Hello everyone! Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION are very happy to welcome the incredibly talented Darynda Jones back to our sites today, especially since it’s Release Day for the long awaited and heartily coveted “Third Grave Dead Ahead”!
For visitors that don’t know Darynda, history shows that there wasn’t a time when she wasn’t writing. Even when she was a toddler, she would pick up a pencil and paper and scribble nonsense on it, asking her mother to read her literary genius aloud. Soon after, she started writing plays for the neighborhood kids, making up stories for her brother, and creating age inappropriate fantastical stories for Barbie and Ken to enact. In high school she almost finished her first manuscript, and even then, was dabbling in romance and the paranormal.
She took a break from actively writing for several years, wherein she got married, had a couple children, graduated Summa cum Laude from UNM and got a job as a teacher and sign language translator. She missed writing though, and started up again in 2002 with the goal of getting a publishing contract securely in her mind’s eye. After 3 complete manuscripts, she finally landed an agent, a three book deal, and won the 2009 Golden Heart award for Best Paranormal Romance in 2009.
In February of 2011, “First Grave On The Right”, the first book in the CHARLEY DAVIDSON series was released. It was called the best debut novel in years, and a must read for paranormal lovers. Book #2, “Second Grave On The Left”, was released on August 16t, 2011 and got even more amazing praise and kudos. As we mentioned above, Book #3, “Third Grave Dead Ahead” was just released TODAY, and we’re here to help Darynda celebrate and promote like crazy. We can tell you first hand that this book is mind blowing! If you want to see what we thought about it, you can read our 5 Skull review over on our Book Reviews page.
For our readers who aren’t yet familiar with the CHARLEY DAVIDSON series, first, we suggest that you buy/order/download them ASAP and slot out some time in your calendar because you are seriously missing something fantastic. Outside of that though, we thought we’d give you the synopses of books #1 - #3 to get you up to speed before we get to the meat of our Event today and get to know the cast.
“First Grave on the Right”,
CHARLEY DAVIDSON Book #1:
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim ReaperCharley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
“Second Grave on the Left”,
CHARLEY DAVIDSON Book #2:
When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?
“Third Grave Dead Ahead”,
CHARLEY DAVIDSON Book #3:
Charley Davidson—grim reaper extraordinaire, private investigator . . . meh—is practicing her profession under the influence, caffeine and copious amounts of it, due to an extreme desire to induce insomnia. Every time she closes her eyes, Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan, is there. Only thing is, he’s a tad peeved. She did bind for all eternity, so it’s hard blame him. But 13 days without a wink is bound to bring out the crazy in a girl. So, when a man hires her to find his wife, Charley accepts the job with one goal in mind: Put the man behind bars, and not the wet kind. She can sense the guilt waft off him and vows to find the woman’s body and prove he’s a murderer.In the meantime, Reyes is back in prison and none too happy about it . . . so Charley thinks, until she is carjacked by the dark-haired rake, who swears the very man he went to prison for killing is not only alive, but close by. And he wants Charley to find him.
While a visit to her old friend Rocket sheds no light on Reyes’s situation, Charley finds out the man’s wife is still alive and time is running out. Finding her before she dies would be a miracle, but she has to try. Together with the help of a fashion-impaired receptionist named Cookie, Charley sets out to bring the bad guys to justice. She just hopes Reyes is not one of them. And that she’s not hallucinating from her self-induced bout with insomnia.
Even the synopses are gripping and captivating, right!? They’re nothing compared to the actual books though. We would recommend this series to EVERYONE – oh wait, we pretty much have. J Seriously though, bump it up in your TBR; we promise you won’t be disappointed!
While we absolutely love having Darynda with us and we’re hoping to learn all sorts of fun stuff in the live chat later tonight, our headliner today isn’t actually Darynda - it’s Charley and Cookie. We had an opportunity to meet with the dynamic duo and ask them a few questions and we’ve brought back a transcript of our time with them to share with all of you. You REALLY don’t want to miss this.
DON’T FORGET: As we mentioned, Darynda will be available to chat live with members, followers, fans and guests starting at 8:00pm EST/7:00pm CDT/5:00pm MDT & PDT today, Tuesday January 31 over in the LITERAL ADDICTION Author Chatroom, so make sure you set a reminder and come back for some fun!
SHOPPING: Check out the available line of Darynda Jones/Charley Davidson fangear. It’s available for browsing and purchase through 3/10/12 from the LLITERAL ADDICTION Fangear area. Chelly Belle Designed and 100% Darynda Jones approved, it’s the perfect stuff for any fan!
Now, without further ado, here's our crazy but hysterical interview with Charley and Cookie……
Our Interview with Charley and Cookie
So, we had the very rare, very amazing opportunity to sit down and talk with Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper and Private Investigator extraordinaire, and her best friend and assistant Cookie.
After setting up the appointment, we arrived at Calamity’s, Charley’s dad’s bar, for a drink to wait for Charley and Cookie to show. While having our drink, we couldn’t ignore the incredible smells coming from the kitchen, so our ‘drink’ turned into that and an unbelievably delicious meal of Tex-Mex.
As we were finishing up, Charley and Cookie walked through the front door discussing the whys and hows of the word “condiment”. We could only watch in wonder and chuckle to ourselves…
Charley: Con. D. Ment. I can’t say it any plainer, Cook. Condiment. The topping. The gravy. The jiffy-lube of the food world. How can you not understand the importance of those items? They have to exist, and in my little realm, they are vital. They are bling for the taste buds. Without honey, what is tea? Without copious amounts of sugar and creamer, what is coffee? Fries and tater tots don’t even begin to exist without ketchup. You get me?
Cookie: Charley, I am perhaps the only person alive that gets you. And I get condiments. It’s a word dear to my very own heart. I won a fifth grade spelling bee with that word, lady. It’s my word. Living deep in my heart word. I make ketchup sandwiches. I eat saltines with mustard. I am committed to the defense of condiments, but what is your beef? *pause* Get it? Beef? *snort*
Charley: Beef is not a condiment. It’s meat. It’s the blah stuff inside the enchilada, the brown slab of protein on the burger bun. Which brings me to my point. What kind of restaurant in Albuquerque calls themselves three point five star and doesn’t offer green chile as a condiment?
Cookie: Charley, we were eating at Herman’s Schnitzel & Spaetzle German Deli.
Michelle: *stands up* Hi! Charley? Cookie? I’m Michelle from LITERAL ADDICTION and this is my partner Carla from Book Monster Reviews. *gestures to Carla who gives a smile and a wave* We’re so happy that you could take time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with us today.
Charley & Cookie: *in unison* Hi! *cheesy grins plastered on their faces*
Charley: Ladies. Meet my assistant, Cookie. *gestures to Cookie* Cookie these are the two lovely ladies I told you about. They’re here to “interview” us. *adds air quotes and snickers* Darynda Jones has a new “Charley” book coming out, and they wanted to meet us. I’m pretty excited.
Cookie: I am too. I can’t believe you’d want to talk to me. I’m just the gal who keeps Charley floating in coffee. So glad to meet you. *shakes hands* I’m a little nervous. I might break out in hives. I do that. *heavy breathing ensues* Can I get a paper bag to breathe in? I don’t want to faint and miss everything.
Charley: I could put you in a headlock, if that would help.
Cookie: It might be a little awkward for our company.
Charley: Good point, but they both came pretty far for this interview. We should probably try to stay conscious. *smiles at the lovely ladies across from them* We hope you had a good trip. It’s very nice to meet you.
Carla: Yes, thank you both so very much. Can we buy you a drink?
Charley & Cookie: *in unison* YES. Woot. Woot.
Michelle: We don’t want to keep you, we know that you probably have a million places to be, but we know our readers would love to know some things. First, do we have any visitors from the other side with us right now? *smiles*
Charley: *glances to the side then back* What? No. Of course not. *Whispers* Beat it kid.
Cookie: *inches away from Charley, forces a grin*
Carla: O-okay. Cookie, what are the best and worst parts about working with your best friend?
Cookie: Let’s see. Well, the best parts are Charley. And the worst parts are Charley.
Charley: What?
Cookie: There are severe amounts of ADD, a penchant for danger—
Charley: But Danger is awesome. We love Danger.
Cookie: Not your left boob. Real danger.
Charley: Danger is very real.
Cookie: Yes, your boobs are real. But I mean the danger that hurts you, as in poking you with sharp objects, shooting you with projectiles, beating you senseless.
Charley: Oh, right.
Cookie: Then there are her extensive bouts of distraction caused by shiny objects.
Charley: Pfft.
Cookie: Did I mention her ADD?
Charley: Squirrel! *points out window*
Cookie: And the extreme lengths I am required to go to in order to keep up with her demand for coffee.
Charley: Oh, that’s a good point.
Cookie: I’m into extreme couponing, now. I’m in a physical fitness program, training to extreme-coupon her coffee purchases.
Charley: ‘Nother squirrel!
Cookie: Did I mention her ADD?
Michelle: Seriously Charley, you have the uncanny ability of getting yourself into the worst jams. Do you think it just comes with the job, either one or both, or do you think your luck is just that bad?
Cookie: Ladies, she chases trouble down the street with her running shoes on.
Charley: That’s so unfair.
Cookie: Once we were at the mall and trouble was there, too.
Charley: I don't even own a pair of running shoes.
Cookie: Trouble was totally ignoring her, as it shopped for mace and black ski masks. She reaches out as it walks by, grabs it by the cajones and pins it to the floor. She yells, “Gotcha, first, beeootch.” Then runs away laughing like a school girl.
Charley: She’s being metaphorical. And trouble comes with the job.
Carla: Cookie, you’re awfully good at what you do. Do you have any training in research?
Cookie: As a work-study student, I worked for a college art professor who was trying to gain his tenure with the university art department. It was either conduct his thesis research or let him grab my ass in his office.
Charley: *gasps* You never told me that.
Cookie: It’s no biggie. But I love me some thesis research.
Charley: Do you think he’s free this weekend?
Cookie: And I’ve had to track my ex down for child support, which required learning how to hack computer systems.
Charley: She is the bomb at hacking.
Cookie: It was a great learning experience.
Michelle: Charley, do you think you’ve discovered everything you are capable of as the grim reaper yet?
Charley: Not sure. Don’t really want to think about too much, right now. It’s called avoidance. I will tell you I don’t have to get as many manicures. I don’t break out as much as I used to, and my hair is glossy and luxurious. *vainly sweeps hair from side to side* Check out what my hair does, Cook, when I do this little flip thing.
Cookie: I love you so dang much, Charley. I really do. But you scare me.
Charley: Mmmmm. This is very soothing.
Carla: What’s up with Reyes these days?
Charley: Reyes? Reyes Farrow? That boy can bite me.
Cookie: *Dives under the table* Everybody under here. Hide. Hurry. I’m not kidding. *covers her eyes* If he pops in here, I’m not responsible for the chaos that ensues.
Michelle: Um, well, do you have a new case that you’re working on?
Charley: I could tell you that, but then I’d have to kill ya. *looks at Cookie under the table* You’re funny.
Cookie: *slowly peeks out from under the table* Is he here?
Charley: He better not be. Sees her father crossing the dining area to a nearby table where an elderly couple is sitting. But Dad is. *Points a finger at him* You! Grrrr. I am so angry with you. Yeah. I’m talking to you, mister. That’s right, you better run! *Elderly couple stands nervously* Oh, not you two. Sit. Enjoy your meals. Wait. Don’t leave. Darnit. Well, they were skittish. You gals want to split their food with us?
Carla: Anything that either of you want to make sure we take back to our readers?
Charley: Yes. Don’t try this at home, folks.
Cookie: The grim reaper thing?
Charley: P.I. work. Don’t try P.I. work at home. Don’t chase bad guys. And Cookie has a point. Don’t grim reap, either.
Cookie: Shouldn’t we say something nice about that kind lady who writes those books about you? She seems so sweet. It’s too bad about that nervous twitch thing she gets every time Charley gets near her. Her newest book is called Third Grave Dead Ahead. Whoo. I like the sound of that title. It comes out today, January 31st. She
let me give it a sneak read, and it’s pretty darned good. She let Charley sneak read it, too. You’re aware of her ADD issues? She’s been on the first chapter for three months.
let me give it a sneak read, and it’s pretty darned good. She let Charley sneak read it, too. You’re aware of her ADD issues? She’s been on the first chapter for three months.
Charley: But it’s a great first chapter.
Cookie: You mean the chapter with Reyes in it? The same guy you’re angry with? The same guy you’ve sworn never to talk to again as long as you live?
Charley: Yeah, well. *folds arms at chest* It’s a good first chapter.
Michelle: Again, that you both so very much for the interview. We really appreciate it. Take care and try not to get yourselves killed, O.K! *smiles*
Charley & Cookie: *in unison* Thank you both. And thanks to your readers. Happy reading!
After we say our goodbyes, Charley and Cookie head upstairs to the offices of Davidson Investigations while Carla and I head out the front to get on with our day and catch our flight home.
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CONTEST:
Darynda is offering up an autographed hardcover of “Third Grave Dead Ahead” to a winner from Book Monster Reviews and a winner over at the LITERAL ADDICTION website.
Book Monster is giving away to a second winner a bunch of SWAG that Darynda sent me, which includes bookmarks, candy tins, RTC's and lip gloss.
TO ENTER:
Make sure you are a member of the Book Monster Blog (by clicking on the “JOIN THIS SITE” button at the top left hand corner of blog page), and then post a comment on the interview with your email address.
*Any comments without an email address will NOT be entered into drawing.
Don't forget to drop by the LITERAL ADDICTION website (http://www.literaladdiction.com/) and follow the directions and links to enter their contest for an extra chance to win!!!
Good Luck!
