Film Promo - Ink by Double Edge Films

I was recently contacted by one of the cast in Ink, an upcoming film by Double Edge Films. The release should be sometime this coming Spring (2009). In the meantime, you have to check out this awesome trailer:


When I hear more, I'll keep you posted!

You can also visit the Double Edge Films website and learn more about Ink: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Q & A - Justin Gustainis

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Gustainis, the author of Black Magic Woman, and the upcoming Evil Ways. He’s agreed to share a bit more of his time with Darque Reviews by answering a few questions about what he’s been up to this past year, and what fans have to look forward to.

Hi Justin, welcome to Darque Reviews!

DR: Can you tell us a bit about what Quincey and Libby get up to in Evil Ways?

JG: The beginning of Evil Ways finds Quincey Morris and Libby Chastain in trouble, but of very different kinds. Quincey is being blackmailed by the FBI into investigating a series of child abductions and murders with occult overtones, while Libby is the target of a murder attempt, by professional hit men, that very nearly succeeds. Little do they realize that each is grasping a different end of the same piece of string. The murder of children, and the effort to kill Libby, originate from the same evil mind. And that mind has got even bigger things planned (cue fiendish laughter).

DR: What attracted you to writing urban fantasy?

JG: Actually, I never consciously decided to “commit urban fantasy.” I write the kind of stuff that I most like to read, and somewhere along the line people started calling that urban fantasy. I’m thinking of having a T-shirt made up that reads, “I was into urban fantasy before urban fantasy was cool.”

DR: Can you tell us what you’re working on now?

JG: I’m in the early stages of the third Morris & Chastain investigation, called Sympathy for the Devil (I’ve pretty much milked Santana song titles for all I can get). In this one, Quincey and Libby discover that a major party’s presidential candidate has been secretly possessed by a demon. N.B.: this novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual presidential (or even vice presidential) candidates is purely coincidental and unintended.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it….

DR: Do you work on more than one project or series installment at a time?

JG: I haven’t up until now, but that’s about to change. I’ve been offered a three-book deal with HarperCollins (the British division of Harper & Row) for a series of urban fantasy novels set in an alternate-universe Scranton, PA. In this world, the supernatural, and supernatural creatures, are acknowledged and accepted, if not exactly welcomed and trusted. My protagonist is a detective on the Scranton PD’s Occult Crime Investigation Unit, which everybody calls the Supe Squad.

I’m setting it in Scranton because I’m from there, and it should be an interesting change from the usual backdrops of urban fantasy, which tend to be New York or Los Angeles. I’m also hoping to make good use of the culture and ethnic mix of the area.

DR: What have you found is the most difficult/enjoyable part of the writing process?

JG: For me, it’s plot. Coming up with a story that has hasn’t been done a zillion times already, has an internal logic to it, and is entertaining (to somebody besides me), is something that can send me up the wall. The upside is, however, once I’ve got the plot figured out, the rest of it is easy.

Easy. Yeah, right.

DR: Thank you for joining us Justin! Is there anything else you’d like to say to readers before we go?

JG: Just remember: there ARE such things!

Best wishes on the release of Evil Ways.

Visit Justin Gustainis: HERE

His publisher, Solaris Books, can be found: HERE

If you’d like to read the original interview, you can find it: HERE

My review of Black Magic Woman can be found: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Bedeviled by Maureen Child

Bedeviled
Maureen Child
Signet Eclipse
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-451-22576-4

Book Blurb:
Maggie Donovan isn't interested in overthrowing a Faerie queen. She barely had time to kill the demon that devoured her fiancé. Then she comes home to find a scrumptious hunk in her living room who informs her that saving the Otherworld just happens to be her destiny, and Maggie realizes she may not have a choice . . .

My thoughts:
Having boxed up the belongings for the latest addition of ex’s, Maggie Donovan heads over to his office to drop them off. The scene she walks in on may give her nightmares for the rest of her life, but she manages to survive the encounter and unwittingly sets a legacy in motion where she fills the starring role.

The appearance of Culhane, a warrior for the Faery queen, signals the start of Maggie’s training. While she understands the plight of Otherworld under Mab’s rule, she’d much rather hold on to her ‘normal’ life and continue painting store windows. Despite her best efforts to ignore Culhane, she finds herself left with little choice but to accept what destiny has in store for her.

Ms. Child brings her characters to life with a blend of fantasy, humor and seduction. With the Otherworld in upheaval readers may expect fast moving action to dominate the storyline, but Bedeviled unfolds at a much steadier pace. The secondary characters add interest, while the sizzling attraction between the heroine and her self appointed guardian heats up. This installment has a ‘happy for now’ ending, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes us on our next trip to the Otherworld.

To learn more about Bedeviled, please visit Ms. Child’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Marked by Passion by Kate Perry

Marked by Passion
The Guardians of Destiny, Book 1
Kate Perry
Forever
January 27, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-446-54100-8

Book Blurb:
Rules for the (Very) Reluctant Guardian of the Scroll

One: Don't lose the artifact you've inherited from your ancestors—no matter how much it starts messing up your life.

Two: Do learn how to control its powers. (And, yes, that means putting up with uber-complicated Guardian lessons from your father's meddling ghost.)

Three: Don't trust anyone. Especially Rhys, the mysterious bad boy who's always one step ahead of you... and irresistible as sin.

Four: Do anything to keep the scroll from landing in the wrong hands—and destroying the world. Even if that brings on a heartbreaking betrayal, an evil you never saw coming, and a choice you may not live to regret.

My thoughts:
When a package is delivered under her full name, Gabrielle Sansouci Chin’s worst fears are realized. The life she left behind has just caught up with her, and with her father’s death the responsibility as a Guardian has been passed on to her. While it’s her birthright, it’s a job that Gabe would much rather see passed on to her brother, Paul.

Gabe’s life tending bar and finishing the paintings for her upcoming show are being pushed down the list of priorities. The appearance of a mysterious stranger could be the answer Gabe’s looking for in getting her life back on track, or he may just be an enemy behind a handsome face.

This is the first book in The Guardians of Destiny series. Gabe is forced into training for a duty she didn’t choose, while risking the future of a career that she’s determined to hold on to. Ms. Perry creates a tale of fantasy and magic, coupled with a fiercely independent heroine who’s surrounded by deception. Marked by Passion has an engaging storyline, entertaining characters, and a romance that builds throughout the story. I’ll be looking forward to the next visit with The Guardians of Destiny.

To learn more about Marked by Passion, please visit Ms. Perry’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Merry Christmas

Review - Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair

Hope’s Folly
Gabriel’s Ghost Universe, Book 3
Linnea Sinclair
Bantam
February 24, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-553-59218-4

Book Blurb:
It's an impossible mission on a derelict ship called HOPE'S FOLLY.

A man who feels he can't love. A woman who believes she's unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both.

Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a rag-tag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be, if he can reach his command ship—the intriguingly named Hope’s Folly—alive. Not much can rattle Philip’s legendary cool—but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She’s the daughter of his best friend and first commander—a man who died while under Philip’s command, and whose death is on Philip’s conscience.

Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly-minted rebel leader, who it seems has just become her new commanding officer? And will she still be willing follow him through the jaw of hell once she learns the truth about her father’s death?

My thoughts:
Rya Bennton is bent on revenge for her father’s death and taking a position on Hope’s Folly as part of the Alliance could put her right where she needs to be. Serving alongside her childhood hero is a bonus, and now that she’s all grown up it’s clear that Philip Guthrie is all that and so much more. Rya’s feelings for him deepen, and with the threat of battle Rya vows not to lose him like she did her father.

Admiral Philip Guthrie has his doubts that Hope’s Folly, a former fruit hauler, will see them to safety, but the bigger threat comes from within the ranks of his crew. Someone is sabotaging their mission, and that someone knows all of their plans. Guthrie isn’t about to lose Rya, and he’s willing to sacrifice himself for the safety of his crew. All he has to do is convince his young Rebel to see reason in more ways than one.

Hope’s Folly begins as an injured Admiral Guthrie takes over his newly assigned ship with a crew that’s largely unknown. This is the third release in the Gabriel’s Ghost universe, following Shades of Dark. Ms. Sinclair shares her phenomenal writing talent with a well-built sci-fi world, and characters who charm their way right into the reader’s heart. Hope, fear and longing play heavy roles in Hope’s Folly as a crew struggles to survive, and an uncertain attraction progresses into a romance that sizzles. Whether you’ve read the previous books or not, you’re in for a wonderful treat that will surely leave you dreaming of life among the stars.

To learn more about Hope’s Folly, please visit Ms. Sinclair’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn

Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand
Kitty Norville, Book 5
Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central Publishing
January 27, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-446-19953-7

Book Blurb:
This time, Kitty's taking on Las Vegas!

Her mind is filled with visions of a romantic weekend with her boyfriend Ben, lounging for hours by the pool with a frufru drink in hand, and maybe even getting hitched. She also plans a live, televised version of her popular radio show.

The plans go awry, however, and she find herself sharing the stage with Balthasar, a mysterious lycanthrope who fronts an animal act of sexy were-felines; a shadowy convention of bounty hunters specializing in supernatural targets; a stage magician whose magic may be the real thing; and Dom, the playboy Master vampire of Las Vegas. When Ben vanishes, Kitty faces a myriad of suspects with ill intent - or Ben himself, getting cold feet.

Things get even hotter when Balthasar sets his romantic sights on her. Kitty discovers that there are forces at work here beyond even Sin City's reputation. Kitty gets help from unexpected quarters. Evan and Brenda, tough-as-nails bounty hunters, and Odysseus Grant, the magician with dark powers, help Kitty discover that Balthasar's sexy stage show is a front for a cult that worships an ancient Babylonian goddess - by sacrificing werewolves.

My thoughts:
Planning a wedding can get stressful, and Kitty Norville has reached her limit when she comes up with what she believes to be a much easier plan. Getting married in Vegas should be a great solution, but once word gets out Kitty finds herself with more work and danger than she alone can handle.

This is the fifth book in the Kitty Norville series, and if you thought that Kitty couldn’t find herself more trouble than she has in the past you’re in for a big surprise. Ms. Vaughn expands her supernatural world further with a trip to the Vegas strip where things aren’t always what they seem. Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand is filled with thrills, chills and sexy temptations that are sure to keep the reader’s rapt attention.

To learn more about the Kitty Norville series, please visit Ms. Vaughn’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

Lord of Misrule
The Morganville Vampires, Book 5
Rachel Caine
NAL – Jam
January 6, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-451-22572-6

Book Blurb:
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

My thoughts:
When Claire Danvers isn’t working with a half crazy vampire to create a cure to the disease that’s slowly eating away at his people, or busy trying to save her friends from the deadly threats they face, she’s attending classes in college. There’s been little time for class of late, because Morganville is facing one of their biggest challenges yet, Bishop. Amelie, the Founder who currently holds the lease on Claire’s life, is gearing up to make a stand. No one in Morganville is safe, and those who survive the coming battle may almost wish they hadn’t.

This is the fifth installment in the Morganville Vampires series. The residents of Morganville are about to engage in a fight for power, and not even the threat of a storm closing in can stop it. Ms. Caine uses her dazzling story telling skills to share the darkest chapter yet on the characters that have charmed readers from the start. In the midst of death and destruction brought to this well-built world, there’s always strong friendship and the touch of romance to add light and warmth to the storyline. Lord of Misrule is an engrossing read that once begun is impossible to set down. Ms. Caine has cliff-hanger endings down to a science, and she’s used that talent once more to leave readers anxious for more.

To learn more about the Morganville Vampires, please visit Ms. Caine’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews