So as most of you know, last week my fifth novel, First Drop of Crimson, released. You’d think that five times into this whole “book on the shelves” thing I’d be blase about releases, but I was just as much of a bundle of nerves for this book as I was for my first one. This time, however, I did something different than my previous four other releases – I went out of town. Yep, instead of sitting in front of my computer compulsively hitting “refresh” on Amazon and B&N to check my ratings, I hopped in the car with hubby and doggie on Tuesday and drove 12 hours to one of my favorite cities, New Orleans.
We checked into our hotel right as the streets were flooding with people coming out to see the Saints Super Bowl victory parade. I have never been in such a crowd before. You literally could not walk in a straight line, but were just carried along by the flow of people around you. After about twenty minutes I began to feel claustrophobic and ended up waiting to see the parade from the garage area of our hotel. Then I had to leave early for a pre-arranged live blog chat before the parade finally made its way around, but my husband got to see it and said it was awesome. He took pictures of it – and the crowds – on our cell phone. I’m trying to convert those pics to .jpg format so I can post them.
After that first night the crowds dissipated and the French Quarter was back to normal, or maybe slightly over normal capacity because Mardi Gras was right around the corner. I admit to abandoning my diet and having beignets at Cafe DuMonde and lots of yummy, spicy Creole food. Also walked more in four days than I have in the past month but still managed to gain four pounds, lol. Took a cemetery tour and got some pics of Marie Laveau’s tomb, plus other cool pics of the Quarter, and got some great new ideas for book scenes. Even though I worked several hours each day, I managed to do something I’ve never done on a release week before – relax. Now it’s back to the grind but with some fresh inspiration, which is worth its weight in gold.
Yesterday, I got some really nice news about First Drop of Crimson. It was #1 on the Borders Romance paperback list, #1 on BooksOnBoard for their Romance e-book list, and #7 on the Barnes and Noble mass market paperback list. Will find out tomorrow night if the USA Today and/or the New York Times has room on their lists for First Drop, but even if they don’t, I am still delighted. This is a spin-off series so neither me or my publisher expected it to do as well as my Cat and Bones books, but I wanted to tell Spade and Denise’s story anyway and this warm reception by readers is truly appreciated (not to mention helps my chances to possibly sell more spin-off novels *cough, Vlad books, cough* ;)).
Oh, speaking of books, let me say this again because even though it’s in several places on my website, I still get emails every day that say “I heard you were done writing about Cat and Bones??!!” That’s not true. There WILL be at least three more Cat and Bones books. I’m writing Cat and Bones book five now and will start book six immediately after finishing five. So 2011 should have two Cat and Bones books releasing but I still don’t know when yet. I’ll update everyone with specific dates when I have them.
And finally, here’s a shout out of Happy Birthday to my niece, Lauren, who turns twenty today. See you tonight, Lauren, and remember: DGP ;-).
You are a “new to me author” this year when I decided to take a swan dive into fantasy/urban fantasy fiction. Bloggers from all over told me I had to try your “Kitten & Bones” books.
I am thrilled to say that I have fallen under the captivating spell woven in your stories. And now hearing that there will be at least 3 more books has totally made my day!
Great job and I look forward to read much more of your work in the future.
🙂
MsM
I’m so glad you had fun and didn’t camp out in front of your computer. I’ve never been to New Orleans, but I’d like to go there one day. Crowds make me nervous so maybe I can go at an odd time of year. LOL
I just finished First Drop and loved it. Spade was always one of my favorite characters. Thanks for writing his story!
hi, i dont think there is ever a time when New Orleans is not crowded. I live like 2 hrs from there and have been there MANY times and everytime i have been it has always been crowded. I hope you enjoyed your time at the super bowl victory parade. i heard it was a big turnout. unfortunatly i had to work and was unable to go. Also cafe DuMonde has the best beignets.
Oh Jeaniene!! I soo look forward to your blogs! I seriously come on your website 3-4 times a day to see if there is anything new. You have been a huge fan of mine for a while now and I recommend your books to everyone I know. I have to tell you…on Feb. 9th (the release date for Spade and Denise’s story) I must have called every Borders and Barnes and Noble stores in San Diego!! ALL DAY LONG! No place got the books in until late in the afternoon…when all I wanted to do was go that morning and get it! It was all I could think about! BUT thats what your books do to me…they capture my FULL BLOWN attention!! Thank you for doing what you do and keep up the good work!
I loved it!!!!!! AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE..I’M SUCH A FAN….BONES AND CAT ARE MY FAVORITE, BUT SPADE AND DENISE ARE MY 2ND FAVORITE..
I KNOW YOU HAVE LEFT THE THIRD VAMPIRE OUT SO FAR, BUT DID I SEE JUST A GLIMPSE OF HIM IN THIS BOOK?
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK WITH MANCHERES, HE IS SO MYSTERIOUS I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOWN HIM.
..I KNOW YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO DO TO WITH P.R. WORK AND SIGNINGS ALL..I ALWAYS FEAR YOU’LL TURN INTO STEPHINE MEYERS AND NEVER WRITE AGAIN, SHE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT HER FANS..I’M SURE I DON’T UNDERSTAND ALL THATS INVOLVED, PLEASE KEEP WRITING…OH IF YOU DO A MOVIE I HOPE IT WILL BE BONES AND CAT. BUT PLEASE KEEP WRITING
WE LOVE IT…
I have to say i tripped over ‘Twilight’ by chance when I was in Rome and nobody knew about it yet. I fell in love with the series so I obviously started following Stephenie’s news and interviews and checking her website every day. Just as I accidentally found that book, I found Jeaniene’s first book of the series too and fell in love with THAT so I can easily say I’m a Stephenie and Jeaniene fan.
The big difference between them both is that while Stephenie’s all ”oh buy this new book, look, this new cd’s coming out, make sure to pre-order it” on her website… Jeaniene.. i have to say you just seem so cool and easy about it all. You enjoy the success your books make the right amount without worrying people about ”hey you..remember you have to buy my book if you liked the other one”.. it will happen by itself. No need to get commercial about it. That’s why I enjoy your website and blog so much and thanks to that I enjoy your books much more. =) *hugs*
Yay Borders!! That was where I got my copy.
Hope to see FDOC on the USA Today and the New York Times list, crossing my fingers.
2011 will be a great year!!
Loved the book and look forward to more spin-offs. I think they make the Cat and Bones stories so interesting.
Love New Orleans was there for New Years Eve, crazy people, we ended up drinking on our balcony watching the crowds. Thanks for these great books love them.
Congratulations on your success Jeaniene and thanks for the BooksOnboard shout-out! Keep-up the great work!
I LOVE ALL YOUR CAT AND BONES BOOKS! AND FELL IN LOVE SPADE EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY HAD A CRUSH ON HIM FROM THE OTHER BOOKS…. I CANT FOR THE NEXT CAT AND BONES BOOK, WISH IT WAS GOING TO BE SOONER THAN 2011 BUT IM SURE IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT…. CANT WAIT TO READ ABOUT MENCHERES…. AND HOPEFULLY VALD AND IAN ( BUT HE CANT FALL IN LOVE, THATS NOT HIS THING 🙂 THANK YOU FOR YOUR BOOKS
I absolutely LOVE your books, I am almost finished with First Drop of Crimson right now. The passion in these books is wonderfully written and the humor is great! I really liked seeing that side of Ian as well. I am now craving more books about Spade and Denise…I loved hearing Spade’s story! Thank you so much for writing these books, your are so talented!
I think you are a great write. I hope FDOC makes it to the top of the list.. I love the books all of them… I am hoping Vlad does slide into one of the maybe spin off series… I would like a Tate book also…. 🙂
Keep up the great work…. Glad you took some time off.
Stacie
Stacie I’m with you! I would love a Tate spin off. I know by saying this I may be hated, but I kinda liked the idea of him and Cat together. I guess I am for the underdog getting the girl for a change. Anyways LOVE the Night Huntress series, glad to hear that more are on the way!
Thanks!
Oh I love Vlad cant wait till his book comes out haha
he’s certainly would be a memorable character . or wink wink Ian.
I LOVE The Night Huntress series!!! Totaly amazing!!! I’m only 14 but my mom doesn’t care what i read as long as i read and i did a book report on it cause i wasn’t thinking and my teacher read it and she got hooked on the series too 🙂 Sooooo happy your going to make more Cat and Bones books and i’m also really excited about reading Denis’s and Spade’s story too :p
Do you think that this series could become movie because that would be so (excuse my language) BADASS????!!!!!! heheh Even my teacher thinks so and thats saying a lot heh
Hi Jeaniene. You have become my favorite writer!! I just bought
A Drop of Crimson on my iTOUCH. I’m so looking forward to reading it. I can’t wait til Vlad’s story comes out…gotta love that Vamp.
I am so happy to hear there will be 3 more Bones and Kat books..
Thank you for taking us into such a delighful world! Bones is THE Vamp…I wonder if I’ll feel the same way about Spade? Hmmmmm.
~Mary
So how many First Drop of Crimson books do I have to buy to get a Vlad book? I’m sure we can work something out. 😉
I’ve been loaning out my Cat and Bones books to friends and am happily converting the masses. Your stories definitely take us all for an exciting ride.
Jeaniene, yours books is so grandios! Thanks! You gave many happinesses to me!!!
I can relate to that her books feel in the bit of loneliness that this world provides. Jeaniene is an amazing writer and really enjoy them they feel the empty hole you have in your life..
NEVER GIVE UP ON CAT AND BONES, THEY ARE THE BEST…GLAD MORE BOOKS..BUT THEN DENISE AND SPADE THEY ARE BREATH TAKING…PLEASE KEEP WRITING…
I am hooked. I just finished reading First Drop Of Chrimson. I loved it. I found Denise and Spade just as captivating as Cat and Bones. I will be looking forward to your next releases. Great Job!!
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I know i can say that Jeaniene Frost is one of the best authors EVER, and I love her Night Huntress novels.I am officially addicted,and that was from just the first two chapters of the first book Halfway to the grave. Cant wait to start reading the Night huntress world novels as well.
and i hope to see more of Tate even if it is with him being with Cat i think they would make a great couple. Cat and bones does but i can see them working out..hehe… i think the underdog should get the girl..Hey it could happen. He is a good guy. well i gotta also think you for writing the novels I LOVE THEM!!!!
Well i also gotta add that Bones and Cat make a great couple just keeping an open mind..
Hello there,
So loved this new book… I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as the Cat and Bone’s books since I sooo love those characters but I finished Spade and Denise’s book in less than 24 hours! haha and I’m sure my college studies suffered from it but it was worth it :). I’m so excited for the next Cat and Bones book and for more spin offs! I love the characters you have created… I’m drawn into their world every time.
Glad you went out and had fun instead of obsessing :). New Orleans is a great city.
Thanks again for your wonderful characters and books… cant wait to see what’s next!
-Liz