Sharp, sarcastic, and efficiently lethal, John Charming would feel right at home having drinks with Dean Winchester and Harry Dresden. If you're looking for a new urban fantasy series to pick up, CHARMING is a guaranteed page-turner.
John Charming isn't your average Prince...
He comes from a line of Charmings -- an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chain mail and crossbows to Kevlar and shotguns, John Charming was one of the best--until a curse made him one of the abominations the Knights were sworn to hunt.
That was a lifetime ago. Now, John tends bar under an assumed name in rural Virginia and leads a peaceful, quiet life. That is, until a vampire and a blonde walked into his bar...
CHARMING is the first novel in a new urban fantasy series which gives a new twist to the Prince Charming tale. Catch the next in the series with DARING and FEARLESS.
Short Fiction in the Pax Arcana world:* *
Charmed I'm Sure
Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
Pushing Luck
Surreal Estate
Dog-Gone
From Booklist
Although John Charming looks human, he is part werewolf and genetically compelled to help keep the Pax Arcana, the shroud of secrecy that keeps most humans unaware of the supernaturals around us. Working as a bartender, he is fascinated by Sig, a six-foot-tall blond with something of the supernatural about her. It turns out she is a Valkyrie on the hunt for vampires responsible for the disappearance of several young women. John ends up teaming up with Sig and her cohorts: a psychic who looks like an old guy on steroids; his two Eastern European nephews; a cop, Choo, who is a professional exterminator; and Molly, a former Episcopal priest. In a saturated literary realm, James’ tale stands out for the gritty, believable world he builds, and provides a reason for the genre’s renewed strength. This is masculine urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher and Mark del Franco. --Diana Tixier Herald
Review
"The Pax Arcana books are seriously good reads. Action, humor, and heart with unexpected twists and turns. If you are (like me) waiting for the next Butcher or Hearne--pick up Elliot James. Then you can bite your nails waiting for the next James, too."―Patricia Briggs, New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series
"Loved it! Charming is a giant gift basket of mythology and lore delivered by a brilliant new voice in urban fantasy. Elliott James tells stories that are action-packed, often amusing, and always entertaining."―Kevin Hearne, author of *Hounded*
"I loved this book from start to finish. Exciting and innovative, Charming is a great introduction to a world I look forward to spending a lot more time in."―New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire
"James's world is rich and complex and well worth diving into."―Richard Kadrey
"In a saturated literary realm, James's tale stands out for the gritty, believable world he builds... This is masculine urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher and Mark del Franco."―*Booklist*
"Grab some snacks and settle back as splendid debut author James serves up a Prince Charming tale yanked sideways. John Charming comes from a prominent line of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers trained by the Knights Templar, but now he has a problem: He has become what they hunt. James' reluctant hero faces threats and danger with a smart-ass attitude that keeps the narrative fast paced, edgy and amusing. Mark this name down -- you will undoubtedly be seeing more from James!"―*RT Book Reviews*
"This debut introduces a self-deprecating, wisecracking, and honorable-to-a-fault hero who can stand up to such established protagonists as Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden and Seanen McGuire's October Daye. Combining action and romance -- with an emphasis on action -- this is a top-notch new series opener for lovers of urban fantasy."―Library Journal (Starred review)
Description:
Sharp, sarcastic, and efficiently lethal, John Charming would feel right at home having drinks with Dean Winchester and Harry Dresden. If you're looking for a new urban fantasy series to pick up, CHARMING is a guaranteed page-turner.
John Charming isn't your average Prince...
He comes from a line of Charmings -- an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chain mail and crossbows to Kevlar and shotguns, John Charming was one of the best--until a curse made him one of the abominations the Knights were sworn to hunt.
That was a lifetime ago. Now, John tends bar under an assumed name in rural Virginia and leads a peaceful, quiet life. That is, until a vampire and a blonde walked into his bar...
CHARMING is the first novel in a new urban fantasy series which gives a new twist to the Prince Charming tale. Catch the next in the series with DARING and FEARLESS.
Short Fiction in the Pax Arcana world:* *
Charmed I'm Sure
Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
Pushing Luck
Surreal Estate
Dog-Gone
From Booklist
Although John Charming looks human, he is part werewolf and genetically compelled to help keep the Pax Arcana, the shroud of secrecy that keeps most humans unaware of the supernaturals around us. Working as a bartender, he is fascinated by Sig, a six-foot-tall blond with something of the supernatural about her. It turns out she is a Valkyrie on the hunt for vampires responsible for the disappearance of several young women. John ends up teaming up with Sig and her cohorts: a psychic who looks like an old guy on steroids; his two Eastern European nephews; a cop, Choo, who is a professional exterminator; and Molly, a former Episcopal priest. In a saturated literary realm, James’ tale stands out for the gritty, believable world he builds, and provides a reason for the genre’s renewed strength. This is masculine urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher and Mark del Franco. --Diana Tixier Herald
Review
"The Pax Arcana books are seriously good reads. Action, humor, and heart with unexpected twists and turns. If you are (like me) waiting for the next Butcher or Hearne--pick up Elliot James. Then you can bite your nails waiting for the next James, too."―Patricia Briggs, New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series
"Loved it! Charming is a giant gift basket of mythology and lore delivered by a brilliant new voice in urban fantasy. Elliott James tells stories that are action-packed, often amusing, and always entertaining."―Kevin Hearne, author of *Hounded*
"I loved this book from start to finish. Exciting and innovative, Charming is a great introduction to a world I look forward to spending a lot more time in."―New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire
"James's world is rich and complex and well worth diving into."―Richard Kadrey
"In a saturated literary realm, James's tale stands out for the gritty, believable world he builds... This is masculine urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher and Mark del Franco."―*Booklist*
"Grab some snacks and settle back as splendid debut author James serves up a Prince Charming tale yanked sideways. John Charming comes from a prominent line of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers trained by the Knights Templar, but now he has a problem: He has become what they hunt. James' reluctant hero faces threats and danger with a smart-ass attitude that keeps the narrative fast paced, edgy and amusing. Mark this name down -- you will undoubtedly be seeing more from James!"―*RT Book Reviews*
"This debut introduces a self-deprecating, wisecracking, and honorable-to-a-fault hero who can stand up to such established protagonists as Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden and Seanen McGuire's October Daye. Combining action and romance -- with an emphasis on action -- this is a top-notch new series opener for lovers of urban fantasy."―Library Journal (Starred review)