Pages: 296 pages
Publisher: Red Hot Publishing
Published: October, 2010
Form: E-book (review copy through the tour for an honest review)
Series: The VV Inn #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / Erotic Romance
Amazon: Buy / $3.44 (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $3.99 (Nook)
All Romance Books: Buy / $4.99 (E-book)
Excerpt: Chapter 1
"Meet Vivian. She’s a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true.
Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests.
Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn’t easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets Vivian would kill to protect?
Warning: This book contains some explicit sex scenes, intended for mature readers only."
A fun and witty vampire read! C.J. Ellisson creates a dark Alaskan world with a resort specializing in entertaining their vampire guests wither in arts of pleasure or just getting them to winddown. I liked Vivian who runs a tight ship, she's spunky, little haphazard at time and verocious when needed - she takes no bull and expects respect, but with a goofy, fun streak she's a fun character!
Her mate Rafe, is a human who's come to have vampires speed and strength and immortality through Vivian's blood. Rafe is a nice spice to the story, he help Vivian set the mood and manipulate the minds of the guest to be riskier, more hot wired and he lends a hand in setting the mood for Viv's matchmaking.
The plots interesting, the book starts as a murder mystery, who-done-it when a body is found in one of the rooms, a human no one recognizes, a sent of a stranger vampire lingers in the air. Vivian takes it upon herself to figure out the killer to the amusement of her mate Rafe and companion were Jon. Viv shrugs off their chuckling at her and accuired some help, determined to catch the killer.
Rating :
Author: C.J. Ellisson
Pages: 298 pages
Publisher: Red Hot Publishing
Published: July, 2011
Form: E-book (review copy through the tour for an honest review)
Series: The VV Inn #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / Erotic Romance
Amazon: Buy / $5.74 (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)
All Romance Books: Buy / $3.99 (E-book)
Excerpt: Chapter 1
"Vivian thinks she can control every aspect of a deadly game with her usual manipulations... but what if she can't?
Seven vampires and seven werewolves pay to hunt a supernatural criminal across the cold, vast grounds of an Alaskan resort. The one to catch her, and live through the encounter, will increase their power by feasting on hers.
The tiny vampire they track is more than she appears, however. To escape a fate of twelve years in silver chains, she'll do anything to survive the weeklong excursion. This time, the darkness holds more than just the stinging bite of the Arctic--it holds death.
Journey along, in this next installment of The VV Inn series, for a wild ride as the tale is told through the eyes of all the new seethe members.
Warning: This book contains some explicit sex scenes and is not intended for readers under 18."
This one was stellar, liked it even better than the first one, same dry funny humor, same witty dialoque but what was different was that got to see the story from multiple point of views!
I enjoyed Asa's point of view and well as Joanna's in the beginning - and having others like Paul, Rafe and Drew pitch in made the story more surpising, in adition to Viv's narration as well.
These books are funny and addictive, I know there are some short stories out for free grabs that are of the VV Inn world and I wouldn't mind at all reading those next!
C.J. Ellisson has a fun way to present stories, but has this nitch for the gruesom and dark as well, when Viv gets upset it's not pretty.
You'll like The VV Inn series if... you like your vampires powerful, intellegent and hot. ;)
Rating :
Niina : I’d like to introduce C.J. Ellisson the author of Vampire Vacation and The Hunt. Welcome to "For The Love of Reading" C.J., glad you could stop by!
C.J. Ellisson : Thanks for having me, Niina! I’m looking forward to the interview.
Niina : So tell us five fun facts about yourself, so we can get to know you a little better!
C.J : 1) I love my dogs and their breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers ( smaller cousins to the Pit Bull ), with a deep passion. Sometimes I get more joy from these animals than my own children. Which could possibly be because they listen better and fawn all over me.
2) I never wrote anything before my debut novel, which I began writing in February 2009 as a distraction to some serious health concerns.
3) I’m not a natural redhead and I tell pretty much anyone who compliments me on my hair color. My thought is they will one day see me with roots and I’d hate to appear like some lying witch.
4) I love to camp with my family in our travel trailer. We gave up tents a few years ago and haven’t looked back!
5) My ticket to college was my art portfolio. I had crappy grades in high school, but high SAT scores. I promptly switched to Chemistry my second year in ( after a one semester as a Fine Arts major and one as a Business major ).
Niina : Your V V Inn novels are both out now, how would you describe the books?
C.J : In short, they are erotic paranormal mysteries set in Alaska. Both books have some funny parts, some gore, and lots of hot sex.
Niina : What chapter did you most enjoyed writing and why?
C.J : You’re asking me to pick one chapter out of over sixty in the combined books… I can’t. I can tell you the hardest ones in each book, the ones I struggled over, but after that I’m not sure. Perhaps in retrospect, my favorite chapters were the last ones in each book. I experienced the full body rush and excitement of completing the novels and danced around my house with my kids when the books were finished. Both times stand out to me as very happy memories with my family.
Niina : Which character in your books became your favorite?
C.J : Sorry, again, I can’t pick just one! The three main ones, Vivian/Dria, her husband Rafe, and Jonathan the werewolf are all tied as my favorites. I’ve also become quite fond of the bumbling Paul. He turned out to be more fun to write than I had anticipated.
Niina : What about your Vivian makes you go, “oh don’t do that!” if any?
C.J : LOL! Lots of things. She’s a bit of an overbearing bitch, but that was on purpose. Who expects an ancient vampire to be all sunshine and daisies? When she’s especially harsh or violent I have a difficult time crafting the passage. I know it’s who she is and I have to remain true to her character, but they can still trip me up.
Niina : What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
C.J : The fact that I prefer to write in first person present tense. Plainly put, I didn’t know any better when I started writing. It’s grown on me and I struggle to write past tense in any form.
Niina : What is the biggest “no-no” when it comes to writing for you?
C.J : Telling too much. The technique can be used in a novel, despite what new writers hear in workshops, but it should be intermingled evenly with showing. Lots of authors feel there should be no telling, but if you did that it would take forever to “show” the story in convincing prose to the reader… and it might get boring after a while, too. The best writing balances telling and showing so it becomes unobtrusive to the reader.
Niina : So, why did you pick the Erotic Romance genre, are there any other genres you’ve dabbled in?
C.J : Ahh… I really didn’t. I just wrote a story I really wanted to read—married couple, snark n dark, hot sexy bits and all. I’ve found various readers will call my books different things when trying to slot them into a genre. I don’t mind what they call it as long as they buy it ;-)
I’ve also written two contemporary erotica novellas ( pretty much sex every few pages with a loose story ), and am currently working on a middle-grade fantasy book for my kids and some non-fiction work.
Niina : What makes a hero sexy?
C.J : Attitude. If he’s confident and interested in YOU it’s a big turn on. I’ve met some sexy guys that were only average looking, but they certainly made my blood boil with their heated glances and lingering looks…. Like they knew something I didn’t. Made me curious to find out just what they knew.
Niina : Definately agreeing with you on that! Now to more personal questions! Your current Top 5 dangerous bad boys in literature? (and why?)
C.J : Oh gosh, just five? I love Eric Northman, when he had amnesia in an early book I fell hard for him. He’s strong and doesn’t bend to what others think is right—he follows his own heart. Bones, with his quite strength and sexy ways. Kisten from the Hollows series… simply for loving Rachel as she is. I was so sad when Ms.Harrison killed him off. Adam from Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series, for many, many reasons. And last but not least, Jean Claude from the Anita Blake books. What’s not to love about a drop dead sexy vampire who calls you pet names in French?
Niina : Jean Claude... *sigh* He's on my list as well. ;D What about who is currently your book boyfriend?
C.J : LOL! The main character in my own series, Rafe. God, I wish my husband, Pete, was like him. Doesn’t help that Pete has read the books and just smiles at some of Rafe’s finer traits. Like he knows he could never be that perfect so why bother to try? LOL!
Niina : Would you rather meet real vampires or werewolves?
C.J : Oh man, another hard choice! Love these questions, Niina, you did a great job. Hmm… I think I’d like to meet a werewolf. I love vampires, but they have been written about for so long and so wide spread that I almost feel like every conceivable notion has been covered… but werewolves… hmmm… maybe some mystery still remains.
Niina : I do try my best. ;) Now, if you could only read 5 Erotic Romance books for the rest of your life what would they be, and why?
C.J : LOL! I prefer straight up erotica to erotic romance, mainly because I like learning new stuff. I mean, hey, porn is pretty crappy and the women look fake as hell—not to mention their age! *shudder* So erotica it is. I LOVE Emma Holly. I strive to write as well as her some day in my sex scenes. My top favorite of hers are Menage, Cooking up a Storm, All U Can Eat and her earlier Upyr Series books ( excellent paranormal worldbuilding and scorching sex, woo-hoo! ).
Niina : Can you share with us three closest books to you?
C.J : Do you mean like the physical location or ones that matter to me right now? I have an ereader, and work in a formal living room that was converted to a library before I became a writer. So my favorites are always close at hand.
As far as what books changed my reading experience, I’d have to say the first ones that really made an impression on me were all from the Black Lace series, a now defunct UK imprint. These books were erotica written by women for women. I discovered them back in the late nineties and quickly bought two-dozen titles. These were the first stories I’d read that glossed over the romance aspect and made sex the central focus in the books. I didn’t know such well written books like existed. I didn’t need a happy ever after romance and more. I was happily married and had my prince—but a book that got the sexiest organ, your brain, in your body working?
The books made me think and made me want to tear my husband’s clothes off and try new things. That’s a winner in my mind!
Niina : If we could ask Vivian what is her favorite hobby, what would she answer?
C.J. Ellisson : Thanks for having me, Niina! I’m looking forward to the interview.
Niina : So tell us five fun facts about yourself, so we can get to know you a little better!
C.J : 1) I love my dogs and their breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers ( smaller cousins to the Pit Bull ), with a deep passion. Sometimes I get more joy from these animals than my own children. Which could possibly be because they listen better and fawn all over me.
2) I never wrote anything before my debut novel, which I began writing in February 2009 as a distraction to some serious health concerns.
3) I’m not a natural redhead and I tell pretty much anyone who compliments me on my hair color. My thought is they will one day see me with roots and I’d hate to appear like some lying witch.
4) I love to camp with my family in our travel trailer. We gave up tents a few years ago and haven’t looked back!
5) My ticket to college was my art portfolio. I had crappy grades in high school, but high SAT scores. I promptly switched to Chemistry my second year in ( after a one semester as a Fine Arts major and one as a Business major ).
Niina : Your V V Inn novels are both out now, how would you describe the books?
C.J : In short, they are erotic paranormal mysteries set in Alaska. Both books have some funny parts, some gore, and lots of hot sex.
Niina : What chapter did you most enjoyed writing and why?
C.J : You’re asking me to pick one chapter out of over sixty in the combined books… I can’t. I can tell you the hardest ones in each book, the ones I struggled over, but after that I’m not sure. Perhaps in retrospect, my favorite chapters were the last ones in each book. I experienced the full body rush and excitement of completing the novels and danced around my house with my kids when the books were finished. Both times stand out to me as very happy memories with my family.
Niina : Which character in your books became your favorite?
C.J : Sorry, again, I can’t pick just one! The three main ones, Vivian/Dria, her husband Rafe, and Jonathan the werewolf are all tied as my favorites. I’ve also become quite fond of the bumbling Paul. He turned out to be more fun to write than I had anticipated.
Niina : What about your Vivian makes you go, “oh don’t do that!” if any?
C.J : LOL! Lots of things. She’s a bit of an overbearing bitch, but that was on purpose. Who expects an ancient vampire to be all sunshine and daisies? When she’s especially harsh or violent I have a difficult time crafting the passage. I know it’s who she is and I have to remain true to her character, but they can still trip me up.
Niina : What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
C.J : The fact that I prefer to write in first person present tense. Plainly put, I didn’t know any better when I started writing. It’s grown on me and I struggle to write past tense in any form.
Niina : What is the biggest “no-no” when it comes to writing for you?
C.J : Telling too much. The technique can be used in a novel, despite what new writers hear in workshops, but it should be intermingled evenly with showing. Lots of authors feel there should be no telling, but if you did that it would take forever to “show” the story in convincing prose to the reader… and it might get boring after a while, too. The best writing balances telling and showing so it becomes unobtrusive to the reader.
Niina : So, why did you pick the Erotic Romance genre, are there any other genres you’ve dabbled in?
C.J : Ahh… I really didn’t. I just wrote a story I really wanted to read—married couple, snark n dark, hot sexy bits and all. I’ve found various readers will call my books different things when trying to slot them into a genre. I don’t mind what they call it as long as they buy it ;-)
I’ve also written two contemporary erotica novellas ( pretty much sex every few pages with a loose story ), and am currently working on a middle-grade fantasy book for my kids and some non-fiction work.
Niina : What makes a hero sexy?
C.J : Attitude. If he’s confident and interested in YOU it’s a big turn on. I’ve met some sexy guys that were only average looking, but they certainly made my blood boil with their heated glances and lingering looks…. Like they knew something I didn’t. Made me curious to find out just what they knew.
Niina : Definately agreeing with you on that! Now to more personal questions! Your current Top 5 dangerous bad boys in literature? (and why?)
C.J : Oh gosh, just five? I love Eric Northman, when he had amnesia in an early book I fell hard for him. He’s strong and doesn’t bend to what others think is right—he follows his own heart. Bones, with his quite strength and sexy ways. Kisten from the Hollows series… simply for loving Rachel as she is. I was so sad when Ms.Harrison killed him off. Adam from Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series, for many, many reasons. And last but not least, Jean Claude from the Anita Blake books. What’s not to love about a drop dead sexy vampire who calls you pet names in French?
Niina : Jean Claude... *sigh* He's on my list as well. ;D What about who is currently your book boyfriend?
C.J : LOL! The main character in my own series, Rafe. God, I wish my husband, Pete, was like him. Doesn’t help that Pete has read the books and just smiles at some of Rafe’s finer traits. Like he knows he could never be that perfect so why bother to try? LOL!
Niina : Would you rather meet real vampires or werewolves?
C.J : Oh man, another hard choice! Love these questions, Niina, you did a great job. Hmm… I think I’d like to meet a werewolf. I love vampires, but they have been written about for so long and so wide spread that I almost feel like every conceivable notion has been covered… but werewolves… hmmm… maybe some mystery still remains.
Niina : I do try my best. ;) Now, if you could only read 5 Erotic Romance books for the rest of your life what would they be, and why?
C.J : LOL! I prefer straight up erotica to erotic romance, mainly because I like learning new stuff. I mean, hey, porn is pretty crappy and the women look fake as hell—not to mention their age! *shudder* So erotica it is. I LOVE Emma Holly. I strive to write as well as her some day in my sex scenes. My top favorite of hers are Menage, Cooking up a Storm, All U Can Eat and her earlier Upyr Series books ( excellent paranormal worldbuilding and scorching sex, woo-hoo! ).
Niina : Can you share with us three closest books to you?
C.J : Do you mean like the physical location or ones that matter to me right now? I have an ereader, and work in a formal living room that was converted to a library before I became a writer. So my favorites are always close at hand.
As far as what books changed my reading experience, I’d have to say the first ones that really made an impression on me were all from the Black Lace series, a now defunct UK imprint. These books were erotica written by women for women. I discovered them back in the late nineties and quickly bought two-dozen titles. These were the first stories I’d read that glossed over the romance aspect and made sex the central focus in the books. I didn’t know such well written books like existed. I didn’t need a happy ever after romance and more. I was happily married and had my prince—but a book that got the sexiest organ, your brain, in your body working?
The books made me think and made me want to tear my husband’s clothes off and try new things. That’s a winner in my mind!
Niina : If we could ask Vivian what is her favorite hobby, what would she answer?
Vivian : When you’ve been around as long as I have, there are very few things that remain unexplored. One passion I’ve held onto through the years is collecting rare first edition books written in their original language. The bookcases lining the landings in our inn are filled with the thousands I’ve accumulated over the centuries.
Niina : Now, what's the best part about being an author? And what’s the worst?
C.J : Definitely the cool factor of saying you’re an author. I don’t often get to share the news face to face, since I’m mostly online, but when I do my heart swells with pride. This is something I’ve done on my own and there are still days I’m blown away by the sheer amount of time I’ve poured into it.
The worst? Hmm… the pressure to get books out faster. As I reach more and more readers I’m getting requests for the third book, which is great don’t get me wrong, but it’s still pressure. I’m not like most authors who wrote for years and have half a dozen manuscripts completed by the time their first novel is accepted. I know I’ll get faster with time, but in the interim the deadlines weigh me down.
When I told readers I was re-releasing the de-sexified series for the high-YA audience, complete with new titles, new covers, and lots of kick-ass art, I got some surprising comments. A few people even told me to “just write another series” and leave V V the way it is.
First off, the sex is the one thing I get the most complaints about in the book, either people love the books for that reason, or it rubs them wrong and they have to stop reading. I felt the storyline and characters were good enough to carry the book without the sex and I hope to prove it. Second – the people who made that comment have no idea just how long it takes to write a good book. Doing three new books in a series could take me at least two years to complete, whereas rewriting an existing series will take me two months.
Niina : Before we finish here are some Quick Fire Questions:
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Dark
Beach or forest? Forest
Night or day? Depends…. So I’ll say night.
UF (Urban Fantasy) or PNR (Paranormal Romance)? UF, baby!
Bad boys or good cops? Good cops.
Brunettes or Blonds? Tall, dark and delicious.
Vampires or werewolves? Vamps rule, weres drool! Just kidding ;-)
Romance or erotica? Erotica
Men: Alpha-male or submissive? In between. I don’t like a hard ass or a pushover.
Male POV or female POV (Point Of View)? Female
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up
Beer or Wine? Beer… or preferably my new favorite— Magner’s (an Irish hard cider I call the elixir of the Gods).
Pizza or Restaurant? Depends, but I’d kill for a good pizza (I’m gluten free )
Cake or Donuts? Same thing as above, but I have found some good GF cookies and some great Betty Crocker GF cake mixes.
TV or DVD? DVR
Golden Girls or Family Ties? Golden Girls!
Movies: Romantic comedies or Action/Adventure? Action!
Halloween or Midsummer? Halloween. Really, is there anything else?
Times New Roman or Courier? Georgia is my preferred font.
Crayons or markers? Markers.
Kids or pets? PETS! Unlike my children, they don’t talk back, leave their dirty socks all over the house, or put clothes in the wash because they’re wrinkled….
Niina : Thanks for visiting the "For The Love of Reading!" C.J., glad you got the chance to drop by!
C.J : Thanks so much for having me! I’d like all your readers to stop by for a FREE gift from me. They are welcome to a copy of my first book as well as a whole bunch of other great reads, right on my FB page.
Niina : Now, what's the best part about being an author? And what’s the worst?
C.J : Definitely the cool factor of saying you’re an author. I don’t often get to share the news face to face, since I’m mostly online, but when I do my heart swells with pride. This is something I’ve done on my own and there are still days I’m blown away by the sheer amount of time I’ve poured into it.
The worst? Hmm… the pressure to get books out faster. As I reach more and more readers I’m getting requests for the third book, which is great don’t get me wrong, but it’s still pressure. I’m not like most authors who wrote for years and have half a dozen manuscripts completed by the time their first novel is accepted. I know I’ll get faster with time, but in the interim the deadlines weigh me down.
When I told readers I was re-releasing the de-sexified series for the high-YA audience, complete with new titles, new covers, and lots of kick-ass art, I got some surprising comments. A few people even told me to “just write another series” and leave V V the way it is.
First off, the sex is the one thing I get the most complaints about in the book, either people love the books for that reason, or it rubs them wrong and they have to stop reading. I felt the storyline and characters were good enough to carry the book without the sex and I hope to prove it. Second – the people who made that comment have no idea just how long it takes to write a good book. Doing three new books in a series could take me at least two years to complete, whereas rewriting an existing series will take me two months.
Niina : Before we finish here are some Quick Fire Questions:
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Dark
Beach or forest? Forest
Night or day? Depends…. So I’ll say night.
UF (Urban Fantasy) or PNR (Paranormal Romance)? UF, baby!
Bad boys or good cops? Good cops.
Brunettes or Blonds? Tall, dark and delicious.
Vampires or werewolves? Vamps rule, weres drool! Just kidding ;-)
Romance or erotica? Erotica
Men: Alpha-male or submissive? In between. I don’t like a hard ass or a pushover.
Male POV or female POV (Point Of View)? Female
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up
Beer or Wine? Beer… or preferably my new favorite— Magner’s (an Irish hard cider I call the elixir of the Gods).
Pizza or Restaurant? Depends, but I’d kill for a good pizza (I’m gluten free )
Cake or Donuts? Same thing as above, but I have found some good GF cookies and some great Betty Crocker GF cake mixes.
TV or DVD? DVR
Golden Girls or Family Ties? Golden Girls!
Movies: Romantic comedies or Action/Adventure? Action!
Halloween or Midsummer? Halloween. Really, is there anything else?
Times New Roman or Courier? Georgia is my preferred font.
Crayons or markers? Markers.
Kids or pets? PETS! Unlike my children, they don’t talk back, leave their dirty socks all over the house, or put clothes in the wash because they’re wrinkled….
Niina : Thanks for visiting the "For The Love of Reading!" C.J., glad you got the chance to drop by!
C.J : Thanks so much for having me! I’d like all your readers to stop by for a FREE gift from me. They are welcome to a copy of my first book as well as a whole bunch of other great reads, right on my FB page.
