Guest blogger today is Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker. A California author in love with writing historical romance, time travel, fantasy romance, vampire romance and whatever strikes her fancy. She has written over 70 books since selling her first novel,”Reckless Heart”, after getting 31 rejections. Her books have appeared on various bestseller lists, including The New York Times and USA Today.
Photo: cover for “Bound by Night” by Amanda Ashley due to be released in September 2011
Why are we so in love with vampires?
I think the answer is obvious! Think Damon and Stefan Salvatore from “The Vampires Diaries”. I am totally mesmerized by Damon, who has the most beautiful, expressive eyes. Then there’s the Cullen men from “Twilight”. Mick St. John from “Moonlight”. Angel from “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer”. Nick Knight. Henry from “Blood Ties”, Antonio Bandaras from “Interview with a Vampire”. When he came onscreen, I remember thinking, “Now, that’s a vampire!” The list goes on and on.
They are all, in varying degrees, handsome, sexy, and enigmatic. And they are all looking for that one special woman to ease the loneliness in their lives and make them feel human again. Some are tortured by a horrible past. What woman can resist a man like that?
My love of vampires started with Frank Langella. I saw him in the movie, “Dracula” and I was hooked. Of course, I’d seen other vampires in other movies. I loved George Hamilton in “Love at First Bite”. And Angel in Buffy. But Frank was my idea of drop dead sexy. His sultry voice, those deep, dark, compelling eyes, the sensual way he moved….oh, my!
I had him in mind when I wrote my first vampire short story, “Masquerade”, and again when I wrote “Embrace the Night”. I must confess, I watched the love scene in “Dracula” several times while writing both stories. For a scene with no nudity and, as I recall, not much dialogue, it was smokin’ hot. I hear the play was even better than the movie.
Perhaps the most appealing, yet scary part of the vampire equation is the fact that they are very, very dangerous and could be hazardous to your health. Unless you’ve fallen for one of the Cullen vamps, in which case you’re probably safe, as long as you stay away from Jasper!
Then there’s the other aspect – if you want to spend more than one lifetime with that special vampire, he can easily arrange it.
I love writing about the Undead because I can pick and choose whatever myths and legends fit the story I want to tell. Some can be awake during the day, some can’t. Some can see their reflection in a mirror, some can’t. Some love what they are, some don’t. Some are born that way, some are made that way. The variety is endless.
I just hope the trend toward the paranormal continues for a long, long time, because I’m in love with my vampire heroes – all of them! I hope you are, too.
If vampires are your cup of tea, I have two new books coming out this year – BOUND BY NIGHT in September and BOUND BY BLOOD in October. I hope you’ll give them a try!
Amanda Ashley
Photo: Cover of “Bound by Blood” by Amanda Ashley due to hit book stores in October 2011
