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Cover Reveal: Freda Warrington’s THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD

Posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2014

We can now share with you the cover for the fourth novel in Freda Warrington‘s critically-acclaimed Blood Wine series, THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD. Due to be published by Titan Books, it follows the reissued editions of the first three novels in the series.

The novel is due to be published in May 2015. Here’s an early synopsis…

In the turmoil and glamour of 1920s Europe, vampires Karl, Charlotte and Violette face threats to their very existence. Fiery, handsome dancer Emil achieves his dream to partner the legendary ballerina Violette Lenoir until his forbidden desire for her becomes an obsession. Rejected, spiralling towards madness, he seeks solace with a mysterious beauty, a vampire with a hidden agenda.

The Blood Wine series also includes A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE, A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET and THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES. All three are published in the UK and US by Titan Books.

Here’s just a small selection of the praise the series has received thus far…

‘A tale which throbs with lush romanticism.’ — The Times on A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

‘… a really, really splendid read… It’s a story that plays out over cups of tea and glasses of brandy in the drawing rooms of chic London townhouses and glittering stately homes, and here again Warrington shows her writer’s chops, layering in exquisite period detail. Sometimes the effect is playfully satirical… lusciously picturesque… like a cross between Anne Rice and Kim Newman… not to be missed.’ — Starburst on A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

‘The story neatly and scrupulously takes up the most important loose ends left dangling by the earlier volume, and moves with measured vigour towards a hectically extended climax, building a remarkable crescendo of action and emotion… amply fulfils the promise of its predecessor, and there is no doubt that the series will become one of the literary monuments of the nascent genre to which it belongs.’ — Interzone on A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET

‘A gorgeous grave-throbber.’ — Time Out on THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES

Freda Warrington’s THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2014

As part of their ongoing re-issue program, Titan Books have just published the third of Freda Warrington‘s Blood Wine novels, THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES. Previously published in 1996, but long out-of-print, we’re delighted readers will be able to (re-)discover this series anew!

THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES follows A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE and A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET – the latter of which is released this month in the US, too.

Here’s the synopsis…

The ballerina Violette Lenoir has fallen victim to the bite of the vampire Charlotte. Her fire and energy have fuelled a terrifying change and a dreadful realisation; that Violette has become Lilith, the demon mother of all vampires. Haunted by Violette’s dark sensuality, Charlotte and her immortal lover Karl are drawn towards the dancer and the terrible destiny that has fallen on her shoulders.

THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES will be published in the US in October 2014. Also in October, Titan are due to publish in the UK a new, never-before-published fourth novel in the series: THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD.

Here’s some recent praise for the series…

‘… a really, really splendid read… Warrington shows her writer’s chops, layering in exquisite period detail. Sometimes the effect is playfully satirical… but more often it’s lusciously picturesque… Freda Warrington is like a cross between Anne Rice and Kim Newman – she has the sweep of one, the cleverness of the other… they’re not to be missed.’ — Starburst on A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

‘… a tale of lust and passion that survives beyond the grave… More an erotic Wuthering Heights than Interview with a Vampire… a beautifully written tale… It is very impressive… if you like your romance novels with a bit of bite you will love this book.’ — Follow the Nerd on A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET

‘A gorgeous grave-throbber.’ — Time Out on THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES

‘A great novel, which is entertainingly frightening, splendidly romantic and erotic, and darkly suspenseful. The true Queen of the vampire novel.’ — Black Tears Magazine on THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES

If you’d like to learn more about this third Blood Wine novel, be sure to check out this interview Freda did with Female First.

And, one other piece of Freda-related news: the cover for GRAIL OF THE SUMMER STARS, the third novel in the Aetherial Tales series, has been nominated in the Annual Cover Contest, in the Avant Garde category. The novel is published in the US by Tor Books.

Happy (US) Release day – Freda Warrington’s A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

Posted on Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

The wait is over! Freda Warrington‘s A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE is now available in the United States. The first instalment of her Blood Wine series, the novel has been re-issued by Titan Books.

Here’s the synopsis…

1918. A First World War battlefield becomes the cosmic battleground for two vampires, as Karl von Wultendorf struggles to free himself from his domineering maker, Kristian.

1923. Charlotte Neville watches as her father, a Cambridge professor, fills Parkland Hall with guests for her sister Madeleine’s 18th birthday party. Among them is his handsome new research assistant Karl – the man Madeleine has instantly decided will be her husband. Charlotte, shy and retiring, is happy to devote her life to her father and her dull fiance Henry – until she sees Karl…

For Charlotte, it is the beginning of a deadly obsession that sunders her from her sisters, her father and even her dearest friend. As their feverish passion grows, Karl faces the dilemma he fears the most. Only by deserting Charlotte can his passion for her blood be conquered. Only by betraying her can he protect her from the terrifying attentions of Kristian – for Kristian has decided to teach Karl a lesson in power, by devouring Charlotte.

Titan Books will be re-releasing the first three novels in the series over the course of 2013-14: A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET and THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES. Titan is also due to publish a brand new, fourth book – THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD – in October 2014.