Anything Vampires and Paranormal Romances

Go to Bottom to Pause Site Music

2010-11-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

Go To Bottom to Pause Music

2010-11-01T18:04:00.001-07:00

Go to Bottom to Pause Site Music

2010-11-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

All Romance eBooks: Votes Under Way

2010-10-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

Any interest in helping ARe discover the best Just One Bite winner? Round 1 voting open until 10/7/10. More rounds to come as paranormal quick reads go head to head ultimately revealing one winner. I'm talking vampires, wolves, and shapeshifters galore.

Go to allromance.com

You might also like to check out their Free Reads section. All genres, All flame levels of sensuality.

I Started a New Blog

2010-09-19T02:56:00.000-07:00

Hi, I started a new blog called Alphas Bite, But So Do We. It will combine my love of any kind of Alpha Males, not just the paranormal ones, and Food. Now what can be better than that? Here is a copy of my first post. Don't forget alphas bite, but so do we.

alphasbite.blogspot.com/

In her first novel of the Jaguar Series, The Awakening, Christine Feehan demonstrates how the tropical mango can tantalize the tastebuds as well as eroticize love scenes. This orangy, yellow fruit is sweet, soft, and juicy when ripe.

Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup ice
1 whole mango chopped

Directions:
Peel, discard fibrous center section and stone, and chop mango. Combine all ingredients into blender until slushy. Enjoy

You might also try packing dried mango for a nice chewy treat on a day hike or long trip. Combine w/favorite nuts for a crunchy delight.

What other romances used mangos?
Would you care to share recipes that incorporated this luscious fruit?

Our Awareness of the Dark and Perilous

2010-09-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you inherited an estate hidden away in the jungles of another country? You do all the research to verify the situation, but would you put your safety in the hands of two guides and a mysterious caretaker of the home? The Awakening by Christine Feehan.

What would you do if you noticed a stranger or even a neighbor struggling to load a big object into their vehicle, a van no less? Silence of the Lambs.

What about meeting a charismatic stranger in an arm cast, in public, during the day needing help? The Deliberate Stranger based on serial killer Ted Bundy. What if he's a hottie too with eyes that curl your toes?

Do you walk or jog late at night or early in the morning seeing the same people on the street? Would you notice the rapist neighbor watching behind the curtains or the psycho lawyer/cop/store owner driving to work every day leering at you as they passed by? Silence of the lamb hit on you crave what you see everyday.

I guess the point is no matter if your protagonist is careful or confident, as long as the set-up is clear to the reader, anything can happen. That could be the difference between a reader tossing the book aside rolling their eyes or staying up all night reading while cocking their head wondering what that noise outside is.

Let's say you got off work late at night and started walking to your car fantasizing about the man you recently met. Would you notice the footsteps approaching around the corner? Guardian's Rising Moon by Sandra Gonzalez. A paranormal romance, hopefully, coming soon.

What's your favorite perilous situation? Which ones just never work in a book or movie?

Want Ad for 'New Voices'

2010-09-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Help Wanted! Newbie writer looking for constructive comments on her first chapter entry of Guardian's Rising Moon.

Skills Required: basic computer knowledge of following an online link and posting a comment, minimum of eighth grade reading skills, love of romance (preferably paranormals, but not required)

Prior Experience: not required

Salary: my gratitude for helping me hone my skills

Contest Background: Mills & Boons (a part of Harlequin Enterprises)

Would appreciate any exposure to spread the word. Thanks

http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/Entries/427-Guardians-Rising-Moon

"No Mercy" book trailer by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2010-09-02T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hot, Hot, Hot book trailer. These are three reasons to dive into SK's newest Dark Hunter novel. Put away the coffee and energy boosts. This action-packed book is sure to please. Can't wait to dive in myself and I'll let you all in on my thoughts.

New Poll: Dakota Fanning

2010-09-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

What do you think of Dakota Fanning as a vulcan on Star Trek? Really, her stint as Jane on Twilight's Eclipse was more Spock than sinister. All she needs is a brow lift and pointy ears. On New Moon, I expected a thwarted Jane ready to kill Bella. Dakota hardly flinched. So what's your opinion? Vampire or Vulcan?

On a side note, Dakota Fanning might look like Nosferatu's daughter if we combined the two looks. Now that's a horror role meant for the actress. I think I'll add that to the poll.

Hey, I Made a Book Trailer!!!

2010-08-26T03:20:00.000-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Critique Partners

2010-07-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

For the best effect, make sure they are well read in your genre and vice versa. I've been in a crit group for several months w/some experienced published writers and their knowledge is extremely valuable for general stuff that all romance stories must have or have not(Go team!). On the down side, not all can help with my paranormal sub-genre stuff.

If time is tight or you want to get feedback quickly, then stick with one or two cps. If you're both newbies then sign up for a writers conference to open your eyes. I did and, now, I only have a million problems instead of a ton. Thanks Muse Online Writer's Conference for helping me find a crit group too. (did I mention it is a free online conference?) If there are more cps, then try to get everybody together into a group so you can set up a schedule. Example is one person submits a chapter or whatever word count while the others do a crit of it within the week, then the next person submits and so on each week.

Just remember to stay open for new ideas. Some you will use and others you won't. If you hate what somebody has written in their crit, then forget about it for a day or so, then read it again. It may turn out to be a great idea. If it's not their ideas, but the way they write their comments, then let them know. Key thing is communication.

I consider myself a newbie since I haven't finished a novella or novel(yet), but I totally believe a cp or group is needed if you want to get published. Different eyes see different things every step of the way. I also love some of the writers for Harlequin so finding a cp from their community website (eharlequin.com) kind of leans to finding people who read similar books.

What do you consider to be important when searching for a critique partner?

Happy writing

Eclipse

2010-07-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, here are the tidbits. Movie pretty much went with the book. My favorite part in the tent on the mountain stayed funny, though no temporary truce was struck. The very end lacked a little gusto. The action was way cool all through the movie. Oh the bedroom scene before the fight didn't compare with the novel, but it rated a B considering the time allotted for the scene.

Jacob looked great, so did his abs. Edward was nice too, but there was one scene where his arm hair competed with a wolfman. At my showing, Jacob fans outnumbered Edward fans bc there were way more ooo's and ah's for Jake or was it his lack of shirts? I hate to say this but Dakota didn't do much in Jane's part. Jane was more vindictive and nasty, spoiled brat?, whereas Fanning did her best to show no emotions at all. Maybe she thought she was in a Star Trek movie as a vulcan. Her agent should look into that. What do you think?

Soundtrack and score. I have to say it is better than New Moon but not as good as Twilight. Why? Because I say so. Nananana. So this is the reason: first movie caught my attention during the movie, New Moon's left me wondering if they forgot to add the score and music, while Eclipse's went with the story but didn't stand out and grab my ears. What was your take?

Well, of course I spent my tuesday watching all three Twilight movies. It made sense to spend my time in a theater seat instead of out on the lobby floor by myself. Yes, I did go solo. Others were working. That didn't stop me from chatting with others inbetween the movies. Can you believe I got a good seat too even though I got there with 15 minutes to spare. Sometimes it pays to go by yourself. Any good stories out there about your wait?

I know there's more but I can write it later. :)

Vampire Attraction Revisited

2010-06-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

So you think you love the brooding alpha vamps? Here's a look at a comment I left at VampChix concerning vamps. For those of you who didn't read my previous post on this topic take a look at Why are vampires sexy to me?

I agree about the masculine bad boy idea of the vampire. It goes along with my main idea of the vamp falling totally gaga for the Juliet of the movie or book.

What do women yearn for in a relationship? In the case of a vampire, his need for blood turns to needing her blood only because once his fangs penetrate her flesh and consumes his first taste, no other will do. A man deeply committed to the woman, one woman, his mate for life.

And isn't that what we hope will happen? A love so special that lasts a lifetime? No divorce.

You mentioned age vs looks. People, especially women, tend to give a little more leeway when it comes to their beaus being older and many accept that men will be more 'experienced.' Looks play a big part in that. Does anybody remember Tom Selleck with Courtney Cox on Friends? Forget age. He's hot!

As for dead, undead stuff, I tend to throw it to the side as minor details like many women do with the little pet peeves we all have with men. Why do you think homes have his/hers sinks? Although I do prefer the vampirelike beings who were created to be special. Take Christine Feehan's Carpathians for example.

So who is my fave? I honestly don't know, but I will say that Frank Langella's Dracula stayed with me for a long time and he was a horror vamp. It's all in the eyes. Angel over Spike because I like my men big. Damon over Stefan because I like my men bad. J.R. Ward's vamps are bad-##### too.

Whew. I am sooo copying this comment and using it as a blog. Thanks VampChix for bringing this topic up. I had blogged about it last year but your points made me look at it more thoroughly. :)

Gena Showalter

2010-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I left this comment at http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=24457 for a Gena Showalter contest.

Hi Gena,

Love your LOTU series & looking forward to reading your other books.

I’m fidgeting, not from too much caffeine, but from anticipation of Aeron’s book, J.R. Ward’s Lover Mine, & Richelle Mead’s Spiritbound. None are in my hands yet.

Hmm, author pair-ups? Let’s have some fun here…
JR Ward meets Johanna Lindsey(hot provacative vamps/classic fun historicals,
Christine Feehan meets Fern Michaels(wild sexy vamps/Sea Siren pirate),
Susan Grant meets Rhyannon Byrd or Richelle Mead(space adventure/primal shapeshifters or teenage vamp academy),
Brenda Joyce meets Kim Harrison(rugged bruts of time/witch mercenary &, must have, company),
and
Sherrilyn Kenyon meets Gena Showalter(hip modern Dark Hunters & Weres sans Dreamhunters/alpha sin keepers). Can’t you just imagine what devious trouble your Gods and SK’s would get into?

What do you think of vampires and shapeshifters in space? My dreams of late have been about scifi vamps. Yeah, call me hog-wild about para romances.
Just curious- what was your major or career choices back in college?

sandrajg23
I rsvp’d and shared links on Twitter, Facebook, & MySpace. I’m blogging it too athttp://theguardianscurse.yolasite.com/ and at Anything Vampires and Paranormal Romanceshttp://sandragonzalez23.blogspot.com/

My brain is still contemplating the author pair-ups. What do you think about them? Do you have any?

Oh My, What in the World Are You Reading?

2010-04-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Are you the type to read spicy novels that have rather provocative book covers? Would you rather hide your new love of the paranormal? Have you ever been embarrassed about reading a book in public? Do you have some relatives that are a bit old-fashioned and would scorn your choices?

Whether it is a vampire romance, the latest How To book, or whatever subject that makes you uncomfortable to public scrutiny, your hopes/prayers have been answered.

Sounds like you should look into one of the newest inventions of the technological world, an electronic book reader. I won't advertise any of the brands, but purchasing one may be the ticket to saving face while vacationing with the in-laws or passing time in the lunch room at work. There are phone applications popping up as well. The readers may be a bit expensive at the moment but isn't your peace of mind worth it?

What do you think? Buy a reader, read privately, or make book jackets? Hmm, creating a book jacket actually sounds like fun. Any funny stories out there concerning a I Remember When?

A recent article in the NYTimes spurred this post though they focused more on the importance of book covers in free advertising.

Lurker Turned Commenter

2010-03-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love lurking blogs especially the paranormal romance & vampire sites. Most people do. Why not? You're safe at home & mostly anonymous. Recently, I've started leaving comments when something catches my fancy. My latest was too good to leave alone. I read a reflection of a new writer, one who writes erotica. She wondered how those in her acquaintance would react to her spicy novel and asked her readers to do the same. Well, here was my comment, enjoy:

If/when I get published I do believe half of my friends would be shocked into silence and then stutter for a few tense moments. Their wide eyes would take in the beautiful scenery as if for the first time before daring to look at me as if for the very first time. Perhaps afraid I may jump them, no, worry I know they got horny reading my stuff, or wonder if my writing is based on real life experiences. Oh my. Did I mention some are down right conservative?

The other half would probably roll their eyes or shake their heads thinking, "Leave it to Sandra(Sanddddrrrra, Sandy, Sandwichy, Nana, Cuz) to write a book like that."

Anybody else have a comment they liked so much they wanted to share?

Vampires in Eastern Europe 18th Century

2010-03-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Did vampires exist? Let's take a look.

In the 18th century, Eastern Europe abounded with vampire wariness. It was so bad that even government officials were involved with tracking them down. Both East Prussia and the Habsburg Monarchy were two sited localities having, supposedly dead, men come back killing people.

The infamous Voltaire wrote about vampires in Philosophical Dictionary-Part 5(PD). Reading the vampire section in PD in context reveals Voltaire's true thoughts. He was being sarcastic. Just look at this sentence, "Not from the Greece of Alexander, Aristotle, Plato, Epicurus, and Demosthenes; but from Christian Greece, unfortunately schismatic." To me, Voltaire was bashing Christians comparing them to great thinkers.

So who do we hail as the expert?

On a side note, how does the belief in witches and the Salem witch trials compare?
Are people and governments that naive or are we shedding a blind eye to uncontrollable horrors in our past? Could we be missing a hidden treaty between governments and those of the paranormal world?

Well, what do you think? Do you have any thoughts on vampires in the 18th century?

Did they exist? And if they did... where are they now?

Resources: Wikipedia, Online Library of Liberty, & my imagination *wink*

Book Slideshow

2010-03-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to let others know that I added a book widget to my blog. Why did I add it? Well I needed some action on my site so creating a slideshow of favorite, recent, upcoming book covers seemed like the thing to do. I wanted to share with others who my favorite paranormal romance/urban fantasy authors (at the moment) are as well. Most of them are about vampires while a select few are all-around paranormal romances. P.C. Cast's vampire series is included merely because it did have a noteworthy paranormal world.

So here is my question. What other authors do you recommend for my TBR (to be read) pile?

Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Poll

2010-03-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

Once I put up the poll, I realized I had more than one favorite. And the thing is John Matthew is one of my favorites too. That means I wanted to mark-up the last two books because he grows up in them especially in Avenged. So this post explained my votes. I can't wait for Lover Mine coming out next month.

How do feel about John Matthew/Darius?

Why do enjoy this series?

Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

2010-03-04T00:39:00.000-08:00

Hot. Dark. And extremely male! A friend recommended this paranormal romance series, and I am loving it. One of the intriguing points of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is its constant infusion of dark or hot topic issues people face in normal lives but not normally found in romances. I'm talking about sex slavery, cancer, death, a touch of male homosexuality to name a few. J.R. Ward mingles major storyline endings with growing provacative conflicts that lead to happy endings while pushing forward her upcoming leading characters. Her vampire society is well rounded with hand to hand combat against the evil undead, a flavor of the Regency ton, magical curses, and did I mention some hot and heavy alpha males? Her writing is so alive and fast paced with a masculine quick wit that I forget the author is a woman.

Heat level? I would say hot and heavy though most situations are missionary style.

What more can I say? I am impressed. How about you?

Two books to go!

Word Choices

2010-01-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

Choice of words can make or break your characters. I'm currently reading Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead for the last couple of days which tells you it hasn't caught my fancy yet, anyway, a phrase stuck out to me. Here it is: "and I have had a lovely evening." Hmmmm, doesn't sound strange to you? You would be right if it had come from a woman, but it came from a man. Some may like that kind of sophisticated man; I prefer my man a little on the rugged side so the choice of applying "lovely" in this situation is further distancing me from liking the protagonist simply because she likes this guy at the moment. So please remember that your word choices make an impact.

The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Cast

2010-01-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

If you plan on reading Marked, the first in the series, you might as well get all of the books now or don't even bother picking up any of the others. I had the fortune of borrowing 5 of the 6 novels from the library at the same time which allowed me to enjoy the series overall since the story never really finished.

It is one thing to have a major storyline that weaves in and out of the novels. Mead's Vampire Academy and Harrison's Hollows series do this well as a YA and an adult series, respectively. It is totally different to have small victories as endings for books 2-5.

As one big super novel, the House of Night series is worth reading as vampire entertainment. I loved the premise of Cast's paranormal world with its connection to the elements and the Cherokee. Unfortunately, I had to put up with weak characterizations namely Neferet, the High Priestess, and the many repetitive scenes as with all of the rituals. I am left to wonder about the two men who were brutally hurt/killed (who knows?) by Zoey, our heroine.

Though the first novel tries to rebuke that all teens have oral sex, the rest of the novels imply that girls fall for the guy their with at that time. The lead constantly has her (three) 'boys.'

Education-wise, the series highlights vocabulary and poetry. Word counts? Short. I finished 5 books in 4 days. Predictability? High.

So overall score is 2 1/2 stars as a super novel. Marked is a 3-4 while the others are at most a 2 since I would not have read them independently let alone wait half a year for a new book to be published.

Buffy VS Edward

2009-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

I finally saw this remix on YouTube where Edward comes on to Buffy. I laughed so much from how good the scenes went together, granted Buffy was on for several years so it was just a matter of time to find the right parts. Many people who dislike Twilight have problems with Edward's stalker-like behavior and Bella's acceptance of it. This remix emphasizes how wrong his behavior is and how a sensible girl would react to him. Or should I say how a slayer would react.

I don't like revealing endings but the poof was classic Buffy. I loved it. There are also some remix/recut versions of trailers that turn family films into horrors and classic horror into family dramas.

So are you interested in watching one or many? The two listed below are my favorites, but there are others available.

Follow these links or go to YouTube and look up Buffy vs Edward: Twilight Remixed -- [original version]

or look up THE ORIGINAL Scary 'Mary Poppins' Recut Trailer

New Moon Approaches

2009-11-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

November is here. More and more commercials hit the tv screens luring audiences to the big screen version of Meyers' New Moon. Looks exciting now that the official trailers have been released. A few months back the teaser crashed in my eyes. Current trailers ooze excitement and danger.

The wait is killing me. *pouts*

First Night of Twittering

2009-10-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

I spent the night playing on Twitter for the first time. Met a couple of vampire lovers. At this point I would recommend twittering especially while watching a monster movie.

I twittered some thoughts. Then, when the movie was over, I revised them for a post here. The only problem I see is my stilted writing shows. I guess I have to work at it.

Now I'm going to continue reading Dark Slayer by Feehan. The romeo hasn't been introduced yet, but I know all about him from previous books.

How do you feel about Twittering?

Dracula (1931)

2009-10-22T04:49:00.000-07:00

I found Dracula (1931) with Bela Legosi online. Here are some thoughts/comments that ran through my mind:

LOL. I didn't remember about the vampire cockroach/beetle. Was that a crack about the immortal roach? hahaha

"Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." So says Count Dracula.

'"You know too much to live Van Helsing!" Renfield cries out when wolfbane is thrown into his face.

"Mina! Mina!" Ooo, I got tired of the fiance yelling out her name. That alone puts Dracula ahead of him in my eyes.

I wonder if Stephanie Meyers had Bela Lugosi in mind when she picked Bella as her character's name in Twilight even though she isn't the vampire. Something to think about?

Bela Lugosi knew how to talk too. Its always nice to relax with a vampire classic. I hope you take the time to select a classic. Whether it be the wolfman, the catpeople, or the mummy; classics set the visual stage and sparked the world's imagination.

Why are vampires sexy to me?

2009-10-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Vampires want you like there is nothing better in the world, they make you feel captivated. Once in his arms, you give in freely exposing your vulnerability, your neck. He comes in close, cheek to cheek, then his lips caress and tantalize while your pulse escalates with anticipation.

A tingling sensation begins, then... he bites. A sharp pain arises followed by pleasure. A heat travels through your body...

And doesn't it sound like something else people do? You know what I'm talking about.

People love sensual scenes in a movie too. Having a vampire as the leading man lets movies go to that passionate place while not getting hit with R ratings. Not everybody want to see the dirty deed.

So back to Why do I think vampires are sexy? Plain and simple. The bite of the vamp is like having sex. What's better than that? I would think having sex while being bitten by one of those alpha male types. ;)

What's your take on the immortal vampire?

October/November Poll

2009-10-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

Please vote now!!

I decided to create polls for each month. This month will overlap with November since I started it so late. What's in this poll?

Who's your favorite monster?

My vote is obvious. I'll let you all know what the results are next month.

The Last Man on Earth

2009-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a great time to revisit the great masters of fear. Perhaps, we should watch a Vincent Price movie. Beware, for he comes now. I found The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price on Fancast. (1964) I have a couple of hours free to watch him fight vampire zombies.

Has typical clues for vampires w/o saying it until 30 minutes into the movie.

I finish watching Last Man On Earth. Ok for vampire oldie (vamps weak). The power of Vincent Price is lost a little w/o others to play off of. Remake: I am Legend with Will Smith.

Vampire Diaries

2009-10-19T23:49:00.000-07:00

Vampire Diaries on the CW is an okay show.

After four/five episodes, my interest is in the so-so range for a few reasons. One: the music selection and score needs work. It lacks oomph. Don't know how else to describe it. Second: The subplots with the stoner side characters need work. The bad vampire bit the stoner chick again. I didn't care if she lived or died. Three: it is way too easy to figure out who the vampire brothers are especially if the humans look for clues in town history. They're idiots if they can't connect the Salvatore names.

I will continue to watch because it could get better like Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.

Burning Wild by Christine Feehan

2009-10-13T22:12:00.000-07:00

Whew!

Talk about wild sex. Feehan pushed her characters to the erotic limit in her third leopard series book. This novel read more like a rough contemporary romance for most of the book with some signs of paranormal aspects. Then as their relationship began to change so did the preternatural feel of the novel. This brought the lovers to a scorching level and tempestuous end. Not for the light-hearted where violent relationships are involved, but a fascinating read for those who understand the nature of the jaguar.

Muse Tuesday Update

2009-10-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is my update: My writing voice is passive, and my word choices need improvement. But take a look at the latest critique.

Devon Ellington wrote, "There's a lot of good stuff here, and you give us a lot of information in an active, positive way while also revealing plot, character, and backstory. That's all good. My suggestions are minor tweaks."

Do I hear a woohoo!!

test

2009-08-28T06:47:00.001-07:00