Today's special guest is Roxanne Rhoads of Fang-tastic Books - and she even comes with a special treat!
Thanks Roxanne!
The Appeal of Darkness
By Roxanne Rhoads
Why are we drawn to the paranormal? Perhaps because it is the Other, it is the great unknown. The lure of the darkness that resides inside us all.
Are Others real? Are there really paranormal creatures that exist?
Who knows, but some of us sure like to believe.
Maybe we just need an escape from the everyday existence that has become so…ordinary. In today’s world people want to stand out and be noticed or at least experience something that is different. Perhaps that’s why so many of us turn to the world of the supernatural for an escape from the everyday.
Wouldn’t it be great to have super powers? Or to be immortal? Super strong? Have mind control? Or just be super seductive and a fabulous lover (we can all dream right)?
Of all supernatural creatures, vampires seem to be the most seductive. People are drawn to the vampire more than any other creature of myth and fantasy. Vampires grace the pages of books and appear on the movie and television screen over and over again, each new vampire a source of amusement and desire to us. But why? What is the everlasting attraction of the vampire?
Before the 19th century vampires were just mindless monsters, myths and legends that were horrible and frightening, not sexy, not desirable. Literature changed all that.
Consider this description from the introduction of Blood Read: The Vampire as Metaphor in Contemporary Culture written by Joan Gordon and Veronica Hollinger.
[The vampire is] “an ambiguously coded figure, a source of erotic anxiety and corrupt desire, the literary vampire is one of the most powerful archetypes bequeathed to us from the imagination of the nineteenth century.”
Vampires were turned into seductive and inherently sexy creatures that we just haven’t been able to get enough of. The unknown allure is there, evil has become sexy, darkness is beautiful. Once the monsters of myth and legend were shunned for their differences but today we embrace them because they are different, because they are Other.
Our modern society is full of disquiet, pain, suffering, depression, things that spiral out of control-real monsters and horrors face us every day on the news.
In entertainment we want monsters that we can control, monsters…Others that are appealing in their difference and offer us an escape. The vampire offers us all that and more.
I love many creatures of the Other world but the vampire is my first love and will always hold the top spot in my monster loving heart.
In my fiction, the characters are more often than not Others, with a vampire playing either the hero or the heroine of the story.
In my latest release, Eternal Desire, you’ll find a seductive vampire who chooses to hide in the shadows and stay on the sidelines of his human’s life. But while he’s biding his time she’s falling for someone else. Set in New Orleans during Halloween,Eternal Desire is an erotic paranormal story about LizBeth, a paranormal researcher, and her elusive vampire, Quillon, who seems content to hide in the shadows of her dreams but never comes to her in the flesh.
Want to know more about me and my fascination with Others? Drop by Fang-tastic Books to learn about the books I love and what I write.
Eternal Desire is Roxanne's new book!
Liz Beth, a paranormal researcher, is haunted by the seductive vampire, Quillon, who may or may not be real. She arrives in New Orleans the week of Halloween to search for the elusive vampire of her dreams and instead encounters a handsome stranger, Christien, with whom she begins a passionate affair with.
Soon she is torn between her dream lover and a flesh and blood man, both of whom are a mystery to her. The closer it gets to Halloween the wilder things become. LizBeth gets closer to the truth about Quillon while Christien has her under his own spell.
Will all be revealed at the Vampyre Ball or will the masks stay in place?
Here's a part of an amazing review by Kiki Howell:
After reading Eternal Desire, I would have to call Roxanne Rhoads a master of words. Each sentence flowed into another with a nice blend of old elegance and contemporary style which I think is important in this type of paranormal writing to best blend the modern day setting with the ghosts and vampires of another time. I have to give you an example from the beginning of the story, “a shadowy figure in my dreams, whispering of longings and ancient secrets. I never saw his face, but his voice lingered in my soul. He was an invisible guardian, calling to me…”
If anyone is interested in participating - either link shout-outs, guest blogging, short stories, anything, email me at bookswithabite (at) gmail (dot) com.
OK, so after watching the second season premier of True Blood, it might be much easier to list the things that were similar in book 2 that appeared in the TV show versus what WASN’T the same. Pretty much everything in the episode had nothing to do with book two; which was extremely disappointing – especially the whole Lafayette debacle. How the heck are they going to work that one out?
I am becoming more and more disappointed in the show. I really need to work on separating in my mind the book and the TV show because they are so different, especially leading into season 2.
Beware of spoilers if you haven’t read Living Dead in Dallas but here are some differences between book and show:
· Lafayette is dead in Andy’s car – not the phony exorcist that never even existed to begin with. · Mary Ann does not exist in the capacity she does on the show – she makes a couple brief appearances but not in the form of “Mary Ann” and she certainly does not have some rich demented half-way house – nor does Tara even meet her – except at the end LDID. · Because Bill never killed Long Shadow to begin with (ERIC DID), he certainly did not have to make a young and annoying vampire – who also doesn’t exist… at all. · Sookie’s uncle died “falling down the stairs” I’m pretty sure she found out about this in book one though, and both her and her brother received and inheritance. · Jason never comes close to joining Fellowship of the sun. · Sam had a happy childhood and was never abandoned or resorted to stealing and "Mary Ann" certainly didn’t take his virginity. · Because Lafayette dies in the beginning on book 2 he is never tortured by Eric · Eric does not need to highlight his hair
I will be very upset if Eric doesn’t attend an orgy with Sookie and if he doesn’t take care of her when she gets hurt in Texas. At least episode was more entertaining than last season.
I am a fan of Tanya Huff's Blood series - I read them towards the beginning of my Books with a Bite Book List. The books are about Vickie Nelson, once cop, now private detective who ends up solving paranormal crimes with the help of a steamy vampire.
Blood Ties also was turned into a TV show on lifetime and now with a renewed interest in all things vampire, and after many pleas, wishes, and requests from fans, Blood Ties was released on DVD June 2nd – which I am very excited about. I can’t wait to watch them – I’ve been waiting!
To view the official Blood Ties Site to read about the plot, characters, and cast and some other fun stuff, click here.
I am also jumping on the bandwagon and I have a few copies of Blood Ties the first book of the Blood Series to giveaway– comment or email me the name of your favorite character is any vampire genre – books, movies, TV. Winners will be randomly selected on June 30th.
Bear with me while I sort through issues with my new (and not improved) firewall.
To watch the trailor and other Blood Ties videos, click HERE.
I hang my head in shame thinking of how much I have abandoned this blog as of late. I also have to wait until Friday or Saturday to Dead and Gone .... which I am quite sad about. I didn't think being married would take up so much of my time; foolish I know.
I do have some treats coming up though! Stay tuned for a chance to win some True Blood jewelry that I am in the process of finishing. Are you team Bill or Eric?
And.... to leave you with something that disturbed and confused me (from Flickr Lurkr)
So make sure to check back in Wednesday! Also... if you are someone you know is a fan of vampire fiction the Jaz Parks books are great, plus number 5 is coming out January 5th!
So in the spirit of Christmas and my 100th blog post... Free Stuff!
Enter to win unique jewelry and other special goodies from Lulu McCleary
Maybe something from the online store, or maybe something specially made, plus extra vampire treats!
Perfect for a gift for yourself or a friend!
To enter: Leave a note or email me what's something you like about this blog or something you would like to see on here. Deadline December 19th at 8:00am Winners will be choosen at random
Psychology Grad and avid reader. I love bare oak trees, paranormal mysteries, and dreaming.
I love to review books, so if you need anything reviewed, feel free to email me at bookswithabite@gmail.com
A Coffin Ring and Slit-throat Choker from Tiana Rutledge
and a copy of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula from Marta Acosta at Vampire Wire
