Thank you so much for following me. I really appreciate it. Please enjoy my free short story –“The Guest.” It is a short story of the Angel of Death within my series “The Chosen Chronicles.”
I hope you’ll enjoy it. If you do, please check out the series.
"The Chosen Chronicles" are now $.99 for each eBook.
on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Dales/e/B004TG6U1Y/
and Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KarenDales.
Announcement!
Please help my book "Shadow of Death" become an award winner!
"Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles" is up for the Sizzling Hot Book of the Year Award. Please go to www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/ and vote for it!
With your help "Shadow of Death" can be an award winner!
Kelley Armstrong, New York Times Best Selling Author says of Shadow of Death, "... dark...compelling ...that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
Keep up to date with me and my writing on:
Website – http://karendales.com
Blog - http://karendalesauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Dales/10719572540
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/karendales
Award Winning Author
- Karen Dales
- Karen Dales is the Award Winning Author of "The Chosen Chronicles" which include "Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles," "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles," and "Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles." She is currently at work on "Thanatos: Book Three of the Chosen Chronicles" and a Historical Romance set in Edo Japan.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
How Twilight Changed My Life
Don’t look so shocked.
Oh, and close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I will, firstly, admit that I am not a fan of the series, but I have come to respect the impact it has had on readers and the vampire and paranormal genres.
When my first two Vampire novels, “Changeling” and “Angel of Death,” came out in a limited edition volume in 2009 “Twilight” had already been in the theaters and was heading towards DVD/BlueRay release. My adult Vampire series, “The Chosen Chronicles,” hit the cresting wave of paranormal romance and vampire fiction.
My husband believed it was kismet. My publisher believed it fortuitous.
I was dropped in a quagmire of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Since I found myself to be placed on Vampire panels with very well known Vampire authors, some of them New York Times Best Selling authors, at different conventions, I discovered how much of an impact “Twilight” had. I was also expected to have an opinion on the matter, too. (Oh, no I’ve never been on a panel discussion with Ms. Meyer.)
At first, “Twilight” dominated many of these panels. Vampire and paranormal fiction fans would always ask “Are your books like ‘Twilight?’”
When I was first asked this, I was stunned. How was I to compare my books to Ms. Meyer’s? I didn’t know how to answer. I’d hum and haw until they’d become direct.
“Do your Vampires sparkle?”
“No, “ I’d reply.
A smile would appear from the individual, usually accompanied by a positive response.
Spurred on, I’d continue, “My Vampires bite.”
The smile would widen. They’d buy my books.
Initially, I was surprised at the huge love/hate polarization vampire and paranormal fans held for “Twilight.” I’m sorry to say that I fell, for a time, on the hate side of the line.
Time continued, I was a guest at more conventions, speaking to more fans of the genre. It wasn’t until the summer before my book “Shadow of Death” came out that I started experiencing a shift of thought and feeing towards the “Twilight” franchise.
This came about as an increasing number of young women, who grew up on “Twilight,” wanted something more. They wanted something adult they could sink their teeth into. They wanted to read more vampire/paranormal fiction, but geared to the adults they were quickly becoming. Many found my series, “The Chosen Chronicles.”
I’ve never loved the “Twilight” series, and yes, I’ve read all four books, but now I have a healthy respect for it. What J.K. Rowling did with “Harry Potter” by reviving fantasy fiction through the introduction of something new and directed at young minds, Stephanie Meyer’s did for the Vampire and paranormal genres. She created a new fan base, introducing new readers to a revived genre, and allowed Vampire and paranormal authors, such as myself, an opportunity for success. If it weren’t for “Twilight,” many of us would never have been published.
For these reasons “Twilight” changed my life.
Thank you, Ms. Meyer.
For more information of Karen Dales’ Award Winning Vampire series “The Chosen Chronicles” please check out http://karendales.com
“The Chosen Chronicles” is now $.99 each on Amazon Kindle.
“Changeling”
“Angel of Death”
“Shadow of Death”
“Dark…compelling …that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
- Kelley Armstrong, New York Times Best Selling Author.
“A dark and gripping tale by a true mistress of supernatural fiction. Karen Dales brings fresh blood to the vampire genre.” —Michelle Rowen, National Best Selling Author
Oh, and close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I will, firstly, admit that I am not a fan of the series, but I have come to respect the impact it has had on readers and the vampire and paranormal genres.
When my first two Vampire novels, “Changeling” and “Angel of Death,” came out in a limited edition volume in 2009 “Twilight” had already been in the theaters and was heading towards DVD/BlueRay release. My adult Vampire series, “The Chosen Chronicles,” hit the cresting wave of paranormal romance and vampire fiction.
My husband believed it was kismet. My publisher believed it fortuitous.
I was dropped in a quagmire of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Since I found myself to be placed on Vampire panels with very well known Vampire authors, some of them New York Times Best Selling authors, at different conventions, I discovered how much of an impact “Twilight” had. I was also expected to have an opinion on the matter, too. (Oh, no I’ve never been on a panel discussion with Ms. Meyer.)
At first, “Twilight” dominated many of these panels. Vampire and paranormal fiction fans would always ask “Are your books like ‘Twilight?’”
When I was first asked this, I was stunned. How was I to compare my books to Ms. Meyer’s? I didn’t know how to answer. I’d hum and haw until they’d become direct.
“Do your Vampires sparkle?”
“No, “ I’d reply.
A smile would appear from the individual, usually accompanied by a positive response.
Spurred on, I’d continue, “My Vampires bite.”
The smile would widen. They’d buy my books.
Initially, I was surprised at the huge love/hate polarization vampire and paranormal fans held for “Twilight.” I’m sorry to say that I fell, for a time, on the hate side of the line.
Time continued, I was a guest at more conventions, speaking to more fans of the genre. It wasn’t until the summer before my book “Shadow of Death” came out that I started experiencing a shift of thought and feeing towards the “Twilight” franchise.
This came about as an increasing number of young women, who grew up on “Twilight,” wanted something more. They wanted something adult they could sink their teeth into. They wanted to read more vampire/paranormal fiction, but geared to the adults they were quickly becoming. Many found my series, “The Chosen Chronicles.”
I’ve never loved the “Twilight” series, and yes, I’ve read all four books, but now I have a healthy respect for it. What J.K. Rowling did with “Harry Potter” by reviving fantasy fiction through the introduction of something new and directed at young minds, Stephanie Meyer’s did for the Vampire and paranormal genres. She created a new fan base, introducing new readers to a revived genre, and allowed Vampire and paranormal authors, such as myself, an opportunity for success. If it weren’t for “Twilight,” many of us would never have been published.
For these reasons “Twilight” changed my life.
Thank you, Ms. Meyer.
For more information of Karen Dales’ Award Winning Vampire series “The Chosen Chronicles” please check out http://karendales.com
“The Chosen Chronicles” is now $.99 each on Amazon Kindle.
“Changeling”
“Angel of Death”
“Shadow of Death”
“Dark…compelling …that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
- Kelley Armstrong, New York Times Best Selling Author.
“A dark and gripping tale by a true mistress of supernatural fiction. Karen Dales brings fresh blood to the vampire genre.” —Michelle Rowen, National Best Selling Author
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Care and Feeding of Authors
Some of you may have noticed that I fell off the Internet Social media presence early last week. If you didn’t notice, don’t worry, I’m back. What happened was I got slammed with pneumonia. Yep, you read that correctly – pneumonia. Luckily, I was able to get in to see my doctor a.s.a.p and promptly put on antibiotics (Gods, I so love being in a country with national health care.:) Now this did not instantly put an end to my illness, but I had to do something I hadn’t done in YEARS, which was to sleep as much as possible. No writing. No editing. No reading. Just sleep. I don’t think I did any eating either. For the first time in years I was living the life of a cat, albeit a very sick cat.
It also happened only days before I was meant to attend SFContario. I had never had to cancel my attendance at a conference I was a panellist guest at before and I did not want SFContario to be the first, but it came oh so close. Despite the antibiotics and the copious amounts of rest I seriously considered emailing the organizers to say I wouldn’t be able to attend, but I decided to wait and see how I felt on the Friday morning.
Friday morning rose and I tottered upright. I decided I could go. I arrived at the convention with a tired smile on my face. It, unfortunately, did not hide the fatigue that recovering from pneumonia causes. Many of the other authors there were concerned and offered their assistance in helping me make it through SFContario. Never before had I truly felt such community and friendship with the other authors at a convention. It truly solidified in my heart that these wonderful and creative folks, who were there for the same reasons as I, would rally around and be so caring.
I’m used to the corporate dog-eat-dog style of business when dealing with peers. This past weekend was a solidifying experience that in the world of the creative writers this is not the case. I’ve experienced it before through my attendance at many other conventions, making new and wonderful author friends, but this time, it wasn’t about professional niceties, it was about genuine human caring and compassion.
By Sunday I was feeling more of my normal self. Not 100%, but close enough. I believe that the reason for my positive experience and increase of health over the weekend to be the amazing capacity of the other authors’ compassion.
I look forward to the next convention I’ll be at – AdAstra – to see so many of these wonderful folks and be able to reciprocate their generosity and compassion.
It also happened only days before I was meant to attend SFContario. I had never had to cancel my attendance at a conference I was a panellist guest at before and I did not want SFContario to be the first, but it came oh so close. Despite the antibiotics and the copious amounts of rest I seriously considered emailing the organizers to say I wouldn’t be able to attend, but I decided to wait and see how I felt on the Friday morning.
Friday morning rose and I tottered upright. I decided I could go. I arrived at the convention with a tired smile on my face. It, unfortunately, did not hide the fatigue that recovering from pneumonia causes. Many of the other authors there were concerned and offered their assistance in helping me make it through SFContario. Never before had I truly felt such community and friendship with the other authors at a convention. It truly solidified in my heart that these wonderful and creative folks, who were there for the same reasons as I, would rally around and be so caring.
I’m used to the corporate dog-eat-dog style of business when dealing with peers. This past weekend was a solidifying experience that in the world of the creative writers this is not the case. I’ve experienced it before through my attendance at many other conventions, making new and wonderful author friends, but this time, it wasn’t about professional niceties, it was about genuine human caring and compassion.
By Sunday I was feeling more of my normal self. Not 100%, but close enough. I believe that the reason for my positive experience and increase of health over the weekend to be the amazing capacity of the other authors’ compassion.
I look forward to the next convention I’ll be at – AdAstra – to see so many of these wonderful folks and be able to reciprocate their generosity and compassion.
Review for Marie Bilodeau's "Destiny's Blood"
Destiny's Blood by Marie BilodeauMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Marie Bilodeau's book, Destiny's Blood, is a fantastic adventure that never lets down the pace. This Aurora Award Nominee (2011) is fast paced as we are introduced to Yoma and Layela, twins who have had a sorrid past. It is Layela who wishes to settle down to a nice quiet life as a florist while her sister continues the theive's lifestyle. The twins are searched for by both evil and friendly forces to bring back life to the First Star. Throughout their adventures they are knocked down and rise up over and over to fulfill their destiny to ensure life continues in the universe. A great read, I can't wait to see what Marie has planned next.
View all my reviews
Monday, October 10, 2011
Review for Nancy Kilpatrick's "Evolve 2: Vampire Stories of the Future Undead."
Evolve 2: Vampire Stories of the Future Undead by Nancy KilpatrickMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I heard that there was going to be an Evolve 2 I was a happy camper. I waited patiently so that I could pick up my signed copy from Nancy Kilpatrick, the editor of the anthology, at FanExpo2011. It took me a while to get to it, tho I jumped it to the top of my to-be-read pile - I'm a slow reader.
I wasn't a slow reader when I got my hands on it.
I devoured it as quickly as I could!
Each vampire story in this anthology is inventive and highly imaginative, unlike so many other vampire stories I read nowadays. Some were very much on the horror side of the coin. These I LOVED. Some were on the sci-fi end of the coin. Those I found interesting, but raised some questions about the science of certain situations.
Regardless, I loved this anthology and hope that there will be an Evolve 3!
View all my reviews
Friday, September 30, 2011
Review for Ricardo Pinto's "The Third God"
The Third God by Ricardo PintoMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
When The Third God came out I had to get it. There was no question. I loved the first two books in the series and looked forward to reading the conclusion to 'The Stone Dance of the Chameleon.' It was a long book, and though I love reading paperback bricks I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in this finale.
I know from the previous novels that Ricardo loves his discriptive narrative, which I really enjoyed in the first two books, but in The Third God it really seemed over the top. There was a monotony as his main character "Carnie" and his ex-lover fight their way back home. Another thing I found a bit jarring was that of "Carnie" himself as he seems to suddenly start thinking like the "Masters" when before he wasn't well adapted to doing so. The leap of his ability to logic in that way was surprising and didn't seem to fit with the "Carnie" I loved in the first two books.
Regardless, I did enjoy the book, but felt that some things could have been better explained and other things could have been less described.
View all my reviews
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)