City of the Dead reviewed around the world

The reviews are starting to arrive for City of the Dead.

"If you're a fan of fantasy fiction and have, know, are, or have ever been a teen girl, this should be on your shelf. If you like a fun story masterfully told, that goes double."
Nathan Crowder, author of the Manual de la Vega mysteries, on Amazon.com

"The City of the Dead holds more fun than a clan of mischievous kobolds poking sticks at a Gold Dragon's bum whilst clamouring in uncharacteristically plucky fashion 'you're not that tough bullion boy!' A great addition to the Forgotten Realms library!"
Paul Billinghurst, "Shadowaxe" (The Dark Fortress, UK) on Amazon.co.uk

"Rosemary Jones is rapidly becoming a writer to seek out...Her tale of an ordinary young woman seeking her family's best interests is exciting and out of the ordinary and I highly recommend City of the Dead to both long-time Forgotten Realms fans and newcomers alike."
John Ottinger, Grasping the Wind

"None of the descriptions I've read about Rosemary Jones' book City of the Dead really do it justice or prepare you for the story within. While some, like the back of the book cover, are technically correct, they just don't impart the lighthearted yet multi-layered feel of the book."
W. Robinson Mason, World of Hadanus

"Worth reading if you like magic and heroes and want the white knight to be female. And believable."
Doris, Goodreads.com

Standing in the aisles at University Book Store

Erik and I had a great time reading, kidding around (he's a very good sport!), and signing copies of our Forgotten Realms novels at the University Book Store on July 8. Lots of folks showed up, most of the chairs were full and there were even a few lurking in the aisles. After the event wrapped at 8 pm, there was still more chatting on the sidewalk and then over to one of the Ave's many eateries for some late dinner.

If you didn't make the event but would like a signed copy of the book, you can still get one from their science fiction section. Warning: Duane has one of the greatest collections in Seattle of both recently published and old favorites. So browsing will cost you -- I spent over $35 in the first ten minutes of being in the store!

Check out University Book Store at: www.bookstore.washington.edu

It's definitely worth a trip if you're in Seattle! They do mail order too.

Signing at University Bookstore July 8: Two Realms Authors, One Event

Once upon a time (as all good tales begin), Erik Scott de Bie and Rosemary Jones entered a Wizards of the Coast contest . . . and promptly lost.

But something in our wildly different styles (dark fantasy and swashbuckling silly) appealed to the Wizard editors.

Now, we are both stalking through Waterdeep. If you like it dark and full of intrigue, try Erik's DOWNSHADOW. Want something spooky and sassy? That's CITY OF THE DEAD (by me!).

Come meet both authors and learn how we ended up writing fantasy for Wizards of the Coast, our suggestions for launching your writing career (or your suggestions for us!), chit-chat, and other silly stuff. Erik claims that there may be other revelry afterwards on his blog.


How we lost a contest and ended up in Waterdeep!

Erik Scott de Bie and Rosemary Jones
JULY 8, 2009: 7 p.m.
University Book Store
4326 University Way NE
Seattle , WA 98105

Yes, there is a free bookplate for City of the Dead

Those who received the Crypt of the Moaning Diamond bookplate know that my bookplates come with more than an author's scrawling signature. There's an appropriate motto for the book and a little original illustration. I will mail the new City of the Dead bookplates to anywhere in the world that the post office delivers.

The catch? You knew there was a catch, right? You have to write something about the City of the Dead -- it doesn't have to be long (a sentence is fine) -- but it does have to be viewable on the web. Say whatever you want. Then send me the link and you've earned a bookplate. See, it's a lot easier than racing through a graveyard with a werewolf following you!

The new City of the Dead bookplate is available now. Just e-mail the link to your comment to rosemarynovels at aol.com for your own signed copy. Don't forget to include an address!

For those who want to learn more about the history of bookplates and the image in this post, check this article. Frankly, I think George's cherub looks like something that you might encounter at the better class of graveyard. This is not however the image that you will receive on your bookplate.

And the winners are....

I received more than forty entries for City of Dead. Each entry was printed out and added to one of three groups: Candlekeep, My Space, and Blog. All were combined for the grand prize of two books.

Now all I needed was an impartial person to pick the names out of a bag. What would be better than a fellow writer?

Meeting at a secret location in Seattle, which oddly resembled a doughnut shop, Erik Scott de Bie, author of Downshadow, bravely plunged his hand into the bag four times, pausing for dramatic effect as I fumbled with the camera. He drew the following names.

Drumroll.....and the winners are:

Mike Drozdowski: City of the Dead and Realms of Dragons II
Tim Cassibo: City of the Dead [Castlekeep entry]
Christopher Heard: City of the Dead [Blog entry]
John Bragna: City of Dead [My Space entry]

Thank you again to everyone who entered! Because you entered you automatically qualify for a free bookplate for City of the Dead. If you want a bookplate sent to you, just e-mail me at rosemarynovels at aol.com.

Drawing closed, come back June 5

Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing for City of the Dead. The winners will be announced June 5.

Until then, walk carefully past the tomb doors and watch out for the shrubbery!

A bookplate will be mailed to anyone who entered in the contest. Once again, this bookplate is an author exclusive, with a great illustration and a fun admonishment for readers. And it's signed. And free! I pay the postage.

Didn't enter the contest? Still want the free bookplate? Post a comment about City of the Dead somewhere on the web, such as a Amazon.com review or GoodReads comment or blog post, and send the link to rosemarynovels at aol.com. Doesn't matter what you say but do say something. I ship the bookplates anywhere in the world that the U.S. Post Office delivers.

City of the Dead is almost here: and I'm giving away a free book

Found this blog? Want a copy of City of the Dead? I'm giving away a copy to someone who reads this page.

How do you enter the drawing? Easy. Post a comment here on why you want a copy. I'll randomly draw a name and mail a free, signed copy to that person.

Don't post names, addresses, or personal information. I'll contact you if you win for the mailing address. Just tell me why you want to go exploring in the City of the Dead with Sophraea Carver and Gustin Bone.

UPDATED INFORMATION ON DRAWING

I'll be giving away four copies total: you can enter once here, once at my MySpace page, and once at Candlekeep to increase your chances. But one entry only at each place and you must follow the rules as posted on those places. The rules here say put a comment to enter your name -- in case you were wondering, it's a bit different at the other two spots and, yes, you have to hunt this out for yourself (think of it as a little adventuring!).

I'll separate out the Candlekeep, My Space, and blog entries into three little hats and one person from each group will win a book. If one person wins more than once, I'll go to the next person and so on. So three books will be given away to three individuals. Confused? Don't be. Books will be flying out the door.

Fellow author Erik Scott de Bie will draw the winners out of a hat. Erik and I also will sign Realms of Dragons II, which will be included in the fourth drawing (everyone will go into that hat) and one person will get both City and Realms of Dragons II.

Have fun! You have until June 2 to post your comments. I do reserve the right to delete any comments deemed inappropriate.