Thursday, June 27, 2013

Spotlight on Suzanne Johnson's Sentinels of New Orleans series






About this Author:

Suzanne Johnson writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance from Auburn, Alabama, after a career in educational publishing that has spanned five states and six universities. She grew up halfway between the Bear Bryant Museum and Elvis' birthplace and lived in New Orleans for fifteen years, so she has a highly refined sense of the absurd and an ingrained love of SEC football and fried gator on a stick.


Website / Blog / Twitter / FB / Goodreads / Publisher Page


Book Description:

As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco's job involves a lot more potion-mixing and pixie-retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal were-creatures. DJ's boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond.

Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans' fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters. While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering soldiers sent to help the city recover.

To make it worse, Gerald St. Simon has gone missing, the wizards' Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ's new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and the killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter roux.



Royal Street

Sentinels of New Orleans Book One

Suzanne Johnson

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Tor Books

ISBN: 978-0765327796

ASIN: B006OM459U

Number of pages: 337

Word Count: approx. 94,000

Cover Artist: Cliff Nielsen

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / The Book Depository


       

Excerpt:   Friday, August 26, 2005

“Once [Tropical Storm Katrina] moved over the gulf today, it was expected to wheel north, pick up speed and hit the Florida Panhandle on Sunday.”

―The New York Times


CHAPTER 1

A secluded Louisiana bayou. A sexy pirate. Seduction and deceit. My Friday afternoon had the makings of a great romantic adventure, at least in theory.

In practice, angry mosquitoes were using me for target practice, humidity had ruined any prayer of a good hair day, and the pirate in question―the infamous Jean Lafitte―was two-hundred years old, armed, and carrying a six-pack of Paradise condoms in assorted fruit flavors.

I wasn’t sure what unnerved me more—the fact that the historical undead had discovered erotic accessories, or that Lafitte felt the need to practice safe sex.

Nothing about the pirate looked safe. Tall and broad-shouldered, he had dark blue eyes and a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth as he watched me set two glasses and a bottle of dark rum on a rickety wooden table. A tanned, muscular chest peeked from his open-collared shirt, and shaggy dark hair framed a clean-shaven face. A jagged scar across his jaw reminded me the so-called gentleman pirate also had his ruthless side.

He’d arrived by way of a stolen boat at this isolated cabin near Delacroix, a half-hour outside New Orleans, to pursue two of the world’s most timeless pleasures: sex and money. I’d met him here to play the role of a gullible young wizard falling under the spell of the legendary pirate, at least for a while. Then I’d do my duty as deputy sentinel and send his swashbuckling hide back to the Beyond, where he could rub shoulders with other undead legends and preternatural creatures unfit for polite human company.

My hand shook as I poured the rum, sloshing a few drops of amber liquid over the side of the glass. I’d finally been given a serious assignment, and I needed it to go without a hitch.

Lafitte’s fingers brushed mine as he took the drink, sending an unexpected rush of energy up my arm. “Merci, Mademoiselle Jaco—or may I call you Drusilla?”

Actually, I’d prefer he didn’t call me anything. Despite his obvious hopes for the evening, this wasn’t a date. “Most people call me DJ.”

“Bah,” he said, taking a sip of rum. “Those are alphabet letters, not a name.”

From beneath the red sash that accented his waist, Lafitte pulled a modern semiautomatic handgun and set it on the table next to the rum bottle. I knew how he’d gotten it—he’d rolled the Tulane student that summoned him, lifted the kid’s wallet and iPod, rode the streetcar to Canal Street, and made a trade for the gun. Enterprising guy, Lafitte.

I pondered the odd spike of energy I’d gotten from his hand. Touching increases the emotional crap I absorb from people as an empath, but Lafitte was technically a dead guy. Still, I’d like to say if he touched me again, I’d demand double pay from the wizards’ Congress of Elders. Triple if it involved lips.

But who was I kidding? My bargaining position was nonexistent. My boss Gerry only sent me on this run because he had something else to do and knew Lafitte might respond to my questionable seduction skills.

I’d pulled my unruly blonde hair out of its usual ponytail for the occasion, loaded on some makeup to play up my teal eyes, and poured myself into a little black skirt, short enough to show off my legs while not offending Lafitte’s nineteenth-century sensibilities.

It must have worked, because the pirate was giving me that head-to-toe appraisal guys do on instinct, like they’re assessing a juicy slab of beef and deciding whether they want it rare, medium, or well-done.

“You really are lovely, Drusilla.” The timbre of Lafitte’s voice shivered down my spine, and I fought the urge to check out the biceps underneath that linen shirt.

Holy crap. This was just wrong. I should not be absorbing his lust.


   
River Road

Sentinels of New Orleans, Book 2

Suzanne Johnson

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Tor Books

ISBN: 978-0765327802

ASIN: B00842H5VI

Number of pages: 336

Word Count: approx. 92,000

Cover Artist: Cliff Nielsen

Purchase Links: Amazon  Barnes & Noble / Book Depository / Indiebound

 




  Book Description:

Hurricane Katrina is long gone, but the preternatural storm rages on in New Orleans. New species from the Beyond moved into Louisiana after the hurricane destroyed the borders between worlds, and it falls to wizard sentinel Drusilla Jaco and her partner, Alex Warin, to keep the preternaturals peaceful and the humans unaware. But a war is brewing between two clans of Cajun merpeople in Plaquemines Parish, and down in the swamp, DJ learns, there’s more stirring than angry mermen and the threat of a were-gator.

Wizards are dying, and something—or someone—from the Beyond is poisoning the waters of the mighty Mississippi, threatening the humans who live and work along the river. DJ and Alex must figure out what unearthly source is contaminating the water and who—or what—is killing the wizards. Is it a malcontented merman, the naughty nymph, or some other critter altogether? After all, DJ’s undead suitor, the pirate Jean Lafitte, knows his way around a body or two.

It’s anything but smooth sailing on the bayou as the Sentinels of New Orleans series continues.



      

Thank you for commenting! Don't forget to enter the Comment Incentive Giveaway. The link can be found at the top of the page!

44 comments:

  1. I LOVE this series! each book is better than the last and Suzanne is really a master at descriptions, i have to visit lousiana now to see all the place cited!!!

    and for those who didn't know it....You can read the novella about Jean Lafitte on her blog for free this week!!! today is the last part and teh story is complete, you have until sunday to read it, it's simplyu fabulous ( i love jean!!!)
    later it will be available on kindle for a price but then you will get bonus so interesting.

    really you have to read this!! ( and royal street is at a special price for the digital edition if you buy it from the US so if you haven't started the series yet hurry!! you won't regret it)

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    1. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm. :-)

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    2. ^^ for once it's a series i'm up to date with so it's really a pleasure to share what i thought of it.
      Also i though it was great to share the fact was reduced , for a limited time, perhaps some new fan could then come and share with us^^

      The novella just made me love jean lafitte even more ^^;, and the mermen are in it too ilove that!!

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    3. I'm glad that you liked them Miki! I have them on my wishlist. I'll have to move them up the list! :)

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    4. yes you must^^, you need to get redy for Elysian fields which will be evn better!

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    5. :) I will definitely get them!

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  2. I certainly agree with miki about this series. Enjoyed all the books. Recommend whenever I can. The novella is a great read and the price is right. Free!

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    1. i'm glad you came by Roger ^^ i was feeling a little alone ( probably due to the time difference but still!! Suzanne déserves more!!)

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  3. I also highly recommend this series. And I am eagerly anticipating the third book, Elysian Fields. Go read the novelette about Jean LaFitte and be swept away!

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    1. Thanks Liz! We need to be hear after all, we want teh publisher to want more books so better to let know what a good series this is

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  4. I've been wanting to read these!

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    1. You need to read it i really love it and it will have vampires in it too^^ just in case you wondered^^. We have a glimpse of them in book one ( really little in a way) but they should come back in book 3 or later.

      Now the novella is really good and i loved to see Jean being so cunning BUT i think you will enjoy it better if you read it in order ( after river road) because the characters have opiniosn about what happened before, the political situation is resulting from the event in book 1 and 2 so it's better that way.

      And if you get up to date in your reading you will be able to enjoy the blog tour for elyusian field when it happen better ^^ we will have flash fiction/ short novella written on our suggestion ^^ i really can't wait for some of them

      Also a big bonus: the author is really formidably open and kind

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    2. Thanks Miki. :) Im glad your so passionate about this series.

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    3. ;) for once it was my turn to share^^ i can't do let you and Brenda do all the work after all^^

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    4. :) and thank you for that! I moved the first up on my list of books to buy.

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    5. i gave you the link to try to win it ^^( or the second one^^ she often offer us this opportunity so i will keep giving them to you ntil you get lucky)

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    6. oh and the novella is still available on her author web page ( only until early august)

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    7. Another novelty: you can see a trailer now on teh author site ( but to be honest i don't think it represent teh series that well^^ a little too much vampire in it^^)

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    8. I saw that. She has or had im not sure if it ended a contest on goodreads that I entered. I have the first one in my cart on amazon so the next time I go and buy some I was going to grab it. :)

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    9. I was going to add is was only for US or I was going to share it with you. :( and Im following her site to see if any more contest. :)

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    10. hum good read is perhaps us only but 99% of her contest are int so no problem for me ^^ and you must follow her because soon there will be a blog tour ( and she then has tons of giveaway^^ so really you can wait before buying it an dtry to win it instead^^

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    11. Yes I was thinking that. But I'll probably cave really soon and buy it because if you love it so much then I know I will. :)

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    12. book 1 is the one i liked less because it's more emotional....book 2 could be read as a stand alone because there is a large tile space between book 1 and 2 but to read book 3 you have to read them both first

      and yes reading in order is even better

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    13. Ok thats good to know. :) Im glad that most of her contests are int. That awesoem. :) I saw that you entered her latest one too so good luck!

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    14. ^^ i'm an addict when it comes to her books^^ they are on my favorite shelves ( at least those i'm not missing) and she is really kind and attentive

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    15. I love your passion for these! :D It makes me really excited to read them! Im holding out to see if I may win any of them first. She does seem super nice just from the few posts of hers I've seen.

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    16. she is ^^ and yes you will soon get plenty of opportunity ( in her blog tour sometimes you have several prize per day and they are always great big prize ( kindle etc this time it will be the latstest ipad i think)

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    17. I dont think I've entered her tour yet? I'll have to go check.

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    18. her tour start only on a week or two, i will send you a reminder if you want.
      ^^ it would be read if you have read them before going to new orleans for teh convention( so you have time, lot of time) because perhaps she will orghanise a tour and you could go to see which part of teh city she has used in her books pp ( she did once and she says she would again)
      that's something i would love to do because her descriptions mafde me want to discover the city and teh nature around it

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    19. I plan on getting them before then to read. I was wanting to go on a tour around there. That would be awesome if she was hosting one. I was just having this conversation with my aunt about going on some of the local tours. I've always wanted to go there. It has such a great history.

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    20. ah.. i ment to add that if you want to send a reminder I wouldnt be against it. :) But I am getting her emails so Im sure I'll see it. So no need to go out of your way.

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    21. better you to get email from both her authors website and from preternatura just to be sure^^ (sometimes you have a contest only on one of them)

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    22. I think I have them from both but I will double check. :)

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    23. ^^ you can also check preternatura to see info about the last tour she has done^^ i especillay love the post where you can see in direct whet it's happening at a well know place

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    24. I've been checking it daily. But I will look for the old one. :)

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    25. if i remember teh direct link i will give them to you here

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    26. ^^ like promised

      here is the link to the cam ( around the bar where Dj friend works) 24h/24h you can see what happen
      http://www.earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/


      and some of the pics ( you can search the post titles "behind the scene"
      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2013/04/behind-scenes-with-elysian-fields.html

      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2011/11/royal-street-photo-album-napoleon-house.html

      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2013/05/behind-scenes-with-elysian-fields-and.html

      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2013/02/super-bowl-town-behind-scenes-with.html

      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2012/11/interview-with-loup-garou-jake-warin-of.html

      http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.be/2012/11/live-from-new-orleans-its-river-road.html


      ( i couldn't find the pictures and explanation from when she spoke about teh book tout but i will kleep searching when i have time)

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    27. Wow I would be so self conscious if I new about that camera! LOL Thanks for these. And its ok if you dont find them. Im sure she'll post again about her new tour.

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    28. ^^ in new orleans they told us everybody knows about teh camera^^ i love to look at it from time to time^^ that way i see teh weather and the time differences ( it's really busy even at 4am i was told but i never managed to see with teh time difference)

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    29. From people I know who've been there yes its like New York in the city that never sleeps. I'll have to remember the cameras down there when I do RT. :)

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  5. lots of my friends have been recommending about this series lately but I haven't had the time to read it :c

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    1. Oh Miss fifi you don't know what you are missing, really this is a great story and once you start it you won't stop until the book is finished so i do hope you will get sometimesto discover this fabulous univers it's really worth it

      ( after checking i must say that it's better to have read the series before jumping on teh novella, you can read it alone but then you won't understand the character as much as well as the "political" envirronment)

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