Patricia's Vampire Notes

Richelle Mead Blog Tour 2009

2009-11-06T01:00:00.001-05:00

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4)
by Richelle Mead
Razorbill (August 25, 2009)

PVN is happy to be a part of Richelle's Vampire Academy blog tour to celebrate the publication of the most recent book Blood Promise. Below you'll find a brief synopsis of the series as well as the book followed by a Q and A.

Vampire Academy

"Two races of vampires walk our world. The Moroi are alive and wield elemental magical, while the Strigoi are undead and evil--feeding on the innocent to survive. Rose Hathaway--a half-vampire with poor impulse control--is training to be a bodyguard for a Moroi princess. Learning to decapitate and stake is hard enough, but Rose's real danger may lie in an illicit romance with one of her instructors..."

Blood Promise

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Questions and Answers

PVN: Would you describe the characteristics of your vampires - the Moroi and the Strigoi?

Richelle: Moroi and Strigoi both come from Romanian mythology. Moroi are living, and Strigoi are dead. I've embellished their histories a little, and in my series, Moroi are good and wield elemental magic. They don’t have to kill for their blood, whereas Strigoi are evil and prey on others.

PVN: What is your writing environment and your writing day like?

Richelle: I work at home, in an office with mauve walls. My day is usually broken into segments of errands, working out, writing, etc. There’s no hard schedule to it, though my writing increments are usually no more than 2-3 hours at a time. This is both because that’s about how long it takes me to do a chapter and because my hands need the rest (according to physical therapists). So, in a given day, I may get up and eat, write, go to the gym, answer email, write, eat lunch, etc.

PVN: Which books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Richelle: Growing up, my favorite books were the Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. They influenced me a lot in that I believe strong, well-developed characters are the most important part of a book (even though you ideally want all parts to be good!). Those books also taught me not to be afraid to do shocking things in the middle of a series--as shown in Shadow Kiss, the third book in the Vampire Academy series.

Another favorite book is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. This always comes as a surprise to some readers, mostly because they’ve never heard of it. Also, there are no vampires in it at all. It’s a semi-historical novel, based on the myths of King Arthur and told through the women—who are portrayed as very strong—in those tales. It’s a massive book, and I first read it when I was fourteen. It totally opened up my eyes to the world and gave me a huge appreciation for Celtic culture, as well as insight into spirituality and religion. Every few years or so, I pick it up again and re-read it.

PVN: Thanks Richelle

To follow the tour go to the next stop - The Bloody Bookaholic

Note: This is the first book in the series that I have read (full disclosure, thanks to the publisher). Of course I knew about the books, even bought the first two, but never got around to reading any in the series until now. I honestly liked Blood Promise and will post a review soon.

If any reader has an opinion on this series I would love to hear from you!

Vampire Taxonomy - Contest

2009-11-02T01:10:00.001-05:00

Vampire Taxonomy: Identifying and Interacting with the Modern-Day Bloodsucker
by Meredith Woerner
Perigee Trade (November 3, 2009)

Thanks to Perigee two US readers have a chance to win a copy of Vampire Taxonomy.

From the publisher: Our culture today is inundated with beloved blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Referencing a wide variety of well-known bloodsuckers from film, literature, and other media, vampire expert Meredith Woerner provides detailed information about the different types of vampires now roaming the earth, classifying them by their reaction to sun exposure, physiology, attire, and preferred diet. VAMPIRE TAXONOMY will equip readers who meet vamps to answer the question: Should you hand him your heart or stake his before he makes you his next meal?

For the reader's protection, Meredith Woerner reveals the truth about:

•Sunlight sensitivity-Do vamps venture out in the day or stick solely to the evening hours?

•Physiology-When ready to feed, do they change appearance or simply lure with the seductive flash of a fang?

•Dress-Are they decked out in leather with aspirations of becoming the first vampire rock stars or do they cling to Gothic robes and ruffled collars?

•Diet-Are they waging a never-ending struggle against the temptation of human blood or do they view the world as their personal blood buffet?

Contest

To be eligible do one or more of the following:

*Leave a comment: Tell what you would do if you met a vampire, ie put a stake through the heart; run screaming into the night, or jump into his/her arms, etc. Use your imagination!
* Link this contest to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

This contest is open to US residents only.

Contest runs until Nov 16 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.

October Contest Winners on PVN

2009-11-02T01:00:00.004-05:00

Your Favorite Vampire(s) Halloween Contest at PVN

Winners: Kathleen's Book Reviews
1st prize The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Haleyknitz 2nd prize Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grang

kassilei 3rd prize The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows, Book 6) by Kim Harrison

Marie 4th prize Personal Demon (Women of the Otherworld, Book 8)
by Kelley Armstrong

Josef13 5th prize Winter Duty: A Novel of the Vampire Earth by E. E. Knight

October 2009 Book Contest

Winner: onlyladyknight

This month of Halloween onlyladyknight has won 2 books Dark Road Rising by P. N. Elrod and Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson.
The winner was selected from email subscribers to Patricia's Vampire Notes

Hellbound Hearts - Contest

Winners: Indigo, tina werner, Andrea, Mary Ann DeBorde, Froggy

Day By Day Armageddon - Contest

Winners: Madwoman-doing-cartwheels and bbricke

Winners please send your mail address to me (paltner(at)verizon(dot)net so that you can receive your books. If I don't receive the information by November 15 a new winner will be drawn.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T03:26:00.000-04:00

LAST DAY FOR 4 CONTESTS ON PVN

Monthly contest for email subscribers - see right hand bar

Your Favorite Vampire(s) - Halloween Contest at PVN

Day by Day Armageddon

Hellbound Hearts

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sarah Jane Stratford - Interview and Contest

2009-10-28T01:00:00.003-04:00

[see contest info update at end of interview]

A warm PVN welcome to Sarah Jane Stratford author of The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel St. Martin's Press (October 13, 2009). For more information about the author and her novel go to this PVN post

As many of you may know the contest for copy of The Midnight Guardian has already begun. I will continue until November 4. After this interview there will be more contest information.

Sarah Jane, thanks so much for this interview!

PVN: What attracts you to vampires? What are the characteristics of your vampires?

Sarah Jane: I am enthralled by the idea of those who were once human now living a life that is, in a way, constant play-acting – pretending to be human. Seeming to be a part of, but really only an observer of, the human world. And yet needing humans for life, literally and otherwise. There seemed no end of territory to explore there – trying to further understand humanity through these creatures. My millennial vampires are extra-powerful – after 1000 years of life, they are much harder to kill. And they have observed an awful lot of history. They're really not supposed to get involved in the doings of humans, but sometimes they are compelled.

PVN: Describe Brigit for us.

Sarah Jane: She's a millennial, made in the 10th century when she was seventeen. She is intelligent, loving, loyal, powerful, and brave. She's also stubborn (after all, she hails from Yorkshire!), sarcastic, and prone to temper – although she's gotten a lot of that under control. And she's got a good, sometimes cynical, sense of humor. There's nothing she won't do for those she loves. Which can make things unpleasant for anyone out to injure one of her loved ones.

PVN: Why the WWII setting for Midnight Guardian?

Sarah Jane: I often feel it wasn't wholly my choice in that Brigit told me so much of what was afoot, but I was excited to explore the juxtapositions. Here you have a group of humans being utterly monstrous – and in relief, the perceived monstrousness of the vampires. Part of what I wanted to do was query the true definition of "humanity" under these circumstances – and in life in general. In a state of war, humans are at their most shameful – although there is that contingent that rises up and becomes bigger and better than it might otherwise – and to observe as much through non-human eyes was fascinating.

PVN: Is this a series? How many more books do you plan?

Sarah Jane: It is a series! I'm working on the second book now. My plan so far is to see what happens with the vampires as the war progresses. After that, well…we'll see!

PVN: What other projects are you working on?

Sarah Jane: Besides the afore-mentioned second book, I'm making revisions on a stage play that I like the look of, and two screenplays. As soon as I'm done with the second book, there are about three other books I want to dive into, so I should be nice and busy for a while.

PVN: You have a masters degree in Medieval History - any plans to write fiction or nonfiction set in that era?

Sarah Jane: I briefly touched on some of medieval York in TMG, but I'd love to do a whole book in that time. Before they moved to London, my vampires were very proud Yorkists, and I know they were active in the War of the Roses, so that seems fertile territory.

PVN: You earned your degree in York, UK . I visited there once for 3 days and fell in love with it. What was it like for you living and studying there?

Sarah Jane: Isn't it incredible? I found it endlessly inspiring – it seemed as though there was a story around every corner. I did a lot of my work at the King's Manor, a 16th-century building that definitely got us in the mood for medievalism. Although the 1960s orange lounge chairs were a tad jarring – Mad Men and medieval don't mix (much though I love both). It was just amazing to read about an event in a particular street, and then go and walk that street! Even if it was now chock-a-block with trendy modern shops, the past didn't seem that far off. I can't wait to go back – especially if I can have a warmer bedroom.

PVN: Describe your writing day and your writing environment.

Sarah Jane: I like to try and get started by nine in the morning and go till I collapse, or get to a yoga class or the theatre. I'm a member of the Writers Room in New York – it's a purpose-created office space where writers in all sorts of media can have a quiet, comfortable place to work. What's great about it is that it allows for camaraderie and networking too – writing is so solitary, but here you can work and also interact when you need a break.

PVN: What writers have inspired you?

Sarah Jane: Wow – so many, and in so many ways. Whatever the medium, I gravitate towards those who explore the human condition. Margaret Atwood, Jane Austen, Kurt Vonnegut. I love theatre, so Shakespeare, Pinter, Stoppard, Shaw, and Sondheim have all been powerful inspirations. And I'd be remiss not to cite Joss Whedon and especially Marti Noxon, from whom I was honored to get a blurb on the book jacket. These were scripts that delved the depths of emotion and humanity, with wit, flair, and above all, honesty. Powerful stuff.

PVN: Where can readers find you on the Internet?

Sarah Jane: I have a web site – www.sarahjanestratford.com. Brigit posts outtakes from her journal there. The book has a Facebook page, as do I, and I also Twitter at stratfordsj. I love to hear from people, so please stop by!

Read a guest blog by Brigit and take another look at the book cover which features the Brandenburg Gate,

CONTEST INFORMATION

Three lucky readers will each win a copy of The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel. To be eligible do one or more of the following:

* Leave a comment

* Ask Sarah a question

* Link this contest to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL.

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest update the publisher has limited winners to US and Canada

My apologies for this misunderstanding. It was my mistake!

The contest ends November 4, 2009 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.

Please post comments and questions here.

Gail Z. Martin - Interview and Contest

2009-10-26T01:00:00.020-04:00

[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

Patricia's Vampire Notes is proud to be a part of Gail Z. Martin's Days of the Dead Halloween Blog Tour for 2009. She will answer any questions you might have about: the writing life - hers or yours; the fantasy/paranormal genre; and her Chronicles of the Necromancer series.

Two winners will each win a signed copy of a limited edition ARC for The Blood King and a signed copy of Dark Haven.

Read the interview below. Contest rules will follow

PVN: Vampires—you call them vayash moru—play a big part in your Chronicles of the Necromancer series, and especially in the Dark Haven/Dark Lady’s Chosen duology. How have your vampire characters come to the forefront? Are they stealing the show?

Gail: I’m not sure about them stealing the show, but they certainly play an increasingly important role as the series moves along. In Dark Haven, a group of rogue vayash moru break the centuries-old truce with mortals to try to achieve domination. It leads to all-out war with the vayash moru who respect the truce, and with the vyrkin (shapeshifters), led by the Lord of Dark Haven, Jonmarc Vahanian, who is mortal. And of course, as with any war, there are a long of collateral damage and unintended consequences.

In part, the vayash moru have come to the forefront because of Jonmarc’s role as Lord of Dark Haven. He is a mortal, chosen for the role of lord over an area that has been a traditional sanctuary for Those Who Walk the Night. He’s supposed to be a guardian of both the mortal and undead residents, and now he finds himself protecting mortals from rogue vayash moru, and protecting law-abiding vayash moru from vengeful mortals.

Along the way, we get a lot more insight into vayash moru history and culture, as well as some of the characters who have been around since the first two books in supporting roles.

PVN: Would you say your vampires are more like traditional vamps or more like the urban fantasy vamps?

Gail: I write in a quasi-medieval setting, so some of the modern twists just don’t apply. On the other hand, in my world, vampires are an acknowledged fact, and they live within society with varying degrees of tolerance from mortals depending on the location. Under the best circumstances, they stay on the family farm or in the family business for generations, helping out. In the worst circumstances, they are hunted and persecuted.

I think something that differs from “traditional” vampires is that my vayash moru aren’t automatically monsters because they are vampires. They retain moral choice. Unlike urban fantasy, they’re not automatically sexy and beautiful, although their regenerative powers are a big plus when it comes to not looking their age. I’m very interested in how living for centuries would affect your self image, your identity, and your definition of community as the world around you changes and you don’t.

PVN: What’s your vision of vampires and why do you like writing about them?

Gail: I’ve loved vampire stories (and ghosts and haunted houses and cemeteries) since I was a kid. But as an adult, I guess I love the way vampires struggle to retain or rethink what it means to be human after they have lost everything. They’re technically dead. They outlive their loved ones, their friends and their time period. The longer they exist, the less meaning they attach to the politics and upheaval that grips us when we’re mortal. So who are you, after 400 years? What drives you to exist? Why strive to live according to any set of values or morality? What makes you human even if you are no longer mortal? I love delving into that.

For me, vampires are an archetype of people who have experienced great loss or trauma. The language is much the same. When we grieve, we talk about “feeling dead,” feeling cold, feeling as if all the light has gone out of the world. We stop eating. We have insomnia. We withdraw. People who experience great pain or loss have a choice: they can inflict pain on others to equal what they have felt, or they can rise above their pain to re-gain a different kind of humanity than what they had before. That perspective gives me insight into the way I write my vayash moru.

PVN: You’ve just signed a deal with Orbit for four more books. Will the Chronicles of the Necromancer series continue?

Gail: My first four books have been published by Solaris Books, which was just bought by Rebellion, Ltd. It will be Solaris/Rebellion bringing out Dark Lady’s Chosen on Dec. 29. I am very excited about the deal with Orbit because we will be bringing the characters and setting of my world of the Winter Kingdoms into a new story arc with a new series, The Fallen Kings Cycle. I’m already working on Book One: The Sworn, which should come out in 2011. It will feature the characters and world from the first four books, but it opens up a new set of adventures, making it a perfect gateway for someone who is new to the series. Readers who have been along since the beginning will just keep on rolling along, but new readers won’t have to go back and read the first four to enjoy The Fallen Kings Cycle, although I’m hoping that they’ll want to!

PVN: How are your ghosts different and what role do they play in your books?

Gail: Ghosts play a big role in my books. The whole idea of a Summoner is someone who can intercede between the living and the dead (or undead) so my main character, Tris Drayke, spends a lot of time talking with ghosts. In my newest book, Dark Lady’s Chosen, ghosts play a very active role. They are spies during a war, they comfort and protect the living, they attend festivals and special occasions, and they share knowledge. In the next book, The Sworn, we’ll see ghosts interacting with mortals in even more ways. I have always been fascinated with the idea of ghosts and the concept of the departed as being just another level of extended family. The series lets me play with that in whole new ways.

PVN: What do you make of the current zombie phenomenon?

Gail: Well, I have a special place in my heart for zombies, since I once worked at the Monroeville Mall outside of Pittsburgh, where all zombie-lovers know George Romero shot Dawn of the Dead, and my boss had been cast as an extra zombie in the film. So I’ve worked for the living dead! In my books, the zombies are Ashtenerath. The word literally means “awakened dead” and they are a little different from the traditional zombie.
First, they don’t eat flesh, although they are highly aggressive. They are made more like the “real” Voodoo zombies, by a combination of drugs and physical abuse, and they are wielded as weapons of war, often made from the prisoners taken during combat and then used against their own side for additional shock value.

There is another kind of zombie in my world, one created by a dark summoner, where a soul is forced back into a rotting corpse. Obviously, that’s a no-no, but we’ll see some of that in the new duology I’m working on for Orbit, The Fallen Kings Cycle.

Then there’s a third kind of zombie, which is more of a gollum. It is possible for a mage who isn’t a summoner to animate a corpse, not my forcing a soul into the body but by essentially being a puppeteer. It’s very creepy, but the corpse in this case wouldn’t have any ability to move or speak or make decisions because it really is a dead body being manipulated by magic. You get to see some of that in Dark Lady’s Chosen, which is the new book coming out Dec. 29.

As for why zombies are hot right now, I’ve seen a number of articles attempting a psychological interpretation, what with the recession and all. I do think that under times of stress people turn more to horror movies as a way to release anxiety. But I also think monsters tend to come and go as fads, and we’ve been on a vampire/werewolf fad for a while now, so people want something new, and zombies don’t come with the psychological baggage and angst that vamps and weres do. No brain, no angst. A simple monster for a complex time.

PVN: You’ve got audio and excerpts from Dark Lady's Chosen (Chronicles of the Necromancer) online, plus there are other sites participating in your Days of the Dead blog tour. Where can we find all the goodies?

Gail: Check out my site at www.ChroniclesOfTheNecromancer.com, for all the downloads and more Days of the Dead stuff. Also, please find me on Twitter.com as GailZMartin and on Facebook and MySpace as well.

The first four Chronicles of the Necromancer books

The Summoner
The Blood King
Dark Haven
Dark Lady's Chosen

The titles above are available on ebook through Double Dragon. These four books will also be available on audiobook from Audible.com in December, 2009. Dark Lady's Chosen debuts in paperback from Solaris Books on December 29, 2009.

Contest:
[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]
For the contest Gail is offering signed copy of a limited edition ARC for The Blood King and a signed copy of Dark Haven for 2 winners

For a chance to win do one or more of the following

* Ask Gail a question

* Post a comment

* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest ends November 2nd at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time

Upcoming Event - Interview and Contest with Gail Z. Martin

2009-10-24T01:05:00.000-04:00

PVN is proud to be a part of Gail Z. Martin's Days of the Dead Halloween Blog Tour for 2009. She will answer any questions you might have about: the writing life - hers or yours; the fantasy/paranormal genre; and her Chronicles of the Necromancer series.

For the contest Gail is offering signed copy of a limited edition ARC for The Blood King and a signed copy of Dark Haven for 2 winners

Undead Update October 24, 2009

2009-10-24T01:00:00.001-04:00

Our deep, dark obsession with Vampires

From USA Weekend - an article (By Brian Truitt) about our favorite creature of the night.

"Garlic, crosses, daylight and a good decapitation are supposed to be weaknesses for a vampire, but in today's pop culture, the modern bloodsuckers seem unstoppable.... Read more

FC Presents Original Dark Web Series DEAD and LONELY,
Premieres on IFC.com Monday, October 26 at Noon ET/PT

"IFC Original five episode web series DEAD and LONELY, written, produced and directed by cult indie horror filmmaker Ti West (The Roost, Trigger Man, The House Of The Devil) premieres on IFC.com Monday, October 26 at Noon ET/PT. Each additional episode will air every day that week on IFC.com at Noon.

In this series, two lonely Los Angeles singles are brought together via the popular Internet dating website DateOrDie.net. The only problem is...one of them is a vampire.

Starring Justin Rice (Mutual Appreciation, Alexander The Last) and Paige Stark, DEAD and LONELY brings the classic vampire love story to the modern Internet dating age. The series unfolds from both the predator and the victim’s perspective until the characters finally meet. In the vein of Let the Right One In the series focuses on the mundane reality of the day-to-day life of an immortal, while seeking to humanize her to the degree that she seems almost as desperate and lonely as the rest of modern society."

View a clip below:

Penguin Classics On Air Radio Room

Vampires on Paper: The Enduring Appeal of Vampires in Literature
In this episode, Penguin Classics Editor, Elda Rotor interviews Twilight expert Donna Freitas about the appeal of Stephanie Meyer’s vampire series and how it compares to Emily Bronte’s enduring classic Wuthering Heights.

Elda then speaks with Dacre Stoker, a direct descendent of Bram Stoker, and Ian Holt, authors of Dracula: The Un-Dead, who explain why Dracula and other vampires are such popular characters in literature.
[Read the PVN review of Dracula: The Un-Dead]

Alan Walker introduces listeners to The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham on “Reading the Classics from A to Z.”

Stephen Morrison offers up the opening to Bram Stoker’s Dracula in his segment, “First Pages.”

Love in the time of vampires

Sunday, October 18, 2009

By Jennifer Fernandez

Greensboro, NC

"Witches can fall in love.
So can werewolves, vampires, genies, demons, wood nymphs and demigods. Heck, even the daughter of Death deserves a love life, right?
Let's not forget those who are psychically gifted. If they can hear someone's thoughts or commune with ghosts, they're not immune to love's call either.

"Welcome to modern romance.... Read more

On YouTube watch The Smithsonian Channel's video of The Vampire Princess - about Eleonore von Schwarzenberg

"While Dracula is the name most people associate with vampires, a graveyard in the Czech Republic has revealed that it may have been a princess, not a count, who was the inspiration for that dark tale."

See the Suite of Eleonora zu Schwarzenberg

The Vampire Film Festival runs from Oct. 23 until Oct. 26. in New Orleans, the favorite haunt of many vampires.

Vampire Hunters: Do They Exist?

October 21, 2009 by Udo Blick

From TrueBloodNet.com
"When Polidori wrote The Vampyre in 1819, he spawned two branches of vampire fiction: an aristocratic romantic hero of Gothic fiction, and the vampire as an undead monster. But if Polidori spawned the vampire, the most well known vampire was created by Bram Stoker in 1897.. Read more

Your Favorite Vampire(s) - Great comments!

2009-10-22T01:00:00.001-04:00

There have been some fantastic responses for the Favorite Vampire(s) contest. If you haven't read the comments you are missing out on some interesting information. The knowledge of the vampire genre within PVN's readership amazes me.

Reader Tallesin has an excellent write up about a movie completely unfamiliar to me - Isle of the Dead (1945) starring Boris Karloff. The story is based on the vorvoloka - "a vampire/werewolf hybrid that hunts for blood."

TV series with vampire heroes: Kindred the Embraced - I loved it but it only lasted 2 seasons; Buffy, the Vampire Slayer naturally makes the list with Spike and Angel getting favorite vampire mention; Dark Shadows', an early TV series had the conflicted Barnabas Collins; the short-lived Moonlight series with the alluring Mick St. John; HBO's True Blood have macho vampires Bill and Eric...

Favorite vampire book characters: (Besides those mentioned above) Cat (Catherine) and Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress books; Anna Strong the heroine of Jeanne Stein's series; Jean Claude, Anita Blake's primary vampire lover in Laurell K. Hamilton's books; reader kassilei nominated all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters; reader Danielle87 chose Stefan (Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series) because of "his obsession with all things Scooby Doo".

Reader fandangogroovers chose Glittering Savages by Mark Burnell as her favorite vampire novel. I mention this because it is a title I had never heard of. According to Amazon it was published in 1995. I need to find a copy of this book. Reader Dirgesinger mentions the novel I, Strahd by P. N Elrod, a very dark story that shows the early Elrod's talent for telling a riveting tale. She (Elrod) is the author of the Vampire Files series. Reader Alessandra names Claudia Gray's Evernight as her favorite book series.
Naturally Bram Stoker's Dracula made the favorite novel list.

Obviously I have only skimmed the surface, and I appreciate hearing from every one of you. Don't be concerned if someone else has mentioned your favorite(s), or if you've thought of something else you want to share. Please comment away. I want to hear your thoughts.

BTW - This contest IS international!

Leave your comments at Favorite Vampire(s) contest.

Some Girls Bite - Vampire Book Review

2009-10-20T01:00:00.003-04:00

Some Girls Bite(A Chicagoland Vampiers Novels)

by Chloe Neill
NAL, 2009

[Read chapter one]

Graduate student Merit is brutally attacked one night. The predator knocks her to the ground and proceeds to tear at her throat. Almost immediately another man approaches and the attacker runs. Merit notices that her rescuer has beautiful green eyes before losing consciousness.

Days later she discovers she had been attacked by a rogue vampire, but saved by another - Ethan Sullivan, Master Vampire of Cadogon House and the man with the unforgettable green eyes. Merit is now, against her will, one of Chicago's immortals.

Unlike other supernaturals, or sups as they are referred to, vampires have announced their existence. Roommate Mallory who loves all things paranormal is excited to be best friends with a vampire.

Unfortunately Merit's fury at being changed overwhelms her. Her life choices are now very limited. The university no longer wants her as a student. The comfortable life she lived disappeared, but worst of all she is expected to give complete allegiance, and eternal gratitude to Ethan, her maker, and one of the handsomest, most alluring man she has ever met. Merit's ultra-strong independent streak keeps her from succumbing to his seductive appeal or to be cowed by him. No one male or female has ever resisted him, until now.

A sassy, brassy, sarcastic attitude like Merit's is not unusual in today's urban fantasy heroines. What sets each series apart is an original plot along with a variety of interactions between distinctive characters.

Besides her BFF Mallory there is Catcher. Although not a vampire himself he is trusted by Ethan to train Merit in the art of self defense and combat. The background to the friendship between Ethan and Catcher remains a mystery perhaps to be solved in a future episode. It also turns out that Catcher is a very talented sorcerer who for some strange reason was kicked out of the Sorcerer's Guild. He discerns the hidden magical abilities in Mallory and helps her to make use of them. At the same time a romance springs up between the two.

Ethan is more of an enigma. He hides much behind a cold visage. Along with the other vampire masters he works with the human police to discover the rogue vampire who attacked Merit and who has killed other young women. And then there is Morgan, the good looking second in command at House Navarre, who has the hots for Merit. The attraction is not one sided.

At first I found it hard to like Merit. Her anger and bitterness over her transformation seemed extreme considering this change saved her life. Eventually she finds her way and accepts the responsibilities that come with her new existence. That's when I began to like and even cheer for her.

Fortunately this happens fairly early in the story, so I can truthfully say I enjoyed it and look forward to reading book 2 Friday Night Bites (A Chicagoland Vampires Novel), NAL (Oct 6, 2009)

[Read chapter one of Friday Night Bites]

Spine-Chilling Book Giveaway from Hachette Books

2009-10-18T01:00:00.002-04:00

Here's another Halloween giveaway thanks to Hachette Books!
Each winner will receive a box of the following 5 books. Three names will be chosen.

The Heretic's Daughter By Kathleen Kent

Sins of the Flesh By Caridad Piñeiro

When Ghosts Speak By Mary Ann Winkowski

BoneMan's Daughters By Ted Dekker

The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova

As a bonus 20 Random winners will be selected by Hachette to receive a galley of Ted Dekker’s next book, THE BRIDE COLLECTOR

To enter the contest:
*Leave a comment concerning Halloween = 1 entry
*Link to a blog or a social network - each link = 1 entry

*If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response
*Contest ends Nov 8, 2009 at 11:59 Hawaii Time
[To enter you must be a US or Canadian resident. No PO Boxes please.]

For more PVN contest info look at the right hand column under:

Contests and Events on PVN

Retribution - Vampire Book Review

2009-10-18T00:50:00.010-04:00

Retribution (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles, Book 5)
by Jeanne C. Stein
Ace (August 25, 2009)

In Ann Strong's most recent adventure she must use all of her intelligence and vampire strength to save her friend, the mysterious shapeshifter Culebra. Once before he and Anna had encountered the black witch Belinda Burke. Only her death would stop her path of merciless destruction. Without telling Anna, Culebra decides to track down Belinda and confront her on his own.

He never had a chance of course, but she doesn't kill him. For Belinda it's more fun to play with him and with those around him, like Anna and David Frey, a werewolf whose deep knowledge of magic could be the witch's undoing.

Anna is also forced to deal with her former mentor Williams, a powerful, older vampire who over a short period of time has become her adversary. The hatred between the two is palpable. Still he needs her help in investigating the deaths of several young, newly turned vampires. All are found with the blood drained from their bodies.

Anna Strong is aptly named. She has not only super strength of body but also of her mind. She is continually alert to the vampire within and works to keep it in check and her humanity front and center. Thus her love of family and friends (supernatural or otherwise) is paramount. Anna's courage is unquestioned but that coupled with a strong independent streak sometimes causes her to take chances which almost end in disaster.

As in the previous four novels smartly drawn characters, a well plotted tale and page turning adventure keep the reader wanting more. Fortunately Jeannie Stein promises that Anna's story will continue in future books. I truly love this series. If I could choose a fictional character as a friend it would be Anna!

Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles:

The Becoming (The Anna Strong Chronicles, Book 1)

Blood Drive (The Anna Strong Chronicles, Book 2)

The Watcher (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles, Book 3)

Legacy (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles, Book 4)

Vampire Releases for October 2009

2009-10-16T01:00:00.005-04:00

Bite Marks (Jaz Parks)
by Jennifer Rardin
Orbit (October 29, 2009

Jaz Parks here. But I'm not alone. I'm hearing voices in my head - and they're not mine.

The problem, or maybe the solution, is work. And the job's a stinker this time -- killing the gnomes that are threatening to topple NASA's Australian-based space complex. Yeah, I know. Vayl and I should still be able to kick this one in our sleep. Except that Hell has thrown up a demon named Kyphas to knock us off track. And damn is she indestructible!

Blood Kin (Blood Lines)
by Maria Lima
Pocket (October 27, 2009)

Keira Kelly has come into her full powers, and they are frighteningly strong, creating a distance between her and her human friends in her beloved Rio Seco. It is time to obey her great-great-grandmother Gigi's orders and rejoin her family in northwest Canada, where Keira can learn to handle her dangerous new skills. She'll have friends with her every step of the way -- her shapeshifter brother Tucker, his beloved Niko, and, to Keira's dismay, her cousin on her mother's side, Daffyd ap Geraint, the Sidhe prince who suddenly appeared in her life and now refuses to leave -- but her vampire lover Adam has insisted on staying in Texas. And while there are certainly perks to being Family, such as a private Learjet for the flight to Canada and a fabulous penthouse condo overlooking Vancouver, there are threats looming that nobody, not even Gigi, anticipated. Keira's Sidhe inheritance from her mother is far more important than anyone ever realized, and the fate of the Family may depend upon what she does next....

Bound to Shadows (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 8)
by Keri Arthur
Dell (October 27, 2009)

Part vampire, part werewolf, Riley Jenson knows what can happen when vamps don’t play well with others. But she’s never seen anything like this: a series of brutal murders surrounding the latest hot spot for vampire-human hookups—and the victims aren’t just killed, they’re beheaded. Now Riley is launching into action, toying with a seductive—and highly suspicious—club owner, and finding herself in the middle of another mystery: women being killed one by one, without a trace of violence.

Caleb (The Shadow Wranglers)
by Sarah McCarty
Berkley Trade (October 6, 2009)

Meet three sexy ranchers-who also happen to be vampires-in the first of a new series by the national bestselling author of Wild Instinct.

Allie always desired mysterious, sexy rancher Caleb Johnson, but he never seemed to notice her. Until the night she's attacked by a vicious animal, and rescued by a shapeshifting vampire that she almost seems to recognize: the baritone growl, the mesmerizing eyes, the inexplicable animal attraction. That's because her savior is Caleb, and now he has no choice but to bring Allie into the shadows with him-to protect her from a rival werewolf pack, and to finally reveal his true feelings for the woman he's been afraid to love.

Dark Stranger
by Susan Sizemore
Pocket Star (October 27, 2009)

Susan Sizemore presents an exciting twist on her popular Primes series. Share the thrills as you discover a hidden world where passions and fear run high, and a vampire General and an Empire princess together find illicit, unquenchable desire....

A twist of fate made Zoe Pappas heir to the Byzant throne. Bound by duty and devotion to keep the Empire safe, Zoe is captured while on a secret diplomatic mission and sent to an underground prisoner-of-war camp. In this strange, shadowy place, residents are governed by fellow inmate General Matthias "Doc" Raven, whose powerful magnetism rouses an urgent desire in Zoe. But the intensity of her attraction is matched by her surprise at discovering that Doc has a secret of his own: he is a vampire.
Zoe's presence puts everyone in the camp in danger. Doc knows it, and knows too that Zoe's royal status makes it impossible for her to bond with a vampire. The only way to save her is to help her escape, and lose her forever. But some fires are impossible to quench, even when following your heart is the ultimate taboo...

Dracula The Un-Dead
by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt
Dutton (October 13, 2009)

Dracula The Un-Dead is a bone-chilling sequel based on Bram Stoker's own handwritten notes for characters and plot threads excised from the original edition. Dracula The Un-Dead begins in 1912, twenty-five years after Dracula "crumbled into dust." Van Helsing's protégé, Dr. Jack Seward, is now a disgraced morphine addict obsessed with stamping out evil across Europe. Meanwhile, an unknowing Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school for the London stage, only to stumble upon the troubled production of "Dracula," directed and produced by Bram Stoker himself.

The play plunges Quincey into the world of his parents' terrible secrets, but before he can confront them he experiences evil in a way he had never imagined. One by one, the band of heroes that defeated Dracula a quarter-century ago is being hunted down. Could it be that Dracula somehow survived their attack and is seeking revenge? Or is their another force at work whose relentless purpose is to destroy anything and anyone associated with Dracula?

Demon Forged (Berkley Sensation)
by Meljean Brook
Berkley (October 6, 2009)

Four centuries ago, Irena and Alejandro would have succumbed to the need smoldering between them — if a demon and a monstrous bargain hadn’t shattered the possibility of love. Torn apart by shame, Irena avoided Alejandro for centuries — until a vampire’s call for help throws her into his arms again.

Eternal Desire
by Roxanne Rhoads
EternalPress.ca (October 2009)

Paranormal researcher Liz Beth’s dreams are haunted by a sensual vampire, who may or may not be real. She arrives in New Orleans the week of Halloween in search of her elusive dream lover, Quillon. She doesn’t find him, but she does encounter a handsome stranger, Christien. They begin a passionate affair, but she is torn between her dream lover and her flesh and blood lover, both of whom are a mystery to her. She fights to regain her reason, trying desperately to find the truth about Quillon while Christien holds her under his own spell.

Fangly, My Dear
by Mardi Ballou
Samhain Publishing (October 1, 2009)

Night life in San Francisco takes a hot, sexy turn when Fangly, My Dear hits the scene. Vampires, shifters and even ordinary folk. In Byte Marks, Dominique comes to San Francisco for a vacation and stays to open a very special dating service. Who knew her first major match would be for herself and hot vampire Antoine? A vegetarian demi-ghoul and a shifter? Fangly accomplishes the impossible when Lilith connects with pack leader Rafe in Whats a Ghoul to Do? Officer Tanith of the San Francisco police enlists the services of Fangly, My Dear to help her get over her obsession with vampires. But when shes set up with new vampire Gabe, she doesn't realize she's Playing with Matches.

Female Force Bestsellers: Stephenie Meyer
by Ryan Burton (Author), Adam Gragg (Author), Matt Flyer (Illustrator), Vinnie Tartamella (Illustrator)
Bluewater Productions (October 28, 2009
Young Adult

Just in time for the theatrical release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Bluewater brings you FEMALE FORCE: Stephenie Meyer! Named USA Today's Author of the Year in 2008, the celebrity author is responsible for ushering in a new vampire-centric fan base. From her beginnings in Connecticut and Utah, to her fame and fortune as today's hottest author, witness her story being told by the most famous vampire of them all!

Friday Night Bites: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
Chloe Neill
NAL (October 6, 2009)

The story of a young heiress's initiation into the dark society of the Chicagoland Vampires continues...

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves-mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle-the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.

So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them-someone with an ancient grudge...

Hunting Memories: A Vampire Memories Novel
by Barb Hendee
Roc (October 6, 2009)

Eleisha Clevon has begun a correspondence with fellow vampire Rose de Spenser. Both reluctant predators, they venture outside only when the hunger becomes unbearable, trying not to draw attention to themselves-and feel guilty when ending human lives.

But Eleisha has learned a way to draw blood from her victims without killing them. She wants to share this knowledge with like-minded vampires and create a haven where they can exist together-and forge a united front against Julian Ashton, a vampire who has been hunting down and destroying his own kind...

Instinctive: An Eternal Pleasure Novel
by Cathryn Fox
NAL (October 6, 2009)

Free spirited Jaclyn Vasenty is about to inherit a cosmetics empire, yet her scandalous personal history may ruin her chance for a corporate take-over. Saying goodbye to her naughty ways, she moves into a quaint gated community in Serene, New Hampshire. But these gates are locked at sunset...

The town's dark sensuality rocks Jaclyn's insatiable appetite to the core-and stirs desires that are... inhuman. That's because Serene is home to demons, witches, vampires, lycans, and panthers, for whom primal exploration comes naturally. Especially for shape shifter Slyck, the cunning panther who's pushing Jaclyn to the brink of erotic possibilities and making her feel wildly...feral. As tension between species rises, Jaclyn learns she must draw on all her feminine wiles and join forces with Slyck if she wants to make it out alive.

The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel
by Sarah Jane Stratford
St. Martin's Press (October 13, 2009)

It’s 1938, and the tentacles of Hitler’s terrifying Third Reich have commenced their stranglehold on Europe. The Nazi empire will soon be clean of all bloodlines deemed tainted or undesirable…including vampires.

London’s ancient tribunal of vampires is aghast at the destruction taking place on the Continent. Though vampires try not to interfere with human politics, Hitler’s terrible plans force them into action. They resolve to send five of their most formidable vampires to Berlin— millennials that have lived over 1000 years and whose age and wisdom make them close to invulnerable— to infiltrate, disrupt, and destroy the growing Nazi war machine.

My Dead Body: A Joe Pitt Novel (#5)

by Charlie Huston
Del Rey (October 13, 2009)

NOBODY LIVES FOREVER. NOT EVEN A VAMPYRE.

Just ask Joe Pitt. After exposing the secret source of blood for half of Manhattan’s Vampyres, he’s definitely a dead man walking. He’s been a punching bag and a bullet magnet for every Vampyre Clan in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, not to mention a private eye, an enforcer, an exile, and a vigilante, but now he’s just a target with legs.

For a year he’s sloshed around the subway tunnels and sewers, tapping the veins of the lost, while above ground a Vampyre civil war threatens to drag the Clans into the sunlight once and for all. What’s it gonna take to dig him up? Just the search for a missing girl who’s carrying a baby that just might be the destiny of Vampyre-kind. Not that Joe cares all that much about destiny and such. What he cares about is that his ex-girl Evie wants him to take the gig. What’s the risk? Another turn playing pigeon in a shooting gallery. What’s the reward? Maybe one shot of his own. What’s he aiming for? Nothing much. Just all the evil at the heart of his world.

Shadowlight: A Novel of the Kyndred
by Lynn Viehl
Onyx (October 6, 2009)

The Sweetest Kiss: Ravishing Vampire Erotica
by D.L. King
Cleis Press (October 1, 2009)

Vampires have a timeless allure, mesmerizing us in every medium from books and graphic novels to movies and television shows. Immortal, eternally beautiful, strong, and sexy, these creatures take what they need, stealing the life force from those unlucky enough to cross their paths — or from those whose luck leads them to the most thrilling experience of their lives. Edited by noted erotica writer D. L. King, The Sweetest Kiss takes readers into shadowy alleys, dark bedrooms, and more mysterious spaces to experience the frisson of terror and delight that only a vampire can produce. Mostly straight, these stories also feature bi and queer vampires satisfying their lust in contemporary and period settings. These blood-drenched tales give new meaning to the term "dead sexy" and feature beautiful bloodsuckers whose desires go far beyond blood.

Tempted (House of Night Novels)
by P. C. Cast
St. Martin's Griffin (October 27, 2009)

So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul? Find out in the next spectacular installment in the House of Night Series, Tempted.

Watch the video

A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse)
by Charlaine Harris
Ace (October 6, 2009)

Author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her "spunky" (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written-together in one volume.

Stories include 'Fairy Dust,' 'One Word Answer,' 'Dracula Night,' 'Lucky,' and 'Giftwrap.'

The Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published
by Otto Penzler, Neil Gaiman, and Kim Newman
Vintage (September 29, 2009)

The Vampire Archives is the biggest, hungriest, undeadliest collection of vampire stories, as well as the most comprehensive bibliography of vampire fiction ever assembled. Dark, stormy, and delicious, once it sinks its teeth into you there’s no escape.

Vampires! Whether imagined by Bram Stoker or Anne Rice, they are part of the human lexicon and as old as blood itself. They are your neighbors, your friends, and they are always lurking. Now Otto Penzler—editor of the bestselling Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps—has compiled the darkest, the scariest, and by far the most evil collection of vampire stories ever. With over eighty stories, including the works of Stephen King and D. H. Lawrence, alongside Lord Byron and Tanith Lee, not to mention Edgar Allan Poe and Harlan Ellison, The Vampire Archives will drive a stake through the heart of any other collection out there.

Other contributors include: Arthur Conan Doyle • Ray Bradbury • Ambrose Bierce • H. P. Lovecraft • Harlan Ellison • Roger Zelazny • Robert Bloch • Clive Barker

Vampire Apacolypse: Fallout
by Derek Gunn
Black Death Books, October 2009

FALLOUT is the third book in Derek Gunn's Vampire Apocalypse series. The Vampires rule. Humanity are enslaved in a nightmare world where those who are still alive are bred as food for the vampires and the entertainment for the vicious thralls who guard them.

Vampire God: The Allure of the Undead in Western Culture
by Mary Y. Hallab
Mary Y. Hallab (Author)
State University of New York Press (October 8, 2009)

Examines the enormous popular appeal of vampires from early Greek and Slavic folklore to present-day popular culture.

The Vampire Is Just Not That Into You
by Vlad Mezrich
Scholastic Paperbacks (October 1, 2009)
Young Adult

Are you in love with a vampire? Are you worried that you might not be his (blood) type? Do you wonder whether that cold stare means he isn’t interested . . . or if it’s because he’s been dead for three centuries (nothing personal)? Have you tried to coax him out of his crypt with a flash of your neck or a near-death situation that requires him to save you at the very last possible moment? Have you ever considered what it will be like to introduce him to your mother?

Even though your vampire’s skin is transfixingly translucent, he can still be very hard to read. Sometimes he’s simply holding back his true feelings, resisting the urge to bite you in the chance that one day you will truly love him. And other times . . . well, he’s just not that into you.

How can you tell? Undead dating specialist Vlad Mezrich has all the answers, utilizing quizzes, Top Ten lists, language analysis, real-life (and real-death) testimonials, and fancy charts to show you what you need to do in order to get your vampire and keep him forever. Once you go vamp, you never decamp – so let this eternally rewarding book show you the way to the vampire of your dreams.

Vampire Stories of Arthur Conan Doyle

Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, and Robert Eighteen-Bisang
Skyhorse Publishing (October 1, 2009)

The first collection of vampire stories from the creator of Sherlock Holmes! Who would suspect that the same mind that created the most famous literary detective of all time also took on the eternally popular genre of vampires? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a contemporary of Bram Stoker, gave us some fascinating works of vampire fiction. From the bloodsucking plant in 'The American’s Tale' to the bloodsucking wife in “The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire,” he reveled in the horror created by creatures who survived on the blood of men and women.

Women of the Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica
Edited by Cecilia Tan
Alyson Books (October 1, 2009)

Erotic fiction expert Cecilia Tan captures the timeless allure of lesbian vampires, who seduce their way through these twenty stories.

Missed September 2009 Releases

American Blood: A Vampire's Story
by Gregory Holden
Orion's Belt Press (September 8, 2009)

She was born human, became a leper, and while a mining slave of the Roman Empire she touched a strange stone that transformed her into the world's first vampire. That was over nineteen hundred years ago and the American government is tracking her.

Here is the story of an administration during its eighth and final year in office looking for a way to salvage its legacy by finding and killing the world's most wanted terrorist. For seven years America has failed to accomplish this mission and now, desperate and beset by scandal, the government hatches a covert plan to capture, and then coerce, the world's first vampire into locating and killing the Sheikh.

The government's lead researcher, a competent molecular biologist, begins to uncover the secrets of this remarkable and deadly creature. But as his research moves forward he discovers that instead of finding a remorseless killer driven to feed on humankind, the female vampire is a being who desires companionship and love.

It is when they are sent to the Pashtun Belt on the mission to find and assassinate the Sheikh that the researcher and the vampire, facing death, make the ultimate sacrifice for each other.

Dark Slayer
by Christine Feehan
Berkley (September 1, 2009)

Ivory-a rare Carpathian female-has been protected by her brothers for most of her life. But once she frees the mage Razvan from his prison cave, they must flee together, enemies of Carpathian hunters as well as vampires. Ivory senses that Razvan is more than he appears to be, and she vows to go against the entire Carpathian race to help him, risking both their lives in order to save their love.

Incarnadine: The True Memoirs of Count Dracula: Volume One
by R. H. Greene
iUniverse.com (September 4, 2009)

Bram Stoker's most terrifying creation tells his own story in Incarnadine: The True Memoirs of Count Dracula. Author R. H. Greene vividly reimagines the harrowing and sensual Dracula mythos as a first person memoir written by Dracula himself. In this first of two volumes, the Medieval origins of Dracula and his three brides are chronicled using elements drawn from Slavic and pre-Christian religious traditions. Horror, wonder, violence and romance combine to reinvent one of literature's most fascinating characters for the modern era. Equally a historical adventure and a rumination on mortality and religion, Incarnadine offers a vibrant, picaresque view of the broad social tapestry of Eastern Europe in the late Middle Ages. The novel concludes with the first meeting between Dracula and Stoker protagonist Jonathan Harker, setting the stage for a lively reinvention of Stoker's Victorian classic in Memoirs, Volume Two

The New Vampire's Handbook: A Guide for the Recently Turned Creature of the Night
by Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, Anita Serwacki, Scott Sherman
Villard (September 8, 2009)

Being turned into a vampire is the easy part.
Actually becoming a vampire is far more difficult.

In today’s world of vampire-obsessed pop culture, misinformation abounds. A newly turned vampire who looks to movies and novels for answers to everlasting life’s questions will inevitably be reduced to a smoldering pile of dust. So whom can you, a neophyte immortal, trust to provide reliable information and proven strategies for leading your best and bloodiest existence? The Vampire Miles Proctor, editor of The New Vampire’s Handbook. In this definitive guide, the newly turned will find

• a head-to-toe look at your vampiric body: how to harness your new powers to dispatch mortal enemies, maintain your fangs, and embrace your vampirosexuality
• methods for luring prey, faking your way through meals, approaching other vampires, and creating a four-hundred-year financial plan
• tips on acting your “age,” behaving appropriately if you see a human you knew decades ago, and dealing with epic vampire feuds
• essential advice for blending in with the masses, from finding a coven to avoiding the media (and mirrors) to staying on top of the latest fashion trends
• the joy of scrapbooking

Under the Blood Red Moon
by Mina Hepsen
Avon A (September 30, 2008)

Cursed with the ability to hear the thoughts of others, beautiful Angelica Shelton Belanov feels most comfortable when hidden away in the library of her father's English country estate. Now family duty requires that she make an appearance at a glittering gala, mingling with the cream of London society in hopes of finding a suitable husband. Assailed by the unwanted “chatter” of many minds, Angelica finds relief in the company of a handsome aristocratic stranger who remains, refreshingly, an enigma.

But Prince Alexander is not like other men. The powerful leader of an Eastern clan of immortals, he has come to London to hunt down a rogue vampire who threatens the survival of his dwindling kind. Angelica can sense that Alexander is dangerous, a mystery to be unraveled at her own peril. Yet desire sears them both—she, the bewitching telepath, and he, the fearless leader who must learn to trust his heart. And unrestrained passion has strict demands that could cost them both their lives...and their souls.

************************************************************************

I originally published this list on Vampchix. Blog owner (of Vampchix) Michele Hauf asked me to put together new vampire titles for each month. Authors and readers if you have of know of a new title coming out please contact me - patriciaaltner(at)gmail(dot)com

The Midnight Guardian - Contest & Upcoming Interview

2009-10-14T01:00:00.003-04:00

The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel

by Sarah Jane Stratford

St. Martin's Press (October 13, 2009)

[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

Author Bio:
Sarah Jane Stratford received an MA in medieval history from the University of York in England. She lives in New York. This is her first novel.

On October 28 there will be an interview here on PVN with author Sarah Jane Stratford.

Meanwhile the contest for a copy of Midnight Guardian begins now. Look for rules as the end of this post.

The Story:

The brilliant and beautiful millennial Brigit is loath to go, but her powers are needed if the mission is to have any chance of success. She must summon all her strength to endure the separation from her lover Eamon, whom she made almost eight centuries ago, but whose lack of millennial status makes him an unacceptable choice for this operation. Though he longs to join her, his duty to Brigit is best served from afar, by nurturing their deep psychic connection and reinforcing her spirit with his fierce devotion and memories of his tender embrace.

But as the millennials attempt to penetrate and sabotage Hitler’s armies, they discover that the Nazis are more capable than any human force they’ve yet encountered and more monstrous than they'd ever imagined. Forced to take bolder, more dangerous steps, they soon attract the attention of specially trained vampire hunters loyal to Hitler and his vision of a vampire-free Europe. Exposed, deep inside enemy territory, with vicious Nazi officers and hunters at her heels, Brigit must attempt a daring escape from the Continent, guarding precious cargo that marks the only hope of salvaging their mission.

Become a Facebook Fan

The Midnight Guardian can be purchased through the author's site. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Midnight-Guardian/129029047149

Three lucky readers will each win a copy of The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel. To be eligible do one or more of the following:

* Leave a comment

* Ask Sarah a question

* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL.

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest update the publisher has limited winners to US and Canada
My apologies for this misunderstanding. It was my mistake!

[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

The contest ends November 4, 2009 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.

J A Saare - Interview and Contest

2009-10-12T01:00:00.014-04:00

PVN is delighted to welcome J. A. (Jaime) Saare as she tours throughout the blogosphere to introduce readers to her sexy vampire romances. I have asked her a few questions about vampires and their place in her works, as well as some of the joys and difficulties of the writing life.

Please note that at the end of her tour there will be a drawing with prizes for commenters and tour hosts. More detailed information follows the interview.

PVN: What attracts you to vampires?

J A Saare: That’s a loaded question. *smile* I know that it’s bad form to answer a question with a question, but…what’s not to like? If it isn’t enough that vampires have all the physical traits that make heroes appealing–increased strength, reflexes, and senses–it certainly doesn’t hurt that they are breathtakingly beautiful immortals that will be forever young. There is so much writing potential as well. Someone that’s lived a thousand years is bound to have one whopper of a story to share.

Or perhaps it’s mortal vanity that draws me to them. There is nothing better, in my opinion, than crafting (or reading) a story in which my hero and heroine will exist together for an eternity. That is the ultimate happily ever after.

PVN: What are the characteristics of the vampires you have created?

J A Saare: This is going to sound completely silly, considering the subject matter, but I want to keep my paranormal stories as believable as possible. Certain fantastical elements won’t draw a reader from the world you’ve created, while others will. It all depends on what you’re writing. So by vampire standards, I’m fairly tame when it comes to abilities. In A Kiss Before Dying, Sebastian Arsov is faster, stronger, and more beautiful than a human. But he can’t phase or dematerialize. In my urban fantasy, the vampires are much the same, but have unique talents they discover upon transformation.

One common trait all of my vampires share is a desire cling to their lost mortality, or if they’re born into the condition, the desire to connect to the mortals around them. They are not perfect, and they certainly are not infallible. I suppose, for me, immortality must come with a price. I don’t do the tortured thing too heavily, as it’s a worn path to follow. But a person, be it a mortal or immortal, is doomed to repeat the past if they forget it. I try to keep that in mind when I work.

PVN: Describe Adam Trevlian for us.

J A Saare: Admirable, loyal, and protective…that’s Adam in a nutshell. *smile* He’s six-feet, five inches of Alpha Lycae male that has served his pack for centuries.

One night in the French Quarter, he meets his mate. Trouble is Kassia is only eighteen at the time, and due to pack law, he can’t claim her until she’s twenty-one. Turning away from her was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do. He’s a man that comes from a race that mates for life, and has the intense yearning to raise and nurture a family. But above all, he wants the one woman intended for him. Moon Kissed is his story, but he makes an appearance in Soft as Moonlight. He’s got a very dark sense of humor, and he’s not the nicest Lycae you’re likely to meet. But when it comes to family, he’ll die to protect them.

PVN: Which authors have inspired you?

J A Saare: Boy, oh boy. That’s a tough one. I read so much, and the material really varies.

For romance, it’s Joey W. Hill, Kresley Cole, J.R. Ward, Elizabeth Lowell, Catherine Coulter, and Heather Graham (to name a few).

For urban fantasy, it’s Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, J.F. Lewis, and Jim Butcher.

I do enjoy horror and the classics, namely Stephen King and John Steinbeck.

PVN: Please describe your writing environment and your writing day.

J A Saare: With four children, the answer is simple–chaotic! I start out my morning at 6am, making lunches for my oldest two while feeding them all breakfast. Around 7:30, it’s time to check the email, take a gander at the calendar, and take care of the small things (loops, blogs, returning emails).
I once tried to write between the hours of 9-5pm, and then again when the kids were snug in bed, but gave it up a few months back. It’s too difficult to finish a scene when you’re being pulled away from it constantly. Not to mention that little monster called networking.

I now accomplish my writing from 7:30pm-1:00am, starting after my children are in bed. When the magic hour arrives, I huddle down in my office. It’s quiet, dark, and more importantly, totally mine. I select a list from my iTunes (or let it go on random), get something to drink, and barricade myself in the room.

On Saturday and Sunday I write a majority of the day, unless we have plans with the children. I’m very fortunate in that my husband is fantastic about taking care of things and allowing me to work. I wouldn’t get anything done without him!

PVN: Do you have any favorite paranormal TV series or movies?

J A Saare: Back in the day, there was a vampire show I loved called, Kindred: The Embraced. I was devastated when it was canceled. After that, I fell in love with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and watched it all the way through the end. I also adored the now canceled show Moonlight, and was really sad to see it go.

I’m sure I’m among the majority when I say I’m a True Blood fan. I also watch Sons of Anarchy and Heroes. I enjoyed the first couple of episodes of The Vampire Diaries.

As for movies, another good question! I’m a horror movie fanatic and paranormal and horror go together like peas and carrots! Most of my favorites are classics: An American Werewolf in London, Cat People, Company of Wolves, Fright Night, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat, To Sleep With A Vampire, Night Breed, Vamp… the list goes on and on.
More modern movies I loved were 30 days of Night and The Underworld series.

PVN: What do you do to relax?

J A Saare: I leave the keyboard, phone, and responsibility behind, and take a long, uninterrupted bath. Even if it’s twenty minutes, it helps me get centered and find focus. I wish it were something more profound, but right now I’ll take what I can get! *smile*

PVN: Tell us about some of your current works.

J A Saare: Moon Kissed is about Adam Trevlian, Soft as Moonlight is about Wolfe Trevlian (Adam’s cousin), and Lick of Frost is about Luke Trevlian (Adam’s brother). The timeline is continuous as well. Soft as Moonlight picks up a couple of months after Moon Kissed and Lick of Frost picks up directly following Soft as Moonlight.

They can be read individually, but they do go in order. From Moon Kissed, to Soft as Moonlight, to Lick of Frost.

PVN: Do you have a publication date for Soft as Moonlight and Lick of Frost.

J A Saare: Final edits are scheduled for Oct 9th. I’m not positive, but I believe they will be released before Halloween. Lick of Frost was submitted when Amira had a call for Halloween stories (it takes place on Samhain).

Thanks for having me on your blog, I really appreciate it!
Jaime

PVN: It was a pleasure having you here!

Contest information

J. A. will be giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter from the tour and a $25 Amazon.com GC to the tour host with the most comments, excluding duplicates or J. A.’s responses.

Tour Stops:

October 5: Anne Kane
October 6: Shelley Munro
October 7: Love Romance Passion
October 8: Fang-tastic Books
October 9: Hey! Lady Jane!
October 10: Amber Scott Project
October 11: Wendi Zwaduk
October 12: Patricia's Vampire Notes
October 12: (second stop) Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 13: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 14: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 14: (second stop) Jacqueline Paige
October 15: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 16: Razlover's Book Blog
October 16: (second stop) Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 17: Book Junkie
October 18: Geek Girl Reviews
October 19: J. K. Coi
October 20: Readaholic

Day By Day Armageddon - Contest

2009-10-12T00:55:00.003-04:00

[This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

Day by Day Armageddon
by J. L Bourne
Permuted Press (September 29, 2009)

“America, I'm sorry to report that despite our best efforts, this disease has broken the bonds of our containment measures. It is no longer safe to inhabit larger cities. Safe zones are being established on the outskirts of high population areas and will be open to those not infected.”

START INTERCEPTSPORADIC NEW REPORTS INDICATE CHAOS AND VIOLENCE SPREADING THROUGH U.S. CITIES. AN UNKNOWN EVIL IS SWEEPING THE PLANET. THE DEAD ARE RISING TO CLAIM THE EARTH AS THE NEW DOMINANT SPECIES IN THE FOOD CHAIN.

INTERCEPT COMPLETESURVIVOR,
In your hands is the handwritten journal depicting one man's struggle for survival. Trapped in the midst of global disaster, he must make decisions; choices that ultimately mean life, or the eternal curse to walk as one of them.

ENTER IF YOU WILL INTO HIS WORLD. THE WORLD OF THE UNDEAD.

[The undead in this case are zombies. No vampires in sight.]
Contest

Thanks to Pocket Books 2 readers will have a chance to win a copy of Day By Day Armageddon.

To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment
* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL.

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

This contest is only open to those with a U. S. address.
Contest ends Oct. 31, 2009 at 11:59 wherever you live.

[This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

Your Coffin or Mine? - Vampire Book Review

2009-10-09T01:00:00.001-04:00

Your Coffin or Mine?: A Novel of Vampire Love (Dead End Dating, Book 3)
by Kimberly Raye
Ballantine Books (September 25, 2007)

[Reviewed by Sandy Rainey]

In many ways, Lil Marchette is the typical New York City career woman: single, sophisticated, scrambling to make a living. She loves shopping and Jell-O shots, and she'd rather take a bullet than sully her Jimmy Choos (literally). She runs a popular dating service, and she has decided to boost business by applying to appear on Manhattan's Most Wanted, a local version of The Bachelor that will pair one lucky gal with a blow-dried television weatherman.

It's not that Lil has eyes for the forecast prognosticator; it's just that she figures there is no better place to find the desperate and dateless than on a television dating contest. She'll hand out a few business cards, then wait for the calls to flood in. But things become complicated when she is actually selected for the program, then makes it through several rounds to the semifinals. What if she ends up being selected? This guy is definitely not Lil's type.

You see, Lil is a vampire. A "born vamp," she continually reminds us, not to be confused with the lowly "made vamps" whose powers and status are not up to snuff. Her patrician and very old family, of European origin, runs a thriving office supply and copying business. Her parents expect her to join her siblings in helping run the business, but Lil can summon no interest in the family enterprise—hence the genesis of Dead End Dating, Lil's steadily strengthening start-up. Lil's parents have little patience for her independent pursuits and wish she would just settle down with another born vampire and "squeeze out some baby vamps."

The pressure is mounting now that her brother Jack is getting hitched—though his chosen sweetheart, a human named Mandy, is persona non grata on the Marchette estate. Such a mixed marriage is decidedly undesirable to born vampires like the Marchettes, and Lil's mother spends half of the book trying to break up Jack's romance with Mandy and the other half hectoring Lil about pairing off with an eligible suitor.

Too bad, then, that the only vampire Lil can't take her mind off is "made vamp" Ty Bonner, a bounty hunter by trade, who shared one magical and memorable night with Lil before the two came to their senses and parted. Ty is definitely not what Lil's parents would consider "eligible," nor — due to his made-vampire status — would Lil and he be able to reproduce. No, a marriage to Ty would definitely not do. Why, then, can't Lil stop thinking about him? And why does she have an overwhelming sense that he is in terrible pain and danger? Ty's ransacked apartment bears out Lil's worst fears. There she meets the fascinating detective, Ash (more of him, please!), who is hot on the trail of Ty's abductor.

Lil has little choice but to leave the investigating to the pros while she tries to carry on with her life, juggling the preparations for Jack and Mandy's wedding, her appearances on Manhattan's Most Wanted, and her burgeoning business. Before long, though, her sense that Ty is in real trouble overwhelms all else. Can the flashes she is picking up from him psychically help her locate him in time?

Raye has written a sassy, fast-paced read that should appeal to fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Lil narrates in an ultra-modern, highly conversational voice that will ring familiar with anyone who has spent time with young urban professionals. Brash and self-confident on the surface, Lil frequently lets slip glimpses of the insecurity lurking just beneath. She is just sure enough of herself to reject her parents' lifestyle, but she isn't quite convinced yet that she's done the right thing, nor that she's going to be able to see it through. Readers will have to pick up the next book in the series to see where Lil's choices take her next.

Dead End Dating series:

Dead End Dating: A Novel of Vampire Love (Dead End Dating, Book 1)
Ivy Books (August 29, 2006)

Dead and Dateless (Dead End Dating, Book 2)
Ballantine Books (January 30, 2007)

Your Coffin or Mine?: A Novel of Vampire Love (Dead End Dating, Book 3)
Ballantine Books (September 25, 2007)

Just One Bite (Dead End Dating, Book 4)
Ballantine Books (July 29, 2008)

Sucker for Love: A Dead-End Dating Novel (Dead-End Dating Novels)
Ballantine Books (June 23, 2009)

Love Fang - Vampire book review

2009-10-09T00:55:00.015-04:00

Love Fang

by Susan Blexrud
First Edition April 2009
DCL Publications
Australia
[available as an ebook]

Love Fang could almost be classified as a sweet romance except for the torrid love scenes.

Vampire John Wright has been around since the time of England's King Henry VIII. Now he resides in Florida. To keep his daytime life running smoothly while he sleeps, he has the able help of a brash, heart of gold, mortal assistant named Doreen.

Sadly even immortal vampires have problems. John has an immediate need for a dentist. His impacted fang hurts like heck. Fortunately Doreen finds a dentist with evening hours. The lovely Dr Lauren Marsh takes care of what she believes to be an unusually long canine by pulling it out. Not exactly the result John had hoped for, but with today's technology the "tooth" could easily be replaced.

When these two genuinely nice people meet they immediately know they were meant for each other. But the course of true love never runs smoothly. There are hurdles to overcome, which I won't tell you about. That would be spoiling the fun of reading this delightful story told with grace and wit.

Jeanne C Stein - Interview and Contest

2009-10-06T01:00:00.060-04:00

[The contest portion is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

A very warm PVN welcome to Jeanne Stein who has taken time from her busy writing schedule to answer questions about her Anna Strong Chronicles and the writing life. Jeanne is also happy to answer questions from readers and respond to their comments.

Retribution (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles, Book 5) was published by Ace, on August 25, 2009.

Read the interview and then the contest information.

PVN: The mysterious Culebra - what is his story? And please tell us about Beso de la Muerte.

Jeanne: Culebra is a favorite of many of my readers. I’ve been asked to write an Anna Strong novella and decided to use Culebra’s story as the theme so you’ll have to wait for the details of his life. I will tell you he has an interesting past. Beso de la Muerte is a fictional town, the place in which Culebra sought refuge when escaping that past. It had to be a place with magical qualities—one supernaturals and mortals alike could be comfortable in.

PVN: Describe the hunky Lance. I love that fact that he is an underwear model.

Jeanne: That came out of nowhere, really. Well, not exactly. I was looking at an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog and suddenly, I was inspired. Anna needed someone she could let her hair down with, someone she could enjoy sexually as a woman and a vampire. She tried a human lover (Max). That didn’t work out so well. Lance fulfills her needs. At least for the time being!

PVN: Retribution is book five in the Anna Strong series. While writing it did you ever find yourself going off in a surprising direction?

Jeanne: Sometimes, although the next book in the series, Chosen, really took me in surprising directions. In fact, in that book, whenever I came to a fork in the plot, the original thoughts I had proved to be wrong. The story went in opposite directions to what I’d planned. It made it much more fun to write and I think it will be more fun for the reader because I expect they’ll be surprised by the twists, too.

PVN: Anna clings to her humanity and her love of her family only grows stronger unlike most other vampire in the series. Why have you made this such an important part of her character?

Jeanne: I wanted to give Anna vulnerability. A creature as strong as a vampire has few natural enemies. Immortality could make one
reckless. Having a family and attachments to the human community keeps her grounded and aware. Makes it less likely she’ll become a predator.

PVN: You have stated before that one of your favorite early Urban Fantasy novels is Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. (It's certainly on my list of greats.) What is it about this story that appeals.

Jeanne: The realism of Rosemary’s Baby is what makes it so scary good.
It’s easy to believe in witches when you see Rosemary decorating a nursery and sewing curtains. It’s what I strive for in my books. Take readers on a trip in a real city (San Diego) with stops at real places (La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla), give Anna a real cottage (on Isthmus Court in Mission Beach.) Ground the reader in what’s real so they accept what isn’t.

PVN: As a writer are you a panster or are you someone who must have an outline?

Jeanne: A little of both. I don’t write a complete outline, but I usually have a synopsis—maybe a page or two—outlining the main plot points. Also, a paragraph or two about each secondary character and the role they play in the story.

PVN: What sort of daily writing goal do you set for yourself?

Jeanne: My daily goal is ten pages. If I write more than that, it’s great. But I don’t let myself stop until I’ve completed those ten pages!!

PVN: What do you like and not like about author tours?

Jeanne: What I like is easy—Meeting readers. Meeting other authors. Room service. What I don’t like is the time it takes away from writing. I bring my laptop but it’s hard to write on the road. In the morning, I’m usually preparing for the event. By the time I get back to my room at night, I’m tired. I don’t get much done away from home.

PVN: What other writing projects do you have in mind?

Jeanne: Next up is the seventh Anna Strong novel, as well as the novella I mentioned earlier. I’m also working on a novel with a co-author set during World War I—the theme involves Angel/Demon involvement with a war that truly changed the world.

PVN: Which conferences or conventions have you attended in the past year? How have you participated? Do you believe this is a necessary part of a writer's life?

Jeanne: Let’s see—I participated as a panelist in ComicCon, DragonCon, Amradillocon, Colorado Gold, RomanticTimes and coming up in October, MileHiCon. It is a necessary part of a writer’s life but you have to learn to choose which conferences give you the most bang for your buck. Since I pay my own way, it’s an important consideration. I look for cons that put me in touch with readers, reviewers, bookstore owners and managers. And cons that promise fun—like DragonCon. I think it’s my favorite.

PVN: Tell us about your love for San Diego, Anna's home town.

Jeanne: I lived most of my adult life in San Diego so it’s a city I know and love. It’s a city of contrasts. Being so close to the border makes the city a target for drug and human trafficking. It has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is home to the wealthy and the indigent—often sharing the same community. It is a place where anyone can be comfortable and individuality is welcomed. It’s also a place where developers have been allowed to run roughshod. Open space is disappearing and high rises literally block out the sun from two or three story buildings that once had panoramic views. The airport’s short runway is little more than a long driveway. It’s a big city that’s run like a small town. To everyone’s detriment.

PVN: Where can readers find you?

Jeanne: On my website: www.jeannestein.com

The blog I share with Mario Acevedo The Biting Edge

And now on Facebook. (I’m still learning about Facebook but it’s fun so befriend me)

You can find a new story, The Ghost of Leadville, in an anthology just released, The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2

And of course, in the new book Retribution just out.

PVN: Thanks, Jeanne for taking the time to do this interview!

Jeanne: Thanks for having me—again—it’s always a pleasure.

Now for the contest :

Jeanne: "I would like to offer 2 winners their choice of series books, magnets, pens and a surprise or two."

To be eligible do one or more of the following:

* Leave a comment
* Ask Jeanne a question
* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.Contest ends Oct 8, 2009 at 11:59 PM

Hellbound Hearts - Contest

2009-10-05T01:25:00.001-04:00

[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone for participating]

Hellbound Hearts
Edited by Paul Kane and Marie O'Regan
Pocket (September 29, 2009)

From the publisher: Clive Barker's iconic masterpiece The Hellbound Heart: A Novel, the novella adapted into the film Hellraiser: 20th Anniversary Edition, unleashed a new mythology of horror, brilliantly conceived and born of the darkest imagination. Now, enter this visionary world -- the merciless realm of the demonic Cenobites -- in this collection of stories inspired by The Hellbound Heart. Featured here is the graphic work "Wordsworth," from bestselling author Neil Gaiman and artist Dave McKean, who unlock an explicit way to violate innocence -- one torturous puzzle at a time.... New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong logs on to a disturbing website for gamers, where the challenge is agonizing, and the solution beyond painful. When his father disappears, an Oxford student returns to his family's mansion, where a strange mechanism in the cellar holds a curious power, in a haunting illustrated work by Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola.

For all things Hellraiser & Hellbound go to Hellraiser: The Hellbound Web

Thanks to Pocket Books 5 commenters will win a copy of Hellbound Hearts

To be eligible do one or more of the following:

* Leave a comment
* Link this post to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response. Contest ends October 31at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time

[Contest is restricted to US and Canadian residents. No PO Boxes]

[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone for participating]

Your Favorite Vampire(s) - Halloween Contest at PVN

2009-10-05T01:20:00.001-04:00

[This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

To celebrate the month of Halloween I would like you to tell me who is your favorite vampire character (book, TV or film), or your favorite vampire story or movie or TV series, or favorite author of vampire fiction.

Often it's hard to pick just one so go ahead and name more (but please explain your selections).

There will be 5 winners

1st place - The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

2nd place - Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

3rd place - The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows, Book 6) by Kim Harrison

4th place - Personal Demon (Women of the Otherworld, Book 8) by Kelley Armstrong

5th place - Winter Duty: A Novel of the Vampire Earth
by E. E. Knight

[Some accommodation can be made if you win a title you don't want]

Each choice (in the comments area) equals one entry.

Link to this post on your own site or any social network. Each link equals one entry.

This contest will run until 11:59 pm on Oct 31 - Halloween Night.

Winners will be announced Nov 2.

[This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]

More Contest Information on PVN

2009-10-05T01:15:00.001-04:00

Giveaway contest for Dark Hunger by Rita Herron ends tonight (October 5) at 11:59 PM

September email subscriber winner is zenfoxflower. Please send your mail address to PatriciaAltner@gmail.com. Congratulations!

October 6 Interview and Contest with Jeanne Stein author of the Anna Strong novel Retribution.

To celebrate the month of Halloween October's winner will receive 2 books. Subscribe by email to Patricia's Vampire Notes and be entered to win a copy of Dark Road Rising by P. N. Elrod and Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson.

There is a contest for 5 copies of Lucan (Pendragon Legacy) by Susan Kierney. Contest end October 13 at 11:59 PM

Check right hand column under Events and Contest on PVN for the most up to date information.

Interview and Contest with Author Jeanne C. Stein - Upcoming Event

2009-10-04T01:10:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday October 6 Jeanne Stein author of the fabulous vampire series, the Anna Strong Chronicles, will be here at PVN for an interview and contest. Jeanne has visited before, and it's always a pleasure to welcome her back.

This time she is celebrating the publication of the 5th Anna Strong Book, Retribution (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles, Book 5). I've read it (review coming soon) and thoroughly enjoyed it as much as the first four.

Mark your calendars!

Read an excerpt from Retribution

Read Jeanne's August 2008 interview

And here is her guest post on Urban Fantasy

Undead Update

2009-10-04T01:00:00.003-04:00

Watch Charlaine Harris author of the Sookie Stackhouse books on Penguin's Project Paranormal. As most of you know this series was turned into a mega-hit, called TRUE BLOOD, by HBO.

In case you can't get enough of all things Twilight Nordstroms is offering a new line of clothing:
"Take your pick. Order now to be one of the first to wear our exclusive fashion line inspired the Twilight Saga: New Moon." I didn't bother looking for prices.

Just for grins be sure to watch Blood the Last Vampire Anime Retold by Conan O'Brian and Andy These two very funny guys don't need anything resembling a script. The voice over syncs so well with the moving mouths on the anime, it's downright creepy!

On Literary Escapism read an interview with Chloe Neill author of Chicagoland Vampires series:

Some Girls Bite: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
NAL Trade (April 7, 2009)

Friday Night Bites NAL Trade (October 6, 2009)

Marta Acosta (author of the Casa Dracula series) at Vampire Wire says, "My new contest is all kinds of fabulous. Eagle Rock Entertainment is giving me two copies of the just released second season DVDS of "Blood Ties." Contest closes October 18.
I have to remember to enter this contest. Blood Ties was one of the best TV series ever. It was based on the "Blood" books of Tanya Huff.

Chris Marie Green's Deep in the Woods (Book 6 in her Vampire Babylon series) has been sent to Ace. (from Locus Sept. 2009)

Verizon is going crazy for vampires

According to MediaPost.com
"Verizon Wireless is partnering with MTV on "Valemont," a new short-form series premiering Sept. 29 that will appear on television, online and mobile via the wireless carrier's V Cast Mobile TV service."...

Plot summary from IMBD : "An teen girl's brother is murdered at Valemont, an elite college on the east coast. Disguised as a student, the girl works undercover to unravel Valemont's dark secrets from within."

The Vampire's Assistant

The Vampire's Assistant, based on the books of Darren Shan, will open in theaters October 23rd. Go to AceShowBiz (see below) for a clip from the film with the lovely Salma Heyek

Salma Hayek Gets a Vision in New 'The Vampire's Assistant' Clip

Diana Laurence - Interview and Contest

2009-09-29T01:00:00.007-04:00

The contest portion has closed. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Please welcome Diana Laurence, author of How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-By-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful. Read this helpful interview. It will be your chance to find out everything you ever wanted to know about those dicey, tricky relationships with vampires. At the end of the interview look for contest information.

PVN: Although your book is aimed at women would men also find it useful?

Diana: Definitely, and for a couple of reasons at least. First of all, there are plenty of men out there who like vampires (why else would Playboy have a vampire issue recently? LOL), and much of my advice applies likewise to them. And secondly, there are quite a few men who’d like to better understand the appeal of vampires to females, and I explain that too. (But to any guys hoping to use the book as a guide to pose as a vampire themselves, I highly discourage that. The real vampires don’t take well to posers, believe me.)

PVN: When did you first find yourself attracted to vampires?

Diana: When I was really young I read Carmilla, which is actually about a female vampire, and was fascinated. And then when I was 17 I saw the Dracula movie with Frank Langella in the title role and was absolutely hooked. He was mysterious, dangerous, scary and compelling. I’d always been drawn to hypnotists in movies (there were quite a few hypnotists in 50s and 60s movies, oddly), and Frank’s Dracula was like a more romantic, elegant form of hypnotist. And dead sexy too. Anyway, from that point on I was a die hard vampirophile: Anne Rice, “The Lost Boys,” “Buffy,” and all that.

PVN: In your opinion is it all right to date more than one vampire at a time?

Diana: Absolutely. As a society the undead are not especially into monogamy, Bill and Edward not withstanding. It’s not actually bad at all, for I find vampires have the amazing knack to be really into you even though they are likewise really into others at the same time. That’s a hard concept for mortals to get their mind around, so I discuss it at length in the book. Anyway, I think it’s especially beneficial to balance dates with “bad” (not evil) vampires and good ones. For example, I’ll go to a club with the dark and nasty Mordred one night, and then to a vampire ball with the sweet-spirited Aidan the next.

PVN: Who is your current vampire love interest? What is he like?

Diana: I spread the affection around with a whole crew of immortals, but I do have one special guy, as you learn in the book. His name is Conner, and he was born in Britain at the time of Chaucer. He tells the best stories of all my vampire friends, and being a writer, I love that. Conner is reminiscent of Bill Compton in that he’s the protective, guardian angel sort. (Towards me anyway—he can be vicious when he needs to be.) Doesn’t hurt either that he has long, dark, wavy hair and bottomless brown eyes and a face that makes you want to stare at him till your heart falls out.

PVN: Are you at all interested in becoming a vampire?

Diana: Of course anyone who hangs around with the undead is going to occasionally want to join them. Picturing yourself immortal, impervious to disease, able to stay up all night and never needing the benefit of makeup, you certainly are tempted. And as a person whose best 5K time was 30 minutes, I envy that vampiric high-speed-darting a lot. However, there are some serious cons to being a vampire, some of which are not what you might think. This is another issue I address, with an entire chapter, in the book.

PVN: Why did you decide to write this book?

Diana: It’s an interesting story. In fact, my editor at Sellers Publishing, Robin Haywood, had the idea to publish a vampire dating guide. She starting searching the Web for someone to author it and came upon an essay of mine about vampires that I wrote four years ago. She offered me the gig, and I immediately thought it was a fabulous idea. With my background—associating with vampires and writing about them—I was totally thrilled to do the book. I think if I had hesitated for a minute, Mordred would have insisted otherwise anyway, and by “insisted” I mean employing his hypnotic swirly-eyes and compelling me. Wait a sec…is there any chance he might have done that? No, no, I’m sure it was my idea, I was thinking quite clearly when I signed the contract. :-)

PVN: Are there any vampire novels that come close to describing real vampires?

Diana: I just started reading Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse books, having become a huge fan of “True Blood” on HBO. I think she does a terrific job in so many ways, as do Alan Ball and the writers of the TV show. Eric Northman reminds me of my friend Gunnar, and is illustrative of what I term “bad” vampires: immortals who employ a nasty persona mostly because we enjoy it so much. Gunnar is demanding and pushy and often downright scary, but I’ll catch him smiling at my reaction because he knows that I like it when he scares me. Isn’t that just like a vampire? Anyway, although I hadn’t seen “True Blood” yet when I wrote the book, Charlaine and I definitely run with similar vampire crowds.

PVN: What are some of your other writing projects?

Diana: I have ten other titles in print, mostly imaginative and spicy romance. Also in 2009 I released a short story collection called Soulful Sex: Erotic Tales of Fantasy and Romance Volumes I & II, and a psychological thriller on psychic vampirism called Looking on Darkness. My most popular book is my 2007 vampire romance novel Bloodchained; I will be releasing the sequel Bloodchained 2: The Secret of Secrets in late November 2009. Almost all my works seem to have a vampire or vampiric character appear in them somewhere. I could blame the influence of my undead friends on that: they are a persuasive bunch.

PVN: Where can readers find you?

Diana: My Web site is www.dianalaurence.com and is chock full of info, including a “vampire” page that will direct readers to relevant works (including my free vampire short story “Playacting”). My blog is called “Erotica with Soul” and is at www.eroticawithsoul.blogspot.com. I post about the romantic and erotic in pop culture and psychology, and needless to say, vampire topics arise a lot. The official site for my Bloodchained series. And I especially encourage your readers to visit www.howtocatchandkeepavampire.com, where they can interact with me and my vampire pals. Facebook users can become a fan of the book at, and stay apprised of events, contests, site updates, and so on. And lastly, to see my video interview, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOmNRiQ_gtY. My immortal friends think it’s rather hilarious.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit with your readers, Patricia! I’m always thrilled to meet more vampirophiles and spread the vampire love.

And thank you, Diana, for sharing your unique perspective on love and vampires!

Now for the contest. One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-By-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful

To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment
* Ask Diana a question
* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.

Contest ends October 1, 2009 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.