In Blood We Trust, the absorbing and action-packed final installment in the terrific Bloodlands Trilogy, begins two weeks after the events at the end of book two. Trying to adjust to their new physical and psychological changes, Mariah and Gabriel must also determine how those changes affect their relationship while at the same time navigate the political situation of the “monster” society they helped to create in the hub of GBville. Mariah’s blood exchange with the origin creature 562 has resulted in her transforming into a very different were during the full moon, and after meeting so many vampires, Gabriel learns that he is still experiencing a period of transition called the gloaming, where he still hangs onto aspects of humanity, but it will eventually pass.

Since her alteration, Mariah gets treated with reverence by vampires and weres, since she now shares some of 562’s blood, the origin of the blood-takers. One evening blood lust and desire get out of control, and a peaceful Civil monster is ripped apart by a small group of vampires. Gabriel regains consciousness in the vicinity, with blood on his hands, but can remember nothing of what occurred. Mariah comes to Gabriel’s defense, and rather than be taken and locked up, the two leave the hub. Though they plan to return after the situation calms down, Mariah and Gabriel head out to revisit some former homesteads, to hide and to face the past. Back in GBville, the Oldster seeks to keep order, even while those within and outside of the monster community work to establish their own ideas of what the new world should be.

Once again Cody presents us with a vision of a future world that, even though peopled by various supernatural creatures, feels as though it could easily become a reality. The events that provide the impetus for the cataclysmic changes in the novel are not really that many steps away from our own present. Aside from an engrossing story, this excellent novel and the series as a whole accomplishes what good post-apocalyptic fiction always does—serves as a cautionary tale. It does not matter that the main characters are all “monsters” that most of us do not believe really exist, as the trials and pitfalls they face in attempting to build a society where they feel as though they belong mirrors what any human civilization experiences.

The relationship between Mariah and Gabriel parallels that of the monster society trying to find its way, making choices they sometimes regret but still making an effort to work out the huge issues and problems they face. In Blood We Trust proves a fitting end to a fascinating series, and this reviewer will be first in line for whatever the author presents us with next.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441020879
• ISBN-13: 978-0441020874

Purchase a print copy of In Blood We Trust from Amazon
Purchase a Kindle copy of In Blood We Trust from Amazon

Books in the Bloodlands series in the order they should be read:
Bloodlands
Blood Rules
In Blood We Trust

PLEASE NOTE: The contest portion of the Christine Cody event is now closed. The winner will be chosen at a later date and contacted via email.

Christine Cody is the author of the postapocalyptic supernatural Western Bloodlands series. The

first book,  Bloodlands, launched July 26, followed by  Blood Rules (August 30) and In Blood We Trust

(September 27).

What follows is an interview with one of the so-called New Badlanders.

Who are you?

Chaplin. I’m what they call an “Intel Dog,” which means I was bred and trained in a lab to be a better

version of man’s best friend. You could even call me Fido 4.0, or something of the sort. I communicate

through a series of sounds known as “Canine,” and humans must learn the language just as I learned

theirs in the lab.

Do you have a master?

A mistress, and her name is Mariah. (Pause) Her father created me, but she was always my favorite.

He brought me home when I was a pup, and I grew up with Mariah. You might say that, in many ways, I

raised her. She was a good mistress.

(The interviewer has noticed a change of tone in Chaplin’s Canine and body language. He has slumped

ever so slightly.)

She was a good mistress?

I misspoke. She’s still my mistress. It’s only that… You can say that Mariah and I are currently going

through a tense time. It began back in the New Badlands, when we were only trying to survive. Then

the vampire Gabriel arrived, then Mariah met a creature called Subject 562….

Okay, first, it sounds as if Gabriel really changed things.

(An arch expression.) He did. And I did what I had to do to protect her. If that meant choosing her over

Gabriel, then so be it.

And this Subject 562…?

Absolute trouble, yet unavoidable. Next question, please, and make them less personal.

All right. (Flips through e-notes.) If you had the chance to turn into a human, would you take it?

Of course not.

Why do you say that?

(Chuffs.) Have you seen what humans have done? The government is what it is because humans

allowed it to become that way. Bad guys are rampant. Basically, the States are just now recovering

from a globally-inflicted economic mess. And the distractoids in the urban hubs? Do you really believe

I’d want to be associated in any way with that?

How about something human-like? A vampire? A were-creature?

No, thank you. I admire a fully developed vampire’s sense of logic, but new vampires and were-

creatures are just as unstable as humans. They all need help, in my humble opinion.

So what do you like to do for fun?

(A wistful sound.) When I was younger, I used to have toys—stuffed animals, the like. And I enjoyed

sitting and looking at the collection of Geek dolls that Mariah’s father had. I outgrew them well before

she did. As far as other playtime goes, the two of us used to wrestle, though that hasn’t happened

If you could live during any time in history, when would it be?

During the Before era. You know, before the as ice caps melted and the weather altered the

planet. Before the disease-carrying mosquitoes spread their poisons and destroyed a great deal of the

population. Before the mass paranoia brought on “monster hunts” that caused certain individuals to

flee civilization since humans believed “monsters” were no better than parasites who would feed off

humans and someday extinguish their already-threatened race.

In the Before era, even regular dogs had it pretty nice. I hear the food they could eat was rather

delicious, and there were dog shows. And grooming salons.

(Sighs) If only.

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

To be able to smile again. Truly smile. But I think there will be a day when I can do that soon. With

proper guidance, the new monster societies will be able to overcome all the human bad guys out there,

and I hope to be round to see that. And I know things will change once Mariah learns the control I’ve

tried so hard to teach her.

(Smiles as best as he can) Yes. Someday soon.

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Learn more about Christine Cody Below:

Read reviews of the author’s work here.

www.bloodlands.net
http://crystal-green.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/ChristineCody
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Marie-Green/1051327765
myspace.com/vampirebabylon

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆

CONTEST INFO:

Prize: A $40.00 Electronic Amazon Gift Card

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 10/5/11. Open to readers WORLDWIDE unless otherwise noted.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask the author some questions, please no duplicates. + 1 points ask as many questions as  you like PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Christine by spreading the word about her new book!

Tweet this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=47757 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Order NEW copies of the author’s book by using the links below.

Purchase a print copy of In Blood We Trust from Amazon

Purchase a Kindle copy of In Blood We Trust from Amazon

Books in the Bloodlands series in the order they should be read:
Bloodlands
Blood Rules
In Blood We Trust

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase.

5. Enter and participate in Marie Treanor’s Release Party and $100.00 Amazon GC contest today +1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=47766

RSVP for Jennifer Estep’s guest blog tomorrow with contest here + 1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=47750

RSVP for Linda Poitvin’s Interview and contest tomorrow here + 1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=47749

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry

Blood Rules, the terrific second installment in the fabulous Bloodlands series, pulls the reader into its engrossing world on the first page and keeps them there for the duration of the novel. Beginning at a point shortly after where its predecessor left off, werewolf Mariah and vampire Gabriel are seeking to come to terms with the revelations and events of book one. Gabriel now experiences conflicting feelings regarding Mariah since discovering that she had killed Abby, the woman he had gone to the Badlands looking for, who, unbeknownst to him, was a werewolf herself. Mariah tries to adjust to the changes in Gabriel while also attempting to tame the beast inside of her, which becomes even more difficult after she comes across some papers and belongings of her dead father.

After an emotional reaction to this discovery that leads to somewhat of an irrational response, Mariah once again worries that her actions will endanger her friends and give away their new location. Chaplin, Mariah’s Intel dog, states that there may indeed be a cure for the preternatural state. Once Chaplin mentions this possibility, Mariah cannot let the thought go and determines to head out to one of the city hubs to find out what she can. Since he feels responsible for her and because he would also like to investigate the chance of a cure, Gabriel decides to go along with Mariah.

Meanwhile, as Mariah and Gabriel begin their journey, former Shredder (monster-killer) Stamp and his partner, Mags, begin to once again track the group of Badlander shifters (and Gabriel) that caused them so much grief, with an initial shocking result. Mariah and Gabriel first arrive in an outpost camp of those who have fled the hubs but have not yet made the commitment to head further afield, where they meet a psychic, an older man who provides them with the name of a woman they can likely find in the nearest necropolis. Hoping to find answers regarding a cure and trying to avoid detection, the two travelers continue a quest that proves both dangerous and rewarding.

Cody does not disappoint with this stellar follow-up to the impressive Bloodlands. The terrific Blood Rules provides readers with everything that makes for an all-inclusive submersion into an engrossing urban fantasy: a world constructed with tactile imagery often horrifyingly real, characters that grow and adapt to an environment that constantly remains in flux despite their best efforts, and a pace that never flags. Without giving too much away, one of the strengths of this outing revolves around the tables turning for the two main characters and their cohorts—and what they all learn about themselves as a result. This reviewer anxiously awaits the conclusion of this fascinating trilogy with In Blood We Trust and will most assuredly be first in line for whatever the author produces next.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ace (August 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441020763
• ISBN-13: 978-0441020768

Purchase a print copy of Blood Rules from Amazon
Purchase a Kindle copy of Blood Rules from Amazon

Books in the Bloodlands series in the order they should be read:
Bloodlands
Blood Rules
In Blood We Trust

PLEASE NOTE: The contest portion of the Christine Cody event is now closed. The winner will be chosen at a later date and contacted via email.

Christine Cody is the author of the new postapocalyptic supernatural Western Bloodlands series. The first book, Bloodlands, launched July 26, followed by Blood Rules (–August 30!) and In Blood We Trust (September 27).

Hello again! Almost one month ago, the first book in my Bloodlands series was released. Now, right on its heels, the second book, Blood Rules , is out!

This is what the industry calls a “bam-bam-bam” release schedule—a trilogy that comes out during three consecutive months. I had eight months to write each book, so this means I turned in that first novel ages ago (and that’s not including the amount of time it took for the proposal to be cleared for a sale). After I turned in Bloodlands, I took up the challenge of expanding this fictional world, seeing what would happen when my characters were let loose in it….

Before you go any further, I have to tell you that I’m going to do my best to write a blog that contains only mild spoilers, okay? Those of you who’ve read Bloodlands know that there are plot twists and turns that are much more fun to discover on your own. ; ) Also, you might already know that book one was inspired by classic Western tropes, and I had a great time “flipping” those common themes into paranormal shapes.

All right—disclaimer over. Welcome to Blood Rules…
Naturally, the second book takes up where the first left off—with Gabriel the vampire having discovered the mysteries of the New Badlands. He has good cause to doubt everything he thought he knew, but he’s found a place out in the “nowheres” and he’s settled there. For the moment.

But then the possibility of a “monster cure” presents itself, and Gabriel finds himself on the desolate open roads of the New Badlands. He’s heading toward the urban hubs, where there’s said to be asylums that hold victims of “lycanthropy,” which in this world is more of a mental disease borne from societal stress. He thinks there may be more to the asylums, though.

And so does Mariah, the female protagonist of book one—that’s why she’s on the road with Gabriel, even though their relationship is on rocky ground.

Where Bloodlands is more of a suffocating Western-noir mystery, Blood Rules is more of a “road trip” book. Truthfully, I think of it as The Empire Strikes Back portion of the series, where some of the characters have to go one way while the others go another. A couple characters even get their own, more developed points of view. (I’d call the third book, In Blood We Trust, “the crap hits the fan” installment [as if there isn’t enough crap that hits the fan beforehand!]. But the closest we come to Ewoks in In Blood We Trust is… Well, just look to the paragraph after the next for an answer to that. )

I loved my research for this book, not only when it came to building the urban societies (for which I owe a debt to Thomas Friedman as well as William S. Burroughs), but there are things that dwell just on the fringes of the New Badlands that took some study time. On such element was a “necropolis” that Gabriel and Mariah come upon during their trek to the hubs. I was inspired while watching a History Channel program about necropolises, and I realized that one would have a perfect place in my series. It’s a town of the dead…or the almost dead. It doesn’t hold zombies…not exactly. But believe me when I say it’s a very important stop—and that it introduces something…or someone(s)…that will affect Gabriel and Mariah’s trip. (MILD SPOILER ALERT: And regarding those classic Western tropes I mentioned before? You’re going to discover one of them in this necropolis. It’s the “mysterious black-veil covered lady” who usually wears long gloves and a dress and probably has some sort of malady that she’s valiantly trying to fight.)

The necropolis wasn’t the only place where I got to play around with new inhabitants of the Bloodlands world. (ANOTHER MINOR SPOILER.) As I searched around for more beings who’ve been affected by the dystopian future, I stumbled across a different type of vampire. Why did this excite me so much? Because I really wanted to use that classic Western movie trope of “the fallen woman,” and this gave me the opportunity. This type of vampire is appalling to even basic vampires like Gabriel—their habits are so grotesque that I won’t mention them here. Seriously—they have Really. Bad. Habits. These vampire women (Yes—they’re only females.) are reviled, but I found them to be intriguing, just as those ladies of the night in classic Westerns were. Also, they have little pets to keep them company, but they’re not Ewoks. More like blood-loving gremlins.

Just one more thing about Blood Rules that was pretty fun for me—there’ll be a familiar face for anyone who read my Chris Marie Green Vampire Babylon series. I’ll leave it to you to discover the character’s identity for yourself….

Thanks for reading—and happy hunting!

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Learn more about Christine Cody Below:

Read reviews of the author’s work here.

www.bloodlands.net
http://crystal-green.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/ChristineCody
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Marie-Green/1051327765
myspace.com/vampirebabylon

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆

CONTEST INFO:

Prize:  A $25.00 Electronic Amazon Gift Card

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

This contest lasts for TWO DAYS Ending at 11:59 pm Central on 9/2/11 at 11:59 pm CDT. Open to readers WORLDWIDE

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask the author some questions, please no duplicates. + 1 points ask as many questions as  you like PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Christine by spreading the word about their new book!

Tweet this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=46120 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Order NEW copies of the author’s book by using the links below.

Print – click here

Kindle – Blood Rules

Books in the Bloodlands series in the order they should be read:
Bloodlands
Blood Rules
In Blood We Trust

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

You can also use the Amazon link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase.

5. Leave a meaningful comment on this week’s NEW screen bites here +1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=45970

6. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry

The riveting and highly original Bloodlands takes place in a post-apocalyptic future disguised as a surreal version of the Old West. After experiencing rampant disease and massive climate change, the unruly segments of society rose up and the government exerted stifling control to keep order, resulting in many people leaving the cities to strike out on their own and live off the grid. Groups formed their own close-knit societies that typically shun outsiders as potential threats. Text-speak has become a common language among those sticking to the cities and relying upon technology, while Old American remains the communication method of choice amongst those choosing to cut themselves off from the world at large.

Mariah, a young woman living belowground with a group in an area known as the Badlands, spies a man outside who appears to be seriously injured. Chaplin, Mariah’s Intel dog, one bred for ultra-intelligence and to communicate via a language known as Canine, encourages Mariah to take the man in. Against her better judgment but out of curiosity and in an effort to placate Chaplin, Mariah brings the man, Gabriel, into her home. Though she has her suspicions, the reader knows before Mariah does Gabriel’s secret: he is a vampire. Supernatural beings exist but in the past had been dealt with by government-trained assassins called Shredders. Gabriel aids Mariah and her neighbors in their efforts to avoid Stamp, a brutal man moving into the area with a band of thugs looking for water resources to commandeer, which leads to confrontations that instill fear and rile tempers.

Post-apocalyptic fiction appeals to us because, on some level, it seems as though the events and situations described could really occur. Cody provides a truly believable setting made more realistic by allowing the reader to experience the grit and sand of the physical environment as well as the psychological states of the thoroughly engrossing characters—including Chaplin the dog. Equally balancing world-building and character-crafting results in a splendid narrative that completely grips the reader from the first page and never lets go. Deftly alternating chapters between Mariah’s first-person narration and Gabriel’s perspective serves to add breadth to both characters as well as ramp up the suspense.

A breath-taking surprise that adds a completely new dimension to this fabulous tale earns the author extra points. If it were possible to give five and a half tombstones, Bloodlands would receive them. This reviewer honestly can hardly wait for the release of book two in this terrific series, Blood Rules, and a return visit to this fascinating world.

Book Stats:

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace (July 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441020623
ISBN-13: 978-0441020621

Purchase a print copy of Bloodlands from Amazon
Purchase a Kindle copy of Bloodlands from Amazon

Purchase a print copy of Bloodlands from Barnes & Noble
Purchase a Nook copy of Bloodlands from Barnes & Noble

Books in the Bloodlands series in the order they should be read:
Bloodlands
Blood Rules
In Blood We Trust

PLEASE NOTE: The contest portion of the Christine Cody event is now closed. Winners will be chosen at a later date and notified via email.

Christine Cody is the author of the postapocalyptic supernatural Western series Bloodlands and the urban fantasy Vampire Babylon books (w/a Chris Marie Green) from Ace.  Once upon a time, she used to be an eighth-grade teacher until she became a full-time author who has published nearly forty books under all three of her pseudonyms (including Crystal Green).  Bloodlands comes out July 26.  Blood Rules follows on its heels on August 30, and then In Blood We Trust on September 27.

Name, please.

You can call me Gabriel.

Age?

Let’s just keep it simple and say early thirties.

Where do you come from?

A place called the Southblock.  It’s the remaining part of Florida that wasn’t eradicated by encroaching waters, and it includes what used to be known as Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.  You might’ve heard that the block once tried to secede from the Union, and it was the first part of the United States that the government had officially locked down with martial law.  Anyway, there was this underground sanctuary there, full of people who fled from the bad guys who took over the urban hubs.  After the mosquito epidemic wiped out most of our families and the criminals started getting away with stealing identities, we decided that living free on our own was the only option.

I had good reason for leaving the Southblock sanctuary and coming out to the New Badlands, but…

But what?

But even though the people in sanctuaries hate those bad guys who live in the urban hubs above, they sure don’t have much tolerance for monsters, either—and I’m one of them.  The government said monsters were wiped out, thanks to the Shredders who slayed them, but humans had a hand in hunting monsters, too, and I doubt that their paranoia just up and disappeared so easily.  Humans no doubt still think we’re parasites who drink their blood for its water content, seeing as water comes at such a cost everywhere these days.

What kind of monster are you?

Just your basic vampire.

What other kinds of monsters are out there?

I’m really not sure.  At the very least, I know that, somewhere, my maker is still alive.  I would’ve turned mortal again by now if she’d been vanquished.  I think I’ll be able to detect other vampires if I meet them, though, even if I’m still young for a vamp and I suspect all my powers haven’t been polished up yet—abilities like going into minds and reading them and the like.  But I heard that there used to be a lot of different monsters until they were hunted—things like demons and were-creatures and maybe a hundred other breeds.  But they’re obviously very good at hiding.  If they’re even out there.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I’m aiming for a future with the woman I love.  Her name is Abby, and I met her in the sanctuary.  She left soon after she found out what I am, but I’m not going to let her go that easily.  I’ve discovered some clues to her whereabouts—it seems she headed out west, toward the New Badlands.  I don’t know why she’d go there, with the weather as stifling and the landscape as deadly as they say they are.  After all the global changes years ago—the West Coast getting blown off by terrorists, the ice caps melting, and all that—the west became a place to avoid.  They say there are mutated animals running around, like the gargoyle-type shades that roam the skies looking for carrion below.  It’s no place for anyone.

What did your high school yearbook say about you?

If I’d cared enough about reading a yearbook in the old days, mine would’ve said something about me being a little wild at heart.  And it turns out that being a vampire allowed me some different addictions than I’d imagined were possible.

Favorite movie?

Nothing in particular, though, if the kind of movie you’re talking about were still being made, I’d have a yen for those action pictures they had before carnerotica took over.  Films with actual stories to them.  People nowadays generally love violence and sex images all spliced into a loop of pure sensation.  It keeps them numb and quiet, so I see why the government would sponsor that.  Carnerotica keeps everyone’s minds off the bad guys and how our government is filled with them.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I’d make sure that I could take care of people to the very best of my abilities.   My family died because of the mosquito epidemic, but there’re times I wish I’d known how to save them.  And, even though Abby seemed fine with the news of my vampirism, she’s gone now, too.  I mean to remedy whatever is ailing her, once I find her….

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Learn more about Christine Cody Below:

Read reviews of the author’s work here.

www.bloodlands.net
http://crystal-green.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/ChristineCody
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Marie-Green/1051327765
myspace.com/vampirebabylon

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CONTEST INFO:

Prize 1:  A $100.00 Electronic Amazon Gift Card

Prize 2: 2 each  $25.00 Electronic Amazon Gift Card’s

The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully

This contest lasts for FOUR DAYS Ending at 11:59 pm Central on 7/29/11 at 11:59 pm CDT. Open to readers WORLDWIDE.

These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.

1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this,  your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.

2. Ask the author some questions, please no duplicates. + 1 points (max 2 towards points)

3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Christine by spreading the word about her new book!

Tweet this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=44847 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.

4. Order NEW copies of the author’s book by using the links below.

From Amazon

Print click here

Kindle  click here

From Barnes & Noble click HERE

Good for 500 + points per book you purchase by using the links above. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces).

OR you can use the Barnes & Noble link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. You can also use the Amazon link HERE to shop as well. Good for 100 + entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase.

5. Spend $15.00 or more at http://acharmingtime.com a portion of the proceeds goes to help keep Bitten by Books running. Email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 200 points per receipt/purchase. Use code BBB20OFF for 20% off your order.

Tweet the code ONE time and URL like this for +15 points:

PzRT: Help out Bitten by Books by following @acharmingtime & shopping http://acharmingtime.com + Use code BBB20OFF for 20% off your order.

6.Attend and comment at Jennifer Estep’s Release party today here +5 points: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=44863

RSVP and Attend Caridad Piñeiro’s Release Party and $50.00 Gift Card contest here +1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=44843

VOTE and comment in this week’s poll (vote on the right hand side of the site first then comment here +1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=44830

Leave a meaningful and thoughtful comment on this week’s edition of Off the Fang! here +1 point: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=44823

7. Tally your own points total +1  point

That’s it!

RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Winner(s) will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND COUNTRY as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning. PLEASE ALLOW THIRTY DAYS to receive your prize BEFORE EMAILING US.

1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to us at the contact email we provide. Failure to contact us will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers in the USA except where noted above. The prizes are almost ALWAYS shipped directly from the publisher/author unless otherwise noted.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations not Bitten by Books.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry