Winner!

BARB P is the winner of THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness!

Barb, send your snailmail address to vampchixmail@gmail.com

Congrats!

Happy New Year To All!

December New Vampire Releases

Angel of Darkness (The Fallen)
by Cynthia Eden
Brava (December 1, 2011)

As an angel of death, Keenan's job is to collect the souls on his list. He's carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James.  When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who's attacking her.Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He's stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change--she's become a vampire. And when he realizes that she's the target of all manner of enemies--other vampires, demons, even shifters--he'll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose...

Bleeding Hearts (Drake Chronicles)
by Alyxandra Harvey
Walker Childrens (December 20, 2011)

As vampires from all over the world descend on the Drake farm for the Blood Moon gathering, security is ramped up. Lucy has been temporarily banned, for her own safety—and to allow Solange some time to adjust to her new existence. But their enemies realize how much Lucy means to the family, and plan to abduct her to use her for leverage against the new royal family. Instead, Lucy’s cousin Christabel is kidnapped by mistake—and Connor Drake immediately heads off in pursuit, but isn’t in time to prevent Christabel’s infection by the Hel Blar. He can’t save her human life, but he can still try to save her new vampire life, and is willing to put his own life on the line for the girl he has grown to care so much about. Can he save Christabel, the Blood Moon, and his mother’s newly forged Vampire Alliance?

Blood Legacy: Origin of Species
by Kerri Hawkins
Red Raptor Productions (December 10, 2011)

Ryan Alexander has been left physically and mentally battered from contact with the species that spawned her Kind. Although her power has increased exponentially, she has little control over her new abilities. Worse, as memories of the origins of the Old Ones surface, her own memory begins to suffer. Those closest to Ryan watch her internal battle with growing unease as she herself wonders if she has become a threat to all that she loves. When she begins seeing creatures that no one else sees, she does not know if her guilt is manifesting as illusion, or if she is simply losing her mind. Dr. Susan Ryerson monitors her friend’s increasing instability. She is not certain if Ryan has been sickened by blood contact with the parent species, or if this is simply the aftermath of Ryan’s torture and captivity.

But it was a blood mutation that created Ryan and her Kind, giving rise to the myth of the vampire, and now Susan wonders if a second transition is occurring, if in fact Ryan is undergoing a second Change. Which brings to her mind a most terrifying question…into what? Book #4 in the Blood Legacy series.

Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)
by Alexandra Ivy
Zebra; Original edition (December 1, 2011)

The Sylvermyst have a reputation as sinister cousins to the fey, and none are more mysterious than Ariyal and his tribe. To save his people from banishment, he sold himself to the evil Morgana. Finally free, he faces a new challenge: Jaelyn, an elite vampire warrior sent to capture him. By rights, he should kill her on sight. Yet he cannot bring himself to hurt her - or to resist her. Jaelyn is stunningly beautiful, utterly lethal - and always alone. Until Ariyal. From their first encounter, she knows that what's between them is more dangerous than simple lust. And as they unite to thwart a terrifying prophecy that will mean the end of his clan and of the world they know, she will risk everything to fulfil her destiny by his side.

Bound by the Vampire Queen (Vampire Queen Novels)
by Joey W. Hill
Berkley Trade; 1 edition (December 6, 2011)

His soul is hers for the asking, as the phenomenally arousing series continues.

Sworn to obedience, compelled by loyalty, and threatened with damnation for betrayal, Jacob is Lady Lyssa's vampire servant. But as Lyssa struggles with the powers that have come alive in her paternal Fae blood, she is challenged by two deadly enemies.

The Cross: Vampire Federation
by Sean McCabe
Signet Select; Original edition (December 6, 2011)

The vampires call it the Cross of Ardaich: a relic thought to have been destroyed in the war between the Federation and the rebels. But it has been found, and its incredible powers could signal the end of civilization...

A cannibalistic serial killer becomes the perfect tool for the race of the Ubervampyr. His mission: find the cross. His reward: join the ranks of the undead. On his trail are Detective Joel Solomon and Vampire Federation agent Alex Bishop. Once lovers and now enemies, they must work together to prevent the ultimate disaster. Unless they can foil the vampyrs' plans, salvation for the race will be just a dream gone bad.

Dark Moon presents: VAMPIRES!
by Stan Swanson, Lori Michelle and Araminta Star Matthews
Dark Moon Books (December 19, 2011)

It's true that few of us would choose the life of a zombie, mindlessly consuming every moving thing in sight as we rot and shrivel with decay. It's also true that few of us would choose to become a ghost, dolefully watching the comings and goings of the living, unable to touch, to breathe, to feel them in a physical way. But, if given the chance to become a vampire, I think most of us would bite.

Vampires make our pulses quicken: whether they are the velveteen figures of Anne Rice or Bram Stoker, or the violent monsters of Stephen King, we don't care. Not the hunters. Not the hopefuls. The real, blood-drinking, neck-biting fiends. Vampires are timeless because they are immortal. And the vampires in these pages may just come back to bite you in the end. These are stories you can really sink your teeth into. Promise.

Forever Freed
by Laura Kaye
Black Rose (December 8, 2011)

A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.

But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear or reservation-talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and calling to the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can...

Interview with a Jewish Vampire
by Erica Manfred
Fredonia Communications (December 18, 2011)

The last thing zaftig middle-aged journalist, Rhoda Ginsburg, expects when she signs up for JDate is to fall for a vampire. But when she meets drop-dead gorgeous Sheldon, a Hasidic vampire, she falls hard. She rationalizes that he may not be alive, but at least he’s Jewish. Desperate to save the life of her terminally ill mother, Rhoda comes up with the crackpot idea of getting Sheldon to turn her and her little old Jewish lady friends into vampires. Who knew that they would “go rogue” and start preying on the young?

New Blood: Vampire in the City -- Book One
by Donna Ansari
CreateSpace (December 6, 2011)

Emma Hammond is a normal young woman living in New York City whose life changes forever when one misstep brings her very close to death. Luckily, Alex Thompson, a handsome stranger (who also happens to be a vampire), jumps in to save her, turning Emma into a vampire. She quickly discovers the numerous advantages (no more allergies, glasses, or acne) and slight drawbacks (wanting to eat her boyfriend) of joining the ranks of the creatures of the night. But Emma soon finds out her new undead life isn't all it's cracked up to be when she gets pulled in to an age-old dispute between two feuding vampire clans.

Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, Book 2)
by Dianne Duvall
Zebra; Original edition (December 1, 2011)

Dianne Duvall portrays a world of temptation, loyalty, and heartbreak . . . a world where danger and desire walk hand in hand . . .

Ami isn't much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into . . .

Marcus Grayden has been an immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and at the moment he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets -- how can she defeat death itself?

Scarlet Letters: The Tale of the Vampire Mailman
by Allison M. Dickson
CreateSpace (December 5, 2011)

“It is perfectly normal to experience depression and ruminate morosely about your fate as an immortal. This is the one part Anne Rice got right. That and the steamy homoeroticism.” --“Vampires in Popular Culture,” Dexter Bloodgood’s Survival Guide for Modern Vampires, 19th Edition His skin is blistered from the sun, he can't sleep at night, and he wants to suck the blood out of a raw steak, but mailman Louis Cross still can't believe his doctor's diagnosis: he's a vampire. But it turns out the small town Doc has an agenda. He's an ancient creature of the night, and his people are an endangered species. His plan? To turn Louis along with half the town into vampires using a serum disguised as a flu shot.

Thanks to a handy book, DEXTER BLOODGOOD'S SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR MODERN VAMPIRES, Louis learns that being a vampire comes with all sorts of drawbacks (erectile dysfunction, anyone?), and when the new fledglings start to turn up missing or, in several cases, murdered and dismembered, he suspects the doctor's plans are a lot more sinister. He and his friends embark on an adventure to learn the absurd truths at the heart of vampire lore so they can save their town and give Louis back the only job he ever wanted: carrying the mail. A satirical urban fantasy, Scarlet Letters: The Tale of the Vampire Mailman sticks its tongue firmly in its cheek and keeps it there.

Thirsty Are The Damned: A True Vampire Anthology
by Joe Filippone, John Beck, T.A. Branom and Charlotte Emma Gledson
Rainstorm Press (December 21, 2011)

Thirsty are the Damned is a collection of 22 Vampiric tales and poems to whet your appetite if you what a thrill that will chill and entertain. With no romantic contagions, this book is filled with vampires that are cursed, deprived and damn right blood obsessed. Each story and poem has its unique take on the vampire myth, bringing alive the mystery and horror that surrounds the legends, leaving you wondering if vampires actually do walk amongst us.

The Undead That Saved Christmas: Vampire Edition
by Cinsearae S., Melissa Helwig, Suzanne Robb and Patrick Shand
CreateSpace (October 14, 2010)

The Undead That Saved Christmas is the heart-chilling anthology with stories across the spectrum of holiday mythology. The perfect stocking stuffer that doesn't include a box of shotgun shells or a macheté, The Undead That Saved Christmas brings together various talented authors and artists from Great Britain, the United States and Ireland.

Stories include The Magic of Christmas, by Rebecca Besser; Santa Claws is Coming to Town, by Calvin A.L. Miller II; Night of the Frozen Elf, by Richard S. Crawford; And to All a Good Fright by Stacey Graham; and many others. The anthology also includes rich illustrations by David Naughton-Shires, Jason Tudor, Chris Williams and more. Another thing to expect in this anthology is a fun collection of holiday zombie-themed poems and carols. And to wrap things up there is an awesome assortment of original comics, from Mike Schneider, Nate Call, and many others. Proceeds from the sales of The Undead That Saved Christmas benefit the Hugs Foster Family Agency (hugsffa.org) and will help them give their foster children gifts this holiday season.

Vaempires: White Christmas: A Prelude to The Evolutionary War
by Thomas Winship
Thomas Winship (December 14, 2011)

It's almost Christmas. With the global holiday days away, the people of the world should be turning their attention toward celebrating peace and goodwill, but tension between humans, vampires, and væmpires is at an all-time high. Desperate for solutions, King Brant schedules a secret summit deep in North America's Northern Forest. Along with Queen Anne, Princess Cassandra, Daniel's family, and the human president and First Lady, the vampire leader seeks to reaffirm the ties between humans and vampires, while brainstorming ways to respond to the growing hostility among væmpires.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Cassie's relationship is at an all-time low. The princess is still reeling from her breakup with Vielyn, and Daniel doesn't know what he should or shouldn't do to help. Little does he know that the summit will be flooded with surprises--guests, allegations, accusations, proposals, and even Christmas Eve revelations--but not all of the surprises will be pleasant.

Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide
Michelle Rowen, and Richelle Mead.
Razorbill; Original edition (December 22, 2011)

Sink your teeth into the perfect holiday gift and must-have collector's item for every fan of Richelle Mead's totally addicting Vampire Academy series.

Discover the history of St. Vladimir's Academy, explore the dark psychology behind Rose and Lissa's spirit bond, and find out even more illicit secrets about Moroi society. This ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayal, every sacrifice, and so much more!

Vampires in America (America's Supernatural Secrets)
Sam Navarre
Rosen Central (December 15, 2011)

While many of our cultures ideas about vampires originated in Eastern Europe, the United States is home to its own terrifying true tales of voracious vampires and bloodsucking beasts. Traveling from the coasts of New England to the swamps of Louisiana and to the dramatic deserts of the Southwest, this book uncovers the hidden history of vampires in America. Readers will enjoy learning about the natural phenomena underlying local vampire legends, as well as exploring images of the vampire in American popular culture.

Vampire's Trill
Lorelei Bell
Copperhill Media Corporation (December 2, 2011)

Lorelei Bell has created another unique and mesmerizing mystery masterwork that tops its prequel Vampire Ascending in drama, fast-paced action, love, passion, heartache, and devastation. New friends, new adventures, shocking revelations, and harrowing experiences make for riveting reading in this second installment of the Sabrina Strong Series. Sabrina learns more details - through Vasyl's recounting of his human and vampire life - of what her role as a sibyl means and how the past and the future will come together. She finally learns what role Vasyl has played in his search for the next sibyl and why she is so tremendously important.

As Sabrina's partner Dante puts himself at risk to help all of mankind, Sabrina learns why newcomer Bill Gannon is so interested in her, and she works to protect Bjorn Tremayne from losing it all. Sabrina's past catches up to her, and she discovers that not everyone is, or was, what she thought. New characters, some kind and trustworthy and some not, contribute to a captivating story line, and Sabrina finds herself on a journey she never thought possible.

Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals)
by Morgan Rice
Morgan Rice (December 6, 2011)

In VOWED (Book #7 of the Vampire Journals), Caitlin and Caleb find themselves in medieval Scotland, in 1350, a time of knights and shining armor, of castles and warriors, of the quest for the Holy Grail said to contain the key to true vampire immortality. Landing on the shores of the ancient Isle of Skye, a remote island off the Western coast of Scotland where only the most elite warriors live and train, they are ecstatic to reunite with Sam and Polly, Scarlet and Ruth, a human king and his warriors, and with all of Aiden's coven. Before they can continue their mission for the fourth and final key, the time has come for Caleb and Caitlin to wed. Against the most amazing backdrop Caitlin could ever hope for, an elaborate vampire wedding is planned, including all of the ancient rituals and ceremonies that accompany it. It is the wedding of a lifetime, meticulously planned by Polly and the others, and Caitlin and Caleb are happier than they've ever been.

Simultaneously, Sam and Polly, to their own surprise, are each falling deeply in love with one another. As their relationship accelerates, Sam surprises Polly with a vow of his own. And Polly surprises him with her own shocking news. But all is not well beneath the surface. Blake has appeared again, and his deep love for Caitlin might just threaten her union, on the day before her wedding. Sera has appeared again, too, and vows to break apart what she cannot have. Scarlet, too, finds herself in danger, as the source of her deep powers are revealed-along with the revelation of who are her true parents. Worst of all, Kyle has landed back in time, and has tracked down his old protégé, Rynd, to force him to use his shapeshifting skill to trick and kill Caitlin and her people. As they fall into his elaborate trap, Caitlin and the others find themselves in deeper danger than ever before. It will be a race to find the final key, before everyone Caitlin holds dear is wiped out for good. This time, she will have to make the hardest choices and sacrifices of her life. VOWED is Book #7 in the Vampire Journals.

Breaking Dawn Part 1

YA Vamps and Weres come alive on screen in Breaking Dawn Part 1.  Have you all seen it by now?  I have been a little off the radar with some things in my personal life going on like moving (lots!) and well many things, but life has settled down and I finally got to see it, twice now!  And... it's pretty good!

I say pretty good, because I am not really sure what I was expecting, but it a good watch for sure.  It just might take some study from the book, because it definitely covers only about half of the 4th book in the series and doesn't do much to explain certain details such as Jacob "Imprinting" on Bella and Edward's baby Renesmee.  Sounds kind of odd, right?  Well, the wolves find their soul mate by imprinting, which is apparently permanent and they will do anything for them and no one can harm them in the pack.  And apparently they don't have to be another wolf or all wolf.  It's very difficult to explain without having read the book and it's actually been a year or two since I've re-read this book so I'm having trouble explaining it myself.  The link above goes to a link for more info.

The wolves get better with each movie and sound so sad at times.  Great effects and Jacob, Taylor Lautner, gets better and better as Jacob as well.  I used to be an Edward fan only, but this Jacob (as opposed to the book Jacob) has really grown on me.

Bella's transformation, or just before her transformation is done really well.  And at the beginning the wedding is also REALLY well.  There is a lot of realistic feeling in the wedding even for a vampire movie.  I loved that part.  And when Jacob comes to see Bella at the wedding and dance with her, that's another great part, true to the book.  Love those moments that match up with the way I imagined it from the book!  That was one of them.

The exchanges between wolves and vampires though from there varied some from book to movie, but the overall idea was the same.  The main ideas were shown, but again, reading the book would go a long way in understanding what was going on since there is a lot of communication between vampires and vampires and werewolves and then weres themselves. Oh and human Bella before she becomes a vampire and her baby who's almost there and causing an uproar among the werewolves!

Have you seen it?  What did you think? What differences from the book, if there were any, did you notice? Did you like where they split the movies from part 1 to part 2 compared to the book storyline? I was satisfied with the ending point, but definitely surprised! So, I won't say where they end, just in case you haven't seen it yet... Are you looking forward to part 2? I am! :) I think part 1 did a great job of setting up part 2, the final movie in the Twilight saga, due out next November 2012.

There is also a great soundtrack with this movie as usual with the Twilight movies.  I'm not sure I can pick a favorite song yet, but one of them for me might be "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri:



You can watch one of the trailer's here.

Happy vamp/were (twi!) watching! :)
~Shauna

A Discovery of Witches now out in paperback - contest!

This mesmerizing novel debuted at # 2 on the New York Times bestseller list and became an international phenomenon with major publications following in 34 countries.  This summer, Warner Brothers acquired screen rights to A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and its sequels. With over 300,000 copies sold, this was truly the “it” book of early 2011, and fans are now eagerly awaiting the second installment in the All Souls Trilogy, Shadow of Night, due out in summer 2012. 


The publisher has donated a copy for one lucky winner!  Tell us, have you read the book yet?  If so, who would you like to see cast as the main characters in the movie?  If you haven't read it, tell us your favorite gift you got for Christmas!


Check out Deborah Harkness's website and Facebook page!

Got an eReader? Check out these free reads!

[Click on titles for direct buy link]

VICTORIA GARDELLA: VAMPIRE SLAYER

A short story introducing readers to the Gardella Vampire Chronicles.

1820: Victoria Gardella tries to enjoy a ball with her new beau, Lord Rockley--but when bloodthirsty vampires come upon the scene, she must leave the fun in order to employ her stake along- side a grim Max Pesaro (vampire slayer) and the mysterious Sebastian Vioget.

Dead Drop: A Lawson Vampire Bonus Story (Includes a sneak peek of THE KENSEI!)

Meet Lawson. A cynical, wise-cracking vampire charged with protecting the Balance between vampires and humans, he is part cop, part spy, and part commando -- a James Bond with fangs. Lawson mixes shrewd cunning with unmatched lethality to get his job done. He tries his best to dismantle conspiracies, dispatch bad guys, and live long enough to get home.

This time, Lawson has been given an easy assignment, a “dead drop.” That is until an old enemy returns…

PALE IMMORTAL 

The sleepy town of Tuonela, Wisconsin, is known for one thing: the killer who stalked its streets one hundred years ago, drinking the blood of his victims. And when the drained corpse of a young girl is found, the citizens fear their past has risen from the grave -- and point their fingers at one man.... Evan Stroud can never see the light of day. The prisoner of a strange and terrible disease, he lives in tragic solitude, taunted for being a "vampire" --until the son he never knew he had shows up in Tuonela, and is drawn into its depraved, vampire-obsessed underworld. Then Evan must rely on his childhood friend, coroner Rachel Burton, for help. But the evil that they face is powerful and elusive -- and about to take them to the very edge of madness.

KISS ME DEADLY

Death cocktail is what the vampires call a witch's blood. It's poisonous a drop will destroy a vampire within minutes. Nikolaus Drake is the rare vampire who has survived his first taste. Now he's on the hunt for the witch who almost brought him to his demise Ravin Crosse.

A witch who spends her nights hunting vampire tribes, Ravin has three obligations to fulfill to set her soul free. One of those obligations crafting a love spell twists her world upside down when Nikolaus draws the spell from her veins. Natural enemies rarely make the best bedfellows--but is it possible their intentions are really, truly the same? Can Nikolaus's tribal loyalty survive if he surrenders to desires far darker than his own?


JUST ONE TASTE

Like your vampires strong, deadly and full of passion? The twist this time is the ancient vampire is a woman and it's a delectable, innocent human man she needs to resist. In 1945 Dria runs an exclusive Paris hotel for the undead.  A man from her past tracks her down, determined to win her over.

This 2500-word short story (which equates to about ten pages) is for the fans who wanted to know how our characters from Vampire Vacation, Dria (Vivian) and Rafe, met. It's simply a taste of their tumultuous beginning, but their full story--including Dria's much asked about past--will be the sole focus of the full length novel, book four, in The V V Inn series. 

THE EMERALD TALISMAN

You can run from your destiny, but you can't hide.

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves. 

Winners!

The winner of Jeff Berg's MRS CLAUS & THE BATTY CHRISTMAS is...

SandyG265!  (Sandy, please send your snail mail address to vampchixmail@gmail.com)

And the winner of Lorelei Bell's VAMPIRE'S TRILL is...

Cylver  (Please also send address to above email; state whether you'd like print of digital format)

Congrats!!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Introducing a true holiday treat: Væmpires: White Christmas.

A prelude to The Evolutionary War series, White Christmas is set six months before the events in Væmpires: Revolution. Here’s a summary:

It’s almost Christmas. With the global holiday days away, the people of the world should be turning their attention toward celebrating peace and goodwill, but tension between humans, vampires, and væmpires is at an all-time high. Desperate for solutions, King Brant schedules a secret summit deep in North America’s Northern Forest. Along with Queen Anne, Princess Cassandra, Daniel’s family, and the human president and First Lady, the vampire leader seeks to reaffirm the ties between humans and vampires, while brainstorming ways to respond to the growing hostility among væmpires. 

Meanwhile, Daniel and Cassie’s relationship is at an all-time low. The princess is still reeling from her breakup with Vielyn, and Daniel doesn’t know what he should or shouldn’t do to help. Little does he know that the summit will be flooded with surprises—guests, allegations, accusations, proposals, and even Christmas Eve revelations—but not all of the surprises will be pleasant.

Væmpires: White Christmas is available as an eBook and trade paperback:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Website

Also, check out the website for a current giveaway and “Twelve Days of Christmas” blog series!

Don’t miss Væmpires: Revolution, Book One in The Evolutionary War series:

It is the morning of Princess Cassandra’s sixteenth birthday. Everyone’s attention is focused on the heir to the vampire throne. World leaders, the rich and famous, and VIPs from every corner of the globe have gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate the momentous event.  

Cassandra’s boyfriend, Daniel, is late for the party. He’s still outside the city when all hell breaks loose. What he believes is an act of terrorism proves to be a full-fledged revolution. Væmpires—former vampires who mutated into warm-blooded creatures with an insatiable hunger for cold blood—have launched coordinated attacks across the globe, with three goals: the eradication of humanity, the enslavement of vampires, and the ascension of væmpires as the dominant species on the planet.

The vampire and human leaders are killed. Cassandra is missing. Daniel is the acting king. Desperate to find the princess, Daniel and his friends fight their way across the besieged city. With the hopes of the free world resting on the shoulders of four vampire teenagers, væmpires unleash their secret weapons: a new breed of væmpire that is far deadlier than any ever seen before.

What can four teens do against an enemy that can shape-shift, fly, and walk through walls?

Companions of the Night

One of the best YA vampire novels I’ve ever read, COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT (1995) by Vivian Vande Velde, came out when vampire romance was becoming popular in the adult market but hadn’t yet filtered into YA fiction in a big way. This novel has romantic elements but is definitely not a conventional romance.

Sixteen-year-old Kerry goes to a laundromat in the middle of the night to retrieve her little brother’s lost teddy bear and finds herself entangled in a fight between a group of apparently crazy fanatics and a teenage boy they claim is a vampire. Unsure whether Kerry may be a vampire, too, the hunters tie her up along with the boy, Ethan. She manages to free herself and save Ethan. The hunters haven’t given up, though. Now convinced that Kerry is either a vampire or in the process of turning, they kidnap her father and brother. When they kill Regina, a friend of Ethan’s, he and Kerry join forces to track down the hunters. The reader isn’t surprised to discover Ethan actually is a vampire. He never reveals his true age, but he drops hints that it’s measured in centuries.

Kerry is quite rationally terrified of Ethan but compelled to trust him during the time they spend together on their quest. He has his own agenda, with rescuing Kerry’s family only a side issue for him. She can never be sure how much he’s lying to and manipulating her. Her choices highlight the ethical problem of making an alliance with a creature she knows to be a killer. Vande Velde makes Ethan alluring but never lets us forget how dangerous he is. When Kerry confronts the remaining hunter, Professor Marsala, his arguments turn her perceptions of Ethan inside out. Vande Velde also makes us feel sorry for the Professor, who lost his son to what he thinks of as a vampire’s corruption but which was probably normal adolescent rebellion. Yet Marsala, like the vampires, has killed people. By the end of the story, Kerry has to make hard choices, and the bond between her and Ethan has become powerful and complicated. COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT is only one example of Vande Velde’s characteristically innovative treatment of familiar tropes, another of my favorites being DRAGON’S BAIT.

Margaret L. Carter
Carter's Crypt

Guest: Jeff Berg

VampChix welcomes Jeff Berg today with an appropriately vampy Christmas story, MRS. CLAUS & THE BATTY CHRISTMAS, that will appeal to all!  If the gorgeous artwork within the covers doesn't attract you, the cute tale certainly will.  And just in time for Christmas, Jeff has a copy of the book for one lucky winner.  So answer his delving question at the end of this post, and let's all have a vampy Christmas!

So why a Vampire Christmas book? Well, my house like many over the past couple years has been consumed with the Twilight series. We then graduated to True Blood but then all hades broke loose and my wife was reading anything and everything in the genre. As a family who “lives out loud” my young twin daughters were not only aware of this emerging trend but immersed in it.

So it should have been no surprise when my daughter came to me on Christmas morning two years ago and asked “Dad, how do vampires get their presents if they’re up all night?” I knew at that moment that I had just been given my gift. Now, for the record I drew pictures as a kid but I had let these skills rust as an adult. Yet Christmas day, inspired by her question, I began drawing and writing about vampires.

Now when it came time to publish, I knew first hand what a Herculean and almost impossible task this was. My first job in NYC was book design. So when it came time to actually make the book I made the decision to self publish. You only live once. Right?

It’s really been fun getting emails and even pictures from new “little” fans of the book. And just this past week I was notified that I’m a nominee for the MN Book Awards. Last week I even received a hug from a little girl at the end of my last reading. And that’s made it all worth it. Hope you enjoy the book.

To find out more and purchase books go to: peppermintbooks.com  [do stop by the site where you can preview the book!]

Remember when Peeps were just for Easter? Is this melding of holidays and genres good or bad? And I won’t be offended if you Christmas purists stick it to me ;)   

Free vamp read

ENDLESSLY by C.V. Hunt

Show your loved one how much you love their—blood

Looking for a unique Christmas gift?  This is about as unique as they come.  Make your own blood slide, using yours or perhaps a flavorful friend's sample.  For all the details, click here.

Anne Rice fans...

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE fans there's something special up for auction you might be interested in.  One of Claudia's dolls from the file (along with a certificate of authenticity).  The auction is Dec 16th.  For more info, check it out!

Guest: Lorelei Bell

VampChix welcomes Lorelei Bell today! Along with an exciting excerpt of her newest release, VAMPIRE'S TRILL, she will give away a copy of the book (print or digital format) to one lucky commenter!

Visit Lorelei's blog here, and like her on Facebook!

New friends, new adventures . . . shocking revelations and harrowing experiences make for riveting reading in this second installment of the Sabrina Strong Series.

Lorelei Bell has created another unique and mesmerizing mystery masterwork that tops its prequel Vampire Ascending in drama, fast-paced action, love, passion, heartache, and devastation,. New friends, new adventures, shocking revelations, and harrowing experiences make for riveting reading in this second installment of the Sabrina Strong Series.

Sabrina learns more details - through Vasyl's recounting of his human and vampire life˜ of what her role as a sibyl means and how the past and the future will come together. She finally learns what role Vasyl has played in his search for the next sibyl and why she is so tremendously important.

As Sabrina's partner, Dante, puts himself at risk to help all of mankind, Sabrina learns why newcomer, Bill Gannon, is so interested in her, and she works to protect Bjorn Tremayne from losing it all. Sabrina's past catches up to her, and she discovers that not everyone is, or was, what she thought. New characters, some kind and trustworthy, and some not, contribute to a captivating story line, and Sabrina finds herself on a journey she never thought possible.

Excerpt:

Sabrina Strong (a touch clairvoyant), lets Vasyl - the vampire who has been watching for her for over 1,000 years - into her house for the first time. Sabrina is the first sybil for two thousand years. Vasyl bit her when she was ten, and now has come to claim her...

“Do not resist me, cherie,” he said, head lowered to gaze at me with beautiful eyes. Up 'til now I'd thought his eyes were warm-brown, but I was mistaken. In the glow of the little lamp situated behind him, and those from my bedroom, I could see they were a dark blue. Almost violet. Perhaps they were.

“Who's resisting? You can't be real,” I said, my heart thumping inside my chest as I neared him, taking him in — his beautiful face, coiled black hair, and broad white chest. He looked like a rock star and seemed out of his element standing in my dining room. He needed an electric guitar or something to bring it all together. I'd never seen him wear shoes, and he didn't tonight. The white shirt (a companion to the one he had given me to wear, and was still in my closet) draped on him, open in the front, had my eyes tracing the edges where his chest and abdomen were exposed, right to where his faded jeans hung low on his hips — yowza! Both pierced ears, when I looked close — my God — had tiny gold crosses with tiny diamonds in their centers dangling from each ear. How could he wear them? His response to my absurd question interrupted my thoughts on a vampire wearing dangling crucifix earrings.

“I am very real, cherie.”

“Can I touch you?” I asked, apprehensive of his answer either way. “Without you touching me, I mean?”

“S'il vous plaît, Sabrina. Please, touch me all you wish,” he said in an inviting tone, moving his arms out to his sides to let me approach him, showing that he wouldn't touch me — and I trusted he wouldn't bring his arms around me to trap me against him. He stood stone still, only his eyes watching me.

“And block me from picking up thoughts and emotions from you, please?” Normally I couldn't get a read from a vampire, but I worried because I'd had his blood.

“Oui, I shall do so,” he agreed.

I moved in closer, my trembling hand reaching up toward his long glistening hair. It came to below his waist in the back, and in the front, it grew to his waist in loose coils. Incredibly thick and heavy, it was a wonder his head didn't snap off from the weight of it all. I took a bit of it in my fingers and marveled at how silky it felt. His face looked like chiseled alabaster, the large crimson lips almost the only color. His large dark eyes and hair contrasted to his dazzling white skin so that if he stood naked in the snow, that's all you would see of him. But it was enough.

“Closer, cherie, closer,” he whispered. “I will not harm you. I have fed well tonight and do not require your blood.”

With the invitation, I wavered on an unseen knife's edge between reality and my dream world. He was here, the man, vampire, of my dreams, in my house! The things I'd dreamt I would do to him, and here I was with my irritating monthly. I was never the aggressor in any relationship I'd ever had — all two of them. Dante had been a gentle lover, but unarguably the aggressive one. This was all new to me. Whether it was a regular man, or vampire, it didn't matter. Vampires were highly aggressive; sex and blood lust drove them to choose their partners with care, as they wanted someone they could come to on a continuous, nightly basis. Jealous of their donors, they wouldn't allow anyone else to touch them. It made for a decidedly one-sided relationship unless the human had no problem being a vampire's paramour. Right now, I didn't want to think about this part. I wanted to act out my dreams, just this once.

I moved a bit closer breathing in his scent. Every vampire had his or her own scent. I gathered that they probably sniffed us for exactly that same reason. His was a mixture of the aroma of an exotic flower, freshly tilled earth, and old leather, like saddle leather. It reminded me of horses. The barn where he slept held horses. I knew now that he fed from these animals, instead of hunting humans.

“Touch me,” he whispered. “Do not be afraid.” He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, arms out. “I ache for your touch, mon amour.”

I wasn't afraid of him. I was in awe of him.

Soft Bite

This Barbie has bite!

Still play with Barbie?  Here's one you'll want to add to your collection!  More info here.
Forever young and eternally beautiful, this royal lady’s ensemble features a magnificent pannier skirt lined with metallic red-woven fabric, an enchanting collar and soaring headpiece encapsulating four inch high fiery red hair. Clear teardrop rhinestones sparkle on her earrings and also accent her red and purple Louis-style shoes. Once bitten, and never shy!