Welcome Guest Author Kristin Battestella

Today we have a special guest blogger, Kristin Battestella author of The Vampire Family.



Good Day Pale Friends, to our special visit at FangTastic!



The Vampire Family began life as a simple vampire story passed among friends in high school way back when. Since its 2008 ebook release from Eternal Press, The Vampire Family has grown in popularity due to hype from online stalwarts such as Paranormal Romance, Coffee Time Romance, Fallen Angel Reviews, and Night Owl Romance among others. This month, the undead buzz exploded for our paperback release, currently available on Amazon. In addition to virtual appearances, I've visited the Philadelphia Book Festival and the Collingswood Book festival in support of The Vampire Family.


Blending horror, dark fantasy, and paranormal romance; the trials and tribulants of The Vampire Family are tough to pigeon hole. There's plenty of historical action, contemporary horror, ill fated romance, and dastardly vampire covens to span the novel's journey from 12th century Britain to the 21st century and beyond.

Here's a Blurb:

Sadistic? Check. Domination? Check. Happiness? Not for all. Antonio Welshire accepts the mysterious Mestiphles' offer for vampiric power, but fails to consider that not all in his family desires evil.

Daughter Victoria revels in the debauchery, but eldest daughter Samantha loathes the darkness. Enemies are in no short supply when the family turns to darkness.

Charismatic rebel Gaston turns up to rival for Antonio's power; the vampire lover Jean can destroy them once and for all, and henchwoman Lilith seeks to supplant Antonio as Mestiphles' favorite. Who will be declared the victor?

And in the end, though they've survived coven wars and persecutions since the 12th century, can The Vampire Family survive each other?

Killing his abusive parents isn't enough for Antonio Welshire. Rape and death follow him through his youth in the 12th Century-until a stranger named Mestiphles give Antonio unimaginable vampire powers. Fearful yet captivated by his allure, Antonio's adopted sisters Ann and Elizabeth share this gift with him and their children-Victoria, James, Samantha, and Stephen. Antonio is a cruel ruler , and after his defeat of the young rebel Gaston, Antonio struggles with Lilith-another magical pet also created by Mestiphles.

Antonio's vampire family grows over the centuries, each vampire loving and losing vampire fledglings over time. Wars, persecutions come and go, but the family's troubles always stem from within. Elizabeth may be his wife, but Ann supplants her as Antonio's mistress. By the 20th century, Elizabeth has found love again-unfortunately her fledgling Jean share's Samantha's disdain for the vampire life. Will The Vampire Family self destruct before the 21st Century?

And now a quick excerpt:

“Catherine?” Antonio’s shadowy figure stood at her door. The tiny flame shortened in a clump of wax as the maid looked up.

“Yes, sir?” She set down her quill. “You sound different, sir. Are you ill?”

“Yes.” He stepped toward her. “I need your help.” The dim light shined in his face. He couldn’t see. His eyes felt bloodshot, and his hands seemed pale as the candle flickered. He put his hands on Catherine’s arms. She felt warm to his cold touch. Sharp teeth cut the inside of his lips. Antonio’s voice trembled. His hands shook. “I need your help.”

“Of course, sir.” She put her arms on his, but Antonio shook and felt the muscles of his forearm clench. “What can I do? Here, sit down.”

His arms came around her waist. Antonio heard her blood rush and saw her face flush. He put his head down on her chest. She trembled, but held Antonio’s head.

“Such overwhelming!” He spoke more to himself than Catherine. His words and hot breath were muffled against her. “Now I know what Mestiphles meant. I know what to do. I need to do it. I have to have it!”

“I’ll get some water.” Catherine was about to get up, but Antonio clenched his hands tighter around her.

“No,” he said hoarsely. His nails dug into her sides, and she winced. Antonio relaxed his grip, and she allowed his hands to roam. He unlaced her dressing gown. His hands stopped shaking, and bewitched, Catherine gave him total control. He pulled the loosened gown off her shoulders and swept Catherine to her feet in one swift motion. Yes, he knew she was captivated and paralyzed. He could be so frightening, yet masculine and desirable. Antonio put his head to her neck and bit the pumping jugular.

She flinched, but her blood flowed into Antonio’s mouth. The short life drain was ecstatic, but soon grew empty. Her life was now in him. Antonio let Catherine’s limp body fall to the bed. He had her, and now he wanted more.


Do you want more of The Vampire Family?

Download an ebook copy at Eternal Press or purchase a print copy at Amazon

You can read more excerpts, reviews, and interviews at any of the following locations:

http://jsnouff.com/kristin

http://vampfam.blogspot.com/

http://kristin724.livejournal.com/

http://myspace.com/kristinbattestella

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/kristinbattestella


Feel free to friend us or subscribe to our feeds or join The Kristin Battestella Yahoo group for spooky fun, quizzes, and contests. For a little bit of nonfiction and horror critiques from Yours Truly, check out my review blog I Think, Therefore I Review. There I rant about horror books, movies, television, and music-in addition to more quizzes and fanlistings to keep things interesting! http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/

Up next writing wise is a horror short story I've been going back and forth on called The Haberdasher. Samples of this and other short stories are available on the Yahoo Group. I've also done some editing work on my pal Leigh Wood's sf erotica On The Way To New Isosceles.

I've done several interviews recently talking about these and The Vampire Family, most notably with Raine Delight

http://leighwood.blogspot.com/


http://authorrainedelight.com/2009/03/author-blog-spotlight-is-on-kristin-battestella/

Previously I've had virtual sit downs with FAR, Night Owl, Red Roses for Authors, and Love and Romance Cafe.

Here's where you can catch me and The Vampire Family next:


3/21 Talking Two Lips Loop


3/24 Brenda Williamson Yahoo Group


3/27 The Haunt Yahoo Loop


4/1 Romance Junkies Live Chat


Now for a Contest!

I love chatting with readers, so I try and keep as many virtual appearances as possible to visit with good ole vampire loving folks! In addition, my Yahoo Group has become notorious for our waking holiday contests and giveaways.


Nothing too scary for today, merely a free ebook copy of The Vampire Family for the first reader to comment.


Bless you all and bless Fangtastic Books!


Kristin