Anytime is Vampire Time!

Imagine finding out your fantasy man was real — and a vampire out to erase your memory! That’s the premise behind author Lydia Parks‘ new Silhouette Nocturne Bite, Shadow Lover. Learn more as Lydia blogs about her Bite and love of vampires…

By Lydia Parks, author of Shadow Lover

I love writing vampires. In fact, vampires brought me into the writing world. I was a huge fan of a somewhat obscure television show, Forever Knight, and because of it started playing with fan-fiction many years ago when the Internet was still relatively new. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing. I’m an engineer, after all. What did I know about writing fiction? Fortunately, I lucked out and met a New York editor on the fan-fiction site who urged me to try my hand at romance novels. My first romance came out from a major publisher four years later. Since then, I’ve had a number of romances and mysteries published, but I still love writing vampires.

My Nocturne Bite, Shadow Lover, features Griffin, a sexy, somewhat flashy vampire who comes face-to-face with Serena, the woman he has followed since she was young, when he saves her life. Until that moment, Serena thought he was a figment of her imagination. In fact, she has spent her life lecturing on dark fantasies and the myths of vampires. Once she knows he’s real, Griffin must erase her memory of him, but the process isn’t without risk. And Serena is justifiably suspicious when Griffin tells her that she must be at the height of sexual pleasure for him to connect with her thoughts.

There’s more to the relationship than the initial encounter between vampire and single woman. In fact, Griffin has been in love with Serena since he first saw her, and now has the chance to make her his own, but he must decide just how selfish his love is. He tried to bring another into his dark world long ago and failed. Can he risk Serena’s life? (I can’t say more without giving it all away!)

I set Shadow Lover in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I lived for eleven years. To me, Santa Fe is a southwestern version of New Orleans, my hometown. Both cities are filled with history, unique culture, and quirky individuals. And both have a wonderfully mysterious side. It’s no coincidence that Anne Rice’s vampires felt so at home in New Orleans. I think they might have liked Santa Fe, too.

In spite of being an engineer, I’m a romantic. I believe in the power of love and the importance of connecting with other humans. For that reason, I enjoy writing romance of all varieties. Well, almost all. I have to admit, the mildest of my romances is pretty steamy. What can I say? And I’ve always wanted to write for Silhouette, especially Nocturne where I get to combine romance and vampires, two of my favorite subjects. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I hope you enjoy the story.

Have I mentioned that I enjoy hearing from readers? You’d be surprise how much quick e-mails mean to your favorite authors. Writing is a solitary business. You can reach me at lydia @ lydiaparks.com (without the spaces).

I wish I knew who that Forever Knight fan-fiction editor was so I could thank her.

So, what’s your favorite setting for vampire stories? Any place you want to see a story set that you haven’t yet?