The first time I encountered Death, I hurled my mother’s medical chart at him. As far as impressions went, I blew it, but I was five at the time, so he eventually forgave me. Some days I wished he hadn’t—particularly when we crossed paths on the job. When you think of Death personified, what image do you see? Many probably conjure images of skeletons in black robes carrying long, deadly scythes and intent on reaping souls. At one point, that might have been my first image as well. Not so much anymore. Now when I picture a personified Death, the image in my mind is of a much more relaxed figure in a black tee-shirt and faded jeans. He leans against a wall, arms crossed over a wide chest and his dark hair falling around his face as he watches with a smirk. Not a traditional image, that’s for sure, but that’s what he looked like when he first walked into a scene and became a leading character in my newest book, GRAVE WITCH. Angel of Death, Soul Collector, Grim Reaper—whatever you called him, most people saw him only once. A popular question has been why I decided to cast…

October is this time of Halloween–supernaturals abound, even if they are the pretend kind asking for candy. This month Urban Fantasy reads just may make you think twice come this October- the next time you go to your mechanic, ask yourself- could she be a secret vampire hunter? MASQUES, Patricia Briggs (Ace, 9/28/2010, $7.99, Mery Thompson) BACK IN PRINT: the debut novel by Patricia Briggs featuring Mercy Thompson. After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy. Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae’Magi. But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is– or where he will strike next? ANGELS SOULS AND DEVIL HEARTS, Christopher Golden (Ace, 9/28/2010, $7.99, Peter Octavian) The second Peter Octavian novel in the classic urban fantasy series–reissued in a brand-new package–by the award-winning author. VENOM, Jennifer Estep (Pocket, 9/28/2010, $7.99, Elemental Assassin) Gin Blanco is an assassin who can control the elements of Ice an Stone when she’s not too busy running her barbecue resturant, the Pork Pit. Her current mission is to…