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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Thank You Jennifer Rardin - Tribute & Giveaway

On Monday, September 20th, 2010 one of my favorite urban fantasy authors, Jennifer Rardin passed away unexpectedly.  I found out via Twitter and immediately thought it was someone else -- not *my* Jen Rardin -- couldn't be.  But as the news spread, I realized it was true and I had to stop and pause for a minute.  The first thing that popped into my head was JAZ IS GONE? I know it sounds weird - but for me - Jennifer Rardin *was* Jaz Parks.  I couldn't separate the two.  I followed her on Twitter, her blog and Goodreads.com.  She even replied to my emails of gush and awe at her work.  She was amazing. Her writing - amazing. Her characters - full of life, humor and kick-ass adventures.  Thinking -- knowing that she's gone, leaves me sad and empty.  If this is how I feel as a reader, I can only imagine what her family is going through.

So with the help of Has from The Book Pushers, a few of us bloggers have created a tribute tour in memory of Jennifer Rardin.  It's our way of saying Thank You to a wonderful author, mother and friend to many. 

I've been a fan of Jennifer Rardin's work since her first book, Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I was introduced to Jaz Parks - government assassin and her hunky vampire boss Vayl and never looked back!  Each book takes you on new adventures with Jaz and Vayl and their mishmash group of characters also known as their support team.  You learn about what makes Jaz tick and what ticks Vayl off. The chemistry between the two main characters and their cohorts makes for a great read and a great series. But first and foremost - it's an Urban Fantasy and Jennifer does not disappoint.  There's plenty of action and suspense in every single book that keeps you asking for "more please!!" I've been anxiously waiting for Book 7 to be released this fall; now even more so. 

I hope with this tribute tour we can introduce Jaz to new readers all over - and reminisce with old readers for the good times.



I'm Jaz Parks. My boss is Vayl, born in Romania in 1744. Died there too, at the hand of his vampire wife, Liliana. But that's ancient history. For the moment Vayl works for the C.I.A. doing what he does best--assassination. And I help. You could say I'm an Assistant Assassin. But then I'd have to kick your ass.Our current assignment seemed easy. Get close to a Miami plastic surgeon named Assan, a charmer with ties to terrorism that run deeper than a buried body. Find out what he's meeting with that can help him and his comrades bring America to her knees. And then close his beady little eyes forever. Why is it that nothing's ever as easy as it seems?


Jaz Parks has enough trouble in her personal life. What she doesn't need is more trouble with her vampire boss and another mission. This time she has to retrieve a vital piece of biotechnology by killing the maniac who stole it: an ancient Chinese vamp. Their cover in this mission: professional entertainers at the Corpus Christi's Winter Festival. The crew's all here: a psychic, a techno-wizard, a singing vampire, a juggling PI, and Jaz. Holy crap in a bottomless well, Jaz is going to bellydance. It's definitely, probably, quite possibly going to be the end of the world as we know it 



 This is a mission unlike anything my vampire boss, Vayl, and I have ever been on. It's not our usual take them out and run; it's an undercover mission that needs the whole gang: a psychic, an interpreter, and a weapons specialist. We're joining a Special Ops team to nail the Wizard, a major terrorist thorn in the military's side. We've never gone in with such heavy artillery before, but the more the merrier, right? Um . . . nope. At least not since Vayl and I learned part of our job is to ferret out a mole concealed in our unit.  To add to our problems, we're being harried by a pack of reavers bent on revenge, and targeted by a Seer who wants to share Vayl's power - at any cost. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the army of demonic, soul-sucking parasites either. This is going to be a blast.


Jaz Parks here. My latest mission has taken me to the ancient Greek city of Patras; but instead of soaking up its splendor, I'm here to infiltrate a Vampere Trust. Only two vamps have ever escaped the tightly bound communities and lived to tell the tale: Edward "The Raptor" Samos, the most reviled criminal mastermind in recent memory, and Vayl, the CIA's number one assassin who also happens to be my boss.

The Raptor is trying to take over Vayl's former Trust. Unfortunately the Trust's new leader has her own plans.

This job is going to be the death of me.


It's Jaz Parks. I've already smoked the guy who was the pain in the CIA's you-know-what for the past few years. But now, in the power vacuum left by the death of Edward "The Raptor"Samos, a struggle for supremacy has begun between his former allies: The Flock, The Valencian Weres and the Coven of Inverness.

The CIA feels the balance must be maintained. So when an agent planted among the Weres discovers a plot to assassinate the Coven's leader, I and my vampire hottie (and boss), Vayl, are brought in to take out the woman hired to do the deed, a killer who might be as wily and Gifted as ourselves.

So it's off to the Scottish Highlands for some twisted fun among murderers, demons and half-crazed relatives. Sometimes being a top-secret CIA assassin isn't all it's cracked up to be. 


Jaz Parks here. But I'm not alone. I'm hearing voices in my head - and they're not mine.

The problem, or maybe the solution, is work. And the job's a stinker this time -- killing the gnomes that are threatening to topple NASA's Australian-based space complex. Yeah, I know. Vayl and I should still be able to kick this one in our sleep. Except that Hell has thrown up a demon named Kyphas to knock us off track. And damn is she indestructible! 



Jaz Parks here. I. Am. Pissed. Just as Vayl and I arrive in Morocco to secure an ancient artifact, he wakes up calling me by another woman’s name. And it’s not even a good one. But since any form of argument transforms him into an unholy terror, I’m forced to play along until the gang and I can figure out what kind of power has so vastly altered his perceptions.

So it’s time for me to do what any well-trained assassin in my position might do. I attack. What follows is a hair-raising, breath-taking bullet train ride to the finish as the crew battles on multiple fronts. I now know what I have to do – I must return to hell one last time. Release Date: November 8, 2010

As noted on Jennifer Rardin's website, she did complete the last and final book for the series and it will be released in June 2011.

For my giveaway, one winner will receive the first book in the series, Once Bitten, Twice Shy. Giveaway is open internationally to anywhere Book Depository ships. Please check to see if they ship to your country. Contest will run through Tuesday, October 5th, 11:59pm.

To enter, please leave a comment with your email address info.  That's it.Winner will be chosen via random.org.

If you haven't started this series, what better way to start? There are more chances to win with my other Jennifer Rardin Tribute bloggers!  

The Book Pushers - Organizer and main site for all Blog Participants

Thank you for taking the time to visit and share my thoughts about a wonderful person.  Jennifer Rardin, gone way to soon. You will be missed!

Peace & Blessiings!

36 comments:

Bells said...

Such beautiful words Dren and a lovely tribute to her. I haven't read this series yet. I've heard nothing but great things about it.

Please enter me into the giveaway: hangingwithbells@gmail.com

Unknown said...

What a lovely tribute.

Please enter me into the giveaway!

ashleysbookshelf[@]gmail[.]com

Also don't forget to check out my amazing giveaways located at the top of my blog posts.

Ashley's Bookshelf

Marq said...

So sad. Nice tribute.

Yet another series I haven't read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

lovetoreadforfun(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm lucky enough to have already found and read this entire series. Such sad news.


Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven

LibraryGirl said...

I would love to start this series. It sounds really good.

It is so sad to lose an author!

angela.donner @ gmail.com

Mysteriousrose said...

I would love a chance to start this series thank you for the oppotunity to win this book.
Great way to honor a great author:-)

mysteriousredrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

wildlower said...

Lovely tribute. I couldn't believe the new either when I started seeing the tweets.

This is a great way to honor a great author!

Jen.

wildlower(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to an amazing writer! Thank you for your words, Dren, and for this great giveaway. I have the entire series, but hope it brings attention to Jennifer. She was an author whose plots were fascinating and sexy, and whose characters could really kick ass. She will be sorely missed.

VickyTinky said...

Wonderful tribute!!! Thanks for the giveaway.

vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This is a sweet way to remember her
floatingonabiscuit at gmail.com

Marcie said...

Thanks for the giveaway and lovely tribute. Please enter me in the giveaway marcie.turner@yahoo.com

LSUReader said...

I was so sorry to read about Ms. Rardin. You are recognizing her work in such a wonderful way. Thank you. (Email in profile.)

Linda Henderson said...

Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. She will be missed.

seriousreader at live dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I'd love to be entered for this one.

follower on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in the giveaway - I have not ready any of her book yet.

~Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com

Lora1967 said...

Please enter me in your giveaway. I would love to win any of her books. I currently own none.
I think that is a nice thing you are doing for a tribute. We have alost a major player in the game of Book writing. I have heard nothing dut great things about her and her books. She will be sadly missed. Even though I have not read any of her books I was still saddened by her death. I have just recently gotten into the book world. I love it.
Thanks again for the giveaway
chaarmedone1512@aol.com

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful way to remember Ms Rardin. She wrote fabulous books.

dorien_benaets AT hotmail DOT com

Cathy M said...

This is so thoughtful of you Dren. Thanks for the chance to start this fabulous series.



caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Andrea I said...

I think this tour is a great tribute. I've looked forward to reading this series.

andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What a great tribure. I would love a chance to start the series. Thank you.

okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com

Persephone said...

Awesome tribute for an awesome writer. She will be missed.

patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

Darlyn said...

I never read her books yet but i read a lot of good reviews about the. I feel sorry we lost one of a talented author.

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

Darlyn said...

I never read her books yet but i read a lot of good reviews about the. I feel sorry we lost one of a talented author.

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

35 miles said...

Very sad news.

muckingup@yahoo.com

Judy said...

Great tribute to her!! Sorry for everyone's loss in the writing community.


Judy Cox
magnolias_1@msn.com

LAMusing said...

A very nice tribute
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

Great tribute!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Jennifer said...

I've been looking at these books for awhile but have never read any of them.

This was very thoughtful of you, thank you.

thebookmarkblog (at) yahoo (dot) com

Spav said...

I would love to win this one.

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

titancia said...

I plan to start this series before the end of the year in tribute of the author. I haven't yet read anything by her, but I have heard so many good things about both her and the series.
Thank you for the opportunity to start it!
Dawn

dawncathlene@titancia.net

k_sunshine1977 said...

i still can't believe she's gone....thank you for the giveaway in her honor!

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

booklover0226 said...

I’ve heard of this series but have never read it. I’m sorry to hear of Jennifer Rardin’s passing.

Her legacy will continue to live through her family, friends, fans, and works.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would love to be entered as I had not heard of her before her passing. It really is a sad thing



giveawaymommy at yahoo.com

sablelexi said...

This is a great way to honor an author that you love. I've been interested in reading this series for awhile but haven't bought any of the books yet, so I'd love to be entered in this contest.

jlynettes at hotmail dot com

Penny said...

Great post, Dren. Very nice tribute. I'd love to start this series!

sweetiepiepen at gmail dot com

Jasmine1485 said...

I LOVE the Jaz Parks series, this is a wonderful tribute to Jennifer and her work. Thanks for this giveaway :)

Kate1485 at hotmail.com

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