Review: 62. Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill...

I love Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series, so is it any surprise I had to get my hands on Hard Bitten to find out what happens next?

Title: Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)
Author: Chloe Neill
ISBN-13: 9780451233325
eBook
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Purchased

drey's thoughts:
I'll start by saying that if you haven't read Hard Bitten yet, please do yourself the favor of chomping at the bit for a few(!) more months. Drink Deep comes out later this year, and you will definitely want to--no, NEED to--read that as soon as you're done with this. Don't say you haven't been warned...

We start out with Cadogan House repairing the physical damage inflicted in Twice Bitten, but the psychological damage isn't quite so easy to take care of. The humans of Chicago are not so happy with their vampire neighbors--what with the violence of the attack, and now reports are surfacing of the raves where humans are disappearing--and have started staging protests. And when the humans aren't happy, the mayor's not happy either (elections and all that), and he's issued an ultimatum to Ethan: fix the problem or go to jail.

So Merit goes investigating, and does not like what she finds. The raves are big, loud, and violent. The Ombudsman's office is not receiving information from the Mayor's office. And somebody is using one of Celine's nom de guerres.

To make things just a wee bit more difficult for Merit and Ethan, the head of the Greenwich Presidium shows up, and delivers his own threat: cease investigating Celine or he'll place Cadogan House under receivership. Will the fun never cease?

This installment has a lot of Merit in it, which is awesome because I love Merit. Yes, even if she dog-ears her books. I like that her sassiness hasn't abated, even with all she's experienced. I like that she and Mallory are talking again. I like that she has at least one other romantic possibility in the wings--even if she's not interested (yet?). And I like that even though she still wants Ethan, she wants him on her terms, and isn't going to settle for less. I like Ethan here, too. He's much nicer when he's flirting and flattering. *grin*

Unfortunately, the fun and games don't last. As Merit goes deeper in her investigation, she uncovers a web of deceit so tangled that you won't believe who's involved. Chloe Neill paces things really nicely, adding in new characters (who'll show up in future installments, I'm sure) and throwing in plot twists that remain plausible even as they make your jaw drop. But she's an evil evil author for the last few chapters. Evil.

drey's rating: Excellent! Except for the ending, that is. But don't let that stop you from reading this series if you haven't yet. Start with Some Girls Bite...

Have you read Hard Bitten? What did you think?

74. Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill...

Title: Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)
Author: Chloe Neill
ISBN-13: 9780451230645
Paperback: 355 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Twice Bitten was provided by the publisher when I begged (and yes, I mean begged). I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
If you haven't picked up Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires books, whyever the heck not? Especially if you're a fan of fangs, wit, and sass.

Twice Bitten continues where Friday Night Bites left off. Merit is still Sentinel of House Cadogan, still hopelessly nuts about that green-eyed specimen of yumminess (aka Ethan), and still (yup, still) a vampire. Her relationship with Mallory is on the outs, and Morgan too (which made me sad *sniffle*). But, Merit being Merit, she keeps on going on.

Ethan, of course, doesn't make anything easy on her. From offering up her services to the wolves to bringing in an old flame to visit, Merit has more than her fair share of Ethan-aggravation in this CV installment. But, as I've come to expect from Ms. Neill, there is quite a bit of character development and growth--along with the requisite sass, of course--and by the end of Twice Bitten, I am on a cloud of satisfaction. Kind of like when you've just inhaled (leisurely, of course, to prolong the enjoyment) a very decadent slice of double-chocolate cheesecake, and while you're so full you could burst, you cannot wait to take another bite. Vamps and secret societies and weres galore... I wonder when #4 will be out? (Please let it be soon... Pretty please??)

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent!

Challenges: 100+, Pub

June's FEATURED AUTHOR: What's on TV?

Today, June's Featured Author Chloe Neill stops over with a fun post on what she watches... A nice comparison to bounce off last week's post on what she reads. *grin* Here we go!

What's On My Television??
Hello, readers. This is the HD version of "What's in my Bag." Today, I'll give you some insight into what's on my DVR--and what's distracting me when I should be writing about Merit's adventures.
(I know, I know. But sometimes I need a break!)

I don't watch a lot of dramas. In fact, I'd say everything I watch falls into one of three categories: (1) smarty-pants comedy; (2) capers; and (3) food/culture travel shows.

Smarty-Pants Comedy
I spend at least an hour of every day watching animated television--mostly Family Guy, or whatever happens to be on Adult Swim on Comedy Central. That's my evening ritual, a little bit of time to laugh and unwind. (And I maintain that the Adult Swim line-up is some of the smartest comedy on television!) :-)

I'm also a huge fan of the NBC Thursday night line-up: Community (LOVE Joel McHale); Parks and Recreation; The Office; and 30Rock (Liz Lemon is my hero!). I love smart, quirky comedies, and can't get enough of those four.

Capers
I'm not a huge action buff, but I love capers that can teach me something. I think Burn Notice and Leverage are among the best of the lot. Burn Notice teaches me all about strategy and spy lingo. Leverage teaches me a variety of ways to scheme my way into any situation. And they're both well acted--can you say Bruce Campbell? New episodes are auto-records for me.

Food/Culture/Travel
Most of these pop up on the Travel Channel--No Reservations, Bizarre Foods, Man v. Food. I love the way the hosts wrap culture and food together. I always learn something! I also love Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the Food Channel. I'm forever making lists of fun places to visit the next time I'm traveling.

Well, hopefully this gives you a little insight into my "background music." Now, go away. I have TV to watch!

Gee Chloe... You've already got me hooked on BDB, and I'm loving Roarke in Naked in Death. I think you're dangerous for my reading habits. *grin* Soooo... I am not going to pay attention to what you watch on TV. Nuh uh, no way. Hmm. But, you do have a point about Family Guy. Not that I watch it religiously, but I do appreciate the giggles. And capers, yes!! Ok, ok, I said I wasn't paying attention. Bah!! 

My DVR records NCIS (because I still think Mark Harmon is yummy, and I have for most of my life), Private Practice (because Kate Walsh is sexy and so is Taye Diggs) and The Closer (because she is just so bloody snarky!). Yes, I am shallow enough to watch for yumminess instead of content, and I'm not afraid to admit it! I do prefer movies, and will watch (and re-watch) those I love--even if it's just for the (shallow) yumminess. *grin*

June's FEATURED AUTHOR: Chloe's accompaniments to coffee...

Chloe Neill, June's Featured Author, stops over today to share some of her favorite books... Let's see what they are!

Hi, everyone!

Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of time to read right now due to my hairy writing and editing schedule, but there are definitely books I keep coming back to.

First, I love reading books in series. I love the character development and inside jokes (and that's what I try to write, as well). At the top of my list is the IN DEATH series by J.D. Robb (actually Nora Roberts). If you're a fan of crime, mystery, romance or slightly-futuristic science fiction, you'll adore these books. And Roarke may be one of the best heroes in romantic fiction. :) I've read the entire series at least a couple of times, and I'm now starting at the beginning with the audiobooks. Two thumbs up!

Second on the list is Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. They're historic fiction with a keen attention to detail and two fabulous leading characters--Jamie and Claire. They're long and can be challenging in terms of the detail, but they're definitely worth it for me.

Although I don't read much paranormal now, the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine, the Hollows series by Kim Harrison, and the BDB series by JR Ward top the list. They're all auto-buys. I even introduced drey to JR Ward. drey--how are you liking her?? :)

Other auto-buys include anything by Neil Gaiman and Carl Hiassen, as well as Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. They're so funny!

I also try to balance out the fiction with some non-fiction. I love travelogues and books about food and culture, so Paul Theroux and Ruth Reichl are favorites. I also enjoy Nathaniel Philbrick, and nonfiction treatments of Chicago (like Devil in the White City). I also love reference books, and scan through the shelves at used bookstores and antique stores for neat reference sources. One of my favorites is a 5-pound volume of the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, which I found, ironically enough, in Nebraska.

Well, that's about all for me. I hope these give you some new ideas for authors! Happy reading!

Hmm. I've got some new authors to check out. And I love JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series... You got me hooked, Chloe! What about y'all? Have you read any of Chloe's favorites? What did you think?

June's FEATURED AUTHOR: Chloe's books!!

Chloe Neill is one of my favoritest! authors... Yeah yeah, I know that's not a real word, but it's how I feel... *grin* Anyway. Have I mentioned how happy I am that she's June's Featured Author?

FTC Disclosure: I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

Chloe writes the Chicagoland Vampires series, which are pretty fun to read. I can't wait to get my hands on Twice Bitten... I'm wishing for a mind-meld kinda thing so I could just "get" it right off of Chloe's head. Heh.

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student's introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was Merit's. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she's traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan's attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone's still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves-mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle-the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.

So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them-someone with an ancient grudge...

Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit, Chicago's newest vampire. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene-and to spy for the vamps while she's at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan's offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Unfortunately, someone is gunning for Gabriel, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She'll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals-not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries-old master vampire.

And if those don't perk your interest (and I wouldn't understand why they wouldn't, unless you're not a fan of the genre at all...), Chloe also writes a YA series--the Dark Elite.

New Girl.

New School.

Old Evil.

From the author of the Chicagoland Vampires novels.

A new series about a boarding school filled with something worse than homework.

Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...

Check out Chloe's website, www.chloeneill.com for excerpts and more!

June's FEATURED AUTHOR: Chloe Neill!!

Woo hoo!! I am so thrilled to have Chloe Neill visit as my Featured Author for June!! *grin*  I've been waiting ALL YEAR for this month, just so she can stop by... *bigger grin* I hope you're ready, 'cuz I am (can't you tell??)! Stick around to the end for a giveaway from one of my favorite authors! ok, ok, I promise to lay off on the exclamation points...

About Chloe:
Chloe Neill 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 (a lot!), watches entirely too much television, roots for her favorite college football team (Go Big Red!), spends time with friends, and plays with her dogs, Baxter and Scout. Find her online at www.chloeneill.com.

So, are you ready to hear what Chloe has to say? I am! Here we go!!

drey: Hello Chloe! Thank you for taking the time to come by for a visit (or four) this month.

Chloe: Thanks for having me! I’m happy to be here!

drey: I’ve had the pleasure of having the Chicagoland Vampires gang swing by, but cannot believe that I haven’t had you visit yet… What was I thinking??

Chloe: You were probably glamoured by Ethan. It happens. ;)

drey: Ooooh! Ethan... *quickly wipes drool off, hoping nobody noticed* Anyway. We shall rectify that oversight this month! On with the inquisition! Er, Q&A… When did you know you wanted to be an author? What were you doing? Was it a gradual realization, or a “big bang” event?

Chloe: HA! I never wanted to be an author. I used to HATE writing—and avoided grad school because I knew I’d have to write. But then I went through a phase where I started reading a lot, and eventually I ran out of things to read. I decided it was time for me to write the story I wanted to read—vampire heroine who has the fun of showing people they underestimated her. And thus, SOME GIRLS BITE was born!

drey: And hurrah for us! *grin* Can you share your first sale experience with us?

Chloe: Absolutely. About three months after I submitted the first three chapters of SGB to an editor at Penguin, she requested the full manuscript. A little time later, I was heading to New York for a work conference, so I e-mailed her to let her know I’d be in the area and that I could drop by if she was interested in chatting about my manuscript. She called me while I was going through airport security and left a voicemail to let me know that she’d enjoyed the manuscript. The next day—while I was in Kate’s Paperie in Manhattan—she called and made an offer! It was AMAZING.

drey: That is awesome, Chloe!! Next: Who and/or what inspires your writing? How do you get from idea to pages?

Chloe: My goal isn’t so much to be a great writer, but to be a great storyteller. I love the character relationships in the novels of J.D. Robb and Diana Gabaldon, and I love the attention to detail and world-building in Kim Harrison’s and Stephanie Laurens’ series.

drey: What do you indulge in when not writing?

Chloe: I have a day job, so it’s more like the writing is the creative indulgence. When not doing one of those things, I bake, read, watch television, train to walk half-marathons (my current project) and play with my dogs.

drey: Yummm, baking... let me know if you ever need a taste-tester! Still on the food bent: What is your favorite accompaniment to chocolate?

Chloe: It needs accompaniment?? =) How about peanut butter?

drey: Bummer! I'm allergic to peanuts. But I guess it's not all about me... *sigh* Ok! Ok! Next... Screen versions of your books: Which book(s) would you like to see on screen? TV series vs. Movie? Who would be on your dream team? (I know there’s been discussions on your site about this, but not all of my readers have been out thataway…)

Chloe: I would be thrilled to see any of my books on TV or in movies. I think it would be great fun to experience someone else’s vision of my novels. Although he’s not an actor, David Beckham will always be Ethan to me. And I think Zooey Deschamel looks a lot like Merit, although their mannerisms are quite different. Jamie Dornan does a pretty good Morgan, with “Jessie” from GLEE pulling off an interesting “Young Morgan” look.

drey: Oooh, Beckham... I used to have a crush on him. *blush* Never mind that! On we go! Smackdown: Ethan vs. Catcher. Who comes out on top?

Chloe: Ooooh—tough one. Ethan is physically stronger, but Catcher has magic, so he could do damage from afar. Let’s say Catcher (but don’t tell Ethan I said that. He’d have a conniption.)

drey: *laughs* I promise! But only if you come by more! *grin* On a more "practical" note... Electronic readers are becoming more affordable and available. There's been quite a bit of discussion about their impact on paper books, the environment, people's reading & buying habits... What's your take? (I do have to say, it’ll be difficult to get your John Hancock on my copy of Firespell… Boooooo!)

Chloe: I LOVE to read, so I support any mechanisms that will allow readers to buy a book, to read a book or to transport a book. I have an iPad and a Kindle account, and love that I can take multiple books on a trip with one simple device. (Although, interestingly, my book club’s selection for this month wasn’t available in either store, so I had to carry a hard copy around on my recent Kansas City trip.) Good point about autographs, though...

drey: Oh well. Guess I'll just have to drag a sharpie along with me so you can sign on the back cover of my nook... Yes, I have an answer for everything! It just may not be the one you want... *grin*

On the publishing side--what do you think publishers and authors ought to do about the digital revolution? Jump in wholeheartedly, and blaze the path for others to follow? Watch from the sidelines till there's some consensus on what the new business model is going to be for the digital age? Cross their fingers that this is all just a fad & will blow over soon?

Chloe: I’m very fortunate that Penguin (the Amazon contract dispute notwithstanding) has been very supportive of ebooks. My novels are available in six different versions, including for Kindle, iPad and Nook. And since I’ve owned two of the latter (and LOVE gadgets), I’m all about ebooks.

But ebooks are currently a small portion of the overall market (3-5%), so we’ll have to see where the market goes.

drey: What are you looking forward to next?

Chloe: In terms of ebooks, more interactivity and more availability of texts (including reference!) I think ebooks offer so many interesting opportunities to be research tools, and I’m excited to see where we go next.

To bring this to a close, the Proust-lite:

1. What is your idea of earthly happiness?
   Almost every Saturday in the spring and summer, I have lunch in the park. Love that time.
2. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
   Low self-confidence days are never fun.
3. Who is/are your favorite hero/heroine(s) in fiction?
   Eve Dallas & Roarke (JD Robb) and Claire & Jamie Fraser (Diana Gabaldon)
4. Who is/are your favorite hero/heroine(s) in real life?
   Hmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t know that I have heroes and heroines per se, but I have a great respect for people who are genuinely kind and genuinely creative, those who are willing to make sacrifices for others.
5. What sound do you love?
   Elgin’s “The Lark Ascending” and my dog Scout’s almost-but-not-quite bark.
6. What sound do you hate?
   Words of ignorance and hatred.
7. The quality you admire most in a man?
   Generosity.
8. The quality you admire most in a woman?
   Ditto.
9. If not a writer, you would be a ... I already am that thing . . . in my day job. =)
10. What is your favorite swear word?
    The “F” word. I use it with vehemence and (to my mom’s embarrassment) much frequency.

drey: Thank you so much for stopping by, Chloe! I hope you enjoy your visit here this month, I know I’ve been looking forward to this all year… =)

Chloe: Thanks for having me, Drey!!

drey: Anytime! I won't even beg you to bring cookies when you come by next... Promise!

Ok y'all... Chloe has a lil' somethin' somethin' for you... One lucky duck is going to get one signed copy of Some Girls Bite, one signed copy of Firespell, and some Chicagoland Vampires swag!! Unfortunately for some of you, this is only open to US residents. Anyway. To enter, comment and let me know what your favorite book-to-movie adaptation is. Do it before 6:00pm CST June 29th. I will post the winner on the 30th.

I met Chloe Neill!!

My very first successful author-stalking event, lol! I found out from a friend that Chloe Neill was going to be kinda-sorta in my neck of the woods Saturday evening. So, what's a fan supposed to do? Why, show up, of course!

This being the very first time I've ever gone to an author appearance, I wasn't sure what to expect. Needless to say, I was late (of course)... The Mr. decided to go get groceries, and didn't get home till 5, which is when Chloe was scheduled for. I was cranky... =P

But I made it, and there she was! Lovely, witty, and with fans who drove up from Chi-town to see her. How could they not? It's Chloe Neill!!

The best part? She knew who I was!! *squeal* I had a very nice time meeting you, Ms. Neill. Come back again, and I promise to be there early so I don't miss anything!

Proof I met Chloe Neill!! *grin*

Chloe Neill writes the Chicagoland Vampires series (Some Girls Bite, Friday Night Bites, and the to-be-released-midyear Twice Bitten) and has just released a new YA book, Firespell. Check them out!

My review of Some Girls Bite.
My review of Friday Night Bites.
A roundtable interview with the Chicagoland Vampires characters...
Firespell is on my nook, and I cannot wait to read it...

199. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill...

About the book:

VAMPIRES IN CHICAGO!

You'd think headlines like that would have provoked the fine citizens of the Windy City to take up arms against us blood-sucking fiends. Instead, ten months later, we're enjoying a celebrity status reserved for the Hollywood elite--fending off paparazzi, who are only slightly less dangerous than the cross- and stake wielding slayers. Don't get me wrong. Joe Public isn't exactly thrilled to be living side by side with the undead, but at least they haven't stormed the castle... yet.

All that will change once they learn about the Raves, mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle and drink themselves silly. Most civilized vampires frown on this behavior--but that doesn't make good copy for a first-time reporter looking to impress his high-society family.

So now my "master"--centuries-old yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan--wants me to reconnect with my own upper-class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires...and to keep the more unsavory aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn't want people and vamps to play nicey-nice--someone with an ancient grudge.

drey's thoughts:
When Chloe Neill approached me about reviewing Friday Night Bites, I swooned. And when she so very nicely played along with my roundtable interview of the cast of characters from Some Girls Bite, I knew I liked her. And then, I read Friday Night Bites.

I love Merit. And I really enjoyed "watching" her grow. Some of the experience that she went through was not easy, nor was it fun. But all of it contributed to a Merit that was more. Faster. Stronger. And yet some things stay the same. She's still a vampire. Still attracted to Ethan. Still courted by Morgan. Still fighting to keep the vampire contained so that she can retain whatever shreds of her humanity she can hang on to.

And still using her brains to figure things out. Which I like, very very much. Another thing I liked about Friday Night Bites--the chapter headings, which are pretty amusing. Like, You Give Bite a Bad Name. And Merit's Deep, Dark (72% cocoa) Secret... So. If you're a fan of things that go bump (with fangs!) in the dark, pick up Chloe's books. You won't regret it.

Title: Friday Night Bites
Author: Chloe Neill
ISBN-10: 045122793X
ISBN-13: 9780451227935
Paperback: 357 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2009

Challenges: 100+, Pub, Series

Disclosure: My copy of Friday Night Bites was provided by the author for this review.

Chloe Neill & Friday Night Bites!

I've been jonesing for this sequel to Some Girls Bite, for a while now. So I'm totally excited that it's out! Like, as of yesterday!! w00t!! BUT, I'm bummed. Just a bit. Because I don't have a copy to read NOW. *sigh* Don't mind me. Patience is so NOT one of the virtues in my arsenal. If there are any... =)

ANYWAY. Just because I can't tell you that I LOVED the book (which I might not, but that's beside the point), doesn't mean I don't have anything to share at all... Oh, no. I have for you, my dahling readers, a round-table interview with some of the characters who inhabit Chloe's world of the Chicagoland Vampires. Read on!

drey: Hello everyone! Welcome, and thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Let's get started!

drey: Ethan--You were the one who turned her. Why were you on campus that night? Was there really no other
option (as in, couldn't you have stopped the attack before it happened)? (I'm sure Merit would really like to know.)

Ethan: *arching an eyebrow* Rest assured, I consider us to be very fortunate to have been there when Merit was in danger.

Mallory: *rolling her eyes* Way to be evasive there, Sullivan. (drey: no kidding)

Catcher: Not now, Mallory.

Mallory: *Gives Catcher a curious look* Okaaay, changing the subject now.

drey: Mallory, how worried were you for Merit when she finally came home? For yourself? Were you just a teeny bit antsy about having a vamp roomie?

Mallory: *pushing her hair behind her ears* Well, I was probably equal parts completely freaked, and equal parts totally jealous. It's not that I was worried about Merit being fanged; I knew she could handle that part. But Merit's kind of a loner, a booklover, and vampires have more of a herd mentality. And as for jealousy, *she points at her hair* this is a fabulous look for a vampire. I'd have made a great one.

Catcher: Not that you don't have enough going on already.

Mallory: What he said.

drey: Morgan, really, why were you so rude at the club that night? Loved the groveling, by the way. What I really want to know is, why courtship? We know why Cadogan House isn't everyone's favorite. But what about Navarre? How did Celina feel about it? And will being Master of Navarre change the "situation" with Merit?

Morgan: First off, ouch. (drey: heh) I wasn't being rude; I was just surprised. (drey: whatever!) Cadogan vamps don't just walk into Red. It's not done. And I didn't speak with Celina about the courtship issue; as second, I saw an opportunity to hang with Merit, and I made a quick decision. *shrugs* So far, so good.

Mallory: *leaning toward Morgan* Good decision. She's quite a catch.

Morgan: *smiling back* Thanks. I agree.

Ethan: *rolls eyes* (dude. you had your chance...)

drey: Ethan, what about you? Do you think Morgan's change in status means an even closer alliance between Cadogan and Navarre? What if it doesn't work out?

Ethan: I'd hate to speak for Ethan or Morgan, but I will never complain about positive communication between the members of our Houses. The rest is up to them, I suppose.

Morgan: That's real big of you, Sullivan.

Ethan: Remember who you're talking to, Greer. (drey: ok, no fangs at the round-table!)

drey: Catcher, good job with the training, by the way. Now that Merit's Cadogan's Sentinel, will it continue? And are you moving in with Mallory? (yes, I'm nosy, lol!) How is her training going?

Catcher: She's coming along. Not as quickly as I'd like, but she's coming along. And as far as I'm aware, I'll keep training her. *shrugging negligently* I suppose that's up to Sullivan. As for Mallory . . . *slides Mallory a glance*

Mallory: *rolling her eyes* Oh, whatever. You're practically moved in already. (drey: lol)

drey: Mallory--*grin* So. Magic. How hard is it to accept something about yourself that you'd never known? Do you and Merit compare notes on adjusting (or not, as the case may sometimes be)? Do you think you'll see less of her now that she's Sentinel and will probably move into Cadogan House? How do you feel about that?

Mallory: *holding up her hands* Let's not even talk about her moving into Cadogan House. I'm still pretending that's not going to happen. We really haven't talked much about the magic stuff. She's dealing with a lot of vampire drama right now, you know? And as for me . . . I'm dealing. *shrugs* That's about all I can say about that.

drey: Ethan, back to you. What happened to Amber?

Ethan: *Giving dark look* Nothing I need to repeat in mixed company. Suffice it to say, she's no longer a resident of this House. (drey: & I hope it was a GOOD send-off, too!)

Mallory: Good riddance, too. *leaning toward Ethan* You can do better. For realsies.

Ethan: *dryly* Thank you, Mallory.

drey: Catcher, how do you see Celina's actions affecting the relationship between the Ombudsman's office and the vampires? Will it be closer? Or not?

Catcher: Closer? I hope not. No offense, Ethan.

Ethan: None taken.

Catcher: But I think we all know that peace isn't going to last forever. *shrugs* So we have to be prepared for the worst, whatever that might be. It will probably involve working with vamps.

drey: Ethan, what do you think?

Ethan: We have a good relationship with the Ombud's office, and have no qualms about the continuance of that relationship.

drey: Everyone--What's next? Will the vamps war? How will that affect or impact all the other supernaturals? And will it spread beyond Chicago?

Mallory: *grimacing* God, I hope not. But as much drama as we've seen in the last few months, who knows? Would it surprise anyone?

Catcher: Yes, lots, and probably, yes.

Ethan: Time will tell. God willing, we'll be able to avoid full-out war. But I'm beginning to think that's unlikely.

Morgan: I certainly hope not, but who's to say what's to come?

drey: Alright. This has been serious enough. For some levity, everyone please share:
- Favorite food

Mallory: Um, probably a good red hot.

Catcher: Fried chicken. And biscuits. Together.

Morgan: Dogwood sandwiches

Ethan: Steak au poivre

drey: Favorite movie?

Mallory: Underworld

Morgan: Happy Gilmore (drey: really?)

Catcher: I do watch a lot of Lifetime. Probably the one about the lady who overcomes obstacles and whatnot. (drey: dude.)

Mallory: Isn't that all of them.

Catcher: My point, exactly.

Ethan: The Maltese Falcon

drey: Cats or dogs?

Mallory: Allergic. (drey: yeah, me too. *sniff*)

Catcher: No, thank you.

Ethan: Seconded.

Morgan: *shrugging* Dogs, I guess?

drey: Books or magazines?

Mallory: Both, in copious quantities.

Catcher: I don't read much.

Ethan: Books.

Morgan: Um, magazines, probably? SI or ESPN: The Magazine?

- What is black and white and red all over? (Ok, you don't have to answer this...)

Catcher: Thank you. (drey: you're welcome)

drey: Everyone, I really appreciate your taking the time to come and chat, and I am pretty darn sure my readers are, too. THANK YOU! Come back soon... =)

THANK YOU so much to Chloe Neill (yes, herself!) who approached me about doing something to herald the release of Friday Night Bites. I hope I didn't make her work too hard at this... And if you haven't read Some Girls Bite yet, why not???

About the author:
Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest, just close enough to Cadogan House to keep an eye on the vampires. When not transcribing Merit’s adventures, she bakes, watches entirely too much television, roots for her favorite college football team (Go Big Red!), plays with her dog, Baxter, and spends time with a pretty great--and very handsome--guy (who she's pretty sure isn't a vampire). She lurks online at her website, http://www.chloeneill.com/.

107. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill...

About the book:

THEY KILLED ME. THEY HEALED ME. THEY CHANGED ME.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world--and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he got only a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker...and this one decided the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Turns out my savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my dissertation for learning to fit in at a Kenwood mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude--and servitude. Right...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), and inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone's still out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war...and there will be blood.

drey's thoughts:
Some Girls Bite is one of my birthday presents (yay me!). I ran through it once, and really liked it, but couldn't really put my finger on why. I mean, when you think about it, here's another vampire novel, out of the plethora of vampire novels out there. So I read it again. Good thing I read fast, eh? =)

Merit--she goes by her last name only, and there's no reference to why, other than "it's better than the alternative"--is a newly turned, former graduate student, who lives in the Windy City. In this world, the US vampires are organized into twelve Houses, each with its own Master, each with its own identity. Three of the twelve houses are in Chicago, and Merit now belongs to one of 'em. As far as heroines go, she's not whiny, which is a huge plus in my book. She has strong physical abilities--I'm not sure I like how she's "special" right away, but if it's just one aspect out of the whole Merit picture, I can deal--and gets training in weaponry. From a sorceror who happens to work for her grandfather. Yeah, there are some surprises here.

She's sassy, too, and if you know me, you know I like my heroines sassy. There's nothing better than a healthy dose of sarcasm when confronted with centuries-old vamps who think they know everything, lol! And she has a healthy dose of fear to go along with all this too.

In any case, I like Merit, I want to know what the "alternative" is, and I like the story and characters so far. I want more. =)

Title: Some Girls Bite
Author: Chloe Neill
ISBN-10: 0451226259
ISBN-13: 978-0451226259
Paperback: 341 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade, 2009