Friday 14 December 2012

1301 blog tour

Today I'm honoured to welcome Christine Rains as part of her blog tour for 1301 - The Marquis, the first in what looks like a really exciting series of supernatural novellas. She's here to talk about those characters we love to hate (or hate to love) - villains. So without any further ado, take it away, Christine!


Villains. Some of the most memorable characters in fiction are of the evil variety. Dracula, Voldemort, and Captain Hook. Their hypnotizing eyes and maniacal laughs. You know them as well as the heroes, and sometimes they're even more famous. It's been their sinister plan all along, of course.

In The Marquis, the hero Marc pits himself against a trickster demon named Vetis. Vetis isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, but he's not at all stupid. He's not bulging with supernatural muscle nor eager to crush everything into rubble. He has minions for that. What makes him so dangerous is his skill with illusions, his keen mind, and his vicious tongue. He could convince someone to hang herself and not lift a finger. Unless he's doing so through a text message.

Vetis is introduced as a mid-level demon forced to do boring work like tempting a vampire to sup upon a drugged teen. There's no fun in a job that offers no challenge. So when Marc steps in to save his vampire friend, Vetis sees his chance to torment one of his former comrades and rise up in the ranks of Hell by bringing back the head of the infamous Marquis.

It's easy enough to insult Marc's beard and bad wardrobe, but Vetis doesn't just want to kill him. He wants him to suffer before he takes his head. How to do that? Find out what matters to the old demon: his city, his friend, and his lady love.

There's nothing sacred to Vetis. Nothing is more terrifying than an enemy who has no conscience and likes to flaunt that fact. His wit is more deadly than a sword. He'll get what he wants in any way it takes. Vetis' plan might lead to the destruction of everything Marc holds dear and then Marc will welcome the fate Vetis has in store for him.

Villains like Vetis push heroes to their every limit and then beyond. Sometimes they even win. And the trickster demon believes he has his victory in hand.

Who are your favorite literary villains?


Title: 1301 The Marquis
Author: Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: December 13th, 2012

Blurb:
Life after Hell isn't more exciting than watching football and fixing a busted pipe. Once a powerful demon, Marc enjoys his quiet existence and a good cup of coffee. With big ambitions to gain his master's favor, a trickster demon named Vetis shatters Marc's peace and vows to deliver Marc's head to the fires of Hell. Not before he destroys everything Marc cares about, of course.

Marc's power has diminished over the years. Heaven will never grant him absolution, and he refuses to return to Hell. Running isn't an option. The city of Carmine is his territory. It's also home to his favorite cafe owner, Mae Hopkins. The dame has a lovely smile, but it's her heart and soul that shine bright.

While his city burns and his love is captured, Marc must decide to surrender or let hate and anger fuel him to become the fearsome beast he so loathes: The Marquis. If the Marquis rises, Vetis can be defeated and Mae saved, but Marc would be lost to his demon forever.

Purchase links:

Author Bio
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She also has two novellas and sixteen short stories published.

Blog 

Congratulations, Christine! I'm looking forward to reading this and the rest of the installments!

35 comments:

Geo. said...

Once again I'm reminded no story suffers from too simple a hero or too complicated a villain. Rollicking good example! My compliments.

Heather R. Holden said...

Vetis sounds like a fantastic villain! I've always been a fan of the kind that rely more on brains than brawn. Those villains always come across more menacing to me that way. His wit being deadlier than a sword is such a clever way to phrase that!

Kyra Lennon said...

Well, he sounds horrifying! Great post!

Anonymous said...

Villans with a dark past, who have a reason for what they're doing, especially if they believe is actually for the good, are the best:) Huge congrats Christine on the launch.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sounds like one mean villain!
Congratulations, Christine.

Christine Rains said...

Geo, great example! Thanks for commenting.

Heather, I've always loved that sort of villain too. I like when they sit there talking and you think what they say makes perfect sense. It's frightening when you can see the logic in a villain's point of view!

Kyra, thanks! Vetis is even worse for better good looking! *LOL*

Tania, oh yes! The villains who believe they're doing good are terrifying.

Alex, thank you!

Thank you very much for hosting me today, Nick. This is a lot of fun!

J.L. Campbell said...

Congrats to Christine on her release. By the sound of of it 1301 has some strong characters.

ilima said...

I love me a good villain. Congrats Christine!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick and Christine .. I don't much like the sound of Vetis .. I'm not good with the bad guys - on the other hand we have to have them .. to get the book to work!

Cheers - and good luck - Hilary

Christine Rains said...

J.L., thank you! Strong and stubborn!

Ilima, me too! Thanks.

Hilary, Vetis is a nasty fellow, but we have the heroes to save us! Thanks!

Sherry Ellis said...

Vetis sounds like a very cool villian.

Christine Rains said...

Thanks, Sherry! He was so much fun to write.

Chuck said...

Good versus evil...evil vs less evil, they make for good storytelling and grabbing your attention. Not to mention making you choose sides!

Hey Nick, Shannon Lawrence over at the Warrior Muse and I are hosting an Apocalypse Blogfest next Friday. We'd love for you to attend.

http://apackalipsnow.blogspot.com/2012/12/todays-apocalypse-sign-choose-your.html

Rachna Chhabria said...

Like the sound of this paranormal romance.

Christine Rains said...

Chuck, that it does!

Rachna, thank you!

Cherie Reich said...

Vetis is a fun villain. And I still like Voldemort as my favorite literary villain. :)

Congrats, Christine!

Christine Rains said...

Thank you, Cherie! Voldemort is one of my favorites too.

Nicole said...

Another fun post in this blog tour! Congrats to Christine.

Christine Rains said...

Thanks, Nicole!

Elise Fallson said...

Wow, the description of your villain Vetis is enough to have me hooked. (: Congratulations with your release and I wish you lots of success with it. Now I'm off to add this to my tbr list!

Julie Dao said...

I do love me a good villain! I always admire people who can write a compelling one.

Misha Gerrick said...

Villians like Vetis are interesting, but if I'm honest, I prefer guys like Darth Vadar who's convinced that they're doing the right thing. :-D

Christine Rains said...

Elise, thank you! I'm glad Vetis could tempt you.

Julie, thanks! I think it's one of the best parts of being a writer.

Misha, I love villains like that too. They're far more dangerous when they think they're the good guys!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ah, minions. Every good villain needs equally good minions ;)

kjmckendry said...

Vetis sounds like a great villain.
The book sounds great!
One of my favorites is Darth Vader, he's just soo cool.

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on your new book! I like writing the villain, even though mine are not of the supernatural variety.

Not sure of my faves. Maybe Cruella de Ville or Darth Vader.

Hi, Nick!

Susan Oloier said...

I've seen Christine's book around. That is one scary cover!

Kelley Lynn said...

I've seen this book around! Sounds super good :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Christine Rains said...

Lynda, yes, he does! Thanks for popping in.

kmckendry, Darth Vader is a great choice. One of my husband's favorites too.

Carol, thank you! Another Vader fan.

Susan, thanks!

Kelley, thank you!

michelle said...

Congrats to Christine. I love the cover intrigue and that villain sounds really cool.
Happy Holidays Nick. I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Unknown said...

I'm a big fan of Christine's, and Vetis certainly seems like my kind of nasty! :-) Awesome cover, too!

Denise Covey said...

I wish you well with Marquis, Christine!

Mina Burrows said...

Go Christine!

Happy New Year, Nick!

Teresa Cypher said...

That cover is awesome! I wish you much luck, Christine. And thanks for the post, Nick :-)