Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR
HELLFORGED
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 Holzners 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... Holzners 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 behindrough 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 cant 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 wont want to miss.
Romance Reviews Today
DEADTOWN
Fresh and funny, with a great new take on zombies.
Karen Chance, New York Times bestselling author of Hunt the Moon
Holzners 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. Im looking forward to more adventures in Deadtown with Vicky Vaughnthis heroine totally kicks butt!
Phaedra Weldon, author of Revenant
Fast, fun, and feisty, Holzners 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 cant 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 Ill 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. Its Boston as youve 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 Holzners fascinating world, where a plague has turned much of the Boston population into zombies. Part demon-busting tale, part political thriller, Holzners take on urban fantasy is exciting and fresh. Heres 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 Deadtowns sequel.
Bitten by Books
Ace Books by Nancy Holzner
DEADTOWN
HELLFORGED
BLOODSTONE
To my parents, Harold and Lois Brown,
with love and appreciation.
Thanks for reading my books even though
theyre not always your cup of tea.
I could not have chosen better people
to love and guide me throughout my life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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. Kats questions werent 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. Youre 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.
Im 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 draftnot to mention fun conversation and good company. Thanks, all!
My daughter, Tamsen Conner, thinks its cool that her mom writes this stuff, and listens patiently when I moan about the writing process. Shes the best.
Many friends just made life more fun while I was writing, including Kathy Giacoletto, Maria Giacoletto (youre 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 booksits such a thrill to know that people are following Vickys 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 hes 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. Id 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.
