A few years ago, I wrote an urban fantasy called Black Dog Blues. When the book simmered and boiled in my brain, there were a few things I wanted to have in this book: An elf who was unapologetically bisexual and raised human, blood, gore, guns and monsters.I’d released it into the wilds of self-pubbing—mostly because there wasn’t a place for him then— and Kai did pretty well.
Then, one day at a yarn store, Elizabeth North of Dreamspinner Press fame, started talking about a new venture they were trying out—DSP Publications, DSP’s boutique genre imprint. Long story short, Elizabeth asked if I’d submit Black Dog Blues, I did and now, here we are—with Kai making his way into the mainstream.
Repackaged and gone over again for red squiggles, Black Dog Blues is getting a re-release on February 3rd and I can’t be more excited. The story is the same but Anne Cain rocked me a new cover, more in line with the urban fantasy feel of that genre and I’ve had a chance to kick a few of the tires I wanted to kick in editing. The biggest thing about this re-release is that Kai is going out there again and I can put his sequel firmly into my queue.
So to celebrate Black Dog Blues’ re-release, I’m holding a 12 stop blog tour where YOU can win a dragon. Well, a stuffed dragon. Who’s kind of goofy. And much less terrifying than the one Kai ran into. Leave a comment below and enter to win one of these plush dragons!
International welcome. Dragons for all. Mostly because man, they’re HUGE and take up a lot of space in the guest room.
As an added bonus, be sure to collect all of the Black Dog Blues trading cards and return to my blog rhysford.com at the end of the tour for a special giveaway. You’ll need the cards to enter. Winner will be chosen randomly from entrants with the correct answers.
Black Dog Blues Trading Card
These fine collectibles showcase some of the many creatures and inhabitants of Kai Gracen world. Just like life, there are no true good or evil creatures. It’s just that some of them are more wicked and deadlier than others.
If you’ve already read Black Dog Blues, thank you. REALLY. Thank you. You rock and you’ve made Black Dog Blues a success and got it notice. I cannot say thank you enough. No need to re-buy the book but if you’d left a review on Amazon—and have the time—repost it onto the new listing. Unlike Goodreads, re-release reviews don’t carry over. *grins*
If you haven’t read Black Dog Blues, ah—Kai really is my special precious, growly kitten. I adore writing him. I adore writing his world and man, there’s so many places to go with his story. I’m really looking forward to digging in.
Thank you again for letting my snarling elf have a space on your ebook reader. You all rock. Thank you.
Black Dog Blues Blurb
Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
Purchase Black Dog Blues at DSP Publications
Black Dog Blues is also available on Amazon and other fine eTailers.
Tour Information
Jan 28
3 Chicks After Dark
Jan 29
It’s About The Book
Boys in our Books
Jan 30
Joyfully Jay
Jan 31
TTC Books and More
Feb 1
Christy Duke—Christyloves2read
Boy Meets Boy
Feb 2
Reading Reality
Feb 3
Love Bytes
The Novel Approach
Feb 4
Prism Alliance
Feb 5
The Blogger Girls
About Rhys Ford
R
hys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.
Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.
My Blog: www.rhysford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhys.ford.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhys_Ford
And at the Starbucks down the street. No really, they’re 24/7. And a drive-thru. It’s like heaven.
My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Can not wait to read this book
A bit creeped out by the monster on this card, and suddenly glad I don’t drink tea! Looking forward to reading this book.
But I love tea! :/
OMG – Tea Party Reaper – that is hysterical. He looks cute – except for those teeth.
Thanks for hosting Rhys ~ she’s one of my favorite authors!
You are killing me with these cards!! They are so amazing.
Finished my reread and still love Kai Have put up a review for the new version on Amazon.
He looks soooo cuddly.
Haha makes me glad I don’t drink tea.
I love these cards.
I drink tea, but there are no porcelain dishes in my house. Better odds, right??
Oh no – snogglewazzer might be strong competition for dragon as my favourite mythological creature henceforth. . . .and I’m not sure my street cred could withstand a snogglewazzer tattoo!
bibliophiloscifi(at)gmail(dot)com
It’s a good thing I don’t ever go to tea rooms.
Love the teeth and the fun fact!
Waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com
I looked at the picture and thought, how cute, then read the facts and I’m glad I drink from a mug. No clinking tea cups for me!
I love the name-Snogglewazzer-just keep your teeth to yourself!
I drink tea but perhaps the absence of porcelain will keep me safe!
Well I’m glad I don’t drink tea…It’s a fearsome creature to come across.
[…] Card TEN is out at Love Bytes! […]
Loved it!
Looking forward to rereading this.
Another great card, and will need to reread it after I finish listening to Cole audio books.
*reminder to self….coffee only…and don’t CLINK!!!
Gah!…Rhys have you no fuzzy cuddly beasties?! *shivers* …your unicorns are carnivores too yeah? lol
The Tea Reaper has to be my favourite!
Purple to pink…at least you could spot them easily! So glad I don’t drink hot tea. Only black coffee!
[…] Feb 3 The Novel Approach Love Bytes […]
This just put me off tea parties forever! Yikes!
It looked so cute – until the whole scooping the flesh out its victims!
[…] Feb 3 The Novel Approach Love Bytes […]
Yep, can’t you see the little ole ladies at their sunday afternoon tea, all dressed up, and here comes the cute little snogglewazzer..
Purple is my favorite color, and he’s such a happy-looking fellow. Unfortunately, I also love tea and have an aversion to rows of finely serrated teeth. And to having my flesh either sawed or scooped, so I don’t think I’ll being sharing high tea with this fellow. It’s nothing personal. 😉
Thank youuuuu Rhys!!!
[…] Feb 3 The Novel Approach Love Bytes […]
Another great stop in the tour. Thanks for hosting a Great Author! 😉
This blog tour has made the world Rhys created seem so real, thank you for a chance to win one of those dragons 🙂 I think I might serve my tea party guests with plastic cups so the Snogglewazzer cannot find us!