I'm thrilled to announce that Candlewick Press will be publishing Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith!The young adult prose novel will set be in the same universe as Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007, 2008) and Eternal (Candlewick, 2009).
The books are interconnected Gothic fantasy suspense novels with strong romantic elements and some humor.
For context, Deborah Noyes in the forward to Gothic: Ten Original Dark Tales (Candlewick, 2004)(author interview) writes: "...think of Gothic as a room within the larger house of horror. Its decor is distinctive. It insists on the burden of the past. It also gleefully turns our ideas of good and evil on end."
I've been informally referring to these books as a "loose trilogy" or "books in a universe."
The overarching story was inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). I'm a big believer in "the conversation between books," and interested readers may want to reread Stoker's classic before Eternal.The main characters in Tantalize and Eternal are different. However, members of both casts will come together for Blessed, which will pick up at the fictional vampire restaurant, Sanguini's.
Status Check
Tantalize is now available in hardcover and--as of today--in paperback (see sources below)! The paperback includes a short excerpt of Eternal at the back of the book.
In addition, a graphic-novel adaptation of Tantalize is in the works. It will be retold with new scenes from the character Kieren's point of view. No word yet on an illustrator yet, but I'll keep you posted.
Eternal is in the midst of production. Eternal is told in alternating point of view by male and female leads.
Blessed is in progress and under contract.
Between books, you can check out my related short stories: "Haunted Love" from Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, edited by P. C. Cast (BenBella, August 2008)(exclusive to Borders); and "Cat Calls" from Cabinet of Curiosities, edited by Deborah Noyes (Candlewick, 2009). Note: both stories feature new characters.
Reminder
In the U.S. and Canada, Tantalize is available in prose from Candlewick Press and on audio from Listening Library. You also can order the book in hardcover from Walker Books Australia and New Zealand (it looks like the company will be carrying a paperback edition in 2009). In addition, the novel will be released by Walker U.K. this fall, and more overseas editions are pending--I'm just waiting for the final paperwork to announce another one.
Giveaways
The Book Girl Reviews: a Place for the Book Obsessed is sponsoring a giveaway of Tantalize. Peek: "By midnight EST on Friday July 25th, you have to write a short summary of your favorite YA book and post it here."Teen Libris is sponsoring a giveaway of Immortal: Love Stories with Bite. Learn more here!
And I'm giving away three signed copies of Tantalize in paperback, each with a Sanguini's T-shirt of the winner's choice!
In addition to the popular Sanguini's logo shirts, Gene Brenek has created the all-new "I 'heart' Baby Squirrel" shirt; the "Cell Phones Will Be Eaten" shirt; the "Drop In for a Late Night Bite" shirt; and both a birds-theme and a dragon-theme "predator or prey" shirt. Note: I don't make any money off the sale of the shirts.
To enter the Tantalize paperback and Sanguini's T-shirt giveaway, email me (scroll for address) with your name, snail/street mail address, and preferred T-shirt design by midnight CST July 22! Please also type "Tantalize Paperback and Sanguini's T-shirt" in the subject line.
One prize will be awarded to a YA teacher or librarian (please specify school/library with entry; university professors are eligible) and two prizes will be awarded to any Cynsations YA readers.Additional Sanguini's T-shirts of the winners' choice will be awarded to a member of Tantalize Fans Unite! at MySpace and to any YA bookseller.
To enter the Sanguini's T-shirt (only) giveaway, email me (scroll for address) with your name, snail/street mail address, and preferred T-shirt design by midnight CST July 22! If you are a member of TFU! please indicate that, and if you are a bookseller, please specify your bookstore. Please also type "Sanguini's T-shirt" in the subject line.
I'm also going to give away a signed hardcover copy to one Cynsational YA reader from Australia or New Zealand! To enter, email me (scroll for address) with your name, snail/street mail address, and preferred T-shirt design by midnight CST July 22! Note: if you have already entered the ongoing Tantalize Paperback, Eternal Excerpt, Sanguini's Giveaway (above), you don't have to send another email. Your existing entry will count for both giveaway programs!
Thanks to all for your ongoing interest, enthusiasm, and support!
