the league of reluctant adults

I've been meaning to read this series of YA novels for a while, and they've gone and made a movie on me! Anything with vamps is cool with me, but add in the teen angle and I'm there (that sounded kind of creepy, actually). But, really, how much fun is this?

Since I know you guys love food porn, here's a link to my blog post over at Side-show Freaks about coming up with "For Want of Chocolate" (think vampires + chocolate) and how I can't sell short stories.

Come see my new blog ! And comment for the chance to win an ARC of Tempest Rising! There's also some FABULOUS League Pimpage. Awesome!

Today is the day, my lovelies! My (oh holy crap) seventh novel, Boneshaker hits the shelves and stores right this moment. And I, for one, am ecstatic. If you'd like to know more about it first, please allow me to point you at this interview over at the Mad Hatter blog . It too went live today; and in this interview I talk a bit about the Clockwork Century universe, the players in it, the hats I like to wear, and at least two things that very few people know about me. For a much more in-depth discussion of this book, this universe, and everything else -- visit The Clockwork Century and poke around all you like. There, you'll find maps, commentary on the philosophy of steampunk, novel summaries, and some enticing reviews. So go on - get clicking! You might like what you find -- or maybe you know someone else who's a big fan of steampunk pulp adventures with air pirates, zombies, secret criminal societies, mad scientists, and Bonus! extended/deleted scenes from the Civ...

...regarding chocolate. And more! Check out her interview at my website. And, hey, while you're there feel free to drop a comment. You could win an autographed copy of Over My Dead Body. Contest runs through next Monday. Good luck to you all!

So I like music a lot. I'm not very musical, nor am I particularly hip, but I try my best to be aware of what's going on in "The Scene." And by, "The Scene," I mean that I google what I hear on Sirius on my way to work. Which isn't really being part of any "Scene," at all, but I live in northern Louisiana, so give me a freaking break. Anyway, I just discovered this band who literally makes me SWOON. This is not a Thing I Like, This is a THING I FUCKING WORSHIP. This band makes my heart go pitter patter. I haven't felt this way since my brother first played me the Dropkick Murphys. It's like love at first site, only it's not a made up narcissistic emotional theory. It is love at first listen. And here they are: THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM You may have heard that song, it's awesome, and it's all over AltNation. I love that song. But this song? I'm swooning just thinking about typing about how it makes me swoon: Makes me purr! I...

It's almost that time of year again, faithful League Minions! Brace yourselves for...

I love my new cover! Apparently, amazon.com has listed the Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men summary on the page for Nice Girls Don't Live Forever. I've been asked to clarify what the third book in the series is about. So here you go: NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson’s sexy sire, Gabriel, has always been unpredictable. But the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her. Now the children’s-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renova...

Hey peeps! So today the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance comes out in the U.S. (It was already released in the UK under the name LOVE BITES) And guess what? Four Reluctant Adults have stories in this bad boy. Caitlin's story "Perdition" features Doc Holliday as a vampire hunter. Jeanne's story "Ghost of Leadville" is about Doc Holliday's encounter with a vampire in Colorado. Stacia's story "Trust Me" is about Jack the Ripper ... and sex. And my story "Vampsploitation" features Sabina Kane's first job as an assassin and lots of late '70s porn references. Want to win a copy? Check out my blog to find out how.

Because someone dared me, here's how I think it would go if Eric (from my Void City series) tried to explain the birds and the bees to a still-human version of his daughter Greta: Eric: But you already know... Greta: Well, yeah, but I still want us to have The Talk. All daughters get to have The Talk. Eric: Fine. You remember the book "If you give a Mouse a Cookie"? Greta: Ye-es. Eric: It's like that. Greta: No it isn't. Eric: No. It absolutely is... Eric: If you give a boy a kiss, he'll want to touch your cookies. If you let him touch your cookies, he'll want to unwrap them. If you let him unwrap them, he'll want to put them in his mouth. And THEN, if you let him put them in his mouth, the boy will want to pet your kitty. But if you let him pet your kitty, he'll want to see your kitty. And of course, if you let him see your kitty, then he'll want to feed it. And if you let him kiss you, touch your cookies, unwrap your cookies, put them in his ...

Hey all! Everything is crazy here at Casa Peeler. I'm writing book 3 (I've got 80 pages!), teaching four classes at LSUS, and trying not to have a nervous breakdown. There's lots of exciting stuff happening. Ms. Wells and I have a reading coming up here in the Porte du Shreve and we'll be sure to keep ya'll posted. Orbit will be unveiling my fancy schmancy new website soon, as well as the cover to the second book in the Jane True series, Tracking the Tempest . And this cover rocks, people. It rocks. All this is happening because the book is coming out soon . Which makes me slightly nauseous. But I'm coping. In the meantime, you can read the very first review of Ms. True & Co., here . I'd also like to take this moment to tell you about some more Things I Like. As usual, first some music! I absolutely, utterly adore this first band. They're insanely smart, hip, and outrageous. They're so postironic they've almost swung full circle back to ironi...

Thanks a ton-load to everyone who voted for us Leaguers over at Bitten by Books! You guys are too freaking cool! And, as promised, I've picked a winner from those of you who told me you voted. Congrats go to: esrazor If you'll e-mail me at jennifer at jenniferrardin dot com and let me know which one of Jaz & Vayl's adventures you'd like to have autographed and mailed to your address, I'll get it right to you! Thanks again, everyone!

I'm fully ensconced in a post con stupor--exhausted, dreamy, but ultimately content. Made some career decisions this weekend, stuff I won't be talking about for a while, but I feel like I have some direction, got my projects lined up and ready to go. But, lest I get all serious...let's get to the damn recap, shall we? Here it goes, in the form of a top ten list... What's Awesome About Dragon*Con! 1. People Who Go Out of Their Way to Make You Comfortable Had a great time with Stacia Kane and her husband Stephen, whose new business site went live today ( Lootslinger ) so go check it out. The couple graciously put up a murder of urban fantasy authors and others for the duration of Dragon*Con. Without them I certainly wouldn't have been able to go, hotels were both at a premium and priced like it was the Olympics or something. Stace is the consummate hostess and on Sunday night threw a dinner party for the League of Reluctant Adults and friends. If she offers up her s...

For a wrap up with lots of pictures of the gang, hop on over to: the Biting Edge and check it out!

Baby, we're heating up the pages and the fans are lovin' it! Three Leaguers have made the cut at Bitten by Books' latest Paranormal Fiction Poll: #1 Sexiest Male Vampire in Literature! They are Richelle Mead's Dimitri Belikov, Michelle Rowen's Thierry de Bennicoeur, and my very own Vayl! What do you say we keep our string of League triumphs going over there with a kickass vote? Your comment could win you some Bitten by Books swag. And if you come back here with a note that you voted Leaguishly, I'll pick one of you to win one of my books as well. Your choice. Autographed. Legible scrawl optional. Here's the voting link; you've got through Sept. 11. Good luck!

NOT! Yes, I am again stuck in the mutha sussin' airport. It could be worse. At least I have a bunch of freshman essays to grade! Yes, those choked noises are the sounds of my sobs. The good news? My suitcase is probably already in Atlanta. Don't ask what happened. I'm tired of explaining it. But that means that in Atlanta awaits my Coffin (I have a Very Large Suitcase). It is full of fascinators, black dresses, and One Eyed Willie. Curious? You should be. I will, almost certainly, get into some sort of ridiculous scrape involving no pants, hotel statuary, and a tribble. Have no fear! Mark Henry will undoubtedly tweet it, then blog about it, then post pictures here. So wait for that! And in the meantime, enjoy this. It's how I feel on a number of levels.

Hi all-- My first panel at D*Con will be an interview with the wonderful Ms. Charlaine Harris. Any burning questions you'd like me to ask her??? Submit in comments and I'll post answers here on Saturday.....

I've known Crystal Galloway since sixth grade. It did not surprise me when she started her own independent, slightly subversive local newspaper, BAZOOKA. Because Crystal herself is independent and slightly subversive. And I was fortunate enough to be featured in her August issue. The interview was fun and showed exactly how well this woman knows me... which is sort of scary. And she arranged the rather fabulous photo above, in which I'm staking two redneck vampires. (Photo by Jill Tanner) You can find copies of BAZOOKA at various restaurants and businesses around Paducah, KY. (Fat Moe's, Roof Brothers, di Frat's, Maiden Alley Cinema, etc.) or download the PDF .

As Kelly pointed out, enough League of Reluctant Adults members (even some of the quieter ones) are hitting the ATL for some Real Housewives of Scifi/Fantasy Con action.  Here are the culprits... Mark Henry (moi, bien sur). Stacia Kane (putting up a whole murder of paranormal authors at her place, pray for her) Jackie Kessler (bouncing around energetically) Jeanne Steing (who's totally going to be doing a live interview of Charlaine Harris!!!) Nicole Peeler (in danger of a hazing) Kelly Meding (ditto) Jeremy Lewis (snarling with his (presumably) fake fangs) Richelle Mead (#2 NYT Bestseller, Richelle Mead, ahem) Cherie Priest (rockin' an Arkham Asylum 'do) Caitlin Kittredge (our resident pin-up girl) Sadly, Jaye Wells had to bail because of a family sickness thingie.  We're bummed.  If you want to find out where we're all going to be, you should totally hit up... http://www.dragoncon.org The schedules are posted and the panels and events look amazing. I know I'll...

...or is a huge chunk of the League absconding to Dragon*Con this weekend? Will anyone be left to mind the store? What will the League members get up to in Atlanta? And will there be photographic evidence?

The Falcata Times asked: "How do you create likeable characters?" As authors, we're constantly told we have to create sympathetic protagonists. I don't subscribe to that school of character creation. Instead, I believe we have to create empathetic characters. What's the difference? A sympathetic character is pleasant or agreeable and is someone a reader can relate to. An empathetic character is someone we can understand, we may not like their choices but we get why they do what they do. In other words, an empathetic character doesn't have to be likeable, we just have to understand their motivations for why they do what they do. I write about a half-mage, half-vampire assassin. In the first scene of RHSC, she buries the body of a human she killed and then turns around and kills a friend who's a vampire. Right there, I'm asking for trouble, right? I mean who wants to read about such a cold-blooded character? Well, as it turns out, lots of people do. Her...