They don't sparkle, but they sure do have a libido...

I love vampires, I love everything about them. I love the movies where the vampires are terrifying, ugly, sparkly, brooding, it doesn't matter. I just LOVE them. (Yes, that includes Twilight. I thought I told y'all I'm an unapologetic Twihard!) While working on my newest book I got to thinking about them. Well, I got to thinking about the folk lore surrounding them through the years.

Here's my take on them:
Vampires do not sparkle in the sun; they will fry, burn, become toast, a pile of ashes. The older vamps can survive short periods of sun, but the only sparkling you will see is from the flames shooting from their burning bodies.

Vampires don't sparkle in my world. They burn and turn into ash. Poor Claudia...even though she was a bit psychotic at times.

They might be brooding, but that only depends on their personalities before they were turned. If they were wangsty before, they will be wangsty after.

Louis was the epitome of brooding and wangst. Damn, his eyes were amazing in this movie!

They can be born, but most of the population was turned by a true born, or a stronger and talented member of the race.

Vampires have an insatiable sexual appetite. Their libido is strong; they need sex almost as much as blood and food to survive. They're rarely truly satisfied, therefore they end up with multiple partners, and some are bisexual.

Even Nosferatu went for a little feelsky when he fed!

And speaking of blood and sustenance, they do eat. While blood is necessary, they have to eat food as well, but only untainted by chemicals. Because of the way their bodies digest they can't tolerate the poisons from processed foods and pesticides in their system. It would be no different than a human trying to survive on cardboard.

They each have talents, some strong and cool, others useless. It is not uncommon for a vampire to be telepathic, empathic, as well as able to manipulate the human mind into seeing or feeling a certain way, and doing what the vampire wants.

~I just searched the web for pictures of vampires doing cool things but other weird crap popped up, like screen shots of video games and such. *sigh* If you're a vamp fiend like me you're fully aware of them flying, mind reading, enchanting humans, etc.~

This is the consolation since I couldn't find any pics. I freaking LOVE Interview With A Vampire!

The speed. Oh, and the strength. Vampires are blessed with crazy ass strength and speed, but not quite the goofy fast forward warp speed you see on True Blood or Twilight. When a vampire moves at full speed you're lucky if you catch a glimpse of their clothing.

Have I missed something you were wondering about? How about your favorite type of vampire? Do you like them tortured and romantic or scary and deadly? Do they sparkle in your fantasies or burst into flames in the sun?

Affected by Books?

It's no secret that I'm a complete Twihard. Hey, there's no shame in admitting it (unless you ask my husband) From the moment I first read Twilight I was hooked. Every time I would close the book I had to get another immediately. (Luckily for me, I started late and didn't have to wait for each book to be published) When I wasn't reading the books I was thinking about the characters, dreaming about the characters.

 

I was so infatuated with Edward, mesmerized by Jacob, and highly respected Charlie. These characters were real to me.

 

This kind of fictional reality doesn't happen often for me. There are only two other authors who have roped me in so intensely that I had remind myself the books weren't autobiographies, and the characters were never going to cross my path.

 

Rachel Vincent was one such author who sucked me in so much I had to take a couple days away from the books or I would have been committed into a nut house (joking, of course). If you haven't yet, definitely check out her Shifters series.

 

 

The world of Faythe, Marc, and Jace was addictive, sexy, dangerous, and did I say addictive? Yeah, I did but seriously worth repeating!

 

The third author to suck me into their fictional world is Stephanie Rowe. Holy cow! Her Calydons are beyond hot in the Order of the Blade books! She's what is referred to as a hybrid author as she is both Indie and traditionally published. I'll admit I have a major crush on Calydon Gideon!!!!

 

 

I can't be the only reader who gets so engrossed in a book they forget about reality for a time. Who is the author who changed the way you read? What book have you been obsessed over? I can tell you when I hear certain songs, specifically songs from the Twilight soundtracks, I feel the same way I did while reading the books. That is a fabulous feeling if you ask me. So tell me, I want to hear your naughty little confession!

 



My top favorite cliches....

I'm an urban fantasy and paranormal romance author. But, for some reason, my darling muse has decided she would make me obsess over a YA idea - seriously?! This got me thinking about the different types of books, which then fed the research of cliches. Here are a few of my favorites (typed with a dash of sarcasm)...

1. The love triangle - The sweet, kind natured boy wants the shy girl. But, so does the bad boy. Every YA book I've read has a similar love triangle. Gotta tell you, in all my years of life I've never had this type of love triangle. Hell, I don't think I've had any type of love triangle. But, it's fiction, fantasy, make believe. Therefore, we allow it, forgive it...even crave it. Need an example? Bella, Edward, Jacob....'nuff said.

2. YA in general - Okay, not so much a cliche as a hot trend. Adults everywhere are reading YA novels, therefore, authors everywhere are punching them out. Why? Is it like reliving our teen years? Don't know about you but I have no desire to do those years again!

3. Immortal lovers - So these creatures - usually vampires, and almost always male - fall for the shy, sweet girl and pledge their everlasting love. Sooooo, this 100 something year old creature who poses as a teen falls for a teenage girl, who just happens to have the maturity to know she wants to spend the rest of eternity with said boy? Yeeeaaah....I thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life with my boyfriend at sixteen - until we broke up and I moved on. Need an example? TWILIGHT! Love the books, love the movies, love the concept, but now, every book is doing something similar.

4. Hot guy/Gorgeous girl - Really? Every main guy is studly, hot, and usaually a jock. Of course, we find out later he's actually insanely intelligent and sensitive. The other side is the female...always so beautiful, yet she thinks she's plain. And the females are almost always shy. Enough already! Not all girls are shy and awkward, regardless of age!

5. Unknown, yet useful magical talents - How the hell did you go through life not knowing you could become invisible? Why is it these talents only manifest themselves when extremely useful and convenient?

6. Happily ever after - Yeah, yeah. People want their romances to be happily ever after, or happily for now. Can't we skip the falling-in-love-in-two-days thing? Can we avoid instant attraction, fall in love at first sight, and spend all of eternity together? I've yet to meet a single person who fell in love quickly and actually lasted.

Do you have any hated cliches? Let me know if I missed any crucial ones...

Love me, touch me, kiss me....

I've been on a major romance kick the past week and a half. Maybe it's because Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Or maybe it's because I'll be celebrating my wedding anniversary to my soul mate this month. Regardless of the reason, it has given me a lot of romantic inspiration for my writing. Which, of course, got me thinking about my romance song list.

So, for your listening - and viewing - enjoyment, and in no specific order, here are some of the most romantic songs for which to write to, make love to, or just snuggle to. Enjoy!

Kissing You by Des'Ree. I first heard this song while watching Romeo + Juliet. The the music alone makes me crave hands moving through my hair, fingers brushing down my cheek.

My Love by Sia. Any Twihard knows this song. This is played during the infamous, extremely romantic and sensual make-out scene in Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Can't you picture Edward's hands moving so gently over Bella's face?

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Ahhhh. I can picture every single action as the song plays out. You can feel the way Eric loves his woman in this song.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You  by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. A little indulgent and cute, sure, but I so badly want this song sung to me!

Make A Memory by Bon Jovi. This band can sing just about anything and it makes me think of snuggling...or more!

I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi. You can't think of romantic and Bon Jovi without this one. *sigh*

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. The lyrics, the movie, the moments. What woman doesn't want to think their man loves every single thing about them?

What songs bring love to mind? What really makes you crave your significant other's touch, their lips?

How can you NOT be obsessed with vampires?

I'll admit, I've had quite a fascination - okay, obsession - with vampires for quite a while now. Technically since I was about twelve. Bella Lugosi intrigued me, but didn't quite push my buttons, if you know what I mean. It wasn't until The Lost Boys until I realized how very sexy they are.

Of course, they weren't too sexy when they vamped out and bit into the biker's skull, but they were still members of the Undead.
I began wondering at a young age what the pull was about immortality. Would anyone really want to live forever? I mean, think about it...everyone you know and love would die and you'd be left behind. You'd have to experience all the evil of the world for the rest of eternity (at least until the Apocalypse). But, if you could live forever as an incredibly beautiful, powerful, majestic, flawless creature such as a vampire would it change your decision? What about the whole blood drinking thing? Could you stomach it?

Here's my two cents...no way in Hell would I want to be a vampire...but I wouldn't mind being bitten by a few of them. Here's a few pics to prove how sexy these dark creatures are, and I'll start with my absolute favorite...Edward Cullen.

While some find his character to be a bit of a stalker, I find him to be romantic. I mean, a whole other level of romantic. And what about those eyes...yum!

Who could forget about the vampire Lestat...

and his brooding sidekick Louis?

Oh, don't worry guys, here's a few vampiresses for you....

Half vampire/half human Rayne is crazy beautiful!

Here's Aaliyah (RIP) in The Queen of the Damned. Anne Rice is the queen of vampire novels!

Get your fill now, because she is so NOT sexy as a vampire, but Lord, look at that body!


Enough of the girls...let's get back to the smoking hot male vampires who haunt my dreams!

Mmmm, Armand! I do believe quite a few hotties were in Interview with a Vampire. I mean, did anyone know who Brad Pitt or Antonio Banderas were before this movie?

Now Blade breaks all the rules. Not only is he a half breed, but he hunts and kills vampires. I'll forgive him...how can you not when looking at this pic?!

I've only recently begun watching the first season, but Vampire Bill has me hooked! Mmm, those eyes!

Here's another of my favorites, though not many people have seen Moonlight. Mick St. John, the sexy vampire!!!

And Gerard Butler in Dracula 2000. I'll confess, I love him in any movie.

Now, keep in mind, vampires are said to be first class lovers with unbelievable libidos. What woman wouldn't want to be ravaged by one of these sexy beasts. Every time I watch a vampire movie, (not the ones where they turn all gross and evil looking), all I can think about is their sexual prowess and the way they can glamor you into orgasm. Ahhhh.

I think I'm done for the night. I'm going downstairs to watch another episode of True Blood Gotta get my fill!!!

Stephanie Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Stephen King...oh my!

Someone recently told me they hated Stephanie Meyer's writing. "Why?" I asked. She couldn't give me a specific answer, other than she's tired of vampires and the writing was amateur.

It got me thinking...what is amateur writing vs professional writing? Of course, there are those who can write text books for students, but is that how you want to read a story? Or would you rather read a story and believe, to your soul, that it is being told my a seventeen year old girl?

Is it possible that Stephanie's writing is lacking, or that she very brilliantly told such a beautiful story that it sucked millions of readers in, regardless of their age. (Yes, I'm a Twihard.) Is it possible that Stephen King could be considered a mediocre writer, even by others in his genre? Sure he could. But, my real question is this...by what standards do we judge a writer, and how do we determine a favorite book, or author.

There is one commenter on my site who likes to bash writers, and pretend they are the last great writer. To be honest, I get bored when reading this person's little stories; they just don't suck me in. That, and it's written in first person; first person writing always reminds me of the little stories in nudey magazines.

I'll tell you how I decide who's my favorite, as opposed to who I'd never read another book by. The story. "Oh, CL. That's what we all look for; a really good story." Of course, we do. But, by what standards.

As I've admitted before, I'm a Twihard. I mean a really hard core Twihard. But, Stephanie Meyers isn't my favorite author. I love Rachel Vincent, and have devoured every book she has written. Why? Because I get sucked into her stories.

Writers suck as Meyers, Vincent, and King have the ability to suck you into a story so well, that when you put the book down, you forget the characters aren't real. I remember reading Stray by Vincent for the first time, and actually wondering how Faythe Sanders was doing after I'd put the book down hours before.
How about how every woman who's read Twilight fantasizes about finding their own Edward, regardless of the fact that he's physically seventeen years old. And regardless of the fact he was described as being as hard as stone and ice cold to the touch. Ew! Who wants to snuggle with an ice cube? Um, me if it happens to be Edward!

Well, here's my favorite part. This is where I ask you how you base your decision on your favorite author, or book? Do you guy by the goose bump factor? Or how about how many nightmares Mr. King's book gave you. Maybe it was a fear of an unknown, non-existent creature. Sound off and let us know...and don't forget to tell us who your favorite author is or what your favorite book is.