Bloodstone

Table of Contents

 

 

“One of the most inventive urban fantasy series out there.”

—
Fresh Fiction

 

“
Deadtown
was good, but
Hellforged
is even better . . . The writing is airtight; her characters have been honed to an edge. There is comedy, drama, romance, and a whole lot of ass kicking.
Hellforged
is the total package.”

—
Fantasy Literature

 

“The thrills are nonstop in Holzner’s latest Deadtown novel as the action races from continent to continent and into the reaches of Hell itself. Even better than the first book; this series is becoming highly addictive!”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Gripping the reader from its highly entertaining opening scene, the terrific
Hellforged
, the second installment in the Deadtown series, maintains that hold until the very end . . . Holzner’s expertise as a mystery author shines brightly throughout the narrative as she flawlessly connects threads of both the tale told in
Hellforged
and the overall story arc of the Deadtown series. This fabulous novel skillfully combines several distinct elements into a highly satisfying whole: action, adventure, suspense, Welsh mythology, humor, and pitch-perfect characters that live and breathe on the page . . . This excellent series belongs in the collections of all urban fantasy fans.”

—
Bitten by Books

 

“The demons Vicky chases in
Hellforged
are bigger, badder, and so much more fun. I love the unexpected twists and turns . . . I cannot wait to see what is in store for my new favorite demon hunter!”

—
Intense Whisper . . .

 

“The second Deadtown novel is jam-packed with action. A quick and satisfying read,
Hellforged
will have readers on the edge of their seats for more. Vicky is a very likable and headstrong lead . . . a fun yet serious novel; fans of Laurell K. Hamilton, Rachel Caine, Kim Harrison, and Karen Chance are likely to enjoy this series.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

 

“Vicky is the kind of kick-butt heroine fantasy lovers can get behind—rough and tough, afraid to jump into the fight but too stubborn to stay out of it . . . Aided by a whole cast of interesting characters, including her aunt Mab, who is a perfect mix of hard taskmaster and sweet and comforting aunt, Vicky and crew are ones you can’t help but root for in the battle of good versus evil . . .
Hellforged
is a novel lovers of fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal fiction in general won’t want to miss.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

 

 

 

“Fresh and funny, with a great new take on zombies.”

—Karen Chance,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Hunt the Moon

 

“Holzner’s prose combined with a spunky protagonist with a dark side, woven together with fast-paced action, emotional reveals, and engaging plot twists, makes
Deadtown
a mustread. I’m looking forward to more adventures in Deadtown with Vicky Vaughn—this heroine totally kicks butt!”

—Phaedra Weldon, author of
Revenant

 

“Fast, fun, and feisty, Holzner’s
Deadtown
is chock-full of supernatural action, danger, and creatures who do more than go bump in the night.”

—Devon Monk, author of
Dead Iron

 

“Zombies, demons, and a sassy slayer.
Deadtown
sparks with an incredibly realized world and a cast of vivid characters. I can’t wait for the next book!”

—Chris Marie Green, author of
Deep in the Woods

 

“Full of dangerous magic and populated with characters so realistic they almost jump off the page. I loved this book. Nancy Holzner is a master of characterization, and I’ll be buying her next book the moment it hits the shelf.”

—Ilona Andrews,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Magic Slays

 

“A perfect blend of mystery, fantasy, humor, and even modernday social issues. It’s Boston as you’ve never seen it . . . where the shapes shift, the zombies gnaw, and the blood flows warm through the oh-so-delicious veins of the area known as Deadtown. Victory Vaughn gives evil a run for its money.”

—Anton Strout, author of
Dead Waters

 

“Welcome to Holzner’s fascinating world, where a plague has turned much of the Boston population into zombies. Part demon-busting tale, part political thriller, Holzner’s take on urban fantasy is exciting and fresh. Here’s to the future adventures of Vicky Vaughn.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Holzner applies humor with a deft hand, enhancing the reading experience of this superb addition to the urban fantasy genre. This reviewer will be first in line for
Deadtown
’s sequel.”

—
Bitten by Books

 

DEADTOWN
HELLFORGED
BLOODSTONE

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

BLOODSTONE

 

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

 

PRINTING HISTORY
Ace mass-market edition / October 2011

Copyright © 2011 by Nancy Holzner.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

ISBN : 978-1-101-54434-1

 

ACE
Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

 

It was a great pleasure to work with Kat Sherbo, who took this manuscript through several drafts, editing them all with great care and attention. Kat’s questions weren’t always easy to answer, but they were always perceptive, intelligent, and aimed at making
Bloodstone
a better story. Thanks, Kat, for all your hard work. You’re awesome!

The kick-ass cover art comes from Don Sipley, who does an amazing job of bringing Vicky to life. Thanks also to Edwin Tse.

I’m also grateful to the other professionals who worked on this book: text designer Tiffany Estreicher, production editor Michelle Kasper, assistant production editor Andromeda Macri, copy editor Jessica McDonnell, and proofreader Pam Barricklow.

My agent, Gina Panettieri, works hard on my behalf so I can focus on writing. She even sent me chocolate!

My friends and fellow writers Emily Johnson, Pat Carlson, Jeanne Mackin, Nicola Morris, and Janis Kelly offered helpful feedback on parts of the first draft—not to mention fun conversation and good company. Thanks, all!

My daughter, Tamsen Conner, thinks it’s cool that her mom writes this stuff, and listens patiently when I moan about the writing process. She’s the best.

Many friends just made life more fun while I was writing, including Kathy Giacoletto, Maria Giacoletto (you’re still an inspiration!), Michelle Brandwein, Deborah Blake, Kate Laity, Margaret Strother, Sydney Chase, Chris Schjoth, Carlos Thomas (who appears here in a cameo and who created a video game avatar based on Vicky), Keith Pyeatt, Christina Henry, and my fellow bloggers at
Dark Central Station
: Sean Cummings, Wayne Simmons, Erin Kellison, Gary McMahon, Thomas Emson, and Darren J. Guest.

Thanks to Cam Dufty for making my Deadtown series possible in the first place. And thanks to everyone who reads my books—it’s such a thrill to know that people are following Vicky’s adventures.

Most of all, thanks to my husband, Steven Holzner, who may well be the most patient man on the planet. I know for sure he’s the most loving.

BAYSIDE HEALTH CLUB, A FORMER GYM ANGLING TO GO upscale, is where Bostonians go to pump some iron, get sculpted, and trade in their beer bellies for the sexier kind of six-pack. I’d read the brochure. It has a weight room, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a lap pool, and full-time personal trainers and nutritionists on staff. Everything you need to get motivated and get buff.

But I wasn’t here for a workout. The duffel bag I carried didn’t hold gym clothes. It was loaded up with bronze-bladed daggers and two bottles of holy water. This afternoon, I was here to kill a demon.