Friday, February 27, 2009

Lure of the Vamp


Don't know what it is about vamps that we love so much. They bite people and feed on blood so, no, they shouldn't be all that appealing but yet they are portrayed in books and movies as sexy, dark, mysterious and we can't seem to get enough of them. Personally, I adore them. So far, I haven't tried my hand at writing vamps. Shifters have always come more naturally to me. Yeah, I love them too. Earthy, strong, masculine...yep, love shifters. But there is a mystique with the vamp that tends to just reel you in.

Lately, I've been completely hooked on the HBO series TrueBlood which is based on the Charlaine Harris southern vampire series. No, I haven't read the books yet. I'm almost afraid to. From what I hear the books don't jive completely with the series and I'm afraid I'll fall in love with the books and then pick this oh-so-entertaining-and-sexy series apart next time I watch. My daughter is currently reading the books though, so I've been asking lots of questions. Since she also loves TrueBlood the series, I've been curious if her love of the books will interfere with her enjoyment of the series. She says...NO WAY. Like me she's totally hooked on the show which begins it's second second in June. This series is set in Louisianna and centers around a small town waitress who is telepathic. It is a time when vampires are acknowledged in society and are fighting for their rights as citizens yet they are not quite accepted. It is violent, dark, and sexier than any television show I've ever seen.

Fan Boards and other promotion divulge that faeries, shifters and other creatures will be later intoduced into the show. If you don't have HBO, and I know many don't, the entire first season is available on May 19th. I know because I've checked and you'd better believe I'll be first in line to pick this up.

Now I haven't read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers but my daughter is currently on Eclipse and is loving the series. Just about every girl in her high school carried around copies of the books this fall and, naturally, she and I saw the movie. She fell in love with this story of the burning teenage love of Bella and Edward. I liked the movie. Very beautiful with all the forests and the dreamy scenes and I left thinking this was a very well done movie for teens. Maybe I just like something a little edgier so if I had to choose something to watch for pure enjoyment, it would have to be TrueBlood. The second Twilight book, Blue Moon, is being filmed now and should release faily soon so I figure the craze with start up all over again.

Some of you might not have seen either the television show or the movie nor read the books, so tell me what are some of your favorite vamp books and/or movies. What was it that pulled you in and made you hope for a sequel?

Special Note: Frequent visitor and our friend Amy Ruttan has a new release today at Ellora's Cave. Hard Candy looks soooo good. Happy Release Day, honey! We're all wishing you many sales.

18 comments:

Mary Ricksen said...

I know it's silly, but I just loved George Hamilton's take on the vampire. Hysterical. I don't get cable so I haven't seen the series. Nor have I see the movie, Twilight.
But I do love a good vampire story.

Regina Carlysle said...

Love at First Bite...one of my very favorites! So dang funny and campy! I've forgotten the name of the super funny one with Leslie Nielsen too. Crazy funny.

Debra St. John said...

I am definitely not a teenager, but I am hooked on the "Twilight" books. I've read them all three times (so far, and I have a countdown going for the DVD release of the movie.) I have always enjoyed vampire stories, but the "Twilight" series takes a different spin on them, making them even more enticing. And Rob Pattinson plays a VERY sexy Edward!

Susan Macatee said...

The vampire who first got me hooked was Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows. Since, then I've read the Anne Rice books. Then went on to read many vampire stories by current romance writers. There are so many to choose from. And I've written a few short vampire stories of my own. Just can't resist those vamps!

Debbie Tsikuris said...

Ok, huge fan!! You really should read the Twilight series. They are fantastic. True the series "True Blood" does not run the same as the books, so you can read the books just for themselves, well worth it. I found a 1996 vamp series to die (small joke) for!!! Kindred,the Embraced, so awesome!!!! The star, Mark Frankel died at 34 right after the 1st season, and what a tragedy. He was fantastic!! I found it on 'chiller' check listings I HIGHLY recommend it. I can & do watch it over & over!!.
debbie

Molly Daniels said...

I'm also reading Eclipse and LOVING it!

Yeah...Love at 1st Bite was my first (and so far only) vampire movie:)

Amy Ruttan said...

Awww, thanks Regina! ((HUGS))

You know I love all you gals.

Kelley got me hooked on Twilight. She blogged about it, emailed about it gushing completely. So I gave in, cracked it open and read the series in an entire week. I'm surprised she hasn't forced you to read it yet, Regina.

Leslie Nielsen was in DRACULA DEAD AND LOVING IT which was a Mel Brook's and I love Love at First Bite. Hehehe. I also love Anne Rice's vamps.

Speaking of Twilight, where is Ms. Kelley???

Regina Carlysle said...

Hmm. I don't know where Kelley OR Anne are today! They've usually showed up around here by now!

Regina Carlysle said...

Oh THANKS AMY...it's been driving me crazy trying to think of that title. Dead and Loving It...so FUNNY.

Regina Carlysle said...

I remember Dark Shadows and Barnabas Collins. That was such a sexy series and I really think it kind of kicked off our current fascination with vamps, don't you?

Regina Carlysle said...

A friend of mine read the whole Charlaine Harris southern vampire series, Debbie, and she highly recommends them too. I understand there are major differences between the books and the tv show but I'll continue watching the series for sure. It's incredible and soooo many great looking, sexy men! Um Hm.

Kelley Nyrae said...

Congrats on the release, Amy!!


Debra, you and I think the same way!! LOVE the Twilight Saga. My favorite series actually. Something about the books draw you in. And Edward *sigh* yeah. Rob is gorgeous too!

Okay, just read all the comments, Amy aren't you glad I pushed and pleaded for you to read Twilight? I've converted another!

Debbie, Another huge Twilight fan! Yay!!

Sorry I'm late, Reg. A lot going on. Despite my Twilight gushing above it is not the only vamp books I love or read. I can read a sexy vamp and day of the week. Don't know what it is about them. I'm reading a new to me vamp series right now by Kathryn Smith. I accidentaly read the out of order. Picked up the second one, Night of the Huntress and really, really liked it. I plan to read the rest.

One last thing, Reg. The Twilight books are SOOO much better than the movie. It's good too but you should read the books :)

Emma Lai said...

I have to see every vampire movie that comes out! The hottest vampire by far has been Stuart Townsend as the Vampire Lestat in Queen of the Damned.

Regina Carlysle said...

I was kind of wondering about that, Kell. I mean, I like the movie but it had a more dreamy feel than the edginess I love. My daughter adored it but she's 17. I don't know. It just was a little young for my tastes. Think it's just me. LOL.

I must read the books.

I love vamp books. JR Ward, Feehan, LKH!

Regina Carlysle said...

OMG Emma. Stuart Townsend in Queen of the Damned just ROCKS IT. I love that movie and we even bought it. Even the music is great.

Emma Lai said...

Yes! I love the soundtrack!

Unknown said...

I've loved Vamps since I was around 5 or 6. It grew as I got older into a major lust.

I haven't been able to see True Blood but I've read the books.

You guys can keep the Twilight boy I
stick with Mick St John! Now that boy can bite my neck, or anywhere else, any time he wants to! EWG

Anonymous said...

I had a crush on Dracula when I was ten ... and then I fell for all of the Lost Boys as a young teen....

I think there are numerous aspects to the fictional vampire that many women find alluring. I think a big part of it has to do with control and submission, but their superhuman strength and ability is another biggie. Every woman wants the "bad boy" ... but she also wants to feel safe and protected by him....