**Visit All Things Urban Fantasy today for her Deadly Destination tour of Allyson James’ Southwest & a chance to win SHADOW WALKER**
Today’s Deadly Destination takes us to Jefferson, Mississippi. Jeannie Holmes’ Varik Baudelaire is here to give us the low-down on Jefferson and highlight some “issues” that the town has recently experienced. Thanks to Jeannie and the amazing team over at Random House/Bantam, four of you who comment on this post will win a copy of the book! See details below.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Varik Baudelaire’s Guide to Jefferson, Mississippi
by Jeannie Holmes
Hello, I’m Varik Baudelaire, Director of Special Operations for the Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigation. Yes, I know, it’s a long title. I’m also, temporarily, the only Enforcer assigned to Jefferson, Mississippi. Alexandra Sabian, my beloved partner, is on suspension for employing some unorthodox methods during a previous murder investigation. It’s standard Bureau procedure in these matters, and I’m sure she’ll be cleared in the end.
But that’s not why we’re here, is it? We’re having this discussion because you’re thinking of moving to our fair town. I must admit I’m fairly new to the area myself so I’m not as fully versed in the local politics or gossip as Alex or even Detective Tasha Lockwood of the Jefferson Police. However, I can offer to address some of your concerns regarding recent events.
First, about the murder investigation I mentioned, let me assure you that murder is actually a rare occurrence here in Jefferson. Yes, we had some recent unpleasantness that end with a number of vampires dead and even a few humans. However, that case is closed and everyone is settling down.
Jefferson is a relatively quiet town. With a population of roughly six thousand, even with half of that number being vampires, not much goes on here. Aside from the occasional fender bender or robbery, most of our residents—humans and vampires alike—are law abiding citizens and the worst offenses JPD or I have to deal with are tempers flaring during the annual Jefferson High School homecoming football game.
Okay, I’ll admit the vampire community is understandably upset over the loss of Crimson Swan, the town’s only legal blood bar, at the hands of arsonists led by the former sheriff of Nassau County. Yes, the subsequent shortage of registered donor blood has caused a few minor problems, but I’m told a new shipment of blood will arrive soon. Also the Vlad’s Tears Corporation has generously donated a case of their synthetic replacement to each vampire family in town.
Nightlife here in Jefferson? What nightlife? They roll up the streets at nine here. Well, I take that back. There is the Duck ‘n’ Cover—a bar in an old converted cotton gin—outside of town. Fist fights and the occasional drunken stabbing are the worst reports I’ve heard from them—maybe a little minor drug trafficking, but that’s a rarity.
As for the designer drug Midnight, it’s been a problem for the vampire community nationwide for years. The reports and statistics I’ve seen for the southwest Mississippi region shows a slightly higher than average rate of manufacture and usage, which is a concern. However, the FBPI takes this issue very seriously and is working closely with our human counterparts in local law enforcement as well as other federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration to combat the problem.
You heard about the missing college student? Yes, it’s true a young woman was reported missing a few days ago, but you really shouldn’t worry about it. I, with help from Jefferson Police, am looking into the case. The disappearance of a registered human donor is always a matter for the FBPI, and we have no reason at this moment to suspect foul play. The girl’s car is also missing so there’s always the possibility that she simply left town without telling anyone. I assure you, we’re doing everything in our power to resolve the case quickly.
Despite its share of problems, Jefferson really is a safe town. Now, if you’ll excuse me, an anonymous tip regarding my missing college student just came across our hotline number, and I need to follow up on it. Thanks for stopping by and I hope I’ve been able to allay some of your concerns.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
About Jeannie:
Jeannie Holmes is a native of southwest Mississippi. A total caffeine junkie, she currently lives in Mobile, Alabama with her husband, four neurotic cats, a shaggy arthritic dog, and is hard to find during hurricane season.
You can visit Jeannie around the web here: Website | Blog | Facebook |Twitter
Want to read more from Jeannie Holmes?
__________________________________________________________________________________
This giveaway is provided by Random House/Bantam
Four winners will each receive a copy of Blood Secrets by Jeannie Holmes
Available on July 5, 2011 from Bantam
About the Book:
WHEN ALEXANDRA SABIAN SINKS HER TEETH INTO AN INVESTIGATION, SHE DOESN’T LET GO.
Alex allowed a case involving murdered vamps to get personal and is suspended from the Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigation. Now she’s facing an official inquiry but has a chance to redeem herself. The catch: She must once again work with Varik Baudelaire, her former mentor and ex-fiancé, as he spearheads a search for a missing college student. But Varik has been keeping secrets from Alex, and his mysterious past is on a collision course with his present.
When Alex and Varik discover a carefully handcrafted doll at a crime scene, neither of them can see how close the danger really is or that a killer known as the Dollmaker has made Alex the object of his horrific desire. Now the only way out of the Dollmaker’s lair is through the twilight realm of the Shadowlands, where all secrets—for better or worse—will be revealed.
Order from
GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:
1. Leave a comment for Jeannie.
2. +3 entries for becoming a follower of this blog and Dark Faerie Tales on Twitter and Facebook.
3. +3 entries for tweeting about this contest, blogging about it, linking via your sidebar etc…(please tell me where!).
4. Giveaway is open to U.S. only.
5. Please include your email address in your comment.
6. All Deadly Destinations winners will be announced on August 7th.
7. The winner will be picked with the help of Random.org.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
on 
on