Guest Author, Jeanne C. Stein with $25 EGC GIVEAWAY!
by sue on Jul.27, 2010, under Book Chat
Chosen, by Jeanne C Stein, available August 31
Setting: Sunny San Diego. What better place for vampires? Especially ones like mine who have adapted to sunlight.
Subgenre: Urban Fantasy
Hero: Well, none yet exactly.
Heroine: Anna Strong– it’s her story.
One sentence summary: It’s been almost a year since bounty hunter Anna Strong became a vampire, but as she’s about to discover, her greatest powers have yet to be unleashed…
Scene you like most and would never cut: That’s a tough one because usually the scenes I like most, are the ones that have little to do with the story line. For instance, introspection and Anna’s constant battle with the dual sides of her nature feature prominently in my books. Coming to understand why she is the Chosen One is an important part of that process.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: She would never be caught eating real food (can you say projectile vomiting) or taking up archery for a hobby (an accident with a wooden arrow could have dire consequences).
What celebrity is your hero like: Well, the most recent romantic interest for Anna is a male model (think Eric Northman from True Blood–the short haired Eric)
What celebrity is your heorine like: A combination of Kate Beckinsale in Underworld and Yancy Butler in Witchblade.
What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be
doing: She was a bounty hunter as a human and still has that business with a human partner who as yet does not know she’s a vampire. Since she was no wilting violet as a human, she’s certainly not one as a vampire.
What you think readers will like best about this book: Anna Strong will appeal to fans of Buffy (though she’s a vampire, not a slayer). She combines the physical attributes of a vampire with the desire to retain her connection to humanity. I like to think she has the qualities most women and girls find inspiring: loyalty, strength, a strong moral compass. Her appeal to men is honesty, sexual equality, protectiveness.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Culebra–the shapeshifter who runs the Mexican bar where vamps go to feed safely. Humans are paid to be donors. Because I thought the need for human blood is an important part of the vampire mythos, I had to come up with a way to let my protagonist get her fix without becoming a predator. Culebra has his own interesting back story which has yet to be shared. But it soon will be,
What’s next: After Chosen, the seventh book, Crossroads, is scheduled for a 2011 release. Anna hears about a Shaman who has the ability to restore a vampire’s humanity. Anna will have to make the biggest decision of her life.
If you write about vampires, immortality is a subject you give a lot of thought. It goes with the territory. Besides needing to drink blood to survive, the one constant in all vampire mythos is eternal life. In fact, it’s what distinguishes vampires from other supernatural creatures—while a werewolf, for instance, emphasizes what is mortal in us—primal urges—a vampire emphasizes what is immortal—never ending life.
As I get older, the thought of immortality sounds better and better. For the first time in my life, I may have more years behind me than ahead of me. It’s scary. I think back on all that’s happened in my lifetime. Wonders of space and technology, both for good and bad, are opening up new frontiers. Who wouldn’t want to be around for a hundred or a thousand more years to see what will be accomplished?
But at what cost?
My protagonist, Anna Strong, a newly turned vampire, has a human family. She was turned by accident and trick of fate. Now she deals with the ramifications. She knows she will have to face the loss of everyone she has ever known and loved. Can she ever regain the warmth of a family? Or will her existence be reduced to mere survival?
As a vampire, as a woman, Anna seeks satisfying relationships, sometimes with other vampires. But vampires more often seek relationships with humans and not just as a convenient food source. Perhaps vampires recognize that having a finite life span enables mortals to have deeper, more meaningful relationships than immortals with unbounded lives.
So my questions to you are: Can vampires fall in love? Can they really care for each other? Power and control are part of the makeup of a vampire. Does being forced to associate with such beings make eternal life more of a curse than a blessing?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please post a comment. One of you will be chosen at random to receive a complete set of Anna Strong books as well as a $25.00 gift card to Borders and a surprise or two as well.
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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.
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August 1st, 2010 on 6:28 pm
I don’t see why a vampire couldn’t fall in love. They are capable of the passion to take blood as needed or even when not. They are just as capable of the passion to fall in love with another being, whether vampire or human.
VWinship at aol dot com
August 1st, 2010 on 2:08 am
they can but it be harder to keep their love
congrts on you r book
July 31st, 2010 on 4:13 pm
I think eternal life would only be bearable if those you loved would be with you. If you had to stay the same and watch those you love age and die I think it would suck, HA! I made a funny. I think vampires would be capable of great caring, I can also see where they would feel so powerful that they might be unbearably arrogant. Of course you don’t have to be a vampire to be that way, ex-husband HINT, HINT.
July 30th, 2010 on 10:02 pm
Why not?? I believe there has to be a place where everyone can be accepted for what or who they are. It would be a perfect universe, now wouldn’t it?
July 30th, 2010 on 8:58 pm
This isn’t my usual genre, but I’m game! Vampires have so many differences in all the books, so I do think they can fall in love. My favorite book so far with vampires was Blood Born by the Lindas.
July 30th, 2010 on 11:35 am
Yes! Vampires can fall in love!
July 30th, 2010 on 11:16 am
Yes, I think vampires can fall in love. At one point they were human, so they should still have a little bit of human emotions remaining, even the centuries old vampires.
July 30th, 2010 on 4:00 am
I think since vampires are made and not born, I believe that they retain some of their humanity or at least the memory of it and they have the same emotions that makes us human, love included. But vampires having to struggle to survive may often make the choice to give power precedence over love. And power can be addictive, to the point where it becomes the end all.
July 29th, 2010 on 9:22 pm
Oddly enough in most vampire books i read, the vampire falls in love with a human. It might be more interesting to see a more even power dynamic and have them fall in love with another vampire.
July 29th, 2010 on 12:40 am
In truth, I’ve never been a big vampire fan. The idea of being around forever seems like a gyp to me. Add in the politics of power and control and that seems like a horrible combination. Luckily, anything with sentience can fall in love, so it’s not all bad. : P
This series seems interesting, and I’m always fond of an old story with a new twist. I’m definitely adding these books on my TBR list.
July 28th, 2010 on 10:04 pm
I think they can fall in love and really care for each other. I think it can be both a curse and a blessing. Eternal life might be good but if you have to see your loved one die that would be very bad.
Larena
July 28th, 2010 on 9:53 pm
I would think you would want to be only with others who will live forever with you. It would be really hard to watch all you love and whom you know die while you live on. So I’m going with a curse to be a vampire, I don’t think eternal life would be all that.
Can’t wait to read this one.
July 28th, 2010 on 9:03 pm
I think they can fall in love, or I hope they can so I can find me a nice vampire one day lol
I don’t think power/control would be a problem with love because real love isn’t about power or control.
July 28th, 2010 on 8:59 pm
I think eternal life can be both a blessing & a curse depending on how much joy and love exists.
July 28th, 2010 on 7:42 pm
I think they could fall in love. And I think they can care for each other. I guess the power could be either depending on the vampire.
July 28th, 2010 on 6:18 pm
I would think they could fall in love, and in that case then is that if associating is a blessing or a curse then it would bring a whole new outlook to life either way. It would be awesome or terribly awesome, but sometimes a change is nice.
I would love to win the set. I saw this over at the League and now I am really interested in the books. Thanx!
July 28th, 2010 on 3:26 pm
I cannot see why the could not fall in love. I have never heard of lack of emotions being a vampire symptom. Though over years of existence becoming jaded and aloft would be common.
July 28th, 2010 on 12:43 pm
Of course vampires can fall in love! The fact that they could easily kill you but instead decide to love you is what makes them so appealing to many people.
July 28th, 2010 on 12:38 pm
I think they can love…look at Spike and Buffy. I think it’s a selfish kind of thing just because they are predators. The same would go for friendships. I guess it all depends on if you go with the die hard concept of vamps being completely evil with no soul. If they change over and retain their personalities then I think they could have friendships and loyalty to others, which would make it less of a curse and more of a good thing. I think calling it a blessing would be a stretch…considering that the need for blood is a first priority.
July 28th, 2010 on 11:31 am
They experience all kinds of powerful emotions so yes vampires can fall in love. Don’t see why not. Life without love aint worth while, this goes for vampires also I believe.
July 28th, 2010 on 11:21 am
Everyone needs love, including vampires. Without love, vampires would truly be monsters. Without love, eternity would be so lonely and truly without joy.
July 28th, 2010 on 9:23 am
I definately think they can fall in love..I love vampire stories!
July 28th, 2010 on 7:07 am
I don’t see why vamps can’t fall in love. It’s all good so long as the author pens a good tale!
July 28th, 2010 on 4:44 am
I think vampires can fall in love - I probably wouldn’t want to read about them otherwise!! I think it would be pretty difficult going through eternity alone - much better with a soul mate.
July 28th, 2010 on 12:59 am
yes i think they can fall in love. vampires are just like people except with special needs, powers etc.. But it just depends on the vampire, every1 is different
July 28th, 2010 on 12:12 am
I think of course, yes. People are different in many ways (being a vampire included) but I think the thing we all have in common is being able to fall in love.
July 27th, 2010 on 11:19 pm
I think any being capable of any emotion is capable of loving. Doesn’t mean they will, just that they can. I’ve seen so many different vampires written by so many different authors, both as the good guys and as the bad guys, that I can’t say whether it would be a curse or a blessing to associate with one. It would depend on the kind of vampire and the emotions involved.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:11 pm
Yes I believe some vamps can find love, having been human to begin with, all depends on how they learn to deal with all that power and control, which is often the same with powerful humans. As to being a blessing or a curse, all that depends in what they do with all that power and control and the supernatural, how they choose to live and act as they are now.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:57 pm
I do believe that they could fall in love. Unless the turning process somehow removes their capacity to feel, I don’t see why not. They were once human and should still retain some of their human sensibilities, otherwise the would be little more than animals. In regard to the curse or blessing question - I think that all depends on the individual. If a vampire is strong and patient, they should be able to deal with fellow vampires.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:52 pm
I think that vamps can fall in love. There are other people who must practice control who have lots of power and they handle it. I think it would depend on the personality of the vamp just like it does with everyone else. I’d love to win this contest. Please enter me.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:28 pm
For sure, I think vampires can love and care for someone special. Especially since they have such a longer life span, I would think that yearning for complete companionship with someone who understands them would be amplified.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:08 pm
Hi, Jeanne,
I’m a huge fan of the Ana Strong novels!
I guess it depends on what type of vampires we’re talking about. I don’t think the traditional, “evil” kind would fall in love or form friendships, etc., but the newer, more heroic vamps definitely can.
July 27th, 2010 on 6:07 pm
Can vampires fall in love?
I don’t see why not. They were originally human, weren’t they? Unless they’ve been alive for thousands of years and have become a hermit, I don’t see a human’s need for acceptance and love disappearing over the years. But then again, doesn’t it mainly depend on the who the vampire was as a human? If they were antisocial as a human, I don’t see that trait dissipating. Maybe being a vampire just amplifies their human qualities. Maybe not.
Can they really care for each other?
Yes, I think it’s possible.
Power and control are part of the makeup of a vampire. Does being forced to associate with such beings make eternal life more of a curse than a blessing?
No. You have to deal with it within humanity and the animal kingdom, so why not with vampires? They are, in a sense, an extension of human beings.
July 27th, 2010 on 6:08 pm
Oh and this series sounds very interesting. Thanks for introducing me to a new author Sue
July 27th, 2010 on 6:05 pm
Yes, most definitely I believe that vampires can fall in love. That is the main reason why the folklore has lasted all these years, no? That vampires have a connection to humanity via love & feeling.
July 27th, 2010 on 4:58 pm
I haven’t had a chance to get started on this series yet, but I have managed to acquire the first book in the series and I’m working on getting the rest. I’ve been interested since I first heard about them, (I can’t believe you’re on the 6th book already) but unfortunately I don’t get to buy every book that interests me - you should see my TBR shelf already!
Yes, I think vampires can fall in love, why not? A long life could put a strain on a relationship though. Imagine trying to keep things fresh and exciting forever, LOL. I would think it would be easier to fall in love with a fellow supernatural rather than a human, because there wouldn’t be the aging and impending loss to deal with.
July 27th, 2010 on 4:22 pm
Oh boy - yes, I think vampires can fall in love as well as out of love. Eternity is a long time so realistically, I believe the love can morph into something akin to co-dependency or pure loathing. It’s not exactly HEA territory. The romantic dreamy side of me wants to see the love evolve into something richer, more complex and blissful with each passing century!
July 27th, 2010 on 4:12 pm
Hello Jeanne,
Congrats on the new book. I think that vampires can fall in love, but it might be hard if they fall for someone without eternal life. Although, I think most things are possible in books.
July 27th, 2010 on 4:12 pm
I think vampires can fall in love and care for others. I think being immortal would be a blessing if all your loved ones lived forever too, but a curse if your loved ones were human.
July 27th, 2010 on 4:09 pm
I think vampires can fall and love and have a caring and loving relationship, just not in the same way that humans do. I think boredom would definitely become an issue.
July 27th, 2010 on 3:14 pm
I definitely think vampires can fall in love…if not what am i reading? haha
Great giveaway!
July 27th, 2010 on 3:04 pm
I don’t think that true vampires can fall in love, but I think that vampires who remember more of their past lives as humans or who are strongly connected to humans have a greater capacity to fall in love.
July 27th, 2010 on 2:43 pm
I love this series!
I believe that vampires can fall in love. If I didn’t i wouldn’t be reading the books.
I think eternal life with a loved one is a blessing.
July 27th, 2010 on 2:34 pm
I do think it’s possible for vampires to fall in love as long as they care for each other. Maybe the power and control make it a little harder, but I think it’s a blessing if you’re with the one you love.
July 27th, 2010 on 2:25 pm
I LOVE this series. I was planning to see when the latest one was coming out, glad to know it’s just another month.
I think vampires can love, but probably as they age they would start to lose some of their humanity. Kind of like how some older people become more focused on themselves and less interactive. I had one grandmother stayed really interested in us until the end (76), but my 99 year old grandfather and 88 grandmother really didn’t care as long as their needs were met.
July 27th, 2010 on 2:14 pm
Vampires can fall in love and care for each other. It’s all about what you let yourself believe. I guess it’s a blessing to have to deal with them because of the whole strength in numbers thing.
July 27th, 2010 on 2:01 pm
I think anything is possible in a book.
July 27th, 2010 on 1:52 pm
I think one would still be able to love & care about others even if immortal. I would think it would be hard to be immortal and not become cynical (at least at times) as repeatedly non-immortals that you know and care about continue to age and die while you don’t. It would be nice though not to have to suffer the ill effects (aches, pains, wrinkles, etc) of aging but I think the repeated losses and efforts to “keep it secret” would wear and make the negatives outway the positives.
July 27th, 2010 on 1:50 pm
Yes, I think vampires can fall in love. I think it makes them a better vampire. They have someone else to look after other than themselves.
I also think that like in real life if you find that perfect mate it would make an eternity of living in the darkness so much brighter.
July 27th, 2010 on 1:35 pm
I would consider immortality a curse, not a blessing. Maybe that’s why I was especially intrigued by something in your column. You suggested vampires know that “having a finite life span enables mortals to have deeper, more meaningful relationships” than immortals. What an interesting thought. When I’m reading paranormal/UF, my “willful suspension of disbelief” allows me to believe these characters are capable of genuine love, for vampires and mortals. Thanks for a good column.
July 27th, 2010 on 1:08 pm
Definitely and they fall hard and it is extremely important to them.
July 27th, 2010 on 12:56 pm
Yes I do believe Vampires can fall in love, why couldn’t they and they could love for an eternity! Vamps have to have feelings too!
July 27th, 2010 on 12:41 pm
I believe it’s possible for vampires to find love. I think like any relationship it’s not going to be an easy ride…probably harder with power & control issues. I think you need to have 2 people who truly want to find love and willing to make sacrifices to get it to work. It might turn out to be a small number in the vampire world, but it’s a possibility.
July 27th, 2010 on 12:29 pm
Vampires, The Undead, Soul Suckers, Nosferatu & etc. have really become quite versatile. They have evolved!
The story line and character development lies in the skill of the authors hands and the creative depths of their minds. I still prefer the urbane, sophisticated, supremely confident and seductive “Old World” Vampires. With very little effort, their insidious charm will steal from you things that can never be restored, and at some point you will no longer care! However, today’s Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Vampires have a deliciously dark charm all their own. While Vampires were always thought to be soulless, the very intensity of their nature suggests the possibility for eternal love. As for eternal life…be careful for what you wish : )
July 27th, 2010 on 12:24 pm
Emjoyed reading the comments. I like my vampires to seek love and sometimes finding love. That is their challenge.
July 27th, 2010 on 11:39 am
I think that Vampires can fall in love and be devoted to one another forever. It might be though but i think that if they really wanted a relationship they have eons to work it out.
July 27th, 2010 on 11:08 am
Heck, I believe my dog loves me, I don’t have a problem believing in vampire love.
July 28th, 2010 on 11:39 pm
Love that reasoning!
July 27th, 2010 on 11:04 am
More often then not, vampires were humans once and still have those feelings deep within themselves, and with these feelings can care for each other and others as well. If love is part of the associates between vampires or vampires and humans I would think it would be a blessing as love is a gift that can change lives
July 27th, 2010 on 10:59 am
They can fall in love and care of others just as anyone else can. It might make it more of a challenge but not more of a curse.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:53 am
I think vampires can fall in love, but I think the longer they’ve been vampire, the harder it is to fall in love and the harder it is to accept. Denying one’s humanity is hard to do and I don’t think that vampires should deny their once-human nature. As far as eternal life and the power/control that comes with it, like anything, I think it can be a curse or a blessing. It’s really up to the individual, vampire or not, and how they choose to live their lives.
Also, I love the setting for the series — San Diego is my hometown!
July 27th, 2010 on 10:46 am
I think vampires can fall in love and just because they have to be in control doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings. It’s both a curse and blessing because for eternity you can watch your family grow and see the world change but it is also emotionally difficult to watch your loved ones die and leave you alone.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:44 am
Yes, I think vampires should be able to fall in love and care for each other. It may be harder for them to admit their feelings because of the power and control issues they have.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:41 am
Yes, Vampires can fall in love and care for others.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:33 am
I absolutely think that vamps and just about all paranormal creatures can fall in love. Actually, I think they fall harder in love them “normal or RL people” do. It’s not just, let’s see how this works out. There’s no divorces with these paranormal beings. This is forever, for eternity. I love it.
July 27th, 2010 on 9:31 am
I don’t see why a vamp couldn’t fall in love and care for others.
July 27th, 2010 on 9:15 am
Well, considering no one has ever been proven to be a vampire, I believe they can be anything we want them to be
I’m just getting into paranormals and absolutely loving them.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:56 am
OHH I love the Anna books!!! I can’t wait for the next one! I think they can fall in love, just because someone is all powerful doesn’t mean they don’t have the capacity for love.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:40 am
I think that yes they can fall in love. It might be hard for them to believe in love with as long as they live but if they put themselves out there they will find it.
July 27th, 2010 on 8:19 am
Absolutely I believe vampires an fall in love and care for one another. While the ability to control others, to feed off humans (or other non-humans when they can get it) is a part of a vampire’s every day life, that doesn’t make them automatically monsters. Yes, some breeds of vampires have lost their souls (Dracula), so they are monsters. Others, they might not be human, but they’re still (on some level) the person they were when they were converted, just with a need for blood to survive, apparent agelessness, and (in many cases) some nifty shape-shifting ways. If you subscribe to the latter idea (I do with my vampires), then they’ve got the same needs for love and companionship. They just have longer to search for their “one true love” and once they find them, especially in the case of the alpha male-types, they’ve got a lot more power to protect “the one.”
July 27th, 2010 on 7:32 am
I fully believe that vampires can fall in love (otherwise I am reading the wrong books!). While many of them need the power/control that doesn’t mean that they can’t feel the love. They just love someone who doesn’t see power as the most important thing.
July 27th, 2010 on 6:24 am
PS - What is EGC - Electronic Gift Card???
July 27th, 2010 on 8:34 am
Yes — electronic gift card - good luck
July 27th, 2010 on 6:22 am
What a super prize.
Not being a a vamp or knowing any, hard to answer. But I would have to guess they can fall in love and it is probably a blessing to have eternal life because you can always be with your loved ones and correct or try to any mistakes you make.