Everyone–make that everyTHING–has a weakness, right? Author Mel Teshco, whose Nocturne Bite Her Dark Lord is on sale now, debates vampires’ weaknesses (or as she calls them, kryptonite) today on Harlequin’s Paranormal Romance Blog. And if your weakness is free books, be sure to check out Mel’s contest at the bottom of the post!
by Mel Teshco, author of Her Dark Lord (Silhouette Nocturne Bites, March 2010)
As a writer I know I’m not alone in wanting to give my characters flaws and weaknesses. A superman-type hero or heroine might be great in theory, but they still have to have their own brand of Kryptonite—or the driving force behind the story, the tension, is almost negligible.
The same can be said for vampires. Of course, nightwalkers may well be the most powerful beings in many a writer’s universe, but what is their weakness?—Blood? Probably. The sun? Most likely. It all depends on the author’s use of world building.
In my Nocturne Bites story HER DARK LORD, though the heroine Kia Montana , has inherited vampire immortality, she has mortal flaws too—and loves her human mother as only a ‘normal’ daughter would.
My vampire hero is the Ancient One, the eldest of vampires whose very age makes him even more powerful. It’s nearly laughable to imagine he’d succumb to something as pitifully weak as love. Only, he’s been watching Kia for some time, wanting her…falling for her—an extremely rare dhampir—despite himself.
With my heroine’s mission one that is personal and urgent, it is soon apparent her mission is her Achilles heel…not the fact she is a hybrid against a dark lord with uncanny abilities who makes her feel things she’d rather not…
In my fellow Bites author Anna Hackett’s HUNTER’S SURRENDER, the hero and heroine initially believe they have no weaknesses, no Kryptonite and no Achilles heel.
Vampire royalty, Dominique Valois is simply looking for a way to save her life…and vampire hunter, Rand Wilder is just a means to an end. But the more time she spends with him, the more she realizes something is missing from her refined, immortal life. She starts to yearn for the heat and emotions humans take for granted.
Battle-scarred Rand finds his Kryptonite in the heroine. For a man who’s spent his life killing vampires, it’s a shock to find himself falling for one. Dominique forces him to look past his own pain and see the humanity in his prey.
So if you’re looking for a quick, action-packed, emotionally-charged read with characters with mortal flaws (but cool immortal powers) I hope you’ll check out HER DARK LORD and keep an eye out for HUNTER’S SURRENDER in April.
Her Dark Lord
When dhampir Kia Montana takes a man home, she isn’t looking for names or a relationship—she only wants someone who could satisfy her lust for both sex and blood. But Kia’s new mission is to find Sean Maximillus, Lord Vampire and the lone being capable of curing Kia’s mother. Kia thought she found the key to success with Ronan, a mysterious man who promises to take her to Maximillus…and who shares a carnal passion with Kia even bloodlust couldn’t match.
But Ronan also seems to know too much about Kia…things she never told him. And as she is drawn deeper into Ronan’s world, he reveals secrets that will change Kia’s life forever….
What is your favorite vampire weakness/kryptonite? Leave your answer and a comment to be entered to win a free copy of Her Dark Lord from Mel!
Note: the contest is now closed. Thanks to all who commented. The winner was Kate Leger. Kate, please contact Mel at melteshco [at] yahoo[dot]com[dot]au.
I love it when vampires, “immortal undead”, can be brought to their knees by innocence. Fatally pure innocence. Love….as the sharpest, strongest stake to the heart.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Ooh I like that Mel – yes, heros and heroines need to have an Achilles Heel or Kryptonite.
I do like the falling in love with the enemy theme – like Buffy and Angel – can just evoke so much emotion.
Congrats to you and Anna on your current releases.
Don’t enter me into the draw as I’ve already got Her Dark Lord
Hi Mel! Well I have to agree with you about the best Kryptonite! There’s just something irresistible about seeing a powerful immortal brought to his knees by love! (or maybe I’m just evil… very possible!!)
My favorite vampire weakness is the thirst for blood. I Love the descriptions of throbbing veins and heart beats. But I am weird
My Favorite vampire weakness is their thirst for blood. I love the descriptions of throbbing veins and heart beats. But I am weird
I will have to try and get hold of Hunter’s Surrender as my favourite kind of kryptonite is the heroine or hero for the other.
I guess I will be looking for Her Dark Lord too as I can never get enough of various versions of vampire stories
Hey Mel –
I love me some vampire Kryptonite! Seeing powerful characters brought to their knees by love is always so rewarding.
Congrats on Her Dark Lord and thanks for mentioning Hunter’s Surrender!
Hi Virginia –
I love the vampire falling for innocence thing as well!! In Hunter’s Surrender I used that but turned it around.
My vampire heroine is the one with the innocence and my hunter hero has to see beyond the vampire to the woman beneath.
Obsession. That is what intrigues me most with vamps – they always seem obsessed with something or someone and no matter how hard they try, they just can’t stay away.
I have to agree that a vampire falling in love with a non-vampire is my favorite weakness. Then you always have the question, will the vampire turn the loved one ? Makes for a very interesting and intriguing story.
Well, I don’t know if this is going to show up twice, but my favorite weakness is when the vampire falls in love with the non-vampire (human) person. Then you have the question, will the vampire turn their loved one. Makes for an interesting and intriguing story.
Hi Virginia,
I agree, love is the sharpest stake to avampire’s heart – and what a way to go! =)
Hi Eleni!
Falling in love with the enemy – you just can’t beat it!! Hope you enjoyed Her Dark Lord =)
Christina! Naa, you’re not evil, like me you enjoy a great being falling hard!!
Robin,
you’re not weird at all. I think it’s a powerful motivator for something pwoerful to be drawn to our lifeblood =)
Hi Ilona!
hope you enjoy our stories =)
The heroine, for me, has to be the hero’s biggest kryptonite. She’s his one weakness. And she knows it =)
Wow, what a timing
I had asked last week the same in my blog under the heading ‘License to kill’ and hollered for help on how to kill an evil vamp in my current WIP..
The hero is of course a vamp too.. and that made it all the more interesting..
I never thought on terms of hero’s weakness and so happy to read such interesting titbits
From my perspective – I feel the hero / heroine’s mortality becomes a great kryptonite factor – that makes “falling in love” more painful
Vampire Weakness? ” Pish Posh,” no such thing! Lol, but seriously, my fave has got to the the age old usual. Stake through the heart. If you are brave enough to get close enough to be able to hit that oh so small mark, they they (lol) deserve it!
But, the romance and genuine adoration associated with a vampires love for his gal is simply wonderful! If only us everyday gal could find the love of a man so honorable that he’s forfeit his entire existence for us!…WOW )**swooning at the thought***)
Thanks for sharing! These stories look wonderful!
Kate aka YzhaBella
http://www.yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
you’re so rightWyanne . A vampire seems always to have an obsession with something!
Hi Linda,
ah, the turmoil of ‘turning’ a loved one. It makes for some great conflict, doesn’t it!?
Ju,
I’m going to have to find your post now! =)
Mortality versus immortality, it must be hell for a vampire to watch their mortal lover die.
Hi Kate!
it’d take a hell of a practised aim to hit that target – and I wouldn’t want to be the one having to do it!!
And I agree, a vamp giving up his existence for his girl is a definate swoon from me too! (g)
Hi Ilona –
Hope you can get your hands on Hunter’s Surrender (and Her Dark Lord)! I’m with you, my fav kind of kryptonite is the heroine or hero for the other!
Hi Robin –
You’re not weird. I think you’re probably in good company here (-:
Kate -
I’m still giggling at *Vampire Weakness? ” Pish Posh,”*
Because they have so few, that’s what makes their weakness to their hero/heroine so wonderful. Would be nice to find our own sexy, die-for-us, immortal (-:
I love the bloodlust, too. Something about the pull of the desire, and how often the hero (or heroine) is fighting it because they don’t want to harm this person they’ve come to love. Oh, and when the give in – ZING!
It goes hand in hand with that person also being their weakness…
Congrats again on your releases, girls.
Pingback: Cruisin’ the Blog and Member’s News « Romance Writers of Australia
Thanks everyone for your patience – I’ve chosen Kate Leger as the winner of HER DARK LORD!
Kate, send me your email and I’ll send you the coupon =)
Thanks for participating! I hope you enjoy my story!
I think their weakness to sunlight would be a bummer to not be able to be out in the daylight!