“Do you realize, mortal, I could rip you apart limb by limb? Tear out your entrails and take your blood while you watch, choking on your last breath? Don’t play games with me, and do not speak false, or those words will be your last.”
When Jacob raised his gaze, he saw Lady Lyssa’s eyes had taken on a reddish cast as she spoke, a hint of fang pushing over the right side of her full lip. The humanity had disappeared from her expression.
A wise man would have taken his hands off her foot. Put about a hundred feet between him and the threat he knew she was capable of executing. But Jacob knew that would be it. Game over. The last nine months of his life a waste. Most importantly, he would fail her, something he’d sworn to a dying man he would not do.
“I know you can destroy me,” he said quietly, staring down at that shapely foot. “My reasons for wanting to be your servant are complicated and personal, my lady. My tongue isn’t clever enough to explain them as you wish me to do. But I can prove myself to you, if you’ll give me the opportunity.”
It took Herculean effort to manage the words in an even tone, to raise his attention back to her face and hold that preternatural gaze without flinching, though his muscles tensed in an involuntary readiness he knew would be futile if she chose to strike. “I suspect if you truly intended to tear my limbs off, you wouldn’t take the time to threaten me.”
“Perhaps I feed on fear.”
“There are other, more satisfying meals I can offer you.” Daring or just plain stupid he didn’t know, but going with his gut, Jacob bent and placed his lips against the top of her foot.
--Vampire Queen’s Servant
Who wouldn’t want to find Jacob Green lounging beneath her tree on Christmas morning? Former vampire hunter, Ren Faire knight, and now the fiercely loyal servant of the 1000-year-old vampire queen Lady Lyssa, he’s had the pleasure and challenge of being at her side for three of the books of my Vampire Queen series. The latest one, Bound by the Vampire Queen, released December 6!
The above snippet came from the very first meeting between them, and reminds me why I like writing about them so much. In the vampire world, human servants are property, inferior. Yet they are often the one soul that a vampire will trust, which leads to some sticky emotional issues on both sides. Jacob was an alpha male from page one, but his desire to protect and love this very difficult vampire female overrode even his own nature--mostly. He’s not the docile sort, but fortunately Lady Lyssa prefers a male who will put up a fight. As a result, each of the books has some intense push-pull between them.
To give you three different views of Jacob, I’ve provided covers to the three books in the series that feature him and his lady as protagonists: Vampire Queen’s Servant, Mark of the Vampire Queen and Bound by the Vampire Queen. You don’t have to read the whole 8-book series to read Bound by the Vampire Queen, but I strongly recommend reading Vampire Queen’s Servant and Mark of the Vampire Queen so you can take their journey from the first.
And did I mention Jacob has a brother, Gideon, who’s even more stubborn than he is? (wink – yep, that quintessential bad boy has two books of his own in the series, but we meet him for the first time in Mark of the Vampire Queen). Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all!
Leave a comment or question for me, and you’ll be eligible for a signed copy of Bound by the Vampire Queen or the title of your choice, if you prefer another of my books.
Contest is open to ALL readers.
Title: BOUND BY THE VAMPIRE QUEEN
Series: 8th Book in A Vampire Queen Novel Series
Series: 8th Book in A Vampire Queen Novel Series
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Heat
Imprint: Berkley Heat
Genre: Paranormal, Erotic,Romance, Fiction, Adult
On Shelves: December 2011
Format: eBook & Print
Pages: 449
Pages: 449
Reviewed by ChristinRCJR
Read Review
Book Heat: SCORCHER
Read an Excerpt
His soul is hers for the asking, as the phenomenally arousing series continues.
Sworn to obedience, compelled by loyalty, and threatened with damnation for betrayal, Jacob entered Lady Lyssa’s servitude as a human servant. Now he is a vampire, but still bound to Lyssa, who has found herself struggling with the capricious powers that have come alive in her paternal Fae blood—and challenged by two enemies...
While the Vampire Council threatens to take away Lyssa and Jacob’s newborn son, the Fae Queen has ordered Lyssa to appear before the Otherworld court to face inescapable charges. The Fae have nothing but contempt for vampires, but to serve her, protect her, nourish her, and pleasure her, Jacob will follow his lady into hell itself. No one—neither Fae nor vampire—will compel him to break the oath he made to serve a vampire queen forever.
~About Author~
I’ve always had an aversion to reading, watching or hearing interviews of favorite actors, authors, musicians, etc. because so often the real person doesn’t measure up to the beauty of the art they produce. Their politics or religion are distasteful, or they’re shallow and self-absorbed, a vacuous mop-head without a lick of sense. From then on, though I may appreciate their craft or art, it has somehow been tarnished. Therefore, whenever I’m asked to provide personal information about myself for readers, a ball of anxiety forms in my stomach as I think: “Okay, the next couple of paragraphs can change forever the way someone views my stories.” Why on earth does a reader want to know about me’ It’s the story that’s important.
So here it is. I’ve been given more blessings in my life than any one person has a right to have. Despite that, I’m a Type A, borderline obsessive-compulsive paranoiac who worries I will never live up to expectations. I’ve got more phobias than anyone (including myself) has patience to read about. I can’t stand talking on the phone, I dread social commitments, and the idea of living in monastic solitude with my husband and animals, books and writing is as close an idea to paradise as I can imagine. I love chocolate, but with that deeply ingrained, irrational female belief that weight equals worth, I manage to keep it down to a minor addiction. I adore good movies. I’m told I work too much. Every day is spent trying to get through the never ending “to do“ list to snatch a few minutes to write.
Despite all these mediocre and typical qualities, for some miraculous reason, these wonderful characters well up out of my soul with stories to tell. When I manage to find enough time to write, sufficient enough that the precious “stillness” required rises up and calms all the competing voices in my head, I can step into their lives, hear what they are saying, what they’re feeling, and put it down on paper. It’s a magic beyond description, akin to truly believing my husband loves me, winning the trust of an animal who has known only fear or apathy, making a true connection with someone, or knowing for certain I’ve given a reader a moment of magic through those written words. It’s a magic that reassures me there is Someone, far wiser than myself, who knows the permanent path to that garden of stillness, where there is only love, acceptance and a pen waiting for hours and hours of uninterrupted, blissful use.
If only I could finish that darned “to do” list.
I welcome feedback from readers—actually, I thrive on it like a vampire, whether it’s good or bad. So feel free to visit me through my website. http://www.storywitch.com
~CONTEST~
Here today visiting at Saucy & Sinful Reviews we are very exited that joey W. Hill has stopped by to chat about her recent Penguin Group release BOUND BY THE VAMPIRE QUEEN; the eighth installment in her provocative erotic romance A Vampire Queen Novel series. In celebration, Ms. Hill will be giving one lucky commenter an autographed copy of BOUND BY THE VAMPIRE QUEEN all you have to do is leave Ms.Hill a comment and answer one simple little question. Ready...Set..Go!
*Leave a comment for Joey W. Hill
*Why do you believe people are fascinated with vampires?
*Connect with RCJR eZine at:
***
Contest runs until January 1, 2011 .
I will contact winners directly on January 2, 2011.
Posts
25 comments:
Omg that excerpt was awesome! I'm going through a small vampire obsession right now...lol I just added this book to my wish list and will be sure to read it.
So to your question, I don't know about everyone else but I became enamored with vampires from a really young age. When I was small my mom would let me stay up and watch Horror movies with her. I later found out she did that because she was scared to watch them by herself..Thanks a lot mom...lol
But I remember the first horror movie I watched with my mom was Dracula. The old black and white one. I was so enthralled with what he was doing, the suspense of not knowing if he was going to kill the woman or just bite her and his fangs...that's what I remember the most. The seduction and the fangs..
so when I got older I still watched Vampire movies with my mom and I do believe I've seen them all. As a matter of fact, I just watched The Remake of Fright Night with my 20 year old daughter yesterday. That's right, I have her hooked on the vamps as well. LOL
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
Awesome excerpt. This is going on my TBR. Love vampire stories and movies.
Congratulations! Keep them coming.
Mary, glad you liked it! Interestingly enough, it was the original Fright Night that contributed to the creation of the Vampire Queen series. That sexy dance between Chris Sarandon and Charlie's girlfriend, the way he commanded her and yet at the same time seemed enthralled with her - it intrigued me. I'd always loved the idea of vampires, but never felt the books I read explored the seductive side as much as I wanted them to do. I was especially intrigued by the vampire-servant relationship, given my own interest in writing D/s erotic romance. So those interests helped seed the eventual development of the books. It's lovely to meet a fellow vampire fan. Hope you enjoy my take on them!
On my website, under the Vampire Queen series link, you'll find excerpts for all eight of the books. However, just a cautionary note - my host server is making some changes this week, so for the next couple days you may get some error screens until they get it worked out. Please check back, though! You can find the same excerpts, as well as a few more, out at the fan forum, www.jwhconnection.com. Just a quick register/login to keep out spammers. Let me know if you have any problems accessing these.
Serenity, thanks so much! As you can tell above, I like the vampire stories and movies as well. And of course I was a big Buffy/Angel fan, though I wish Joss didn't have a chronic aversion to HEAs when it came to his passionate couples. Loved Buffy and Angel together.
I feel in love with Joey Hill's books from the first time I read The Vampire Queen's Servant. I've read that one at least 2x.
I have been fascinated by vampires from watching my very first vampire film, although I cannot tell you what that was. They represent for me, the mysterious, the dangerous, and the most sensual and sexual beings. I started read paranormal romances because of vampires, and even though I have branched out, they still remain one of my favorite go to for pnr reads.
Bound is another great addition to the Vampire Queen series! Jacob and Lyssa are two of my favorite characters (right after Gideon, Daegan and Anwyn - grin).
I hadn't thought of Fright Night in years, but I loved Chris Sarandon. He was such a sexy vamp!
Ferishia, thank you - that's a wonderful compliment. Your comment reminds me why I always grin when the romance industry mags occasionally say "the vampire genre is dead". What happens is vampires get really popular because of a great vampire book - publishers in turn glut the market with a million vampire books, 80% of them bad, and then when readers stop buying them, they say "the vampire genre is dead". Then the minute another really good vampire book is put out, the cycle starts again. lol
You accurately described why, to me, the vampire genre will never go away - so many of us love a well told vampire story, and we always will. I'm very flattered you consider mine part of that group, and I hope I'll always deserve that praise.
When I decided to write stories with vampires, I wanted to keep their dangerous edge - I never want to write angsty or tender vampires. Lyssa being a strong, deadly female vampire makes those emotional/vulnerable moments she has with Jacob all the more potent, while maintaining her essential nature.
Thanks for your comment and for coming by today. :>
Pat, I thought so, too. I kind of hated that he turned all monstrous and icky at the end. Thanks for the good words about BBtVQ!
I started with Mark of the Vampire Queen, Loved it! When I went looking for more of this story I found the first book Vampire Queens Servant. Even though I read them out of order they were excellent books. Joey W Hill brings her characters to life and brings you into the story. Lady Lyssa the 1000 year old Vampire Queen and Jacob her servant will make you laugh, cry and say OMG! This story was the first vampire story I fell in love with.
I am so glad it continued with Bound by the Vampire Queen. In this story we get to find out even more about the Vampire world and the Fae world in which Lady Lyssa also belongs. I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil one moment of this book for anyone. The evolution of the story as well as the characters is exciting to say the least. We also get to see what I like to call the Queens family. A fierce group of Vampires and their servants, who are just as fierce. Fierce not only in the vampire societies and personal battles but in their passion. They also have their own stories. After you read the three books for the Queen, Lady Lyssa and Jacob. You won't be able to resist the other five books. I am so glad this series will continue with at least two more books
Terry, you made me smile from ear to ear - thanks for those good words. That is one of the many cool things about a series - over time, the characters can build into that "family" dynamic, and I loved the way it came together in Bound by the Vampire Queen, particularly for that all important Council meeting at the end. I'm sure there will be some key "guest appearances" in the two new books as well.
Wow - can't wait to read BBtVQ!
What I really love about your books Joey is that they always challenge me! I read a particularly difficult scene and I feel such a range of emotions that I have to go away and think about it for a while.
As for why people are facinated by vampires - hmmmm...in my opinion there is something incredibly romantic about a hero that is long-lived, perhaps a little tortured by loss, powerful and gorgeous to boot :)
lanim@vodafone.co.nz
Love this vampire series. Written with intelligence and the charachers matter- they are not used to get to the "big scene". Joey takes you on a journey and you fall into her world.
I have been attracted to vampires since at 6 years old I saw Dark Shadows and found Barnabus Collins to be so enigmatic. I feel that the vampire fears losing his humanity yet relys on humans to live. They live forever and see history in the making yet most choose to hide away. I also am also fascinated that they are immortal yet at every sunrise they "die", I find that very sad.
I love that scene in Fright Night where Jerry and Amy seem enthralled with each other. Nice to meet another fan. I look forward to reading the books even more now.
Lani, yes, no one does hot and brooding the way a vampire hero does (grin). Of course I always think of that line in an episode of Angel, where Buffy comes to visit him in LA. His staff is imitating him behind his back, and says "Damn it! I'm so happy I forgot to brood." Not the exact quote, but you get the gist.
Seriously, I think your reason for loving vampires is shared by many others. That's probably why Daegan and Mason (of Vampire Mistress/Vampire Trinity and Beloved Vampire, respectively) have been such popular heroes in the series. They definitely have those qualities.
I hope you love BBtVQ the way you've enjoyed the rest of the series, and thanks for continuing to come back for more. Let me know if ever my work disappoints you!
Barb, you've identified a lot of the internal conflicts that make a vampire character so fascinating to write.
In the Vampire Queen series, there's a paradox to their vampire/servant relationship: they consider humans inferior property, yet a human servant is often the only one a vampire will trust with his/her emotional needs. It leads to some great emotional intensity/conflict.
Thanks for those wonderful compliments!
Mary, thank you for reminding me of the name of Chris Sarandon's character. I need to pull that off the shelf and watch it again. It was such a great flick, standing up to the test of time. I'm told the new one is worth watching (Colin Farrell as a vampire - how can that NOT be enjoyable - lol), but of course not as good as that original. I remembered being intrigued by some of the mild sexual energy between him and his servant. Very subtle, but there. Part of what also goaded my muse (wink).
On advice of a friend I started out with the Vampire Queens Servant and have read every one in the Vampire Queen series since then. Not only have I read that series but all the other ones you have as well. I am so emotionally attached to your characters that I can name maybe only one or two other authors other than you that have my loyalty as a reader. You consistently serve up just the right amount of sexual intensity and romance between the characters that always leaves me wanting more. Waiting until the end of 2012 for the next Vampire Queen series book with be torture for sure. It's a good thing we have your other releases to tide us over!
I think the reason I love vampires so much is that they allow you to fantasize and explore those dark, carnal desires that they are associated with. They make no excuses for who and what they are but yet we are attracted to that dangerous side of them just the same. Most of the stories I read have the vampire in love with someone or they have some form of emotional need for someone that fulfills my need for romance in the story. As a woman I need that romance to keep me connected to the characters and the story.
Kristen, very well said. Your writing talent shows in your casual posts as well as in your reviews. And I'm not just saying that because you like my books - if you hated them, you would still give me a VERY well-written low review - lol.
You described perfectly the appeal of vampires in romance. And of course I'm thrilled to have you as a reader. I'm so glad that friend suggested my work to you.
I can't wait to read Bound by the Vampire Queen.I love Jacob and Lyssa.
They have awesome covers.
I think people are fascinated with vampires because of the immortality,the tough sexy brutish male or the tough as nails woman who doesn't take crap from no one. The fantasy of living forever.
Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Holidays
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Elaine, I've been blessed by the cover fairies, for sure. As you know, my favorite one of the series is Mark of the Vampire Queen, but all of them are lovely. Don Sipley does awesome work. Hope you enjoy your next journey with Jacob and Lyssa. :>
I think people are fascinated by vampires, because of the forbidden, the danger, and the sexy aura, they give off. Thanks for the giveaway.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have Gideon's two books and love them. Strong hints ( I am not subtle) have been put out that I want the first book, the Vampire Queen's Servant in my christmas stocking!
I have loved vampires since the days of the Hammer Horror films. Christopher Lee's Dracula gave me the shivers.
I think it's the potential of danger that is always there that makes me love the bad boy hero vampires in paranormal romance. I love the grittier stories.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
Irene, I remember a wonderful workshop conducted by a Southern author (wish I could remember her name...Hayley, maybe? Shoot - want to say she writes something like a Red Hat series - regardless, she was a wonderful speaker), where she had us all rolling talking about how she let her husband know when she wanted something. She said she'd given up on the whole "he should know what I want" mythology, and she'd leave the news ad sitting by his morning coffee with the item she wanted circled and big arrows pointing to it (grin) - I'm with her. Subtlety is overrated! Glad VQS is on your wish list.
And I think you and Marlene are both write - that dangerous, sexy edge gives vampires a timeless appeal. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!
I'm thinking the Vampire obsession is caused by books like these, vampires are sexy, immortal beings. They can survive almost anything and have a strength that surpasses any mortal. Quite a few have also been around for centuries and seen so much that they posses this amazing new perspective on life. Even knowing that they may have forever to live they have such a hunger for "life" that it's intoxicating... okay enough babbling, my main reason is their just plain SEXY!!!
pypercharmed@yahoo.com
Pyper - lol - okay, I will give you an A for the attempt before getting to the heart of the matter - wink. Seriously, though, I think the eternal perspective is one of the things that intrigues me as well. As a writer, I try to determine what kind of perspective such a character would have, and would they differ emotionally, etc...it's a fascinating exploration.
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