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Jun
24 2010 | ||
Today’s guest is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors, who also happens to be an exceptionally wonderful person – Cynthia Eden!
I Love Vamps.
By: Cynthia Eden
(Thanks so much to the lovely Lauren for inviting me over today!)
I saw my first black and white vampire movie when I was about eight years old. I wanted that vampire to get the lady he loved—and I wanted them to be happy in his cold, dark castle. Instead, that poor vamp was staked.
Sad. So sad.
Years passed, but my love for the vamps just grew. I found the awesome Spike on the Buffy series. I rooted for him. Why, why couldn’t Buffy appreciate his awesomeness? I did.
Then came the very short-lived Moonlight show on CBS. Again, falling for my vamp. Only…yep, Mick vanished when the show was canceled.
Don’t others share my mad, bad vampire love?
The heroine of my latest book, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU, definitely doesn’t share my love. In fact, I think of her as the anti-me when it comes to vamps. For Sandra “Dee” Daniels, the only good vamp is a vamp with a stake shoved deep into his heart. Vamps killed her family, and she hates them. They aren’t sexy, they aren’t mysterious. Instead, to her, they’re just prey.
Oh, yes, she’s a vamp hater.
Does she stay that way? Well, guess you’ll just have to read the book (Read it! Read, read, read!) in order to find out.
What’s your take on the vamp? Sexy hero or evil monster? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I’ll pick one random commenter to win an autographed copy of I’LL BE SLAYING YOU.
Thanks!
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)
June 24th, 2010 at 3:11 am · Link
Sexy hero or evil monster?
Just like the humans they were Vamps can be both. The scary thing is that if they decide to become an evil monster they are so strong and without conscience that there is little you can do to stop them.
June 24th, 2010 at 5:14 am · Link
I might as well have wrote this blog myself. i share the exact same sentiments. loved Spike and Mick. i love vampires and love it when they get thier HEA!!
June 24th, 2010 at 5:22 am · Link
Both – that’s why when they’re the sexy hero it makes it so great.
June 24th, 2010 at 5:41 am · Link
Oh, I’ll believe the vampire as anything the author wants me to believe. I’m actually enjoying the different “flavors” of vampire by different authors, from the ridiculous or the incompetent to the practiced lovers and everything in between…
June 24th, 2010 at 5:53 am · Link
I think it depends on who is writing the story and whose perspective they are writing from. Some authors write the vamps as the mysterious hero while others they are the villains. I think that somehow in the last twenty years the vamp has become the next prince charming. No matter if they are the good guy or the bad guy; they are full of mystery and intrigue. Not to mention we all think we can somehow save them. What is better that a bad guy with a heart of gold?
June 24th, 2010 at 6:11 am · Link
I think it can be both. It depends on the story.
June 24th, 2010 at 6:37 am · Link
I’m sort of on the fence when it comes to vampires. The whole ‘undead’ thing is kind of yucky, and thinking about blood makes me feel ill 😉 So I have a hard time picturing them as a hero on my mind! But, like someonel else said, different authors put their own spin on the vampire myth and sometimes it does work for me~
June 24th, 2010 at 7:06 am · Link
Good point, Eva! When those vamps go bad, they are deadly.
Christy, we’re vamp twins. 🙂
B Burke–I totally agree!
Hi, Ms bookjunkie! Such a good point. I like those different flavors, too.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:06 am · Link
Nikki, great question. I can’t think of anything better right this minute.
Hey, Sue! True!!
LOL, Cheryl, yes, you do have to look past that undead part. Vamps aren’t for everyone–that’s why I’m glad there are so many paranormal characters out there. Lots of options for us to choose from!!
Thanks for the comments! And thanks to Lauren for inviting me over! I am so looking forward to getting my greedy hands on Insatiable!
June 24th, 2010 at 7:11 am · Link
I love vamps as well. My favorites are the ones that aren’t solidly on the good or bad side, but walk that line in between (Eric in Charlaine Harris’ books, Damon in the Vampire Diaries.)
June 24th, 2010 at 8:11 am · Link
I think there’s a bit of both……….without the evil monsters our heroes might not seem so heroic!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 am · Link
I would say there can be both. When they are good, they are sexy heroes. But, when they are bad, they are evil monsters.
Love the cover to I’ll Be Slaying You.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 am · Link
I think the vampire is a sexy hero but also hides a monster within that he has to struggle to control. I have loved vampires as long as I can remember. I even remember listening (yes, listening) to Dark Shadows on the radio as a kid. Like you I always wanted the vamp to get his love and be happy.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:18 am · Link
I am in the ‘Both” category. Their dangerousness and scaryness makes them fun to read about.
My first vampire book I read as a teen was the Silver Kiss and it had a vamp for a hero, awesome book.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:25 am · Link
Oh, Roni, those guys that walk the line are great!!
Blanche, that is a very true! We need a bit of badness, don’t we?
Thanks, CrystalGB! I love that cover. That cover may be my favorite so far!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:25 am · Link
Viki, I would love to hear the Dark Shadows radio show. Now you’ve just gone and made me jealous.
Hi, Kris! Now I need to go and google Silver Kiss–I’m curious!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:30 am · Link
Sexy vamp! for sure!
I love the idea of moster getting turned around for love. It’s the beauty and the beast story. There is so much power for the woman to soothe the savage beast. And the idea that such a powerful creature will do anything to protect that woman is beyond sexy!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:38 am · Link
I there are both type.There’s evil ones that don’t want redemption/forgiveness and want to be what they are,the dangerous bad boys and then there are those that are sexy as heck and charming, also could be considered the bad boy 😀
June 24th, 2010 at 8:56 am · Link
I’ve seen movies and read books where they have both both ways. I much prefer the sexy hero type over the evil monster type. Although both can be interesting.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:04 am · Link
Cynthia – Dark Shadows was on the radio Saturday afternoons when I was 8 to 10 years old. I always came in from playing just to listen. Yes, I’m showing my 47 yrs. ;).
June 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am · Link
Sexy hero will just about always get my vote. I’d have to read more of the story if I sided with an evil monster.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am · Link
I love vamps! I also watched the old black and white Dracula movies when I was a kid! I was thrilled when my bookstore turned me on to Christine Feehan’s Dark series. I have been thrilled with all the great books that take on the vamp mythology and make it their own.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:00 am · Link
I agree with most of the comments, they can be both. Oh, but so sexy when they are the heroes. Just all that strong sexiness for eternity is so appealing.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:18 am · Link
Part of the attraction of the Vampire has always been the powerful sexual spell cast by the Vamp to lure his beautiful female victim. The plunging bite, and ravenous neck-sucking which provided the Vamp with his food, were also symbolic of physical sex. I love INTENSE. Who would want a Vampire who was not intense? Having said that, it’s so much more attractive for that Vampire to have one soft spot–his love for a very special woman! You are right on about the increasingly creative and expansive world of Vampire fiction! A savory-sweet, sensual smorgasbord–let’s dine : )
Vampires will never lose their eerily erotic allure. They can easily dispatch all challengers to the paranormal throne. Vampires are the most insidious evil, often appearing solicitous and charming. All the while, they are sensing the beat of your heart and savoring the thought of slaking their thirst with the red, red wine of your blood. I’ve no doubt Vampires will be around as long as humanity exists.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:39 am · Link
Hi Cynthia,
Congrats on the upcoming release. The vamp can definitely be a sexy hero. I guess they can be considered a hero if they’re redeemable, but there’s nothing wrong with loving a bad boy either.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:45 am · Link
Sexy, sexy hero. But, like Spike on Buffy, I like my vamp to be a little evil, too. The do-gooder-must-repent vamp just bores me. 😈
June 24th, 2010 at 10:45 am · Link
Vamps are most certainly sexy heros. Misunderstood by the media! 😉 And yes, I was very sad when Moonlight was canceled!
June 24th, 2010 at 10:54 am · Link
my favorite one is the sexy hero 😎
June 24th, 2010 at 11:06 am · Link
Sexy hero in most romances and evil monster in vampire slayer type type stories 😀
Personally I prefer the sexy hero variety.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:47 am · Link
It depends. I think books that have the vamp as both are more compelling. A vampire that’s purely good comes off as wimpy to me (ie: Twilight). They’re predators, and when that gets acknowledged in books, I’m pleased as a reader. Plus, that inner struggle to fight the hunger, desire, and evil within to bite the one you love just… I don’t know. It adds another element of excitement for me. I know it’s gonna happen eventually, but when!?
June 24th, 2010 at 11:56 am · Link
Definitely sexy hero, especially the way that Cynthia writes them.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:58 am · Link
Oh, Roni, those guys that walk the line are great!!
Blanche, that is a very true! We need a bit of badness, don’t we?
Thanks, CrystalGB! I love that cover. That cover may be my favorite so far!
Viki, I would love to hear the Dark Shadows radio show. Now you’ve just gone and made me jealous.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:58 am · Link
Whoops! Sorry! I just reposted my comments from earlier. Let me try again…
June 24th, 2010 at 11:59 am · Link
Daniela, I have always been a sucker for the beauty and the beast tale.
Hi, elanig8! So many vamps, so little time!
Linda, I like your vote for the sexy vamp.
Viki, are you interested in seeing the movie when it’s released?
June 24th, 2010 at 11:59 am · Link
Ah, another sexy hero vote! Thanks, Leni!
Angie, I love Christine Feehan’s stories, too! Great vamps!
Hi, Armenia! I do like the idea of strong sexiness for eternity! 🙂 Sounds good to me!
Virginia, you bring up a very good point. The intense nature of the vampires is part of their allure to me.
Thanks, Jane! LOL, see, I think there’s nothing wrong with loving a bad boy either! They need love, too!
Lillie, I think having a bit of the monster in your man is a good thing.
June 24th, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Link
Hey, Miranda! Yes, they are so misunderstood!
Ina, thanks for your sexy hero vote!
Me, too, ilona–but I’ll take them any way when I’m reading.
Tori, I like vamps to have a lot of strength–physical, mental, emotional. I want the whole vamp package!!
June 24th, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Link
Oh, thank you, Cathy!
June 24th, 2010 at 12:23 pm · Link
I think vampires can be seen as a sexy hero if potrayed right. They do have a dark past they need to overcome.
June 24th, 2010 at 12:27 pm · Link
I think it can be both when the storyline and character are both well written.
June 24th, 2010 at 12:30 pm · Link
oh I feel the same for Spike!! and I can’t wait to read your book and find out if Dee changes her mind 🙂 I do hope the vampire will be a sexy one
June 24th, 2010 at 1:00 pm · Link
I think that the magic of vamps is that they can be either, depending on the hands of the writer. I think while our association tends to be initially of monster, that just gives them the potential to be a more compelling, tortured hero when redeemed.
June 24th, 2010 at 1:19 pm · Link
Considering that 99% of the books I read have vamps as the good guys…I definitely think they’re sexy with their leather clothing and brooding attitude.
June 24th, 2010 at 1:26 pm · Link
I love sexy and caring bloodsuckers, but I like to see the evil ones get staked. Can’t get enough vamp stories, and your newest sounds (and looks) great. Can’t wait to read it.
June 24th, 2010 at 1:29 pm · Link
I think vamps are both, but of course I prefer the sexy hero vamp 🙂
June 24th, 2010 at 1:46 pm · Link
Cynthia – I will absolutely see the movie when it comes out. It’s Dark Shadows after all and Depp stars :wink:. Can’t get much better than that. Will you be going?
June 24th, 2010 at 2:37 pm · Link
I love vamps in all flavors, good, bad, hero, villan, young, old, coffin sleeper, dirt sleeper….they are all great!
June 24th, 2010 at 2:42 pm · Link
I say a sexy hero, he can bite me anytime 😉
June 24th, 2010 at 2:51 pm · Link
I love vampires!
June 24th, 2010 at 4:07 pm · Link
Hey, Sue! Since those vamps can live forever, they often have a LONG and dark past!
I agree, Terri.
Chris, wasn’t he just awesome? I watched the show just for him during the last season.
June 24th, 2010 at 4:07 pm · Link
Fedora, I’ve always enjoyed those tortured heroes.
Joder, what is it about a brooding guy? I love them!
Thanks, Terri! Hope you enjoy it!
Me, too, Raelena!