS was smaller but even it didn’t make projected numbers. Gone are the days when a book could sit on store shelves for weeks or even months in order to build an audience. The average lifespan for new books that aren’t written by Top Names and/or have movie deals/rumors buzzing about them is about 3-4 weeks–at best. Unfortunately, this means that if a book/series doesn’t find an audience immediately and sell a predetermined number of books, the series/author is dropped.

Shelf space is limited and publishers and book sellers want to turn profits. New authors are risky. New ideas are risky. Throw in the volatile nature of e-books and the risks are compounded. It’s business. It’s not personal. It’s simply the way things are. It’s no one’s fault. There is no one to blame.

Alex and Varik were a huge part of my life for years before their story was published. I’d be lying if I said I was anything other than devastated to see the series end after two books. However, I’m not the first author to lose a series nor will I be the last. All I can do now is decide how I’m going to move forward. No, I don’t know if there will be a short story or novella to wrap up loose ends. I hope to write an ending at some point but for now, I’m taking a little break from writing. I need time to sort out some things and in a way, say goodbye to Alex and Varik. How will replace them? I don’t know yet.

I enjoyed working with the fabulous editors I had for BLOOD LAW and BLOOD SECRETS, and I learned a helluva a lot from them. I enjoyed meeting many of you and for those I haven’t met in person but have come to know through Facebook, Twitter, and emails, I’ve enjoyed that as well. You’ll always be my Minions, and I’ll always be grateful for the support and love you’ve given to Alex and Varik…and to me.

-Jeannie

Bitten By Books interview is on!

admin — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:52:12 +0000

My interview with Bitten By Books is now live, and I’m chatting with readers. Have a burning question? Come over and ask — you’ll also be entered to win some cool swag!

Bitten By Books: Interview with Author Jeannie Holmes

Be sure to follow the link below to enter for the swag!

2 Sets of Autographed Books: Blood Law, Blood Secrets, and The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance

Bitten By Books interview, chat, and contest!

admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:26:22 +0000

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 - I’ll be interviewed by Bitten By Books and chatting with readers. We have some awesome swag to give away to some lucky people: 2 sets of autographed books, including BLOOD LAW, BLOOD SECRETS, and THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE!

The contest is open to international readers so stop by and say “Hi!”

Follow the link below to RSVP and you’ll earn extra chances to win:

RSVP for Jeannie Holmes at Bitten By Books

New Anthology!

admin — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:37:44 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that I have a short story featured in the upcoming anthology MAMMOTH BOOK OF FUTURISTIC ROMANCE! Love conquers all… including natural disasters and alien invasions in this contemporary fiction collection.

My story, Flying is Faster, takes place on a distance world and details what happens when Ronan Frayne, a human doctor, falls for an alien girl, Dah’Te.

Look for it from Running Press, December 31, 2012.

ISBN-13: 978-0-762-44601-8
ISBN-10: 0-762-44601-3

Olde City, New Blood: UF/PNR Convention

admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:48:32 +0000

I’ve recently confirmed my attendance to the OLDE CITY, NEW BLOOD Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Convention in St. Augustine, Florida. The con will be held February 8-10, 2013, and will feature a gaggle of UF/PNR authors, book bloggers, and readers. This is the inaugural year for OCNB so it should be a lot of fun. Click on the picture link below for more information.

Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance is out in UK and Kindle!

admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:38:22 +0000

The UK paperback and Kindle versions of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE has been released!

About MBOGR: A wonderful collection of stories of supernatural love by Sharon Shinn, Dru Pagliasotti, Caridad Pineiro, Jennifer Estep, Gwyn Cready, Carolyn Crane, Jeannie Holmes, Anna Campbell, Julia London, Christie Ridgway, Holly Lisle and Liz Maverick. In happy-ever-after endings, ghosts come to life so that lovers can be united in the flesh.

Here is a brief excerpt from my steampunk-inspired fantasy, Seventeen Coppers, in which Ro Vargas is hired to steal a soul but runs into a ghost from her own past:

Warm breath tickled her ear as a body pressed close to her back. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Ro pulled back from the voice, reaching for the pepperbox revolver at her side.

A firm hand wrapped around her wrist as she spun to face her accuser. Light hazel eyes sparkled with deadly amusement. “Is that any way to treat an old friend?”

Ro eased her stance. “Mason Beck,” she said, as the man who held her smiled. “I thought you were in prison.”

His smile widened to a grin and he inched closer. “I decided an early release was in my best interest.”

“Hmm, I suppose self-release is a subject with which you are quite intimate.”

Mason chuckled. His hand slid from her wrist to her shoulder, making her shiver despite the day’s repressive heat. “My sweet Rosalind.” His roughened fingertips stroked the flesh exposed by her shirt’s collar. His distinctive southern Asthegan drawl colored his words with visions of verdant forests and balmy nights. “That wit of yours will be the key to your undoing.”

Ro retreated a few steps, anxious to slow her racing heart. “Perhaps, but you, sir, won’t be the one doing the undoing.”

Mason followed her until she bumped into the rough-hewn edge of a market stall. He placed one palm on the wall beside her head. Sun-lightened brown hair pooled on his shoulders in soft waves as he leaned forward. His breath made her already warmed cheek all the hotter when he whispered in her ear. “Are you certain of that?”

Ro swallowed the lump in her throat to reply a little too breathlessly, “Quite certain.”

He examined her face. A languid smile tugged at his full lips. He swept a lock of her golden curls over her shoulder and a wicked gleam sparked in his eyes. “A pity, love.”

“Seventeen Coppers” © 2012 by Jeannie Holmes.

The US paperback edition will be released August 7, 2012.

Supporting a Good Cause: Cure for Diabetes

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:06:15 +0000

Every year, bestselling author Brenda Novak sponsors an auction to support finding a cure of diabetes. This year, I’m honored to participate in this worthy cause. As someone who is “recently” diagnosed with Type II Diabetes (I was officially diagnosed in March 2011, so I’ve spent the past year adjusting to this new lifestyle.), this cause is especially dear to me.

For that reason, I’m offering some fabulous items for you, my faithful Minions, to fight over–uh, bid on. Here are my offerings:

For Readers — Signed copies of BLOOD LAW and BLOOD SECRETS
*Two listings are available: Listing 1 and Listing 2

For Writers — Critique of a partial (up to 200 pages!) unpublished manuscript!
* Any genre
* Critique will focus on plot, pacing, and character development
* Manuscripts are due for review no later than August 31, 2012
* Maximum of a two (2) month turn around
* Follow up emails and/or phone call

I rarely offer critiques so this is huge. If you’re looking for feedback on a project, here’s your chance.

Tons of great items from outstanding authors are available. If you’ve never considered bidding on something, please consider it now. Support a great cause and win some seriously awesome stuff.

Thanks!

-Jeannie

2012 Event Schedule

admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:50:34 +0000

This year I’ve decided to remain close to home so my event schedule is minimal and flexible. At the moment, I only have one appearance scheduled — Daddy’s Girls’ Weekend, April 13-15, Mobile, AL — and a few online events in the works.

Am I becoming a hermit? Am I stricken with some unnatural ailment? Am I secretly a spy for the planet Rcaror 9 and have received the long awaited signal that orders me to steal the lint from everyone’s left pocket so that our beloved Queen Musethy may use it to create a comfortable bed upon which she will spawn a horrible demented race of Jethro Tull-worshipping space zombies?

Not really.

The truth is that I simply want to spend more time at home actually writing and less on the road talking about writing. (Plus that pocket lint isn’t going to collect itself!) Therefore, I’m limiting myself to events/appearances that are within easy driving distance or can be done from the comforts of my writing cocoon.

As always, I’ll update the Events list as they are added to the schedule, and you can always find me Inside the Pod, every Tuesday, with my fellow Ninja Peas, Michelle Ladner and Alexis Lampley.

- Jeannie

Release Date for Ghost Romance Anthology

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:25:21 +0000

A new release date for the MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE has been announced!

A wonderful collection of stories of supernatural love by Sharon Shinn, Dru Pagliasotti, Caridad Pineiro, Jennifer Estep, Gwyn Cready, Carolyn Crane, Jeannie Holmes, Anna Campbell, Julia London, Christie Ridgway, Holly Lisle and Liz Maverick. In happy-ever-after endings, ghosts come to life so that lovers can be united in the flesh.

I’m honored to be a part of this incredible anthology and included among such tremendous talent. My short story, Seventeen Coppers, is a steampunk-inspired fantasy romance: Ro Vargas is hired to steal a soul but who will save hers?

Release date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Running Press
ISBN: 9780762442690
Paperback and e-format

Currently available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and your favorite local indie stores!