Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Deborah Palumbo's Halloween Cover Release!

Hi all!
 So...here's the much anticipated cover release for my author friend Deborah Palumbo's book, The Banished One (book 3 in The Undeparted Series).

Here's the blurb:

The Banished One, a serial killer vampire also named Lucius, is still wreaking havoc on the sleepy town in Tower City, and since he's supernatural he can't be captured by normal police procedure
A frustrated Lieutenant Welby (a new character in the series) refuses to believe that the elusive Lucius, the one responsible for those dead bodies in his town, is a vampire; that defies logic. There's got to be another explanation for those fang marks in the victims' throats.
Welby remains a staunch disbeliever in vampires until the coroner, Doc McMahon, causes him to change his mind!
Doc shows Welby his ancestral journal from the 1700's regarding Quentin Castle, the father of all vampires.
Welby is whisked back in time as he reads those yellowed pages filled with encounters of beautiful women being lured to their mortal doom and transformed into vampires by the handsome and charming Quentin.
But what causes Welby to finally be convinced, is a series of preternatural events and the coroner's scientific evidence!
Welby then follows the old town rumors about vampires right to Quentin and his gothic castle to enlist Quentin's supernatural aid in capturing Lucius.
Will Quentin, the only one who can stop Lucius' vampire tirades, help the Lieutenant or make him one of The Undeparted?
Will Quentin battle Lucius and send Lucius to the bowels of hell for eternity, finally ensuring that Cassandra is safe from her old beau? Will the old coal mining town?


This is going to be an excellent book!  Parts 1, The Undeparted and Part 2, The Ascent of the Undeparted were awesome! A must read for anyone! Deborah's books can all be found on www.amazon.com. You can contact her here:

You can find the first two books of her series here:

Come check out her books and I promise you will enjoy the read. Her books leave you wanting more! Good Luck Deborah Palumbo!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Vote for Debbie!

November voting has started at Goodreads.com. Please go there and vote for Deborah Palumbo's The Undeparted.
Goodreads link for The Undeparted

This is an excellent book and deserves this award. Please vote!
Thanks all!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Saturday, October 27, 2012

The Gold Seeker's Daughter Review!

Hi all!
I had the pleasure of reading the below book by Deborah Palumbo. Here is my review:

The Gold Seeker’s Daughter is an amazing journey of emotions, conscious and the good and evil of people. It is a story craftily woven and creatively spoken through the words on the pages. Deborah is a master story-teller and does not falter by any means in this story.

This historical romance follows a young woman’s’ journey with her family from Pennsylvania across the prairie towards California for the gold rush. Her father decides to take her and her mother with him while he travels in search of gold. This story chronicles their journey, the meeting of God’s creatures and the interactions with the ‘red man’. It follows Enya as she starts feeling woman-like feelings for the wrong person, is forced to oblige a petulant rich man and deal with the loss of family. The plot takes twists and turns as Enya learns how to survive on the prairie as a young woman. You don’t see the final confrontation coming but secretly hope for it. She’s put in a precarious position and as the reader you can just feel her anguish. You get vested in Enya’s feelings and emotions throughout the story.

Ms. Palumbo creates a whole world surrounding her main character so that the reader can actually place themselves within the story. It’s not just words on a page, it evokes sentiment from the reader. The emotions are so raw and real that it takes the reader back to their first lost love. It leaves the reader feeling giddy as things come together nicely and it is tied up together in a wonderfully delightful bow. This is a must-read for all! It’s a short read and worth its weight in gold.

Go check it out! It's a great read!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Halloween book cover reveal!

Hi all!
I just wanted to let you all know to go check out my friends blog,
http://www.deborahpalumbotheundeparted.blogspot.com
She is doing a cover reveal of her latest book on Wed. 10/31 so please head on over there and check her out! She's a great author and a dear friend. Her books are filled with excellent and fully developed characters, twists and turns in the plots which leaves you with a great story. That's all for now. Don't forget, Halloween to check her out!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Book Promotion Link!

Hi all!
Yesterday I told you about a great site for book promotions called askdavid.com. They already have my one book up and going. Please check out the page at:
http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/paranormal-romance/2551

It's an awesome promotion and it's FREE so check it out!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Excellent promotion site!

Hi all!
 I just wanted to let you know that I've found a great website that will promote your book for you for absolutely no money (all you have to do is 'like' him on facebook, 'tweet' about him and/or comment about him on google+ a small price to pay). It's a great way for us authors to stay together and help each other. Here are the links:
http://askdavid.com or http://askdavid.com/free-book-promotion
Please check him out! It's a really great service!
Keep Reading & Writing,
Jodie Pierce

New review! When the Temperature Rises!

Hi all!
 I had the great opportunity to read the below book. Check out my review:


When The Temperature Rises by Deborah Palumbo is an excellent read. It is a 1940’s crime noir that surrounds you with a murder, detectives, boxers, the mob and “dames” as Detective Humphreys refers to them. You got a Detective that has a broken life, is past his prime and still can’t keep away from those “dames”. Mystery, intrigue and deductive reasoning are paramount in this book and keep the book moving, making it an easy page turner. Deborah Palumbo has written an excellent crime mystery with an ending that even the reader doesn’t see coming. She’s woven such a web, with wonderfully creative characters that make you root for the main character and give you a vested interest in him and his mission.

Detective Humphrey is given the murder case of a lifetime but only 48 hours to solve the murder. After pursuing several suspects, track down a dead trail, his ex-wife comes into the picture and looks like a good suspect. She’s been hanging around with his previous suspects and the evidence starts to mount against her. He still holds a torch for her and wants to clear her name despite his misgivings. His Captain Milroy has seen Humphrey at his low and continues to treat him like he’s a washed up Detective. He insists Humphrey has the answer in the notebook he’s kept throughout the entire investigation. After reviewing the facts, he follows his hunch and the pieces fall into place. Those pieces lead to more than he expected and has his Captain in the end eating out of his hand. Will his ex-wife be found guilty? Will they get back together? Will his find the real suspect in his mess of notes? Read it to find out the stunning ending.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Vampire Chronicles 1st Review!

Hey all!
 I just got my first review of my The Vampire Chronicles. Here it is:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't help but turn the pages to read! October 16, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Jodie Pierce weaves a story that is so imaginative and well crafted, and her characters are so real, you think you know them, are part of their lives. You turn the pages one after the other, unable to put the book down, whether dinner is calling, or sleep is needed, or you've got a task to do, you keep on reading! You just have to find out what is going to happen next!
The Countess and the one she loves, Kendra, venture to Italy to meet with a secret vampire coven; she becomes their leader. Her first goal as leader is to stop the bloodbath created by a Japanese vampire who travels the world preying on humans and turning them into vampires.
A vicious battle ensues between them causing a series of events that spiral out of control: The countess is separated from Kendra, she is then captured and chained and thrown into a Japanese dungeon. Initially she's without her powers, without the one she loves, without answers. She's waiting for the vampire Toshihiro, the one who decides her fate. She waits patiently in her dungeon cell, chained and eating the humans that are thrown in through her locked door; she is told she will one day have an audience with Toshhiro.
Finally she comes face to face with him and it is then that he reveals a secret that astonishes her! What will Toshihiro decide her fate will be? Will she find love in the midst of turmoil? Well you gotta read the novel to find out!

The Doctors by Deborah Palumbo review!


I had the pleasure of reading the above book. Here is my review:

This was an excellent book! The plot took many twists and turns and just when you thought you figured it out, something else happened. The Author, Deborah Palumbo writes in such a way that she draws the reader into her story from the beginning and leaves you begging for more in the end. I felt as if I was a fly on the wall of her story, experiencing everything for myself. She has a way of creating characters that provoke certain emotions within the reader. She makes you root for the good guys and hope the worst for the bad. The action in this book left me on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down.

For Adam and Maggie, nice things cost a lot, but to what extent? Young doctor Adam is taken on as an associate in a cardiologists’ office as a general practitioner. He started buying nice things and was looking forward to his new job and new income. One day, he was visited by the FBI and they put doubts in Adams mind about his partners. Patients were dying mysteriously. With the help of Maggie, they find out the truth but were they going to have to pay the ultimate price for that knowledge? Please check this book out. It’s one you’ll never forget.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Book release & halloween PARTY!

Hi all!
 I just wanted to let you know I'm having a book release and Halloween party on facebook on November 1st to coordinate with the release of my book, Demise of the Vampire Queen. I also want to extend Halloween one more day. I'll be asking questions about my books, Halloween, etc and there will be prizes and giveaways

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Halloween to me!


Halloween.
Halloween is full of many fun things and it is different for each person.
Here’s what it means to me:
VAMPIRES, VAMPIRES, VAMPIRES, okay, I know there’s more so here we go:
Putting on a fall smelling candle and decorate the house both inside and outside.
The carving of pumpkins, salting and baking seeds and the making of a pie.
Visiting haunted houses and watching scary movies.
The picking out of costumes or sewing costumes for the children, adults and pets.
Getting to be something or someone you are not and let your inner child set you free.
Handing out the candy and seeing all the cute costumes.
Taking your child trick or treating where after about 10 houses they are tired and want you to carry them home.
So I know I’m going to lace up my boots, pull the dress over my head, tuck my hair up into the wig and go out as my Mistress of the Dark, Elvira.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Network Blogs

Hello all!
 Just wanted to let you all know that I am now part of networked blogs. You can find me at:
http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/the-vampire-queen
Check me out.

Also, my fellow author an friend is going to be interviewed tomorrow, October 14.2012 by an author friend of her. Please check out her interview at:
http://www.prbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Check us both out and leave comments to let us know you've looked at it.

One last thing, don't know if I've already mentioned it but my new author friend has a great blog in addition to her own website. Check her out at:
www.deborahpalumbo.com
www.deborahpalumbotheundeparted.blogspot.com

Keep Reading & Writing!
Jodie Pierce

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Halloween Around the World!

Hi all!
Here's my post for my research on Halloween around the world. Please let me know what you think. Check it out:

Halloween around the World!
            Halloween is a fun day of parties, costumes, pranks, candy and lots of fun. However, Halloween is not just a United States holiday, many countries have deep seeded cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding this fun yet ominous day. We are going to cover some of the history and cultural beliefs surrounding Halloween around the world. Ireland is where it is said that Halloween has evolved from. In the 16th Century, it was shortened from All-Hallows-Even to All-Hallows-Day or Halloween. You will see how many countries celebrate it very similarly to the way we do and many others are similar to each other in celebrating it as a day relating to the dead and/or spirits of their ancestors.
Arab Christians-Labanon, Syria and the West Bank/Gaza
            Many of the people celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day or Eid Il-Burbara  on December 4 which is similar or Halloween where children dress up in costumes and go trick or treating while singing a song. There is also traditional food for the occasion which is a bowl of boiled barley, pomegranate seed, raisins, anise and sugar which is offered to the children. The children believe that Saint Barbara disguised herself as many character to avoid persecution by the Romans.

Australia

            Halloween in Australia is frowned upon by many because it has little to do with Australian culture. Though the US has bombarded Australia with horror movies and sit-coms it seems to be an unwelcomed holiday.
Brazil
            Brazilians never celebrated anything on October 31, but little by little, they are jumping on the bandwagon. The Portugese name is Dia das Bruxas (Day of the Witches). In Brazil kids yell "Doce ou Travessura!"while trick or treating.

Canada
            Celebrating Halloween in Canada is very similar to celebrating it in the US. They happily decorate everything they can, stores, houses, yards, garages, etc. They dress up, adults and children and the children trick or treat. There is also a good amount of baking done for this day along with a special Halloween Beer that is created just for this holiday. Canada is a huge sponsor for UNICEF at Halloween, collecting money for them instead of candy for the children.
Central and South America
In most parts of Central and South America, kids will pay a visit to their neighbors and yell "¡Dulce o Truco!" ('Sweet or Trick!') in order to get candy. In Chile, Halloween has become more and popular over the last 20 years, imitating North American customs such as children dressing up, going house to house asking for candy, yelling "¡Dulce o travesura!", whereas teenagers and adults go to costume parties at discotheques. The Spanish name for Halloween is Noche de Brujas (Night of the Witches).

China

            In China, Halloween is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of pictures of family members who have departed. Lanterns are lit in order to light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on this day.

Columbia
            Many of the customs in Columbia mask those of the US. Children dress up and visit their neighbors chanting, "¡Triqui triqui halloween, Quiero dulces para mi, Si no hay dulces para mi, Se le crece la nariz!" (Tricky tricky halloween, I want candy for me, If there is no candy for me, Your nose will grow!). There is no cultural precedent for the celebration of Halloween so they follow the US along with the US symbols associated with Halloween, witches, skeletons, spider webs, pumpkins, etc.
England
            They celebrate the day before Halloween, October 30th on a night they call Mischief Night where the children play tricks on the adults. Over the years, this has gotten out of control and criminal actions have been a part of the celebrations. The children made “punkies” out of beetroots which were carvings of faces of their choosing on the root. They carried these along with them through the streets while trick or treating. In rural areas, turnip lanterns were carved and set on gateposts to ward off the evil spirits. Bobbing for apples is a fun activity they enjoy at parties along with making toffee apples and apple tarts. A custom was to throw a pebble into a bonfire at night. If it wasn’t visible in the morning it was then believed that the person who tossed the pebble would not survive another year. If nuts tossed into the blaze by young lovers then exploded, it signified a quarrelsome marriage.

France

            In France, Halloween is known as La fete d' Halloween. They do not celebrate the holiday to honor the departed. Halloween was virtually unknown in this country until 1996, due to it being an American holiday, and some French natives refuse to celebrate it. It is not known if they are going to consider keeping the holiday long-term, but for now they wear costumes and attend parties. The local bakeries and candy shops make special desserts for the holiday and supermarkets sell pumpkins. Since pumpkins are not commonly sold in France, they are in high demand around the holiday for jack o' lanterns. Trick-or-treating is very rare in this country, but when they do it is from store to store, not house to house.



Germany
            Many people also regard Halloween as an American custom imported to Germany. In present times, Halloween has become a ‘cool’ party theme for children and teenagers, who organize costume parties on that day, having a lot of fun. In certain regions, children even take part in trick or treating, where they wander from house to house seeking goodies and giving an idle threat of mischief, if the treat is not given. Another popular custom associated with Halloween in Germany involves the ‘Jack-o-Lantern’. In a small town in Austria, known as Retz, not very far from the city of Vienna, an annual pumpkin fest called Kurbisfest is also held, complete with parties and parades (Halloween Umzug). A major aspect of Germans’ spiritual pagan past is the famous spot for witches in the Harz Mountain in Germany. In the 18th century, natives believed that the region was the hovering spot for witches who were initially worshipped as forest goddesses and priestesses and later were damned as evil creatures. For the local people of Germany, the festival of Halloween is blended with Walpurgisnacht (night of the witches), which took place in the Harz Mountains. Today, the current Halloween traditions in the country includes parties and themed decorations, costume parades, watching horror movies, visiting the graveyards of near and dear ones and so on. In certain big cities like Berlin, school children even get ‘fall vacations’. Parties and excursions are organized and people spend the entire occasion in merry making and having a gala time.
Hong Kong
            “Yue Lan” or Festival of the Hungry Ghost where the people of Hong Kong give gifts to the spirits of the dead to provide comfort and ward them off. They would burn pictures of fruit and money hoping the images would reach the spirit world and comfort the ghosts. Secondly, the Americans and Canadians have brought Halloween to the city so locals decorate and dress up but trick or treating is not observed.
India
            Again, American pop culture has brought Halloween into the mainstream for the new generation in India. It is considered a social event and mostly observed in major cities. They do decorate, dress up and collect candy which they then donate to the poor of the community.
Ireland
            Halloween is a widely celebrated cultural event known as Oiche Shamhna, literally “Samhain Night” which signified the end of the summer harvest. There would be a fire festival and feast where bonfires were lit to ward off evil and dead spirits who were trying to revisit the mortal world. Costumes and masks were worn to placate the spirits. Candle lanterns were carved from turnips (as pumpkins weren’t popular in Europe) and placed in windows to ward off evil spirits. Apples would be tied to a tree and hung from a string and the person would have to try to catch the apple in their mouth with no hands. A traditional food is eaten on Halloween called "barnbrack." This is a type of fruitcake which can be baked at home or store-bought. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake which, so it is said, can foretell the future of the one who finds it. If the prize is a ring, then that person will soon be wed and a piece of straw means a prosperous year is forthcoming.

Italy

            Between 1630 and 1640 the Catholic Church launched a campaign to get rid of surviving pagan traditions connected to All Saints’ Day and its eve. These feasts vanished completely until the mid-1970’s where just 1 million people out of 57 million admitted to celebrating Halloween. Their new traditions are based mostly on US traditions but not everything. They don’t know the history of the pumpkin or “zucca di Halloween” but they still carve it. Children trick or treat and get fruit or candy. The teens mostly enjoy just dressing up and playing tricks on each other. The elderly, obviously weren’t a part of this generation so they haven’t really accepted it and don’t really understand it as well.


Japan
            "Obon Festival" (also known as "Matsuri" or "Urabon") is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors and their version of Halloween. Special foods are prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Candles are lit and placed into lanterns which are then set to float on rivers and seas. During the "Obon Festival," a fire is lit every night in order to show the ancestors where their families might be found. "Obon" is one of the main occasions during the Japanese year when the dead are believed to return to their birthplaces. Memorial stones are cleaned and community dances performed. The "Obon Festival" takes place during July or August. Tradition Halloween has only recently become popular in Japan due to American pop culture at such places as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan which put on many Halloween events. Trick or treat is not practiced and costumes are mostly limited to the small children and bars that are owned/run by foreigners.

Mexico

            Mexico has celebrated Halloween since the Aztecs where it is a three day celebration. First is Halloween where the death of the deceased person is celebrated, then All Saints’ Day and then Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos. The Day of the Dead is usually celebrated at the gravesite with flowers, candles, a small shrine, sometimes a mariachi band and a parade through the city. Also the return of the Monarch Butterflies to this area since in the time of the Aztecs it was believed to bring the spirits of the ancestors with them.

 

Philippines

            They celebrate a holiday called Undas or Araw ng mga Patay (Day of the Dead) on November 1st or November 2nd. Recently trick or treating has become popular in major cities.

 

Romania

            Halloween is celebrated around the myth and their claim to fame, Dracula. Transylvania and Sighisoara are the biggest cities that hold costume parties for teens and adults and are modeled after US Halloween parties. The spirit of Dracula is believed to be there because the town was the site of many witch trials and due to many movies about Dracula.

Switzerland
            In Switzerland, Halloween is seen as a Pagan Festival. It first became popular in 1999 but it is starting to decrease in popularity. People see it as a product imported from the United States and they’re not willing to buy into it. They already have a festival overload that is wrought with tradition.
Wales
            Halloween is known as Nos Calan Gaeaf, the beginning of the new winter. Spirits are said to walk around and a ‘white lady’ ghost sometimes shows up. Bonfires are lit on the hillsides to mark the night.

***Recently the Catholic Church and some parents have expressed their concerns over the celebration of a day in which ghosts, goblins, witches and other expressions of evil are linked to the happiness of children. In recent years there has been a push to change the celebration of Halloween to the celebration of Children's Day, in which costumes and sweets would still be present, but the “sinister side” of the event would be suppressed. ***

Monday, October 8, 2012

Yesterday's author interview!

Hi all!
I was supposed to have an author spotlight interview posted today but it looks like it was posted yesterday. Please check it out at:


It's fun and my new cover is revealed!

Keep Reading & Writing!
Jodie Pierce

My author interview!

Hello all!
 I just wanted to let you know that I will be interviewed tomorrow by the incomparable Deborah Palumbo. Here are the sites the interview will be posted at:
www.deborahpalumbo.com
www.deborahpalumbotheundeparted.blogspot.com

Come check it out! It's sure to be a good time!
Keep Reading & Writing!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Ascent of the Undeparted review!

Hi all!
I wanted to let you all know about this wonderful sequel I read today from my friend Deborah Palumbo. I posted this review for her and wanted to share it here with you! Here it is:

Cassandra has fallen for Quentin, the vampire that showed her the truth of her boyfriend Mike in the first book, The Undeparted. Quentin made Mike a vampire in the end so that he could suffer for all eternity with his poor decisions and deception. After living through monotonous years, Mike takes on a new identity of Lucius and tries to pass his time before he can exact revenge on Quentin. He lives as a recluse in an abandoned house in the country, fulfilling his sexual desires and lust for blood which he has never learned to control. He picks up whores to satisfy him but right after he’s satiated, he longs for more.
Cassandra is living a wonderful life with Quentin. However, he is secretly trying to find a potion that will change him and Cassandra from immortal to mortal so they may ascend into heaven together when the time comes. He knows if he is killed while being a vampire, due to his previous actions in his life, his soul will go to Hades and he would be parted from his beloved Cassandra. Cassandra, though she is immortal, had lived a virtuous life and would be welcomed to ascend into heaven. He tirelessly works on his potion, using himself as the guinea pig though it causes him great pain and weakens him.
Lucius gets tired of living the way he’s had to live and starts to become reckless with killing others. He eventually and accidentally finds out he can vanish and appear where he wants. He lures Cassandra in and holds her captive while playing a game of cat and mouse with Quentin. He keeps Cassandra in a weakened state so she cannot vanish or escape. Quentin never stops looking for her but will he find her? Will he be strong enough after taking so much of the potion to fight for her when he confronts Lucius? Who will help him? Will they be able to ascend in the end?
The Author, Deborah Palumbo has done it again. She has woven a wonderfully suspenseful story, keeping you from being able to put it down. She draws you in and creates characters that you can really identify with and feel and root for. She entwines action, the paranormal, suspense and romance all in this exceptionally written sequel to The Undeparted. She takes the reader, sucks them into the story where they feel like they are part of the main characters, both male and female. She evokes such raw emotions from the reader and delivers a surprising twist in the end. This is a must read as it has a little bit of something for everyone. She’s a master at her craft and I can’t wait to read the third book in her series, The Banished One.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

3rd review!

Hi all!
 Here's my newly found 3rd review of my Vampire Queen:

4.0 out of 5 stars A vampire fanatics must read September 30, 2012
By Andrea
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The Vampire Queen" by Jodie Pierce is the first installment of "The Vampire Queen Trilogy". A must read for vampire fanatics who are looking for an interesting short story. The book centers around Countess Paulina de Lourdes, a vampire who has been awaken from a deep slumber by the Count, her benefactor. The Countess must learn who she is and who her allegiance lies with in a battle of good and evil. Along this journey she learns why her allegiance is so important in the vampire world and why. She finds friendship, love and betrayal in those who are close to her.

I recommend this book if you are looking for a fast-paced, elegantly written short story. Each character is unique and plays a role in the outcome of this story. The Countess is, strong, powerful and determined if a little juvenile and petulant at times. She allows no one to step on her; therefore you end up admiring her for this. While I enjoyed reading this book, I would have liked more character depth. The Countess, being the main character, was a little hard to like at first. I would also have liked to know more about the Count and the relationship between the two. The ending leaves you with questions and well, I will certainly read the second book, and find out what adventure the Countess finds herself in next.

Jodie Pierce is an excellent writer, she lures you into her world with few words and unique characters. I will admit, this is the first book that I have read from this author and it will not be the last

Friday, October 5, 2012

Fellow author's new blog!

Hey all!
 I just wanted to get you all to follow my friend's new blog. She's got her own website:
www.deborahpalumbo.com and has become a great friend and wonderful author. Her Undeparted Series is AWESOME!!! Please check her out on her new blog:
www.deborahpalumbotheundeparted.blogspot.com

Please...PLease...PLEase...PLEASE check her out!