Blog post: 2nd excerpt of RISING DARKNESS and 3 ARC giveaway

January through March, I’m posting an excerpt each month from my upcoming release RISING DARKNESS (Berkley, April 2).

*** Cliff hanger alert! ***

RISING DARKNESS is the first of two Game of Shadows novels.  The second one is entitled FALLING LIGHT, and it has a scheduled release date of February 2014.  These stories are very different from my Elder Races series.  They have a strong urban fantasy feeling to them.  (In fact RT Book Reviews will be posting their review in the Urban Fantasy section of their magazine.)  They are based on an alternative Earth, and they have four points of view, including the antagonist.  Also unlike the Elder Races series RISING DARKNESS does have a cliff hanger – the storyline will be concluded in the second novel FALLING LIGHT.

For February’s excerpt, here is a section with the heroine, Mary, who talks with a psychic.  In RISING DARKNESS, Mary goes through a journey of self discovery to discover her own identity and power.

I’m giving away 3 ARCS (Advanced Reader Copy) of RISING DARKNESS!  Be sure to check below for details of the contest and how to enter.

~~~

While she waited at a red light she noticed a wooden sign in front of a charming ramshackle Victorian house: Psychic Consultations. Tarot Readings. Walk-ins welcome. The sign looked hand-painted. The ghost of beautiful detail lurked in the curvature of the lettering, which matched the house’s deep pink gingerbread trim. Now the sign was old and battered.

The spring wind, still erratic, blew sharp and hard into her open window. It tugged an unruly lock of hair loose from her braid. Reaching up, she tucked the lock behind her ear.

A little voice whispered, Stop and see.

Her tongue came between her teeth as she considered. She’d never had a tarot reading before. Aside from any amusement factor, if science didn’t have an acceptable cure for her, what might superstition offer?

By the time the stoplight had changed she had made up her mind. She pulled into the small parking lot beside the house, walked up the narrow sidewalk to the front door, checked the hours posted and stepped inside to the sound of a tinkle from an old-fashioned bell.

The breeze gusted in with her, and she had to struggle to shut the door behind her. Then she turned and took in a shabby, spacious foyer and a large open front room decorated with an eclectic mix of modern and antique furniture. To her left a massive staircase curved up to a second floor. A dusty but otherwise magnificent antique chandelier hung from the high ceiling. She gawked at it.

At her entrance a woman rose from the couch in the front room and set aside a book. The woman smiled and walked toward Mary, who blinked and readjusted her expectations. She had expected something that was either exotic or tacky, or an unfortunate combination of both, but this woman was plump, comfortable-looking and middle-aged.

“Good afternoon,” the woman said, offering a freckled hand that sparkled with QVC bling.

Mary shook the other woman’s hand, with an instinctive liking for her direct friendly gaze. “Hi, I just saw your sign and decided to stop,” Mary said. “I was wondering if you had time for a consultation or a tarot reading or whatever it is you do, but of course I understand if you don’t since I don’t have an appointment. Really, this was just an impulse thing—”

Stupid, she meant to say. Off-the-wall, loose-cannon, embarrassing, about-to-do-something-you’ll-regret stupid.

Before she could talk herself out the door, the woman interrupted with a cheerful smile. “I certainly do have time. Business is slow today. This is the first nice afternoon we’ve had in weeks and everybody’s gone outside. My name’s Gretchen.”

Gretchen the psychic. A hiccup of laughter exploded in Mary’s nose.

She clapped a hand over her mouth and turned it into a barking cough. What the hell’s the matter with you, she thought. Be a grown-up.

She managed to say, “I’m Mary.”

“Please come in and have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.” Gretchen gestured to the living room area.

Mary chose an overstuffed armchair. The soft-cushioned chair tried to swallow her. Good thing it didn’t have teeth or it could have done some major damage. Nervousness kept her perched on the edge of the seat. She noted Gretchen’s quick glance at her erect posture, and she tried to relax.

She explained, “I’ve never done this before. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

Gretchen grinned and shrugged. “Blind date jitters. I think it’s a typical reaction. We don’t know each other, and you have no idea how this is going to go. Would you like a drink? I’ve got Diet Coke, or I could make tea or coffee.”

Mary forced herself to smile back. The muscles in her face felt stiff, the smile false, and she rubbed the back of her neck. Apparently she had left her social skills in the hall closet along with her winter coat. Her headache wouldn’t budge no matter how she ODed on caffeine, but never call her a quitter. “A Diet Coke would be nice, thank you.”

“My pleasure. I’ll be right back.”

The older woman was as good as her word. She left Mary just enough time to shrug out of her jacket before returning with two cans of Diet Coke and glasses filled with ice. Gretchen didn’t want to lose her unexpected fee. Mary’s smile turned wry. She accepted the drink with a murmured thanks.

“So,” Gretchen said. “You have never done this before.” Mary shook her head, pouring soda into her glass. “Well, perhaps you can tell me what you’re looking for and we can figure out where to go from there.”

“I’m . . . not sure.” Mary sipped at her fizzy drink. She bet she knew what was coming in this next part. This was where Gretchen pumped her for information then regurgitated it back for money. She suggested, “Why don’t you tell me what your, er, specialty is. Perhaps we should try that. Is it tarot readings?”

The older woman frowned. Strong sunshine fell through the window on the back of her head and on one round shoulder, throwing most of Gretchen’s face into shadow. The unforgiving light showed a thin strip of gray- and mouse-colored hair at the roots of a vivacious butterscotch rinse from L’Oréal. “Actually, I tend to pick the medium from instinct depending on the client and what questions he or she might have.”

This was supposed to be for entertainment purposes only, but they hadn’t reached the entertaining part yet. Mary looked at the front door, already half regretting her impulse to stop. She was a fool.

“Usually,” Gretchen continued in a quiet voice, “people come in with some kind of question on their minds, even if they’re skeptics and it’s just a frivolous question. Do you have a question, or are you one of those rare people that doesn’t?”

Keeping her gaze fixed on the front door, Mary asked, “What do you think dreams are?”

A pause. Then Gretchen said, “I believe dreams are our minds freed from the definitions placed upon us by our physical bodies.”

Mary’s gaze turned to the other woman. She leaned forward. “What do you mean?”

She heard a rustle of clothing as the other woman shifted. “I mean that when we dream, we are able to use our minds while being free of our bodies. We could dream of something we imagine, dream to relieve stress, or we could dream of our past. We could dream of our past lives and we could dream of our futures, or of other worlds, other realities. We can travel and speak to people we know who are alive, or those who are dead. Or maybe we can speak to people who were never alive in any sense that you and I understand that word. Maybe we can even sometimes speak to those creatures that aren’t people.”

The other woman fell silent, and Mary laughed. “That covers a lot of ground.”

Gretchen smiled. “Yes. That’s what the dream world allows us to do.”

“You believe we can dream of the future.”

“Absolutely.”

“How can that be when it hasn’t happened yet?”

“Well I’m no genius scientist, but I do think we perceive reality through the limitations of our human senses and brains. Our actual reality is a lot bigger than we are. In our dreams we aren’t subject to a linear existence, which is how we experience time in our physical bodies. Why not dream of the future, or of the past? All times are now.”

Mary looked into her dark bubbling drink and struggled with that concept. She had never been all that good at understanding quantum physics either. She muttered, “Sometimes I have dreams that come true.”

“Do you? I do too,” said the other woman. “I always wished I could turn it into something useful, but usually for me it’s nothing more than my hairdresser getting sick, or my cat running away. Once I did dream what my tax return was going to be. This was before all the fancy software programs that calculate what your return will be before you file. In my dream, my return was more than I thought it would be, so I kept rereading the check in disbelief. Turns out I was correct, right down to the penny, but of course you can’t gamble on things like that, in case you’re wrong and you just had a dream of imagination or wishful thinking.”

Mary stared and then chuckled. She had made one of the hardest confessions she’d ever made to another person, but it was clear Gretchen was not very impressed. “How mystical and yet pragmatic.”

“I think you just described my cultural heritage,” said Gretchen with a twinkle. “I am part German and part Yugoslavian.”

Mary was still processing what Gretchen had said earlier. She said, “You mentioned past lives, so you believe in reincarnation.”

“Yes, I do,” Gretchen replied, sipping her drink. “At least I believe that some form of it exists. A more Greek version of reincarnation is to ‘transmigrate,’ or to pass from one body at death, drink forgetfulness from the river Lethe and then pass into another body. Or something like that, anyway. My memory is a bit fuzzy on the details.”

Mary had heard of the river Lethe, but she had never heard of transmigration before. “You said something about spirits.”

“Yes, I believe in spirits. We are spirits inhabiting bodies, and everything alive has a spirit. And there are spirits who have never had a body that we could conceive of, or understand, like, for instance, the Wakean.”

“The Wakean?”

“The Wakean are the American Indian thunder beings. I always smile when a good thunderstorm rolls in, and I hear them crashing around up in the sky.”

Mary watched the older woman in fascination. Gretchen sat not fifteen feet away but lived in an entirely different world from hers. She said in a doubtful voice, “What it all boils down to is that you think your dreams can either be real or not.”

“Oh no,” Gretchen said. “I believe every dream is real. I just think it takes a dexterous and sophisticated mind to determine which level of reality a dream belongs in. That’s the difficult part.”

Mary sighed. Disappointment crept in. After this whole conversation, she didn’t have much more than what she had walked in with, aside from an odd thought or two that carried a bit of Gretchen’s QVC sparkle. She had been ridiculous to hope for more. “Well, thank you for your time. How much do I owe you?”

“That’s it?” Gretchen asked. “Are you sure you don’t want something else?”

“No, I think that’s it for today. You’ve given me a lot to think about,” she said, keeping her tone polite. She drew out her checkbook. “How much do you charge?”

“Nothing.” Gretchen smiled as she looked up and began to protest. “No, I’m serious, please forget it. I wasn’t busy, I enjoyed the visit and you didn’t ask hardly anything of me. I wouldn’t feel right taking your money. If you want to change your mind and come back sometime, though, I’ll sock you with a bill then.”

No matter what Mary said, the older woman wouldn’t be moved. After a few minutes she gave up. Gretchen saw her to the front door and pressed a card into her hand. “Call me,” she said.

Mary smiled at her. “Thank you.”

Gretchen gripped her hand. “You have blood on your hands.”

Ice slithered down Mary’s spine. “Excuse me?”

“You have blood on your hands. A lot of it. And I don’t know why the color red is so important to you, but it is. I didn’t want to say it earlier, because you were nervous enough, and I didn’t want to frighten you.” Gretchen looked at her searchingly. “Yesterday the blood was all down your front. Are you an EMT?”

“I’m a doctor,” she whispered. “I work in an ER.”

“Someone died yesterday.”

“Yes.” Her lips felt numb.

“I thought I felt someone hovering around you. Maybe even a couple of someones. I’m sure she’s grateful for everything you tried to do for her.” Gretchen smiled and squeezed her hand. “You’re a good healer. A lot of people are thankful for what you do.”

The Congo drums were back, playing an encore in Mary’s chest. Boy howdy. No more caffeine for her today. And this conversation had turned far too Ghost Whisperer for her. She swallowed, pulled her hand away and forced herself to say, “Thank you.”

After she walked to her car, she stood for a few moments, looking around and breathing hard. Okay, that last bit rattled her. Why was she so upset? She was a fool. For entertainment purposes only, remember? How could she have allowed herself to hope for something else—from a psychic consultant, of all people? She was tired, that’s all. She was strung out from feeling this pressure building up inside of her, and if she didn’t work hard to avoid it, she was going to . . .

What was she going to do? Explode? Crash?

~~~

ARC CONTEST

Readers, do you read urban fantasy?  If so, who are your favorite authors?

Leave your answer in a comment below for a chance to win one of three signed ARCs of RISING DARKNESS!  Also, please show your interest in the new series by LIKEing the Amazon pages for RISING DARKNESS – kindle and paperback.

I’ll announce the winners on Wednesday February 13th at 12 noon Mountain Daylight Time (2 pm EST).  This contest is international!


150 Responses

  1. Ashley Clair says:

    Yes, I read urban fantasy. My favorite authors in this genre are Patricia Briggs and Kelley Armstrong!

    • Tanya Contois says:

      My favorite Urban Fantasy authors are James R. Tuck, Kalayna Price, Chloe Neill, and Amanda Ashley.

  2. Raonaid luckwell says:

    Yes I read urban fantasy. Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Laura Bickle

  3. Nita says:

    I enjoyed the excerpt. Can’t wait to read the book!

    I love urban fantasy. My favorite urban fantasy authors are Ilona Andrews, Stacia Kane, Diana Rowland, Kevin Hearne, Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, and Karen Chance.

  4. RVASarah says:

    I’ve been bouncing between UF and PR with authors like Stacia Kane, Jeaniene Frost, and more recently, Amanda Carlson.

  5. Diane says:

    I do read UF and one of my favorites is Dianne Sylvan!

  6. Irene Jackson says:

    I read some Urban Fantasy. Favourites are Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs at the moment.

  7. Viviana Izzo says:

    Darynda Jones & Dannika Dark! 🙂

  8. wolfwattitude says:

    I love UF and Thea Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jeanine Frost, Karen Chance are a few of my favorites.

  9. Rena says:

    I love urban fantasy! Some of my favorites are Jenna Black (her Morgan KInglsey series), Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and KMM.

  10. myrandaroyann says:

    I love Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, and Darynda Jones to name a few!

  11. Holly says:

    I love the excerpt 🙂
    I read a lot of Urban Fantasy. Some of my favourite authors are Erin Kellison, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jennifer Lyon and Shelly Laurenston.

  12. Grace S says:

    Patricia Briggs fan here! Also, I like authors who dabble in multiple genres and I’m not sure where some of their work falls. I tend to think Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalkers fall more in the line of urban fantasy , ditto for Lauren Dane’s Bound By Magick books.

  13. Sheryl N says:

    I love Urban Fantasy. My favorites are Patricia Briggs, Jenn Bennett, Allison Pang, and Diana Rowland.

  14. Elizabeth Z says:

    Thank you for the excerpt! I get confused on the difference between UF and PR. Charles deLint is still my fave for what I think of as UF and you are the clear leader for PR. But I suppose the lines get blurred so much that you can probably make a case for the categories to be switched. Oh, too confusing!

  15. Olga says:

    Darynda Jones, Dannika Dark and others.

  16. Andrea says:

    Ooh.. it’s tough to choose just a couple. Other than you, I think my favorites are Karen Marie Moning and Jeaniene Frost.

  17. Bea says:

    I enjoy urban fantasy. Some of my fave authors are Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Seanan McGuire, J.A. Campbell, and Keri Arthur.

  18. Yes, love urban fantasy. My 3nd favorite genre, right behind PNR. 🙂

    So far my favorite authors in the genre are Ilona Andrews and I’ve really enjoyed reading Gerri Ready-Smith.

  19. mandy says:

    I love all of your books, but I am a big fan of Dianne Duvall and KMM. I also love Sherrilyn Kenyon and Rebecca Zanetti and Kelley Armstrong.

  20. SHELLEY S says:

    I LIKE PATRICIA BRIGGS, KAREN CHANCE, AND KELLEY ARMSTRONG.

  21. nancy reece says:

    Charlaine Harris is by far my fav……

  22. Kate says:

    I love UF. My fave authors are Sherrilyn Kenyon and Darynda Jones. LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!!

  23. lana says:

    I guess it’s not surprising that so many of your readers have similar tastes, but I am also a huge fan of Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, and Darynda Jones. Your new series sounds awesome!

  24. Yami says:

    I like Thea Harrison, Patricia Briggs, and Karen Chance. Just to name a few out there.

  25. Angela M. says:

    I love Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews, though I think the Andrews books can cross lines on genres.

  26. Teresa Mead says:

    Love UF, too many great authors to list then all! Kelley Armstrong my fav, followed closely by Patricia Briggs

  27. Alaina says:

    Love Urban Fantasy!! Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter, Kevin Hearne, Darynda Jones among others..

    (and I Liked both!)
    Thanks for the chance to win!! Absolutely LOVE your books!

  28. Danielle West says:

    I love UF. Currently, my favorites are Diana Rowland, Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Bonilla, Richelle Mead, Darynda Jones… I just love UF 🙂 So happy that you have a new UF series, as well!

  29. Rebe says:

    I agree with most of the commenters – Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Kevin Hearne, Diana Rowland, and Kim Harrison are my favorites. I also love Stacia Kane. Can’t wait to read your new series!

  30. Elizabeth H. says:

    Yes, I love urban fantasy, Karen Marie Moning is my fave author in this genre! Liked the books on Amazon. Thanks for the excerpt and for the chance to win!

  31. Carolyn says:

    I enjoy a good UF by multiple authors such as some named above like Patricia Briggs, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Shelly Laurenston. And to name some not already on the TBR list: Jory Strong, Caris Roane, and Maria V. Snyder. But the one UF I can’t wait for is Thea Harrison’s next one. (;

  32. Leslee says:

    Oh yes, love it! Faith Hunter, Chloe Neill, Kat Richardson, Patricia Briggs, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Caitlin Kittredge to name a few. 🙂

  33. Carolytn says:

    I love reading Urban Fantasy novels like everyone else above. I love reading books by Jory Strong, Shiloh Walker, Caris Roane, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Patricia Briggs!!!! I liked Rising Darkness on amazon–> can’t wait to read it. (;

    • Carolyn says:

      I couldn’t see that there was a “t” added to my name. I guess that is what I get for not double-checking my name. LOL.

  34. Sumiyati E Monoarfa says:

    My favorites: Thea Harrison, Jennifer Estep, Christine Feehan, not sure if these authors fall in the UF category: Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle; Stella Cameron, Christina Dodd…I could go on and on. Waiting for the new Elder Races novellas and of course this one. Thank you for hours of enjoyable and exciting reading~

  35. TiDubb says:

    I have read Urban Fantasy in the past but not enough to have a favorite. However, I do like Jay Wells.

  36. Katherine Blackburn says:

    I read urban fantasy, I love Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Kim Harrison, etc.

  37. Kassy Whetten says:

    There are so many! Patricia Briggs, Diane Duvall, Gena Showalter (not sure if she is UF..?). And many of the ones that were already mentioned,

  38. Bobbi S. says:

    I had go to Wiki to see exactly what the UF category is, lol. I’ve apparently been reading and loving it without knowing for years!

    Patricia Briggs, Christine Feehan, Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison, Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series… and many more that I could name if I went through my home bookshelf and Nook bookshelf, but I’ll spare us both 🙂

    I’m looking forward to Rising Darkness and Falling Light!

  39. JessS says:

    I love urban fantasy, and my favourites include Stacia Kane, Karen Marie Moning, Richelle Mead and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

  40. Ren says:

    Yep. Right now I read a lot of UF rather than PNR. My favorite UF author is Ilona Andrews

  41. Tracy C says:

    Yes. Right now I read a lot of Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews.

  42. jessica Woodman says:

    I read UF, my favs are kim harrison, ilona andrews, diane pharoah francis, mira grant, and of course you!

  43. Katie Steffen says:

    Yes I definitely read UF. Have to keep a good mix of genre in my book case. Since I only keep the books I want tore-read on my bookshelf the UF authors that have books there are Patricia Briggs, Dianne Sylvan, Christina Henry, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Molly Harper, Karen Marie Moning, Jeinnine Frost, and Diana Rowland. At least I think that is all, but I may have missed one or two.

  44. Amelia Durbin says:

    I like Karen Marie Moning, Lori Handeland and Marjorie Liu.

  45. Barbara Elness says:

    I love urban fantasy and my favorite authors are Jennifer Estep, Faith Hunter, Kevin Hearne, Jenn Bennett, Amanda Bonilla, Keri Arthur, Kelly Gay, Ann Aguirre, Kelly Meding, and of course, Thea Harrison.

  46. Emma says:

    Patricia Briggs’ Mercy series was the first Urban fantasy series I loved, but my hands down favourite author is Ilona Andrews.

  47. Denise Z says:

    I love Urban Fantasy and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a good knock down drag out UF. Popularity waxes and wains and I am so ready for a new series. Love many authors and series; Kim Harrison, Ilona Andrews, Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, Nancy Holzner, Patricia Briggs, SM Reine, Carrie Vaughn, Chloe Niel, and on an on and on. I think Rising Darkness looks like a promising start for a new series and I am looking forward to the ride 🙂

  48. Frauke says:

    Yes I read urban fantasy. Mostly Ilona Andrews,Kresley Cole, Patricia Briggs,Thea Harrison & Jeanine Frost. Sometimes in english but most german.

  49. Michelle Tan says:

    i read urban fantasy too! my favourite authors are Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews!

  50. I loved that excerpt! I do read urban fantasy, and my favourite authors in the genre are Kelley Armstrong and Ilona Andrews.

  51. Nyomi says:

    I love urban fantasy books and my fave authors include Keri Arthur, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris, P.C. Cast and, of course, Thea Harrison.

  52. Aly P says:

    I enjoy UF a lot. favorite authors: Ilona Andrews, Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Jeaniene Frost.

  53. Iswari Sharma says:

    Thea – Thanks for providing us with another excerpt to read – cannot wait until it comes out! Yes, I do read urban fantasy. My favorite authors are Kevin Hearne, Nancy Gideon, Kresley Cole and Keri Arthur.

  54. I love urban fantasy — it’s my favorite genre!! Included in my extensive list of UF authors I love: Kevin Hearne, Jim Butcher, Kim Harrison, Nalini Singh, Patricia Briggs, Gena Showalter, & Kelley Armstrong.

  55. Occasionally. I like Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and Jeanine Frost.

  56. Bonnie S says:

    I love urban fantasy. My favorite authors are Karen Marie Moning, Kim Harrison, and Ilona Andrews

  57. Terri says:

    I love urban fantasy. My favorite authors include Thea Harrison, Patricia Briggs and Kelley Armstrong.

  58. Veronika says:

    I do read urban fantasy (and love it). My favourites are (besides Thea Harrison of course 🙂 ) Jeaniene Frost and Ilona Andrews. Very much looking forward to Rising Darkness! 🙂

  59. evening-green says:

    Yes! I love Urban Fantasy, my favorite author are Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Gail Carriger and Carolyn Crane.

  60. Connie says:

    Where to start? It is hard somtimes to draw the difference between UF and Peranormal so with that said. I do read Kenyon, Showater, Feehan, Briggs, Gideon, Butcher, Black and so many more.

  61. Colette says:

    I love UF. My favorites are CJ Ellisson, Laura Hamilton, Jeanna Frost.

  62. jackie woodland says:

    My faves are Patricia Briggs,Gena Showalter,Larissa Ione,Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan,Laura Wright,Alexandra Ivy to many to remember and write…. 🙂

  63. Viki S. says:

    I have a terrible time with genre and many of those mentioned above I love but thought were PNR not UF. I think Keri Arthur is a UF author and I love her books. Thank you so much and many good wishes on the new series.

  64. Terri turner says:

    Thea Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, and Karen Chance. I love Paranormal and UF. there should be meetings for dreamers to figure out what the dream is about. I believe in astral travel/dream travel. I am a nurse and in one dream I was asked by a Dr. to help out in the hospital he had in the jungles. I went there to help many nights. I fly in my dreams to other places and lands. Its awesome. Love the idea for your new book, it really resonates.

  65. Connie says:

    Yes, I love great urban fantasy stories, particularly by Nalini Singh, Thea Harrison, Jeaniene Frost & Keri Arthur. Can’t wait to read your new series and am also excited for Aryal’s story!! 🙂

  66. Joy Tuldanes says:

    I enjoy reading urban fantasy. I especially like books of Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews and KMM.

  67. Cecilia says:

    Ilona Andrews.

  68. hilly says:

    I think that you are it for me for UF, Thea. If you are writing it, then I am reading it.

    P.S. – Thank you!

  69. Patty says:

    My fav has got to be Ilona Andrews and Karen Marie Morning! Looking forward to reading Rising Darkness!!

  70. Timitra says:

    I love Karen Marie Moning and Darynda Jones so far I’ve go some other author on my tbr pile!!!

    Kindle like #@35 Print like #39

  71. thea says:

    I’m posting a comment for Traci Bamber, who’s having internet problems. 🙂

  72. Pollyanna says:

    My fave’s are…Thea Harrison, Karen Moning, Nalini Singh, J. R. Ward, Christine Feehan, Kresley Cole, Alexandra Ivy, Jessica Andersen, Lara Adrian, Larissa Ione, Elisabeth Naughton, Laura Wright….just to name a few 🙂 I just love my fantasy world 😉

  73. Michelle K says:

    Karen Marir Moning, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Keri Arthur

  74. Julie says:

    I always love reading Patricia Briggs–her world is amazing to live in.

  75. Kim says:

    I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy, although I’m not sure what would be considered such. I do love Nalini Singh and recently Kristin Callahan. I think Gena Showalter’s new series Otherworld Assassins might be urban fantasy and I had a great time reading that one. Definitely recommended. Thanks for the giveaway, always look forward to reading your new works!

  76. Susan B says:

    I love Eileen Wilks, Patricia Briggs and Karen Chance ( and, of course, Thea Harrison)

  77. anna says:

    One of my favorites is Rachel Caine. She’s always so much fun to read and man the lady can rock a cliffhanger!

    Thanks so much!

  78. Selina Brinkmann says:

    My favourite authors?

    – Hohlbein
    – Gena Showalter
    – Ilona Andrews

    😀

  79. Tyra says:

    I love Urban Fantasy and a couple of my favs are Jeaniene Frost and Jennifer Estep.

  80. I love urban fantasy. My fav authors are Ilona Andrews, Karen Marie Moning, Nalini Singh and J. R. Ward.

  81. Michelle D says:

    My definition of UF is definitely my favorite genre For me, UF means following one protagonist throughout a series whose characters are ‘supernatural’ in some respect…
    Favorite authors include
    -Ilona Andrews
    -Jenna Black
    -Patricia Briggs
    -Kim Harrison
    -Seanan Maguire
    -Richelle Mead
    -Lilith Saintcrow
    -Sandy Williams

  82. Jean Forrester says:

    One of my favorite Urban Fantasy authors is Patricia Briggs. I really enjoy her stories, they always grab my attention

  83. Linda says:

    I love UF, my fav´s are Kim Harrison, Vicki Pettersson, Ilona Andrews, among others.
    Thanks for the giveaway =) can´t wait for my chance to read!
    Happy Monday!
    //Linda

  84. Corinne says:

    Karen Marie Moning:)

  85. Douglas C. Meeks says:

    Urban fantasy is one of the better genres these days of poor writing like 50 Shades but Ilona Andrews tends to be consistently excellent.

  86. Roianne says:

    I do read urban fantasy. Some of my favorite authors are Laurell K. Hamilton, J.R. Ward, Anne Rice, P.C. Cast, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Karen Marie Moning, Larissa Ione, Kim Harrison, Christine Feehan, C.S. Lewis, Keri Arthur, and several others.

  87. Tonya M says:

    I LOVE UF, but here are my favorites:
    -Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels Series
    -Karen Marie Moning: Fever Series
    -Stacia Kane: Downside Series

    I love the Elder Races and can’t wait for your new seires!

  88. Malgorzata says:

    I like Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews.

    Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway!

  89. Christine Hirsch says:

    Not really a reader of urban fantasy, but will follow you there.

  90. Cinzia says:

    I love your books and other author I love are: Nalini Singh, Jacquelyn Frank, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Rebecca Zanetti, k.m. Moning, Ilona Andrews…
    Thanks for the chance!

  91. Léa Rose says:

    Yep! And my fave authors are ilona Andrews, nalini Singh, Patricia briggs , seanan McGuire, rob Thurman (trickster series), Lilith saintcrow, Lisa shearin and yourself as well! I am quite looking forward to this book 😀

    Thank you!

  92. Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Eileen Wilks, Carrie Vaugn, and Jim Butcher. Maybe also Cassie Alexander, Kevin Hearne, and Dannika Dark.

  93. Linda Fulton says:

    Yes, I love Paranormal and Dark Fantasy romance. My favorite authors are Karen Marie Monning, Patricia Briggs, Kresley Cole, L. R. Adrian, Dianne Sylvan, J. R. Ward, Zoe Winters and one I’ve just added… J.T. Geissinger.

  94. Jennifer O'Brien says:

    I’m always reading Urban Fantasy. My favorite authors are Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Laurels K. Hamilton, and Kelly Armstrong. J. R. Ward may fall more into Paranormal Romance then UF but I’ll add her too.

  95. Andrea Genovesi says:

    Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite genres. I have several favorite authors and several authors I want to read (have books but haven’t read yet): Dakota Banks, Parker Blue, Amanda Bonilla, Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Jennifer Estep, Thea Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, Chloe Neill, Tim Pratt, J. R. Ward, Kalayna Price, J. R. Rain, Jeanne Stein, and Carrie Vaughn to name a few

  96. Shiuli says:

    I read all sorts heres a few …Patricia Briggs Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison, you and loads others but my brain has gone numb from the long day I have had

  97. LadyVampire says:

    A huge congratulations on this upcoming release! I am on pins and needles to read it, especially after reading the excerpt. Some of my other favorite urban fantasy authors are Faith Hunter, Karen Chance, Ilona Andrews, Nancy Holzner, Allison Pang, DD Barant, Cassie Alexander, Linda Robertson, Shawntelle Madison, Darynda Jones, etc. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. 🙂

  98. Maria Mercedes Prieto says:

    I have many favorite. JRW, KMM, Nalini Singh, Richelle Mead, Dannika Dark, Darynda Jones, Molly Harper,Larissa Ione, Jeaniene Frost,Lara Adrian and of course Thea Harrison. I can’t wait to read this. Congrats on your new release! TY for the opportunity to win a copy!

  99. Marlene Breakfield says:

    I enjoy urban fantasy. Some of my favorites are Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Meljean Brook. I liked both Amazon pages.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

  100. Holly says:

    Yes, I do. My faves are Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs.

  101. donnas says:

    I do read it. The lines between UF and PNR can really be blurred at times. Some of my favs are Nalini Singh, Jeanienne Frost, Ilona Andrews.

  102. Antonia says:

    I love urban fantasy. By far my favorites are Patrica Briggs, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and J.R. Ward!

  103. Noel says:

    I like UF. I particularly like Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews and Seanan McGuire. An new PNR which I liked quite a bit was Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster.

  104. DeeAnn says:

    My favorite UF authors are Patricia Briggs, Illona Andrews, and Eileen Wilks.

  105. Robin Greene says:

    I love urban fantasy. I’m a fan of yours of course as well as Patricia Briggs.

  106. Katrina says:

    Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Kevin Hearne, Eileen Wilks, and Stacia Kane would be the urban fantasy authors.

  107. Jann says:

    My favorite urban fantasy authors are: Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Jennifer Ashley, and Thea Harrison. Of course I don’t really know what is the accepted definition of ‘urban fantasy’.

  108. Mary Jo Toth says:

    I found Kresley Cole last year which lead to Thea Harrison – love Dragos & Pia!
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  109. Glittergirl says:

    Yes I read Urban Fantasy although I’m more of a Paranormal Romance fan. I read KMM, Ilona Andrews, Larissa Ione, Frost, D. Jones, Jenna Black, McGuire and Devon Monk. I prefer a strong romance attached to my fantasy 🙂

  110. Raba Shahid says:

    My favorites are Patricia Briggs and Larissa Ione.

  111. AH says:

    I love urban fantasy. My favorite authors are Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Eileen Wilks, and Rachel Caine. I love the Elder Races world, too.

  112. Karin Anderson says:

    My favorite Urban Fantasy authors are Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, Diana Rowland, Eileen Wilks, and Vicki Pettersson.

  113. Tola says:

    My favorite are Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Jeanine Frost and Patricia Briggs

  114. bn100 says:

    Haven’t read any UF yet. Liked the books on Amazon.

  115. Annie says:

    I love UF! My fave authors include Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, KMM, Stacia Kane, and Keri Arthur!

  116. Naomi Gargano says:

    I do love urban fantasy…favorite authors? Ilona Andrews, Rob Thurman, Nalini Singh, J.R. Ward, Jim Butcher, Stacia Kane, Kim Harrison…..

  117. Xylia Brown says:

    I really like Kelley Armstrong and Kim Harrison. I haven’t read too much UF, so I really want to try new authors.

  118. Penelope Crampton says:

    I read UF: Faith Hunter, you, Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Nalini Singh, Charles de Lint, it goes on and on . . . and countless new authors, as they appear . . .

  119. AnnaM says:

    I love UF but there are so many authors to choose from. Thea Harrison, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kim Harrison, just to name a few.

  120. Readsalot81 says:

    Oh boy. That’s opening the floodgates! I have a major love for UF. Ilona Andrews, Cat Adams,Jim Butcher, Jenn Bennett, Karen Chance, Kelly Gay, Suzanne Johnson, and Seanan Mcguire are my go to authors for fantastic UF.

  121. Alexandrea Ward says:

    Actually I’m a big reader of all genres but I don’t know what each genre entails or how they are described. So I might already be reading Urban Fantasy or not.

  122. Jennifer T says:

    I have so many. My favorites are Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, JR Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jennifer Ashley/Alyson James & Nalini Singh.

  123. Stephanie F says:

    No possible way to pick just one. So many fantastic authors out there in both the UF and PNR genres including yourself but for UF I sepecially love Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Faith hunter, Seanan McGuire, Stacia Kane, Kim Harrison and Diana Pharoah Francis. Lol, I could keep going but those are the ones that I end up staying up all night to finish the books on release day.

  124. Kamrin T says:

    My favorites are Seanan McGuire, KMM, Diana Rowland, Ilona Andrews, and of course Thea Harrison.Can’t wait for the new stuff!

  125. sequoia says:

    I love Patricia Briggs and Eileen Wilks. 🙂

  126. Amanda Grinstead says:

    I love UF! Favourite authors include Ilona Andrews, Karen Marie Moning, Karen Chance, Kim Harrison and Jennifer Bennett.

  127. erinf1 says:

    I love UF!!! It’s primarily what I read 🙂 Fav authors include: Thea Harrison!, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison, Karen Chance, Jennifer Estep, Eilen Wilks, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Diana Rowland, Jennifer Bennett, Alyson James, Nalini Singh… just to name a few 🙂

  128. Sarah Proctor says:

    Apart from Thea (obviously!), my favourite UF are: Nalini Singh, Eve Langlais, Tina Folsom & Marie Harte. Fingers crossed for the ARC …. 🙂

  129. Kellie Forthaus says:

    I have recently discovered UF. Some of my current favorites are Karen Marie Moning and Kylie Scott.

  130. Kristina Parmenter says:

    I do love UF 🙂 Some of my favs are:Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jeanine Frost

  131. Nicole says:

    I love urban fantasy. C. E. Murphy and Patricia Briggs are my favorite UF authors in print, but Nalini Singh and Thea Harrison (but of course!) are my favorites in audio formats.

  132. I have too many to mention, but very briefly and in no particular order; Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Kalayna Price, Stacia Kane, Jaye Wells, Karen Marie Moning, Darynda Jones, Devon Monk, Kim Harrison, Richelle Mead, Chloe Neill, Nicole Peeler, Faith Hunter, Rachel Vincent, Karen Chance, Jennifer Estep, Nalini Singh, Laurell K Hamilton, Shiloh Walker, Diana Gabaldon and the lovely marvellous Thea Harrison 😀

  133. Amber Lovvorn says:

    So many to choose from! I guess my favorites besides you are :

    J.R. Ward
    KMM
    Sara Humphreys
    Lara Adrian
    Shelly Laurenston
    Jennifer Estep
    Richelle Mead

    And so many others!

  134. Alix says:

    I prefer Paranormal Romance like Thea Harrison’s Elder Races series but I do enjoy some Urban Fantasy. My favorite authors are Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, and Darynda Jones. Thank you for the great contest 🙂

  135. Sabina says:

    Oh boy, I love Urban Fantasy (and many more). Favorites? Hmmm, well it’s hard to choose…. Patricia Briggs are definitely one of them, R.L Naquin too. Karen Chance and, and…oh I better stop!
    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  136. flchen1 says:

    I do enjoy UF–Patricia Briggs and Ann Aguirre are two favorites. Thanks for sharing the peek, Thea! And liked both versions on Amazon!

  137. Aly P says:

    I do 🙂 I love Patricia Briggs, Karen Marie Moning, Nalini Singh, Jeaniene frost, Ilona Andrews, Karen Chance, DB Reynolds.

  138. Linda Thum says:

    I don’t read a lot of UF but I’d give this book/series a try since I really liked your Elder Races series

  139. Kristi Rollett says:

    I love Ilona Andrews and Jeaniene Frost, Christine Feehans Ghostwalkers are more UF I think and they are great.

  140. Madeline says:

    Can’t wait for this series. I love Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews. Laurel k Hamilton and Shiloh Walker

  141. Andrea Wills says:

    Love Urban Fantasy, there are so many great writers: Kevin Hearne; Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Linda Robertson, Nalini Singh, Heather killough-Walden and Keri Arthur to name a few.

  142. winnie says:

    Favourite Urban Fantasy authors include Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews!

  143. ann n says:

    i like kresley cole, parricia briggs and kelley armstrong.

  144. Carla says:

    I was going to say no, not really, but after reading the other posts it looks like I do. I guess I’m not really good with labels. I just read what I like.
    Planterofhope at aol dot com

  145. Hannah Patterson says:

    I really enjoy Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, and Jacqueline Carey

  146. Michelle K says:

    I do read UF. So many fav authors! Tops are Patricia Briggs, Karen Marie Moning, Ilona Andrews, Karen Chance. Thanks for the giveaway!