Thursday 14 February 2013

"1303 - The Dragonslayer" Blog Tour

*** If you're looking for my entry for Love... The Second Time Around, you can find it here. ***

Today I welcome back author Christine Rains as part of the tour for the latest in her excellent 13th Floor series. She's talking about villains again and they don't come much bigger than that featured in The Dragonslayer.



GOVERNOR RANDALL WHITTAKER

We've seen the trickster in The Marquis and the brute in The Alpha, but The Dragonslayer brings forth an antagonist ancient and wise. A villain that might be admirable if he didn't occasionally raze villages and eat people.

Dragons still exist. They've taken on the form of humans and moved into powerful positions in our society. Movie stars, designers, and politicians. They're in every nook and cranny, pulling the strings, and building their empires. Once upon a time, dragonslayers would rid the world of these monsters, but nowadays if anyone tried to kill a beloved celebrity, they would end up on the FBI's most wanted list.

Governor Randall Whittaker is an old dragon. He has an eye for detail and a hunger for maidens of the rarest kind. The citizens of America love him. When he runs for president during the next election, every poll says he'll win. He's never slipped up and let anyone know he's a fearsome creature from legend.

Yet somehow Xan has discovered Whittaker's true nature. The dragon doesn't rage or go on the hunt. Confidence isn't something he's lacking. He knows the dragonslayer will eventually come to him. And if Xan doesn't come soon enough, there are ways to hurry him along. Just pull the right string and you can make anyone dance.

The evil genius is one of the most frightening of villains. You might out-smart a brute or slip something by a cocky trickster, but what can you do against great intelligence? You best hope that luck is on your side.

What do you think makes an awesome villain?

Title: 1303 The Dragonslayer (The 13th Floor series, #3)
Author: Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: February 13th, 2013

On the rooftop of neighboring building, dragonslayer Xanthus Ehrensvard fires at his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is.

Xan knows dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power, just like the Governor.
But it's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less.

After all, dragonslayers are no longer celebrated heroes but outlaws. Just as the dragons wish it. But this outlaw must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.


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 has four novellas and eighteen short stories published.


Purchase Links for The Dragonslayer:


13 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Governor? That will make him difficult to kill.

Christine Rains said...

Thanks for hosting me today, Nick!

Alex, I think Whittaker being a dragon will make him difficult to kill! ;)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick and Christine .. I really need to spend some time catching up with your books .. there's so much in them .. and now I see The DragonSlayer a Paranormal romance

Happy Valentine's Day .. if you can get away from the Dragon or the Slayer or both ... cheers Hilary

Christine Rains said...

Hi Hilary! Thank you and a Happy Valentine's Day to you too.

Samantha May said...

I'm a fan of the cover :D

I've been seeing it all around the blogosphere! Congratulations Christine!

Christine Rains said...

Thank you, Samantha!

Krista McLaughlin said...

Seriously my favorite in the series. I wouldn't have expected the Governor to be a dragon, but it totally fits! :)

Nick Wilford said...

Thanks for stopping by to support Christine everyone!

Christine Rains said...

Krista, thank you!

Cherie Reich said...

The Governor is definitely the best villain so far in the series because he's so crafty, cunning, and confident. :)

Heather R. Holden said...

I agree, intelligence in a villain is a very scary thing. And when that villain is also a dragon...yikes! As frightening as that'd be to face in real life, I look forward to seeing it in this book! ;)

Unknown said...

I love a well-drawn villan, and the evil genius is one of my most favourite, particularly when there's the potential to be admired. They're few and far between, unfortunately.

Christine Rains said...

Cherie, thanks!

Heather, thank you! And how to beat a great villain like that?

Chris, I completely agree. Thanks for stopping by.