Christine Feehan's Blog, page 20
October 17, 2017
Favorite Scary Movies #Horrorweek
Have you ever noticed how the music of a scary or suspenseful movie affects you? The music can tip you off that something bad is about to happen and you feel your heart begin to race. If you watch scary movies, which I don’t normally like to, ‘cause I’m not particularly fond of being scared out of my wits, you know there are rules to scary movies, right?
� If the music becomes ominous, something bad is about to happen.
� If the couple have sex, they are most likely to become victims.
� If it gets too quiet for too long, we’re about to get a good scare.
I’m sure there are tons more rules, but those come to mind right away.
I thought it would be fun for us to share our favorite scary movies. I always wonder who else has my faves on their list.
Mine are-
Jaws. I live near the ocean, so of course this makes my list! And, talk about music, this is one I think most people recognize when they hear it.
Dracula. Perhaps not scary to everyone, this movie has a way of marrying scary and sexy together that has made this classic an undying favorite (lol see what I did there?). I have two movies that are favorites and they are both based off of Dracula.
First is Bram’s Stoker’s Dracula starring Gary Oldman. The movie shows Dracula as a beast and you realize he is something evil. But, we see him as this romantic character, driven by the death of his beloved wife. This is one of the most romantic of the Dracula tales and for that, in spite of having scary scenes, it is one of my favorites.
The other is Dracula Untold. This Dracula was scary before he became a vampire. A hero to his people he was also a loving father and husband. So, when his family and his people are threatened, he is willing to make a deal with the devil (or a sinister vampire) in order to have the power to protect them.
I asked some other authors to share what their favorite movies are and I’d love to hear what yours are!
Douglas Clegg
I love a lot of scary movies, and often the ones with obvious scares do nothing for me. I prefer the movies that portray on the outside of the skin what is psychologically going on underneath. And still, with the supernatural involved. I don’t want absolute reality in my horror movies, I want a bit of fun and magic. Ghosts if possible, witches are desirable, and that feeling of being around a flickering hearth fire on an October night, telling tells while the shadows grow.
The Innocents - screenplay by Truman Capote, starring Deborah Kerr, based on Henry James� genre-defining short novel, The Turn of the Screw. This, in my opinion, is the best of all adaptation of the Henry James story. The Turn of the Screw is one of the most constantly-adapted stories, and much modern ghost story fiction owes a debt to this one. Just watched it for the umpteenth time the other evening and it still gives me the right chills and disturbances.
Children as subjects of horror has a grand tradition, and it’s not coincidental that most of the movies of horror I love deal with children one way or another because I think we all become children in the face of what’s terrifying.
The Witch - A recent movie, full of a nameless dread that finds name soon enough. A Puritan family is expelled from the safety of the colony and must live on the edge of a vast and mysterious wilderness. The story is mostly the coming of age of a teenaged girl within this family � and it is the most unusual coming of age story I’ve ever seen portrayed on the screen. Its imagery suggests absolute horror, yet it is a quiet unfolding of a nightmare that leads to an inevitable and unexpectedly beautiful (if horrific) end.
And yes, I’d love to live deliciously. Also, there’s a cool and malingering goat in this one.
The Others - Nicole Kidman strikes me as a unique film actor of her generation because she can portray cruelty and vulnerability at the exact same instant and elicit empathy from an audience. In this one, Alejandro Amenabar does a reversal in upside-downsville of The Turn of the Screw and creates a slow burn build to a traumatic climax that turns into a kind of peaceful nightmare.
Kim Jones
I do not have a "favorite" scary movie. All scary movies scare me. I hate them. I've only watched a handful. So, I'm gonna have to stray from topic a little and give you the "scariest" of the scary instead of the favorite.
#3 Silent Hill
Like a fool, I thought this movie was more of a mystery, less of a horror. I was wrong. So, I'm sitting in my very safe house, watching this woman run into the fog searching for her little girl who should've been wearing a monkey backpack. I could handle everything up to the point that the cop was burned alive. Now, every time I see an open flame, I think of that cop's skin turning to ash. And how she tried so hard not to scream. But she screamed. They always do.
#2 Strangers
My husband loves this movie. Every time it's on T.V., he watches it. And I have to leave the room. It doesn't take long before he's knocking on the door, asking me, "Is Tamra home?" That movie still freaks me out. I mean, they were just a sweet couple, enjoying a romantic evening, in a very safe house, and here comes these people. Asking, "Is Tamra home?" Then they breaking in, tying folks up, murdering one in front of the other... Nope. Never again. Tamra is most definitely not home.
#1 Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The scariest of the scary. Why, because this shit could actually happen. I've been to small, butthole Texas towns like the one from that movie. They really do exist. From the farm house to the homely girl feeding the baby beans, it was all terrifying to me. But the absolute worst was when that friend was caught while running through the sheets hanging on the line. Leather face cuts his leg off with the chainsaw, carries him down to the cellar, hangs him on a hook and literally puts salt in his wound. That sound bad? It gets worse. The girl comes downstairs to find her friend hanging from this hook. He's alive. And she tries to help him, but his toes are on a piano and they making too much noise and she's too weak to lift him off the hook... Bad shit, right? Wrong. Still gets worse. He asks her to kill him. Begs her. So she takes a random butcher knife that's just lying around, and sticks it in his chest. Kills him dead. And all I could think was, if that was my friend, would I kill them? Or leave them to suffer in hopes someone might save him? I hate that movie. It screwed with my head. They all did.
You wanna give me some ghosts? Goblins? Vampires or children with creepy eyes and a horn in their head? Fine. But real life scenarios that could actually happen? Nope. I'm done. I'm chicken and I'm okay that.
Sheila English
I was never one for traditional slasher-movie horror, but there have been a few that got to me. I love monsters in my movies as rule.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in almost any traditional version. There's something horrifying in knowing what evil lurks within ourselves. When we become the monster, losing control of our humanity, we are terrifying.
The Thing with Kurt Russell from 1982. It's a particular favorite of mine. And again, you see these horrific creatures, which I love. This time, the alien finds a way to get inside us and take over and it often morphs into these horrific things. It is a scary movie for so many reasons. They are isolated with no help. The alien can look like anyone. And if it escapes, the world is doomed. Who wouldn't love that movie? LOL
I, Frankenstein with Aaron Eckhart. Actually, I love most Frankenstein movies because I love the story of Frankenstein. This one is set in modern time and I saw it just after writing my story about Frankenstein and I really connected with it. There are creatures in addition to the Frankenstein creature. But, it also looks at what defines evil and it gave the creature depth and the ability to be a hero.
#1 Jaws! Growing up in Miami Florida, the beach and ocean seemed like my backyard and Jaws came along and the question of what might be lurking beneath the surface has never left my mind since.
#2 Jagged Edge. This movie gave me nightmares for months!
#3 Seven. Will never forget the head in the box!
____________________________________
Are any of these movies new to you? Any of them that you wouldn’t watch because they might scare you? Have you ever passed on a movie because the idea of it scared you? Tell me some of your favorites! Even if they’re funny (think Ghostbusters)!
� If the music becomes ominous, something bad is about to happen.
� If the couple have sex, they are most likely to become victims.
� If it gets too quiet for too long, we’re about to get a good scare.
I’m sure there are tons more rules, but those come to mind right away.
I thought it would be fun for us to share our favorite scary movies. I always wonder who else has my faves on their list.
Mine are-
Jaws. I live near the ocean, so of course this makes my list! And, talk about music, this is one I think most people recognize when they hear it.
Dracula. Perhaps not scary to everyone, this movie has a way of marrying scary and sexy together that has made this classic an undying favorite (lol see what I did there?). I have two movies that are favorites and they are both based off of Dracula.
First is Bram’s Stoker’s Dracula starring Gary Oldman. The movie shows Dracula as a beast and you realize he is something evil. But, we see him as this romantic character, driven by the death of his beloved wife. This is one of the most romantic of the Dracula tales and for that, in spite of having scary scenes, it is one of my favorites.
The other is Dracula Untold. This Dracula was scary before he became a vampire. A hero to his people he was also a loving father and husband. So, when his family and his people are threatened, he is willing to make a deal with the devil (or a sinister vampire) in order to have the power to protect them.
I asked some other authors to share what their favorite movies are and I’d love to hear what yours are!
Douglas Clegg
I love a lot of scary movies, and often the ones with obvious scares do nothing for me. I prefer the movies that portray on the outside of the skin what is psychologically going on underneath. And still, with the supernatural involved. I don’t want absolute reality in my horror movies, I want a bit of fun and magic. Ghosts if possible, witches are desirable, and that feeling of being around a flickering hearth fire on an October night, telling tells while the shadows grow.
The Innocents - screenplay by Truman Capote, starring Deborah Kerr, based on Henry James� genre-defining short novel, The Turn of the Screw. This, in my opinion, is the best of all adaptation of the Henry James story. The Turn of the Screw is one of the most constantly-adapted stories, and much modern ghost story fiction owes a debt to this one. Just watched it for the umpteenth time the other evening and it still gives me the right chills and disturbances.
Children as subjects of horror has a grand tradition, and it’s not coincidental that most of the movies of horror I love deal with children one way or another because I think we all become children in the face of what’s terrifying.
The Witch - A recent movie, full of a nameless dread that finds name soon enough. A Puritan family is expelled from the safety of the colony and must live on the edge of a vast and mysterious wilderness. The story is mostly the coming of age of a teenaged girl within this family � and it is the most unusual coming of age story I’ve ever seen portrayed on the screen. Its imagery suggests absolute horror, yet it is a quiet unfolding of a nightmare that leads to an inevitable and unexpectedly beautiful (if horrific) end.
And yes, I’d love to live deliciously. Also, there’s a cool and malingering goat in this one.
The Others - Nicole Kidman strikes me as a unique film actor of her generation because she can portray cruelty and vulnerability at the exact same instant and elicit empathy from an audience. In this one, Alejandro Amenabar does a reversal in upside-downsville of The Turn of the Screw and creates a slow burn build to a traumatic climax that turns into a kind of peaceful nightmare.
Kim Jones
I do not have a "favorite" scary movie. All scary movies scare me. I hate them. I've only watched a handful. So, I'm gonna have to stray from topic a little and give you the "scariest" of the scary instead of the favorite.
#3 Silent Hill
Like a fool, I thought this movie was more of a mystery, less of a horror. I was wrong. So, I'm sitting in my very safe house, watching this woman run into the fog searching for her little girl who should've been wearing a monkey backpack. I could handle everything up to the point that the cop was burned alive. Now, every time I see an open flame, I think of that cop's skin turning to ash. And how she tried so hard not to scream. But she screamed. They always do.
#2 Strangers
My husband loves this movie. Every time it's on T.V., he watches it. And I have to leave the room. It doesn't take long before he's knocking on the door, asking me, "Is Tamra home?" That movie still freaks me out. I mean, they were just a sweet couple, enjoying a romantic evening, in a very safe house, and here comes these people. Asking, "Is Tamra home?" Then they breaking in, tying folks up, murdering one in front of the other... Nope. Never again. Tamra is most definitely not home.
#1 Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The scariest of the scary. Why, because this shit could actually happen. I've been to small, butthole Texas towns like the one from that movie. They really do exist. From the farm house to the homely girl feeding the baby beans, it was all terrifying to me. But the absolute worst was when that friend was caught while running through the sheets hanging on the line. Leather face cuts his leg off with the chainsaw, carries him down to the cellar, hangs him on a hook and literally puts salt in his wound. That sound bad? It gets worse. The girl comes downstairs to find her friend hanging from this hook. He's alive. And she tries to help him, but his toes are on a piano and they making too much noise and she's too weak to lift him off the hook... Bad shit, right? Wrong. Still gets worse. He asks her to kill him. Begs her. So she takes a random butcher knife that's just lying around, and sticks it in his chest. Kills him dead. And all I could think was, if that was my friend, would I kill them? Or leave them to suffer in hopes someone might save him? I hate that movie. It screwed with my head. They all did.
You wanna give me some ghosts? Goblins? Vampires or children with creepy eyes and a horn in their head? Fine. But real life scenarios that could actually happen? Nope. I'm done. I'm chicken and I'm okay that.
Sheila English
I was never one for traditional slasher-movie horror, but there have been a few that got to me. I love monsters in my movies as rule.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in almost any traditional version. There's something horrifying in knowing what evil lurks within ourselves. When we become the monster, losing control of our humanity, we are terrifying.
The Thing with Kurt Russell from 1982. It's a particular favorite of mine. And again, you see these horrific creatures, which I love. This time, the alien finds a way to get inside us and take over and it often morphs into these horrific things. It is a scary movie for so many reasons. They are isolated with no help. The alien can look like anyone. And if it escapes, the world is doomed. Who wouldn't love that movie? LOL
I, Frankenstein with Aaron Eckhart. Actually, I love most Frankenstein movies because I love the story of Frankenstein. This one is set in modern time and I saw it just after writing my story about Frankenstein and I really connected with it. There are creatures in addition to the Frankenstein creature. But, it also looks at what defines evil and it gave the creature depth and the ability to be a hero.
#1 Jaws! Growing up in Miami Florida, the beach and ocean seemed like my backyard and Jaws came along and the question of what might be lurking beneath the surface has never left my mind since.
#2 Jagged Edge. This movie gave me nightmares for months!
#3 Seven. Will never forget the head in the box!
____________________________________
Are any of these movies new to you? Any of them that you wouldn’t watch because they might scare you? Have you ever passed on a movie because the idea of it scared you? Tell me some of your favorites! Even if they’re funny (think Ghostbusters)!
October 16, 2017
Participating in #Horrorweek
It's getting closer to Halloween, one of my favorite holidays! So when I saw that ŷ is doing a #Horrorweek I thought it would be fun to participate!
Today, I'd like to ask YOU if you like scary stories or stories with creatures in them? How scared do you like to be? Or do you prefer something like Ghostbusters?
Some of my books were included in a new major motion pictures that came out on Friday the 13th of this month- Happy Death Day, which I'm excited about. I was told the movie has a lot of humor to it and it's a lot like Groundhog Day (Bill Murray) but the girl has to re-live the day of her murder until she solves the murder.
For #Horrorweek this is what I have lined up here on ŷ-
Monday- Intro to #Horrorweek
Tuesday- Favorite Scary Movies (with author guests sharing their favorites!)
Wednesday- A look at my crazy, perhaps over-the-top, Halloween decorations!
Thursday- Favorite Scary Books (with author guests sharing their favorites)
Friday - An exclusive excerpt of Leopard's Blood which comes out on the 24th of this month!
I hope you'll come check out the fun! And please do participate! I love reading your comments!
Today, I'd like to ask YOU if you like scary stories or stories with creatures in them? How scared do you like to be? Or do you prefer something like Ghostbusters?
Some of my books were included in a new major motion pictures that came out on Friday the 13th of this month- Happy Death Day, which I'm excited about. I was told the movie has a lot of humor to it and it's a lot like Groundhog Day (Bill Murray) but the girl has to re-live the day of her murder until she solves the murder.
For #Horrorweek this is what I have lined up here on ŷ-
Monday- Intro to #Horrorweek
Tuesday- Favorite Scary Movies (with author guests sharing their favorites!)
Wednesday- A look at my crazy, perhaps over-the-top, Halloween decorations!
Thursday- Favorite Scary Books (with author guests sharing their favorites)
Friday - An exclusive excerpt of Leopard's Blood which comes out on the 24th of this month!
I hope you'll come check out the fun! And please do participate! I love reading your comments!
September 22, 2017
Getting Social
I attended the NOLA StoryCon event last weekend and it was so wonderful to meet and talk to readers. I wish I could travel to every state and meet everyone in person. But, since it's not likely that I can meet everyone, I wanted to share with you that I do participate in some online social media. So, we can "meet" in some way.
Obviously, I'm here on ŷ. I love that I can do more long-form blogging here and talk about whatever feels fun to talk about. I do try to answer comments as often as I can. I also participate in the Q&A, so do leave me questions if you have them!
My online community is here-
Though it's not exactly the same as social media, I do have an online community on my website that you can easily sign up for and get "goodies" you can't get anywhere else. And I do read the posts sent to me and respond to them.
Here you get things early like the book trailers and first chapters. But, I also have content that is exclusive to the community.
I'm on Facebook here-
There is where you'll find more about my books, some contests, fun quizzes, that sort of thing. I'll occasionally put up more personal posts, but primarily we talk about books.
I'm on Twitter here-
I am on Twitter nearly every day. I enjoy it and I do respond to people who tweet to me, even if it's just a "like" or retweet. I put up fun graphics, talk about current topics, what's trending, my books, and to other authors.
I'm on Instagram here-
I'm relatively new to Instagram, but I really love it. It's so easy to put up photos. So, you may find some unique things on Instagram that you won't find on the other social media sites.
I'm on Amazon here-
If you use Amazon you can actually follow me there and get information about when my books will be released.
There are a lot of ways we can talk and learn about each other. And a lot of ways to find out about my books, or for you to let me know what you think of my books. I know it's not the same as meeting in person, but it's still fun!
Obviously, I'm here on ŷ. I love that I can do more long-form blogging here and talk about whatever feels fun to talk about. I do try to answer comments as often as I can. I also participate in the Q&A, so do leave me questions if you have them!
My online community is here-
Though it's not exactly the same as social media, I do have an online community on my website that you can easily sign up for and get "goodies" you can't get anywhere else. And I do read the posts sent to me and respond to them.
Here you get things early like the book trailers and first chapters. But, I also have content that is exclusive to the community.
I'm on Facebook here-
There is where you'll find more about my books, some contests, fun quizzes, that sort of thing. I'll occasionally put up more personal posts, but primarily we talk about books.
I'm on Twitter here-
I am on Twitter nearly every day. I enjoy it and I do respond to people who tweet to me, even if it's just a "like" or retweet. I put up fun graphics, talk about current topics, what's trending, my books, and to other authors.
I'm on Instagram here-
I'm relatively new to Instagram, but I really love it. It's so easy to put up photos. So, you may find some unique things on Instagram that you won't find on the other social media sites.
I'm on Amazon here-
If you use Amazon you can actually follow me there and get information about when my books will be released.
There are a lot of ways we can talk and learn about each other. And a lot of ways to find out about my books, or for you to let me know what you think of my books. I know it's not the same as meeting in person, but it's still fun!
September 18, 2017
Catching Up with News and Interviews
I thought I'd do a round-up of news to make sure you didn't miss anything fun!
RT Book Reviews � “Unbosoming� interview
Unbound Worlds � featured in “Best Sci-fi and Fantasy Books of September 2017�
Reading in Pajamas � excerpt
Night Owl Romance � excerpt
Book Binge � Sunday Spotlight exclusive excerpt
PopSugar � included in “Must Read September� column
USA Today/HEA � quoted in feature on authors� favorite fall treats
Buried Under Romance � review, excerpt & giveaway
I Smell Sheep � exclusive excerpt & review
The Reading Café � review & excerpt
Ever After Book Reviews � review
Tome Tender � review
Grave Tells � guest post on world building and expanding the mythology of an established series
The Lifemate Mythology Blog -
The link text
The New Guard Blog-
The link text
There’s Something About Gary-
The link text
What Has Happened to Aiden Savage?
The link text
Sympathy for the Devil- Carpathian Villains-
The link text
USA Today HEA Sharing Childhood Games-
BookBub Best Books of Summer 2017-
I'd love to know which of the articles you enjoyed most!
RT Book Reviews � “Unbosoming� interview
Unbound Worlds � featured in “Best Sci-fi and Fantasy Books of September 2017�
Reading in Pajamas � excerpt
Night Owl Romance � excerpt
Book Binge � Sunday Spotlight exclusive excerpt
PopSugar � included in “Must Read September� column
USA Today/HEA � quoted in feature on authors� favorite fall treats
Buried Under Romance � review, excerpt & giveaway
I Smell Sheep � exclusive excerpt & review
The Reading Café � review & excerpt
Ever After Book Reviews � review
Tome Tender � review
Grave Tells � guest post on world building and expanding the mythology of an established series
The Lifemate Mythology Blog -
The link text
The New Guard Blog-
The link text
There’s Something About Gary-
The link text
What Has Happened to Aiden Savage?
The link text
Sympathy for the Devil- Carpathian Villains-
The link text
USA Today HEA Sharing Childhood Games-
BookBub Best Books of Summer 2017-
I'd love to know which of the articles you enjoyed most!
September 9, 2017
Sympathy for the Devil: Carpathian Villains
When you have heroes that are as powerful as the Carpathians it can be a challenge to create a villain or villains to challenge them. In the beginning of the Dark Series the main villains are a society of humans who hunt vampires and Carpathians alike, but more importantly we discover that the origins of vampires are the Carpathians themselves. When a Carpathian male doesn’t find his lifemate, the woman that is the light to his darkness and the other half of his soul, he loses his ability to see color, his ability to feel emotion and soon the only thing that keeps this fierce warrior from becoming a vampire is his perseverance, integrity and honor. Killing is like a drug because it allows them to feel, but by giving into this they become evil and turn vampire. Sadly, though not entirely in their control, in a very real way, the Carpathians can become their own worst enemy. This fact is in reflection to our own, real-life society, which may be a contributing factor as to why the idea of the Carpathian race became so interesting to so many people. In the end, it is up to the Carpathians to police themselves, be held accountable and be responsible for what happens when their people turn evil and to protect everyone against that evil. 
In addition to vampires, who were once Carpathians, people who were friends and family and now have to be hunted and killed because they turned evil, we add in mages, then lycans, all who, if they become evil, are a force to be reckoned with. But, at the end of the day there’s never really been a greater villain to the Carpathians than vampires. Yes, mages or evil lycans can use magic or brute strength, but vampires have a psychological advantage that continues to make them such great adversaries.
Vampires were once great warriors. They know the Carpathian race better than any other adversary. And they were once beloved. An enemy can pretend to be your friend and betray you which can make you angry and hurt. But, before they were vampires, these beings really did love and were loved. They were family and true friends. With a few exceptions, most of them simply gave up hope and traded away their honor to stop the all-consuming loneliness of life. Yes, the high standards and expectations for honor and integrity in the Carpathian race demand that a warrior give his life before harming others by turning vampire, but whether considered a coward or selfish or simply giving in to evil because it feels good, the fact is, a Carpathian warrior will be sent out to stop the vampire, to kill the being that once was his brother, cousin, best friend.
Of course not all Carpathians will personally know each vampire, but the fact remains that when a Carpathian is faced with having to hunt a vampire, they stand the chance of knowing who that vampire used to be. Knowing the only mercy they can offer is a quick death.
Vampires have another advantage over the Carpathians. Carpathians have been in recovery for a very long time, which has split their focus and put them behind when it comes to normal world evolution. First, they were at war and took heavy losses. Vlad, the original Prince of the Carpathian people, made some huge miscalculations during his reign. Though he had precog he either ignored signs or purposefully hid them in order to save his own son and salve the heartache of his lifemate. This cost the Carpathians much during the Turk wars, caused inner-conflict with the people and cost lives. It also marked the beginning of the near-extinction of the entire race. The domino effect of this was that the remaining Carpathians were scattered, they lacked enough females to keep the males from turning vampire and the race went into despair. The new Prince, Mikhail, was seriously considering ending his life, because he was so close to turning, and because as the Prince he was the “vessel� of his people and could feel their collective despair, when he found his lifemate and discovered that human women could become lifemates, though it included a dangerous and painful conversion process. All those years before that discovery was full of darkness, sadness and loss. The focus was on survival and protection.
But, for vampires, their only concern was staying hidden from the Carpathian vampire hunters. Though many of them simply lost their minds, going mad with the transformation into vampire, some of them went on to become Master Vampires, learning enough control to live long lives, kill hundreds of people, and eventually learn to work together to stay alive.
Soon, as time passed and Carpathians continued to focus on finding lifemates and hunt vampires, the vampires themselves learned more self-control in varying degrees. They evolved far more quickly than their adversaries because their focus wasn’t as scattered. Because hate was stronger than despair, they evolved further, faster than the Carpathians. And now, in Dark Legacy, we begin to see the tip of the ice burg on what the vampire’s evolution has become. These newly evolved villains have the advantage of focus, time, evolution, technology and the first heartbeat of birth to something so terrible it could through the Carpathians into the extinction they have just narrowly escaped.
Even evil has a legacy.
September 8, 2017
What Has Happened to Aiden Savage?
Aiden is one of the “Golden Twins�, brother to Julian Savage and lifemate to Alexandria. In Dark Gold we find him living in San Francisco, California and discover that he has embraced life with humans in a way other Carpathians have not. This makes him a valuable warrior to his Prince. But, he is never mentioned in Dark Legacy as we discover that Mikhail has asked Tariq to be the leader of Carpathians in the United States. Tariq also lives in California which begs the question � What has happened to Aiden Savage?
Aiden has been a beloved Carpathian for many years and has appeared in or was mentioned in over ten books with Dark Lycan being the last we heard about him. So why would the Prince ask Tariq to lead in the US when Aiden has been there so long? Why hasn’t Tariq turned to Aiden for guidance or help?
It’s not an oversight. During the writing of Dark Legacy the character was purposefully omitted. Other Carpathians known to be in the United States haven’t been mentioned either, but it’s Aiden that I think most people will be curious about. And, the why of it isn’t something that will be answered here. There is a reason and it will eventually be revealed, though when isn’t certain. Readers may speculate as to the historic warrior’s fate and future, but for now it remains a mystery.
Aiden has been a beloved Carpathian for many years and has appeared in or was mentioned in over ten books with Dark Lycan being the last we heard about him. So why would the Prince ask Tariq to lead in the US when Aiden has been there so long? Why hasn’t Tariq turned to Aiden for guidance or help?
It’s not an oversight. During the writing of Dark Legacy the character was purposefully omitted. Other Carpathians known to be in the United States haven’t been mentioned either, but it’s Aiden that I think most people will be curious about. And, the why of it isn’t something that will be answered here. There is a reason and it will eventually be revealed, though when isn’t certain. Readers may speculate as to the historic warrior’s fate and future, but for now it remains a mystery.
September 7, 2017
There's Something About Gary
Some of this blog has spoilers in it and I’ve tried to identify for you which books the blog may have spoilers for. So you’ve been forewarned! Read at your own risk!
SPOILERS FOR DARK BLOOD/DARK PROMISES
Gary Jansen, the American scientist who we meet in Dark Magic, eventually becomes Gary Daratrazanoff when he is converted in Dark Blood. So, Gary has been with the series for a long time. And he’s been through a lot, earning the loyalty of the Carpathians, so he’s become a much-loved character with readers. We find out he is Human/Jaguar and we think his lifemate will be Gabrielle, but when the ritual binding words don’t work between them they know their feelings as humans has changed and as Carpathians they can only be friends.
Gary’s story has progressed so much and a lot of what’s happened to him has endeared him to readers and often surprised readers. The fact he was converted, that he’s now a Daratrazanoff, his human love interest was NOT his lifemate, he kept the memories of the Daratrazanoff line and is a great healer, he lost his ability to see in color all at once and with Dark Legacy we find out another surprise about Gary that may have readers discussing this character for a while.
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR DARK LEGACY
So much has changed for the Carpathians. We find out in Dark Legacy that there’s more to lifemates than people may have realized, those some readers did catch it, and this new information may cause an epiphany for some readers/Gary supporters.
We also find that Tariq is Mikhail’s chosen leader in the United States, and as Tariq builds his own team and fights his own battles, he is in need of a Second in Command. And a great healer. Someone preferably from the Daratrazanoff line. Yes, you guessed it, Gary is going to be Tariq’s second just like Gregori is Mikhail’s.
Gary’s life has been turned upside down in just about every book in which he appears. But, if you think Dark Promises was surprising, just wait until Dark Legacy.
SPOILERS FOR DARK BLOOD/DARK PROMISES
Gary Jansen, the American scientist who we meet in Dark Magic, eventually becomes Gary Daratrazanoff when he is converted in Dark Blood. So, Gary has been with the series for a long time. And he’s been through a lot, earning the loyalty of the Carpathians, so he’s become a much-loved character with readers. We find out he is Human/Jaguar and we think his lifemate will be Gabrielle, but when the ritual binding words don’t work between them they know their feelings as humans has changed and as Carpathians they can only be friends.
Gary’s story has progressed so much and a lot of what’s happened to him has endeared him to readers and often surprised readers. The fact he was converted, that he’s now a Daratrazanoff, his human love interest was NOT his lifemate, he kept the memories of the Daratrazanoff line and is a great healer, he lost his ability to see in color all at once and with Dark Legacy we find out another surprise about Gary that may have readers discussing this character for a while.
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR DARK LEGACY
So much has changed for the Carpathians. We find out in Dark Legacy that there’s more to lifemates than people may have realized, those some readers did catch it, and this new information may cause an epiphany for some readers/Gary supporters.
We also find that Tariq is Mikhail’s chosen leader in the United States, and as Tariq builds his own team and fights his own battles, he is in need of a Second in Command. And a great healer. Someone preferably from the Daratrazanoff line. Yes, you guessed it, Gary is going to be Tariq’s second just like Gregori is Mikhail’s.
Gary’s life has been turned upside down in just about every book in which he appears. But, if you think Dark Promises was surprising, just wait until Dark Legacy.
September 6, 2017
The Lifemate Mythology � Dark Legacy
With over 30 books in this long-running series that began in 1999 the challenge is always how to keep it fresh and expand the Carpathians and their mythology. At the time the first book in the series, Dark Prince, was published, there weren’t any vampire books being written for the romance genre. The idea of vampire-like creatures that protect humans and kill vampires was new. That vampires came from these same Carpathians, ones who had not found their lifemate and gave in to the darkness, was unique.
At that time, the mythology behind the Carpathians included the fact that converting a human woman into a Carpathian took three blood exchanges. Like classic vampire lore, Carpathians, as well as vampires, could not withstand the sunlight, and they slept in the earth during those hours. Two very unique pieces of Carpathian mythology included the fact that vampires came from Carpathians. A Carpathian who gave in to the darkness and became evil turned into a vampire. Vampires were once the friends and loved ones of Carpathians, making their turn to evil both dangerous because these beings knew Carpathian people, lands and law, and made it sad because Carpathian hunters were sent to kill those who were once their friends or family.
The second unique piece of Carpathian lore had to do with “Lifemates�. A Carpathian had one and only one lifemate. But, they didn’t necessarily know who that lifemate was or where they were. And, if the Carpathian male didn’t find his lifemate he lost his ability to see in color and to feel emotion, sending him beyond the brink of darkness where the allure of becoming a vampire called to them. If the Carpathian never found their lifemate they could choose to become a vampire, or they could choose to meet the sun, thus taking their own life instead of becoming an evil thing.
There was a shortage of Carpathian women, so when a soul was split the soul had to go somewhere, and in light of the lack of available Carpathian women, it went into human women who had psychic ability. Finding a lifemate was important, and once found, three blood exchanges to convert a human woman was necessary. Whether human or Carpathian, to be bound as a lifemate, the male had to say the ritual binding words. Once said, that couple were together, as one, for life.
Carpathian males were hunters, keeping humans safe from vampires or any others who would do harm to them. It was their duty to safeguard their lifemate at any and all cost. Carpathian men were born protectors. Women and children were sacred. And in Dark Prince we discover that the Carpathians are nearly extinct and there aren’t enough Carpathian women. But, as fate would have it, human women with some psychic talent could become lifemates. Whether an act of evolution or simply an unknown fact until Mikhail, the Carpathian Prince, found Raven, a human woman who’d become his lifemate, it’s not exactly clear.
With Dark Legacy, book 31 of the series, the issue of lifemates is once again addressed. The idea of lifemates hasn’t changed. Some people seem to understand exactly how lifemates work, but as time passed and there were more books it became clear that not everyone had a clear understanding. People would ask questions about why this couple couldn’t be lifemates, or why someone had to wait so long for a lifemate. There are rules that govern that and can’t simply have an exception made and still be true to the initial mythology.
Dark Legacy clarifies the issue of lifemates and revisits, briefly, what lifemates are, why they’re important and where the pairing comes from. The clarification may give some readers an epiphany regarding current characters who are still unclaimed, or it may validate what some readers already knew about lifemates. Certainly, the issue of lifemates is bound to be an interesting topic of conversation for readers of the series as they discuss characters still searching for a lifemate.
At that time, the mythology behind the Carpathians included the fact that converting a human woman into a Carpathian took three blood exchanges. Like classic vampire lore, Carpathians, as well as vampires, could not withstand the sunlight, and they slept in the earth during those hours. Two very unique pieces of Carpathian mythology included the fact that vampires came from Carpathians. A Carpathian who gave in to the darkness and became evil turned into a vampire. Vampires were once the friends and loved ones of Carpathians, making their turn to evil both dangerous because these beings knew Carpathian people, lands and law, and made it sad because Carpathian hunters were sent to kill those who were once their friends or family.
The second unique piece of Carpathian lore had to do with “Lifemates�. A Carpathian had one and only one lifemate. But, they didn’t necessarily know who that lifemate was or where they were. And, if the Carpathian male didn’t find his lifemate he lost his ability to see in color and to feel emotion, sending him beyond the brink of darkness where the allure of becoming a vampire called to them. If the Carpathian never found their lifemate they could choose to become a vampire, or they could choose to meet the sun, thus taking their own life instead of becoming an evil thing.
There was a shortage of Carpathian women, so when a soul was split the soul had to go somewhere, and in light of the lack of available Carpathian women, it went into human women who had psychic ability. Finding a lifemate was important, and once found, three blood exchanges to convert a human woman was necessary. Whether human or Carpathian, to be bound as a lifemate, the male had to say the ritual binding words. Once said, that couple were together, as one, for life.
Carpathian males were hunters, keeping humans safe from vampires or any others who would do harm to them. It was their duty to safeguard their lifemate at any and all cost. Carpathian men were born protectors. Women and children were sacred. And in Dark Prince we discover that the Carpathians are nearly extinct and there aren’t enough Carpathian women. But, as fate would have it, human women with some psychic talent could become lifemates. Whether an act of evolution or simply an unknown fact until Mikhail, the Carpathian Prince, found Raven, a human woman who’d become his lifemate, it’s not exactly clear.
With Dark Legacy, book 31 of the series, the issue of lifemates is once again addressed. The idea of lifemates hasn’t changed. Some people seem to understand exactly how lifemates work, but as time passed and there were more books it became clear that not everyone had a clear understanding. People would ask questions about why this couple couldn’t be lifemates, or why someone had to wait so long for a lifemate. There are rules that govern that and can’t simply have an exception made and still be true to the initial mythology.
Dark Legacy clarifies the issue of lifemates and revisits, briefly, what lifemates are, why they’re important and where the pairing comes from. The clarification may give some readers an epiphany regarding current characters who are still unclaimed, or it may validate what some readers already knew about lifemates. Certainly, the issue of lifemates is bound to be an interesting topic of conversation for readers of the series as they discuss characters still searching for a lifemate.
September 5, 2017
The New Guard � Unsworn Ancient Warriors
In a monastery high in the Carpathian Mountains is a brotherhood of warriors. All they have left is their honor and each other. Unlike many others of their kind who were sent out in the world by their Prince in order to find their lifemates and protect the human race from vampires, they came here to learn how to protect the human race, from themselves. Time would take from them their ability to see in color, and once the pull of the darkness ended, leaving them without emotion, they’d become too dangerous to be among even their own kind, so they sought the monastery.
These ancient warriors had once sworn fealty to Prince Vlad and felt that Prince had betrayed them. So when a new Prince came they were not quick to swear an allegiance to him. It was the same family. Same blood. The same line that had betrayed the Carpathian people and lead them into the darkest time in their history. There was no reason for them to come out of their self-imprisonment and join the new Prince.
Vlad had known something horrible was coming. He had known his people were about to enter a war. Instead of looking to the protection of his people, Vlad hid a terrible secret and looked only to his own self needs. Vlad’s lifemate, Sarantha had hoped to find a cure for their son’s madness. Draven Dubrinsky was slowly going mad. Draven was dangerous and had he been the son of any other Carpathian, Vladimir would have had him killed to ensure the safety of others. But, Sarantha had held out hope her son could be saved and Vlad hadn’t the heart, or the strength to do what should have been done. Their daughter Noelle also suffered from madness. The Dubrinsky family, for as powerful as they were, seemed cursed. Madness and weakness had, in the eyes of the Ancients, infected the Dubrinsky line and the Prince couldn’t be trusted to do what was best for his people. The Prince’s son and the feelings and desires of the Prince’s lifemate was more important than the Prince’s people. And in that Prince Vlad failed his entire race.
Now the Ancients are the New Guard and they’ve left the monastery in search of the promise of lifemates in various parts of the world. They have lived together for so long it was natural for them to band together and remain close. When they find themselves needed by Tariq in San Diego, California they arrive to find an enemy too dangerous to ignore and their honor demands they remain to protect both humans and Carpathians alike.
Will this New Guard ever swear allegiance to Mikhail Dubrinsky? It’s hard to say, but they do stay and fight with Tariq who has pledged his fealty to Mikhail. They’ve not shown any outward disobedience to the Prince, but what happens if Mikhail demands something of them? There are a lot of questions about this New Guard, but in the end there’s no doubt that these warriors are a shield of protection against this new threat and each one an integral part of the future of the Carpathian race.
Dark Legacy
These ancient warriors had once sworn fealty to Prince Vlad and felt that Prince had betrayed them. So when a new Prince came they were not quick to swear an allegiance to him. It was the same family. Same blood. The same line that had betrayed the Carpathian people and lead them into the darkest time in their history. There was no reason for them to come out of their self-imprisonment and join the new Prince.
Vlad had known something horrible was coming. He had known his people were about to enter a war. Instead of looking to the protection of his people, Vlad hid a terrible secret and looked only to his own self needs. Vlad’s lifemate, Sarantha had hoped to find a cure for their son’s madness. Draven Dubrinsky was slowly going mad. Draven was dangerous and had he been the son of any other Carpathian, Vladimir would have had him killed to ensure the safety of others. But, Sarantha had held out hope her son could be saved and Vlad hadn’t the heart, or the strength to do what should have been done. Their daughter Noelle also suffered from madness. The Dubrinsky family, for as powerful as they were, seemed cursed. Madness and weakness had, in the eyes of the Ancients, infected the Dubrinsky line and the Prince couldn’t be trusted to do what was best for his people. The Prince’s son and the feelings and desires of the Prince’s lifemate was more important than the Prince’s people. And in that Prince Vlad failed his entire race.
Now the Ancients are the New Guard and they’ve left the monastery in search of the promise of lifemates in various parts of the world. They have lived together for so long it was natural for them to band together and remain close. When they find themselves needed by Tariq in San Diego, California they arrive to find an enemy too dangerous to ignore and their honor demands they remain to protect both humans and Carpathians alike.
Will this New Guard ever swear allegiance to Mikhail Dubrinsky? It’s hard to say, but they do stay and fight with Tariq who has pledged his fealty to Mikhail. They’ve not shown any outward disobedience to the Prince, but what happens if Mikhail demands something of them? There are a lot of questions about this New Guard, but in the end there’s no doubt that these warriors are a shield of protection against this new threat and each one an integral part of the future of the Carpathian race.
Dark Legacy
September 2, 2017
Dark Legacy ŷ Celebration!
Starting Tuesday September 5th I'll be posting an exclusive blog each day to celebrate the release of Dark Legacy!
Here's the line-up!
Sept. 5th- The New Guard- Unsworn Ancient Warriors
Sept. 6th- The Lifemate Mythology
Sept. 7th- There's Something About Gary
Sept. 8th- What Has Happened to Aiden Savage?
Sept. 9th- Sympathy for the Devil - A Look at Carpathian Villains
I will be reading comments and responding. Please feel free to ask questions, but know that anything that's a spoiler I may not be able to fully answer.
Here's the line-up!
Sept. 5th- The New Guard- Unsworn Ancient Warriors
Sept. 6th- The Lifemate Mythology
Sept. 7th- There's Something About Gary
Sept. 8th- What Has Happened to Aiden Savage?
Sept. 9th- Sympathy for the Devil - A Look at Carpathian Villains
I will be reading comments and responding. Please feel free to ask questions, but know that anything that's a spoiler I may not be able to fully answer.
