Guest Authors Linda Howard & Linda Jones with Giveaway!
by sue on May.04, 2010, under Book Chat
Blood Born by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
Setting: Washington DC
Subgenre: Paranormal romance
Hero: Luca Ambrus
Heroine: Chloe Fallon
One sentence summary: When rebel vampires begin their war by killing the conduits who make it possible for Immortal Warriors to come into this world, Luca Ambrus finds himself protecting Chloe Fallon, an unknowing and unwilling player in the conflict.
Scene you like most and would never cut:
LJ — There’s a scene with a couple of secondary characters, Jimmy and Rurik, that just made me smile every time. It’s not Chloe and Luca, but still, I loved that scene. It made me smile every time.
LH — Um, I can’t tell you, because the scene is at the end of the book and would give away the ending. But it made me cry.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
LJ — “I give up.”
LH — Dating a lobbyist.
What celebrity is your hero like:
LJ — Gerard Butler (but not exactly. He became his own person, in my mind.)
LH — Ditto on Gerard Butler, who is my default setting on questions like this. But Luca is darker, has long dark hair and piercing blue eyes, so maybe Gerard Butler in his Attilla the Hun role, but with Jared Leto’s eyes.
What celebrity is your heroine like:
LJ — Reese Witherspoon (sorta.)
LH — Yeah, sorta. Not the same features at all, but something in the personality.
What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Chloe is an assistant manager in an upscale restaurant, working the night shift.
What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Luca hunts down rogue vampires for the Council, a secret ruling body which keeps the peace among the kindred, and makes sure the existence of vampires remains secret.
What you think readers will like best about this book:
LJ — That’s a tough one for me. I’m so close to the story, it’s hard to imagine what others will like best. It’s fast paced and different, and I think readers will enjoy those aspects.
LH — Maybe the differences in the vampire lore we created. We had to go with what made sense to us.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
LJ — A lot of readers ask about continuing the Columbyana series, most specifically about Merin and Bela’s daughter. One day. 
LH — Probably the two Mackenzie brothers, Mike and Josh, that I never wrote about.
What’s next: Warrior Rising, a continuation of the story begun in Blood Born, will be out next year.
What is it about vampire books that you like the most? Is it the immortality, the sex, or the sense of danger inherent in any relationship with a vampire?
Commenter’s below will be included in a random drawing to win free books from Random House!
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
Friend Feed
August 21st, 2010 on 9:27 am
Many thanks for this awesome article. I’ve read id only a few months now plus they are always very informative. Thanks!
June 8th, 2010 on 5:16 pm
I think it is the forbidden part for me
May 6th, 2010 on 6:30 pm
For me a vampire is the ultimate bad boy. And they’re really dark and sexy, and who can resist that?
May 6th, 2010 on 12:19 pm
For me I think the thing with the Vampire books is the redeeming love factor.. I like the bad boy who is saved by love. Or just that INTENSE male who focuses all that one his true soul mate.
May 6th, 2010 on 11:06 am
true lover and of course a sense of danger!
May 5th, 2010 on 10:18 pm
It’s a combo of all three, but I’m leaning towards the danger danger danger!
May 5th, 2010 on 6:41 pm
Count me in for the bundle of books. I just love to read, especially suspense books.
Natalie’s Mama
May 5th, 2010 on 12:05 pm
I like the danger of vampire relationships, not only with other vampires but with humans to.
May 5th, 2010 on 9:29 am
Part the immortality and part forbidden/dangerous relationship. I think the idea of immortality is fascinating, seeing and doing things we can only imagine or read about in books would be great. Plus there is nothing better than a romance where one should be, between the dead and the living…mmmm..wonderful.
May 5th, 2010 on 8:41 am
Their uniqueness. The mystery that surrounds them… the unknown.
May 5th, 2010 on 8:22 am
I like how vampires exist with so much more passion and danger than mortal men who live and breathe! Vampires exude so much power and they confront dangerous situations without blinking an eye; you know that if a vampire chooses to protect you that you will be okay.
May 5th, 2010 on 6:48 am
Hi Linda and Linda,
I definitely have to read Blood Born. I think the first thing you look for in any book are the characters.
Then throw in a man who could be called a body of living history, the immortality and the best is when he mates with someone it is forever. Only to their mate will they be true and wanting no others. And I think the scraping of those fangs down one’s neck and body would pretty much sum it up.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
May 4th, 2010 on 11:15 pm
Definitely all of the above…but definitely the immortality…for some reason that is very mysterious all they must have seen and will see.
May 4th, 2010 on 11:11 pm
they have to love you forever or you stake them LOL
May 4th, 2010 on 11:10 pm
who wouldnt want a vampire to love them forver and to love some1 forever that has to stay faithfull or you can stake them
May 4th, 2010 on 11:10 pm
who wouldnt want to be a vampire and to have a vampire to love you forever?
May 4th, 2010 on 10:14 pm
The immortality, the sex, and the sense of danger. All of the above! It ties in with all the reasons we love bad boys!
May 4th, 2010 on 9:49 pm
All of the above and the fangs do it for me! Plus all that super alpha attitude totally hot!
May 4th, 2010 on 9:04 pm
All of the above!! I love my vampires!! I also love any book with either of your names on it!! Please enter me for a chance..
May 4th, 2010 on 7:26 pm
I have never read a paranormal or vampire book but would love to be in for the drawing.
Joanne V.
May 4th, 2010 on 7:09 pm
Their Immortality, and the sense of danger ! Well, a bit touch of sex in it won’t hurt right
May 4th, 2010 on 5:34 pm
Thanks to everyone for stopping by. It’s always interesting to hear about what’s popular (or not) and why (or why not). Linda and I took everything we didn’t like about vampires, and changed it, creating our own world and rules. Ah, the benefits of being a writer!
Linda Jones
May 4th, 2010 on 5:29 pm
All of the above! I love anything with vamps in it!
May 4th, 2010 on 5:24 pm
All of the above! What would it take to live, actually live, love, feel, and exist in time? I have been enthralled with the vampire legend for decades now. I see no end in sight!
May 4th, 2010 on 4:47 pm
I love the immortality and the danger
May 4th, 2010 on 4:41 pm
I think it’s because the sucking of blood on the neck or wrists is very sexy and vampires are seem so potent.
May 4th, 2010 on 4:01 pm
I personally love vampire stories and Linda Howard so this has got to be promising
May 4th, 2010 on 3:37 pm
I think for me it is the immortality and the fact they tend to be like bad boys.
Also it is the fact they have seen history. That would be great the best part. 
Larena
May 4th, 2010 on 3:21 pm
Intense sensuality. Risky, risque romance. More “fang” for the buck. Immortal devotion. I like “Intense” : )
May 4th, 2010 on 3:18 pm
Wow, I loved the interview! Vampires have a unique sex appeal to me that is undescribable. I really love the danger element. Yet, there is something very alluring about them that just draws you into them. It would be exciting to think that a creature could exist century after century, watching the humans around him, seeing history pass right before his eyes, knowing there’s only one way to have his love stay with him forever.
May 4th, 2010 on 3:04 pm
It’s the sex, the immortality and the danger!!!!
May 4th, 2010 on 3:00 pm
Hi! What I like about vampire stories is reading about the world that the author(s) invent. I read Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” when I was very young so, taking that as the basis of vampire lore, how does the (non-Stoker) author present his/her world? What are the differences? Sure, I like the idea of living for a long time while strong enough to be in the world (a nursing home just isn’t enough). And every vampire has some sort of weakness (sunlight, garlic, stake through the heart, etc.) so none is all powerful, which is good because an all-powerful character may get boring after a while. I don’t think I go out of my way to read vampire stories (not since I was a teen anyway), but there’s just something familiar and yet different about them (which is how I managed to read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series even though I absolutely hated Bella and Edward).
May 4th, 2010 on 2:41 pm
I just love the vamps . . . the are super sexy!! I love the immortality and everything they have seen. Proves to be an interesting character!!
May 4th, 2010 on 2:32 pm
I think its the immortality and the sense of danger and excitement. Who knows whats going to happen or what you can learn, such a wide variety of experiences can come about.
May 4th, 2010 on 1:22 pm
I haven’t jumped on the vampire bandwagon, yet. I did read the Twilight Series to see what all the excitement was about. I did enjoy it.
May 4th, 2010 on 12:59 pm
Okay, I’m a total fangirl and so not afraid to admit it! I *need* to read this book. Off to buy it for my eReader!
May 4th, 2010 on 12:53 pm
I’m not a huge fan of paranormal books in general, but when a favorite romance author writes one, I will read it. I enjoyed Nora Roberts’s Valley of Silence book featuring a vampire and the Raintree trilogy that LH participated in. So this one is definitely on my TBR list.
May 4th, 2010 on 12:49 pm
I’ve been watching the discussion posts for this book for about two months now. If it weren’t for those posts I would not be interested in this book. I’m not just interested, I’m “jonesin’” for it! Winning a copy would be uber-kewl!
May 4th, 2010 on 12:40 pm
I love vampire books, because it’s not the typical romance. I do love how it’s almost love at first sight with many of them, they just know there’s something different about the other person. They typically only have 1 mate for life. They treat their mates like gold, always! I also love the danger associated with vamps, it’s like living on the edge!
May 4th, 2010 on 12:34 pm
Hmmmmm - never really thought about WHY I like vampire books, but I would have to say it is the intrigue and “dark” side of the male vampires.
They are buff, big and don’t put up with fools - my kinda guy!
May 4th, 2010 on 12:31 pm
I would have to say all of the examples listed especially the danger.
May 4th, 2010 on 12:10 pm
Hi, Sue; glad to be here. You know, I read pretty much across the board, so I read vampire books but not BECAUSE they’re vampire books. I look for the same things in them that I do in any book; characters I like, an interesting plot, good story-telling. LJ and I are both uber-logical, so we couldn’t go with the normal vampire lore: cold dead guys. Yuck. Throw that boy in a microwave and warm him up before any loving’s going on. If they need sustenance, then logically they’re living creatures, and we went with that. Our vampires are warm — and some of them can go out in daylight, depending on their particular power. But then again, they’re the ultimate bad boys, because hanging out with them can be fatal.
May 4th, 2010 on 12:09 pm
I love vampires stories for all the reasons mentioned, I do love dark, tortured heroes, and vamps are that to me. Immortal, they have seen and felt far too much, carry such a burden, plus the burden of being a bloodsucker. Vampires are all that.
Your book sounds wonderful!
May 4th, 2010 on 11:49 am
Hi all, thanks for stopping by! The vampire world is pretty new for me, and it’s something I never thought I’d get into. And here I am. I love the endless possibilities of paranormal worlds.
Linda Jones
May 4th, 2010 on 11:35 am
I like vampire stories for just about every example you gave. You get mystery, romance, suspense and paranormal all in one story. These stories are fun to read.
May 4th, 2010 on 11:29 am
I’ve always loved vampire stories. I like the immortality best. I am so curious about what’s going to happen in the future I want to stick around (forever!) and I’m also so curious about what happened and what it was really like in the past that I would have loved to be there. I also like the strength vampires have so when they’re in bad situations (like lots of times in the past and, unfortunately, probably lots of times in the future), they have a good chance of surviving. And, I admit it, a liquid diet would be the best for me as I don’t care to cook and don’t usually want to even spend the time to eat a meal (there are just so many books to read and I won’t break the backs of books so cannot read and eat at the same time)! Plus, in my mind, they’re all drop-dead gorgeous! What’s not to like?
May 4th, 2010 on 10:53 am
I have never been able to get into the Vampire world. Not sure but something about them turns me off a little. Now I can read them if they are not the main thing but secondary. I just don’t get the night thing only. Now, I may have to pick this one up because of Linda. I have never gone wrong on one of her books.
May 4th, 2010 on 10:30 am
I think its like its been said before-its the realm of fantasy-the thing that’s so close to our own reality yet different that makes it exciting-were death knows no bounds, the men are always hunky and troubled and need a good woman to help them and complete them, usually a woman who’s strong herself, and the whole idea of something more to life then what we see-something hidden, a mysterious undercurrent to our reality-the things we can’t see-that’s what makes it appealing and thrilling cause how many times to we now look at the full moon and want to howl like a wolf or wonder if you’ll meet a werewolf tonight? LOL
May 4th, 2010 on 10:27 am
I’m another who hasn’t gotten into the vampire books yet (I generally prefer historicals). However, I would think they’d feel pretty at home in DC with all the other “dark & shady types” ie: lobbyist, polititions, & lawyers.
Congrats on the new book.
May 4th, 2010 on 10:26 am
I like to read vampire romances because I’m fascinated by how they deal with immortality…I also enjoy reading how they battle their darkside and try to retain some human traits i.e. emotions as they navigate through this unusual path.
May 4th, 2010 on 10:13 am
I like the danger. The vamps seem to be endowed with a certain other worldly sensuality that is also very engaging.
May 4th, 2010 on 10:11 am
What I like about vampire stories–and paranormals in general–is the differences…the world-building, the fantasy, everything that’s so unique to the story and apart from our own world.
May 4th, 2010 on 9:57 am
I love thier strength and wild side. The essence of an untamed but (sometimes) gentle beast. Immortality is nice too, as long as the heroine shares it.
May 4th, 2010 on 9:50 am
I’m reading Blood Born and loving it. I don’t particularity seek out vampire books. I look for characters I know I will love whether they are vampires, vikings, or cowboys. But in vampire stories, I do love flashbacks to long gone eras. Those are always my favorite parts.
May 4th, 2010 on 9:47 am
thanks for this interesting post. The unique aspect of the books. The strength of the characters and the danger that lurks in their lives. All of this and more gives me intense enjoyment while reading these books.
May 4th, 2010 on 9:25 am
I still want the final two Mackenzie brother’s stories. The Mackenzie’s are my comfort reads.
May 4th, 2010 on 9:14 am
I like all those things. It’s kind of hard to describe but I love how they are so intense. Their feelings so powerful. A bit gloomy & down but then….. because they fall in love they learn to enjoy themselves and life again. Almost like a second chance to see that the world is beautiful and life worthwhile. You have something like that in other romances as well but I think that’s what appeals to me most. That regained hope so much more appreciated because of their life experience. I don’t know how to put it, does it make sense somehow.
May 4th, 2010 on 8:30 am
Hello Linda & Linda — thanks for blogging today! What do I like about Vampire books? I think the fact that they all seem to have that one true love, life mate, someone they are destined too. I’ve always like that aspect in romance
May 4th, 2010 on 8:28 am
The danger, the power and sometimes the humor depending on the author. Looking forward to this book and seeing what it has to offer compared to all the other vampire series out there.
May 4th, 2010 on 7:07 am
Dare I say it…I have never read a vampire book. I have watched True Blood, but never read any of the related books, although an aunt game me the series. Your book sounds interesting, though. Maybe it’s time I tried one.
May 4th, 2010 on 6:57 am
I ahvent’ been much into the vampire books but started the new series by JR Ward to see what all the talk about it is and am really liking the Fallen Angels series…now I will try a few more when I catch up to some I am reading now… I like the sex and danger the most…
May 4th, 2010 on 6:40 am
Not into the vamp or dark books; but certainly like a strong man brought “down” so to speak by the love of a good woman. My Man Michael I think the last in Lori Foster’s Extreme series is a great example.
And of course I would love to win a bunch of books.
Pat L.
May 4th, 2010 on 6:00 am
I think it’s the danger. Kind of like having a tiger for a pet, it could easily kill you but chooses to love you instead (odd analogy I know lol). The immortality is just a neat bonus.
May 4th, 2010 on 4:41 am
I think it’s seeing an uber powerful man brought low by love. I love that in any subgenre but it is usually present in PNRs.
Best wishes for your new book.
May 4th, 2010 on 3:38 am
yes, definitely the immortality, the sex, or the sense of danger inherent in any relationship with a vampire are all a plus. but it’s also the mystery and you don’t know what he’s thinking and what to expect. then there’s the vulnerability because when he doesn’t feed he’s weak. and also a sort of morbid fascination–living dead and blood and all that.
May 4th, 2010 on 3:23 am
What is it about vampire books that you like the most? Is it the immortality, the sex, or the sense of danger inherent in any relationship with a vampire?
YES, YES, AND YES! I like the idea of a vampire actually living through history. To actually experience the French Revolution AND the building of the Egyptian pyramids!