NEVER THE BRIDE BUT . . .
ALWAYS THE VAMPIRE
Berkley Trade
ISBN: 9780425240885
5/3/2011
I stopped cold. Oh, no. Oh, God, no. Saber had symptoms of the sickness. Irritability in spades, plus he’d been falling asleep by midnight instead of his usual two in the morning. Come to think of it, our lovemaking had slacked off.
Conclusion? Saber was infected or feared he was, and he couldn’t bring himself to tell me.
Every muscle trembled as I pulled myself to my feet, skirted the coffee table, and walked into his arms.
“Deke,” I whispered, using the name I reserved for our most intimate moments. “Don’t worry. If you’re infected, we’ll fix it. We’ll find the Void, kill it, and cure you. I swear. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Maybe he knew I was talking a good game. Maybe he knew I wasn’t as confident as I made myself sound. Maybe that’s why he hesitated before he hugged me tighter.
"You’ll do whatever it takes?”
“Absolutely,” I said, leaning away to cup his cheek in my palm.
He gave me a slow smile.
“Good. Then let’s go see Triton.”
Triton? Oh, pelican poop.
~ ~ ~
Cesca Marinelli is the Oldest City’s only vampire, and you can bet your fangs she’ll be the best maid of honor ever for her friend Maggie’s Victorian wedding -- even if she has to wear a dress with a bustle. But when her mostly human honey, Saber, falls ill due to a magical construct called the Void, she’ll have to go beyond the call of bridesmaid duty to save Saber and the wedding party, too.
The Void is affecting every supernatural being Cesca knows, including her old shape-shifter pal, Triton. To counter the Void’s reign of terror and rescue her friends, she’ll need to activate ancient amulets and fully summon her vampire powers – two moves that may lead to her own doom.
~ ~ ~
NANCY HADDOCK is the national bestselling author of light paranormal mystery romances for Berkley. La Vida Vampire was released in 2008, Last Vampire Standing in 2009, and Always The Vampire in May 2011.
Nancy has been a Speech & Language pathologist, a high school teacher, and a volunteer in various organizations. She hails from northeast, Oklahoma, lived in the Dallas area for many years, and now makes her home near the beach in historic St. Augustine, Florida.
Nancy has been extremely generous with her time for many years with Romance Writers of America and romance writers! I’ve known and worked with Nancy for a decade (wow, it really has been that long) and I can tell you that her wonderful sense of humor shows in her writing. Romantic Times BookReveiws Magazine says:
“Haddock is making a name for herself by delivering novels that are wacky and humorous, populated with highly engaging characters.”
BITES & PIECES
ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
NANCY: That would be daily! I read an average of 2-3 books a week, and when I’m not lost in someone else’s novel, I’m (hopefully!) lost in the adventures of my own characters.
ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
NANCY: The Dick & Jane titles were big on my reading list early on along with Pokey Little Puppy and Nurse Nancy. (And yes, I have a copy of Nurse Nancy!) Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and lots of comic books followed, and then I read The Good Earth when I was about twelve. That book stills entrances me!
ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
NANCY: Oooh, Disney’s Chip and Dale are my favs!
ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
NANCY: Pretension and lying. I cannot abide either.
ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
NANCY: I read daily and I read everywhere – curled up on the couch, in waiting rooms, on the beach. I don’t walk and read much anymore, though. I run into things.
ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
NANCY: I love many, but a top pick has to be the sound of breaking waves.
ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
NANCY: Depending on my mood, both!
ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
NANCY: Ack! I don’t have just one. Three of my all-times favs are Father Goose, What’s Up, Doc?, and Dances With Wolves.
ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
NANCY: Of course I project myself into the protagonist – heroine or hero! (i.e., Jim Butcher’s Dresden) For the space of each story, I get to be spunky, smart, mysterious, magical, daring – you name it. And when I read a book such as Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki or Rachel Carson’s The Sea Around Us, I take a different journey that’s just as exciting.
ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
NANCY: I hope I do both as I write my books!
ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
NANCY: My heartfelt thanks! I’m honored by each reader, and I answer every e-mail … even if it takes a few days.
ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: So, Nancy, I have to admit that the Vampire way of life is hard for me to get into. I just have a hard time with the whole “undead” thing. Can you explain the appeal? And why would someone (like me) who isn’t attracted to vampires want to read your book?
NANCY’S GOTTA ANSWER: Whoa! Cesca Marinelli, here. I’m Nancy’s vampire heroine. Nancy would wax philosophical about the mysticism of immortality as the lure of vampire novels, but I have a shorter answer. For those who aren’t into dark and broody vamps, I’m not exactly undead. I have a pulse, I breathe, and I don’t even bite people. (You never know where they’ve been!) So, while I might be underdead (or would that be under alive?), my afterlife is pretty much like yours. Except, you know, for the whole solving mysteries thing. Oh, and the surfing. In short, vampires can be fun!
ANGI: I have to admit, Cesca, that you sound EXTREMELY appealing, fun, and very much alive! Can’t wait to get my “fangs” into another one of your adventures. You’ve converted me to the “underdead” appeal.
Nancy wants to know: If you could read on any beach in the world, where would that be and why is that beach your choice?
Nancy will give away a signed copy of the Always The Vampire (trade paperback) to one lucky random commenter within North America.
PLEASE NOTE: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an electronic Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.
You can find Nancy in the following cyber locations:Website: http://www.nancyhaddock.com/
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Haddock/86984510891
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Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/nancyhaddock
DON’T FORGET to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and come back for more great interviews this week with Karen Tabke on Friday & Ken Casper tomorrow. Join me next Wednesday as I welcome Emily March.
Commenters are eligible for Nancy's ALWAYS A VAMPIRE. Don't forget to let Nancy know which beach is your fav !!
Any deserted beach on a tropical island, that is not too hot, I know picky-picky. Thank you for sharing your books. I love vampire (and other paranormals) so don't know how I have missed these. I will need to check into them.
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy and welcome to GLIAS. I was so pleased for you when you sold. YIPPEE !!! HOORAY !!!! WOO HOO !! SUPER SNOOPY DANCE !!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite beach is Lanikai Beach, Oahu. White sand, a reef that calms the waters, I could sit in my beach chair and read while in the water. Amazing. (And not too hot, June.)
~~Angi
Loved the interview!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many beaches out there but if I had to pick one, I have always wanted to go to Bora Bora. I have heard the islands there are amazing and I cannot wait to lounge in the sun and read a good book one day!
For me about any beach will do as long as it isn't to crouded. I love the piece and quite when I am reading so I guess it would have to be a deserted beach. Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteI want to read on the beach in Greece. I've always wanted to visit and the beaches are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteiqb99@yahoo.com
Hi, Nancy! I loved Cesca pulling an intervention on your behalf. Imagine Angi asking you/her such a tough question, but Cesca pulled it off brilliantly. The blurb is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteA beach? Gosh, what a tempting question. I would say Fort Lauderdale for now because I was there in February and it was bliss compared to Colorado. I'd love to try Costa Rica and the Virgin Islands, too. In fact any place with warm sand a quiet and surf and solitude.
Thanks for being with us today!
Hi Nancy! Great interview...I love when authors get creative with the vampire genre and make their vamps a little different. Your stories sound amazing.
ReplyDeleteAs for beach reading, I am a pale skinned redhead, so I need a beach with lots of shade...
Hi, June! I agree about the not-too-hot beach. Sand can burn your feet!
ReplyDeleteIf you check out my books, I hope you'll enjoy them, and I do thank you for stopping by today!
Light,
Nancy
Ooooh, Angi! Sitting in a beach chair reading in the water. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for inviting me to guest with Get Lost in a Story! The blog site is awesome!!!
Light,
Nancy
Sherie, thanks so much for coming by!
ReplyDeleteBora Bora would be one of my choices, too! Or a beach in Tahiti. 'Course about anywhere with a book in hand will do, but ahhhh!!! The south Pacific would be divine!
Light,
Nancy
Virginia, welcome and thank you for coming by!
ReplyDeleteCrowds aren't my fav either, but I can - as the blog name says - get lost in a story about anywhere. Well, if there aren't kids running around kicking sand on me. :)
Light,
Nancy
Oh, Danielle! Greece!! A beach in Greece!!! I'm there with you! Greece is one of those places on my to-go list!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by to visit, and good luck in the drawing!
Light,
Nancy
Darling Donnell, how are you?
ReplyDeleteIt's a treat to be with you all, and thanks for the kind words about the interview and blog. Cesca doesn't have any problem jumping in over me, and that's usually a good thing! :)
I love the locations you picked, though I've never been to any except briefly to Lauderdale. Next time you get to FL, come see "my" beach! I'll drag you - er, show you - around town, too!
Happy rest of the week!
Light,
Nancy
Hello, Heather and welcome!
ReplyDeleteIn the absence of a shady beach, you can always pitch a beach tent. I see plenty of them here since we have more scrub plants than palm trees on or near our beaches.
If you give my books a try, I hope you'll enjoy them! Have a good rest of your week!
Light,
Nancy
:) Fun interview, Nancy! I admit it, I'm a Cesca fan! *G* Yes, I have my much awaited and coveted copy of Always The Vampire! Nancy, I'm so proud of you, and wish you continued success! ^5
ReplyDeleteDearest Diana, thank you so much for coming by, and for the kind words about my work! I hope you'll enjoy Always The Vampire, and I wish you every continued success as well! I love your Scotland-set historicals!
ReplyDeleteLight,
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview! Can hardly wait to get the book. If I had to choose a beach, it would be Hawaii. I loved those beaches!
Have a great evening!
Karilyn, hi! Any beach in Hawaii has to be a great choice! I haven't been there yet, but it's another place on my to-visit list!
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome rest of your week, and thanks so much for coming by!
Light,
Nancy
Just a note to apologize for not being on the blog earlier. I had one of those odd days that included losing time, and the day nearly got away from me entirely. Hate it when that happens!
ReplyDeleteI'll respond to comments or answer questions until Angi kicks me off. :)
Light,
Nancy
Nancy: thank you for being here. Best wishes for a terrific sale through on Always a Vampire. And I will look you up the next time I'm in Florida!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Nancy. Best of luck with many more series and especially with Cesca!
ReplyDelete~~Angi
Donnell, thank you for your good wishes, and do let me know next time you're coming this way!
ReplyDeleteAngi, thank you again for inviting me, and all the best with YOUR sales! You're racking up awards left and right, and that's SO cool!
Nancy
Dang, I wish I was Cesca!
ReplyDeletethanks for the great stories, Nancy!
Neringa
Who knew the wonderful variety of vamps in existence? But your Cesca sounds absolutely, well, yummy!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite beaches are the black volcanic sands of the Pacific side of Costa Rica — rain forests meeting the beach, strong breaking waves, and the beautiful, friendly Ticos.
Jodi O'Shea-Walker
The Cayman Islands aren't too bad either! =)
i know im late but i loved the interview the crashing of the waves is a good sound to read to or listening to the rain as well. but my listening is the sound of the lake as im fishing with my pole in the water in one hand and my book in the other. as for my favorite beach i would have to pick a beach in maui i went there when i was 16 for 2 weeks and would walk along it at night and day. i used to envision a kiss under the moon by a cute hawian guy. any way just wanted to stop in and say awesome interview and couldnt resist the question
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS JODI !!
ReplyDeleteYou're the winner of Nancy's book.
Please send an email to: GetLostInAStory@gmail.com & Angi@AngiMorgan.com and I'll get your information.
~~Angi