Meeting a Popular UF Hero/Heroine, A Guest Post by Susan Illene + Giveaway (INT)!

There are many well-known urban fantasy characters genre fans love to follow. These heroes/heroines have their endearing and not-so-endearing traits. In fact, some of them would be downright dangerous to be around.

Have you ever considered what you’d do if you actually ran into one of them in our “world”? I’ve decided to take ten (it wasn’t easy to narrow them down) well-known lead characters from some of the popular UF series out there and give some tips on what to do should you run into them.

Note: keep in mind that these examples assume you have read the series.

Kate Daniels from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

Keep this woman away from cemeteries…or any dead bodies for that matter. It’s best not to find out what might happen if she thinks trouble might be coming her way.

Cat Crawford (Russell) from the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost.

Though she is a vampire, you don’t have to worry about her being tempted by your blood. Just keep the cutlery well hidden in case Bones shows up and she catches you staring at him for a little too long—which you probably will because, really, who wouldn’t?

MacKayla Lane from the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning.

Okay, you know she doesn’t belong on our version of earth. Immediately check for suspicious looking mirrors. If you see one, destroy it right away. There’s always the chance some Unseelie may not be far behind. Also, don’t let her dial anything on her cell phone, and if she does, RUN!

Merit from the Chicagoland Vampires Series by Chloe Neill.

Don’t even think about being around this vampire without a plethora of food on hand. Stocking up on lots of pork barbeque would be a good place to start. If you can get a hold of some Mallowcakes, you might just have a new best friend with awesome fighting abilities.

Chess Putnam from the Downside Series by Stacia Kane.

Hope you got a drug dealer on speed dial because this is one woman who does not function so well if she isn’t high. If you don’t have that, then find Terrible fast and let him deal with her. In fact, find him anyway because that’s one guy you want to meet (so long as you don’t owe any money for him to collect).

Mercy Thompson from the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs.

If you’re ever in a bind, Mercy is one of the best friends you could have to help. Keep in mind, though, that things will probably get a whole lot worse before they get better. It might be a good idea to keep some silver crosses and iron around since she tends to attract the wrong kind of attention from some of the more powerful supernatural races.

Georgina Kincaid from the Georgina Kincaid Series by Richelle Mead.

Just point this succubus at a guy you really don’t like and don’t mind ruining what’s left of his soul. She’ll take care of the rest... :)

Jace Valchek from the Bloodhound Files by DD Barant.

This is one woman who when asked what three things she could bring to an alternate version of earth (where only one percent of the population is human) chose her gun and bullets as two of them. Don’t piss her off because she’s not going to be happy wasting one of the few bullets she has remaining on you. Then again, she might decide to like you if you give her some coffee and a new supply of rounds to last her for when she goes back.

Lissa from the Blood Destiny Series by Connie Suttle.

This vampire is one who knows how to cook meals that sound ridiculously appetizing just by reading their descriptions. Give her free reign of your kitchen and you won’t regret it!

Lothaire from the Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole (hey, I had put at least one guy on here).

Do not ask any favors from this vampire, known as “The Enemy of Old”. No matter how badly you might need help, it isn’t worth it because he never forgets. He will expect you to return the favor and you may not like what he wants as payment. Unless it involves his bed, then by all means…

Every urban fantasy series has characters known for at least one or two unusual things that seem to never change about them. Traits you can always count on to pop up with just about every book. For those of you familiar with the ones above, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Feel free to add your own to the list in the comments section.

For my debut novel, Darkness Haunts, this is no different. Melena, the main female heroine, has her own qualities that make her unique. She tends to keep a few knives and a gun on hand whenever possible, but it’s her wits and ability to strategize that keep her alive. Her six years in the military as an interrogator helped hone her skills. It also comes in handy that she can sense any supernatural from up to a half-mile away and begin preparing herself ahead of time. If you need someone who doesn’t underestimate her opponents, won’t drink your blood or turn furry, and can think on her feet, she’s your gal!

Thanks to Karina for inviting me to be a guest on her blog and to everyone who stopped by to check out what I had to say!

 Instead of making the traditional post high school move and attending college, Susan joined the U.S. Army. She spent her eighteenth birthday in the gas chamber — an experience she is sure is best left for criminals. For eleven years she served first as a human resources specialist and later as an Arabic linguist (mostly in Airborne units). Though all her duty assignments were stateside, she did make two deployments to Iraq where her language skills were put to regular use.

After leaving the service in 2009, Susan returned to school to study history with a focus on the Middle East. She no longer finds many opportunities to test her fighting abilities in real life, unless her husband is demanding she cook him a real meal, but she’s found a new outlet in writing urban fantasy heroines who can.

Find Susan: 

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Summary

Book one of the Sensor Series.

Melena Sanders faced her fair share of danger with insurgents and terrorists when she served in the U.S. Army, but now she is about to go up against a new threat. Her best friend, Aniya, has disappeared while on a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska—a supernatural haven. Most humans have no idea darker races lurk amongst them. Mel knows better. If she wants to get her friend back, she’s going to have to go in alone—but not unarmed.

Melena has a few special skills the Army didn’t provide, but the odds are still against her. She’s got to come up with a plan fast that doesn’t involve her, or her friend, dying. But danger likes to play it rough. A war for power is about to rise in Fairbanks and if she wants to get Aniya back, she’s going to have to step right into the middle of it.

Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK

GIVEAWAY

Susan is giving away TWO ecopies of Darkness Haunts to TWO winners.

Open to all.

Ends 15th of Feb 2013.

Good luck!

 

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