Hard Bitten Blog Tour - Interview with Jeff Christopher and a Giveaway

In honor of the newest Chicagoland Vampires book, Hard Bitten, which comes out next Tuesday, May 3rd, I have a special treat for you all!

My absolute favorite character from the series is shifter, Jeff Christopher. Jeff is in his early 20s, works in the Ombudsman's Office, and is a full on computer wiz. He continuously makes me laugh and generally gives Merit a little extra fun in her life.

Jeff has very graciously granted me an interview to help entice you all to pick up The Chicagoland Vampires books.

Welcome Jeff! Just a few questions for you...

First off…any juicy secrets you know from working in the Ombudsman’s Office? I’m kidding…unless you really do have something you could share?? *wink, wink*
Jeff: *Blushing a little* Aw, there are always secrets here. Since not everyone is out of the closet, we try to keep folks protected. I can say that Catcher likes to eat frou-frou salads for lunch. Like with cranberries on top. Who knew?

Speaking of the office, besides the Chulthu that sits on your desk, any other “interesting” accessories in your workspace?
Jeff: There *might* be a framed photograph of someone special on my desk, but I'll let Chloe tell you about that in the books.

So, how well do you actually know the Windy City’s River Nymphs?
Jeff: Whoa, whoa. Let's not start any crazy rumors. I've got a shifter with an attitude and a gun safe who probably doesn't want to hear any suggestions that I've been dancing the rumba with any nymphs. We only know each other in a professional capacity. *Smooths the front of his shirt* But I could hit that if I wanted to. Not that I want to. I'm just sayin'. Whoops! Sorry, Jeff...definitely don't want to get you in any trouble with Fallon. :)

What would your ideal date be like?
Jeff: Dinner. Walk along the riverfront or down Michigan Avenue. Maybe a boat ride, the two of us together staring out across the water. *Snatches up pen and paper, mumbling as he scribbles* River . . . front . . . Boat . . . ride

What was the last book that you read…or, um, thumbed through?
Jeff: I read a lot of the tech magazines. WIRED. POPULAR MECHANICS. DISCOVERY. SHIFTERS WEEKLY. Nah, I made that last one up. *snort*

Describe Merit in one sentence.
Jeff: *Closing his eyes* Tall, superior hotness, easy on the eyes, nice to talk to. *Eyes flash open* And completely off limits because I have a girl! Seriously, are you trying to get me in trouble? *Leaning forward* You aren't taping this, are you? *Shifts eyes guiltily away...writes notes furiously*

If Merit had been born a shifter, what form do you think her animal would have been?
Jeff: Water buffalo? Nah, kidding, kidding. She can be a little clutzy. Something sleek. Quiet. A hunter. Panther, maybe?

Quick picks: Top Vacation Destination? Favorite food? Favorite item of clothing?
Jeff: Vienna. Chicago red hots. A good pair of khakis.

Jeff, thanks again SO much for stopping by! I really enjoyed getting to know you a little better...can't wait to read more about you very soon. I hope that everyone runs out to grab Hard Bitten when it comes out...I know I'll be reading it the night it comes out!

Chloe Neill has very graciously offered to send out a Chicagoland Vampires swag pack to one of my readers. Simply leave me a comment with your favorite character from the series (or if you haven't read any of them yet...your favorite vampire character, in general) and your email address by Friday, April 29th. I will announce the winner on Saturday, April 30th. Good luck!!

Mistwood

Mistwood
by Leah Cypess

Reviewed from ARC sent by SLJ. Publication date: April 27, 2010 (Greenwillow)

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

I loved this book! It's been quite a while since I closed a book and sighed... I was actually sad that there were no more pages. This book was everything I loved about Graceling by Kristin Cashore, plus had the court intrigue and political plots of Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia series.

Isabel (the shifter) is a character that I routed for wholeheartedly. She was strong, independent, yet vulnerable and easy to like. Her lack of understanding in human emotion only drew me further into the emotional depths of this story.

I can't even really verbalize yet how much I loved this story. It felt as if I had been blown right over, but by a gentle summer breeze. I really hope to read more from Leah Cypess in the future!


*added 2/22/2010
Here's the Book Trailer from YouTube: