Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Join Author Wendy Zwaduk on her My Immortal Book Tour




Why Write Vampire Romance....

I have a good friend who, when I mentioned I had an idea for a paranormal story, rolled her eyes and replied, 'You've been bitten by that bug, too?'

At the time, I shrugged off the question. I mean, an author should write what comes to him or her, right? So what does it really matter if the genre happens to be one of the most popular at this given moment?

Plenty.

If you’re like me, there is something sexy about a heroine who can kick butt and charm the pants off the hero in one fell swoop (or insult—I love a heroine with a smart aleck attitude). Now add in a hero who is too sexy for words and equally strong. Oh, and make one or both of them vampires. Yeah, there is a... err... draw to those pointy, gleaming pearlies.

Back to the original question. Why write vampire romance? Better yet, why allow that bug to (snickering) bite me?

I like vampires. Oh, was that too simple? Maybe a little. Here’s the longer answer. I love a story where I can step out of my ordinary world and enter one where the bad guy is always dealt with (at some point anyway), bad isn’t completely what it seems, the hero has all sorts of weaponry at his disposal, and there is that little factor of the teeth. I don’t know that I want someone I love to bite me, per se, but when it happens with Storm and Stevie...it’s hot.

Now is the time where I am going to admit something few knew. Storm Richardson started out as a mortal. Hold up. I can see you furrowing your brows. Don’t most vampires start out as mortals? Not necessarily. There are those born into it, created, and the ones that just sort of showed up. But back to Storm. He was a human private investigator who had the hots for Stevie, his partner. When I moved from the outline phase to the writing phase, he piped up and told me what he was—a vampire.

Imagine my shock and thrill. Paranormal wasn’t a genre I considered until he said something. And yes, my characters talk to me—always at the most in opportune times. Until he pestered me, I had my heart set on writing a contemporary erotica story. I believe his words were, ‘but, hon, I have fangs. I can’t go out in sunshine. What do you think of that?’

I was pretty darned excited. A whole new world popped into my head and a wide array of possibilities opened up to me. Add to it the challenge of writing the opposites—awake during the day and sleeping at night... and to throw his own little curveball into the mix, Storm eats more than blood. Yeah, he’s a rare steak type of guy.

And then there’s the love scenes. Oh yeah. There is something sensual about the idea that a man can make the heroine reach oblivion with nothing but his voice, but when he adds his teeth? It’s beyond description. I like knowing my reader is squirming in his or her seat reading it as much as I am as I wrote (and reread) it.

Storm wasn’t written because the genre was popular. He evolved because he was who he was and that pretty much sums up why I write vampires. He’s an individual and so am I.

Blurb for My Immortal:

What’s a girl to do when she finds out the man of her dreams is a 340 year old vampire?

Run like hell or offer her heart.

Being a vampire hasn’t been easy for Storm Richardson. He’s not programmed to kill or harm, unless he needs to feed. When he meets Stephanie “Stevie” Persing, he knows he’s found his mate. But if he crosses the line between work and play, he risks losing the only person who matters—her.

Stevie’s been in love with Storm since the moment she laid eyes on him. He’s brooding, intense, and her one weakness. But is her heart too steep a price to pay for his love, especially when she discovers his deepest secrets?

Excerpt:

The woman cackled, no doubt knowing that Stevie wasn’t his lover. “When you’re done with the time killer, come find me.”

“Thank you but I’m not interested.”
Stevie rolled her eyes again. Why did he insist on being a gentleman? Why didn’t he just wuss out of the damned bet and stroll off with the bimbo?

Because he didn’t want to lose any more than she did. She bit back a grin. His king sized bed with the Egyptian cotton sheets became more appetizing by the minute.
Storm turned her around in his embrace. “Stevie, I believe I owe you something.”
She refocused her attention to the man who kept her warm with nothing more than the sound of his velvet voice. “You didn’t lose the bet.” She tried to ignore the way he made her feel. He smelled like clean linen and danger. Like sin and sex.

Storm brushed her hair off her face and stroked her jaw with his middle finger. His lips, not too full and luscious enough for kissing, were inches away from hers. No stubble marred his chiselled jaw; just perfect, though a bit pale, skin. No wonder the women flocked to him in droves. He was romance hero/cover model gorgeous.

He cupped her head and tightened his other arm around her waist. She sucked in a ragged breath as her heartbeat thumped in her ears and liquid heat swirled between her legs.
Good Lord, this man was good.

“I don’t care about the damn bet.” He crushed his lips against hers.



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8 comments:

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Thanks for having me, I've had this slot marked on my calendar! This is my first real jump into the paranormal and I hope its worth it. Love the blog.:)

Wendi

Annabeth Carew said...

It's amazing when a character is developing away in your subconscious and then suddenly gels into a unique individual. I think it's a sure sign they are going to be a strong character. Congratulations on "My Immortal". It sounds like fun!

Annabeth

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Thanks Annabeth. I hope you like Storm. I loved creating him.

katsrus said...

Love the cover. Sounds like a really great book. Adding this to my to read lsit.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Thanks, Sue. It is one my favorite books, too. Then again, I'd love my own Storm Richardson. :)

Wendi

Roxanne Rhoads said...

I know what you mean about characters talking to you- in the book I am currently working on my Detective was orginally just supposed to be the heroine's partner, yes he was attracted to her but never stood a chance- well he piped up and said "uh uh I am in love with her and I'm goign to fight for her heart"

So now I have a love triangle going that I never intended to be there.

Characters definitely have their own thoughts and personalities sometimes.

The rest of the world may think we're crazy (fictional people talking to us, living through us, makes us sound schizo) but we're just writers hearing voices is part of the job.

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Roxanne, you are so right. Dh thinks I've lost my mind when I tell him the characters are arguing. "So, tell them to hush." It's not that easy. But it's worth it. I had a character who I thought was straight who informed me, when he decided he wanted his own story, that he was indeed bi. Okly dokly. But I love them, all of them.

Thanks for having me. I loved being here. :)

Wendi

Anonymous said...

Your cover looks awesome Wendi! I just read the blurb on this post - I think I missed it on the blog post. oops! Anyways, it sounds like a great book....one I'll have to sink my fangs into. :D

 
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