Introducing Flesh Circus!
Today, ladies and gents, I am pleased and proud to announce the official release of the fourth Jill Kismet book, Flesh Circus.
The Cirque de Charnu has come.
They will clean out the demons and the suicides, and move on. As long as they stay within the rules, Jill Kismet can’t deny them entry. But she can watch–and if they step out of line, she’ll send them packing.
When Cirque performers start dying grotesquely, Kismet has to find out why, or the fragile truce won’t hold and her entire city will become a carnival of horror. She also has to play the resident hellbreed power against the Cirque to keep them in line, and find out why ordinary people are needing exorcisms. And then there’s the murdered voodoo practitioners, and the zombies.
An ancient vengeance is about to be enacted. The Cirque is about to explode. And Jill Kismet is about to find out some games are played for keeps…
Available now at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Borders, and Indiebound
I listened to a lot of circus calliope while writing this, and it shows. I am actually terrified of clowns, and slightly amazed that Jill hasn’t run across a psychotic clown in this book. Of course, what with voodoo and vengeance, not to mention Perry and trouble with Saul, her dance card is kind of full.
To celebrate a brand-spanking-new Kismet book, I’ll be giving away two signed copies here on my website and a couple more signed copies through my newsletter. Today I’ll be giving away a signed copy to a random commenter. All you have to do is go here and leave a comment about circuses (before midnight today)–do you find them creepy? Cool? Do clowns make you shiver? Tell me all about it, and I’ll pick a comment with the help of Random.org!
Wow. It’s been a busy, busy month. Thanks for reading, dear Readers. If not for you, well, this whole thing would sink. Thank you all.
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Tags: books, Jill Kismet, win some stuff
November 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Im freaked out by clowns, ever since the movie IT with Tim Curry. love your books =) reading Betrayals right now =)))
November 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I am TERRIFIED of clowns. Probably due to the fact that I watched The movie “It” as a kid. don’t think I could go to a circus. Bring on the vamps, and werewolves and other supernatural creature but keep th eclowns the hell away from me!! lol!!!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Lilith, I completely understand your fear of clowns! My friend has a theory that if I watch “It”, my phobia of clowns will go away – I think she’s insane. Anyways, congrats on the release of the new book and I can’t wait to pick it up!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:19 am
hmm circuses they can be cool but are deffinitly creepy. Clowns are not funny and half the time the make-up makes them look scary and not cute and cuddly. probably doesnt help when they focus horror movies on haunted circuses or killings in the hall of mirrors and murderous clowns but hey, that’s my opinion ( but i love horror lol)
November 24th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I find circuses and clowns kind of creepy. I’m not really that scared of them or anything though.
It’s actually been ages since I’ve been to a circus. I was probably under 10 years old so that would be like 28+ years ago. I’m mostly seen clowns only on t.v. since then.
I can’t wait to read Flesh Circus. I love this series so much!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I don’t really have an opinion one way or the other on circuses. They were fun many moons ago when I was young, but I haven’t been to one in forever.
However, clowns are a different story. I was actually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade when I was a teenager as a skating clown. It was definitely a fun time. Other people as clowns though… kinda creepy. Seems… I don’t know, a little too close to pedophilia for me. Maybe I’m wrong though….
November 24th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I loathe circuses- zoos too. Creepy and depressing.
Finished Betrayals… whew! Cannot wait for Jealousy. What a great series.
I’m reading Flesh Circus right now. I found it was out at our local book store yesterday. Jill’s in a bit of a pickle as we speak– but, then, when isn’t she?? I love that chick.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Read your post and a montage cycles thru my head:
In 2nd grade, a birthday party with clown themes and my dress splashed with candy pink throw up because the clown creeped me out so badly / County Fairs sprinkled with turd smelly clowns pushing you to see the petting zoo where all the animals looked juiced up and drooly /Recall shivering on the couch watching Killer Klowns From Outer Space with my grandmother while she smoked a never ending pack of cigarettes…images of the small Klown haunt me to this day.
The only clown I ever loved is Homey D. Clown. Damon Wayans helped me to laugh at clowns. I will always be in his debt for that brillance.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
WOOOOOO! I’m picking this up on Sunday (if I can wait that long…)
As for circuses… I was always scared of clowns. And here’s why: I was scared that they were going to throw a bucket of water on me. You know that old clown trick where they come running up with a bucket of water, but it turns out to be confetti or something harmless? I was terrified that one time it would be real water and I’d get soaked.
Now mind you, I *love* the water. I’m not really sure why the thought of a clown tossing water on me incited such terror, but then again I was also convinced as a kid that vampires lived under my parents’ bed and if I went down the stairs too slowly, the vampires would catch me. So I had to run down the stairs every time in order to escape.
What can I say, I was a strange kid.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I like the circus and clowns never really bothered me.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Yay! new Jill! The circus was never an attraction for me, espicially the music. (shuddering) The only good memory I have about it is the program that I loved when i was a child. it was about a famous circus trainer and his clever bunch of cats who could do pretty much anything
)
November 24th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Clowns are extremely creepy – please see Poltergeist, It, House of a 1000 Corpses, John Wayne Gacy, etc for confirmation. Coulrophobia – fear of clowns! Also, can’t sleep, clowns will eat me. I do not like clowns, in case that didn’t come across.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I like circuses, but do not like clowns – even the friendly ones. They just creep me out.
I just picked up Flesh Circus and cracked it open. I love that from page one we are off and running. Gonna enjoy Jill’s lastest ride.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Oh yes, circuses ARE creepy. But I like that.
They do seem to make GREAT settings for all kinds of spooky happenings, which makes them one of my favorite things. Plus, real life “carnies” are freakin WEIRD….I like that too. (:
November 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I like clowns, their makeup is always unique and it appeals to my artsy side. As for the circus though?
Acrobats, lions, elephants… okay so the movie dumbo scarred me but I’m hopeful. The acrobats are a real thrill. Juggling knives or machetes or axes is awesome to watch. The high wire on a unicycle? C’mon that’s tough.
But my favorite though was always the cannons. The safe smell of used gunpowder and a burst of light only to see someone flying. That was amazing.
I like it.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I think clowns are weird and not amusing/entertaining…
now i have to bug my sister for us to stop at the book store on the way home from school…*begins bugging sister*
November 24th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Clowns are creepy. I’ve only been to one circus, but I remember liking the animal tricks. Especially the horseback stuff… but as someone who owns horses, I suppose I’m just partial to anything with trick riding.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Looking forward to another Jill book.
Circuses? Cirques? Don’t know, but all clowns bar Emmit Kelly are creepy. See John Wayne Gacey!
November 24th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I am glad haven’t seen any clowns in ages. Circuses are not kid-friendly, not at all. Hell, even as an adult I feel scared :/
November 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
never been to a circus… always wanted to though…kinda ambivalent about clowns… but love…*love*…!love! your books
November 24th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I haven’t been to the circus in years but I used to enjoy them.
Most clowns aren’t creepy to me, but I’ve seen some pictures of movie clowns that definitely are not the happy, fun kind.
Finally read Strange Angels and just picked up Betrayals. Now I need to get Flesh Circus if I don’t win a copy. Love Jill.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a real circus. I’ve been to fairs, carnivals and a circus themed casino, but nothing that actually said “circus.” Maybe I should find one close to home and visit. Or y’know, just explore it through your wonderful book.
All I know is that I don’t like people in costumes.
Thanks for writing great books! I hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jill.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
ACK! I am so upset with myself that I didn’t realize this book came out today! And I just spent this week’s book allowance *yesterday*!
*ahem*
Now that I’ve done my adult-sized toddler tantrum stompy-dance…
I think circuses are creepy. Horror movie creepy. But I still like them anyway.
And I can’t wait to read this book.
(I’d bold that, and underline it, in big red pen with a bunch of exclamation points… but I’m much too reserved for that. In public.)
Also, while I’ve crawled out of hiding & am leaving a comment, I want to say how much I love your work and the raw, no-holds-barred emotion of it. You are a real inspiration just being out there and dealing with all that you’re dealing with in a truly graceful way. So, thank you.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Clowns creep me out. I would have been interested to circus when they were in their heyday, but the modern ones just seem sad. I get the same feeling at the zoo.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I don’t like circuses, too much random stuff that all seemed to be lies and trickery. The clowns freaked me out, the make-up and their actions never matched so their faces were LYING.
Circus magicians also freaked me out as a kid, being tricked always seemed too close to being humiliated and really, I had enough of that at home.
I will be buying the book!!! Of course it will be later than everyone else since it won’t be released in Canada as soon as it will be in the US.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Cirque du Soliel – AWESOME!!! Pricey, but just so damn awesome!
Regular circuses with live animals, clowns, acrobats, etc. – I enjoyed the trapeze acts, and a few of the other performance acts, but otherwise — meh.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Picked up a copy last night. So far Flesh Circus is great. Thank goodness for full-time jobs that tear me away from great books because I would so be asleep by now if I had stayed up all night reading it…
Circuses are a show. Like going to see a concert. I like carnivals better because there’s games and stuff. Clowns are creepy. Kids don’t like them because there’s just something instinctively wrong with adults in multicolored wigs and white face paint. I don’t like them for the same reason.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I haven’t been to a circus for years, but the one that I did go to was a pure human one. So there were tightrope walkers, unicycle riders as well as trapeze artists etc.
However as well as the impressive stuff there were the clowns. I don’t know who the hell thought that it would amuse kids to see something so freaky but I really don’t like them. I don’t know if its the makeup, or if its the supersized feet but theres something completely untrustworthy about them.
TO finish off a Clown Joke:
Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says “Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says “But Doctor… I am Pagliacci.”
November 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I’ve never had a problem with clowns, and don’t understand why others do (although I’m the weird one I guess, because it seems more people have clown issues than don’t) — I even dressed up as one for Halloween in kindergarten or first grade (I think first). Mom bought me an awesome curly rainbow wig, made me a fabulous costume (that was recycled via two of three younger sisters) I got to cover my face in paint and I had a fabulous time jumping around like an idiot and being rewarded with candy.
As far as circuses, I don’t recall ever going — although we always watched the parade when the Shriner’s Circus came to town. Again, the clowns there were closely connected to candy (who doesn’t like a goofy-looking guy handing out Tootsie Rolls when Mom and Dad are there to say it’s okay?) We did used to put on “circuses” in my friend’s backyard when we were little. All the neighbor kids would get together and we’d practice for an entire afternoon doing tricks on her swing set/jungle gym and then we’d make our parents come out and watch the performance. Good good times.
The only clowns I remember not liking were the ones in Dumbo that picked on him and made fun of him all the time. Not cool — who picks on big-eared babies forced away from there moms? Apparently, only other elephants and evil clowns.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
My mother is from the Tampa, FL area where the Ringling Brothers Circus winters; hence, my brother and I were forcefully coerced into attending. I absolutely hate circuses — from the very first, the clowns terrifed me and I couldn’t understand why everyone around me was laughing. I have NEVER taken my kids to see the circus — guess I was too traumatized.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Well clowns are pretty creepy especially since i read Stehpen King’s It while in middle school. Parts were so bad I didn’t want to reach over my headboard to turn off my reading light.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Clowns are…. Not scary.
Creepy…. and sad. I think more than anything else clowns make me sad. I feel like every clown who is trying to make people laugh at a circus is really crying inside…. sad sad
There was a pretty funny comic made by farside of a clown at a gun shop… should look it up.
Love your books!
November 24th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I do not like clowns at all. They scare me very much. Have you ever read Stephen King’s book “It”? If you have, enough said. If you haven’t, don’t unless you want to be terrified of clowns. Circuses are just a tiny bit less scary but not much. Too much simultaneous commotion and too many masks… In conclusion, I have 3 words to say: JOHN. WAYNE. GACEY. However, I am still looking forward to reading Flesh Circus. I have just started the Jill Kismet series after reading the Dante Valentine series and I do enjoy the writing.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I enjoyed going to the circus as a child. The clowns never bothered me (though the clown from “IT” freaked the hell out of me). I think part of the reason why I enjoyed the circus so much was because of the SnoCones. Rainbow colored sweet ice served in a huge cup with an elephant trunk for a handle? What’s not to love!
Just bought “Flesh Circus” and can’t wait to read about the circus of Jill and Saul’s world.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I have one distinct memory of a circus, involving Star Wars lightsabers (the kind that collapsed back into the handle, bright green plastic–anyone else remember these?). Oh, and I also remember walking up to riding an elephant, and sitting on the saddle, but I don’t remember the actual elephant at all–I must have been five or so. Also, despite the fact that every one of my friends are terrified of clowns, they never really bothered me that much.
Now I really want to go to a circus!
November 24th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
OMG, I find clowns so freakishly horrifying that I could never go to a circus. I had an older cousin who was a professional clown that went to kiddie parties. He used to dress up in his party clothes with LED lights sewn onto the costume and pop into my bedroom very early in the mornings to wake me. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that trauma
November 24th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I’ve never liked circuses. As a kid I was creeped out by being in crowded spaces that smelled bad, and a tent packed with people and dancing bears was just that. Outside the tent, though, I always liked watching the elephants.
OH, and while I’m here, I’d just like to say that I think you’re awesome. Being able to put out not one, but two books while going through everything you’re going through blows my mind. Thank you.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I love circuses. They strike me as singularly morbid and strange, sort of the never thing twice. The level of desperation and uniqueness to everything involved as if there is a sort of understanding that things can never be as they were in the hayday but is made somehow more special by that very fact.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Congrats on the release! I like circuses but once I saw It clown always made me uncomfortable. However I do love the Cirque du Soleil, everything is just so visually stunning and beautiful usually leaving me breathless.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Congratulations on Book 4! I can’t wait to run out and buy a copy. I’ve missed Perry and Jill.
And circuses in general are fun. Also a bit of the macabre to them, I think and clowns can be part of that.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Congrats on the release!
I used to think a circus was cool. Now I think its a little creepy and almost sideshowish. All these people traveling around dressing up as clowns, etc seems a bit ghoulish.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Hate clowns but loved this book. It was delivered a couple of days early and I devoured it. I guess that’s kind of appropriate considering what happens in the book. *shiver*
Happy release day!
P.S. I’ve got the book so if I win pass it on to the next person.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Circuses have never bothered me. They didn’t particularly entertain me, though I do like the acrobatics and the skill they take. Even as a kid, the circus was just the answer to “how am I not bored today?”
I prefer things like Cirque du Soli myself, but I’m not sure if that qualifies as a circus or not. I don’t think so, though.
Clowns, they’ve never bothered me. Not even after Stephen King. Their creativity and oddball humor amuse me, and their antics can get me laughing pretty darn well, but they’ve never scared me.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Darn it, I only have the first Kismet book! Need to update my amazon wishlist in time for Christmas…
Also, I think the cover looks great!
November 24th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Oh, btw, do you have any translation of the Kismet series planned? Or the YA books? I’m looking for something to redirect the patrons who want Twilight, and I’d rather have your books on my shelves than those. I strive for quality, after all.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:36 am
NOt sure why but I don’t particularily care for circuses either. But I’d go to one with Jill. Can’t wait to read your next book.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:59 am
When I was really little, I was on the Bozo the Clown show. I don’t remember much, but I have a nice picture
I used to like circuses, but then went to one in college and just felt sad for the animals. But if I ever went to Vegas, I’d definitely go to Cirque de Soliel.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Circuses are great settings for stories with horror. The contrast of happy, bright colored costumes with the evil killer spirit within the clown is always a good shock to readers/viewers. It’s strange how a place that’s supposed to be a child’s dream can turn into a nightmare.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I like circuses, but now that I’m older I get worried about the animals and always check them out to make sure they don’t look sad.
I like the newer style of clowns. I have a friend who’s a street performing clown, and he wears a bit of makeup and a bit of a costume (basically his regular clothes and some extra colourful bits.) He’s super funny and can always make me laugh.
Although I bet his kind of clown won’t be showing up in your new book, hey, Lili? That’s ok. I’ll still love it anyway.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
[...] LiliFirst of all, we have a winner in the contest for a signed Flesh Circus! Random.org helped me pick a comment number. The winner is comment #11, kara-karina! Kara-karina, [...]