Join me in welcoming Moira Rogers to the Velvet Cataclysm contest! She’s been generous enough to offer up an ebook ARC of the upcoming Wilder’s Mate, and I’m telling you…this looks GOOD. It releases March 8, so be sure to look for it from Samhain Publishing.
What’s the first vampire novel you ever read? Dracula, for sure. But I think the first time I read the more sexy vampires might have been Laurell K Hamilton’s Guilty Pleasures. I can not tell a lie–I am still team werewolf. But once in a while, vampires sneak their way into my affections.
What’s your favorite vampire book or series?
I don’t know if most people would consider this a vampire series, but I love Meljean Brook’s Guardian series. Demon Blood has one of my favorite vampire heroes thus far.
What’s the most surprising thing you have learned about being a writer?
How much of my job isn’t writing. There are weeks where I battle through edits and revisions and forms and promotional tasks, and all I want to be doing is writing. But getting to write is awesome enough to make the rest of it worth it.
What’s up next for you?
Wilder’s Mate, my paranormal romance with a Wild West steampunkish twist, comes out on March 8th. And it has vampires! ;)
Wilder’s Mate
Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America’s frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness.
Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication–keeping his hands off the man’s pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.
At odds with polite society, Satira’s only constant has been the aging weapons inventor who treats her like a daughter. She isn’t going to trust Wilder with Nathaniel’s life, not when the Guild might decide the old man isn’t worth saving. Besides, if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that brains are more important than brawn.
As the search stretches far longer than Wilder planned, he finds himself fighting against time. If Satira is still at his side when the new moon comes, nothing will stop him from claiming her. Worse, she seems all too willing. If their passion unlocks the beast inside, no one will be safe. Not even the man they’re fighting to save.
Warning: This book contains a crude, gun-slinging, vampire-hunting hero who howls at the full moon and a smart, stubborn heroine who invents mad-scientist weapons. Also included: wild frontier adventures, brothels, danger, betrayal and a good dose of wicked loving in an alternate Wild West.
Preorder Wilder’s Mate now!
Leave Moira a comment and qualify to win an ARC of Wilder’s Mate. All winners will be named Sunday evening!
It’s Day 2 of the Velvet Cataclym mini-paranormal contest and talented and lovely Cynthia Eden is here to entertain us! Welcome Cynthia, and thank you for coming by! Cynthia is generously giving away one of her backlist books of choice to one commenter, so leave her a nice note, and cross your fingers! Check back this Sunday evening for the list of goody winners. :)
Bite Me
Thanks so much to Beth for inviting me over! I’m excited to chat about one of my very favorite things—monsters. No, don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to talk about Freddy Krueger-style monsters. (Cause I’m sorry, Freddy, but while you were funny at times, you just weren’t sexy.)
I’m here to talk about the appeal of sexy monsters: vampires, werewolves, and demons. And so many more…
I love reading and writing about strong alpha heroes who are a bit more than human. With vampires, you get men who are eternally young, eternally strong, and eternally hot. A vampire can have a dark side. Anyone who drinks blood has to be dark, but in order to seduce his victims, the guy has to be charming and sexy, too.
As for werewolves…I’ve always found them to have a wild, untamed appeal. The beast lurks so close to the surface, and you always wonder how long the man will be able to control the wildness inside. With the wolves, it’s all about their animal instincts. My next werewolf tale is actually scheduled to release from Kensington Brava this July (yay!). In NEVER CRY WOLF, I let my hero be as wild and sexy as he wanted to be. Lucas Simone is an alpha on the prowl. He’s ready to charm my heroine and more than ready to kick the ass of anyone who tries to hurt her. Ah, wolves—so strong.
And let’s not forget the appeal of demons. Of all the supernatural creatures, I often think that demons have the darkest sides. Depending on the author’s mythology, the demons might actually come from hell. Hard to get darker than that! But with demons, their need for redemption can be incredibly appealing. They’re bad, so bad…but can the heroines make them good? (Yes, I do have a weakness for bad boys.)
But what’s your take? How do you feel about supernatural heroes? And do you have a favorite? I’ll pick one commenter to win a Cynthia Eden book of her choice.
Thank you for checking out my post!
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
DEADLY HEAT–Available 1/25/11 from Grand Central (Forever)
DEADLY LIES–Available 2/22/11 from Grand Central (Forever)
Join me in welcoming Larissa Ione! Larissa is a wonderful writer with a unique voice and style and the ability to create worlds and characters the reader will never want to leave. Larissa has generously offered one commenter here today (chosen randomly) to win one pick from her backlist AND an ebook copy of ETERNITY EMBRACED. (All winners announced this Sunday evening). Now, learn a bit more about Larissa and her upcoming Lords of Deliverance series!
Larissa, what’s the first vampire novel you ever read?
Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King. He started my love of vampires and horror novels.
What’s your favorite vampire book or series?
As much as I’d love to say the Demonica series, I can’t, because it’s too demon-y. So I’ll have to go with Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire. It was that book that made me see vampires as sexy and not just monsters.
Tell us about your new series! How do you feel about venturing into this new, exciting arena of writing?
Oh, wow — I’m SO nervous! I mean, the new Lords of Deliverance series is basically a continuation of the Demonica series, but at the same time, it’s different. I think it’s a little darker — at least, the first book is. Second is lighter. But we’re dealing with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, so things get dicey for the human race. I’ve already had one reader say that Eternal Rider gave her unsettling dreams. That kind of made me happy. Is that weird? :)
Not at all. I think most paranormal writers would take that as a HUGE compliment. :) What’s up next for you?
Well, Eternal Rider comes out at the end of March, and after that, the final Sydney Croft book comes out in July. Stephanie (my Croft writing partner,) and I are SO excited about that last book, Taken By Fire. It ties up all loose ends and was a blast to write.
Larissa was nice enough to give us a glimpse at her upcoming Eternal Rider, the first in the Lords of Deliverance series coming very soon! And just a glimpse will make you burn for more….
Eternal Rider
Fury and frustration at Cara’s helplessness, her situation, and at Ares made something inside her snap, and she launched herself. Ares spun and caught her easily as she struck out, and in a heartbeat, she found herself backed into the wall, his body pinning her, one hand gripping her shoulder, the other cupping her chin so she couldn’t so much as turn her head.
“I am the only thing standing between you and death,” he said through clenched teeth, “so I’d be a little more grateful if I were you.”
“Are you completely delusional?” She wriggled, but she might as well have been trying to move a boulder.
“Listen to me carefully, Cara.” His voice had gone quiet. Chillingly quiet. “Don’t ever use violence against me. Violence…excites me. You do not want to be part of that.”
His dark gaze narrowed, his jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought she’d gone too far. After all, she didn’t know anything about the Horsemen beyond what she’d seen in the movies, read in books, or heard in Bible school so many years ago, and none of it was very flattering. Her heart pounded as her anxiety level rose, and then a subtle shift in his expression made her heart pound for a different reason.
He’d softened. Even his grip had loosened, and yet, he’d somehow gotten closer. The brand between her breasts drummed, and as she studied the pulsing vein in his temple, it occurred to her that the rhythm was the same as her own.
She became achingly aware of a dozen different sensations, including the heat radiating off him, and though the room was already warm, his weight, his heat…it sent a fluid surge of lust to her very center.
And his mouth…she remembered putting her lips on him.
God help her, she wanted to do it again.
Leave Larissa a comment on her post and qualify to win an ebook of Eternity Embraced AND a choice of her backlist books! All winners for the four contests will be announced this Sunday evening.
Velvet Cataclysm, Erotic Paranormal, in bookstores March 1
Welcome all! As many of you may know, Velvet Cataclysm is being released in print March 1, so I’m throwing a little Vampire/Paranormal contest to celebrate! I’ve got some awesome paranormal authors stopping by for the next few days to chat. There will be daily prizes give away to one commenter on the blog! So put on your best vampire dress and join the fun!
The random number generator says #3, so congrats to Alice Priday!
Thanks to everyone for participating and joining in on the discussion! I hope you’ll come back tomorrow, when Larissa Ione will be here, starting off my mini paranormal contest for the release of Velvet Cataclysm in print.
Newcomers to Pride and Prejudice are welcome. Just comment to qualify to win one version of the film.
Which Pride and Prejudice movie is the Best?
I’ve gotten into animated discussions with friends about the question of which version of the Pride and Prejudice film is the superior version—the (1995) version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle or the Focus Features film with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden (2005). I know there are earlier versions. I keep thinking I should re-watch the one with Greer Garson as Elizabeth, but I thought this would be enough of a challenge with just two very, very well done films.
I’m doing this a tad tongue in cheek, so don’t take me too seriously. I know perfectly well there is no ‘last’ answer, and I actually think both films are wonderful.
As a Jane Austen addict, I of course saw the Knightly version when it came out in theatres several years ago. I remember not being disappointed, necessarily, but feeling it did not match up to the Firth/Ehle version in a large way. After having just reviewed both films together, I’ll admit I was wrong to make such a blanket statement.
As a long-time lover of the novel—I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read this book– it’s hard not to be disappointed by the abbreviated version of the Knightly/Macfayden film. The Knightly/Macfayden film even includes the somewhat annoying habit Hollywood has of blending two characters together into one, such as they do with Bingley’s two sisters. In addition, there are major cuts in addition to altering plot elements. The mini-series version (Firth/Ehle) is practically the entire book put into film, six episodes in all.
You know how you adore a book, and are left disappointed when so much is cut out of the movie version? This doesn’t happen in the Firth/Ehle version, because it’s about six hours long, vs. approximately two in the 2005 version. I think this is the crux of my preference. I love the book so much, I hate to see it abbreviated and altered. However, there are some truly beautiful parts to the 2005 version. Don’t worry, I’ll get to them, if you are a lover!
(From here on out, as an abbreviated way to refer to the films, I will say “Firth” for the 1995 version and “Knightly” for the 2005 version. I figure referring to the two more famous actors in the main roles might help as a shorthand).
The Pros and Cons of the Knightly version
There is so much lost, and so much amalgamated in the Knightly film, that it strikes several weird notes with me. Here is one point of dozens, but for instance—Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, is made in this film to be at times ‘in the know’ with Elizabeth’s and her father’s wry sense of humor, and at other times, sweet and clueless. In the book, Jane is genuine and kind, and certainly not stupid, but she does not share in the bond of Elizabeth and her father’s dark sense of humor. Seeing Jane grinning knowingly across the table at Elizabeth as Mr. Collin’s makes a fool of himself at the dinner table, or worse, snorting, seems to entirely miss several crucial elements, one being Elizabeth’s and her father’s deep bond. Perhaps it makes sense why Donald Sutherland, as the father, strikes such an odd note. They cut his role down to nothing, so why not pick anyone for the part? Besides, isn’t a major plot pivot of the novel that Jane doesn’t appreciate moments such as Elizabeth would share with her father? Jane constantly assumes the best of everyone and is so aloof and cool, that most people assume she is distant, although Lizzie (Elizabeth) knows differently. Jane’s heart burns bright, if her social persona doesn’t. The actress in the Knightly version is much prettier than the Firth Jane, but I still like the Firth Jane more. I’ve seen her in so many different English features, I think she was perfectly cast. She’s always very cool in her presentation, but something in her eyes speaks of vulnerability.
To expand this peeve in the Knightly version: a crucial element of this book is the contrast of marrying for societal appropriateness vs. passion. Of course, love often is misconstrued for lust, infatuation and passion. In the book, we are firmly led to believe that Mr. Bennet fell for a silly, foolish and yet very pretty woman, and has to daily live with that monumental youthful error. We see this echoed again, with silly, flighty Lydia (Lizzy’s sister) and her falling for an equally shallow Wickham. They eventually marry, but I think we all know, their future is misery. Unfortunately, the Knightly version saw fit to cut out another disgusting couple, that of Mr. Bingley’s sister, Mrs. Hurst, and her sodden husband. Mrs. Hurst may have married well, but what a surface accomplishment when one must live day in and day out with a lump of drunken worthlessness.
In the Knightly version, we see very little of the eternal marital hell that Mr. Bennet has consigned himself to. Okay, you might say, there wasn’t time to do it. However, why try to go in the other direction? At one point in the Knightly film, Mr. Bennet calls Mrs. Bennet ‘buttercup’ or something equally gag-worthy. We have to be able to see how ridiculous Lizzy’s family acts at times in order to be sympathetic to Darcy and his struggles with asking Elizabeth to marry him. Otherwise, he becomes a bit of a shallow, pompous ass himself for hesitating to ally himself with her because of her family connections.
If Hollywood wanted to create a movie that would be palatable to the general public, this seems like a crucial point. People in the modern age are going to be quick to judge Darcy as a major snob. We need to understand Darcy’s cringe factor at Elizabeth’s family. Take that away, and you better have a man as majorly gorgeous as Macfayden to play the role, or else watchers or going to despise Darcy.
Austen ingenuously incorporated so many shallow, insipid marriages (I didn’t even talk about Mr. Collins and Charlotte) in this book because she wanted to contrast them to a union of true caring and passionate love. It was pretty revolutionary for a Regency era young, unmarried woman. To cut those fruitless, shallow unions, as they do in the Knightly film, seems to show a lack of understanding of why this romance has endured for centuries.
Okay, now for some of the awesome parts about the Knightly film.
Matthew Macfayden, Matthew Macfayden…did I say Matthew Macfayden? The man is gorgeous. There is a scene that’s stamped in my mind at the end of the film, where Macfayden is striding—and I mean striding–through an English meadow toward Elizabeth, clearly intent on possession. Talk about a strapping man. He makes the word ‘breeches’ X-rated. Later, after they are married, there’s a scene where Elizabeth is stroking her husband’s calves as he stands before her. It’s pretty salacious, and hearkens back to the lovely scene where Knightly is examining and touching the classical statues of nudes in Pemberley.
Macfayden is a hunk of living art, to be sure. You get a taste of his alpha-stalk in this trailer.
There’s actually several references to classical themes in the Knightly version, and truly beautiful they are. Englanders in Jane’s time were quite fascinated with the classical period—witness the women’s manner of dress, for instance—very simple, like they’d stepped off a Grecian urn. It was common for the wealthy to put up gazebos and tiny monuments upon their estates, just like the miniature little Parthenon-type garden-structure used in the Knightly version where Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. Here is another amazingly romantic and gorgeous scene—the lush, English countryside, the classical columns, and the drenching rain soaking these two beautiful people. I love that scene.
Is Kiera Knightly too stunning to play Elizabeth?
From the book Pride and Prejudice, we learn Elizabeth is a country girl, robust and very pretty, with dark, laughing eyes. For me, the essence of Elizabeth is her eyes—something, of course, to which Darcy agrees wholeheartedly. Her grin, in combination with her sparkling eyes, is mischief and beauty combined. Elizabeth is always ready to laugh, and she includes herself as a very worthy object of her mirth. In the book, Elizabeth proposes teasingly that the best way to deal with Darcy’s cold and arrogant manner is to laugh at him.
The problem with Kiera Knightly in the role comes down to this: I can’t laugh at her, as Elizabeth would surely laugh at herself.
Knightly is more akin to a queen than a country girl.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s absolutely stunning. Speaking of classical elements, in the ball scene at Netherfield, she looks like a Roman noblewoman, with her dark hair piled on her head and pearls threaded through it, and her white gown. Her profile reminded me of my visits to Rome, or Bath, England, where they have collected Roman coins with noblewomen who look very much like Knightly’s silhouette in this scene.
Knightly is beautiful, no doubt, but she’s not how I picture Elizabeth. Even her saucy smile seems a bit forced.
Jennifer Ehle’s sparkling eyes, her readiness to laugh at herself, her sheer vibrancy—the scene where the director has her break out in a run, as if she’s needing to work off her energy, for instance—are all perfect to me. Elizabeth is a delight in her person, energetic, wise and laughing at once.
However, I will say this after re-watching the Knightly film critically: Knightly’s portrayal made me wonder a tad more about Elizabeth Bennet’s character. Why did Lady Catherine, for instance, accept Lizzie’s independent opinions and confidence with only mild surprise? Did Lizzie indeed possess a natural hint of regality? In truth, I think Elizabeth did. But I also believe Jennifer Ehle played this natural confidence beautifully without forsaking Elizabeth’s country practicality and natural grace.
As for Colin Firth’s portrayal of Darcy, I won’t bore you by going on about it. To me, he’s the perfect Darcy. He might not be as drool-worthy as MacFayden, but he’s a very handsome man. Add that to the fact that his stiff, often self-conscious-seeming presentation makes him perfect for the role of a man who has some tendencies toward shyness coupled with a history of never having his pride pricked, and Firth shines in this role. It’s actually a very difficult role. In so many ways, especially to modern temperments. He can easily come off like an arrogant idiot. Both Macfayden and Firth actually do men with histories of shyness/social discomfort fairly well, but in Macfayden’s case, probably because of the lean script, he might be just a bit all looks and no depth. Firth comes off just the opposite. I love his longing glances at Lizzie.
The following video trailer is after Elizabeth has refused Darcy in marriage, and goes with family (very hesitantly) to tour Darcy’s palatial estate–with the understanding he is in town, and not there. Darcy, who is hot and bothered thinking about Lizzie, arrives in dishabille. Their embarrassment on both parts is so palpable, and you get a hint of Firth’s Darcy’s sweet self-consciousness. I adore this scene.
One other scene that I should mention in the Knightly version that was done just gorgeously—the scene at the ball with MacFayden and Knightly dancing and exchanging snappy dialogue. At one point, the director has everything fading away for both of them, and they are left alone in the room, looking into one another’s eyes and touching…and falling in love, of course. Another truly memorable scene.
Just one more quick comment in comparing the two films: the Firth version has Mr. Collins down perfectly. It’s very hard not to find the Knightly version of Mr. Collins a huge disappointment. The Firth Mr. Collins has to be in my top five characters of Biggest Boobs in all film history. He’s hysterically funny. I’m right there with Mr. Bennet and Lizzie laughing their butts off at him.
So there you have it. I didn’t mention half of what I wanted to mention. In conclusion, I would say that the Firth version remains my favorite, but the Knightly version has some truly amazing scenes, and for a two hour version of this classic book, I do highly recommend it.
Beth’s rating for the Knightly Pride and Prejudice movie: 4.25 stars
Beth’s rating for the Firth Pride and Prejudice: 5 stars
Contest: Now…what do you guys think? What’s your favorite, and why? Comment on either your favorite (or what you THINK your favorite would be, given the review) along with the film version you’d like to get, and I’ll enter you in a draw to win whatever film version you choose.
Howdy all! Is everyone keeping warm? I just saw an article about how the heaviness of accumulated snow is collapsing people’s roofs in New England. Please, Lord, send us spring early. :)
I dont’ think I’ve mentioned to the Beth Kery/Bethany Kane blog world that I’m doing a book signing with the awesome Julie James on March 13, Barnes and Noble Webster Place, Chicago, IL at 3 pm. Should be fun, plus, I recently heard that my wonderful, awesome high school friend is coming to the event. So happy about that. If you’d like more details, write me at bethkery@aol.com. I’d be so happy to see and meet you.
Another heads up–I’m doing a quick, but ever so fun contest for the release of Velvet Cataclysm in print! It comes out on March 1, and in the days before it’s release, I have amazing authors Larissa Ione, Cynthia Eden and Moira Rogers stopping by to talk about their latest books and give interviews or blogs! Daily book giveaways from these ladies, plus a grand prize from moi. It’ll be a little vampire exclusive. Don’t miss it, starting Feb 24!
I will be at RT this year in Los Angeles, so I’m hoping to meet some of you there for the first time! I’m starting to really get excited about that. I’ll be doing a couple workshops, so if you see my name, come by and snag me to chat afterwards!
I’ve finally got an excerpt for Addicted to You, the first book in the One Night of Passion series. This one comes out this June!
All it takes is a moment for your life to change—one night of desire to make you feel alive…
Irish film director Rill Pierce fled to the tiny, backwoods town of Vulture’s Canyon, seeking sanctuary and solitude after a devastating tragedy. Once, his raw sex appeal and sultry Irish accent made women across the globe swoon. Now, he’s barely recognizable…
But Katie Hughes, his best friend’s sister, is not the type of woman to give up on a man like Rill. She blazes into Vulture’s Canyon determined to save him from himself. Instead, she finds herself unleashing years of pent-up passion. In a storm of hunger and need, Katie and Rill forget themselves and the world. But will Rill’s insatiable attraction to Katie heal his pain—or will it just feed the darkness within him?
