Today we have paranormal romance author Kerrelyn Sparks joining us. Kerrelyn has a new holiday vampire tale out right now.
Basic Facts:
Author of: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, Vamps and the City, Be Still My Vampire Heart, The Undead Next Door, and All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire
Favorite Candy: Hershey Chocolate with Almonds
Favorite Cartoon Character: Bullwinkle Moose
Super Power Most Covets: Teleportation
Favorite Vampire: The one I’m currently writing about.
Q.) 
First can you tell us about All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire?
K.S.) The vampire hero is Ian MacPhie, who was trapped for 500 years with a 15-year-old body and face. In the previous book in the series, The Undead Next Door, Ian found a way to age. Now he looks like a full grown man, so he’s ready for love—and looking in all the wrong places.
Q.) How about your other vampire books, are they connected?
K.S.) Yes, they’re all part of the Love at Stake series, which started with How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Each book features a different hero and heroine, so the reader can enjoy a new love story. Also, each book is designed to stand alone, so a reader can jump into the series at any point without getting confused. But all the books take place in the same Vampire World with the same cast of characters. The reader gets to see what’s going on with the previous heroes and heroines. For instance, you’ll see Roman and Shanna from the first book have their baby in the third book.
Q.) What about your take on vampires, do you stick with tradition or tweak it a bit? 
K.S.) My vampires are traditional in the sense that they are dead during the day, and they would die painfully if exposed to sunlight. It really adds to the suspense when they have some vulnerabilities. At the same time, they have some great powers—super speed and strength, super senses, mind control, and the ability to teleport. They still need blood to survive, but I’ve tweaked that since I felt a truly heroic vamp would not want to bite people. So the good Vamps drink synthetic blood, while the bad ones still feed and kill humans.
I also have fun with the Vamps, giving them stuff like Vampire Fusion Cuisine and the Digital Vampire Network. With Vampire Fusion Cuisine, the Vamps enjoy drinks like Blissky (synthetic blood mixed with whiskey), Bleer (blood and beer), Bubbly Blood (blood and champagne for those special vampire occasions), Chocolood, (blood and chocolate) and Blood Lite (for those who drink too much Chocolood). On the Digital Vampire Network, they watch celebrity talk shows like Live with the Undead and vampire soap operas like When the Vampire Turns and General Morgue.
Since the hero from the first book, Roman Draganesti, is a scientific genius, he invented synthetic blood, Vampire Fusion Cuisine, and the drug that enabled Ian to age. He also came up with a way for the Vamp men and their mortal wives to have children.
Q.) In the past you wrote historical romance, now you write contemporary
paranormal romance. What if anything do you think the books have in common?
K.S.) They all have Scotsmen! Apparently, I am unable to write a romance without a Scotsman in a kilt. And everything I write gets afflicted with the same crazy sense of humor.
Q.) Why vampires?
K.S.) They’re sexy and fun! Vampires get to do all the things our moms told us never to do—They sleep all day; they party all night; and they get to play with their food!
Q.) What would you do if you met a “real” vampire? Would you be a vamp
groupie or would you dash for the nearest stake?
K.S.) I would do the Interview with a Vampire thing. I’d ask a bunch of questions for research. And I’d whip out a mirror to see if they really don’t reflect. And I might offer them a slice of garlic bread just to see how they react.
Q.) Matchmaker dilemma, you have a choice of a vampire, a werewolf or a witch/wizard as a date for your sister’s wedding. Who do you choose?
K.S.) A vampire cause he’d be a great dancer, and he’d look great in a tux. If I didn’t like the guy my sister was marrying, I would bring a wizard so he could turn the groom into a frog.
Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever
try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?
K.S.) I’m a pantser. I have a rough idea how the book will start and end, but I usually have no idea how to get from the start to the end. My books are definitely character-driven, so I just let the characters make all the decisions on how to get to the end.
Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your
writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?
K.S.) I think the smartest thing was getting published with Avon. (I had offers from several publishers, so I had the luxury of choosing). Avon has given me the best covers and marketing that a writer could hope for. And my editor is super!
Q.) Can you describe three things in your writing area that tell us something about you?
K.S.) Right now, I have a vase of beautiful flowers that my editor sent me (did I say she was super!?) I have a wooden stake that one of my critique partners made for me out of the handle of a toilet plunger. And I have a big, green, comfy chair that I like to sit in when I write. (I write a scene in longhand first, then type it up).
Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next? And
where can readers find you on the web?
K.S.) I’ve been real busy with the next two books in the Love at Stakes series which are coming out back-to-back in April and May 2009. The April book is Secret Life of a Vampire, starring vampire Jack, the illegitimate son of Giacomo Casanova. The May book is Forbidden Nights with a Vampire, starring vampire Vanda and my first werewolf hero, Phil. For more information, please visit my website, www.kerrelynsparks.com. There are excerpts to read, book trailers to watch, and sometimes a contest to enter. In the Vampire World section of the website, there are vampire games to play and a Forum where readers can chat with me and each other.
Order All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 5)
Order The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake, Book 4)
Order Be Still My Vampire Heart (Love at Stake, Book 3)
Order Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Book 2)
Order How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 1)
Great interview… Gotta love those guys in kilts!
by Colleen November 12th, 2008 at 12:05 pmI have thoroughly enjoyed every book in your LOVE AT STAKE series. So much so, in fact, that I’ve bought numerous copies for friends I decided HAD to read it! And of course they all love the books now that they’ve read them as well…
by Jennifer A. Ray November 12th, 2008 at 12:57 pmGreat interview, such a fun series, Kerrelyn.
by Pam P November 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pmI love the guys in kilts also. Lovely interview.
by Dianna Fryer November 12th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI really like this interview but..umm…
“My vampires are traditional in the sense that they are dead during the day, and they would die painfully if exposed to sunlight.”
That’s not traditional. That’s quasi-traditional. The traditional vampire can walk during the day, though his powers are limited. They are not dead to the world.
Ugh.
I officially hate Hollywood and Anne Rice.
by Lou Gagliardi November 12th, 2008 at 1:27 pmHi Kerrelyn! What an intriguing post! I loved your comment about vampires playing with their food – what fun! Best of luck with your book – sounds like a great read!
by Cate Masters November 12th, 2008 at 1:27 pmCate
Hi Lori and Kerry,
I loved the interview and some things about Kerry I didn’t know.
I’ve been a fan of Kerry’s for a long time and love all her books.
Love the Scotsmen in kilts. YUM!
All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire has been a book I’ve been waiting for since Ian was introduced in How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire.
Thanks for the great interview, Lori. I enjoyed it very much!
Hugs,
by Tambra kendall November 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pmTambra Kendall
http://www.tambrakendall.com
Great interview! Kerrelyn’s one of my auto-buy authors.
by MsValerie November 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pmI am a big Rocky and Bullwinkle fan!!! I loved fractured fairytales.
by flip November 12th, 2008 at 3:15 pmGreat interview. I’ve only read the first book in the series so far, and have the next two on my Christmas wish list.
by Cathy M November 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pmCan’t wait to read this one. I’ve been reading these since the beginning. Love them!
Deidre
by Deidre November 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pmDeidre,
You’ll fall in love with Ian even more when you read his story!
Hugs,
by Tambra kendall November 12th, 2008 at 4:19 pmTambra
Hi Kerrelyn!
Love your vamp series and I recommend it all the time at our bookstore!
Always look forward to your new releases.
by BookstoreDeb November 12th, 2008 at 4:55 pmGreat interview! And I love your books :) I’m an avid fan of all your books.
by Lisa Pulliam November 12th, 2008 at 6:08 pmi love kerrylyn sparks vampire, though i love all vampie, but im glad im in hers from the begijnning and hate waiting till the next book comes out LOL
by blackroze37 November 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pmThank you all for the lovely comments! I’m so thrilled you’re enjoying the series!
Hugs!
by Kerrelyn Sparks November 12th, 2008 at 6:35 pmKerrelyn
Loved the interview, i havent had the pleasure of reading any of your books but I sure hope to change that soon. can any one tell me which one would be a good 1 to start with. I love serieses by the way :)
by sara hurt November 12th, 2008 at 7:47 pmTerrific interview! Loved the chocolood and the Blood Lite drinks. How fun to get flowers from your editor!
by Edie November 12th, 2008 at 8:11 pmgreat interview. I’ve always wondering in an interview with a vampire why anyone would make a child vamp. Interesting premise would love to read this one and am adding to my tbb pile
by Pamk November 12th, 2008 at 8:34 pmI’m adding this book to my wishlist to get soon. I have a couple of your books in my TBR pile, I just haven’t been able to read yet.
by Greta November 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pmNice interview. Your vampires and their world sound like a lot of fun. I’m going to have to read the books now.
by Karin November 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pmEnjoyed your interview and I love your books! I’m so happy two of your books will be coming out back-to-back next year. It’s always so hard to wait for the next one to come out! LOL!
by annalisa November 12th, 2008 at 9:49 pmI’ve seen the guys in kilts in the flesh and I mean flesh! ; 0
by Darby Lohrding November 12th, 2008 at 10:31 pmDarby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Sounds like my kind of series, nice to see you here today!
by Teresa W. November 12th, 2008 at 10:32 pmI love the Love at Stake series. I haven’t read All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire yet but it’s in my TBR pile. I loved the interview and can’t wait until April and May for the next books.
by Carmen R November 13th, 2008 at 2:19 amGreat interview!
by Minna November 13th, 2008 at 3:00 amLove the series. Love the Highlanders (Conner is my fav). Half way through the fifth one now. Hate when I finish one. Waiting (wanting), the next one. Love Sharon T.
by Sharon Turner November 13th, 2008 at 7:56 amHi Kerrelyn,
by Mel K. November 13th, 2008 at 8:34 amJust wanted to let you know I’m traveling to Orlando for Christmas and I plan to read ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A VAMPIRE. My mom and sister will want to read it as well.
Haven’t read the Love at Stake series yet (I’m probably the only one who is behind the times – LOL). But after this interview, I am ready to remedy that situation and get the first book!!
(I am one of those obsessive people that have to read a series in order –
)
by Kara November 13th, 2008 at 9:05 amoh Aye , I just love the interveiw !! and i can’t wait to read the whole series just love sexy immortals in kilt’s !!! lol !!
by Elora November 13th, 2008 at 10:40 am~smile~ -Elora-
these sound like some great books. awesome interview. i must go and check these out some more!!!
thanks!
by ShootingStarsMag November 13th, 2008 at 10:45 amlauren
[...] Kerrelyn Sparks, author of the Love at Stake series, by Lori Devoti [...]
by Gothic Kiss | Literary Escapism November 13th, 2008 at 12:36 pmI have loved all the Vampire books by Kerrelyn. I cant wait to read this one.
by Donna November 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pmI loved the interview. I’ve read the first three books in Kerrelyn’s series and am going to order the other two now, thanks for the links.
by Dena November 13th, 2008 at 2:38 pmWonderful interview! I’m going to have to check out your books now!
by Debbie November 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pmGreat interview! I’ve been a fan since book #1. I love those men in kilts too.
by Sidhe Vicious November 13th, 2008 at 8:22 pmI have red some of thses books and what a great job!! Thanks so much
by Debby November 14th, 2008 at 4:54 amLove the creativity with the food and tv networks. What a hoot!
by Debbie Kaufman November 14th, 2008 at 7:16 amkerrlyn books is my keepers, her set of books !
by blackroze37 November 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pmI enjoyed reading your interview very much. Can’t wait to check out your books.
by Margie November 14th, 2008 at 10:01 pmI have been wanting to read Kerrelyn Sparks books for awhile now and just haven’t gotten around to buying them yet because there are SOOO many books out there that i want to read… i guess i better read faster lol
by Danielle November 15th, 2008 at 7:08 amGreat interview! Sounds like a fun series!
by Pan Zareta November 15th, 2008 at 10:40 amLove this series! Can’t wait to read more!
by Brooke November 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pmHI Kerrlyn! I lost my post to here the other day! Hope I didn’t miss saying hello to you! I so can’t wait for the new one, I need to venture out soon! Keep them coming love!
by Caffey November 17th, 2008 at 10:25 pmI haven’t read this series yet, but now that I’ve learned about Vampire Fusion cuisine, I have to! That really gave me a giggle!
by Kimberly B. November 17th, 2008 at 11:48 pm