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In a six-book deal Atom has acquired the rights for Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Blood series.
Commissioning editor, Samantha Smith bought Commonwealth rights excluding Canada and non-exclusive Europe.
The series is set in an exclusive prep school in New York City. It focusses on Manhattan's most elite families and a secret society of Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. They are an ancient group of powerful and wealthy vampires known as 'Blue Bloods'.
Blue Bloods and Masquerade, the first two books in the series, will be published in March 2010, followed by books three and four, Revelations and The Van Alen Legacy in April. A fifth book, which is yet untitled, will be published in the autumn.
Smith said: "As anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to read one of her books could tell you, Melissa de la Cruz is an extraordinary writer and has crafted the most amazing series with Blue Bloods. The characters are young and fabulous and the stories are absolutely addictive. We’re thrilled to be publishing such a spectacular series."
De la Cruz said: "I cannot be more thrilled to be published by Little Brown/Atom in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. It will be wonderful to connect with more readers, and I am so honoured to be part of their list that includes Stephenie Meyer and P.C. and Kristin Cast! In my series, Blue Blood Vampires leave England on the Mayflower, but now they are back for a glorious return!"
The first two titles were bought from Molly Kong at Hyperion, the third and fourth books from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown, on behalf of ICM, and the last two from agent Richard Abate.