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Post by Vicki Pettersson on Apr 6, 2008 22:18:50 GMT -5
For those new to the Zodiac series, or even to Urban Fantasy in general, let me take a moment to tell you what drew me to Joanna Archer’s story, and why I love this genre so much (and hopefully later you’ll tell me the same). The idea for THE SCENT OF SHADOWS came to me on the heels of a long love affair with historical fiction. With my interest in that genre waning, I became energized (read here: obsessed) by the idea of a strong contemporary heroine, and a magical world beneath the shimmering veneer of my hometown, Las Vegas. “This is Dark Urban Fantasy,” my agent told me in our first phone conversation, and when we hung up I rushed straight to the Google homepage to figure out exactly what that was. What it happened to be was a genre filled with the same elements that had attracted me to historical fiction: escapism, fully realized worlds, and larger-than-life characters. Yet by using a contemporary setting, I found the fantastical could be made more plausible. That’s why I chose not to people my story with vampires or ghosts or werewolves. Joanna Archer is just like you and me … if we unexpectedly found ourselves moonlighting as superheroes. The superhero angle also gave me a chance to play with the idea of people not always being what they seem, whether it’s a beauty queen with a surprising core of inner toughness, or a homeless man with a heart of gold. I use superheroes and the masks they wear to explore how we all have one face we wear in public and another, often very different one, just below that. So that’s just one of the themes that continue to interest me as I pen the series, and I look forward to hearing about your attraction to this versatile genre, how you discovered the series, and what about Joanna’s experience speaks to you.
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Post by vampyre on Apr 8, 2008 8:21:19 GMT -5
In the beginning (cue 2001 theme music) I was a big Charmed/Buffy/Angle fan. I never bought any books based on them but watched all the shows. When they all were canceled, it left a void in me.
Then The Sci-Fi channel announced the premiere of the Dresden Files. Knowing they couldn't come up with something that cool on their own, I Goggled it and found the series by Jim butcher.
Jim lead me to Charlain and Sookie. Then I found Kim and Rachel. They lead me to Showgirl and J0-livia.
I am reading Urban/Dark Fantasy almost exclusively now. I've read most of Kelly Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and am just starting on Rachel Vincent's Pride books.
I am also a big fan of Heroes. This sis one of the best shows ever on TV. It's about normal people around the world that suddenly start to develop an extra ordinary power or ability. What do they do and how they react to this is a big part of the first season.(now available on DVD and at Netflix's instant viewing section)
While this idea is very much like Vicki's, it is executed very differently. It was a big draw to me and one of the reasons I was drawn to her books.
I have two theories on how many nooks will be in the series.(guesses) All of the books so far have used a sense as part of the title. Therefor we only have 3 books to go if you accept a person has 6 senses, the main five and a form of ESP.
The other thought is 12 because of the 12 signs of the zodiac. Weather it be 12 or 6 or 100, I'm sure it will be the right number to tell Jo's story and that of her Troop's.
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Biscuit
Mere Mortal
I'm just a biscuit of love...lol BOOK love, that is.
Posts: 106
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Post by Biscuit on Apr 23, 2008 18:44:36 GMT -5
I love these books, the characters and the story. I have been hounding my bookstore waiting for the day when Touch of Twilight comes in. I have several series that I read, and I am diligent about release dates. How did I discover this series? Well, I read everything, but my favorite genre is urban fantasy/sci-fi/horror, etc. And I buy books like some people buy clothes. Or shoes. Or groceries. You get the idea. Suffice it to say that one day I was scouring the local B&N looking for new books to read and something caught my beady eye. It was The Scent of Shadows. When I saw the cover blurbs from DG and KH I could not SNATCH it off the shelf quick enough. And then I read it, and WOW!! Now, I am going to tell you that there are some books that I read that I wind up giving away, to friends or family. But the special ones, I keep and they get a place of honor on my shelves and status in the great-author-buy-all-books-forever-list. So after that, a few weeks later, ta-da! There on the shelves is The Taste of Night. I was so excited to read it. Since then I have read both of them several times. I truly enjoy the story you are telling. It speaks to me on several different levels. Probably, the thing I like the most is the realism. Not everything in Jo's world is perfect. Far from it. And even though she sometimes screws up, she also gets things right, and she has her heart in the right place. I find myself rooting for her, and crossing my fingers that things turn out okay. I want to read about her kicking Regan's ass, I want to see her reunite with her mom and Ben and their daughter. I want Warren to cut her a little slack. Most of all, I want Jo to keep going, and deliver exactly the beatdown the Tulpa so richly deserves. I want to know how she gets there. I want to know what it costs her emotionally and physically. I want to learn more about the children of the Light, the other Zodiac signs and Jo's role as Kairos. I want to know how the Tulpa got so twisted. It's fascinating. Jo is a character you can't help but root for. Reading the hospital scenes of the attack she lived through actually made me want to jump into the book and kill Joaquin myself. And the way she has pulled herself together and started living as "Olivia", when you can feel her pain over losing the ones she loves. COMPELLING STUFF!!!! I love the shows Heroes, Smallville, and I also really like the X-Men. I like things I can enjoy with my kids, and things that spark my imagination, and keep me guessing. I also like the action and butt kicking. I regularly read (series are my favorites) Diana Gabaldon, LA Banks, Kim Harrison, Rachel Vincent, Jeaniene Frost, Richelle Mead, Mary Janice Davidson, Keri Arthur, Katie MacAlister, JR Ward, Chris Marie Green, Kat Richardson, Simon Green, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Rachel Caine, Christopher Paolini, JK Rowling, Kelley Armstrong, JD Robb, Anne Rice, Stephen King, George RR Martin, Janet Evanovich, Anne Bishop, Jeanne C. Stein, and I just know there are a few more that I am forgetting. Ooooh like Lilith St. Crow, or Jennifer Armintrout, Karen Chance, Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, and Patricia Boyd, well you get the idea. If books were crack I'd be dead. LOL
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Post by Raven on Apr 23, 2008 20:04:02 GMT -5
I want to read about her kicking Regan's ass If books were crack I'd be dead. LOL Testify, sista! That makes 2 of us! ;D
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Biscuit
Mere Mortal
I'm just a biscuit of love...lol BOOK love, that is.
Posts: 106
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Post by Biscuit on Apr 23, 2008 20:09:28 GMT -5
^5 Raven!! So nice to be among friends. You have no idea how happy I am to find this board. Most boards are kind of intimidating, but this one isn't. I have read a lot of posts and I feel right at home. Thank you!!!!
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Post by Raven on Apr 23, 2008 20:13:15 GMT -5
We're glad you found us too! You're among kindred freaks. Welcome!
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 23, 2008 22:27:45 GMT -5
Yep, definitely among fellow freaks.
And I'm the same way with books. XD
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Post by Vicki Pettersson on Apr 23, 2008 22:47:14 GMT -5
Biscuit, I want to read about all those things you mentioned as well. I love following Jo on this journey, and I really can't write fast enough. Ditto on the book addiction. I'm pretty pathetic fashion-wise - I have to depend on friends to clothe me - but if I could dress myself in the pages of books I've read...well, I'd be golden.
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Post by deathlynx on Apr 24, 2008 2:24:22 GMT -5
*hides in a corner because he happens to like Regan* Yeah, I'm probably equal parts Shadow and light myself...maybe that's why I like Jo-livia Seriously, I spotted the novels at Wal-Mart and the covers interested me...but what really addicted me was the novel reality of the world...I've always liked the concept of a world hidden by the banal that most people simply refuse to see...I was playing White Wolf's World of Darkness games pretty much from the beginning back in the early 90s... Moreover, I loved the addition of the comic aspect...I've always loved comics, and the thought that some of the books we see on the shelves could actually be really happening around us blends very well with the hidden world...kinda like using the Tabloids as Hot-sheets in MIB...
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Biscuit
Mere Mortal
I'm just a biscuit of love...lol BOOK love, that is.
Posts: 106
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Post by Biscuit on Apr 24, 2008 8:36:20 GMT -5
Biscuit, I want to read about all those things you mentioned as well. I love following Jo on this journey, and I really can't write fast enough. Ditto on the book addiction. I'm pretty pathetic fashion-wise - I have to depend on friends to clothe me - but if I could dress myself in the pages of books I've read...well, I'd be golden. I agree. We'd be some shiny golden gorgeous women (and men) wouldn't we? I can't live without my books. And Jo's story has drawn all of us into it. Kudos! I'm going to copy this post and keep it forever!! I feel like I just won the lottery or something.
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 24, 2008 13:50:57 GMT -5
Vicki, looks like you made her day! XD
I felt the same way when I first met her... okay well, the second just because I haven't realize the first time exactly who Vicki was. XD
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Post by Vicki Pettersson on Apr 29, 2008 14:57:09 GMT -5
Believe me, it goes both ways. You guys make me determined not to disappoint!
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Post by miki on Apr 29, 2008 16:40:13 GMT -5
I checked out the Zodiac series after Kim Harrison recommended it on her website-and have been a fan since! I like the idea of regular people being super heroes in disguise. And I like the idea of it being behind the scenes without the mortals' knowledge. And I also (like Raven and Biscuit) want to see Regan get her ass kicked (sorry, deathlynx). I love the fact that Jo is flawed; she's not perfect and that she has to struggle through her mistakes just like the rest of us. I've been reading fantasy since high school but Roger Zelazny's Amber series really took me in. Also among my faves are Charles De Lint, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Anne McCaffrey, Guy Gavriel Kay and of course our Mz. Vicki, Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter. I also enjoy paranormal romance--PC Cast, Eileen Wilkes, and Angela Knight. Also--at the beginning of the year I found A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin that I absolutely Love! This year's been a great year of reading for me--I'll be starting on my 19th book tonight(I'm thinking Rachel Vincent's Stray) and then I have 8 more to read before Vicki's Touch comes out. I have a slight problem with buying books, but I figure there are worse things than being addicted to books--and I have to buy them; it's a possession thing with me, so I can't just go to the library and borrow books; they have to be mine. And I'm also big on re-reads, too especially right before a new release in a series. I have a friend who reads books once and that's it. I don't get that. =) I do read other genres of books, but I'm pretty hot and heavy into the urban fantasy. I'm waiting to read more about Zoe Archer and although I know that Ben is Jo's true love...I think she's gotta get together, at least once, with Hunter. c'mon Vicki...you know they want to. ;D
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Post by slayercat on Apr 29, 2008 16:41:29 GMT -5
I love books, too. I moved around a lot as a kid so books became the friend I could always count on. I read a zillion historical romances when I was younger and got totally burnt out on them and must be forced at conduit-point to read one now. I have always loved science fiction and fantasy and my favorite books of all time tend to be in this genre. I was into mysteries for a while and still go back from time to time. I like a light, funny contempory romance now and then. But Urban Fantasy is new to me. Through Vicki I found Kim and am enjoying myself a lot. What I like about Vicki's book is the "just when you think everything is okay, the floor drops out" kind of twists and turns. I like the complexity that everything doesn't always work out in the end brings. I love reading about Vegas. I also love the idea of the Comic shop! But the heart of the books is, of course, Jolivia, who is forced to wear the appearance of one of the only people she ever loved and who is now dead in part because of her. This is SO tragic!! Heartbreaking! And Olivia was a great character by herself - how could she end up out a window?? I can't wait until Jo can find some kind of peace or resolution. Also can't wait for pre-ordered third book!!
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nissa
Mere Mortal
Posts: 19
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Post by nissa on Apr 30, 2008 17:38:32 GMT -5
I've always been an avid reader..started with SF.....then in my twenties( and I'm not saying how long ago that was ;D) I discovered Romance and Historicals...Boy I remember how I went thru books.
But after many, many years I got disenchanted...it seemed as if I was reading the same thing over and over. So I took some time off from reading. It didn't hurt that I got my first puter and found the internet then.
A few years ago I wanted to get back to reading, I missed my books. Luckily it was around the beginning of the Futuristic Uban Fantasy beginings. I found A Taste of Night at Wal-Mart and bought it....yes I know it was the 2nd book, so I'm weird. But even so I fell in love with it...The Characters, The World....and especially Vegas. I used to live in Laughlin , Nev.
Needless to say I had to rush out and buy book 1. And am now eagerly waiting for book 3...4...5 etc...lol....
So Vicki...I hope the muse stays with You for a long, long time. And Your sales keep growing up..up and away.
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