Phoebe Matthews loves reading urban fantasy novels and after years of writing romance, has finally started writing the books she loves to read. Her Mudflat series combines sword and sorcery with a neighborhood in Seattle where old magic runs amuck through the families. The first book, Tarbaby Trouble, won the 2009 EPIC Award for Best Fantasy. Two of the five other titles were finalists in 2010.
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Vampires come in a variety of types and styles and skills, but more than that, they exist in numerous societal situations. Here in the world of mass communication, these folks have complex hierarchies with everything from kings to local mob bosses. We know what that leads to. War between factions. But apparently, according to several series, the human population recognizes them and gives them legal rights and a lot of stuff we wouldn’t extend to human gangs. I am having trouble accepting all the PC correctness of attitude toward nonhumans when so far, most real world communities haven’t achieved that degree of tolerance toward their human neighbors.
Oops, sorry, let me hop down from my soapbox. I mean, hey, these folks are fiction.
My personal vampire preference is the loner everyone thinks is a bit of an odd duck but never guesses he’s a vampire. Among my faves is P. N. Elrod’s restauranteur, Jack Fleming, who sleeps in a sub basement safe room. When he can’t get home in time, he spends the day in a space under the restaurant floor, because every vamp needs a good hidey hole.
And then there’s Tanya Huff’s Henry, once heir to the British throne, who became a vampire hoping to spend eternity with his love only to learn too late that vampires don’t love vampires, they love live people. His world is a high rise condo where he supports himself by writing romance novels. These guys are loners, make their own rules, and win or lose by their own decisions with no one else to blame.
I like their attitudes. I like their independence. I like their limitations.
On a visit to the vampire famous Olympic Peninsula, including shopping sprees through the glittery souvenir shops, I had an idea for a vampire series. It had to occur in that location. But I wanted my vampire to be in the tradition of the loners with no pack to back her up. Sink or swim time. No one to blame but herself. So there she is, eighteen years old, on her own for the first time in her life, and no idea what her limitations are.
So of course she immediately falls in love with a darling human guy. And later she discovers the dangers.
Phoebe Matthews’s Turning Vampire series is published by Dark Quest Books, and is also available as an ebook. The first title is VAMPIRE CAREER, Dark Quest Books 2011.
Web Site: PhoebeMatthews.com
I adore most of the different types of vamps out there — good and bad. I like to see all the different character traits their authors’ bring to the table. So bring n the traditional or the newfangled ones. (wink, pun intended)
Thanks for the introduction to a new (to me) author. Looking forward to reading some of her work.
I love all vamps .
flanagan@mebtel.net
So glad you mentioned Henry from Tanya Huff’s books (and then short-lived, but excellent TV series). To me, he epitomizes that vamp as loner mystique, as well as one who does not get into “relationships, ” but has 1 night stands to both obtain blood the old-fashioned way and to make some kind of human connection. In this series, it was great to watch Henry change from this to falling in love. For those out there that haven’t read the books, I won’t give away any spoliers about his relationship with the heroine, Vicki. It’s just too good to watch unfold book to book.
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
I like all kinds of vamps but; especially the loner type whom you don’t expect.
definitely the loner, and make him tortured, and make him an alpha…oh yeah ;)
thank you for the gret post today. i have not read your book but it is going on my TBB for sure.
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I love the tall,dark and sexy vampire.
Haven’t read a vampire I don’t like!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Hi, I enjoyed reading all your comments and thanks for dropping by. About the Henry TV series, there is a scene when a bad guy tortures Henry past the limits of his patience. Henry breaks loose, grabs his tormentor by the hair and tromps down a long corridor dragging his victim. We hear a few screams and presume the tormentor made a nice supper for Henry, but anyway, I wish I had that 30 second bit to use as a screen saver. There are days when I feel like Henry, especially after getting recorded sales pitches on my phone. Watching Henry stomp always makes me laugh. Happy Vamp reading! – Phoebe
Thanks for the introduction to Phoebe Matthews and her story… definitely adding more to my wishlist:) Happy Holidays!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Thanks for the interview!
I like to read about all different types of vampires.
Vampire Career sounds like my kind of read.
kscathy@yahoo.com
I enjoyed the post and the reminder about ‘Henry’. I’ve never read the books only watched the TV series.
I like Syrie James’ ‘Nocturne’ for my most recent loner vampire example.
I haven’t read Phoebe’s books so I’ll have to check them out.
Thanks for the post!
Sorry I missed this. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year
I have to say that the tall, dark, dangerously sexy vampire is my faves.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com