JULY PARANORMAL FEATURE #1: Black Dust Mambo by Adrian Phoenix

[Nelsmom]

Adrian,

Will we learn more about Kallie's past history in the next book?  I really loved this book and I agree that it is a little lighter in tone than the Maker's Song series but does not lose anything in the action and character development.  Do you have any short stories featuring Kallie and friends coming out before the next book.

Toni

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

Nelsmom wrote:

Adrian,

Will we learn more about Kallie's past history in the next book?  I really loved this book and I agree that it is a little lighter in tone than the Maker's Song series but does not lose anything in the action and character development.  Do you have any short stories featuring Kallie and friends coming out before the next book.

Toni

---

Toni,

Yes, we'll learn more about Kallie's past in the next book, along with more about her cousin, Jackson - and Layne. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!

I don't have any short stories coming out about Kallie and friends at this point. I'd like to write some though, it's just finding the time. If I do get Kallie and co short stories written, I'll post them on my website and a few other spots for download.

I'm really looking forward to the day that I can start reducing day job hours (or get rid of the day job altogether so I can write more! My head is so full of stories that are dying to get out and onto the page!

Adrian

[dalnewt]

This book brims with detailed descriptions of herb-root (hoodoo) magic and voodoo magic, (including the ingredients in hexes/spells/potions), and I was wondering what the source of your knowledge is in that area. Also, I'd like to know why you placed the book in the New Orleans and the bayou south, especially since you also chose the New Orleans locale for your Maker's Song series.

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

dalnewt wrote:

This book brims with detailed descriptions of herb-root (hoodoo) magic and voodoo magic, (including the ingredients in hexes/spells/potions), and I was wondering what the source of your knowledge is in that area. Also, I'd like to know why you placed the book in the New Orleans and the bayou south, especially since you also chose the New Orleans locale for your Maker's Song series.

---

I did a lot of reading and research. Almost all of the books I read on hoodoo were written by practitioners and you can find a list of some of the titles on my website. I also bought various hoodoo supplies and did some hands-on research with herbs and powders and oils to get a better feel for what Kallie does. Gotta admit, I really enjoyed that!

Hoodoo is a natural part of southern Louisiana culture, so setting the book there was a given for me. Kallie's adventures won't be taking place in New Orleans, but in other parts of Louisiana and the country, so her world won't be intersecting with Dante's in the Maker's Song. Although having Kallie and Belladonna paying a visit to Club Hell in a future adventure is more than a little likely.

[Chomp]

Greetings, Adrian!

I am posting the link to my reviewfor this awesome book over at Bitten by Books:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=27281

I will be back later for with comments!

Carol

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

Chomp wrote:

Greetings, Adrian!

I am posting the link to my reviewfor this awesome book over at Bitten by Books:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=27281

I will be back later for with comments!

Carol

---

Wow! Thanks for the incredible review, Carol!! I just passed the link to my editor and PR reps at Pocket!! I'm glad you enjoyed the book and are looking forward to more!

Adrian

[paulgoatallen]

I'm immersed in this novel right now! Many comments to come shortly – I am impressed that it is so different than the Maker's Song novels, some authors seem to do the same type of storyline over and over again!

Paul

[paulgoatallen]

Before I get into the specifics of this book, I have to say THANKS to Adrian for referencing B&N.com on page 201!!! That made my day!  

Paul

[paulgoatallen]

Okay, here's what I think about Black Dust Mambo – and Adrian Phoenix...

Paul

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Explorations-The-BN-SciFi-and/Urban-Fantasy-s-Most-Underrated...

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

paulgoatallen wrote:

Before I get into the specifics of this book, I have to say THANKS to Adrian for referencing B&N.com on page 201!!! That made my day!  

Paul

---

You're more than welcome, Paul!!

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

paulgoatallen wrote:

Okay, here's what I think about Black Dust Mambo – and Adrian Phoenix...

Paul

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Explorations-The-BN-SciFi-and/Urban-Fantasy-s-Most-Underrated...

---

OMG, Paul. You blew me away with this! I'm honored and thrilled (and my editor is very happy)!! You've made my year!!

Adrian

[dalnewt]

I hope that this series goes nova for you. Your writing deserves widespread recognition in the UF genre.   

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

dalnewt wrote:

I hope that this series goes nova for you. Your writing deserves widespread recognition in the UF genre.   

---

Thanks so much! I appreciate that!

[dalnewt]

So, I got off my literary duff and wrote my reader review for Black Dust Mambo. For anyone interested, here it is:

This book interweaves multiple plot lines to form a gripping and delightfully unpredictable story. An intense and twisting criminal investigation combines with darker mysteries surrounding the female protagonist's traumatic past and inexplicable supernatural powers. In addition, the book contains lighter, more humorous scenes and some erotic moments. The novel also features sympathetic/engaging/amusing primary characters, mesmerizing descriptions, a truly diabolical villain, excellently described hoodoo and voodoo magic, distinct and diverse dialects (including Cajun, English and Irish expressions) and an evocative southern bayou ambiance.

Written in the third-person, the book follows the experiences/perceptions of diverse and attractive main characters. The cast includes the hot-headed, twenty-something hoodoo (root worker) apprentice Kallie Riviere; her funny and loyal voodoo priestess friend Belladonna Brown; a 'hot' and blond dreadlocked nomad biker who is 'Vessel' (a spirit cabinet for the dead); an Irish pixie-like woman who is divorced from the biker but remains his protective friend; and, the conjurer head of magical Hecatean Council who leads the investigation and demonstrates an intelligent/droll wit and particular proclivities. Then, there's the hoodoo villain who's completely dedicated to revenge and practices the blackest, soul-stealing magic.

The story begins with the female protagonist, Kallie Riviere, waking up after a wild Hecatean carnival night and hook-up with a hot nomad conjurer. She finds the conjurer's bloody and lifeless body in her bed. Eventually, she and her friend Belladonna discover that the man was killed by a soul stealing hex placed underneath the sheets of her bed. The clan brother of the dead nomad, the 'Vessel' Layne Valin, arrives at Kallie's room only to be infected with the death curse when he touches the body. Inexplicably, Kallie is able to channel the dark juju, and, then, is taken into the custody by the Council's head, Lord Basil Augustine. In a surprising plot twist, Lord Basil is killed when an attempt is made on Kallie's life, and his spirit takes up residence in the body of Layne Valin. In time, the souls of both Layne and Basil agree to take turns controlling Valin's body. 

The criminal/investigative plot is fast-paced and twisting. It resolves in an intensely supernatural climax. Further, the deeper mysteries of Kallie's inexplicable powers/abilities and dark past are explained but remain essentially unresolved in the finishing scene. 

I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it any urban fantasy fan.

[paulgoatallen]

I have to say something about the cover art for Black Dust Mambo – I don't understand why they cut off the top of Kallie's head. The original art for this cover was really stunning – I would've liked to see the focus on Kallie's face, not her boobage. That what it looks like to me...

Paul

[paulgoatallen]

Adrian:

I guess the big question is – why begin another series when you're still immersed in Dante and Heather?

Also, how long do you predict the Maker's song sequence to be in total?

And what was the inspiration behind writing a voodoo-powered saga?

Paul

[Adrian_Phoenix]

Paul,

I'm totally with you on the cover. I absolutely love the full cover with Kallie's face included and the veve above her. Love it! I plan to contact the artist (Steve Stone) to see about buying a print of it.

I'll never quite understand the marketing department's decisions regarding book covers.

I was so pleased that they used the background I suggested with blue luck bottles hanging from the tree, the swamp shack, etc.

Adrian

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

paulgoatallen wrote:

Adrian:

I guess the big question is – why begin another series when you're still immersed in Dante and Heather?

Also, how long do you predict the Maker's song sequence to be in total?

And what was the inspiration behind writing a voodoo-powered saga?

Paul

---

Paul,

Part of my reason for starting another series was for the fun and the challenge of it. I have so many stories and characters in my head!

The other reason was money. My goal is to eventually make enough to gradually eliminate my day job so I can spent more time writing.

I don't have a set number of books for The Maker's Song. As long as there's a story to tell about Dante and Heather and their world, I'll keep writing them. There's so many levels to their story. Dante has so much to overcome, survive and learn - Heather too. I can see the series going for a while yet.

As for the Kallie books, I've always been fascinated by everything about Southern Louisiana culture, and hoodoo and voodoo are a part of that. And loup garou. I've been itching to get into the bayou and explore all the mystery and darkness. Plus, I kept having hysterical visions of an ongoing feud between Kallie's aunt and a gator.

Adrian

[Adrian_Phoenix]

---

dalnewt wrote:

So, I got off my literary duff and wrote my reader review for Black Dust Mambo. For anyone interested, here it is:

---

Thank you so much!!!

Adrian

[Sable677]

I just finished "Black Dust Mambo" and loved it.  I hadn't read Adrian Phoenix's other series yet, but after reading this book I picked up two books in the Makers series.  "Black Dust Mambo" was full of surprises and kept me guessing throughout the whole book.  I had a lot of trouble putting it down and it kept me interested from its beginning.  I liked all the characters and was shocked when Augustine was killed.  I was happy that he stuck around via Layne but I'm sad to see him go.  I really liked all the characters and exploring all of their histories together and look forward to seeing where they go from here.  I'm sad that we won't see the next book until next year, but its definitely on my to buy list.  I am looking forward to checking out the Maker's Song series.