Hailed by reviewers as “Janet Evanovich’s heir apparent” and an author who “weaves romance and suspense wonderfully”, Liz Jasper is the award winning author of Underdead, a cozy vampire mystery about a middle school science teacher who is bitten by an inept vampire and becomes almost undead. The sequel, Underdead in Denial, is available as an ebook from Cerridwen press.
Most of Liz’s early writing was of the dirty limerick variety (one finds fun where one can while getting an MBA and an M.A. in Economics), but she progressed to short stories and now writes mysteries. And why paranormals? After years of teaching middle school science, writing about blood-sucking demons was only natural. She lives with her family and cranky grey cat in Northern California where she is hard at work on her next book in the Underdead series.
You can read excerpts, reviews and maybe win something in a contest over at her website www.lizjasper.com.
Underdead in Denial
by
Liz Jasper
In the sequel to Liz Jasper’s award winning Mystery novel, Underdead, gorgeous enigmatic vampire Will is back and almost undead Jo Gartner is more determined than ever to avoid all things vampire and maintain a normal life. And what’s more normal than doing community service to help a lovesick friend? But getting dressed up in a Halloween costume for a haunted house fundraiser is not what Jo had in mind. Especially when one of the extras turns up dead…
Excerpt
“Something’s going on with you.” Crossing her arms, Becky gave the demo counter a quick, automatic check for spills and leaned against it. “And I think I know what it is.”
I started in disbelief. “You do?” It came out as a whisper.
“Yes. Let’s look at the symptoms, shall we?” She ticked them off on her fingers. “You haven’t gone on a date in months, you get here at dawn, leave at dusk and spend your weekends sitting alone inside your apartment eating nothing but takeout burgers and chocolate, when you eat at all.”
She narrowed her dark almond-shaped eyes. I swallowed convulsively, unable to look away.
“You’ve got chronic PMS,” she said.
“What? I do not have—”
She grinned and then her expression sobered. “I am worried that you’re depressed.”
I grunted in dismissal.
“Not that I blame you,” She looked around my classroom at the solar system dioramas, sagging volcano posters, and dusty mineral display and curled her lip. “Teaching eighth grade earth science would depress anyone. But I have a plan.”
“Oh no.” I knew her plans. It was because of one of them that I now occupied the strange and lonely world between normal human being and vampire. I sank deeper in my chair and closed my eyes, trying to ignore the sharp bite of disappointment. I longed to tell her—tell her what? I couldn’t explain what was really going on. It was too fantastical.
I was too tired today to make one of my usual excuses. Maybe if I fell asleep she’d go away.
“Better yet, I’ve already set the wheels in motion.”
My eyes snapped back open. “Becky, what have you done?”
Buy Underdead in Denial!
Prefer print? Liz’s first book Underdead is also available in print!
This looks interesting! I’m heading over to check out Liz’s website now. LOL
Deidre
by Deidre October 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pmHi Deidre,
by Liz Jasper October 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pmI’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
Happy reading!!
–Liz
When I recover from being lost in a parking garage I will buy Liz’s books. I don’t like vampire stories but her two books sound like fun. Tomorrow I shall order them. I’m having a shampoo and cut within the hour and must leave this happy place. Congratulations, Liz.
by Anita Birt October 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pmYou’re not alone, Anita - not in the parking gargage but in your attitude toward vampire stories. I have yet to be tempted by one, but Liz’s stories sound like fun. And now that I have my ebookwise working again…
by Jenyfer October 4th, 2008 at 3:12 amAnita and Jenyfer,
I have to admit I get a lot of readers who don’t like vampire books but make an exception for mine. Admittedly, I don’t really write vampire books. I write cozy mysteries; the vampires are there more as comic relief and to shake things up in my science teacher protagonist’s logical existance.
(She’s never quite sure if she’s really buying the whole vampire thing. Would you?)
On the other hand, many of my readers who like it because it’s a curl up on the couch and giggle sort of mystery have it stolen by their teenager kids who like it because they’ve finished the Twilight books and are looking for something to read–it’s the appearance of vampires in the Underdead books that gets them hooked.
by Liz Jasper October 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pmGo figure. : )
Hope you like the books!
Liz
Oh, and I meant to say, Anita, I hope you have recovered from the evil parking garage and have excellent hair!
by Liz Jasper October 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm–Liz
I loved the excerpt, Liz. I think you have a great premise.
by Shelley Munro October 4th, 2008 at 11:59 pmThanks Shelley! : ) I went to a party last night (Octoberfest: suds and sausages) and met someone who has read Underdead five times. !!!
by Liz Jasper October 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm: ) Liz
Octoberfest! Yum….
by Jenyfer October 6th, 2008 at 2:39 am