As most of you have heard, Up From The Grave is the last Cat and Bones novel. I just finished revisions on it, so yesterday, I started the first novel in my new “Realmwalker” series. That will be a romance with paranormal elements, but as it’s not related to my Night Huntress series, it won’t have any vampires in it. It’s also considered New Adult instead of Adult. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, definitions vary, but the simplest is that New Adult features protagonists between the ages of 18 and 24. For a long time, having a character in that age bracket was a hard sell to publishers because (generally) they were considered too old to for the Young Adult market and yet not settled/mature enough for regular Adult readers.
New Adult isn’t much of a switch for me since you could say I’ve been writing NA for years. Originally, Cat was 19 at the start of Halfway to the Grave, but when I signed with a publisher, I had to age her up to 22 for the reasons stated above. If I’d been shopping Halfway to the Grave now, the Night Huntress series would’ve probably been published as New Adult, although since Cat jumps over five years in age by the fourth book, in Destined For An Early Grave, she would’ve technically been too old. In that case, maybe I would’ve been asked to age her down (I will never fit neatly into genres/markets, it seems! :))
Anyway, since the first novel in the Realmwalker series (still untitled) has a 20 year old heroine, it’s being published as a New Adult. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve had this story in my head for years , but due to several reasons, I haven’t been able to write it until now. Yesterday, I typed the two scariest words in the English language for me – Chapter One – but it’s already Chapter Two time, so onward and upward. Untitled Realmwalker Book One is tentatively scheduled to release fall of 2014.
Also coming out next year will be the final Vlad and Leila novel, still untitled at this time, too. That’s one of the reasons why I haven’t said who’s next in the Night Huntress universe – I don’t know yet. I have story ideas, and yes, Ian’s is among them, but two completed books from now, who knows which character will be clamoring the loudest in my head? If it’s Ian, then I’ll get the brain bleach ready and write what he has to say *wink*. If it’s another character, then he or she will be up instead. Since I read books for characters (meaning a book can have a wonderful plot, but if I don’t connect to the characters, it’s a DNF for me), it’s probably no surprise that I write “character first” too. No exciting plot idea can compensate for me not being wholly invested in who I’m writing about, so that’s why I have ideas for books, but no firm answer as to who they’ll feature yet. Whichever character it turns out to be, I promise to let you know as soon as I do.
Speaking of reading for characters, as a treat for finishing Up From The Grave, I took a couple days off and read. If you haven’t checked out WAIT FOR YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout yet, I very much recommend it. The paperback version comes out next week, but the ebook is available now, and Cam is a hero you won’t want to miss. The only warning I have is that you may want to have two things handy while reading: cookies and tissues. Cam’s description of his fresh baked chocolate walnut cookies almost sent me running to the store in my pajamas, and Avery’s brave struggle to get over a horrible event in her past had me sneaking to wipe away tears before my husband saw them and poked fun at me.
And now, to my usual question for readers when I start writing a new book – got any music recommendations for me? I write while listening to music and I started a playlist for Realmwalker 1, but I’ve only got an hour’s worth of songs. I prefer rock and alternative, with a little pop or rap thrown in for good measure. Examples of bands I like are Three Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin, Within Temptation, Kings of Leon, The Fray, Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, Vertical Horizon, Staind, Pink, One Republic, Adele, Sarah McLachlan, Smashing Pumpkins, Shinedown, Imagine Dragons, Lifehouse, Jars of Clay, Katy Perry and Seether. So, am I missing any great bands?
Music recc: digital daggers are very good. So is broken iris. They both inspire me when I write. 🙂
I can’t wait to read Realmwalker, Up from the grave and Vlad and Leila new book, next year will be so exciting;D You’re one of my fav writers and we even like the same bands *_* I love Shinedown. And I think you could like Young Guns, especially their newest album “Bones”. And I see you like Breaking Benjamin – have you heard Diary of Jane in acoustic version? It’s amazing and full of feelings ;D
Even though I am sad to see the end for Cat and Bones I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Evanescence and Lacuna Coil are good bands. I am always a fan of a strong female vocal.
Thanks for the blog. It’s so great to know that there is a new series on the way. I, of course can’t wait for the next Vlad and would love it to be a full series onto it’s own but can understand about the character connection. Here’s a new band for you to listen to and add to your play list. It’s called Momma by Glorious Sons.
Happy Writing & Thank you for keeping us in the loop.
I still think you should try listening to Lindsey Stirling. I love reading and studying to her music. Super motivating. I also enjoy the Piano Guys and ZZ Ward for my reading background noise.
I’m a huge fan of Cage the Elephant, and there’s a great band called Hawthorne Heights that you might like. 🙂
Lately i enjoy a lot Bruno Mars…. there’s something about his voice that makes me daydream (especially in locked out of heaven). One of my favorite bands is The Corrs ( i love “summer sunshine”, “breathless” and the entire “in the blue” album). You should also try Linkin Park.
Best of luck with the new book!!
I did a paper in High School in a creative writing class on Black Sabbath, DOA. I don’t know if you’ve heard it.
That may have been by Bloodrock.
I really like Lacuna Coil’s new stuff – check out “End of Time”, also like In this Moment “Beautfil Tragedy” and “Adrenalize Me” as a harder stuff. The lead singer Maria is so…badass. Lana Del Ray is cool (I like Florence and the Machine too! Have all her albums, even B-Sides). I’m excited for your new series! As I stated before.. I loved the novella you had in “Haunted for your touch”. 🙂
The Civil Wars- indie alternative stuff, endorsed by Adele.
Grizzly Bear
Mayer Hawthorne (specifically his latest album Where Does This Door Go?)
Arctic Monkeys
Lorde
J*Davey
Kimbra
The XX
I absolutely LOVE Biffy Clyro, and I think they’d be right up your alley. Their latest two albums, Only Revolutions and Opposites, were both stellar.
I just finished Wait For You as well it really was a good book. I’m really hoping for an Ian book. I would love to see things from his point of view.
So excited about this new series and the last book for Cat and Bones. *instert tearful, but happy face* I am a big fan of Lykke Li and Anya Marina. (Both I first discovered from the Twilight soundtracks, which are surprisingly amazing).
Yay for finishing Chapter 1! Keep going, girl!
Music recs:
Mariana’s Trench
Forty Foot Echo
Hedley
Fall of Envy
Jeaniene, Syd rec’d Adelita’s Way and that are awesome. Also, Halestorm is fantastic.
I recommend Calexico, Cold War Kids, MS MR, The Kills, Of Monsters And Men, Sick Puppies, LIVE, and Birdy.
You definitely want to check out Owl City, is a great band!!, Waiting for all of your books!! 😉
The new Jars of Clay just came out on Tuesday! And try Angels and Airwaves “Rite of Spring” or “Call to Arms” I like anything by them.
Yay Within Temptation! But what about Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold and Ten Years?
Hmmm…Big Black Delta, Queens of the Stone Age, Vampire Weekend, Empire of the Sun, MGMT, Washed Out, Lorde…just a few bands, off the top of my head. 😉
Yay for finishing Cat and Bones! Hurray for the next Vlad and Leila! And a new series? Well…Huzzah!
Baby, I am too ancient to give you any music suggestions.
I do hope I will be seeing you in New Orleans next spring. RT is setting up to be a smashing good time. Lots of Charlatans will be making the trip.
Hey, when i write i listen to lindsey stirling i like the same style of music as you and most of them artists. It may or may not help but it works for me. Cant wait to read your new book. As saddened by up from the grave being the last cat and bones books but i would rather it end there then be dragged on for more books. I do look forward to the new night world as ive said before ians story could certainly be interesting. Vlad intrigues me and am looking forward to were you take his and leilas story
Nightwish, The Birthday Massacre, Avenged Sevenfold, Lacuna Coil, H.I.M, 69 eyes, apocalyptica, lacrimus profundere, three days grace, leaves eyes..
write away!! There is a new Jars of Clay CD out, new Kings of Leon, The Civil Wars, Lana Del Rey, Nina Simone is always excellent.
Pea Sized (they do alternative/electronic), Fever Ray, Of Monsters and Men, Lana Del Rey, Ed Sheeran (Maybe… he likes to blend genre’s. One song has some Rap elements and the next would be more rock), 46 Bliss, and Little Dragon.
So excited about the future that I may just vomit. 😀 I think you’d enjoy listening to Manchester Orchestra. Early Evanescence is wonderful aswell. You may even enjoy The Editors and Jenny Owen Youngs. Thank you for being you. -Dannah
I’m SO happy to hear you’re already working on a new story *doing happydance* =D
Have you tried the swedish band Kent? Got the feeling they might fit into that list of bands!
Otherwise, I can recommend Kamelot, Epica, Amaranthe, Leaves Eyes, Evanscence, Muse, Two Steps From Hell (makes epic, really epic, film trailer music), Placebo, Edguy, Machinae Supremacy, Sirenia, Elluveite, Dargaard…
Not to mention old goodies like Queen, AcDc, Santana, Dream Theater….
And there is quite a lot of great movie soundtracks, if you like that kind of music 🙂
I sincerely hope you will have the best possible playlist, so you’ll write many more of those amazing stoies =D
Safetysuit, Saving Abel, Carolina Liar, Fitz and the Tantrums. I look forward to reading anything you write.
I would add:
Amaranthe
HIM
Poets Of The Fall
Sounds like we have the same diversified taste in music =]
A few new artists I have discovered and enjoy are Andrew Belle, Amy Stroup, and Elle Mae Bowen ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0KZuZF01FA ) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhlh4wINzJE )
Have you heard Theory of a Dead man? They’re a rock group similar to Nickelback and Hinder
Linkin Park and Nickelback
I will read absolutely anything you write. Though I love the Night Huntress and am sad that Cat and Bones are coming to an end, I’m excited to see this new series as well.
Music recommendations: Avenged Sevenfold, Escape the Fate, David Cook, David Garrett, Halestorm, Evanescence.
Halestorm – freak like me, here’s to us, basically any song they do
In This Moment
Avenge seven fold
Red light kinds
Volbeat. LOVE their different sound
Lord of the lost
Evanescence
Jericco
I recommend Oleander and Sick Puppies. Both good, solid rock bands.
I love the Night Huntrss series and World. They were my treats after writing papers while getting my Master’s Degree. I can’t thank you enough. I graduated in June! As for good music I love all the artists you named. I would also add Dave Marthews Band, The Barenaked Ladies, Weazer, and Mumford and Sons. I also want to suggest Garbage. Their songs always make me think of Cat and Bones.
Those are all great bands. You might also like Three Days Grace and, slightly on the heavier side, Avenge Sevenfold. A few months ago I saw Shinedown live and they were amazing.
I’m not a writer, but I am an avid reader, and sometimes when reading about a character, a specific song will come to my mind. When I first read about Cat’s mother and what happened to her, Johnny Cash singing the song ‘Hurt’ came to my mind. Reading about Vlad and that he thinks he cannot love again, for some reason makes me think of the song by Johnny Paycheck, The Old Violin. Your description of the characters you write about are so vivid and real. The songs that come to my mind aren’t what other people would probably think of but that is the beauty of music. I read your first book about a year ago, found one of your books at a used book store called the book rack and started reading everything I could get my hands on, bought what they had and went to the new bood store and bought all they had. I have never bought that many books of the same author at the same time before. I just love your Cat books, first time I have been able to read books with the same charachter in it, I usually get tired of the person pretty quick. Except for some childrens books I have read to my son in the past, Boxcar Kids, and Little House on the Prarie, same characters usually become boring to me. Just shows what a talented author you are to keep a character so interesting.
Hello Jeaniene 🙂
I’m so glad tto know that you’ve started Realm walker, I really can’t wait to have it in my hands !
I recommend:
– MSMR ( amazing group, you shuould listen to the songs calles ” Bones and Hurricane”)
– 30 seconds to mars
– Imagine Dragons
Kisses from France 🙂
I’d really recommend you listen to Nine Inch Nails, Poets of the Fall & Ashes Remain. Great, great bands and awesome music! Just recently discovered them, too, and now I can’t get enough 🙂
Really love your books and am quite sad the Cat & Bones series is coming to an end. The Realmwalker series sounds interesting though! Can’t wait x
Dropkick Muryphys
Linkin Park
Five Finger Death Punch
Will the new Realmwalker books have anything to do with Night’s Darkest Embrace? I figured that this book was the one you alluded to in the previous post concerning the story-line you’ve been waiting forever to write. Great job, by the way, on your published books, and good luck for the up-coming ones! And whenever I hear Muse sing “Follow Me,” I get in the mood for some Cat and Bones… especially Bones!
My Chemical Romance!!!
I love writing to The Rise of Defiance (indie band–available on itunes, tho). From your list, it seems like you’d like them.
I’m sad to see the Night Huntress Universe come to an end, but as a reader I respect your decision to end it naturally (and keep the integrity of the story) instead of milking it just for money’s sake.
As for music, have you seen the movie Pacific Rim? I LOVE its soundtrack. Especially the movie’s main theme, which also happens to be called Pacific Rim. The music just gets your heart pumping.
Here are the links to the music:
Pacific Rim (movie theme) from YouTube
Entire Soundtrack from YouTube
Hey there!
glad to hear youre keeping busy- more fun for us ! 🙂
about music recommendations-
youve got to hear black sabbath by black sabbath! awsome song!
and bands in general- garbage, muse and foo fighters are all pretty much perfect 🙂
Adema – Giving In
Deftones – My Own Summer
Ghinzu – The Dragster Wave
David Drainman Of Disturbed – Forsaken
Massive Attack – Paradise Circus
Hurts – Illuminated
HIM – Killing Loneliness
Porcupine tree – Trains
Elane – Elfennacht
Within Temptation – Stand My Ground
Ks Choice – Not An Addict
AFI – Kiss my eyes and lay meto sleep
Bright Eyes – Lover I Don’t Have to Love
Plastic Has Memory – Flashlight
Blue October – Hate Me
The Kills – U.R.A Fever
Bassnectar – Hexes
Cruel Black Dove – Offer
Since you like Adele I would definitely recommend,
Daughter
Birdy
Skunk Anansie (or her solo name skin)
They all have amazing voices.
Good luck on your writing!
Music recommendations)I hope you like it)
Alesana – “A Place Where the Sun Is Silent” album (2011)
Tarja Turunen – “Сolours In The Dark” album (2013)
HIM – “Tears On Tape” album (2013)
Delain – “We Are The Others” album (2012)
Yay for a new series! I have to second the band Washed Out a previous commenter suggested, check out their song You and I. It’s an amazing song! perf for a romance feel/with a little electronica goodness.
Tool is a really great band, they’re so chilled but really technical at the same time.
Jeaniene…Maybe Cat and Bones can visit from time to time. Maybe a novella. It would be really hard to let them go completely. Think about it okay?
Black Sabbath is awesome.
Linking Park
Boston
Most oldies are good.
These are my warm up songs I listen to get motivated to work out, clean the house or just work in general. All are great groups to listen to as well.
License to Confuse – Sebadoh
Rich – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Ceremony – New Order (I prefer the Joy Division/New Order before they got too techy)
300 MPH Torrential Out Pour Blues – White Stripes
Love your writing and looking forward to the final Cat & Bones
I thought we were supposed to get TWO MORE BONES AND CAT novels? What happened?
Every single musician and group you named I have a Pandora radio station for. I love them. here are a few you didn’t name that you might want to check out:
1. Marianas Trench
2. Christina Perri
3. A Fine Frenzy
4. Blue October
5. Lenka
6. Dido
7. Mat Kearney
Ummm, I’m not good at recommending music because my tastes are weird BUT.
I love Barcelona 😀 As in the band 😀
Trading Yesterday is another one 😉
And of course, Within Temptation and Florence + The Machine 😀
<3
Try Paramore — one of my favorites.
Bone and Cat are my all time favorite couple and I LOVE to read. They will always be a part of my life. Thank you Jeanine for the lovely blessing of a well told and beautiful love story!
We have similar taste in music. Try Sick Puppies, Volbeat, Pink, Morning Parade, and Jets Overhead. Good luck with your new series!
Try Fun, Serena Ryder & Amy Winehouse.
I would always forget Cat was 22 or just a few years older. Her character was muture enough that you forgot about her age. That’s what makes a believable character for me.
Some others to try are Halestorm and Within Temptation
im very sad to hear that Cat and Bones’s story is ending, but completely understand all good story’s must end. Im a devoted fan, along with my sister, we are always racing to see which one finishes first. Anyway we look forward
to any story you choose to tell, happy writing
I thought we would have more books in the series lined up 🙁 I feel sad, this is one of my favorite series and Bones my ultimate bias.
You should try listening to:
Muse, Florence+the Machines, Mesh, OneRepublic,Above and Beyond, Snow Patrol and Civil Twilight
I just want to say how wonderful your Cat and Bones stories are. While it is sad that they are coming to an end, I am glad to have participated in this magical adventure. You are a fantastic writer and I look forward to reading your future works. I am thankful to the Chapters Employee that recommended this series to me and I will continue to recommend that others read this series as well. Thank you Jeaniene Frost! I am a HUGE FAN!!!
SafetySuit and Blue October are two really great alternative bands. I write a bit and they truly inspire some kick butt scenes ! Try them out! 😉 also carolina liar have some good songs though I’m not sure what genre they’d be. Happy writing!
While I’m sad to see Cat and Bones go, I can’t wait for the new series! I will say I am very curious to see if anything will come from Bones saying something a long the lines of Thomas (I think that was his name) having disappeared during his search for Cain. That little tidbit has always staid with me.
MUSIC!
Same Ol’- The Heavy. Honesly anything by The Heavy
Female Robbery – The Neighbourhood
Cherry Red – Ida Maria
Future Starts Slow – The Kills
Kill the Light – Kitten
Guilty Filthy Soul – AWOLNATION
Ghetto Love – Spinnerette
For a band recommendation I would definitely suggest Emery! They are a great rock band and write awesome lyrics with amazing melodies to go with them. (The Question is my favorite album .) Another good rock band is Pierce the Veil and for something softer sounding I would suggest Eisley which is the closest sounding to country music I will listen to. Good luck on writing your future books! I really hope that book about Ian is the next up in the Night Huntress world. I can already see the awkward stares I’ll get when bursting out loud laughing in a quiet room. Oh, how I look forward to it. ^_^
She’s is not similar with none of the bands you mentioned, but Tarja Turunen is, for me, one of the best writing singers I’ve ever heard. I recommend for you Victim of Ritual, of Tarja’s latest album Colours in the Dark!
You should try Daughtry, they have some great songs
You should try Black Sheep by Gin Wigmore. Listening to that song always makes me feel like a boss.
1. His Infernal Majesty
2. Kamelot
Hey Jeaniene, looking forward to whatever you write next. If you want a good new adult, I suggest Easy by Tammara Webber. Just a recommendation from one reader to another.
Sorry I’m a bit late on this, but a couple songs/ bands you might like are: Vitamin String Quartet (they do popular rock/pop songs from the 60s to today using only string instruments, they’re great), the black keys, Lana Del Rey, this song called Bones by Ms Mr (it’s been in a few commercials mainly known for game of thrones trailer for the last season), breezeblocks by ALT-J is great too.
I feel like this is ending so quickly because I have only just discovered Cat and Bones. Usually I don’t like waiting for another book to come out, but I’d love to have discovered this series sooner so I could have been waiting anxiously for each release! However, I am thrilled to have found it at all, and I’m glad you will be doing ‘spin-offs’ where we will get glimpses of our favorite characters and learn more about others. Thank you so much for sharing with us! I am looking forward to whatever you release!
As far as music goes, I suggest the entire ‘Awake’ album from Skillet. They know how to rock it.
Nickelbck
Paramore
Blue October
Muse
Green Day
Evanescence
My Chemical Romance
Natasha Bedingfield
Nelly Furtado
Sara Bareilles
Aerosmith
Bon Jovi
Santana
Madcom – Beggin
Music recommendations – Third Eye Blind, Incubus, and I get a wild hair once in a while for a few Nine Inch Nails songs. I’ve read the Lux series by Armentrout – I’ll have to check out some of her other work. If you haven’t read any Karina Halle – I highly recommend it. Experiment in Terror Series is awesome!
I will miss Cat & Bones – thanks for all your wonderful books!