Nikki Jefford's Blog, page 7

Date With A Vampire (Ep 4) Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Welcome to Date With A Vampire, a fun Thursday feature every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Here I make recommendations on vampire themed books and movies.

Continuing with May’s theme of blondes have more fun, I recalled a past date with Eric Northman.

I’d marry him for his last name alone! Maybe it’s my Alaskan upbringing. 😉

The book: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Although this is book 4 in the Sookie Stackhouse series, I consider it the first date with Eric— amnesia Eric, that is.



While Bill is off messing around and allowing Sookie's driveway to go to shit (fucking Bill!) Eric actually helps out. With or without his memory, Eric has always been way more considerate. Sure, he has that sinister side, but for anyone who hates home repairs (says the woman who is about to be a home owner at the end of the month!), this is a major selling point. And just look at the way Eric towers over this weenie. Bigger and better in every way!

Bill annoyed me so much in the HBO series True Blood, I had to switch to reading the books. I swear his only line in season one was: “Sookie is mine.” It reminds me of Men in Black when the bug alien takes over Vincent D’Onofrio’s body and he keeps saying “Sugar in water.”

Bite me, Bill!



Let's get back to Eric. Do you like him better with short hair or long hair? (A or B?)

Share in comments, tweet, or Facebook.



ENDS SOON! There are still a few more days to enter to win a paperback copy of The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Details and link in episode 3.

Next month I'm going PG with some middle grade reads. We're moving at the end of this month and I need some quick fixes between packing. With school ending soon these could make for timely suggestions to distract the minis from sucking away all your time & energy. ;-)

Enter to Win a Paperback copy of "The Vampire Lestat" by Anne Rice in Date With a Vampire (Ep 3)

Welcome to Date With A Vampire, a fun Thursday feature every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Here I make recommendations on vampire themed books and movies.

Bonjour, mes amis and welcome to another Date With A Vampire. May’s theme is: blondes have more fun!

I am pleased to introduce one of my new favorite vampires: Lestat. Keep reading and enter to win a date with this blonde Frenchie with fangs at the bottom of this post.



Full Name: Lestat De Lioncourt

The book: The Vampire Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles, Book 2 by Anne Rice

With Lestat, I learned the importance of first impressions . . . they’re not always right! I thought I despised the coldhearted scoundrel after Louis’s account of him in Interview With A Vampire.

But Louis is a LIAR! #LyingLouis



via GIPHY

This isn’t the first time some moody, broody vampire misinterpreted his vivacious blonde counterpart.

Angel – Spike

Bill – Eric



And isn’t it funny how the brunette boys start out in all appearances the “responsible” ones, but become a psycho killer (Angelus) or unfaithful jackass (Bill) while Spike and Eric gave an actual damn about their superpowered honeys? Plus, they’re more fun. Way more fun!

Lestat likes to laugh. It annoys other vamps. Screw ‘em! You reach an age, or unage, when you stop giving a shit what other creatures of the night think. Vampirism was forced on Lestat, unlike Lying Louis, but you don’t see Lestat sulking in sewer tunnels, feeding off rats.

Lestat enjoys the finer things in life. Wine, music, fashion, art . . . the theatre!

Why not live unlife to the fullest?

What is it with vampires insisting upon misery, death, and despair?

Life is long. Live it up!



via GIPHY

As a side note, Lestat’s BF is named Nicki. It’s a boy Nicki, but still. I got tingles listening to Simon Vance (aka: Lestat) say my name in the audiobook.

Audio is The Best way to enjoy Lestat. Vance kills it! He IS Lestat. And Anne Rice has such a way with words that I found myself continuously playing back passages, mouth hanging open in delight, as though hearing a haunting symphony made only of words. I was so blown away I knew I needed a paperback copy to follow along with and keep on my bookshelf . . . FOREVER. I immediately called all the local book shops until I found a paperback copy at Barnes & Noble, put it on hold, then rushed over to claim it.

The clerks kept insisting it wasn’t there and attempted unsuccessfully to send me away. I was seriously ready to leap over the counter and bite them until I spotted the book on the hold shelf, placed up-side-down, thus not being shelved with the “J’s”, but “D’s” because it appeared thus: DROFFEJ IKKIN

(Never mind biting, time to go REDRUM on their asses!)



Enter to win your own (hassle free) paperback copy HERE. Open internationally!

If you’re a “live unlife to the fullest” kind of critter, check out past dates: Viago, for hilarity in New Zealand; and Fred, the vampire accountant, who is way more interesting than he thinks!

Suggestions? Let me know by comment, tweet, or Facebook. I won’t bite. (Unless you’re withholding a book!)

Date With A Vampire (Ep 2) Viago

Welcome to Date With A Vampire, a fun Thursday feature every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Here I make recommendations on vampire themed books and movies, along with my suggestions for thirst quenchers and nibbles to enjoy on your “date.”

Dearest fangiacs, I’d like to introduce you to tonight’s date: Viago

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

The Film: What We Do in the Shadows written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi



For this date night you absolutely MUST, not only have a sense of humor, but go one step further and open your mind to the complete and utter absurd. This movie is ridiculous. Viago is ridiculous. His roommates are ridiculous. I laughed my head off!

What We Do in the Shadows is filmed as a mock doc—a gory, outrageous spoof on reality TV.

When I’m feeling my most down (life sucks, full on frustration), I’ve always found laughter stabilizing. Viago turned out to be just what I needed. I hooked up with him via Amazon (free to Prime members at the time of this posting).



For this date, I brought Kettle Corn, strawberry licorice twists, and organic Chewie Fruities from Torie & Howard. Aurora especially approved of the popcorn, since she loves crunchy snacks. With her taste buds out of commission, she goes more for texture: crunchy over chewy. (I like both!)



Single men often come with roommates and Viago, you should know, has three with a fourth on the way. Petyr keeps to himself in the basement, thank goodness. Vladislav has a sexy accent, and sense of fashion he calls "dead, but delicious." Deacon never does his chores, but he makes up for it with handknitted gifts and his erotic dance performances.

Then there’s newbie Nick who messes up the whole household dynamic and, worst of all, interrupts Deacon’s aforementioned erotic dance.

If the preview makes you laugh, give this one a go and let me know what you think of it in comments, or by tweet or Facebook. What are your favorite movie snacks?

***

If you appreciate a date who makes you laugh and missed episode 1 with Fred, the Vampire Accountant, catch it here.

NEXT MONTH: Blondes Have More Fun! We’ll kick off May with Lestat from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, and include a giveaway.

All Aurora Sky Audiobooks 50% off on Audible

It's the Audible Mega Spring Sale: 50% off ALL Aurora Sky audiobooks until April 24!

Start, or complete, your Audible Aurora Collection HERE.

Available to Audible members only. Free trial memberships available to new listeners.

Tax Relief Giveaway (US)

Hey, IRS . . . Bite Me!
Taxes in! Done & done with thanks to author Drew Hayes for the comic relief in his novel: "The Utterly Uninteresting & Unadventurous Tales of Fred, The Vampire Accountant."
I needed a good laugh!
Enter to win your very own kindle copy over on Amazon U.S. The link is in my Date With A Vampire post -> http://nikkijefford.com/date-with-a-vampire-ep-1-fred/

Date With A Vampire (Ep 1) Fred

Welcome to your first date with a vampire, a fun new Thursday feature every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

In Date With A Vampire, I make recommendations on vampire themed books and movies I find amusing, along with my suggestions for thirst quenchers and nibbles to enjoy on your “date.” The theme for April is funny. Keep reading to find out how to enter to win your very own date with our first bachelor with bite: Fred!



Full name: Fredrick Frankford Fletcher

(“Yes,” Fred says, “that name did get me beaten up quite frequently when I was a child.”)

Occupation: Accountant

Hobbies: Watching vampire movies

Favorite Eats & Drinks, Aside From Blood: Merlot and Cheese

The Book: The Utterly Uninteresting & Unadventurous Tales of Fred, The Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes



Looking for a little tax time relief? Fred’s offbeat humor had me at first sight – the cover! One look at that sucker and I knew I was in for a good time.

Fred is funny without intending to be funny, which makes him even funnier. (Don’t you just love an undead man with a sense of irony?)



We started our date with Fred’s favorites: red wine and cheese. I am in absolute LOVE with Miyoko's Creamery, vegan - non-dairy - organic, cultured nut cheeses. The double cream chive is to die for!

Although Fred prefers to stay in, he decided to step outside his comfort zone by attending his 10 year high school reunion, held around Halloween. It kicked off with a costume party, thankfully after sunset. Freddy dressed up as a doctor. If you’re wondering why he didn’t done a black cape and come as a vampire, Fred explains it best. “The point of a Halloween costume is to be something you are not.” Since Fred’s a vampire, that would have been cheating and Fred doesn’t cheat. He’s a hardworking, honest man. They don’t unmake them like that anymore.

Fred wasn’t one for mingling, way fine by me. We hit up the refreshment table and sipped on “the poorly flavored sugar water they had the gall to call punch.” (I told you to sneak in your blood flask, Fred.)

We were about to bag the whole thing when the lights suddenly went out and we heard screams. I’ll stop there. I have no intention of spoiling date night should you make the wise decision to give Fred a call.

If you appreciate oddball humor you’ll have a great time with Fred! I've already agreed to a second date with book two, Undeath & Taxes.

Did I mention how funny Fred is?



I've had my fun, now it's your turn to enter to win a date with Fred! I'm giving away one kindle copy over on Amazon. ENTER HERE. Good luck!

Join me April 20th for candied popcorn, a wacky film, and a date with Viago.

Buffy Turns 20

Here's the man who inspired me to write paranormal YA . . . a genre I once claimed I'd never write. I was writing historical romance and acquisitions editors kept telling me my storytelling was original and engaging, but my language was "too modern."
Then I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer seven years ago and was immediately converted over to "the dark side." What a fun place to be!

Happy 20th Anniversary to the creators of Buffy. Rolling Stones wrote a fascinating article about how the show changed TV forever. Check it out HERE.

Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway ($52 Value)

Reviews are the lifeblood of authors. They are how new readers discover new stories.

Leave a review of any of the following,  Vampires of the Caribbean anthology, Once Upon a Kiss anthology, and/or any 2017 reviews of my other series for a chance to win an enchanting prize package: Vampire Academy: 10th Anniversary Edition signed copy by Richelle Mead, Frog Prince Midnight Fantasy carry-all pouch from Society 6, and Frog Prince lipstick - emerald green lipstick that transforms into a magical rosebud upon contact with lips. ($52 value)

Enter HERE by March 31.

Thank you for leaving an honest review!

New Release Deals & Giveaway

iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play | Amazon US | UK | AU | CA | DE

Fane's back! Or as he says in his Vampires of the Caribbean story, "Never say die." (Especially if you're undead.)

Fane's story, A Vampire's Life For Me, prequels the Aurora Sky series. Spending extra time with my favorite fang boy reminded me not to take life so seriously - to find the humor in everyday moments. Click here to read an excerpt.

In case you're new to the Aurora Sky series (or have friends to recommend them to!), in celebration of this week's new release I have two limited time deals. And if you think you're in need of a refresher, the Aurora Sky Quiz can help you determine if you're an Assassin, Informant, or Vamp Bait.

FREE for 3 days (March 15-17) on Amazon US, UK, AU, CA, and DE.

99¢ SALE on the Aurora Sky Box Set (Books 1-3 + Noel's Novella) now until Sunday, March 19 on Amazon US, UK, AU, CA, and DE.

Reviews are the lifeblood of authors. They are how new readers discover new stories.

Leave a review of any of the following, Vampires of the Caribbean anthology, Once Upon a Kiss anthology, and/or any 2017 reviews of my other series for a chance to win an enchanting prize package: Vampire Academy: 10th Anniversary Edition signed copy by Richelle Mead, Frog Prince Midnight Fantasy carry-all pouch from Society 6, and Frog Prince lipstick - emerald green lipstick that transforms into a magical rosebud upon contact with lips. ($52 value)

Enter HERE by March 31. Thank you for leaving an honest review!

Sexy supernaturals in Alaska!

I knew Aurora Sky readers would want to hear about this. Author Debra Dunbar, captain of the Vampires of the Caribbean anthology, is including a *Bonus Novella* on all pre-orders of her upcoming novel Northern Lights (An Imp World Novel).

I've already pre-ordered my copy and have myself a date with the Angel of Order, Mr. Raphael on April 11th. Deb says you don't need to have read the Imp series before Northern Lights. Who else wants to meet Rafi?!

Click on any of these fine retailers: Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Google Play, or B&N.

Happy reading!

Read An Excerpt From Fane's New Aurora Sky Story

My favorite fang boy is back!

If you're a Faniac, or an Aurora Sky series diehard, you won't want to miss this all new prequel story. Fane encounters his first vampire hunter, but (as you know) it won't be his last!

Keep reading for a sneak peek of his new story, A Vampire's Life For Me, appearing in the Vampires of the Caribbean anthology on March 15th, 10 tales that include New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors.

- A Vampire's Life For Me Excerpt -

Palm trees fanned out overhead as I made my way to Maho Beach on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Bright lights beckoned nighttime revelers into the island’s after-hours clubs. Techno music thumped from open windows and doors. Groups of beautiful young people walked past me, laughing with genuine pleasure. Humid air bathed my arms in warmth, and I felt something I hadn’t in years—the thrum of life swirling up inside me.

I reveled in the sensation, drifting down the walkway, in no rush to reach my destination.

I lit a cigarette, took a puff, then tossed it in the next trash bin, too taken up breathing in the new surroundings to cloud it up with smoke.

Before leaving the hotel, I texted Cassie: Where do you want to meet?

To which she replied: ur really here? :) Red Rum Lounge asap. Tonight we play. Work tomorrow. ;-)

Good to know the years hadn’t dampened Cassie’s spirits. Even murder and the possibility of a vampire hunter lurking around the islands couldn’t get in the way of her evening fun.

Not surprisingly, Joss elected to remain cooped up in our ocean-facing penthouse, curtains drawn.

I didn’t understand why he grumbled so much. He could read a book just as well in the Caribbean as he could back in New York. A lot of vampires would kill to be in his position. He had his very own vamp daddy offering extravagance and adventure, no strings attached, and he chose to spend it reading.

In theory, we had all the time in the world, but I’d never let that slow me down. Life was meant to be lived, whether there were decades or centuries ahead of us.

As I walked past a group of women in string bikini tops and cutoff jean shorts, my phone vibrated inside my pocket. Pulling out my phone, I saw a new text from Cassie: where r u?

I grinned as I typed: Marco

Two seconds later Cassie replied: POLO!!!

With a laugh, I pocketed my phone. I could practically hear Cassie squealing inside my brain. My steps quickened, suddenly spurred on by the prospect of socializing. There’d be plenty of time for sightseeing in the days to come.

Soon I reached the Red Rum Lounge, the name lit up inside a large red rectangular sign outside. Live reggae music played within. The bar was already jam packed with a mass of twenty-somethings dominating the demographic. They danced and smiled like they were having the time of their lives. The animation inside had an intoxicating effect that rushed over me instantly.

Energy pulsed through my body. It felt a bit like drinking blood. My heart soared with happiness to be here in this moment. If I’d been mortal, I would have missed all the dazzling achievements mankind had made—railways and steam trains, air travel, space travel, the fashions, the music, the literature and art. My life might have ended with the Black Death and a place inside the Donado burial vault. Instead, it went on and on, and it was the most wonderful thing. Moments such as these made me feel outside myself, my mind a marvel at the extraordinary gift life had given me when I thought of all the people, undead and otherwise, I would have never met had I died when I should have.

A slow scan of the crowd led me to Cassie standing at the bar drumming her pink painted nails on the counter. She kept her head turned to the door, which made me smile, delighted I’d slipped into the club undetected.

She leaned over the counter briefly before lifting her head again. As she did, my phone vibrated.

Marco?

Her text made me grin.

Sticking to her blind spot, I made my way over while drinking in the sight of her long, slender, sexy legs. From this angle a mere swatch of tight denim covered her toned ass, leaving the rest of her body exposed.

Her wheat-colored hair had been pulled over her shoulders, leaving her back completely exposed with the exception of the white straps knotted at the back of her neck.

Blood rushed to my groin. I felt an insatiable urge to bite her. Drink from her. But Cassie had a type and it wasn’t anything AB. Like a wine connoisseur, she knew her reds better than most vamps and turned up her nose at any blood that was vampire, or had the biological ability to become vampire.

This only made me want to bite her more.

I ran the tip of my tongue languidly over the back molars I’d filed to points. Nothing too obvious, didn’t want to detract from the charming Donado Cheshire grin. They were merely to assist in piercing flesh more delicately.

Cassie kept her eyes facing the club’s entrance. Her fingers rested on the counter then began drumming anew. I smirked to myself, eager to join her but not quite ready to relinquish the delectable view of her from behind.

About five seconds before I risked slithering over to the creeper zone, I crossed the remaining distance, pressed myself against Cassie’s back, and whispered huskily beside her ear, “Polo.”

***

You froze your buns off with them in Alaska, now join Fane and Joss in the Caribbean this Wednesday! Pre-order your copy of Vampire's of the Caribbean below. BYOB. ;-) Enter to win an enchanting prize pack ($52 value) when you leave a review of the anthology by March 31st --> enter here.

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