I normally write paranormal romance, but when I set out to write my latest novella, Break Out, it was intended to be an adventure set in space (I’d just finished watching Joss Whedon’s Firefly, at the time). But it turns out that I really am addicted to vampires, so when it came to my hero, I wasn’t totally surprised when he turned up flashing a pair of fangs. What could I do?
Actually, the more I thought about the idea of a vampire in space, the more I liked it. After all, if vampires exist now (which of course they do) and they are immortal (which everyone knows they are), why shouldn’t they exist in the future? So Ricardo Sanchez, space pirate and vampire, was allowed to stay.
And in fact, a vampire fits very well into the overall theme of the Blood Hunter series, which looks at man’s fear of death, and his search for immortality—a subject that intrigues me. The truth is, I don’t want to die (ask me again in a few thousand years and I might change my mind), and I’m sure many people feel the same. So, one of the things that fascinates me about vampires is their immortality. Of course, some people might argue that vampires aren’t actually immortal, because they’re dead. But I reckon dead is a state of mind. And Rico is about as alive as they come. Born in the Middle Ages on Earth, he’s embraced the whole idea of immortality, though he’s had to accept a few hard truths along the way. Mainly, that getting close to mortals can break you, and that boredom is the worst danger an immortal can face. But why should Rico get bored? After all, there’s a whole universe out there just waiting to be explored.
But in my vision of the future, there’s another sort of immortality available. Break Out is set in a time where Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars. There they have discovered Meridian, a substance with the power to bestow immortality. Meridian is extremely rare and only available to a select few, and a new class has evolved – the Collective – super-rich and immortal, they rule the universe.
And finally, there’s the Church. While not everyone can afford Meridian, everyone wants to live forever, and religious beliefs had gained a new popularity. The Church of Everlasting Life offers a cheaper, if less reliable, alternative to immortality with its promise of an afterlife in paradise.
So which type of immortality you choose? Meridian, expensive but reliable (though the Collective are about to discover there’s an extra price to pay, and some of them are going to think that price is too high); the bite of a vampire, not always successful, but if it works, you’re set for life – or rather death (obviously this would be my choice). Or maybe you’d rather rely on faith and go for eternal paradise Church-style, not exactly reliable but free (apart from the odd donation to the Church’s coffers).Or would you rather just die?
Let me know, for a chance to win a digital copy of Break Out.Blurb for Break Out
The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they’ve discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they’re called, rule the universe.
Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can’t resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective’s maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous–or so fun!
Excerpt
Skylar wondered how much longer they would keep her waiting. She tapped her foot, impatient to get moving.
Excitement fizzed in her blood. This was actually going to work. She would do it. She had to. The colonel had impressed upon her how important this mission was—she couldn’t fail. Her future depended upon it.
The door slid open. Ricardo Sanchez―Rico, as the captain had called him― stood in the opening. He didn’t enter but lounged against the frame, watching her. He was alone this time, and Skylar forced what she hoped was a bimbo smile onto her face.
He didn’t return the smile. He still wore the shades, so she couldn’t see his eyes, but his mouth remained a compressed line.
She got to her feet, needing to move. Maybe the plan wasn’t going so well after all.
“Mr. Sanchez—Rico—”
“Sit.”
Had she really thought his voice sounded like warm honey? That one word cut through the air like ice. She didn’t even have to think about it. She sat right down. Her lips were suddenly dry, and she ran the tip of her tongue over them.
“Is there a problem?” she asked and decided that the squeak in her voice was quite allowable within the parameters of her character.
He strolled into the room, one hand resting on the laser pistol at his thigh, and came to a halt in front of her chair, far too close. He was tall. And broad. And menacing. She licked her lips again.
“Just a small one.”
“Well, I’m sure we can sort it out.” When Rico didn’t rush to agree with her, she decided to give the bimbo smile another try. Her dry lips stretched across her teeth in what she hoped would bring an answering smile from Rico.
He grinned, but for some reason it didn’t make Skylar feel any better at all. “Oh, I’m sure we can.” His smile broadened and the tip of one white fang showed briefly.
Skylar’s heart stopped. Then started again, so loudly she could hear the blood thundering in her veins.
Holy Meridian. What the hell was this guy?
Her mind flashed back to the rumors she’d heard about him, rumors she had ignored as too ludicrous to even consider. Just stories dredged up from the past.
She forced herself to take a deep breath. He could be any number of things. One rather large tooth did not mean he was a….
He reached up and slipped the shades from his eyes. His gaze locked with hers, and ice-cold prickles skittered down her spine. She’d been in some perilous situations in her time in the military, had faced off against some of the scariest bad asses in the known universe. But they’d all been human—or mostly human. Nothing had ever chilled her like the darkness she sensed lurking behind his eyes.
“Er—I just have to pop back to my shuttle for a moment.” She stumbled to her feet. “I forgot to—”
She closed her mouth as he continued to stare at her out of those crimson eyes. Who, or rather what, had eyes the color of blood?
He reached out a hand, placed one finger on her shoulder, and pushed her down.
To enter to win a digital copy of Break Out leave a comment on this post answering Nina's earlier question:
So which type of immortality you choose?
(see options in post above)
Or would you rather just die?
Be sure to include your email address with your comment
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, the original Dark Shadows, and the re-issue of 
, which might be used as a source for the upcoming NBC show. Just click 
