Nicole and I are hijacking the rant this week, so we can talk about one of our favorite series, the Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill. When we were given the chance to participate in Chloe’s first Spring Fling, we knew we wouldn’t have any problem coming up with something to say.
About the Chicagoland Vampires Novels: Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit, the heroine of Chloe Neill’s New York Times bestselling series, found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. The sixth book in the series, Biting Cold, will be released on August 7, 2012 (you can read Jackie’s review here).
Did you Know?: Jeff Christopher, one of Merit’s grandfather’s employees, builds his own computers from parts, including the monstrosity that once abided on his desk in the Ombudsman’s office–before the mayor kicked them out.
Why Nicole Loves these Books: Reason I love the Chicagoland vamps… I like that the series is a modern spin on traditional vamp lore. I also like that vamps and shifters are…cooperative. They don’t really get along but they tolerate each other. Another reason Chicagoland series is awesome… the variety of supernaturals. There isn’t just 1 type of supernatural in her world….oh and there’s a blonde, British vamp as the hero and if you know me, you know I have a big soft spot for blonde, British vamps. *G*
Why Jackie Loves these Books: Reason I love the Chicagoland vamps… because Chloe Neill isn’t afraid to hold any punches. She does the unexpected with her characters and she makes their reactions and their feelings seem more real. She completely hooked me on this series when, in the first novel Some Girls Bite, she didn’t have her character just roll over and say oh well, I’m a vampire now. This wasn’t what Merit wanted and she wasn’t all thankful about it. I don’t know how many series I’ve read where the characters are introduced to vampires and they just go with it – who does that?! Your life was just turned upside down, you can no longer see the sun and you’re okay with it? I don’t know anyone who would be okay with that, and Merit totally isn’t. She doesn’t just sit there and accept it. Instead we get to see her transform from a graduate student to a badass vampire with all the emotional and physical baggage. It’s not just with Merit either; over the course of the series you get to see how each of the side characters grow and develop in whatever role they play.
Make sure you check out the other stops on the Spring Fling tour for more fabulous bits from the Chicaogland Vampires series and to see why others love this series so much. You’ll never know what you’ll find out. For instance, A Book Obsession had the cover reveal for House Rules (and yes I’m totally reposting it here).
A Book Obsession- Goldilocks & the Three Weres
- Looksie Lovitz
- Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
- Nina Reads
- Starry Night Book Reviews
- Tynga’s Reviews
- Under The Covers
- Wholly Books
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Meet Chloe Neill!
She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)
Contact Info
Website: http://www.chloeneill.com/
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Want to purchase Chloe’s novels?
Chicagoland Vampires
- Some Girls Bite at Amazon | Book Depository
- Friday Night Bites at Amazon | Book Depository
- Twice Bitten at Amazon | Book Depository
- Hard Bitten at Amazon | Book Depository
- Drink Deep at Amazon | Book Depository
- Biting Cold at Amazon | Book Depository
- House Rules (February 2013)
Dark Elite
- Firespell at Amazon | Book Depository
- Hexbound at Amazon | Book Depository
- Charmfall at Amazon | Book Depository
The Dark Elite (omnibus) at Amazon | Book Depository
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Contest Time!
For the first ever Chicagoland Vampire Spring Fling, Chloe has generally offered to give away a signed copy of Charmfall and Friday Night Bites, plus various Chicagoland swag. Since there’s two books, we’re going to have two winners and each getting a bunch of swag which includes:
- DRINK DEEP/CHARMFALL bookmarks
- 1-2 “I Survived Hard Bitten” buttons
- Chicagoland Vampires quote postcards
- Signed Cadogan House bookplates
- Chicagoland Vampires stickers
To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: How would you convince someone to read the Chicagoland Vampire series? If you’ve read the series, why do you love it and who would you like to see more of? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.
Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support Chloe by sharing the Spring Fling, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.
The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.
The contest will stay open until May 31st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the snazzy new plug-in I have.
Chloe brings to life the characters of CLV once you read the books your hooked. The books are refreshing and exciting such a different kind of vamp book. You laugh and cry and just become so invested in these characters.
Chloe just rocks these books!!! When I started this series I read the first 3 books then I had to reread them and I just can’t get enough of Merit and Ethan!!!
I’d lend them the first book in the series. They’d have to buy the rest.
I’d tell them that Merit kicks a@*! And if they love Sookie Stackhouse or Mac from the “Fever” series, they will love Merit like I do! I want to see more of Merit and Ethan! Who can resist a hot, blonde british vampire?
Well I haven’t read them yet but I guess I would do what I do with all the other series I have read and love and constenly gush about them. I tend to obsess about those I love and the people around me know it and therefore they know all about what they should go and read!
Thanks for the chance!
I haven’t read the series yet, but I think I’d give a short description with a cliff-hanger ending, so that you’d have to read the book to find out how it ends.
I love the series for one simple word….ETHAN. oh yes…Ethan. He is the aplha male that makes my heart go pitter patter. I love his chemistry with Merit which makes such great reads!
Froggy
My favorite things about this series is (surprise) the relationship between Merit and Ethan. I love how she’s the only person who seems to take him by surprise over and over again, and how she from day one has held her own against him. After the way Drink Deep ended, I definitely wanna see more Mallory!!
To get someone to read the CV series, I would tell them how much I love it, then I would have to buy them a copy. I’ve done that before with other series, because seriously, who could just read one CV book? Chloe’s writing is enough to pull people in for the long run.
Why do I love the series? I love the characters. I love Ethan and Merit’s relationship, even though at first I really liked Marcus because he had a great sense of humor, but then he turned into a wuss.
I would tell them that there is really no book out there like the the CV series and that CV is the type of series where you’ll stay up all night to finish, and then even when you’re finished, you just want to reread everything. I love the relationship between the characters, especially the scenes with Merit and Ethan. I would like to see more Ethan!
I would have to convince them that Merit is truly the greatest!! That she is not like any other female vamp we’ve read before! She’s got snark! She’s spunky and yet can be fierce when required of her. Merit is just the all-American vampire girl!
That is pretty much why I love this series!! Oh and Ethan too! He’s been nothing but surprises!
In order to convince someone to read the Chicagoland series, I would have to tell them first, what amazing books they are. The story is fabulous with enough plot twists and turns to always keep you guessing, forever on your toes. If that doesn’t work, said person could see a little rope action with a side of some force reading. That should do it!
I love this series for all the reasons I would use to convince someone else to read it. Ethan is my abso fave. I could always stand to see more of him.
I have already convinced 2 of my sisters to read this series but just describing the awesome story….and I would like to read more about Jeff
Okay so I’ve actually been trying to get my sister to read this series for the past year and am happy to report that she finally started it, and loves it… Well that’s a no brainer!! How I finally got her to read it… I loaned her Some Girls Bite and then nagged and begged and bragged about the series until she finally gave in. I NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO. It usually takes a while for me to win her over but she finally gives in and becomes as obsessed as I am.
I love everything about the CV series. Seriously Chloe has created such a fun and awesome world to curl up and crawl into. Gotta say though, I love the chocolate drawer. Super original. But my fave thing about the series is the chemistry between Merit and Ethan.
I’d like to see more of Ethan and Merit. I wanna get to see them finally have some solid ground to stand on together. But with Mallory shaking things up I’m afraid we’re in for a lot of shaky ground. Yikes!
I would get someone to read it by quoting Merit. Awesome, and effective- or at least I’d hope to be. I love the series because of how snarky it is, even when the characters are about to be killed. I’d love to see more of the siren that lived in the middle of the lake, because she has an interesting history, and could help develop Merit into an awesome character.
It would depend on who I’m trying to convince. Major reasons to read the series would be that Merit can kick ass. Plus Catcher and Merit are some of the snarkiest and most hilarious characters I’ve ever read about. The plot is full of twists that I never saw coming, especially in the last two books. This series is fun to read again and again.
Since I haven’t started the series yet, I’d convince someone to read it by telling them that I’ve heard so many fantastic things about it and that everyone is very passionate about how great this series is. I’m very much looking forward to reading it. I’ve always loved vampire stories, and this one sounds like a fantastic example.
I think it would be easy to convince someone to read the books just by my enthusiasm as I explain the main story to them. There are a lot of people out there who like vampire books, and I have read a ton, and the fact that I like them makes my friends consider reading them! I love the series because Ms. Neill makes it so easy to get into the characters! They are supernatural, but still “normal” people at the same time. The stories are spectacular, and when you read it, you just want to be there with them.!! And who doesn’t want more Ethan?!?!?
I’d tell the person it’s not your typical vampire series and there’s usually a good mystery involved and a good dose of action.
I know I’m in the minority here, but Ethan drive me nuts, and not in a good way. There are times I like him, but mostly I find him so arrogant and pompous and I don’t know why Merit’s so into him. I’d actually like to see more of Catcher (really like him).
Oh, and I loved the cliffhanger in the second to last one (haven’t read the most recent book yet); it was totally out of left field and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I own the books and the audiobooks!!! I would tell them about the great new series created by Chloe Neill and her wonderful heroes and heroines. First I might buy a copy of the first book for a birthday present; then I would offer to let them borrow one of the books or the audiobooks and see what they think. The audiobooks bring the stories to life!!! Why I love this series! And yes I hope there are many more books in the Chicagoland Vampires!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. It has everything I want in UF, and all the characters are awesome. Ethan and Merit have such a great dynamic and I love how they’ve evolved over the course of the series… I’m quite curious about Jonah and the role he’ll play, especially after Drink Deep!
And I am proud to say that I have already convinced three people to read the series just by talking about it. One was my mom, and I remember after I read Hard Bitten I warned her that a particular scene would cause a strong reaction and that she’d likely call me right away… Fast forward, I received a phone call with no hello or hows it going, but rather “…I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED…” theres more but i realize it’s too spoilery ;)
I actually convinced a friend’s reading group to read the books! I loved them so much because they were more realistic ( I know I know but honestly) then some of the other paranormal books out there. You almost imagine that you are Merit because she seems so normal.. well as normal as she can be lol
How would you convince someone to read the Chicagoland Vampire series?
– I would Explain to them that it’s a wonderful new spin on the supernatural community (vampires, shifters, fae, witches, sorcerers, etc) and the plot(s) and characters are so well written that it’s impossible not to get lost in their world.
If you’ve read the series, why do you love it and who would you like to see more of?
-I love the series for the same reasons that I would convince someone else to read it. Merit is one of my favourite kick-ass heroines and her strength, vulnerability, humour, and courage are everything I enjoy reading about strong female characters.
I adore the Chicagoland Vampire series. The characters are well-developed and the writing is wonderful. Neill really understands how important it is to combine realistic characters with great dialogue. When convincing someone to read this series, I would appeal to her desire to read a series that gets better with each addition. I would detail how funny Chloe Neill is and the great way in which she weaves in humor in the scenes. I would like to see more of the Ethan/Merit relationship. After the events in Hard Bitten, E and M are more of equals now, in my opinion, and I am curious to see how things develop. Thanks for the giveaway!
I adore this series and all that Chloe writes. I love how she created all these special characters that to me seem so real and how each book is action packed and full of different emotions yet funny in a right way.I always encourage people I know to read her books, the relationship between Merit and Ethan always wins people over because it is not all sugar and rainbows. Although I love Ethan, I would like to see more of Jonah and maybe Morgan- even though he made bad decisions I stiil like him.
I would show off the cover spread, and say: Do you like vampires, swords and kick arsery?! Then this is the series for you. I cannot wait for COld Bitten!
terilhack at yahoo dot com