Vampires, what’s the draw?

Vampires, what’s the draw?

What is it about these fanged, bad boys that attracts us? Their charisma? Their aura of danger? Or maybe it’s just those sexy black capes. Regardless of the reasons, we all seem to have a soft spot for these seductive creatures of the night.

Even Zoe Tempest, vampire hunter extraordinaire, has developed a weakness for one. 


Excerpt:

“Looking for someone, Sugar?”

I whirled.

He leaned against a rough-barked oak, his ankles crossed, his hands jammed in his pockets.

The man in front of me was drop-dead gorgeous. Blue-black hair worn in a careless style framed high cheekbones. The rakish growth on his chin accentuated his dark good looks. Designer jeans clung to lean hips and long legs. He wore a long-sleeved gray tee, that clung to impressive pecs, with a black outdoor vest over the shirt. Expensive suede boots covered his feet. The only thing that ruined his appearance was the red glow around his irises.

His dark good looks reminded me of someone. I gasped and blinked. He reminded me of Sam, a more rakish version but still Sam. With that long lean body and black hair, they could have passed for brothers.

One moment he leaned negligently against the tree, the next he stood beside me, way too close. Nothing moves faster than a vampire. It can be quite disconcerting if you aren’t used to it. My hand tightened on my sword.

“So you are the mouthwatering Zoe Tempest.” He circled me. Those red glowing eyes seared me wherever he glanced. “To think Dere let a little thing like you take him.” He laughed, a sensual sound that made my knees wobble.

“That’s right. Just like I’m going to take you.” Instead of hurling the words like a spear, I had to force them out of my mouth. They sounded stiff and unnatural.

“Zoe, Zoe, Zoe,” he whispered near my ear, his breath cool and sweet like mint and cookies. I swung around to face him, but he slid back. He shook his head. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? You won’t be able to resist me, love. I’ll be both your lover and your sire.”

His voice caressed like whispering silk. It mesmerized as he circled. “It appeals to you on a basic level doesn’t it, being with me?” He reached out a white cold finger and started to touch my cheek.

I jerked my head back. “Who are you?” I pushed the words past my clenched teeth as my body trembled violently.

“Who do you want me to be?” He touched the back of my neck as he circled me.

I shuddered, but whether from disgust or desire eluded me.

“Dead,” I spat, fighting the unbelievable craving I felt for him.

CONTEST:
I’m running a contest at http://sandracox.blogspot.com. First prize: a Starbucks gift card, a Cooke Lee crystal bracelet and a download of Vampire Bay. Second Prize: a paper copy of Moon Watchers, Third Prize: a paper copy of Vampire Island. To enter just leave a comment at http://sandracox.blogspot.com and mention Vampire Bay Contest.


Vampire Bay is available as a download at Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72332

and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BCODIM for $3.99.

Sandra, thank you for visiting THoR, and best wishes for your new book.

Bats and Vampires

Why do you suppose it is, people connect bats with vampires? And why aren’t vampires called batmires? Of course, having a species of bat that exist on blood no doubt plays a large role in the connection of these bad boys. And the fact that both vampires and bats are mainly seen at night no doubt is another factor. Also that a rabid bat’s bite can cause death has added to the equation connecting these two mysterious creatures.

Bat’s certainly spell trouble for Zoe Tempest:

The bat swooped down. Its wing slid over my throat in an icy caress. I shrank back against the dank black wall. The bat fluttered in front of me. “Zoe.” The voice brought my stomach to my throat. Clammy beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. Dere!

“You thought you’d killed me, didn’t you?” His laugh echoed and reechoed in my head. I clasp it to stop the mad laughter.

“You can’t kill me, Zoe, but I can kill you.”

I screamed then but as in most dreams no sound came out, except a horrible moan that stuck in my throat.

The bat hovered in front of my face. He squealed and revealed fangs that dripped with saliva. I threw up my hands to protect my face. The rodent swooped in and bit my hand. The pain woke me.

CONTEST:

I’m running a contest at http://sandracox.blogspot.com. First prize: a Starbucks gift card, a Cooke Lee crystal bracelet and a download of Vampire Bay. Second Prize: a paper copy of Moon Watchers, Third Prize: a paper copy of Vampire Island. To enter just leave a comment at http://sandracox.blogspot.com and mention Vampire Bay Contest.

Vampire Bay is available as a download at Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72332


and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BCODIM
for $3.99.

Today Sandra is talking about her wonderful The Hunter Series.

What I Learned From The Hunter Series


Each book an author writes brings with it new self-knowledge. We learn what genre we prefer to write in or what word count we’re comfortable with, what comes easily and what is difficult. What I’ve learned from the Hunter Series is that I love writing in first person. I started out in third and had problems getting in Zoe’s head. So I decided to try first, something I’d never written in before. Immediately, Zoe and I got intimately acquainted. I learned her likes and dislikes, her love of clothing, manicures and iced lattes. And I learned about her loathing for Dere, the vampire that killed her parents and a young man she was attracted to. But let’s let Zoe tell you about that herself.


Dere. The vampire that killed my parents and a friend. Uncle and I hunted him. I killed him. “Dere lived here?” The words were stiff and disjointed. I felt dizzy. My vision blurred.


“Zoe. Zoe, are you alright?” The words came from a long way off.


“Put your head between your knees, Zoe,” Uncle commanded as I swayed. When I didn’t respond, he came around the table and shoved my head down. The room tilted at a crazy angle then righted. I pushed away his hands and sat up.


“Breathe, Zoe,” he commanded.


I took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me?”


“He’s dead, Zoe. He can’t hurt you anymore.”


“But to be in the same house where that monster resided.” I shuddered. I felt cold, so cold. Just the thought of him made my stomach knot. He’d had immense power. And he’d killed without mercy for food, for pleasure...and revenge.


“I just remind myself of how much he’d hate it.” Uncle Julian still squatted beside me. He looked at me and bared his teeth in a ferocious grin. Uncle had a few scores to settle with Dere himself.


Uncle had hunted him for several lifetimes. Pranics, as you probably know, reincarnate. They are born to hunt blood vampires. And until every filthy bloodsucker is dead, hunters such as Uncle Julian and myself will keep coming back. To my knowledge this is my first time around. I believe its Uncle Julian’s fourth, but I could be mistaken.

I’m running a contest at http://sandracox.blogspot.com. First prize: a Starbucks gift card, a Cooke Lee crystal bracelet and a download of Vampire Bay. Second Prize: a paper copy of Moon Watchers, Third Prize: a paper copy of Vampire Island. To enter just leave a comment at http://sandracox.blogspot.com and mention Vampire Bay Contest.


Vampire Bay is available as a download at Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72332


and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BCODIM  for $3.99.

CONTEST ~ WIN a paperback copy of The Brat

"Where have you been?"
I wasn't prepared for Ben Kouvaris's snarky attitude. "Doing my first guest blog, about the progression of books, on TonivSweeny's blog, yesterday (17th).
"That was yesterday, what about the day before?"  Gina looked up from her book. 
I noticed the cover and forgot the question."You're reading your own story?" I spluttered.
"Why not?" Laughter danced in her eyes, and her cheeks pinkened. "You should put a copy up as a prize."  The laughter in her eyes turned to challenge.
"That sounds like a good idea," I said, knowing she hadn't finished yet.
"You could put the names of everyone who comments on your blog this month in a 'hat', and then on October 1st draw a name out of a hat and give them a paperback copy of The Brat as their prize."
"You'd have to tell your readers you live in the UK and it may take several days to reach the winner if they live in the States."  Ben moved behind Gina and wrapped his arms round her waist, rested his chin on her shoulder and kept his gaze on me.
"I can do that."  I visualised the books that had just arrived.  "I can do that," I repeated.
"Go on then."  They both spoke at once.
"Go on what?"
"Do it,"  Ben said.
"Announce it," Gina said at the same time.
"Very well." I looked down at the notes I'd taken of their suggestions.

* * *

First - A COMPETITION   ~

Second - THE PRIZE is a paperback copy of The Brat ~

Third - THE DRAW will be made on 1st October (UK -BST- Time)

Fourth - THE WINNER will be the first name drawn from the 'hat'

Fifth - WHO CAN TAKE PART? Anyone who leaves a comment on any of this month's blogs.

Sixth - Where?  Here at Sherry Gloags Blogspot

* * *

"Sounds good." Gina said. 
Over her shoulder Ben nodded his head.
"So I can go and promote this to the outside world without you having another hissy fit, can I?"  I 'eye-balled' Ben.
"What is this 'hissy-fit'?"  If I hadn't noticed the gleam in his eye I'd have thought he was genuinely puzzled, until I remembered Gina explained it to him a while ago.
"Go," he said. 
And I did.
Their laughter followed me out of the blog.