Wake Up Christmas Morning with James Marsters ... and The Greyfriar!

This will be the Best Christmas Ever!

We're giving away a copy of the incredible CD audio version of The Greyfriar: Vampire Empire Bk. 1 narrated by James Marsters. Plus a cool Greyfriar tote bag.

You may know James as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but when you listen to him read The Greyfriar you'll realize how many people he can be. James is amazing, and brings every character to life in their own unique way.

So, how do you win this cool Vampire Empire swag for X-Mas? Just check out the Rafflecopter gizmo below.

Good luck. And Merry Christmas morning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WHAT SCARES US blog tour and giveaway...

Scariest Experience!

Our scary blog tour and book/jewelry giveaway is coming to a close, with one last scary stop. We are visiting the blog of the incomparable Marjorie Liu, NY Times bestselling author of wonderful paranormal thrillers as well as the scribe of comic books such as The Astonishing X-Men.

Thank you to all our tour stops. Scroll down to find all the scary posts.

Good luck to all on the giveaway.

And Happy Halloween!

Marjorie Liu's blog.

WHAT SCARES US Blog Tour continues...

Scariest Monsters!

Today we join Amy Plum, writer of YA supernatural thrillers, to talk about one of our favorite topics: MONSTERS! Who doesn't love monsters? No one we know. But we know some weird people.

Amy Plum's blog

WHAT SCARES US Blog Tour continues...

Our Scariest Graveyards!

We stop in at My Bookish Ways to combine forces with Kristin's Scare-a-Thon.

My Bookish Ways blog

WHAT SCARES US Blog Tour continues...

Our Scariest Movie

We visit the blog of Kristen Painter, a wonderful author of scary and stylish paranormals. Her stuff is so visual, we had to talk about scary movies.

Kristen Painter's blog

WHAT SCARES US Blog Tour continues...

Our Scariest Books!

Join us on the blog of wonderful fantasy writer Jon Sprunk as we talk about the books that frightened us...

Jon Sprunk's blog

WHAT SCARES US?

Halloween blog tour!   October 18-31

We celebrate the publication of THE KINGMAKERS: Vampire Empire, Book 3 by staggering in a terrified daze to the blogs of 5 notable authors where we will write about scary stuff, plus give away VAMPIRE EMPIRE and awesome steampunk jewelry.

Between October 19th and 21st, we will be posting on the blogs of some of our favorite authors and review sites on the topic of "What Scares Us" in books, movies, places, graveyards, monsters, and experiences. We hope some of the authors will share their scariest too!

We kick off the tour on October 18th at the wonderful blog Supernatural Snark with their review of THE KINGMAKERS: Vampire Empire, Book 3. (And that's scary because we haven't seen their review yet!)

"What Scares Us" blog stops ---

Oct. 18: Supernatural Snark: review of The Kingmakers (hey, reviews are really scary for an author!)

Oct. 19: Jon Sprunk (Shadow Saga): Scariest Book

Oct. 22: Kristen R. Painter (House of Commare): Scariest Movie

Oct. 24: Maria Lima (Blood Lines): Scariest Place

Oct. 25: My Bookish Ways: Scariest Graveyards

Oct. 26: Amy Plum (Revenants): Scariest Monster

Oct. 29: Marjorie M. Liu (Dirk & Steele, Astonishing X-Men): Scariest Experience

This blog tour will also give you a chance at a great giveaway! We will pick one winner to receive an autographed VAMPIRE EMPIRE trilogy, as well as THIS awesome necklace! Take a look at this beautiful piece of steampunk-themed jewelry from London Particulars. Yes, the winner will get 3 books AND this lovely, mysterious trinket. This scarab necklace with the tanzanite inset could easily be one worn by Empress Adele during Equatorian state functions! 

The winner will be chosen at midnight on Oct. 31st...TRICK OR TREAT!

Grab our banner and spread the word!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NY Comic Con Schedule

We're heading up to NY Comic Con this week, October 11th through 14th. Please come by and say hello!

We are autographing: 
Friday afternoon, 2:15-3:15. Table 4. 

Books will be available onsite at the Barnes & Noble booth.

http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/

DRAGON-CON 2012

Where and When to Find Us:

Friday 10:00-11:00am --         Coming of Age: YA authors & books they read as teens.

                                                A707-Marriott

Friday 2:30-3:30pm --             Vampocalypse Now! Life in a world ruled by vampires.

                                                Embassy A-B Hyatt

Friday 4:00-5:00pm --             Signing at Pyr Books booth

                                                709-711 Marquis Ballroom, Marriott

Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm -- Reading

                                                 Roswell- Hyatt

Saturday 2:00-3:00pm --         Signing at Pry Books booth

                                                709-711 Marquis Ballroom, Marriott

Sunday 11:30am-12:30pm --  Memorable Characters: The secret of creating characters.

                                                Embassy D-F Hyatt

Sunday 2:00-3:00pm --           Signing at Pyr Books booth

                                                709-711 Marquis Ballroom, Marriott

We will be at the Pyr Books booth a lot more than just the above signing times. If you go by, it's likely we will be there to chat and sign books.

 

As always, we are excited about DragonCon. THE KINGMAKERS will be available at the Pyr Books booth, in addition to all the VAMPIRE EMPIRE books, and a ton of other fantastic science fiction/fantasy. There will be a lot of other Pyr authors at the booth.

Please stop us and say hello. We love talking to you guys!

Now Available!

The Kingmakers: Vampire Empire Bk. 3

The third book in the VAMPIRE EMPIRE trilogy is now available for purchase in trade paperback. Very soon, Kindle and ebook editions will also be available.

You can order an autographed/personalized copy of any of the VAMPIRE EMPIRE series from Quail Ridge Books & Music. Just order online, and in the "Order Comments" section, place your request for an autograph or personalization. In addition, the book should be sitting on the shelves of your local bookstore very soon.

Amazon is shipping the book now.


We are very proud of this book and we think it provides a satisfying and emotional continuation to the lives of Adele and Greyfriar.

Let us know what you think. And we appreciate reviews on Amazon or Goodreads or Twitter or your own blogs and websites.

Thank you all for the last 3 years. We have been humbled by the enthusiastic reception to VAMPIRE EMPIRE. We know how exciting it is to fall in love with a book, to have the characters live on in your head after you've finished reading, and to know that we've been able to do that for you guys has been the thrill of a lifetime.

The Kingmakers: Vampire Empire Bk. 3

The Trailer

Here's a book trailer that Susan created to give you a taste of THE KINGMAKERS as we're very close to the book hitting the shelves. There's also a link to the trailers she did for THE GREYFRIAR and THE RIFT WALKER.

They're cool!

THE KINGMAKERS trailer

THE GREYFRIAR trailer

THE RIFT WALKER trailer

It's a GIVEAWAY!

The Kingmakers (Vampire Empire Bk. 3)

The Giveaway went live July 12. It will end after July 18.

Go to Goodreads and sign up to win one of 2 ARCs (that's Advanced Reader Copy) of The Kingmakers, the final book in the VAMPIRE EMPIRE trilogy. That's right! You can read it before it hits the shelves in September.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Kingmakers

by Clay Griffith

Giveaway ends July 16, 2012.







See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

ConTemporal -- the NC steampunk convention, June 22-24

We'll be there!

Here's our schedule of panels...

Friday 7:00 pm: The Author/Editor Relationship

Friday 8:00 pm: Reading/Signing

Saturday 1:00 pm: How to Write Convincing Characters

Saturday 4:00pm: How to Handle Multiple POV Stories

Saturday 6:00pm: NeoVictoriana

Sunday 12:00noon: YA Steampunk

We are looking forward to a first-class convention right here in our backyard. The literary GoH is Cherie Priest!!!!

USA Today Interview

We Don't Usually Sit This Close Together

We haven't posted anything new here in a while. But we just did a Skype interview with USA Today which has been posted on their romance book blog. It was a lot of fun and we talk about writing as a couple and the upcoming 3rd volume of Vampire Empire, THE KINGMAKERS

Here is the interview...

FOR THE EMPRESS!

The War Against the Vampires is Coming. Are You Prepared?

Equatorian war propaganda.

THE KINGMAKERS cover reveal...the final chapter!

Here it is!

After weeks of waiting and hinting, we are proud to unveil Chris McGrath's cover for THE KINGMAKERS: VAMPIRE EMPIRE Book 3

One of the great joys of this series for us has been seeing Chris's take on all 3 covers. We've been very fortunate to have his powerful and beautiful art represent our books.

We want to thank Lou Anders, our editor and the art director at Pyr, who knew from the start that Chris McGrath would be perfect. And also Grace M. Conti Zilsberger, who did the stunning design and layout.

So here it is.
The book will arrive in early September.

Feel free to link this page or post the art on your own pages!

THE KINGMAKERS cover reveal Week 8

The End Is In Sight! And so are Adele and Greyfriar!

We are at the penultimate reveal of Chris McGrath's beautiful cover for The Kingmakers. Some readers who met us at the RT Booklover's Convention in Chicago were lucky enough to see the full cover.

By the way, we met a lot of fans at RT and you were all great. We were particularly taken by the affection you guys have for the series, and how you lovingly pester your friends to read it too. Word of mouth is what any author craves. We grew up as readers and we know there is nothing more satisfying than finishing a book you love, and immediately thinking of a friend who will love it too. And then talking about it once they finish it.

So thanks for talking Vampire Empire!

Here's week 8...

THE KINGMAKERS cover reveal Week 7

There's mysterious stuff going on in Chris McGrath's artwork.

We can finally see a good hint of Adele, wielding some fantastic power. But there's no real view of Greyfriar yet, although you can glimpse a hand with a sword...so he must be at her side, as usual.

Check it out. Soon it will all be revealed.

THE KINGMAKERS cover reveal Week 6

We're nearing the end...


We're only a couple weeks from the big finale. Here's a few more tantalizing hints of the lusciousness that is Chris McGrath's cover of Vampire Empire Book 3.

We'll also remind you that we will be in Chicago for the RT Booklovers Convention April 11-15 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. We'll be on a couple of panels (we'll post our schedule later) and signing at the big Saturday night Book Fair. If you're coming to RT, find us and say hello!

Without further ado...

THE KINGMAKERS cover reveal Week 5

Here it is...

The latest pieces pulled away from Chris McGrath's beautiful cover for The Kingmakers: Vampire Empire, Book 3.

It's starting to shape up. There aren't many pieces left before the whole thing will stand revealed. Then comes the long hot summer before the publication of The Kingmakers in September.

But we hope to spice up the coming hot weather, when vampires prefer to lay low anyway, with some cool new artwork to prepare you for the Equatorian war effort in the fall, and maybe another giveaway...

THE KINGMAKERS Cover Reveal Week 4

Once again we are delighted that we get to post our Cover Reveal a couple of days earlier! This week we get our first glimpse of a vampire! Or at least Chris McGrath's interpretation.

THE KINGMAKERS Cover Reveal Week 3

Once again we get to reveal a few more pieces of the cover early thanks to your enthusiasm on our Facebook page! We dinged another new fifteen new Likes today. You folks are awesome!

We're getting a smidgen more on the background now. Can anyone tell where the setting is this time for our dynamic duo? And what is that white stuff?

Next week we get reveal a dramatic figure! The question is who could it be!

It's The Kingmakers Cover Reveal Friday on THURSDAY

Here it is. A little early.

We got 15 new Likes on the Facebook page as of today, so here's the new post, just like we promised. Thanks to everyone!

Week 2 gives a few more hints about what exactly is happening on Chris McGrath's beautiful cover for VAMPIRE EMPIRE Book 3.

Look closely. Is that a scary hand? What's that other thing? Is it a kitten? No, probably not.

Or is it?

And again, as with last week, if we get 15 new Likes on Vampire Empire's Facebook page, we'll reveal the next puzzle pieces earlier than next Friday.

Vampire Empire on Facebook

THE KINGMAKERS: Vampire Empire Book 3

We can finally tell you the title -- The Kingmakers.


Unfortunately, we can't show you Chris McGrath's beautiful cover yet.

Or can we?

The Kingmakers is the stunning conclusion of the Vampire Empire trilogy. It will be published in September 2012 and the cover can't officially be revealed until the first week in May.

But unofficially? That's a different story.

Every Friday, over the next two months, we will lift several pieces from the hidden cover, showing you tantalizing hints of Chris' wonderful artwork.

However, we have a bargain to offer you. We want help spreading the word about Vampire Empire in advance of the third book. So we'll make this deal with you. For every 15 new LIKES we get on our Facebook page, we'll reveal that week's pieces earlier! So tell your friends about the books and get them "Like" the Facebook page, and we will show more of the cover sooner.

Vampire Empire on Facebook

Let the gorgeous mystery unravel...

Jon Sprunk's Shadow Master

Shadow Master @ Amazon

We love this series! And the final book in the trilogy just came out! Isn't that cover gorgeous? The series is filled with action, intrigue, fantastic settings, and a smidgen of romance. Jon Sprunk makes even assassin rogues lovable! Go check it out! If you need more encouragement, go check out our review of Shadow's Son in our back pages.

And the talisman goes to...

Laura Shoup!

Congratulations. You are the new proud owner of a geomantic talisman that should, if properly used and maintained, protect you from roving packs of Homo nosferatii. Unless, of course, there is some particular vampire whose attention you are hoping to attract. Then you should choose your times to wear it carefully!

For all who entered...THANK YOU!

We will have other giveaways as we move toward the publication of Book 3 in September.

Until then, Pet says "Happy Valentine's Day!"

The End of the Contest

The contest for Adele's talisman officially closed at Midnight Feb. 6. We will pick a winner today and contact you to find out where to send your prize.

Thank you for everyone who entered. We were gratified by the turn-out!

We'll come up with another giveaway soon!

Vampire Empire Giveaway: Adele's Talisman!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! The perfect gift for your true love. Or for you!

We are hosting a Vampire Empire contest! Win a replica of Adele’s geomancer talisman. It can protect your loved one from vampires, or show your adoring affection to the vampire of your dreams.

To win this talisman, just leave a comment on our blog along with your email. We’ll select a random winner on February 7^th.

Good luck to all the participants.

Even Pet thinks it’s swell to play with!

Feel free to spread the word and repost! And don't forget to like us on Facebook in order to keep up with all the convention dates and news!

The chain shown may vary.