Monday, October 24, 2011

Author Q&A, Giveaway with Laurie London

PhotobucketI'm very happy to welcome Laurie London to Hanging With Bells today!  This is her first time on the blog.  She's the author of the Sweetblood series.  It's a paranormal series for Harlequin.  The 1st 2 books in the series, Bonded By Blood and Embraced By Blood,  have been released already. 

Welcome to Hanging With Bells Laurie! Tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks so much for having me!


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You have a series out right now that's called Sweetblood. Book 1, Bonded by Blood is about a sexy vamp by the name of Dominic. I love sexy vamps by the way. What is about your series that makes it different from all the other books about vamps?

When I sat down and started writing Bonded By Blood, I tried to do it from a reader’s perspective, incorporating what fascinated me-the-reader about vampire mythology and ditch what didn’t intrigue or inspire me.

In the opening scene, I saw the heroine being attacked in broad daylight by a vampire and I wanted to know why. After all, most vampire lore has them as creatures of the night who die or burn up when exposed to the sun. I also knew I wanted to set the series in the Pacific Northwest, where I live. Then I had it. What if the reason most vampires don’t go out into the sun is because it drains them of energy? Unlike humans, who need vitamin D, vampires become very weak when exposed to Ultraviolet light. They need to get this energy from our blood, because they’re not able to process it from the source.

I suppose I was inspired by the fact that I often suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (common up here) in the winter. (I’m seriously not looking forward to the next few months.) In fact, what if what I think is the effect of SAD is actually because I was bitten by a vampire? This intrigued me further. I twisted and expanded on the whole energy thing, making it a key element in the world.

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The series continues with Embraced By Blood book 2 in the series. This cover is hot! Sounds like the characters in this book used to be lovers in the past. I think these type of books end up having hot, smoldering scenes. Do you feel the same way?

Yes! Not only do you have an external conflict that keeps them apart, but you also have a past history to deal with. Alfonso and Lily were lovers in the past, so there’s a lot of emotional baggage each of them brings to the table when they reunite…and sparks definitely fly! Let’s just say this…reunion sex is hot.

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Book 3 in the series Tempted By Blood is out on 2/21/12. What can you tell us about this book?

For those who know the series, it’s Jackson’s story. He’s the playboy and you’ve seen him pop up in the earlier books, but you never really knew what made him tick till now. He’s fun, fiercely loyal, obtuse at times, and he’s very very naughty. There’s something about him that shocked me when I found out. It required a lot of rather twisted research. (The search history on my computer is bad!) But that’s all I can say about it right now…

What can we look forward to reading from Laurie London in the future?

I just had an anthology come out last week called A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS with a Sweetblood novella Enchanted By Blood. Jackson’s story, TEMPTED BY BLOOD, comes out Feb 2012 and Santiago’s story comes out tentatively Aug 2012.

Thanks for stopping by the blog Laurie. I have got to get to this Sweetblood series soon!

Thanks, Bells, for having me on today!


Laurie is generously offering a giveaway on the blog today!  A copy of the anthology Vampire For Christmas that has her story Enchanted By Blood in it as well as a cute fanged heart ornament!


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PhotobucketAll they want for Christmas is you…


It's the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.

And they don't care if you've been naughty or nice.

Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there's no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can't wait for an invitation.


Giveaway open to US/Can only.  Please leave an email with your comment if you want to enter.  Giveaway ends 10/31/12 at 12 PM EST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org.  Good luck!

Check out Laurie here:

47 comments:

  1. HI Laurie,
    I can't believe I haven't read this series yet.But they are now on my TRL. I love the whole concept of your Vamps.I too suffer from SAD. So the next few months sees a drain in my energy level for sure. :)Thanks for this opportunity ladies.Laurie, are there only 3 books in this series or will there be more ?
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  2. Thanks, Bells, for having me on today! I just realized I didn't fully answer your first question... Oh well, my characters lead a more exciting life than I do anyway. ;-)

    Hi Carol, yes, there will be more. I'm currently writing book 4 in the series, Santiago's book, and it's slated to come out Aug 2012. Then, after that, I'll keep my fingers crossed that readers enjoy the books enough for my publisher to want me to continue writing them.

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  3. Congrats on the latest release Laurie! I must say that Jackson stole both books and novella for me. I'm so glad his book is next.

    A Vampire for Christmas was such a wonderful read.

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  4. I love your books Laurie and I WANT A Vampire For Christmas so BAD! Thank you.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I'm super looking forward to Jackson's story. I enjoyed the Serrano brothers just fine but ya know when a character walks into a scene and you immediately want to be part of their circle? Jackson had that effect on me. Love his sense of humor, maybe 'cause he reminds me a little of the man I love. ;)

    I'm devoting November to paranormal holiday stories so looking forward to getting into A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS in just another dozen days or so. :D

    always.and.never AT gmail DOT com

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  6. Vampires are my favourite paranormal creatures to read about so it's fitting I want one for Christmas lol - well to read about anyway.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. wow i like the gift and then the book sound great and then would love to read it and blog
    on it
    desitheblodne@msn.com

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  8. Wholly boogers! Great interview to read with my coffee :0)
    I actually just got the first book in the series from my mother-in-law as a peace offering....LOL
    Now I can hardly wait to bust that one out to get to the next 2 :0)
    AWESOME!!!!
    beejee77(at)comcast(dot)net

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  9. Thanks, everyone, for the kind words!

    @BJ A peace offering? Now, I haven't heard of my books being used in that way before. Cool! Did it work?

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  10. This series is definitely going on my to-read list! Awesome interview and holy crow the ornament is ADORABLE!

    Brandi
    bgilvaja87(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. Great interview!

    So glad to see that everyone loves Jackson so much. I agree, Jackson is quite the scene stealer!

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  12. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  13. love the covers :) this is a new series to me but i added it to my tbb list . And A Vampire for Christmas was already on my list of must read for the holidays

    meandi09@yahoo.com

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  14. Sounds like such a great book, I'd really like to read it! =) Great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to enter! =)

    Valerie Long
    just.val.1974@gmail.com
    Jewelry Creations by V.S. Long - https://www.facebook.com/vsl1974

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  15. Yeah Jackson! You left us with kinda a cliff hanger at the end of the last book! Ready to read this next installment!

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

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  16. What a great giveaway thank you so much! I love your books vampires are my favorite look forward to reading this book! Thanks for the chance!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  17. I am so so excited for Jackson's book Feb seems so far away.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. LOVE the Sweetblood series! I'm hooked and can't wait for more to come out!!! Thanks for the great giveaway & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  19. Your vampires sound fascinating. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  20. I LOVE this series. It has definitely become one of my absolute favorites and I can't wait to get my hands on Jackson's story. I just loved him.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds like a great book!

    BellaMarie (at) tampabay . rr . com

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  22. I really enjoyed the interview and learning how the author came up with her vampire universe.

    Thanks for sharing and the giveaway opportunity.

    sundee94@comcast.net

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  23. A Vampire for Christmas sounds like a fantastic anthology and I'm looking forward to reading it.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  24. Hi Laurie!!! Your vamp series sounds intriguing!!! I'm also anxious to read A Vampire for Christmas!! Luv holiday paranormal romances!!! :-) Thanks for the chance to win!!!

    jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  25. This sounds like a great read and that ornament is too cute.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  26. Ooooooh, vampires! I need a new series, as I am on the last of the BDB series.

    Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

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  27. Oh, I definitely want a Vampire for Christmas! Vamps are my favorite paranormals and I love reading anthologies (I often find new authors this way). Thank you so much for the giveaway.
    June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  28. I'm always looking for new series to read, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

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  29. Thank you so much for the awesome chance to win! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom

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  30. Great Q&A! Thanks for the chance to win!

    fullmoonbites[at]gmail[dot]com

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  31. Congrats on the new release! Looking forward to reading it.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  32. Wow, great Q & A. Great giveaway!

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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  33. Laurie's series sounds great. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  34. WOW!! These books look GREAT! I'm going to add them to my To Read List nOW!


    AmethystDaydreams at zoho dot com

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  35. I have never read this series, but paranormal books are my favorite. I would love to read this!
    helldog3 at aol.com

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  36. great interview! i own quite a few of your books but still have more to get. thanks for such a great giveaway.

    babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com

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  37. I haven't gotten around to reading these books yet, they sound really good! Thanks for the chance to win ;)
    bluesun1218@dishmail.net

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  38. I'm really looking forward to reading this book! And your Sweetblood series have captured my interest as well...I'm putting them on my TBR! The ornament's a great plus too...really cute!

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

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  39. forgot my e-mail
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  40. I just finished the newest Moreno Brothers Series and I'm starting this series as soon as I get my kiddo to bed! I'd love to win a copy of Vampire for Christmas. Thanks for the giveaway!

    jcross719(AT)yahoo(DOT)Com

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  41. Congratulations on the new release! Thank you for the giveaway! I have this on my tbr pile! It would be wonderful to win it! brendem7@comcast.net

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  42. I love this new take on one of the oldest paranormals out there. Bonded by Blood and Embraced by Blood were devoured in hours! Can't wait on this next one!
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

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  43. Thanks for introducing me to a new series! The giveaway book sounds good too!

    heatherheartsbooks@gmail.com

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  44. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway! The ornament is so cute :)

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Great post and thanks for the giveaway!

    musicalfrog at comcast.net

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  46. I feel like I am getting so behind in this series. All I have and have read was the first book and I am trying to catch up. But I would love to read this x-mas story. Thanks for the chance.

    miss.smileygirlie{at}gmail{dot}com

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  47. awesome post i have this serie sin my to be read lists ome where ty for teh chance to win this christmas one too

    mortalsinn(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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