Guest Author: Parker Blue

I am excited to welcome author Parker Blue to Literary Escapism.  Her new novel, Bite Me, has just been released and it’s one that everyone should definitely check out.  She’s here today to talk about some of her influences.  Make sure you stick around for the contest.  We’re giving away a copy of Bite Me.

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I have a book out in October 2008 called Bite Me, a young adult urban fantasy from Bell Bridge Books and I’ve been anxiously awaiting feedback. Luckily, the first comment I saw, on another blog, was positive:

“Parker’s voice is edgy and smart. I smile as I read because this book takes me back to my Buffy days–yep, that kind of smart and sharp-edged humor. Love it.”

Kewl! She totally got it right. Yes, Bite Me has a vampire slayer in it and yes, I’ve been influenced by Buffy (after all, Joss Whedon is a god), but it made me wonder…is that a bad thing? Am I being too derivative? Too much of a copy cat?

No, wait. Val, my slayer, is different in that she’s part succubus. You know, part lust demon. That’s why Val hunts the fangbangers of San Antonio–to keep her demon under control. And she’s not dating vampires like Angel and Spike–she’s dating a cop who hunts the bloodsuckers as part of the city’s Special Crimes Unit. And, oh yeah, her other partner is a part-hellhound dog named Fang who pegs a ten on the snark meter.

Whew. It is different, after all. But, you know, I think all writers are influenced by the stories they love. So, who else do I love? Mostly writers, I think. Early on, Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern hooked me on fantasy, as did Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series. I also like to curl up with fantasies by Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Lois McMaster Bujold, Guy Gavriel Kay, Anne Bishop to name a few. In addition, urban fantasy has me reading stories by people like Jim Butcher, Wm. Mark Simmons, Tanya Huff, Laura Anne Gilman, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, C.E. Murphy, P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast, and Patricia Briggs. Plus I’m sure there are others I can’t remember off hand who have filled my life with wonderful stories and characters.

I also love to discover new authors. New to me, anyway. Recently, I came across Brandon Sanderson. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of this guy before, because his stuff is awesome. I’ve only read the first two books of his Mistborn trilogy, so far, but it’s based on a fabulous idea–what if the legendary hero of the prophecies failed and evil triumphs? After two thousand years of subjugation by the immortal Lord Ruler, can a small band of rebels take back their world? Sanderson’s worldbuilding is absolutely fabulous.

I’m not sure how much these wonderful writers have actually influenced what I put on paper since my voice is (I hope) unique to me, but they’ve all given me many long hours of enjoyable reading and inspired me to try to entertain others as much as they’ve entertained me. So, who are your favorites? Hope I become one of them!

Bite Me by Parker Blue, Bell Bridge Books, October 2008.

Eighteen-year-old Valentine Shapiro got a raw deal in the parent lottery. Her father was part incubus demon, and her mother’s never forgiven her for that. Thrown out of the house by her mother, Val does the only thing that seems to make any sense—she takes aim at the town vampires, figuring a stake a day keeps the demon at bay. Soon enough, she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground with the help of her faithful hellhound, Fang, and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.

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Thank you Parker for stopping by and sharing with us your favorite authors and how they influence you.

Now it’s contest time.  Today, we’re giving away a copy of Parker’s novel, Bite Me, and all you have to do to enter is tell us who are you favorite authors.  No answer, no entry, so fess up.  I normally answer these along with everyone else, but I’m sure if you’ve been around here long enough, you know who I would say.  But if you’re new, then just check out my list of recommendations.

As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer.

The contest will run until midnight on Nov. 4th.  I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

15 Comments

  1. I guess I’m first up! My favorite authors? Do you have an hour? LOL

    OK, here goes… Laurell K Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, Sherrylin Kenyon, JR Ward, Jennifer Rardin, Lilith Saintcrow, Nina Bangs, Adrian Phoenix, Kelley Armstrong, PC & Kristin Cast, Rachel Caine, Yasmine Galenorn and so many more!

    I am so grateful and happy that the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres have become as big as they are in the last few years! I remember about 10 years ago, there were slim pickings for books in these genres and I was always wishing for more to read. Now I’m practically spinning with all the awesome choices. :)

  2. My favorite authors…J.D. Robb for sure, Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling. These 3 get top honors but there are numerous more. Great contest! BTW-I tagged you for a meme if you want to participate :)

  3. I love Anne Bishop, Lynn Viehl, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh, Caitlin Kittredge, Ann Aguirre, Charlaine Harris, Kat Richardson, Jessica Andersen, Lilith Saintcrow. I also love Beverly Connor, Mariah Stewart, J.D. Robb, Sarah Dessen, P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, Elizabeth Peters, J.K. Rowling, Holly Black, and I probably could go on and on and on. I am always on the look out for new authors to love so hopefully Parker Blue will be one of them. Love your name, Parker, it is my son’s middle name ;).

  4. My favorite authors:
    Jennifer Rardin
    Christie Craig
    Cynthia Eden
    Janet Evanovich
    Yasmine Galenorn
    Jenna Black
    Jackie Kessler
    Tess Gerritsen
    Harlan Coben
    Greg Iles
    Tori Carrington
    Julie Leto
    Marta Acosta
    Allison Brennan

    That’s a mix of mystery authors, paranormal and urban fantasy authors, and romance authors. I’ve heard great things about Parker Blue’s book and I would love to win it. By the way, I love the updated list of upcoming books on here. It’s so helpful!!

  5. I have so many favorite authors. I just found PC Cast & Kristin Cast this year and love their House of Night series. I love JR Ward, JD Robb, JK Rowling, Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lynsay Sands, Julie Leto, Carly Phillips, Stephenie Meyer, and so many more that I can’t even think of all of them.

    Bite Me sounds really great! Thanks for listing the new released books. It really helps me keep up with upcoming books.

  6. Heather Graham ~ Billie Letts ~ Lora Leigh ~ Sarah McCarty ~ Eve Silver ~ Annette Blair ~ Richelle Mead ~ Stephenie Meyer ~ Karin Slaughter and Jaci Burton are just a few of my favorite authors.

    Parker’s new release, BITE ME sounds like a great read ~ please enter me to win a copy.

  7. Oh, I’d love a copy of Bite Me!!! I enjoyed the chat too!
    My faorite authors are: Michael Connelly, Lisa Garder, John Sandford, Jodi Picoulti,
    James Petterson, Robin McKinley, Stephanie Meyer, and oh so many more!!!
    Thank you for this giveaway!
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

  8. Great guest author post! Bite Me sounds unique to me, I’d love to read it. I love when authors talk about what books and authors they themselves read. I’m going to check out Brandon Sanderson, too. His books sound great as well!

    My favorite urban fantasy and paranormal authors are Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Larissa Ione, Ann Aguirre, Lara Adrian, Nalini Singh, Kresley Cole, Sherrilyn Kenyon and JR Ward. Did I miss anyone? LOL

    In YA, I enjoy Melissa Marr, Libba Bray and Stephenie Meyer. I do have all of P.C. & Kristin Cast’s House of Night books on my TBR shelf– I just haven’t read them yet.

    Great contest! Thanks for the opportunity! :D

  9. I’ve been on a serious Buffy… actually Spike kick the past two weeks and this sounds like a great book lol.

    Here are some of my favorite authors: Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, J. R. Ward, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Patrcia Briggs just to name a few.

  10. Jerry Spinelli, one of my favorite children author, Katie MacAlister, Erin McCarthy, JK Rowling just to name a few =)

  11. Some of my favorite authors are: Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Stephenie Meyer, Cassandra Claire, Melissa Marr, Rachel Vincent, Patricia Briggs, Jennifer Rardin, Ilona Andrews, C.E. Murphy, Jeri Smith-Ready, Janet Evanovich…and many more that are fast becoming favorites.

    Bite Me sounds like a great book. I’d love to win a copy, but if I don’t, it’s already added to my wish list on Amazon. :0)

    Thanks!

  12. Some of my favorite authors are:

    Kelley Armstrong
    Kim Harrison
    Michelle Bardsley
    Nora Roberts/JD Robb
    Stephen King
    Peter Straub
    John Saul
    Neil Gaimon
    Dakota Cassidy
    PC Cast/Kristen Cast
    Richelle Mead
    Rachel Caine
    Lilith Saintcrow
    Stephanie Rowe
    Patricia Briggs
    Charlaine Harris
    MaryJanice Davidson
    Karen Chance
    Jeaniene Frost
    Jenna Black
    Katie MacAlister
    Eileen Wilks

    There are many many more but thats what I can name off the top of my head.

    Bite Me sounds like a great novel.

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