25 June 2010

**Visit Tynga’s Reviews today for her PSF Interview & Giveaway with Dakota Banks author of SACRIFICE**

I’m so happy to welcome back Kelly Meding today.  Kelly’s first Dreg City urban fantasy novel Three Days to Dead was one of my favorite reads last year, and on July 27, 2010, in just over a month, the sequel AS LIE THE DEAD will be released.  If you remember Kelly’s last visit was her main character, Evy’s Vamps 101 post & today Evy has the follow up with Shapeshifters 101. Plus she’ll be giving away a signed copy of Three Days to Dead + swag. Details below

imageA native of the Delaware seashore, Kelly Meding lives in a small town near the beach, with a neurotic cat who occasionally meows at ghosts.  Kelly received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication in 2002 and she hasn't used it since. After discovering Freddy Krueger at a very young age, Kelly began a lifelong obsession with horror, science fiction, and fantasy, on which she blames her interest in vampires, psychic powers, superheroes, and all things paranormal.  When not writing, she can be found crafting jewelry, enjoying a good cup of coffee, or scouring the Internet for gossip on her favorite television shows.


AS LIE THE DEAD (Dreg City #2) by Kelly Meding
Available on July 27, 2010

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Book Description

Evangeline Stone, a rogue bounty hunter, never asked for a world divided between darkness and light . . .
. . . or the power to die and live again in someone else’s borrowed body. After a murder plot meant to take her out leaves an entire race of shapeshifters nearly extinct, Evy is gnawed by guilt. So when one of the few survivors of the slaughter enlists her aid, she feels duty-bound to help—even though protecting a frail, pregnant shifter is the last thing Evy needs, especially with the world going to hell around her.
Amid weres, Halfies, gremlins, vamps—and increasingly outgunned humans—a war for supremacy is brewing. With shifters demanding justice, her superiors desperate to control her, and an assassin on her trail, Evy discovers a horrifying conspiracy. And she may be the only person in the world who can stop it—unless, of course, her own side gets her first.

The Book Depository


imageShapeshifters 101: Or, Why You Really Did See A Wild Animal in the Park Yesterday

By Evangeline Stone

A few months ago, I was tricked into telling you guys all about vampires.  Anyone go out flaunting this newfound knowledge and get themselves killed?  No?  Awesome.

So let's talk about shapeshifters/weres.  There are tons of myths and legends surrounding the idea of people who turn into animals, or animals who turn into people.  I'm told these stories go back as far as ancient Greece, and that there is as much fact in them as fiction.  I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about shapeshifters.  They're a damn secretive bunch, and they don't like spilling secrets to outsiders—especially human Hunters.  Everything I know I learned through my Triad training, on-the-job experience, and my kind-of friendship with Danika (R.I.P.).

Triads are rarely sent to hunt weres.  The Assembly keeps a pretty tight lease on their activity, but there are rogues in every bunch.  And those rogues tend to see the pointy end of my knife.  The majority, however, behave themselves.

But here's what I know, and I hope you find it useful:

Myth #1 : Shapeshifters/weres are werewolves.

Fact #1 : This is a myth that could very well get you killed (or at least seriously injured).  There are apparently fourteen were-Clans living in the city, governed by an Assembly of Clan Elders.  I don't know who all of the Clans are (I bet the Fey Council does, but no one's passing that info along to me), but here are the Clans that I am aware of:

Owlkins/birds-of-prey, were-cats (not your average housecats, think tigers and leopards),  were-bears (black, grizzly, etc…), Kitsune (all sorts of foxes), and true dogs (jackals, dingoes, coyotes, dholes).   They're the ones we see most often and get the most general trouble from (with the exception of the Owlkins, who are almost extinct now, and who were pretty damned peaceful before that).  Not a wolf in the bunch.

I've heard rumors that the occasional raccoon, lemur, badger, or ferret might be a were, but I've yet to meet one.  I try to keep an open mind, since most of the Clans are still a mystery.

Myth #2 : Shapeshifters/weres can shift into more than one kind of animal.

Fact #2 : Weres can shift into just one animal.  Period.  Within a Clan, the shapes vary, but one shape per customer.  If a were-cat is a jaguar, they can't shift into an lion.  They're just a jaguar.

Myth #3 : Only silver bullets can kill a were.

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Fact #3 : Any kind of bullet, if you aim right, can kill a were, silver or otherwise.  Now, weres apparently heal at an accelerated rate, but they are subject to the same sort of bullet/knife/explosion injuries as humans, no matter if they're in man or animal form. They aren't invulnerable.  Sever an artery and they'll bleed out.

On the other hand, silver can be used as an effective weapon, because weres are highly allergic to it.  Skin contact causes serious rashes and swelling, and long-term exposure can lead to infection and eventual death.

Myth #4 : Weres live extra-long life spans.

Fact #4 : Weres actually live very short, natural lives, compared to humans.  They age roughly four times faster than a human does.  Were children reach physical and sexual maturity in four actual years, putting them at roughly human age 16/17.  External aging seems to slow a bit after that, for roughly ten actual years.  After the age of 14-15 years, rapid aging takes affect again, and their body begins to reflect their elderly state.  Few weres have been known to live longer than twenty actual years.

Myth #5 : Weres are controlled by their animal natures.

dogsoldiers6.jpg image by Bu54Lb

Fact #5 : According to Danika, this is only true of those weres who choose to live wild lives outside of the city.  The majority of the Clans prefer living as "humans" and choose city life, over braving the wilds of the outside world.  Those wild weres live all over the world, in very small pockets, but they do exist.  And they're dangerous.  But I don't think about them much, as long as they keep their tails out of my city.

Most weres are very much in control of their animal side.  However, extreme swings of emotion will bring out their more animalistic natures (sounds a lot like humans, huh?).

Myth #6 : Weres turn on the full moon.

 

Fact #6 : Silly werewolf myth.  Just not true.

Myth #7 : Weres and humans can mate and have little halfling babies.

Fact #7 : Er, not true.  First of all, I don't think it's physically or genetically possible. I mean, can a fish mate with a bear?  Didn't think so.  Second, the mixing of the species is seriously frowned upon by both sides.  Your average human male might not be able to look at that hot blonde and know she's a were-cat, but she knows she's not human.  She also knows he is.  And her Clan Elder would hold her fully responsible for any, um, indiscretion.

Danika once told me it isn't so much about hating humans, as it is about Clan survival.  In order to continue, the Clans need to have babies.  And to have babies, Clan members need to mate with each other.  And they only live a certain number of years anyway.*  Falling in love with a human means one less Clan member to contribute to Clan survival.  And if multiple Clan members got with a human…well, you do the math.  It kind of makes sense, too.

*Plus, the human male might start wondering why his lovely blonde bombshell isn't aging quite right, which exposes this human to the fact that Dregs exist in the first place.  That's just another big damned mess the Triads would have to deal with, which makes human/were dating/mating/whatever a really big no-no for both parties.

Well, that's all I've got.  I have to admit, even I'm still learning new things about the were-Clans every single day.  And as my interaction with them continues, I bet a few more myths/facts will come to light.  I may not like what I learn, but that's one of the risks you take when you know about Dregs.  I have a feeling I'm about to learn a few things I'd really rather not know….


Thanks Kelly for stopping by.  Come back anytime.

Visit Kelly online:

Want to read more from Kelly Meding?

Dreg City
1. Three Days to Dead (read my Review)
2. As Lie the Dead

Three Days to DeadAs
 Lie the Dead

Giveaway

Giveaway courtesy of Kelly Meding

One (1) signed copy of THREE DAYS TO DEAD by Kelly Meding + a bookmark and buttons

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Book Description

She’s young, deadly, and hunted—with only three days to solve her own murder…

When Evangeline Stone wakes up naked and bruised on a cold slab at the morgue – in a stranger’s body, with no memory of who she is and how she got there – her troubles are only just beginning.  Before that night, she and the other two members of her Triad were star bounty hunters — mercilessly cleansing the city of the murderous creatures living in the shadows, from vampires to shape-shifters to trolls. Then something terrible happened that not only cost all three of them their lives, but also convinced the city’s other Hunters that Evy was a traitor . . . and she can’t even remember what it was.

Now she’s a fugitive, piecing together her memory, trying to deal some serious justice – and discovering that she has only three days to solve her own murder before the reincarnation spell wears off. Because in three days, Evy will die again – but this time, there’s no second chance…

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

  1. Open US only
  2. Fill out the form below
  3. Entries for all Paranormal Summer Fest giveaways must be received by Midnight MST on July 4th.  All the giveaways winners will be announced on July 6th.

I would greatly appreciate if you shared this giveaway on your blog or favorite social networks.  And please say hi to Kelly. Thanks!


Interested in guest blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy?  CONTACT ME

18 comments:

  1. Great guest post! I really enjoyed reading it.

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  2. Really interesting post! I've been meaning to get to Dreg City.

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  3. Hi Kelly! This series sounds awesome!

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  4. Thanks for setting the record straight with those pesky myths!=) LOL!!

    I just love this cover=) Mahalo Kelly for participating!=)

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  5. Terrific interview! I look forward to reading this book!

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  6. Great interview, gorgeous cover, awesome read! :D

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  7. Thanks for hosting the contest! I hope that I win this one - it sounds great.

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  8. sort of dropping in from the parajunkee hop thru ramlings of a book b66ch. We have similar genre so come on by: Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
    steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com

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  9. WonderBunny - I love when you can get a real sense of a characters voice, and Kelly did that with Evy perfectly.

    Bethany C. - Get to it, I loved it!

    Adel - I think it is awesome too.

    misskallie2000 - Hope you win :)

    Chas - The comment queen :) thank you for all the kind words to all the authors.

    Caitlin - I love her covers too.

    Beverly - It is a awesome book!

    Step -I found you the same way :) Love the title of your blog.

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  10. I love your take on weres. It makes sense that they would live shorter lives, but I've never seen it before.

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  11. Great post! I love the myth's and pictures. :) I have to say I loved Three Days to Dead and counting down for As Lie the Dead. :) Thanks!

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  12. Mythology was my favorite topic in school. Somehow It looks like I missed buying the first book when it was released last year. I'm going to have to add this to my list of books to buy. Thanks for all the great contests and new authors, Stephanie

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  13. Jennifer R - Wait till you read what she does with gargoyles :)

    Melissa - Ditto on waiting for AS LIE THE DEAD. Be careful if you do a search for werewolf pics. Some seriously sick stuff.

    Stephmartin71 - Mythology was a favorite subject of mine in college too. And I always get excited when an author incorporates it into their worlds.

    Ladytink - Me too. Kelly won't divulge who/what the winged guy is except that he's not a gargoyle...hmm :)

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  14. loved your post and so want to read your books love finding new to me authors

    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  15. I have no idea how I missed the first book in the first place. I have b2 on my TBR, why do I not have b1? Apparently, I need to get on purchasing this immediately! The books sound great!

    I loved the guest post with the mythos! I always enjoy reading the different ways supernatural creatures are placed in context in paranormal books! Fun!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  16. Thanks so much for hosting me, Abigail! And thank you to everyone who commented! :)

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