Please welcome my guest for this week, urban fantasy author Jennifer Rardin! She is the author of the Jaz Parks Series which consists of six books with more coming. Jennifer’s latest book Bite Marks (book 6) was just released and is available now at bookstores. Today she will be talking about her series and new beginnings. 
New Beginnings
I’ve just begun writing a new book, the eighth in the Jaz Parks series. It has no title yet, though I have thought of one that seems catchy if nobody else is using it (or one that sounds eerily close to it) already. But it does have a general plot. Something to build on as I putter around the house for the next week thinking about the characters I need to bring into the story, how they should relate to one another, deal with the conflict, grow. It all sounds so dusty and highbrow.
Not really.
It’s pretty darn exciting.
I can still remember putting together the outline for Bite Marks, the sixth book in the series, which just released October 29th. Figuring out the threat that my heroes, Jaz and Vayl, would be facing and what continent they’d be fighting it on felt a little bit like planning a real military campaign! When I decided the action would take place in Australia, I nearly broke my computer mouse clicking through potential sites for their ultimate confrontation. More than one afternoon sped past as I read up on aboriginal folklore, the grazing habits of gray kangaroos, and the exact purpose of the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, NASA’s Australian link to the universe.
But I only have so much patience for research. Then I gotta begin. But where? Good stories, experts tell us, start in the middle of the action. So Bite Marks begins after Jaz has landed in Canberra, Australia with her trusty malamute, Jack, in tow. It’s daytime, so we know her boss, Vayl, must still be slumbering (or whatever it is that vampires do when the sun comes up). And then, the situation deteriorates rapidly. Which, for seasoned Jaz fans, comes as no surprise. But for those of you who are new to the story, read on . . . .
I like that beginning for a book. But I think I can actually top it for my next story. At least, I’m ready to try!
In the meantime you can tell me—what novel have you read that sucked you in instantly with a stellar first chapter?
Contest
Jennifer Rardin's publisher Orbit is giving away two copies of Bite Marks to two lucky commenters. Please be advised these copies won't be signed since they're coming direct from the publisher to the winners. Also, I have an extra new copy of Bite Marks, so there will be a total of THREE winners for this contest. US only please.
How to Enter
Leave a meaningful comment answering Jennifer's question. Please do not leave your email address in the comments section as it's not a good idea for privacy concerns. This contest will run from Tuesday November 10th until 10:00 pm eastern time on Monday November 16th. Winners will be announced on Tuesday November 17th.
Bonus
Gain an extra 10 entries for every friend that you send here to enter the contest. Please make sure they say in their post that you sent them here.
Well, I really got sucked into Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness, Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding, Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill and the sequel Friday Night Bites, Skin Game by Ava Gray, Skinwalker by Faith Hunter and Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. It has been a great time for finding new, fabulous authors to join the long list of authors that I already buy. :)
ReplyDeleteThe first book that comes to mind is Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I couldn't put it down until it was done and then I immediately ran to the bookstore to buy the next book. Also, Touch the Dark by Karen Chance, which is the first in another excellent series.
ReplyDeleteI really got sucked in to Some Girls Bite and Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill. There was a lot of housework that didn't get done that weekend. Such is my love/hate relationship with books ha ha. I also just read Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells and loved it, it was finished pretty quick and now have to wait until next year for the sequel!
ReplyDeleteThis series of books looks awesome, I will have to add to my TBR list!
I have many favorite authors and try to buy every new book they put out, so it hard to say. But there are a few that really stand out in my mind: Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison, Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, and Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin. These books hooked me so bad on the genre of sci-fi/fantasy books that I rarely read anything else and always know when the next book in the series is coming out. And if I can't afford to buy the book, I am already on the waiting list at my local library. I usually end up finishing the new book in 1 or 2 days and then will go back and reread the whole series. I am disabled and can't work and can't do much of anything physical, so reading is a huge part of my life, after my kids and husband. It is one of my greatest pleasure in life and I will always be grateful to the authors for the wonderful books they create that take my mind off of the pain that I live with on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAuthor Jennifer Rardin asks us what novel have you read that sucked you in instantly with a stellar first chapter?
ReplyDeleteI have to say the first book that I can remember really sucking me in to it was from the first page much less the first chapter and that was "Outlander" by DIana Gabaldon. The rest of the books in the series she is writing as well.
Nowadays would have to say my first chapter authors are Faith Hunter, Kim Harrison, Karen Marie Moning, Nalini Singh, Lori Handeland and Jennifer Armintrout.
I will confess to not having read anything by Jennifer Rardin but would love to start with the book being offered in the drawing. "Bite Marks" being book 6 have lots of catching up today with the series she has written...
Jackie B Central Texas
It's like getting an unexpected gift, isn't it, Leslee?
ReplyDeleteCool deal, Nicole.
Thanks, Stacy! (I'm up for any excuse to skip housework too!)
I'm so glad we can help you pass the time pleasantly, Mandy!
OMG, I loooved "Outlander," Jackie B! It was like every Scottish ancestress who ever donated DNA to the final package that is me rose up and went "Rrrowl!"
In the meantime you can tell me—what novel have you read that sucked you in instantly with a stellar first chapter
ReplyDeleteLets see.....Dark Lover definitely had me hooked after the first few pages. I didn't even think I would like Dark Lover when I first picked it up but now The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one of my favorite series.
"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson...it YA fiction, but a truly inspiring book:) Thanks!
ReplyDeletechristinbanda AT yahoo DOT com
I would have to say " Reaper Man" by Terry Prachett. After I finished it, I had to go to Waldenbooks and by the others in the series.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started to read James Rollins books, once I started I could not put them down.
The same thing happened to me when I read the Jaz Park series.
Great answers everyone! I am enjoying reading all these recommendations!! :) Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many books that have sucked me in immediately. One that stands out is Graceling by Kristin Cashore
ReplyDelete~Raelena
A couple of books that sucked me in on the first sentence let alone the first chapter:
ReplyDeleteUndead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson - "The day I died started out bad and got worse in a hurry."
You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore - "You bitch, you killed me! You suck!"
I read that first sentence and I knew instantly I was going to like the book.
There are quite a few that suck me in with the first chapter. Recently though it has been City of Bones, Some Girls Bite and Kindred In Death that have immediately pulled me in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. Cant wait to read Bite Marks and see what happens next to Jaz.
The most recent novel I've read that sucked me in from the very beginning was Small Favors, by Jim Butcher. I also really like the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteYup, Stephanie, I'm thinking anything called "Dark Lover" is probably gonna grab you from word one!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check it out, christin. Thanks for mentioning it!
Fascinating, Tasuki's Honey Bunny. And thanks for the support!
I've never heard of that one, throuthehaze. Another one to add to my TBR list!
I agree, michelle. Instant winners!
Thanks, donnas!
Both terrific authors, BrigidsBlest!
I have been sucked into books within the first chapter many times. Two I can think of that have been resent were URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy and NICE GIRLS DON'T HAVE FANGS by Molly Harper. There are many more but those are just off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteI just got sucked into Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. Grabbed me immediately and I finished the book in record time! That's my favorite type of book, where the very first paragraph is so good that you can't wait to see what comes next!
ReplyDeleteAlso love The Child Thief by Brom from the very first sentence. And thanks Michelle for reminding me that Christopher Moore usually starts his books off with a bang!
Some books are like that, where they just grab you immediately! I love those! :)
Anything by Charlaine Harris. I haven't read one book by her that I didn't like immediately.
ReplyDeleteGosh, this is going to sound trite, but "The Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" sucked me right in. I didn't stop reading until I was finished. I took breaks to nibble on some food and that is about it.
ReplyDeleteI also could not put down the third installment of Jaz Parks, Mercy Thompson and At Grave's End.
I think the last book that sucked me in right from the start was Dead Ringer by Annie Solomon. I liked it right from the start.
ReplyDeleteA book that sucked me in from the first chapter was If Angels Burn. I just had to read it straight through.
ReplyDeletelizzi0915 at aol dot com
What novel have you read that sucked you in instantly with a stellar first chapter?
ReplyDeleteThe Briar King by Greg Keyes. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Thanks,
Tracey D
I can honestly say I have read many books that I have been instantly hooked on but I guess I'd have to choose Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Each book sucked me in right from the start. I love the characters and I love the romance! :)
ReplyDeleteThis contest is over and the winners are:
ReplyDeleteStacy
Stephanie
BrigidsBlest
Stacy and BrigidsBlest have claimed their prizes.
Stephanie please contact me through the link in my profile with your name and addy so you can get your prize. There's no email address in your profile so I have no way of contacting you. You have until the 19th to claim your prize or another person will be chosen.