Happy Birthday to Books N Kisses! Congratulations on one year of book blogging fun.
Thanks so much, Kelly, for having me on today. Hi, everyone!
First of all, I need to brag. Last month, I met your fearless leader in person over lunch when she heard I was heading to her hometown to check out colleges with my son. She’s every bit as fun and cool in real life as she is online. Maybe even more so, if you can believe it. And we’re going to hang out again in a few weeks at the Emerald City Writers Conference. I can’t wait.
Okay, that was the “kisses” part of this post. Now for the “books.” Well, actually, my books have kisses in them, too…lots of them.
The short story I wrote in A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS is a reunion story when old lovers, Trace and Charlotte, reunite and the flames of their past romance are rekindled. The only problem is, just one of them remembers—the other one thinks it’s a new relationship.
But first, let me backtrack a minute.
Vampires in the Sweetblood world drink blood, have fangs, prefer the dark (sunlight doesn’t make them burst into flames, but it does drain their energy), and shadow-move at high speeds.
You may witness or experience an actual vampire attack and, at the time, you’ll know without a doubt that they’re real. However, you’ll never remember it, because they also have the ability to alter your memory.
After all, why do you think vampires have been able to keep their existence a secret for centuries? Sure, people have heard about them, but they’re not real. They’re just rumors, whisperings, the fodder of spooky stories.
Or are they?
This is an element of vampire mythology that I explore in the short story Enchanted By Blood, which is set in the same Sweetblood world as the novels.
If you’ve read book one and two (BONDED BY BLOOD and EMBRACED BY BLOOD), you’ll find out a little more about the political structure of the Governing Council, and you’ll recognize a few characters. But if you haven’t read the books, you won’t be lost. I wrote this story to stand on its own.
Former Guardian Trace Westfalen is poised to take over his father’s seat on the Council, but he won’t be voted in if he’s in a relationship with a human. Interior decorator/party planner Charlotte Grant feels an odd connection to the man who hired her to decorate his home for a big holiday bash, but she’s never met him before…or has she?
What if you fell in love with someone but your memories were taken…would a part of you remember that you had this deep connection once? Out of sight may mean out of mind, but what if you’re suddenly thrust back together again? Your brain may not remember, but what about your heart?
Having read the poignant book STILL ALICE last year, which is told from the point of view of a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, I was struck with what a tragedy it would be to lose your memory, to forget your loved ones. Whereas Alice never regains hers, you’ll have to read Enchanted by Blood to find out what happens to Charlotte. 😉
I’ve got a special giveaway for one random Books-n-Kisses reader: A copy of A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS plus a vampire ornament made by WeirdPlush. When I saw them on Etsy, I knew it’d be a perfect match for the book.
And whoever wins the prize package, if you could tweet or facebook me a picture of the ornament on your tree, I’d totally love to see it!
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by. Good luck!
I would be more than happy to read this book if i'm lucky enough to win. I would also make a post on my new blog.
And of course i would try to take a picture of my chritmas tree( if i manage to get the book on time because with the post…)and send it but only by email beacuse i don't have facebook or twitter sorry
If i love the book, i plan on putting other books on my wish list
( it would be great if the free novella was available in pdf format on smasword or on laurie webside because amazone and b&n aren't for me)
a big thanks you for making this giveaway international
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
gfc name: isabelle frisch
Ohh a Vampire book that I haven't read yet. Woohoo! I'm on a vampire reading kick at the moment and I am loving this book cover. So mysterious. Can't wait to read this, it's in my wish list just in case I don't win.
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
Laurie is a new author to me. her books sound wonderful. I love vampires. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sue B
Sorry forgot answer question. What would I do if I got A Vampire for Christmas? I would read it and post my review on Amazon, Goodreads, & anywhere I could find.
Sue B
I have never read any of Laurie London's books. If I got a Vamp for Christmas I would have him whisk me away to his lair and not come out for a LONG time 🙂
bluesun1218@dishmail.net
If I got a vamp for christmas Id start planning my eternal forever immediately
flanagan@mebtel.net
Can't wait to read this! I've read everything of Laurie's so far and am in love with this world! Love the ornament!
tasha_ann13ATyahooDOTcom
If I got a hot vampire for Christmas, I'd probably not be leaving the bedroom for a while 😉
sarawatts18@gmail.com
If I got a Vampire for Christmas what would I do? Well if it's the book, I would immediately sit down and start reading. If I actually got a real vampire, well thats different. And it depends on if he's friendly or not. I suppose I would start off by telling him that I want to be friends first and he can share my hunting territory. Then I would probably flirt with him. If things went well, we would be a couple and hopefully get married at some point in time. 😉
LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com
Hi!
I'll probably ask him to turn me after christmas party! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com
quite honestly.. i would probably be upset, because what a waste of the food! (i love turkey dinner!).. if its the book.. well then i would probably read it while eating!
alainala AT hotmail DOT ca
Ohhh… hoping he was hot, I would unwrap him just like any other present and then well… I will leave it to your imagination.
Klaragon73@gmail.com
Kristin
Our you asking about the book or the vamp!? LOL! Cause I would be taking a hot bubble bath with either one if I got em for Christimas! LOL! Thanks for sharing!
evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com
What would you do if you got a Vampire for Christmas?
I would probably pass out from the shock of it~leaving my husband & kids to wonder what the heck was going on! LOL
Thanks for the giveaway. Looking forward to reading a vampire story with a Christmas theme!
harlan_michelle(at)yahoo(dot)com
If I got a Vampire for Xmas I was sooooo asked to be turned immediately!! LOL
You know, I feel like the only person in the world who hasn't read the first two books of this series. I have them both on my bookshelf and haven't made my way to them. I might just do a pleasure read month on the blog and read them.
This post was fun and thank you for the giveaway!!!!
Love your blog and will be visiting a lot more!
Damaris @ Good Choice Reading
http://www.goodchoicereading.com
e-mail: Damaris @ GoodChoiceReading Dot Com
I won't lie, I love me some vampires but if I were to get one for Xmas I might freak. =)
I can't wait to read this book.
iqb99@yahoo.com
Hahaha You guys are cracking me up with all your responses. Let's see, if I got a vampire for Christmas I'd probably…pass out. I tend to do that when I see blood in real life.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I had a great time writing the story and the ornament in the giveaway is sooo dang cute. (If you can call fangs on a heart cute…)
Fun post! I'm so looking forward to reading this book! Let's see…if I got a vampire for Christmas, I'd probably say, "No freaking way! You really exist?" and then ask to see if it feels as good as the lore says when they take a drink. The neck is a huge erogenous zone, after all!
laurakayeauthor at gmail dot com
Would love to win the book! 🙂 Thanks for another great giveaway!
vanillaorchids69@gmail.com
I'd love to win this book. I've seen a few reviews and sounds like a fun bunch of holiday vamp reads :).
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Hmmm. If I got a Vampire for Christmas, I'd probably panic a bit and then just go with the flow. I'm always game for new experiences!!
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway.
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
I absolutely love Laurie's work! The Sweetblood series are a favorite of mine! Can't wait to read this!
What would you do if you got a Vampire for Christmas? Hmm I'm not sure but I'd do my best to have lots of fun with him. 😉 heehee
Valerie Long
just.val.1974@gmail.com
Jewelry Creations by V.S. Long – https://www.facebook.com/vsl1974
wow that is great i like the heart cute it would go good on my
tree and the book i love to read it
desitheblonde@msn.com
The book…or man candy? If it's the book…happily settle in a corner and read it of course! Man candy…DELIMA!! How do you explain that to your husband? LOL!
barbbattaglia@yahoo.com
If I got a Vampire for Christmas I'd enjoy the heck out of it in every way possible.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
If I got a vampire for Christmas I'd have to hide him from the family. They would not let me keep him.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Happy B-day, Books-n-Kisses & many more!!! What an awesome giveaway!!! Absolutely luv vamp reads!!! If I win, I promise to send a pic of the cool ornament on my tree!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!! 🙂
jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net
First, congrats to Kelly for her one year anniversary! i've really enjoyed coming to this blog!
And thank you, Laurie for the giveaway!
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
I sooo want to read this book! and what a great post! I of course would take a pic of the ornament on my tree and post it! thanks so much for this awesome chance and good luck everyone
babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com
If it's the book, then I wold read it. If it's an actual vampire, then I would have a fun New Year's Eve. 😉
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
GFC follower
Thank-you Kelly for having Laurie on your blog, love Laurie's books, Great give-away too, Thank-you,If I got a vampire for christmas, well I would have to say, "more Turkey for me yeah yum yum" lol, I would probably do everything you should not do, I would let him bite me, (love my neck being touched) then we would have to go back to bed, (I mean you have to test out the theory that vampires know what they are doing in there, LOL)
julienewberry@btinternet.com
whoot whoot! I can't wait to read this!
I would take him to a Fright Night/Halloween event 🙂
I guess it would depend on whether he's one one of the wham bam type or the HEA, then I'd have to keep him.
I've read the first two books in this series and I love LL's vampire mythology.