Paige Tyler - Guest blog and Contest

Please welcome author Paige Tyler who writes terrific erotic romances with a paranormal flare. In the following post she tells readers some behind the scenes workings of a writer's mind plus an excerpt of her new book Dead Sexy.

Paige is also offering one lucky reader a copy of her ebook EROTIC EXPOSURE. Needless to say this novel includes adult content. For those 18 years and older.

[see contest details at end of post]
[This contest has ended thanks to everyone who participated]

HOW A ZOMBIE SOME LOVE!

Thanks so much for letting me guest blog today!

Readers often ask me how I come up with ideas for my books, so I thought I'd give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at how I came up with my new release, a paranormal erotic romance from Ellora's Cave called DEAD SEXY.

Before I say anything else though, isn't that cover too hot for words?!  When the art department sent it to me, I probably gazed at it for a good ten minutes in mouth-drooling appreciation before I could email them back telling the artist it not only rocked, but totally fit the book.  The hero is "Dead Sexy," after all!

Okay, back to the story and how I came up with it.  First, to set the stage, I need to share a little something with you about myself.  Well, about my hubby and me, actually.  We love zombie movies, from the George Romero gems to Shaun of the Dead and everything in between, including "Walking Dead," the new series on AMC.  You just can't go wrong with  a movie full of walking dead people, can you?  Well, if you've ever seen a zombie movie (or even you haven't), then you know the creatures aren't the heroes of the film.  I mean, how can they be, right?  They're all dead and decayed and downright unattractive, not to mention pretty damn scary.  Which was why you can imagine my surprise when my hubby suggested I write an erotic romance about a zombie hero.  I was like, you're kidding, right?  What woman in her right mind would fall in love with a dead guy?  No way could that possibly work, or so I thought.

Turns out, my hubby wasn't kidding.  In fact, he started working up ideas for the story.

"The hero didn't have to be a zombie all the time," he told me. "Think outside the box - take a little literary license!"

Okay, I thought. I suppose I could be open minded. 

My hubby told me that in his out-of-the-box world, the hunky hero got cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess and only turns into a zombie sometimes. 

"I'm listening," I said.

"And when he does go zombie, he doesn't have to be like the kind in the movies," my hubby added.  "Well, he has to look like one, you know all dead and stuff, but he doesn't have to be a mindless creature or attack humans or eat anything gross."

So, brains are completely out, thanks goodness!

"Think Jensen Ackles or Jared Padelecki, with a really, really, really dark tan - (yes, my hubby knows I've got a thing for the Supernatural hunks!) - well, maybe more gray and black than tan, but you get the idea."

I thought about that for a minute.  "So, the hero's dead, but he's still sexy, is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly," he said, giving me a grin as my eyes lit up with understanding.

By that point, my hubby had pretty much sold me on the idea.  Of course, I knew if I ran with it, I was going to have to sell it to a publisher, and I knew that could be tough since the hero is a zombie. But I ran with it anyway and ended up with a full-length novel.  And it came out pretty damn good, if I do say so myself!  I still had to find a publisher for it, though.

About this same time, It just so happens that several of my other books were in the process of being picked up by Ellora's Cave and I thought what the heck?  Why not pitch it to my editor there and see what she thinks?  So I did, and she told me to send it to her.  She was interested to see how I handled the whole zombie-thing.  Well, long story, short, she liked it.  A lot!  My zombie romance with it's dead-sexy hero had a home!  I was thrilled and my hubby walked around for a week with a smug, "I-told-you-so" look on his face.

I've been getting the word out there about DEAD SEXY ever since I signed the contract for it and I'm thrilled with the interest from readers who can't wait to get their hands on it!  I can't wait for them to read it, too! 

Now that I've revealed the story behind the story, I thought I'd share the blurb and an excerpt just to whet your appetite for more!


Blurb:

Romance author Simone Kent thinks she might just have found the most perfect guy in all of New York City - in bed and out. But Drake Parrish is about as far from perfect as any man can get. Eight years ago, he was cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess to live part of his life as a zombie. Since then, he has lived like a recluse on New York’s Upper East Side, afraid to go out for fear he’ll suddenly turn into one of the walking dead.

The sex is the hottest either of them has ever experienced and Simone discovers just how naughty she can be with Drake, while he finds himself feeling things for her that he hasn’t felt in a very long time. When the Voodoo priestess learns of their relationship, however, she comes after him again. She is determined to make sure he won’t have a future with Simone, even if that means killing both him and the woman he loves.



Excerpt:

As she led him up the steps to the second floor, Drake found himself wondering if she would ask him in. And wondering what he’d say if she did. When they came to a stop outside the door to her apartment, Simone turned to give him a smile.

“I had a great time tonight.”

“Me, too.”

She caught her bottom lip between her perfect white teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully as if unsure what she wanted to say next. It was probably an unconscious gesture, something she did whenever she was thinking, but to him, it was sexy as hell and all he could think about was kissing her.

Surely, one kiss couldn’t hurt. He desperately wanted to. He hadn’t kissed a woman in so long. It would be nice to see if he still remembered how.

Before he could stop himself, Drake tilted Simone’s face up to his and pressed his mouth to hers.

She tasted just as sweet and delicious as he thought she would. Her lips were soft and pliant under his as she kissed him back, her tongue eagerly seeking his out.

Drake groaned and slid his hand into her hair, deepening the kiss. Simone sighed into his mouth, running her hands up the front of his shirt to grasp his shoulders. The feel of her touch was like a tonic to his deprived soul and he let out another groan, deeper this time.

He ran his free hand up her side and around to her breast, cupping it through the soft material of her dress. He couldn’t stop himself and apparently, Simone didn’t want him to. She moaned and arched against him. He could feel the heat of her pussy through their clothes as she pressed up against his hard cock. Damn, she felt good.

Drake drew her bottom lip into his mouth and gently suckled on it before slowly kissing his way along the delicate curve of her jaw. Simone clutched his shoulders and tilted her head back. He eagerly trailed a path of hot kisses down her neck, then back up, his mouth finding hers again. Simone looped her arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer as their tongues met.

Down the hall, a door slammed, reminding him where they were.

Drake dragged his mouth away from hers, his breathing ragged as he tried to regain control. He had to get it together because he was about five seconds away from doing something really stupid. Like taking her to bed. “I should go.”

Her lips curved into a sexy, flirtatious smile. “Or you could stay.”

God, how he wanted to. But as much as he’d love to spend the rest of the night exploring every inch of her body, he couldn’t take the chance he might go zombie on her right in the middle of sex. Talk about coitus interruptus, And it had already been almost four days since he last turned, which meant he was already pushing his luck.

“You don’t know how much I want to,” he groaned. “But I can’t.”

Simone looked up at him with those big, blue eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I…” He hesitated, trying to come up with something that would sound believable. “I have a column due in the morning and I haven’t even started on it yet.” She knew all about deadlines, so she would understand that. Besides, he did have a column to write, it just wasn’t due until next week. “Rain check?”

She looked disappointed, but she smiled anyway. “Absolutely. How does coming over for dinner tomorrow night sound?”

It would be crazy to agree when he could be so close to having an episode, but he couldn’t say no. Not when she asked in that soft, sultry voice. “Sounds great.”

“Good. Be here at seven.”

“Seven it is.”

She pulled him down for another long, slow kiss on the mouth. “Don’t be late.”

His mouth twitched. “I won’t.” He bent his head to kiss her again, then groaned. “If I don’t go now, I’ll be here all night.”

Simone laughed. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

“Not to me, but my editor at Money Issues might not be too understanding when he doesn’t find my column sitting in his inbox tomorrow.”

She sighed. “Deadlines can be a real pain in the butt sometimes. Okay, go home and write your column. I’ll cuddle up with a bowl of ice cream instead.”

He chuckled. “Sounds better than taking a cold shower, which is what I’m going to be doing when I get home.” He closed his mouth over hers once more. “See you tomorrow night, beautiful.”

Resisting the urge to pull her into his arms again, Drake turned and walked down the hallway toward the stairwell. At the top of the steps, he glanced over his shoulder to see Simone standing where he’d left her, a sexy curve to her lips.

It took every ounce of strength he possessed not to go back and pin her against the door for one more long, lingering kiss. God, what he wouldn’t give to spend the night with her. Man, it was going to take more than a cold shower to get her out of his head.



Hope you enjoyed the excerpt and that you can't wait to read more! You can get DEAD SEXY from Ellora's Cave

You can also check out the trailer here!


If you decide to pick up DEAD SEXY, let me know how you like it!

Contest

*One lucky ADULT (18 years or older) reader will win a copy of the ebook EROTIC EXPOSURE

*To enter the contest simply  make a comment on Paige's post.

*The contest is open internationally.

*Contest ends Dec. 31 at midnight PST.

Haunted Honeymoon - A Vampire Book Review

Haunted Honeymoon (Casa Dracula Book 4)
by Marta Acosta
Gallery Books, October 2010

Milagro de los Santos has gone through some wild times since joining the vampire community. Unlike others of this kind she was "made" not born. Mil is the accidental vampire. While kissing the handsome doctor Oswald Grant she accidentally tastes a tiny bit of his blood. No other human has ever survived this type of infection but Mil does and thrives - with some exceptions. She feels guilty that her engagement to Oswald did not work out. Her relationship with Oswald's cousin the gorgeous, sexy, charming Ian Ducharme (known, behind his back, as the Dark Lord) has an intensity that frightens her.

In an attempt to distance herself she agrees to write a second faux memoir for the self proclaimed guru Don Pedro who has made a mint on the first book ghost written by Mil. They meet up in London where she also encounters one of the local vamps, the free-spirited, and attractive Wilcox Spiggot.

The various threads that connect her to these people and others become horribly tangled and lead Milagro into the malevolent clutches of a secret organization whose torture methods almost destroy her. After narrowly escaping she heads back to the one place she ever felt safe - the beautiful ranch owned by Oswald's family. Here she hopes to heal. Unfortunately that healing at first proves illusive and becomes more difficult when she suffers sever amnesia. Mil remembers nothing about her life after her first meeting with Oswald.

Marta Acosta has written a superb ending for her Casa Dracula series. I have been eagerly following the adventures of Milagro de los Santos since book one, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, (2006). I really hate to see this series close, but as the old cliche goes, "All good things must come to an end". Throughout author Marta  has combined a wild sense of humor with a believability of characters and plot. Haunted Honeymoon is no exception. Milagro is a terrific character. Too bad she isn't real. I would love to meet her!

Throughout her life she has suffered many difficulties, including an abusive mother, and lots of self doubt, but her strong spirit and joie de vivre  always got her though. In this novel she finally discovers where she belongs, what she wants to do, and who she wants to be with.

Enough back story is given so that  you don't have to read the first three books, but the experience is so much more enjoyable if you do. You really get to know the many wonderful, enchanting, quirky characters Marta has created for Milagro's world.



Happy Hour at Casa Dracula

Midnight Brunch (Casa Dracula Series, Book 2)

The Bride of Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula, Book 3)

Author Molly Maddox on Werewolves

Please welcome Molly Maddox author of Alpha (Circlet Press, 2010). She writes about the werewolf myth and how it is encompassed into her own steamy, erotic story. 

"Alpha tells the tale of the tempestuous alliance between humans and werewolves fighting to survive after the zombie apocalypse has come to Manhattan. Romance is no fun without some obstacles to overcome, and Janey and Seamus--the leaders of the human resistance and the werewolf pack--have plenty of them in their way, including their groups' mutual distrust, not to mention zombie attacks."

Alpha Dog

by Molly Maddox

There’s something about it.  Fur, talons, teeth, the surge of hunting hormones through impossibly strong flesh.  Obviously, we’ve all thought about what it would be like to have a beastly lover, insatiable, savage, and driven by the basest instincts, but still enfolded in the supple form of humanity, and as writers our beasts are as individual as we are.

My first encounter with werewolf lit was Annette Curtis Klause’s Blood and Chocolate, which, thereafter, was promptly removed from the school library due to “unseemly content.”  I immediately bought my own copy.  The sensual, liberated world of Klause’s teengaged loup garou drew me in, made me want more.  I flipped the pages of dozens like it, and unlike it.

Wolves easily slot into paranormal romance for two reasons.   Foremost, wolves are seen as loyal mates.  Wolves in the romance genre mate and traditional roles of alpha-male and –female are established.  In reality, the male and female alphas of a wolf pack can be mates or nonsexual close relatives, like brother and sister, but the idea of an eternally mated pair is an admittedly strong draw that I’m sure none of us can argue with.

Secondly, in many cultures, wolves are the guards between man’s world and the spirit world, and abound in mythology: Odin is prophesied to be murdered by half-wolf Fenrir at Ragnorak, for example, and Norse berzerkers were known for wearing wolf pelts to channel the animal’s viciousness in battle.  And as a nerd, I can’t fail to mention the White Wolf interpretation, in which werewolves are warriors in service of the earth itself, charged with the defeat of the Wyrm.
 
Furthermore, lycanthropy isn’t the curse it was considered in Lon Chaney Jr.’s day.  Werewolves are generally born that way, and not “cursed,”  but “gifted,” which can be seen as a modern-day reconciliation with humanity’s place in the natural world, as well as a comfort with the sexual liberation a beast-side allows us.  When dealing with a pair in paranormal romance, only one is usually the werewolf.  It creates conflict, angst, and lots of sexy, fun scenes of misunderstanding, of course, but also illuminates the qualities outlined above. 

When creating my wolfpeople, I first looked at the root of the myth.  Usually, it was magic, spell, curse.  I decided to take that and twist it.  I always loved alternative histories of the 21st century, so I developed that the wolfperson genes—as well as other, more sinister mutations—popped up shortly after World War II.  Additionally, my werewolves weren’t were-anything: they couldn’t transform between worlds, but were stuck in their furry, hulking bodies.  I could say all types of noble things about that choice—the intimation of early werewolf films, Lon Chaney, Jr.’s role in The Wolf Man in particular, about racial stereotypes and roles—but truly, that just came from my love of big, hairy men.

My leading male is a wolfman with a slicked quiff, a beer belly, and a patient, intelligent sense of violence.  His lover, our protagonist, is a petite, uncertain, and boldly loyal human scootergirl named Janey.  I like shoving inappropriate roles into certain situations—these nerdy misfits run contrasting rebel groups in post-apocalyptic New York—and honestly every writer can tell you about the power of their own characters.  Their quirks and complexes took over.  They delight in BDSM, drinking beer, and chatting about old comics.  Janey loves Sea’s bulk, his savagery, and Sea loves Janey’s pointed, and prurient, submission.
Submission and domination is a recurring theme.

Alpha dogs demand obedience from betas and omegas, keeping them in line with force if necessary, and the same is true of Seamus.  In werewolf fiction, the order of the pack, the cohesion of the larger family unit, reflects our own wants for a stable society.  Seamus battles forces from within his group that want to usurp him and turn the world he’s worked hard for into chaos; Janey, at the same time, fights with the bias of her own people to work together with the wolfpeople to survive.
From the get-go, it was clear to me that the werewolf mythologies were as varied as the writers creating them, and I can’t wait to see the diversity brought by the writers to come.

PVN: Thanksfor stopping by, Molly. Alpha sounds like a fun, wicked book!
What do you readers think?

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest

EVOLVE

Nancy Kilpatrick has edited a new all-vampire anthology, with stories by Kelley Armstrong, Tanya Huff (a new Vicky story!) and others.  EVOLVE: Vampire Stories of the New Undead hits the stores later in March but right now there are special editions for sale on their website, like a signed hardcover in a coffin!  Prices rise March 1st, so check out the website t out now:  www.vampires-evolve.com 

Barbara Vey Debuts Authors to Keep your Eye on For 2010

 

Jill Myles has a new type of sexy paranormal series out about a former ugly duckling who has transformed into a sexy succubus torn between a fallen angel and a dark seductive vampire. Jill’s Succubus Diary series from Pocket books is perfect for those readers who love a good laugh and some steamy love scenes. [from Beyond Her Books]

Jess Haines is a new author for Zebra with Hunted by the Others the first book in her H&W Investigations Series coming out in May. This one is about a detective who may become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil. The mention of a possible love interest with a mesmerizing vampire has piqued my interest.
[from Beyond Her Books]
  

 Fans of gothic romance will want to check out Zebra author Erica Ridley’s Too Wicked to Kiss, coming in March. This one is about a heroine who can see the future and the man she falls for who hides in the shadows.
[from Beyond Her Books]

See a list of upcoming vampire movies as gathered by author Catherine Karp on Suburban Vampire

Read an interview with Doug Knipe, the SciFiGuy at The Book Smugglers.

Go to Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings for a Spoltlight & Giveaway: Xombies: Apocalypticon by Walter Greatshell

On VampChix read a list of Vamp Classics You May Enjoy.

At on io9 read the definition of Paranormal Romance from writers Marjorie M. Liu, J.R. Ward, Cecilia Tan, Ann Aguirre, Lyda Morehouse, Greg van Eekhout, Jayne Ann Krentz

 Vampire author Anne Rice set to release Video Book



 

Queen Victoria, Demon Slayer - Book Review

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter
by A. E. Moorat
EOS, January 2010

From the publisher: There were many staff at Kensington Palace, fulfilling many roles; a man who was employed to catch rats, another whose job it was to sweep the chimneys. That there was someone expected to hunt demons did not shock the new Queen; that it was to be her was something of a surprise.

London, 1838. Queen Victoria is crowned; she receives the orb, the scepter, and an arsenal of bloodstained weaponry. If Britain is about to become the greatest power of the age, there’s the small matter of the undead to take care of first. Demons stalk the crown, and political ambitions have unleashed ravening hordes of zombies even within the nobility itself.

But rather than dreams of demon hunting, Queen Victoria’s thoughts are occupied by Prince Albert. Can she dedicate her life to saving her country when her heart belongs elsewhere? With lashings of glistening entrails, decapitations, zombies, and foul demons, this masterly new portrait will give a fresh understanding of a remarkable woman, a legendary monarch, and quite possibly the best demon hunter the world has ever seen.

PVN Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter begins at the house of Lord Quimby who watches dejectedly while his manservant chows down on is favorite dog. Turns out one of Lord Quimby 's more grotesque hobbies is the creation of zombies who must be kept locked up lest their unappetizing eating habits appear for all to see. And that's not to mention the danger to the fresh flesh and blood of innocent bystanders.  On the night of Queen Victoria' ascension to the throne, when dark forces are about, Quimby's zombies escape their prison and begin feasting on a gathering of the lord's favorite prostitutes. What a mess, literally! It's left to Perkins, Quimby's manservant, to take charge of the cleanup once all are safely and permanently dead. In the course of events Perkins has himself become a zombie which works out rather well for master and servant. except for the dog eating scene of course.

Meanwhile at the palace Princess Victoria is told of her uncle's death and that she is now the new monarch. The  transition from King William IV to the young Queen Victoria signals to the demon forces that it is time for war. They plan to usurp the throne and take over the British empire. Fortunately Victoria has help at hand in the form of a fighting force led by the unstoppable, Royal Protektor Maggie Brown. These are specially trained warriors with exceptional weaponry to use against a frightening foe. Eventually Victoria herself becomes a member of this elite squad.

There is quite a bit of messy savagery, but amidst the gore lies a tender love story between Victoria and Prince Albert. It is the true affection of these two good and decent people that becomes the best weapon of defense against the demon onslaught.

The plot and the characters are equally entertaining. This is the type of book that keeps a permanent smile on your face - as long as you have a strong stomach. Fortunately, I do.

[Dear FTC, the ARC of this book was sent to me by Library Journal]

Day By Day Armageddon - Contest

 [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!]

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest April 2009

It Was a Dark and Silly Night by Neil Gaiman and Gahan Wilson. Go to Suvudu.com to see a video made about Gaiman's short story and animated by Wilson. For those of you who enjoyed The Graveyard Book this will be a special treat. The short story was written as an exercise before writing the award winning childrens book. (Actually a childrens book for ALL ages.) Wish I could post the video here. It really is delightful!



Listen to Dracula: the Podcast narrated by Tom Walters. You can listen online at the website or subscribe to it through iTunes. Says Tom, "Think you know the story? You don't. Now you can hear the timeless story of bloodlust and the struggle against evil incarnate from the original unabridged text. Complete chapters available as podcasts."

I listened to the most recent posting which was Chapter 23 of Stoker's classic. The narration was quite good with just the right amount of spookiness.

Welcome to the World of Birch Grove Academy

Read the first 3 chapters of Marta Acosta's YA gothic novel.

Says Marta, "I've decided to share chapters from my young adult gothic novel, The Shadow Girl of Birch Grove, with friends and fans.

"Fans of the Casa Dracula series will notice a few similarities, as well as major differences. My heroine is another lost girl, but Jane is somber and stoic. She's observant and quiet. She faces life without any illusions.

"Her obstacles are formidable and her enemies are unseen. Does small, plain, poor Jane have the strength and heart to overcome them?"





Here is a recent article about author Seth Grahame-Smith. His newly published book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance has been quite a hit.

From the publisher: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. "
So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies , an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton — and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers — and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, sword fights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read."

The article goes on to explain that Grahame-Smith's success has been so great that he has now been commissioned to write a story about Abraham Lincoln, vampire hunter. This one I will have to read!





This is an interesting product. It's called Vampire Lure Neck Cream.

Description: "All natural whole body cream, especially good for the neck. The fragrance will make him bare his fangs.

"This chemical-free cream is hand-crafted on our farm in the North Olympic Peninsula from olive oil, beeswax, and essential oils of lavender, cloves and other secret herbs..."

Sounds rather nice. Maybe I'll give it a try.





Tor Books Announces the April 28, 2009 Launch of Author S.J. Day's New Urban Fantasy Series Releasing Consecutively Over Three Months Starting with Eve of Darkness

Eve of Darkness (Marked, Book 1), $6.99; On Sale April 28, 2009)


Eve of Destruction (Marked, Book 2)
(June 09)


Eve of Chaos (Marked, Book 3) (July 09)

Vampire Fiction January and February 2009

The books listed below have either a vampire main character or a vampire with an important role. I have also included one nonfiction tome.



Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)

by Patricia Briggs
Ace Hardcover (February 3, 2009)

From the publisher: In a world where “witches, vampires, werewolves, and shape-shifters live beside ordinary people” (Booklist), it takes a very unusual woman to call it home. By day, Mercy Thompson is a car mechanic in Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shape-shifter with some unusual talents, Mercy’s found herself maintaining a tenuous harmony between the human and the not-so- human on more than one occasion. This time she may get more than she bargained for.


Dark Haven (Chronicles of the Necromancer3)

by Gail Z Martin
Solaris (January 27, 2009








Deader Still
by Anton Strout
Ace (February 24, 2009)

From the publisher: Sequel to Dead To Me.
It’s been 737 days since the Department of Extraordinary Affairs’ last vampire incursion, but that streak appears to have ended when a boat full of dead lawyers is found in the Hudson River. Using the power of psychometry—the ability to divine the history of an object by touching it—agent Simon Canderous discovers that the booze cruise was crashed by something that sucked all the blood out of the litigators. Now, his workday may never end—until his life does.





Evil Ways (Quincey Morris 2)
by Justin Gustainis
Solaris (January 5, 2009)

From the publisher: In a story that ranges from Baghdad to Los Angeles, EVIL WAYS sees eccentric billionaire Walter Grobius attempt to unleash a devastating magical apocalypse. Quincey Morris and his partner, white witch Libby Chastain, are drawn into their deadliest case yet, but from different directions. In Los Angeles, Quincey is blackmailed by the FBI into investigating a series of ritualistic child murders. In New York, Libby barely escapes an attempt on her life by assassins armed with magical weapons. Both of these threads eventually intertwine, leading the investigators to a conspiracy so vast and diabolical as to defy belief.

The final, bloody confrontation takes place at Grobius’s isolated Idaho estate, on Walpurgis Night -- the night of the Witches’ Sabbath. Quincey and Libby, and their allies, must fight a desperate battle against immensely powerful dark forces that threaten the future of all mankind.


Grave Sins (A Cin Craven Novel)
by Jenna Maclaine
St. Martin's Paperbacks (February 3, 2009)

From the publisher: In the arms of her lover Michael, Cin Craven has found satisfaction for her most primal longings, reaching heights of pleasure no mere human could ever imagine. She has also found a purpose for her unearthly powers. Cin is a member of The Righteous, a band of slayers that hunts down vampires who inflict evil upon the world. With Michael by her side, Cin’s latest mission brings her face-to-face with Marrakesh, a beautiful, half-mad vampire queen charged with slaughtering humans. If she’s found guilty, Marrakesh will pay with her life. But Cin is convinced that someone —or something—far more ruthless is trying to steal the queen’s throne.. It’s a mission that will pit Michael and Cin against each other for the first time, awakening their darkest instincts and testing their love like never before…



In Shade and Shadow: A Novel of The Noble Dead
by Barb Hendee, J.C. Hendee
Roc Hardcover (January 6, 2009)

From the publisher: After her adventures with Magiere and Leesil, Wynn Hygeorht has returned to the Guild of Sagecraft, bearing texts supposedly penned by vampires from the time of the Forgotten History and the Great War. Seized by the Guild’s scholars and sent out for copying without Wynn’s consent, several pages disappear—and the two sages charged with conveying these pages are murdered. Suspicious of the Guild, separated from the only friends she fully trusts, and convinced the Noble Dead are responsible for the killings, Wynn embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the texts.



Jailbait Zombie (Felix Gomez, Book 4)
by Mario Acevedo
Eos (February 24, 2009)

From the publisher: Vampires versus Zombies, round one . . . Vampire detective Felix Gomez has seen a lot of weird things since becoming one of the undead—nymphomaniacs, aliens, and X-rated bloodsuckers, just to name a few—but now he comes face-to-face with the worst sort of undead. To stop a ravenous army of zombies, Gomez must team up with a precocious teen with clairvoyant powers whose cooperation comes at a price: she won't help unless Felix makes her a vampire . . . if the zombies don't get her first.




Legacy of the Dark Kind: Blood Lament (Book 2)
by Raven Dane
Four O'Clock Press (January 20, 2009)

From the publisher: The re-animated corpse of a suicidal, junkie, male whore vampire - Jazriel's description of himself.... Others have more colourful and explicit opinions about him! Jazriel is the least obvious character to join the pantheon of literature s heroes; vain, hedonistic, insecure and not too bright. Harsher demons then most haunt him - demons like hope and optimism. He is also beautiful, charming and recklessly courageous. With the Dark Kind's future hanging in the balance, their only hope of survival is the unlikely pairing of this dissolute wreck of a blood-drinker and Gabrielle Devane, a feisty, vampire-hating human. Blood Lament continues the story of the Dark Kind; eternally youthful, amoral beings of the night, who have preyed on man since the dawn of recorded history but who now, in turn, are in danger of being preyed upon by their enemies.


Lord of Misrule (The Morganville Vampires, Book 5)
by Rachel Caine
Signet (January 6, 2009)

From the publisher: In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.


One More Bite (Jaz Parks, Book 5)
by Jennifer Rardin
Orbit; 1 edition (January 5, 2009)

From the publisher:It's Jaz Parks. I've already smoked the guy who was the pain in the CIA's you-know-what for the past few years. But now, in the power vacuum left by the death of Edward "The Raptor"Samos, a struggle for supremacy has begun between his former allies. The CIA feels the balance must be maintained. So when an agent planted among the Weres discovers a plot to assassinate the Coven's leader, my vampire boss and I are brought in to take out the woman hired to do the deed, a killer who might be as wily and Gifted as ourselves. So it's off to the Scottish Highlands for some twisted fun among murderers, demons and half-crazed relatives. Sometimes being a top-secret CIA assassin isn't all it's cracked up to be.



Ravenous: The Dark Forgotten
by Sharon Ashwood
Signet (February 3, 2009)

From the publisher: A dark AND sexy paranormal romance—from an exciting debut author.

Vampires, Werewolves, and other creatures have emerged from the shadows. And some of them have sinister THINGS on their minds...

Holly Carver is a witch who sometimes relies on the help of Alessandro Caravelli for her family’s preternatural investigations business. Alessandro is the oldest and strongest vampire in Fairview—and he’s made no secret of his desire for Holly. But while she aches to succumb to his suggestive wiles, she knows it would be an invitation to trouble. Then Alessandro’s queen, Omara, complicates matters when she turns up in Fairview to enlist his help. Sultry and manipulative, she is jealous of Alessandro’s feelings for Holly, and demands he use Holly to trap Geneva—the most evil demon of all.




Real Vampires Don't Diet (Glory St. Claire, Book 4)
by Gerry Bartlett
Berkley Trade (January 6, 2009)

From the publisher: Gloriana St. Claire—curvy, stylish, and undead—is spending New Year’s Eve alone. And it’s all because her boyfriend, Jeremy Blade, is traipsing off to parts unknown to rescue his supposed daughter from the clutches of “dangerous radicals.” But just as Glory settles in for the evening, a phone call from the bodyguard of a drunk, newly-undead rock star could end her year on a crazy note.



The Reckoning (Immortals)

by Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash, Robin T. Popp
Love Spell (February 24, 2009)

From the publisher: Three novellas set in the Immortals world by authors Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash, and Robin Popp.

Werewolf Logan defies his entire pack and everything he’s ever known to protect a demon woman from the “Wolf Hunt,” by Jennifer Ashley.

A vengeful vampire thirsts to claim a “Blood Debt” from the two beings responsible for his eternal nightmare: the Old One who turned him—and the beautiful Sidhe muse who killed him (by Joy Nash).

Haunted by her past and reeling from her sister’s murder, one woman turns to a sexy spirit-walker on a ghostly cruise ship that takes them “Beyond the Mist,” by Robin T. Popp.




Road Trip of the Living Dead
by Mark Henry
Kensington (February 24, 2009)

From the publisher: Celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is back from the dead, and hungrier than ever for a good time. With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy gay sidekick Gil, this stone cold fox is dressed to kill, on the prowl, and ready to take a big juicy bite out of Seattle's supernatural nightlife. But what's a zombie chick to do when her 'Mommie Dearest' gets sick? If you're Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch - or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it. Amanda's not thrilled about the idea of crossing three states just to be criticized. But Wendy, who's always looking for fresh meat, is up for the adventure. And Gil, who just launched his 'luxury' resurrection business, needs to disappear because a pissed-off client is out for his blood. First, they pack their stiletto pumps and plasma into a skeevy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winnebago. Then, with a little help from a Korean-ghost hood ornament, a masochist named Fishhook, and a slew of 'moderately accurate' psychics, they hit the highway - their way. Of course, they'll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop (who could pass for an underwear model) and an unsightly horde of supermarket shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning.




Stay the Night: A Novel of the Darkyn
by Lynn Viehl
Onyx (January 6, 2009)

From the publisher: Outlaw, immortal vampire, and art thief, Darkyn Lord Robin of Locksley has evaded authorities for the last 700 years. At the moment, he’s falling for undercover federal agent Christina Renshaw, who has no time for an affair. She hopes to snag an elusive art thief, but soon has no choice other than to join forces with Robin.

When the chase becomes dangerous, both will have to choose between losing each other and losing everything they value...



The Thirteenth (Vampire Huntress Legends)
by L. A. Banks
St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (February 3, 2009)

From the publisher:The final story in the now cult favorite Vampire Huntress series.

The entire Neteru Guardian team is on the run, having now been labeled as America's most-wanted terrorists following the gruesome demon battle that felled the Washington Monument and crashed the front doors of the White House. The Anti-Christ is positioned for emergence, the powers of darkness have released the pale horse of the apocalypse, and half the Neteru team is pregnant. Plagues from hell that ravage the country are being cited as stemming from bio-terrorism. The nation is under martial law. The Neterus and their team are underground. If things weren't bad enough the Dark Realm breaks the sixth Biblical seal, which plunges the world into perpetual darkness…and irrevocably into the Armageddon.


The Vampire's Revenge
by Raven Hart
Ballantine Books (January 27, 2009)

From the publisher: Jack McShane: lover, killer, seducer, family man, and vampire. In the shadows of Savannah, with its hip nightspots and moss-draped oak trees, Jack is trying to save humankind from a threat it doesn’t know it faces: an explosion of the otherworldly, the weird, the wanton, and the wicked.

Tourists are heading to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day–and Jack is racing through tunnels below the city to the edge of Hell itself to hold off a plot posed by the double-dead and demented. But Jack must also hold off his own desire for Connie Jones, the beautiful cop he turned into a vampire slayer. Connie, her blood running hotter than she can handle, can’t imagine the games that Jack is playing with her body and her mind, or that the other monster she’s falling in love with is all part of his devious plan.

Welcome to the world of Jack McShane, a blue-eyed vampire who knows how crazy things can get–once you get a little taste for blood.




Vamps #2: Night Life
by Nancy A. Collins
HarperTeen (January 27, 2009)

From the publisher: Fashion victim just got a whole new meaning.

When vampire heiress Lilith Todd decides she wants a modeling career, she won't let her father stop her—even if he does threaten to cut off her credit cards. Lilith's rival, Cally Monture, is in a different kind of hot water. Her boyfriend, Peter, is a vampire hunter—a sexy, sensitive soul mate who just happens to be sworn to destroy her entire race. With the Rauhnacht Grand Ball fast approaching, both girls need the same things: a handsome escort and a dress to die for. But in a sea of shifting and dangerous loyalties, there's no telling who will betray them next.

Note: Nancy Collins wrote the Sonja Blue vampire novels. Still one of my all time favorite series.



White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows, Book 7)
by Kim Harrison
Eos (February 24, 2009)

From the publisher: Some wounds take time to heal . . . and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won't rest until his death is solved . . . and avenged. Whatever the cost.

Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderlander food chain, Rachel's past comes back to haunt her.

Literally.



Wolferain and The Vampires of Congo
by Mick Van Wes
Publisher: Lulu.com, 2009

Description: August 1835... Wolferain awoke atop a tree house he had built ages ago. He stood, overseeing the rainforest he protected and called home. Something was different today. He understood his five senses. Today another sense seemed to be crawling out from centuries long ago. Something was not right in the jungle. He could not have known that Daemon Drago, a seven hundred year old vampire, had found a new place to live nor that Daemon was a kind of foe that he had never faced before, more powerful, possessing centuries of knowledge and filled with an unquenchable thirst. Nor, as Wolferain began racing through the treetops, could he suspect the effect a vampire bite would have upon his friends, the gorillas of Congo.

NONFICTION

The Everything Vampire Book: From Vlad the Impaler to the vampire Lestat - a history of vampires in Literature, Film, and Legend (Everything Series)
by Barb Karg, Arjean Spaite, Rick Sutherland
Adams Media (January 17, 2009)

From the publisher: From Bram Stoker's "Dracula", to Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series, vampires have fascinated and frightened young and old alike for centuries. Whether it is an evil, sharp-fanged creature who appears from the mist, or a handsome, erotic man or woman of mystery, the vampire in all its incarnations is one of the most popular and intriguing characters of literature and film. Vampires alternately terrorize and become objects to be idolized and desired. "The Everything[registered] Vampire Book" examines their notorious history and legends, their evolution and portrayal in books, television, and cinema, and the on going fascination with the 'vampire lifestyle'.