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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

FF: Caitlin Kittredge’s Jack the Giant-Killer

** Today on Dark Faerie Tales read Trent Jamieson’s Death’s Messenger story and win The Business of Death you could also win Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian **

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Jack Winter: psychic, mage, troublemaker.  Marked by a goddess as her favorite and marked by a demon as his heir apparent, Jack isn't so much a warrior as a survivor, doing what he has to in the shadow-world of magical London to keep himself alive.  He's spent time in mental wards, jail and Hell itself, but Jack has the uncanny ability to come out on top.  It doesn't make for a life with many friends (at least friends who manage not to get themselves killed), but Jack's just fine with being solitary.  That way, it's easier to see who's sneaking up behind you.

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Giants.  Never seen one, meself.  Heard the story—everyone hears that story.  In the West of England, in the country of Cornwall, there was a bloke named Jack.  Giant comes to town, munches on the locals.  Jack figures out the giant is stone stupid, digs a pit, traps the giant and whacks his head off with a pickaxe.  Not content with his big pair of swingin' brass ones and giant piles of treasure, Jack finds himself another giant, this one with a musty old castle, and hangs a couple more giants with his bare hands.  Goes to Wales, nearly gets munched on by a Welsh giant pretending to be his friend.  Moral of the story is, never trust a Welshman. 

Got another one for you—in the North of England, in the city of Manchester, there was another bloke named Jack.  Gets sick of his mum and her boyfriend smacking him around, and knows something's gotta be done.  This Jack isn't particularly brave, but what he is is clever.  Knows that Kevin, the boyfriend who leaves welts and bruises all over his body, blacks his eyes and smashes Jack's records, the only thing he truly loves when Jack steps wrong, goes down the pub every month when he gets his dole money.  In spite of it all, Kevin still owes cold hard cash to a shark named Matthew Pike, a scary bastard if there ever was one.  So one night, when Kevin's wandering home pissed from the local, Jack follows him.  He's small, only twelve years old, and thin as two fence posts nailed together.  Easy to blend in with the dark spots, since every other light in Moss End, the little Beruit of Manchester, is put out.

Jack follows Kevin.  He's not big and not brave but he's got an idea, and he's nicked a bottle of bourbon, Kevin's favorite, to go with it.  Stuck the bottle on the embankment wall near the canal, and doubled back to wait for him.  He sees it, gleaming like amber in the sodium light.  Approaches, unable to believe his good fortune.  Some sod just leaving a whole pint on the canal wall?  Just walking off and forgetting what easily costs a couple of quid, the good stuff, the smooth-going-down-stuff?  It's his night, it is.  His good luck, because he's the sort of bloke who thinks he deserves good luck, even as the universe teaches lesson after lesson to the contrary.

He doesn't see Jack, watching from the shadows.

Who's to say what happened to Kevin?  Manchester is a shithole, and the bricks in the wall are loose and fragile as broken glass.  Not going to support the weight of a fat, pissed bloke relieving himself into the canal forever.  And there's Matthew Pike to consider, the kind of hard man who'd tumble Kevin into the canal, arse over teakettle, when he refused to pay up.  Cut your losses, and teach a lesson to your other marks in one go.  Good business, that, and Matthew Pike knows the value of good business.  He's a snake, not a giant.  The coppers know it too, and when they come 'round, it won't be to Hannah Winter's flat.  Blessing Kevin is gone, really.  Poor woman.  Everyone in the council houses around them could hear the fights, the smack of fist on yielding flesh.

Jack creeps in his window at dawn, and goes to sleep.  For the first time in months, it's quiet, no sound of Kevin's snoring.  No sound of him waking up, grumbling through his hangover, and screaming at Jack's mum to make him a fry-up.  No stumbling off to the day laborer camp to pretend to look for work, and coming home again to snort coke that's half dishwashing powder and pin Jack against a wall, sour breath in his face.

Jack, not brave but far too clever, knows it won't last.  There are no giants in the wastes of Manchester, but plenty of monsters.  They don't know Jack is out there, watching them with his eyes that see both the living and the dead. 

But he knows them.

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Pete Caldecott did everything she could to save Jack from Hell, even reigning in the dark machinations of the Morrigan to help bring him home. Still, Black London has not welcomed Jack back with open arms. . . So when a friend in Los Angeles asks for help tracking a sorcerous serial killer, Pete and Jack decide a change of scenery couldn’t hurt. . .

But the shadow side of the City of Angels turns out to be more treacherous than they ever imagined. Together, Pete and Jack must navigate a landscape teeming with hostile magic-users— and fight an unknown enemy. When their investigation leads to a confrontation with the demon Belial, Jack learns that he wasn't the only thing to escape from Hell. Now it’s up to him and Pete to track and eliminate an evil older than the Black itself—before it turns L.A. into Hell on Earth. And destroys life as they know it back at home…

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Interested in winning this book?

Lucky for you Caitlin is offering a copy!

  • This giveaway is open to Internationally

  • To enter, just leave a comment letting me know what you think of Jack

You can to earn an extra entry (1) by spreading the word, please provide link in a second comment

Tweet: #FantasticFables Read @caitkitt 's Jack the Giant-Killer story | Win Devil's Business http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2011/08/ff-caitlin-kittredges-jack-giant-killer.html #giveaway PLZ RT

Ends September 7th, 2011.

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Caitlin Kittredge is the author of four Black London novels featuring Jack Winter: Street Magic, Demon Bound, Bone Gods, Devil's Business and is writing the forthcoming fifth book in the series Soul Trade, scheduled for Spring 2012.  She also writes steampunk novels for young adults.  You can follow Caitlin on Twitter under @caitkitt and find out more about her, her questionable sanity and love of pie, unicorns and Batman at www.caitlinkittredge.com.

 

More books by Caitlin

Night Life (Nocturne City, #1)Pure Blood (Nocturne City, #2)Second Skin (Nocturne City, #3...Witch Craft (Nocturne City, #4...Daemon's Mark (Nocturne City,...Street Magic (Black London, #1...Demon Bound (Black London, #2)Bone Gods (Black London, #3)The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex, #1...

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Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

Follow Tynga on: Facebook | Twitter

59 People left their mark' :

  1. Ok I'm baffled. I haven't read any Caitlin Kittredge books but I read the above blurb and so who is Miranda?

    dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca

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  2. I have read some of Caitlin Kittredge's books and love her, but like Diane, I'm not sure about the Miranda reference. Is that a typo?

    Pete is one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines, by the way. Love her!

    rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom

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  3. I've heard such wonderful things about this series! Just got the first book the other day, getting ready to start. Haven't read any yet so I'm not sure about who Miranda is.

    Thanks for the post and giveaway!

    efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm sure if Caitlin wrote a heroine named Miranda she'd be kick ass and great but I couldn't even reference the character at her website since she's starting over from being hacked... This sounds like an interesting world and one I'd love to read!

    glittergirl54 at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Miranda comment has me baffled as well! :)
    But I do like the Jack story and the book looks great. :)

    Mel S
    notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yeah, I don't get the Miranda thing either.

    tjotjoc at gmail dot com

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  7. I absolutely love this series so thank you so much for adding this in the giveaway! And yeah, who is Miranda?!

    miss.smileygirlie@gmail.com

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  8. i haven't read any of her books yet and but this seems good. Miranda seems like an interesting character

    katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. I love the Black London series, but I can't remember a Miranda, or see a Miranda in the short, I am confused, is it a trick question?!

    Suzanne @ Under the Covers

    nyxxy@hotmail.co.uk

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. Miranda doesn't ring a bell with me. However, if she is the heroine of any of Caitlin's books I'm sure she's one fierce fighter.

    Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  12. Waa the Miranda thing is a huge typo indeed, that's what you get for setting a post way past bedtime after a painful day. Let me edit that! SORYY!

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  13. I'm not sure who Miranda is, but I love Caitlin's series. Thanks for the giveaway!

    sab5723 at hotmail dot com

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  14. Great story, I love a clever boy. I think Jack sounds like a man of many talents, and I'm dying to get started on this series.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  15. I liked Jack. He sounds like an interesting charcter. Thanks for the giveaway.

    rachaelmccully@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I also tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/ERachaelM/status/109048987486666753

    rachaelmccully@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think Jack is a cool character.

    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Rogue237/status/109051169174859776

    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

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  19. Jack sounds like the sort of character I would fall in love with.

    Thank you so much for the giveaway!

    twiztidsharkie@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Have to say, love the flash fiction involving Jack! Can't wait to try one of her books!

    Thanks

    Dottie :)
    gymmom_027@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jack seems like a strong character who is badass and cool. Would love to see more of him.

    angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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  22. I saw Jack is considerate for making sure he grabbed liquor that Kevin likes! teee hee hee

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  23. tweet tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/Pabkins/status/109118339334418432

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  24. Whats not to like about a psychic mage troublemaker - Jack sounds like a bit of hunky fun :) Thank you for the lovely giveaway opportunity.

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I tweeted hope I copied link right :)
    twitter name ZDz59001
    FF: Caitlin Kittredge’s Jack the Giant-Killer http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2011/08/ff-caitlin-kittredges-jack-giant-killer.html via @Tyng

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Way to go Jack: I will take clever over brave any day of the week thank you!!

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like Jack.

    sgiden at verizon.net

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  28. Jack is a completely unlikeable a$$. I have no clue why Pete keeps taking the abuse.

    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I haven't read any of the author's books and I'm not sure who Amanda is, but I would love to win a copy of this one!! Thanks for the chance :)
    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/jwitt33/status/109299405609385984

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a fan of Jack (and Pete!) so I'm all for Jack being a troublemaking giant killer. He always keeps things interesting.

    greenleafs_girl (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  32. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ningenjanai/status/109408401527803904

    greenleafs_girl (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  33. Jack seems pretty tough - I like him!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  34. +1 for tweeting:

    http://twitter.com/#!/DarleneBookNook/status/109473159559909376

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I enjoyed the first book, but I haven't read the others. I really should pick this series back up. Jack is such a damaged hero.

    jen at delux dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for the giveaway ! I think Jack is a character intriguing and interesting ! I'm curious to read about him !

    ellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr

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  37. Granted, I'm sure Pete wouldn't appreciate that I think Jack is pretty badass, since she has to put up with his crap. :)

    Solimond(at)gmail(dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Great story. I cant wait to read more.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/109849056280444928

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jack seems... interesting...
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I can't wait to read about Jack - He sounds like he can do anything--
    audie@wickerness.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Jack seems like a great character. I'd love to read more of him.

    Poisnivyred AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I enjoyed Jack's story and how he took care of his problem.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Tweeted. http://twitter.com/#!/mbreakfield/status/110352532823474176
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. the troublemaker part sounds like fun and action - there will be new adventures on every turn and that's so interesting to read.

    booksforalleternity at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi i have not read the book but what i read from above it seems to me he has no choice but to take care of heimself and he is to afraid to let people get close. He is afrAID THEY WILL GET GET KILLED OR HE IS AFRAID TO REALLY lOVE. Thanks joannie jscddmj[at]aol[dot]com

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  47. I tweet thanks joannie
    http://twitter.com/#!/joannie1956/status/110756982281089025

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  48. I love it when brains win out over bullying brawn so though it was a dark story, I was glad that Jack won.

    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love Jack very cool character :D

    GFC: kimyunalesca
    kimyunalesca(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've read and loved all of the books so far in Black London. It's one of my fav UF series out. Caitlin does such wonderful plot twists :).

    Loved the Jack post here too :)!

    pams00 @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. https://twitter.com/#!/pams00/status/111290520898252800

    pams00 @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Jack sounds to be a tough and capable hero, whose life hasn't been easy but full of twists and adventures. He sounds to be an interesting and complex character. And I picture hime to be a hottie as well ;-p

    What an exciting series this sounds to be, can't wait to read it!

    Thank you for the great giveaway!

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I haven't read this series yet...but from the little bit above he sounds like he would be quite the trouble maker and fun to read!

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Tweet:

    http://twitter.com/#!/Maria_Smith_76/status/111489676451393536

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I like Jack. He's a very interesting character.

    spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Sparima/status/111571152996012032

    spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hmm...honestly, Jack's one of my favorite urban fantasy males to read about atm. From a shallow POV, I picked up the black london series because I saw the cover of "Street Magic" with Jack and Pete, saw Jack, and thought "oh, pretty" but fortunately, the book sold me on the plot and characters. I loved watching Jack grow and deal (Pete too of course but that's another comment ;)).

    ReplyDelete
  58. ^Forgot to add, acerbuswings(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I missed the deadline but this book really looks interesting. Thanks for posting

    Dannika Dark
    Author

    ReplyDelete