Tuesday, June 5, 2012

VBT: Masquerade by FE Heaton: Guest Post and Tour Wide Giveaway


I have a Diva here today! She had dropped by to talk about her newest books in one of her many fantastic series. She also has a tour wide giveaway going on that you are not going to want to miss out on. It includes a Kindle, autographed books, swag...tons of awesome goodies.


Enter the world of the seven pure bloodlines of the Vampires Realm series

It’s fantastic to be here at The Jeep Diva for the next stop on the book tour for my new vampire romance, Masquerade. Masquerade is the tenth book in my ongoing Vampires Realm romance series. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the others, as Masquerade does stand alone.

I’ve spoken briefly about the Vampires Realm series in a previous post in the tour and mentioned that I couldn’t go into detail about the series in a single post because the world is so vast. Today I would like to talk more about elements of the series, especially the vampires.

Everyone who knows my stories knows that I adore writing dark vampires, ones who will kill without apology and see humans as a food source. I enjoy exploring their darker nature, the side of their legend that a lot of authors tend to avoid in favour of a lighter kind of vampire (those who like bagged blood, abstain completely, or possibly sparkle). Like my vampires, I make no apologies for their behaviour. They fight, they love, they kill, and they do what they must to survive.

In the series, seven separate bloodlines share Europe, and sometimes cities (but never willingly). Each has a long bloody history with the others and all have been involved in wars with each other throughout the millennia. They are territorial and more often than not at least two bloodlines are at each other’s throats.

Each bloodline is distinguished by their eye colour when they reveal their true appearance. The Caelestis have emerald irises and share the city of Prague with the Aurorea, who have lapis blue eyes. The Nocens are known by their amber eyes and live in Budapest. The Vehemens have red irises and reside in the city of Oslo and the Tenebrae have obsidian eyes and choose to live in remote Romania. The final two bloodlines share the city of Saint Petersburg and are the Venia, with their ice-blue eyes, who live in the city, and the mighty Validus, with their royal purple eyes, who live in the countryside near it.

Each family shares the same ruling hierarchy. There is always a lord or lady, who leads the bloodline, followed by a Chosen Son and Chosen Daughter. These two lower ranking, but powerful, vampires are selected by the current lord or lady. The title of ruler of the bloodline can pass to another in one of two ways. If someone outside of the bloodline kills the current ruler, the title passes to the designated next in line out of the Chosen Son and Chosen Daughter. If someone inside the bloodline kills the leader, the title passes to that vampire. Rulers change often during times of war between the bloodlines and with the increasing threat from hunters in the series. Every bloodline has a contingent of guards to protect themselves, the strongest and most numerous of which are the Watchmen belonging to the Validus bloodline.

Since the bloodlines are often involved in skirmishes with each other and the modern world is filled with danger and temptation, the vampires are policed by the Law Keepers. There are seven Law Keepers, one representative for each bloodline, and they are responsible for upholding the laws, including those that forbid inter-species relationships with werewolves, keeping of humans without intent to turn them, revelation of their species to a human unless intending to kill them, and dissolution of the bloodlines through cross-family relationships. All sins carry the same punishment. Death.

That isn’t to say that the Law Keepers themselves are beyond temptation. While they are supposed to be impartial and emotionless when it comes to their duty and the observation, capture and sentencing of sinners, there is occasionally one among them who succumbs to temptation and breaks the law. If you’ve read the series, then you know who I mean!

While humans are the main food source of vampires and the majority of the population don’t know they exist, they are not without protection. There are several vampire hunter organisations in the Vampires Realm series, the largest of which is Section Seven. Section Seven devotes itself to eradicating vampires and protecting civilians, and they can be extreme and even frighteningly fanatical in their approach to taking on the bloodlines. There are also independent vampire hunters, such as Caden and also Nathaniel Rivers, who have no allegiance to a major group and use their natural talents to fight the vampires rather than resorting to dangerous methods like those in the organisations.

Most of the time, the vampire bloodlines remain apart, going about their business and rarely interacting with the other families. There are times when they come together though, and the latest book in the series is centred around such an event.

The Creator Day masquerade is normally a single night of freedom for all attending vampires. The ball celebrates the day the first vampire appeared in history, many millennia ago, and since he is the one from which all bloodlines eventually sprung forth, the guests are no longer vampires of a certain bloodline, but simply vampires, free of the rules that bind them and the politics of modern life. The attendees are nearly always vampires of rank, and each wears a mask to conceal their identity. At the ball, they are free of the laws too and allowed to interact with each other, dancing and socialising without consequence. Some use the ball as an opportunity to break the law, taking things further than dancing with the enemy.

During MASQUERADE, the latest novel in the series, it is a centenary ball, which means two nights of dancing, and all ranked vampires residing under one roof for a single day. Temptation in its purest form for the vampire hunters. Imagine being presented with a chance to take out your most important and most dangerous enemies in one go. Could you resist?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the vampires of the Vampires Realm series and their main enemy. If you’d like to know more about the series, follow the Masquerade Book Tour, or visit the official Vampires Realm series at http://www.vampiresrealm.com.

If you want to know if the vampire hunters give in to temptation, then Masquerade is available now in eBook.

I would also like to take this moment to mention that there is a grand giveaway running throughout the whole of the Masquerade Book Tour. The top prize is a KINDLE TOUCH plus bundle of Vampires Realm series ebooks 1-9 (doesn’t include Masquerade), and it’s open internationally. You can find all the details at the Masquerade Book Tour page: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/masquerade-book-tour.php 

Masquerade is available now at Amazon Kindle stores, Smashwords and All Romance eBooks. It will soon be available for Nook, Apple devices, Sony Reader, and Kobo Books, but you can get it in epub from other retailers like Smashwords and my own website.

Masquerade
F E Heaton
Ten years have passed since Sophis and Vivek, two vampires of the Venia bloodline, came close to death at the hands of twin hunters Aleksis and Izabella Romanov. The events of that night turned Sophis and Vivek against each other, shattering their close friendship and driving them apart.

Now, on the eve of a centenary Creator Day masquerade and at a time when things between them are dangerously close to separating them forever, they uncover a small army of vampire hunters in Saint Petersburg, led by their nemeses, Aleksis and Izabella.

With the safety of the rulers of the seven pure vampire bloodlines in their hands and their chance for vengeance hanging in the balance, can Sophis and Vivek face their past and overcome their differences? Will they realise their true feelings for each other before it’s too late or will the hunters finally claim their lives as their deadly plot to destroy the bloodlines unfolds?



Biography
Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, Felicity Heaton’s best selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series she writes as F E Heaton or any of her stand alone vampire romance books she writes as Felicity Heaton. Or if you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try Felicity Heaton’s new Vampire Erotic Theatre series.

In 2011, four of her six paranormal romance books received Top Pick awards from Night Owl Reviews, Forbidden Blood was nominated as Best PNR Vampire Romance 2011 at The Romance Reviews, and many of her releases received five star reviews from numerous websites.

If you want to know more about me, or want to get in touch, you can find me at the following places:
Vampires Realm official website: http://www.vampiresrealm.com


Winter's Kiss
by F E Heaton
Their lord drinks blood and they are dead men walking. The tales of the mansion don’t stop Nika from falling for one of the guards, but when wolves attack her and he rides to her rescue, she discovers that her knight is anything but saintly. He is a vampire and she is becoming a werewolf, and love between their species is forbidden—the penalty death.
Winter’s world is shaken beyond salvation and his allegiance to his bloodline tested as he watches the woman he’s fallen for turn into a werewolf. His heart demands vengeance and that he protects her, both from the werewolf now hunting for her and from himself, but she tempts him more than he can bear and it isn't long into their journey before he’s torn between upholding the law and succumbing to desire.
Will Nika be able to convince Winter to leave his world and stay with her or will she spend eternity dreaming of Winter's kiss?

41 comments:

  1. Now see, this post was a good idea. I couldn't remember all the bloodlines and their eyes (i'm sure i will have to read this again before the next book) but i loved that they have these distinguishing features. Masquerade was AWESOME!!

    Andrea K.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Andie! I haven't read this series yet, but this post definitively has me intrigued. Also seems like something to keep handy for when I do get to finally read the books.

      Delete
    2. I think I should add a sort of Glossary at the back of the books! *ducks* sorry. Even I have trouble with them sometimes, if that makes you feel better, Andie :)

      Delete
  2. About to begin Masquerade can't wait!!! This tour is gonna be great i love following these, all the author interviews and character interviews are my fave :)

    amiee.ryan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the interview felicity will follow your tours anytime!1 Masquerade is by far one of your best! although I am happy to say I have all TEN VR series books and I LOVE THEM ALL!! YOU ROCK girlfriend! xoxo caraadams5@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW! Thanks for a wonderfully informative post. As I am new to the series, I find myself mixing things up sometimes. This definitely helps me. I believe I will be making a cheat sheet as I read. Thanks.
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on the newest release! I haven't had the pleasure of reading this series yet but it's top of my wishlist :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a bad Diva! I've yet to read Felicity's vampss. I've read and loved her Angels, her Lyra books rocks, and of course her demon Taig... not the vamps yet. I really gotta fix that.

      Delete
  6. This sounds like a great series of books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I Havent Read This Series I Want It. I Have Them All On My Wish List. butterfli262002@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an exciting idea for a story. I have not yet begun reading the Vampires Realm series. MASQUERADE looks amazing.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I so enjoyed reading this post, very informative! I'm going to be checking out the Vampire Realm website and add more books to my list.
    Congrats Felicity on the release of Masquerade.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for this post and interview! Great info. Makes it easy to see where to start and less confusing. All are def. on the wishlist!

    BeckyLoves2Read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. well I though I've read most of her books but I guess I was wrong...lol I'm definitely excited about Masquerade and would love a chance to win a copy. But I have never heard of Winter's Kiss before. Wow...I'm about to download it now. Thanks so much for sharing and the contest. She is an awesome writer. all her books have been fantastic reads. =)
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very beautiful post! I love all covers of Felicity Heaton's books but I think Masquerade is her best cover.
    Thank you for the tour and giveaway!

    Artemis
    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have read several of the books for this series and can't wait to read more Thanks for the great post crystaley73 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, so many books that I have missed! I need to win the Kindle so I can start reading them, LOL.
    BTW- Winter's Kiss and Masquerade both sound like awesome books.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I look forward in continuing this series. I've added Masquerade to my must have list.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm glad Masquerade can be read alone because the series is new to me, although I'm thinking of starting from the beginning. I like vampire stories especially dark ones. It's thrilling to see the dark ones fall in love.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Felicity's books and think her vampire series and Angel series are amazing! sdylion(at)gmail(dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for sharing the information on the bloodlines. This is a great series. Thanks!
    tamsyn5(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Realy enjoyed this post .Have a great week
    flanagan@mebtel.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love Felicity's books and I appreciate that she writes them quickly;)
    debi01760@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. This was a really cool, informative post. Now when I re-read the series I can come back to this post as a reference. Bookmarked! Thanks!

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Felicity is such an amazing PR author. I'm in awe and so relieved that she's such a phenomenally fast writer. :)
    Becky Johnson beckyhjohnson79@yahoo.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  23. I can't wait to start reading this series. I'm really curious about the story. It seems really intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've read Her Angels series and loved each one! I can't wait to read this series! It is on my Wish List and TBR List! Thank you for bringing out the darker side of vampires.
    PhoenixCarvelli(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I probably wouldn't be able to keep track of the eye color and which bloodline corresponds to which, but I do love the unique use of the different eye colors. I must get cracking on this series! :)

    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have not read the series yet but they are now on my summer to read list!
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. have not read this series, but already read her angel and vampirotique series ^^

    sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for all the comments everyone! It's great to see so many new faces and I hope you'll all take a moment to check out the Vampires Realm website as there's more information there about the series... or follow the tour!

    Felicity

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love vamp and paranormal books so I know this will be right up my alley.. cant wait ...
    mladycammy@yahoo.ca

    ReplyDelete
  30. I haven't read any of your books, but I want to now. I happened to find your book through the blog, Fictional Candy today. I've spent the better part of an hour going over your website and reading the excerpt to your new book, Masquerade. I think I'm hooked! lol

    ReplyDelete
  31. Felicity: I love the complexity of the world you have created! It's really fascinating,
    MJ
    msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. i really enjoy learning so many things thanks to this blog hop

    thanks ypou a lot ( and yes a glossary could be a great idea in the next book or one in pdf format asa free download on your website)

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for this post, it is so hard to remember all the bloodlines and their eyes. I am going to have to copy this to reference when I am reading the series. So far I have read all the books in the series to date and they are fantastic! Can't wait for more!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like that your Vamps don't play nice all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I look forward to Masquerade. I love Felicity's writting. S.Young

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love this and the series is def. going up on my TBR list! =)

    best wishes, Linda xo

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi,Felicity!!I haven't read this series,yet....but I'm definitely going to read them :)

    BTW,I've read Heart of Darkness and really loved it(I love Aleksandr)!!

    sweety225(at)rocketmail(dot)com
    (Rafflecopter name - Rosemarie D)

    ReplyDelete