Friday, February 25, 2011

The Truth About Vampires Release Party with Theresa Meyers

To celebrate the new release of Theresa Meyer's The Truth About Vampires she's going on a virtual book tour (visit Bewitching Book Tours for a list of all her stops)and today is the first official stop and we're celebrating with a guest post and giveaway.


Making the Undead Fresh Again

By Theresa Meyers

I know, it sounds like I’m touting some kind of super-power deodorant, but really I’m hear to talk about vampires, and how while everyone says they are so popular that the genre should be dead, it’s really anything but. I mean we are talking the undead here.

Yes, I’ll admit, for those of us with Buffy-love in our heart, Twilight brought vampires to a whole new audience and between that and HBO’s TrueBlood, vampires do seem to be everywhere supersaturing the market. But that doesn’t mean everything that can be done with these fascinating denizens of the dark, has been done. Case in point, my new mini-series for Harlequin Nocturne, the Sons of Midnight. The first book in the series, The Truth About Vampires, just hit store shelves this week and already reviewers are commenting about how it’s something fresh and different than they’ve seen in vampires before, but appealing to those of us who dig fangs.

Our ability to create something fresh is only limited by imagination. When I was creating “Theresa’s version of vampires” I tried to keep the myths that made biological sense to me and discard the others, making up some that were knew along the way. For instance, my vampires can certainly withstand sunlight, but it gives them one heck of a migraine, similar to what you might get if you left the eye doctor’s office after having your eyes dilated. This made biological sense to me. My vampires’ vision is sharper, so like other predators in nature, wouldn’t their eyes be more sensitive to light?

I also looked at garlic and stakes and thought, hey, really, I’m half Italian (and my hero in The Truth About Vampires, Dmitri is full Italian), is it fair to have to cut out garlic? No. So my vampires can eat it if they choose to, but they do have preternaturally sharp sense of smell, like other predators in nature, so it could be obnoxious to get close to a clove. As for stakes, they are going to sting, but if you’re talking about a creature with a fast healing ability and superior strength a little stick is going to be annoying but not take them down.

Sure there are a few things, however, that do impact my vampires. Silver acts as a disruptor to their nervous system’s electrical impulses. Dead man’s blood is a swift acting poison if it gets beneath their skin or is ingested (which makes sense if you consider there’s no life force left in it, so it’d be like snacking on out of date cheese which could make you sick.) My vampires are also impacted by a precious metal called orichalcum. We’ve forgotten how this alloy is produced, but it was originally mentioned by Plato in his writings about Atlantis. My vampires also possess a venom that can liquefy flesh like some species of spiders. And perhaps the biggest nod to biology of all was the fact that my vampires are created by means of a virus. In nature viruses can take down even a top predator. It made sense to me that they could change humans. I also gave my vampires the ability to change themselves to suit the most intimate fantasies of their prey. And why not? If you’ve got a superior predator, shouldn’t they have superior skills?

I also happen to be a bit of a history nut, so I took bits and pieces of mythology, Minoan, Etruscan, Greek and blended them together to form a history for my vampire culture, explaining how it all started and the involvement of the gods in the creation of vampires in the first place by means of the virus. And my vampire society has different facets that are somewhat medieval in nature. Most of the civilized vampires live in clans with a laird and a council that lead them. The laird and council answer to a knight which in turn answers to vampire royalty. But there are those outside these structured societies – reviers, who like the Scottish border reviers merely subsist on the fringes of good society by taking what they need and moving often.

Mix in the whole revelation to humanity that vampire do exist by an investigative reporter determined to win a Pulitzer, and you can see that The Truth About Vampires is only the beginning of how these two societies will learn to live with one another out in the open and that my take on vampires is a little bit different.

As I said, a fresh take on a genre of characters we already love is only limited to imagination. Writers can make the undead fresh again. We just have to love them and embrace the unknown.


The Truth About Vampires info:

The Truth About Vampires
Harlequin Nocturne - Vampire Romance
March 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0373618549
ISBN-13: 978-0373618545

Pulling back the veil on a world shrouded in darkness, Theresa Meyers' stunning debut reveals a sinfully handsome vampire whose secret is about to exposed...

All her life Seattle reporter Kristin Reed sought her breakout story. She never thought she'd find it in the crimson lair of a real life creature of the night. Kristin never believed vampires existed—until with dark brooding eyes and a decadent chocolate scent, Dmitri Dionotte called out to her...

Dmitri and his clan's true nature was cloaked in secrecy until a warring vampire order threatened their existence. Kristin was just the woman he needed. She couldn't resist their story...or Dmitri. Her blood pulsed hot and furious when he touched her, and with his kiss, all logic fled. But each night she spent with her vampire lover brought her closer to death and destruction. A death not even an immortal could triumph over.

Theresa Meyers Bio:

Raised by a bibliophile who made the dining room into a library, Theresa has always been a lover of books and stories. First a writer for newspapers, then for national magazines, she started her first novel in high school, eventually enrolling in a Writer's Digest course and putting the book under the bed until she joined Romance Writers of America in 1993.

In 2005 she was selected as one of eleven finalists for the American Title II contest, the American Idol of books. She is married to the first man she ever went on a real date with (to their high school prom), who she knew was hero material when he suffered through having to let her parents drive, and her brother sit between them in the backseat of the car. They currently live in a Victorian house on a mini farm in the Pacific Northwest with their two children, three cats, an old chestnut Arabian gelding, an energetic mini-Aussie shepherd puppy, several rabbits, a dozen chickens and an out-of-control herb garden.

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, at her Web site or blogging with the other Lolitas of STEAMED!.



It's giveaway time!

Theresa is giving away a bottle of Vampire Wine, some chocolates and a Signed Copy of The Truth About Vampires
to One Lucky Winner

Open to Residents of the US Over Age 21 Only Please

To enter leave a comment with your email address

Tell Theresa What You Think About New Vampire Mythology Versus the Old Myths (garlic, crosses, sunlight, etc)


35 comments:

Meredith said...

I love the new myths that authors come up with. It wouldn't be very interested reading if they all stuck to the same ol' myths. I think the one I found most interesting was that they were sparkly.....whoever came up with that was really thinking outside of the box.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Miranda Hardy said...

DreamyCowgirl @ hotmail.com

I look forward to reading this book. I have always been fascinated with vampires, old and new. The new myths do not bother me so much, but it is hard to have a character with no flaws.

SandyG265 said...

I like the twist on vampires that new authors keep comming up with.

sgiden at verizon.net

LadyVampire2u said...

I think its completely up to an author when they write a book what they keep, discard or make up about the mythology of their characters. Its part of the interest after all, to read about new things and new takes that an author creates in their book. I think if we were stuck with the same old about characters and such..that books would not be as appealing. Change is really what makes life interesting after all. If everything stayed the same, it would be a little boring in my opinion.
LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I love all of the vampire myths, old, new, and twisted... It is so much fun to see how each author incorporates the different vampire characteristics.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Anne said...

I'm a vampire slut. As long as it kind of makes sense, I'll go with it.

acm05atjuno.com

Amanda from Novel Addiction said...

I love all vampire myths.. but I'm also addicted to seeing new and cool vamp myths. Ways to twist the old stories so they have elements of the classics, but something new as well.

To list a few authors who have taken the vampire myth and twisted it into something fascinating that I love - Jeaniene Frost, and Lynsay Sands.

ohmorningglow AT aol DOT com

Unknown said...

I love my vampires and they are the ultimate in bad boys that I love so much. The new myths in the vamp world is what hooks us readers, it opens up more possibilites and makes the world the author builds thrive and brings us into the story. The old myths are just that, old and limits the vampires. I want to see them live, love and watch them overcome challenges :)
I can't wait to read your book, it sounds amazing and I love the new twists. I'm always looking for something new :)

Yes, I am way over 21

june111(at)att(dot)net

Theresa Meyers said...

Loving your input! Question: If there were one thing you would change about vampires, (or wouldn't) what would it be?

Unknown said...

I have no problems with new vampire characteristics. I thoroughly enjoyed the Twilight saga, but I like the "old" vamps too.

And I just plain love Vampire Wine!

rita knits @ g mail dot com

RFTC Blog said...

Wow. Loving how good this book looks. I definitely will be buying this book. Looks really good.

iqb99@yahoo.com

Sherry said...

I love some of the new myths that authors have come up with. I love how now vampires can go out in the sun and eat real food. I read all kind of vampire books and I think it great how each author adds their own twist to them.

sstrode@scrtc.com

Mariee said...

For me the most part I really like all the new vampire mythologies. Don't really care for sparkling vampires though :P

marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

Estella said...

It sounds like you have created something fresh to read!

kissinoak at frontier dot com

Rosie said...

I enjoy seeing how different authors portray their vampires and I enjoyed reading about Theresa's vamps. I look forward to reading your book. Thanks for stopping by today!!

Texas Book Lover said...

I love seeing all the different twist that authors come up with for vampires. I think if every story went with the identical story/myth than we would get bored very quickly and move on to a different genre. The fact that there are so many creative authors who keep surprising us and keep things interesting is what keeps us coming back for more!

Thank you! mmafsmith@gmail.com

booklover0226 said...

I like reading about vampires with new myths; it's a nice change of pace for me.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I think with all of the new myths authors are allowed to span out and go for over the top wow factor as with all the old stuff it was just down right over done and BORING!!!!

And we all know we LOVE our VAMPS!!!
beejee77@comcast.net

The Scarf Princess said...

I like when authors put a new spin on things, but want the core element of their aversion to sunlight to remain intact. All creatures, even vamps, need a weakness. Otherwise the story loses believability.

joderjo02 AT gmail DOT com

Andrea said...

I like both, but I love that authors have come up with new myths about vampires.

I don't care for sparkly.

lillieblue613(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara E. said...

There's something to be said for the tried and true, but I enjoy it when an author takes an old story or mythology and gives it their own spin. Like Lara Adrian's alien hybrid vampires, there are explanations of why they have to avoid sunlight, and drink blood, and it all makes sense.

Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

Leni said...

I'm a fan of the traditional because that was my introduction to the genre, but I love a new spin on it,too. The new ideas put a different spin on things and let the imagination do it's thing.

lenikaye@yahoo.com

*yadkny* said...

Awesome giveaway! Would love to try some vamp wine:)

I'm actually really enjoying learning of some of the new myths that authors come up with. It keeps things fresh and a little more modern as technology and things advance. Although I will say that going back to reading something with the old rules now and again isn't bad either. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of those rules because just basic vamp 101. I don't believe I've read anything that had anything to do with garlic though:)

yadkny@hotmail.com

kittykelly28 said...

I love your choices and twists on the old myths. I think the old myths are just that...old! :) Why not go out in the sun if they have to. ;) I love the things people are doing with vamps these days it's awesome. This sounds like a great book I really wanna check it out. ;)

Kelly
kittykelly28 @ hotmail.com

Tanya1224 said...

I like the new myths about vampires. It keeps the reader glued because its something new. Who wants to read the same old thing :( I don't think I will ever get tired of reading about vamps. I love reading about vamp mixes to like Adrian Phoenix's The Maker's Song. Half vamp and fallen angel. A vamp with wings...love it. Great contest, would love a chance to win that wine ;)
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

wanda f said...

I love reading a book where an author has come up with their own tweaks ,twists,spins and myths on old legends and myths they are breathing new life so to speak into the undead loland I think its great .
flanagan@mebtel.net

Julie S said...

I like the new vampires better. I mean, garlic? Who came up with that crazy idea. Why would a vegetable repel a vampire?

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. I love reading above vampires. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

Johanna R Jochum said...

I love different takes on Vampire Mythology. As long as its explained well and consistant. I hate long and complicated stories where you need a referencg guide to understand the mythology. I love how one author can say vampires turn to dust in the sun and the other author can write that the vamp can go out in the day with just a pair of shades. It fun and interesting all these new and old ideas and mixing them together. Thanks for sharing today!

evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

Barb P said...

Personally, in my opinion, anything with a vamp in it has to be a good thing. Your standard classic vamp story such as Dracula, or anything with a new twist to it is all good as far as I'm concerned. I do though, really enjoy reading stories that have a new twist to them and seeing how each author writes their own story. I can't wait to read The Trust About Vampires! Count me in the contest please. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

Vivien said...

I really enjoy when they switch up the mythology. It's fantastic to read something new. But I also like it when books try to stick to the original mythology. As long as it's done well, you could go either way.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Lisa (Lisa's World of Books) said...

Great Review Roxanne! I enjoy your take on this. I love new twists cant wait to read it.
lisasworldofbooks@charter.net

Chelsea B. said...

I really enjoy all the myths about vampires. I just like reading about them;I'm not picky!
Congrats on your new release! I adore the name of it!

justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Stacey Smith said...

I Like the old Myths but Love when Authors come up with new Stuff keeps your mind woundering and open to new Ideas.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol L. said...

I actually prefer the new myths. It's so mush easier to connect with a gorgeous Vamp who has emotions, is tortured himself and won't burn up and die because of garlic and crosses. It opens the door for so many more books and plots. :)
I definitely want to read about Dmitri.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com

 
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