Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Adrian Phoenix Giveaway and Character Guest Post

Character Guest Post
With Layne 

Vessel for the Dead. Ghost ship. Spirit cabinet. Crazy.

I’ve been called them all. And the only one that ain’t true—yet—is the crazy tag. But supposedly that’s my fate. The end of the road for all Vessels—insanity and/or a desperate, usually messy, suicide by the time you hit your late teens or early twenties.

Me, I’m twenty-five. And working hard on kicking fate’s ass.

So, hey. Good to meetcha. My name’s Layne Valin and I’m a Vessel for the Dead. (Laughs) And no, this ain’t a Vessels Anonymous meeting. No such thing since this ain’t an addiction—Vessels are born, not made, and death seems to be the only cure.

Most people don’t know that Vessels even exist, not even when trying to wrestle one into a straitjacket. A Vessel looks like anyone else—like you or your little brother or maybe your best friend—no way to spot one, not even when you’re the poor bastard trying to wrestle the tweaker into that goddamned straitjacket.

But to a wandering ghost, lost spirit, or a furious shade, human Vessels are one huge open door with a WELCOME sign winking above in moonlight-gilded neon. A never-ending invitation to the dead from the moment you’re born until the moment you die. A Vessel can’t refuse a ghost. Can’t turn them away. A Vessel has no say, period.

Most Vessels lose control of their bodies whenever a ghost slips inside, becoming little more than bound and gagged stowaways shanghaied by ethereal, uncrossed-over body pirates hoping to say goodbye to loved ones, to seek revenge for their murder, to finish a final task, or simply clinging to flesh out of denial, y’know? That paralyzing fear of the unknown.

You know what’s ironic? A possession’s most dangerous moment happens when the ghost splits the Vessel’s body. When the dead depart sometimes they hook into your memories—accidentally or otherwise—and unravel a few. Forever.

No say in ghosts taking over your body for whatever purpose and for whatever length of time until they cross over. Possible permanent personality meshing. Lost memories. Quite a few straws piling up on that insanity-camel’s back, yeah?

I aim to change all that. Hell, I am changing it. Just look at me. Twenty-five and I ain’t been wrestled into a straitjacket once. (Yeah, yeah. Don’t say it.) I’ve also learned that there is a way to communicate with our ghostly passengers, a way to work together.

I believe we’re born Vessels for a reason. And that reason ain’t insanity and suicide. I hope to pass the shit I’ve learned onto other Vessels, teach them how not only to survive intact, but to make a difference in someone’s life—even if they’re dead.

Sure, I think being born nomad, as well as a Vessel, gives me an edge over non-nomad (otherwise known as in-town squatters. I know sounds judgmental, and trust me, it is) Vessels. For those of you who don’t know, nomads are a pagan cross between Gypsies and outlaw bikers. We travel. We respect nature. We believe in the things most people no longer do: werewolves, vampires, elementals, old and young gods . . . ghosts.

And magic. I also believe that a certain hoodoo apprentice with black hair, café-au-lait skin and tilted violet eyes, fierce and compassionate and brimming with magic, a woman named Kallie Rivière, helps sharpen that edge.

Me, I’m hoping that together, Kallie and me, we can find a way to transform a curse into true destiny and fate into purpose. I’m also hoping for another taste of those soft lips. (Winks) Sure as hell can’t hurt.


Here’s the first chapter of Black Dust Mambo. (Hoodoo Book 1)


And the first two chapters of Black Heart Loa. (Hoodoo Book 2)

(Black Moon Mojo—Hoodoo Book 3 will be out in 2013).

And feel free to check out The Maker’s Song series (A Rush of Wings, In the Blood, Beneath the Skin, Etched in Bone—and at the end of the year, On Midnight Wings). Here’s the first chapter of A Rush of Wings.

You can also find me at:
Website, Facebook , Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, MySpace, Goodreads
Dante's Club Hell Forum
Dante's Club Hell Yahoo Group
Pocket After Dark


Two winners!!
Each winner gets to choose any one of Adrian books. 
Open to international


53 comments:

CrystalGB said...

Great interview. Layne sounds awesome. Thanks for the giveaway.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

Tanya1224 said...

I loved Adrian's Maker's song series. Dante is to die for ;) I'd love a chance to win her first book in the voo-doo series to see what that's all about. I visited New Orleans and thought of her while I was there. I'd love to read about some voo-doo and a vessel =) Please count me in. Thanks
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bookish Fangirl said...

I am loving Black Dust Mambo! I wish I had known about this series sooner. :)

rockchick531@gmail.com

Bridget Keown said...

So nice to hear from Layne--I've missed him!

vampstramp said...

Love love the makers song series !!!!! Armywife47@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Ohhh.. i cannot wait to read this! I have it downloaded to my Fire, but havnt had a chance to start that baby up!
bookedandloaded(at)gmail(dot)com

Adrian said...

Tanya1224, thank you so much! And Happy Leap Year! LOL. I hope you enjoyed your visit to New Orleans and I'm very flattered that you thought of me while you were there. Hugs!

Adrian said...

Tanya, so glad you're enjoying Black Dust Mambo! (And it's never too late, yeah?)

Adrian said...

Bridget, glad you enjoyed Layne's post. He'll be back in book 3, Black Moon Mojo.

Adrian said...

Vampstrap, HUGS!

Adrian said...

Annie, I hope you enjoy it once you get it fired up. ;)

Adrian said...

Crystal, so glad you enjoyed Layne's post. I'll let him know. ;)

Holli said...

You are the best and always will be! Dante captured my heart awhile back and has held it ever since! It was only recently that I started the "Black Heart" series due to a reccomendation someone had posted about your new short story ebook that was for sale at B&N. Very sorry I had waited so long! Now I can't wait to dive into the next book of Kallie and Layne! Your books absolutely remove me from reality and transport me straight into the world of the characters you invent. Your detail and passion in what you do puts you a step above the rest! You have a very loyal fan in me! Now I just have to win the auction and head down to New Orleans! Thanks for all you give to us!

Unknown said...

Adrian rocks like the 1980s (in a very good way! ;oD)
I adore reading each and everyone of her books over and over.
I adore how unique the ideas are, there was (I thought) only so many ways to write about Vampires...clearly I was wrong!!!

Em (CH Member)

Adrian said...

Holli, wow! Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. I'm deeply moved. I hope to see you in New Orleans!

Hugs! <3

Adrian said...

Em, you ROCK too, sweetie! Thanks for dropping by! I'll see you in Hell. <3

afstone3 said...

Oh Layne if I didn't belong to Von and you didn't have Kallie you would be the Nomad for me ;)

Adrian I love how you bring your characters to life. Plus you are one of the few authors who interacts so much with their fans. And you are an amazing friend and I am so glad to have you as one of mine.

Love and Hugs

Annette
Do not enter me in the contest.

Adrian said...

Annette, my friend, thanks so much for dropping by! Thanks so much for your kind words--I'm the lucky one.

Belladonna thinks Layne and Von should have a cage fight while wearing wet boxers. She'll provide the popcorn. ;)

Read Between the Lines said...

I just stopped by to say Hi and read the post. PLZ do not enter me I own all of Adrian's books out to date they are fantastic reads she is one of my fave authors

Tina B said...

I enjoyed Layne's post. I really like his personality. I haven't read this series yet (on my TBR) but I have read The Maker's Song series and loved it! Thanks for the opportunity to read your books. :)

Unknown said...

I wanted to pick one up because a fellow blogger highly recommended it. I hope I win one!

talksupe@rocketmail.com

Adrian said...

Anna, thanks so much for your support!

Adrian said...

Tina B, so glad you enjoyed Layne's post! I hope you enjoy the series.

Adrian said...

Braine, good luck!

amanda said...

I would LOVE to win any of Adrian's books. I always get completely lost in her worlds and actually care what happens to every one of her characters. I'm looking so forward to meeting Adrian at AAD NOLA. I actually was lucky enough to get tickets the Adrian field trip. Absolutley can't wait!!!

mandy(at)fuse(dot)net

Anonymous said...

*wipes my forehead* there! now i can post...ok, tell layne to set the time and i will be there to, um, judge *winks*

happy leap day!!!

conn

Adrian said...

Amanda, I really appreciate your comments! I'm moved that the characters touch you so deeply and I'm looking forward to meeting you at AAD in NOLA!

Hugs!

Adrian said...

Hey, Conn! So glad you could make it! I'll tell Layne to set up that arm wrestling duel with Von (to see who wins the honor of flirting with a certain bartender. *winks*

How to you like Belladonna's suggestion that they do so in wet boxers? In a cage?

<3

Bethany C. said...

I read the Maker's Song series but haven't started on the Hoodoos yet- thanks for the chance to win!

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jen B. said...

What an interesting and scary concept. I don't think I would want to be a vessel. jepebATverizonDOTnet

Adrian said...

Bethany, thanks for dropping by!

Adrian said...

Jen, I agree! Thanks for joining us!

Denise Z said...

Thank you for taking the time to share with us today. I have read Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa and loved, loved, loved them and cannot get enough. I will have to look up The Maker's Song series and give it a try.

dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

tears_of_fire said...

This sounds like a different and good read. :)

Julie S said...

I've been wanting to get into this series! Thanks for the post and giveaway.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Natasja said...

I'm a huge Adrian Phoenix fan...I love her series !

Thanks for this giveaway.

pitch_black75@hotmail.com

Teril said...

Big fan and that taste of Layne was great! It is always neat to see a little bit more into the characters mind.

terilhack at yahoo dot com

Patti P said...

I have been moving away from paranormals lately but you've just hooked me back in! I just told my hubby I found a new author and bunch of books and he groaned..lol
musicalfrog at comcast.net

Adrian said...

Denise, thanks so much! I'm sure you'll sure The Maker's Song books too!

*Note* The Cajun glossary is at the BACK of A Rush of Wings and In the Blood. It was moved to the front for the other of books. Yay! ;)

Adrian said...

Tears of fire and Julie S, Thanks so much for dropping by!

Adrian said...

Lady Caella, thanks so much! Hugs!

Adrian said...

Teril, glad you enjoyed Layne's post. I always enjoy getting deeper into characters too.

Adrian said...

Patti P, Wow, I'm thrilled to have roped you back into paranormal! My apologies though to your groaning hubby. I hope you enjoy the books!
<3

Teresa K. said...

Wow,

This sounds like an interesting series. I can't wait to read more about it. I like the concept of the Vessel.

Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoodotcom

Mary Preston said...

That's a fun character interview. I'm intrigued.

GFC: Mary Preston

Email Subscriber:

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Anne R said...

Great interview.
Layne sounds very interesting, cant wait to read more about him.
Right now I am reading the The Maker's Song series..and I love it.

areeths at new dot rr dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I've had this one on my wishlist since I first saw the cover and read the blurb. Thanks for the giveaway!
GFC- Lisa Richards
!
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

booklover0226 said...

I enjoyed the character post; it was a great read.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I just found something new and different to add to my TBR pile! yay!! thank you!
delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo

lindalou said...

I've not read any of your books... but, just from reading your comment and the comments that others have left, I'm obviously missing out on some really good books (and Hunks!) Thanks for the giveaway!
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

Julie said...

I have not read your books yet, but I am really looking forward to doing so. I am always looking for new and interesting books to read. Great giveaway.
!

kittygirl15401@yahoo.com

mlkferrara said...

Adrian I love being a member of Club Hell feels like family your Maker series is amazing I have read all 3 books am still finishing off the 4th Etched In Bone can't wait for your 5th book I know it will sell like hotcakes!! LOL

Much Love,
Mary :-)

Krysykat said...

Way to be kickass :)

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