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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Author Jennifer Rardin Guest Blogs! Contest Included ;)

This week author Jennifer Rardin is my guest on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Her series featuring Jaz Parks is gearing up for it's sixth installment, Bite Marks, in Autumn but right now the first three books just came out in mass market form in the US! The new release of the third book in the series, Biting The Bullet, even has a never before published story called "Golem Hunt" inside! Which means it would be really cool to win a signed copy? Wouldn't it? ;)

Check out the guest blog and then enter the contest!


-------------

Jaz Origins

I guess you could say she’s been a nagging voice in the back of my head for years. And if you know anything about Jaz, you’ll understand why I finally had to let her have her say. It wasn’t easy to give her a Voice, though. When I began writing my first vampire novel, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, I figured it would be about, you know, vampires. But that’s only part of the equation. The bigger factor is a sassy redhead who happens to assassinate enemies of the State for a living. Well, nobody’s perfect. And that’s why we love her.

Jaz began to take form in 2003. I’d just finished my third novel and was considering what to write next. My husband convinced me to stop worrying about what would sell, what other people might want to read, and just write something I loved. Vamp lit. was (and is) a passion of mine, so I caved and decided, just this once, to take the selfish route. I was working part-time as a grant-writer, so the only time I had to put the story together was at night, before I went to sleep. Since the PCs were downstairs and I didn’t own a laptop and the time, I ended up writing the whole book in longhand on three spiral notebooks. Two years and approximately ten revisions later I’d come to the point where I couldn’t think of one more way to make the story better. So I began pitching the book to agents. Another year passed and finally a Californian named Laurie McNeal called me one gorgeous spring afternoon to let me know she loved the manuscript and to ask me how serious I was about writing. Was I dabbling or did I want to make a career of it? She understood when I told her I’d been working toward this goal my entire adult life and couldn’t stop writing even if I tried. Less than four months later she’d sold the book to a new Sci-Fi/Fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group called Orbit.

And that was when the real work began. My editor took me through probably ten more revisions before we were both happy with the result. And then she asked for book two—in four months! She explained that if Orbit could release the first three books in three successive months it would help build readership much faster. Because often when people read a book and like it, they go right back to the store for the sequel. So I wrote it. I worked pretty much constantly, and thank God my family supported me through that time or I never could have made it. Taking breaks only for meals and necessary chores, writing nights and weekends, I put together Another One Bites the Dust and Biting the Bullet in record time. My proudest moment was when my editor told me she had so few changes to recommend on book three that she was considering sending it straight to the proofreader.

However this is not a pace I’d suggest anyone try for long. I began to burn out, as evidenced by the fact that Bitten to Death was incredibly tough to write. I had to drag myself to the laptop. Writing didn’t appeal. I wasn’t quite as interested in what my characters were up to. This was also the time when my daughter had moved to college, and we were both having a tough time adjusting to the change. Luckily we both turned out to be resilient girls, much like Jaz, and as I began to recover from the overload, the joy returned. Every book I write now feels like the best one yet.

But I’m still learning all the time how to be a better writer. Every story I read or watch on the big/small screen teaches me something about plot, characterization, and scene setting. And I listen closely to my editor’s suggestions. Not just because she’s a good reader, but because she’s an excellent teacher, and I believe one day she will put me in the right place to be a bestselling author. Of course, to do that, I’m going to have to write kickass stories. I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Especially when I have Jaz around to do the kicking!







---------------

Contest Time!

Jennifer has kindly said she will send TWO winners a signed copy of her book 'Biting the Bullet'!

All of Jennifer's books have the word Bite (in one form or another) in them! So all you have to do to enter this weeks contest is to come up with a good title for a vamp book! If you give your title a BITE (in any form) I will give you an extra entry!

No book title = No entry!

The usual rules apply!

Earn another entry for each place you link this contest on the net. Make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries!

You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

I will offer more prizes if my Amazon Associates account gets more money!! So please make sure you order at Amazon.com through the links around the site and help keep the contest coming!



The contest will stay open until Sunday 6th of September 2009 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.

If you are claiming a prize, have emailed me and have not heard back before the 7 day limit is up then post a comment here on the blog. Your email may get sucked into my spam filter.

97 comments:

Pam said...

To quote Def Leppard "Love Bites"...

melacan at hotmail dot com

tawndam said...

Bite Me

Donna said...

My title: First Bite

I've posted this interview and contest on my sidebar. I'll also include it in my weekly roundup on Tuesday.

I haven't read this series but I do plan on checking it out.

Jennifer Rardin said...

And Def is a wise, wise rocker, Pam!

I actually tried to get my editor to go for that title, tawnda, but she thought it was a bit aggressive. I like it.

I like it, Donna!

kfreeman92 said...

My title: "Grab a Bite"

I linked it to my FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/kfreeman92?ref=name

kfreeman92 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Caitlin Hoy said...

How about the title Life Bites as the name of a vampire anthology.


Caitlin

Wierdlings said...

Bite Me One More Time, is my title!

::hehe::
~Wierdlings

mrsshukra said...

Bite Back or... Biting Back!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jackie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jackie said...

Overbite - about a vampire dental practice :)

Mss_jenn_me said...

my title: Biting Ashes

Ellz said...

I think Jaz and Vayl need to figure out a way to have a butt kickin' name, hence the name BABY BITES!

Jennifer, I'm a huge fan!

Posted a post on my blog...
http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Jennifer - LOVE your books!

How about Bite the Dust or Fishing for a Bite?

Marnie said...

Oh I love these books.

Hard Bite

Unknown said...

Lemme just state here that the first four BITE titles are from my husband. LOL

Frost Bite
Frost Bitten
Another Bite
One Bite
Bitten. (Bitten Period)
Bite+ (Bite Plus)

Deirdre said...

I can see a Vampire omnibus with Vlad Bites Back as the title!

Vickie said...

Bite Fight
Does Your Dog Bite?
Kill With One Bite
BiteSize

Karen W. said...

How 'bout FIRST BITE IS THE DEEPEST.

I love the Jaz Parks books too!

Krista said...

Umm, I'm no good at this but how about "Only One Bite"

Thanks for the giveaway!

Donnakay said...

Love your book! Can't wait until the next one is released. Here are my entries for the contest. Once I got started, I couldn't stop.

Action Bites
Bite It!
Quick Bite
Deceptive Bites
Fight the Bite
Bite Fight
Take a Bite
One Bite at a Time

Kimberly B. said...

Oh, this is hard. Everyone has too many good ones.
How about:
Just One Bite?
and its sequel
Just One More Bite?
And in homage to Winona Ryder
Reality Bites

Sophie said...

Oh so many good ones already taken!

The Last Bite
A Bite to Remember!


Cheesy but all that'll come to mind at the mo! I plead that its quite early for me, not enough caffeine yet!

Anonymous said...

How about Bite Mark

elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Angie said...

I posted this contest on writer_warren yahoo group. and linked to my FaceBook page.

what about:
Dark Bites
Life Bites

Angie
angieshomebiz2003@yahoo.com

Tim Hughes said...

"One Last Bite"
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Helen said...

My title for one of your books is "A Bite for All Time".

Jennifer Rardin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer Rardin said...

You've pinpointed my weakness, kfreeman92!

Works for me, Caitlin.

LOL, Wierdlings. I have a new character in the book I'm revising now ("Bitten in Two") that would adore that one!

Nothing wrong with a little revenge, etirv!

LMAO, Jackie!

My mind goes to a few interpretations there, Mss_jenn_me. Good one.

Message received, elnice. Dunno how they'd pull it off, but never say never.

Aw, thanks Jenny!

I really appreciate that, MarnieColette!

Love it when the hubbies get involved, Ivy!

Doesn't vampire omnibus just sound bitchin' Deirdre? Like it needs it's own pedestal in a special, air-tight room.

Ooh, Kill With One Bite is pretty nifty, Vickie.

That's great to hear, Karen! And your title freaking rocks!!

That totally works, Krista.

Thanks, Donnakay. I'll bet people love to brainstorm with you!

LOL, Kimberly B!

I love cheesy, Sophie!

Very close to the title of my October 29 release elaing8. Good pick!

Cool ideas, Angie.

Definitely the title of a final in the series, Tim.

Ooh, epic one, Helen!

mverno said...

i love to read mverno@roadrunner.com

Froggy said...

hmmmm..how about..
-bite me
-bite me baby
-bitten by you
-big bite
-bloody bite
-instead of love the one your with how about "bite the one your with"

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Biting the Concrete

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/3670161998

Jasmine said...

Not sure but how about:

Friday Night Bites
Don't Bite the Hand that Feeds You
Delicious Little Bites
Bite Sized Problems
Between Bites
Too Big A BIte

Kathy said...

How about "Bite Butt" you know instead of "Kick Butt" - geez "I Suck At This"

I posted the contest on my blog:
http://kathyschaos.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-time-at-amberkatzes_31.html

demmi said...

frost bite and one bite a night con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Blogged

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/08/831-book-giveaway-list.html

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Llehn said...

Biting Me, Biting You.

Jennifer Rardin said...

Excellent, Froggy, now you've got me humming!

Ow, bridget3420! LOL!

I like Between Bites, Jasmine, especially for one of the stories I like to write for my website to fill in the blanks the novels leave.

It has a certain ring to it, Kathy!

Cool, demmi. One Bite a Night--you know you're definitely not referring to Doritos!

I like it, Llehn. Kinda cryptic in an I-have-to-read-this sort of way.

SDS said...

Here's mine:
Who wants a Bite?
The Final Bite
Take a Bite
It's all about the Bite.

wantsandwishes said...

Bite for Life.

Carol EL said...

Bitten By The Love Bug is my contribution. jelly15301@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Love at first bite

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Link to post on my blog

http://trishasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaways-of-day.html

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

littlelatina said...

dying to read love bites

Natural Beauty Burra said...

Hmm, so many already taken:o How about...
One True Bite
Bitten By the Vampire

Deborah Wellenstein said...

"Love is Never Having to Say 'Bite Me'".

Ellie Wright said...

All I can come up with is:
Good To the Last Bite

eswright18 at gmail dot com

mmentor said...

sign me up

info said...

I first thought of
"Love at First Bite"
but saw that was already taken so how about
"Just A Bite O' Love"

info said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
info said...

Or maybe
"Just a Bite O' Luck"

All This Silence... said...

For a first book: 'Bite Me Once, Shame On You!'

And for a sequel: 'Bite Me Twice, Shame On Me.'

sarah_bear_38@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

How about "Bitten in Vein" ??

wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

ShannonJayne said...

Hmmm... First title:
First To Take A Bite, and second:
Give Us A Bite! :D love your books Jennifer!

ShannonJayne said...

Hmmm... First title:
First To Take A Bite, and second:
Give Us A Bite! :D love your books Jennifer!

Jennifer Rardin said...

Still following all your posts--pretty dern creative!!

idahomom said...

Bite for Dinner

kalynnick said...

how about book with name "Just Bite me baby one more time"

LOL....

kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

snytar said...

How about Once Bitten Twice Die

kfreeman92 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Curling up by the Fire said...

"Only a Little Bite"

wanda f said...

Just one bite
One bite at a time
Biting for Love

darlanpaulsmamma said...

A "Bite" in the Dark
melissa.barnes76 at yahoo dot com

Sweeter the berry said...

"The Bite Of A Lifetime"

letessha@yahoo.com

Sweeter the berry said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/3767435648

letessha@yahoo.com

Sweeter the berry said...

I emailed two friends and sent you a copy!

letessha@yahoo.com

Qwill said...

Hope noone said this already...
Bite back
or
Dog Bite
and lastly,
Terra Bite.

Qwill said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/qwills2cats/status/3767908501

Aimee said...

How about
A bite of Heaven
A Bite in Time
Another One Bites the Dust
A Bite in Shining Armor

OK. I'm done. Great giveaway. Thanks!

Natasha said...

Bite me if I'm wrong.. or.. One last bite.

I'm a huge fan Jennifer. Great work. I'm stoked for Bite marks. :)

Tasha

ParaJunkee said...

Fun Fun Fun - rrivera39 @ cox dot net

Fight the Bite
The Bite that Haunts...

SiNn said...

hummm lets see all of these r soo good


resurrecting the bite

Securing the Bite


Biting is such a pain


sensual bites

Mardel said...

Okay, I'm trying not to look at the other entries, so I hope no one else came up with these

Bite Sized
Take Another Bite of My Heart
Teasing Bites (lame!?)
Best Bite
Take Your Best Bite
Last Bite, or One Last Bite
Tiny Bites

I came up with more that I though I would, but it's hard...ooh,ooh,

Hard Bite

tcpalermo said...

Bites of Deception
Reality Bites
Biting Game
The Big Bite
Broads Who Bite

erma said...

My titles would be Bite This!
Loves Bites!
Bite of the
undead!
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Bite This
Love Bites
Biting Cold or Biting the Cold
Bite Back
Frostbite

What do you think?
-Lisa B.

Amy M said...

Bitten by Love
Ride the Bite
Bite This

:) Fun contest!
Amy M

ColleenFL said...

Bite by Bite

Jaz is great. Keep writing!

Jenny said...

Bite the Hand that Feeds You

saturdaynightfever said...

"Twi-Bite"!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

paryjeja said...

Bitten, not Stirred.
paryjeja at sbcglobal dot net

Sarah Z said...

Bites, Bullets and Bones!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Asylumgirl said...

Fright Bite

Bite Lite

Hard to Bite

One for the Bite, Two for the Might

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Mishia said...

He who Bites Last, Bite's Best!

lilyk said...

Biting Me Softly with His Song

Ina said...

My title: Take a bite! or Deep Bite!

Wish you all the best!
Hugs,
Ina

Gloria's Bits and Pieces said...

The first thing I thought of is:

Blood Bite

kngmckellar@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Bite By Bite-My Journey As A Vampire Goddess. garrettsambo@aol.com

dvice12 said...

Bite Club

cowboyswife said...

Bite to the Death

booklover0226 said...

My title: One Bite Is Not Enough

Thanks,

booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Thanking you for posting such a wonderful contest. My title for a vamp book:

"Death by Bite"

~ Amy (amyinkamloops *AT* gmail.com)

packerfantimmy said...

"A Bite Before Bed"
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Book Sake said...

Tasty bite.
Bitten off.
Nightbite.
Bite the hand that feeds.
A conscience bitten.
The act of biting.
Bite the dust.
Bite the hand that feeds.

Unknown said...

CONTEST IS CLOSED!!!

Did you win?

http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/09/jennifer-rardin-contest-winners.html

/\Heather/\ said...

Bite-ablanca? lol